Send Help (out Jan 29) brings back memories of Triangle of Sadness in that it's about shifting power dynamics between two people stuck on a deserted island following a plane crash. I enjoyed the unlikeable characters and unexpected plot points. That said, it's a bumpy screenplay with a few events feeling goofy and contrived. A mixed bag. Grade: B-.

Blue Moon (out Jan 29) is set almost entirely in one location and follows acclaimed lyricist Lorenz Hart as he interacts with an assortment of people in a New York bar in 1943. I’d have preferred a bit more drama/narrative but it’s hard to fault the lead performance of Ethan Hawke who makes it an interesting character study. Grade: B.

It Was Just an Accident (out Jan 29) is a movie you won’t soon forget. Wikipedia labels it a “thriller” but the plot is so absurd (in a good way), that I’ll describe is as an extremely dark comedy. The less you know going in the better! Winner of the Palme d'Or at Cannes, it deals with politics, retribution, and forgiveness. Grade: A-.

Mercy (out Jan 22) is a futuristic film where criminal cases are presided over by virtual judges and if you can’t prove your innocence, you’ll be executed. Great idea but the screenplay is a mess. One of the year's worst. Grade: C-.

The Secret Agent (out Jan 22) won the Golden Globe for best foreign language film. The title may have you thinking it's a slick spy film, but it's more of a slow-burn drama that’s about people instead of Hollywood-style action and thrills. I wasn't sold on every plot point (maybe need to see it a second time) but it pulls you into its world and makes you care about the fate of its interesting characters. So many distinctive performances! Grade: A-.

Somebody to Love (out Jan 22) is best described as an adult-themed, live-action version of Inside Out. Two people go on a first date and as the night progresses, we follow their thoughts through people who live inside their head. The novelty wore off quickly for me. I didn't find the two leads interesting at all. Grade: C.

Primate (out Jan 22) is a dreadfully written thriller about a pet chimpanzee which gets infected with rabies and terrorises its owners. So many of the characters' actions lack logic and common sense. Grade: C.

Marty Supreme (out Jan 22) could finally be the film which wins Timothée Chalamet his first Academy Award. Set in the 1950s, he plays an arrogant American ping pong player who will "screw" anyone over (family, friends, colleagues) to get ahead. He's intensely unlikeable... but you still respect his hustle. Love the music score and it's got one of the best acting ensembles of the year. Grade: A-.

28 Years Later: The Bone Temple (out Jan 15) continues this excellent franchise by taking chances and spinning in new, interesting directions. Screenwriter Alex Garland weaves together violent gore, heart, laughs, and political themes. I was never bored and the performances, headlined by Jack O'Connell, are superb. Grade: A-.

Hamnet (out Jan 15) is a work of fiction but imagines what life was like for William Shakespeare and his wife, Anne, following the death of their young son. I was a little underwhelmed by the opening two acts but the stirring climax leaves an impact. Grade: B+.