Dead of Winter (out Nov 27) is contrived but, as a fan of Emma Thompson, it's nice to see her as a quasi-action hero. She plays a widowed woman who reluctantly finds herself rescuing a kidnapped girl from a remote, snow-covered cabin. Grade: B-.

Christmas Karma (out Nov 27) is a modern-day adaptation of Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol. It's well-intentioned but it's also forced and over acted. With respect to the character, nuance is non-existent. Grade: C.

Lurker (out Nov 27) is an engaging thriller about authority, friendship and fandom. It reminded me of The Talented Mr. Ripley in that it's about a young man who weaves his way into the life of a person he admires. First time filmmaker Alex Russell shows he has a knack for establishing tone (it's wonderfully creepy in places) and finding a great cast. Grade: B+.

Jay Kelly (out Nov 20) is a disappointing drama which stars George Clooney as a big-name movie star reflecting on his career. It's the same theme for 2 hours (balancing work and family) and I don't think it provides enough to reflect upon. Grade: C+.

Put Your Soul on Your Hand and Walk (out Nov 20) is a documentary from Iranian-born director Sepideh Farsi and features a series of iPhone conversations with Fatima Hassouna, a 25-year-old Palestinean photographer caught up in the war in Gaza. It's a powerful film where the emotion builds with each scene. Also, a reminder that we all have a story worth telling. Grade: B+.

Wicked: For Good (out Nov 20) is another winner thanks to the impeccable casting of Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande in the two lead roles. That said, outside of Elphaba and Galinda, every other character feels less relevant this time around. I don't want to diss too strongly though. The screenplay needed work but the music, the costumes, the production design… it adds up a wonderful big-screen experience. Grade: B+.

If I Had Legs I'd Kick You (out Nov 13) has a great central performance from Rose Byrne but I found it to be a frustrating experience. Aside from a reminder that life is hard, what do I take away from this? It's the tale of a psychologist for whom life is spiralling out of control due to dramas, both at home and work. Grade: C+.

Train Dreams (out Nov 6) may frustrate some with its slow pacing but I found it to be a beautiful, meditative film that asks us to appreciate the richness of life. Touchingly narrated by Will Patton, it's the early 20th Century story of a ordinary man (Joel Edgerton) making a meagre living as a lumberjack in a remote part of the United States. Grade: A-.

Frankenstein (out Oct 23) is fine... but given it's a story which has been adapted repeatedly over time, I'm not convinced it's creating something original or memorable. Great production values but slow in places. Grade: B.

Now You See Me: Now You Don’t (out Nov 13) is the best in the trilogy... but that's not saying much. The flashy cast and flashy locations provide the “illusion” of something sexy and cool but the more you think about the narrative, the dumber it appears. There are positives though. I liked the injection of young actors and while the villain's plans are head-scratching, Rosamund Pike has fun with an over-the-top performance (and accent). Grade: C+.