Birds of Prey (out Feb 6) is better than Suicide Squad and it comes together nicely in the final 20 minutes but it doesn’t always make the most of its opportunities. The film relies too heavily on Margot Robbie and whilst she’s terrific, it doesn’t allow the supporting players (who are just as interesting) to be brought together sooner. Ewan McGregor lacks effectiveness as a hapless villain. Grade: B.

H is for Happiness (out Feb 6) is an Australian family feature about a peculiar 12-year-old girl who juggles school life while trying to bring her fractured family back together. Based on the book My Life As An Alphabet and not afraid to tackle darker material, this is fun and quirky. Grade: B+.

The Lighthouse (out Feb 6) is a rare cinematic two-hander in the sense that there are only two characters. A pair of lighthouse keepers (played by Willem Dafoe and Robert Pattinson) lose their grip on reality when posted on a tiny island in the middle of nowhere. From its distinctive cinematography to Willem Dafoe getting a mouthful of dirt, this is one of the more memorable films of the year. Grade: B+.

The Grudge (out Jan 30) is terrible. A feeble "side sequel" to the earlier American movies (released between 2004 and 2009) and about a series of people who come into contact with a possessed house. The characters' actions don't make sense and it relies on the same tired techniques to scare audiences. Boring. Grade: C-.

Seberg (out Jan 30) is based on the true story of American actress Jean Seberg who was unfairly targeted by the FBI in the 1970s for her links to civil rights groups. It's an interesting tale (Kristen Stewart is great) but the film struggles to encapsulate her complicated life inside of the 102 minute running time. It's also loose with facts. Grade: B-.

The Peanut Butter Falcon (out Jan 30) is the tale of an aimless, troubled drifter who befriends a young man with Down syndrome who escape from a care facility. The drama is manufactured in places but it's still a story with a big heart. Grade: B.

A Hidden Life (out Jan 30) tells the true story of an Austrian farmer who was persecuted for refusing to pledge his allegiance to Adolf Hitler during World War II. As he’s done in the past, director Terrence Malick wants to show us how beautiful and simple the world is… but then contrast that with the complexity of humanity and the issues that we create for ourselves. Grade: A-.

Midway (out Jan 30) is a bloated, confusing, cliché-laden World War II movie that isn’t worthy of the actual events it is trying to recreate. The characters feel like they've been lifted from a 1980s action movie and the dialogue is dreadful. Many other filmmakers have done it before when it comes to powerful WWII movies… and done it much better. Grade: C.

Underwater (out Jan 23) stars Kristen Stewart as an engineer who finds herself trapped in a research station at the bottom of the ocean after it is attacked by a mysterious creature. While a few plot elements left me scratching my head, this is still a fast-paced, effective thriller. Grade: B.

Like a Boss (out Jan 23) is a comedy about two women (Tiffany Haddish and Rose Byrne) who argue over the direction of their struggling cosmetics company. It's about the value of life-long friends (a worthy message) but the execution is dismal. The story makes NO sense. Jennifer Coolidge is the only member of the cast who earns genuine laughs. Grade: C-.