A United Kingdom (out Dec 26) is based on a true story and follows a prince from Botswana who risks his future after falling in love with an Englishwoman. It feels too oversimplified in places but it's an interesting piece of history that many will be unfamiliar with. Grade: B-.

Rosalie Blum (out Dec 26) is an unorthodox French comedy about romantic entanglement. It has its quirky charm but the strange behaviour of these characters (stalking?) makes it hard to enjoy. Not sure about the ending either. Grade: C+.

La La Land (out Dec 26) has a few small lulls but it's still a wonderful modern-day musical. It has something to say about the choices we make in life and the directions they take us in. Emma Stone and Ryan Gosling made for an ideal pairing and director Damien Chazelle (Whiplash) dazzles us with great music, lighting and editing. Grade: A-.

Rogue One: A Star Wars (out Dec 15) is a worthy prequel to Star Wars that shines the light on the "forgotten heroes" in this fictitious world. It'll hold your attention but it doesn't quite have the depth of others in the franchise. Grade: B.

Office Christmas Party (out Dec 8) has a small number of laughs but for the most part, it's a limp comedy. It focuses too much on a dull story about "saving the company" and less on the outrageous Christmas party that features prominently in the advertising. Grade: C.

Queen of Katwe (out Dec 1) is based on a true story and follows a young girl who rises from the slums of Uganda to become an international chess champion. There's not a lot of subtlety in the film but it's still a feel-good underdog tale that will warm hearts. Grade: B+.

Little Men (out Dec 8) reminds us that life often throws up situations where there are no winners. Two well-meaning families find themselves caught up in a property dispute which threatens the friendship of their 13-year-old sons. This is a well-told tale that comes together nicely in the last half-hour. Grade: B+.

The Founder (out Nov 24) is slow at times but as a whole, it's still an enlightening drama about how Ray Kroc (Michael Keaton) created the world's largest fast food empire. Grade: B+.

Billy Lynn's Long Halftime Walk (out Nov 24) is from director Ang Lee and explores the way in which Americans distance themselves from the realities of war and the way in which it is packaged as "entertainment". It's discussion worthy but there's a level of repetition in the film that makes it less interesting that it could have been. Grade: B.

Underworld: Blood Wars (out Dec 1) is "more of the same" in this long running franchise. It's light on narrative and heavy on gory fight sequences. Aside from a creative action piece on a frozen lake, there's not a lot to get excited about. Grade: C+.