IT seems that the release schedule for Australian cinema is built around the state to our south, as this week’s slate of family films arrives perfectly timed for Victoria’s school holidays.

A heavy favourite for the next great, enduring animated classic is Dreamworks adaptation of The Wild Robot.

‘Roz’ is a utility robot that is stranded on a remote island after her cargo ship runs aground.

When the island’s wildlife accidentally activates her, she must change her own programming to adapt to the natural world for which she is not designed.

Aiming for big emotion with this heartwarming tale, Dreamworks have swung for the fences with this, the final animated film they will produce in house, and it looks as though they will be shutting down their animation department on a winner.

Those wanting a little more action/adventure in their animation can check out Transformers One, the first animated film in this franchise in 40 years.

Serving as a ‘prequel’ to the Transformers characters and stories, this film tells the story of how the first Transformers gained their power and what started the conflict between the Autobots (Goodies) and the Decepticons (Baddies).

Big franchises in general have followed a pattern by which animated films – free from many of the pressures and expectations of the live-action blockbusters – end up being far superior to most other entries.

This looks to continue that trend, with over-complicated back-stories and continuity all discarded for the primary rule of family films: Have fun!

The voice cast is a bit loaded with stars as well, featuring performances by Chris Hemsworth, Scarlett Johansson, Brian Tyree Henry and Steve Buscemi, amongst others.

Boys will dig it – parents probably won’t be bored.

Looking to join the ranks of beloved Aussie gems like The Dish and The Castle, Runt will premiere this week.

The story focuses on what the best Aussie stories always do: the Little Aussie Battler.

In this case, the small but spirited daughter of an outback farming family, fallen on hard times, seeks to solve her town’s problems by entering her rescued mongrel (the titular Runt) in the Krumpets Dog Show in London.

Facing opposition from a local greedy land baron, played by the legendary Jack Thompson, and an obnoxiously pretentious Dog Show Overseer (played by Matt Day) who is appalled by the mixed-breed status of Runt, this film revels in the chance to portray the underdogs standing up defiantly to the people who would treat them unfairly.

Comedian Celeste Barber and Jai Courtney play the down-to-earth parents, with Deborah Mailman putting in a supporting performance.

The star performance, however, truly is a two-hander with young Lily LaTorre and Squid playing Annie and her beloved Runt.

Watching the trailer makes the plot of the film blatantly obvious, but as Roger Ebert used to say, it’s not what a movie’s about, it’s how it’s about it.

I suspect the charms of this one will not be lost on those who make this a family night out.

For those parents who may want to drop their children off to a screening of one of the above, and then slip into another theatre for more adult fare, The Substance has you covered.

This film is receiving major buzz from international audiences after having played at the Cannes Film Festival and won the award for Best Screenplay.

Praise has been heaped on the performance of Demi Moore (my gosh, remember her?!?) who plays an ageing celebrity fitness personality desperate to hold on to her fame and position.

She turns to a mysterious product that purports to “create a younger, better you” when injected, but which has horrifying side-effects when mis-used.

A satire and scathing critique of our impossible societal beauty standards, this body horror also sees an impressive turn from Dennis Quaid as a vile Hollywood-type Producer.

The second feature from French filmmaker Coralie Fargeat, audiences can expect some thought provoking examination of unbalanced expectations of men and women alongside some genuinely disturbing imagery.

By Lindsay HALL