Good Boys (out Sep 19) follows three 12-year-old kids who go on a series of misadventures as they prepare for their first "kissing party". The storyline doesn't flow as smoothly as it should (parts feel like unrelated skits) but these cute, foul-mouthed characters will win audiences over. It’s hard not to be amused as they misinterpret words and try to act older than they are. Grade: B+.

The Angry Birds Movie 2 (out Sep 12) is targeted squarely at young kids. It follows our beloved birds and pigs who team up to defeat a new enemy. It's simple, colourful and easy to follow. That said, it doesn't offer much in terms of emotion or character development. Grade: B-.

Downton Abbey (out Sep 12) is the latest movie spin-off from a successful TV show. Set in 1927, this two hour movie is structured a visit from King George V and Queen Mary who are spending roughly 24 hours at the famed residence. The cast is superb and it’s no surprise to see 84-year-old Maggie Smith as the standout in a role that won her three Emmy Awards. The film captures the era and is jolly good fun. Grade: B+.

Freaks (out Sep 12) is a futuristic sci-fi flick about a father (Emile Hirsch) who is shielding his 7-year-old daughter (Lexy Kolker) from the dangers of the world. Writer-directors Adam Stein and Zach Lipovsky withhold key information and while it builds early intrigue, I'm not sure the finale is worth it. Grade: B.

It Chapter Two (out Sep 5) is far from perfect but it's still great to see a horror film that delves into deeper issues (friendship, bullying, trauma, adulthood) as opposed to just providing easy scares. It picks up the story 27 years after the original flick (released in 2017) and follows these self-described "losers" as they confront their past... and oh yeah, the sinister clown. Grade: B.

Angel of Mine (out Sep 5) is an American-Australian drama about a woman (Noomi Rapace) struggling to cope with the death of her newborn daughter. It's an interesting exploration of grief and its aftereffects but sadly, the message is soured when the film becomes a clumsy, twisting thriller. Grade: B-.

The Farewell (out Sep 5) is a beautifully told tale that celebrates diversity whilst recognising the emotional similarities that connect us. When it hits you, it hits you! Based on actual events, it's the story of a 30-something-year-old Chinese American (Awkwafina) who takes a quick trip to her birthplace in China to visit her grandmother who is dying of cancer. There's a catch though... Grade: A-.

Kursk (out Aug 29) is a dramatic re-enactment (with English speaking actors) of the submarine disaster that occurred during a Russian naval exercise in 2000. It covers the event from multiple perspectives but it suffers because of a sluggish pace and lack of tension. Grade: B-.

Dogman (out Aug 29) is a gut-wrenching, sad Italian drama about a kind-hearted dog groomer who, in trying to make a better life for his young daughter, falls in with the wrong crowd. Great performances. Powerful themes. Grade: A.

The Kitchen (out Aug 29) is an uneven mess. It stars Melissa McCarthy, Tiffany Haddish and Elisabeth Moss as three women who become mobsters in 1970s New York. Their achievements lack credibility and there are significant gaps in the narrative. Couldn't care less about a single character. Grade: C-.