Jumanji: The Next Level (out Dec 26) is a cool follow-up to the 2017 reboot.  It features some creative “crazy dangerous” scenarios (one with ladders and baboons comes to mind) and has fun by mixing up the characters involved (the actors are clearly having a good time).  Very entertaining.  Grade: B+.

Jojo Rabbit (out Dec 26) is a dark comedy from New Zealand director Taika Waititi about a 10-year-old German boy who, in the waning days of World War II, has a Jewish girl hidden in the attic and Adolf Hitler as an imaginary friend dispensing advice.  Yes, I’ll admit to laughing at the inappropriate humour.  The novelty wears a little thin in places but it’s still a wild ride with a splash of heart.  Grade: A-.

Sorry We Missed You (out Dec 26) is a heavy, powerful drama from British director Ken Loach about a middle aged man from north-east England doing everything he can to hold down a job and provide for his family.  Making important observations about contracting and capitalism, its effects will linger as you leave the theatre. Grade: A-.

Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker (out Dec 19) is a worthy climax to the series. It's well made (sound, music, visuals) and continues its focus on the most intriguing element - the interplay between Rey and Kylo Ren. Other subplots are rushed (they kind of wash over you given the frenetic pace) but criticisms mean little with a film like this. It's gonna make a LOT of money. Grade: B+.

Playing with Fire (out Dec 12) is the tale of a smoke jumper crew who reluctantly care for 3 kids rescued in a fire. It's an over-the-top, nonsensical family flick that struggles to find humour from a tricky subject matter (the negligence of children). Home Alone had charm. This is just dumb. Grade: C.

Black Christmas (out Dec 12) is the story of a group of young women who are being terrorised at their college by masked assailants. It generates a moderate level of interest/suspense but the ending didn't work for me. Grade: B-.

Playmobil: The Movie (out Dec 12) is an average animated feature based on the German building toys. It's a silly story that lacks depth and nuance. Better suited to a cartoon TV series. Grade: C.

The Two Popes (out Dec 5) is a part real, part fictional drama about the transition in 2012 from Pope Benedict XVI to Pope Francis. The film touches on interesting subjects (settling differences, forgiveness, progression, cover-ups) but disappointingly, there's no big takeaway from this. Worthy performances from stars Jonathan Pryce and Anthony Hopkins. Grade: B+.

The Addams Family (out Dec 5) is an animated feature that features the characters first made famous by cartoonist Charles Addams in 1938. Unfortunately, is a disappointing film that lacks a strong, compelling narrative. It has monsters doing/saying weird things and humans acting like huge jerks but when that’s all you’ve got for 87 minutes, the novelty quickly wears thin. Grade: C.

The Good Liar (out Dec 5) reunited the Gods & Monsters pairing of director Bill Condon and actor Ian McKellen. It's the story of an 80-year-old guy who dupes unsuspecting folk out of their hard-earned savings. It’s an intriguing storyline but the execution is poor. From bizarre investment chat, to goofy money-exchanging calculators, to a heinous railway crime, this is a muddled, disappointing movie. Grade: C+.