Uncharted is an Indiana Jones style adventure starring Tom Holland, Mark Wahlberg and Antonio Banderas. This is complete trash… but in a fun way. Nothing makes sense but there are good set pieces (such as an early scene where Tom Holland plays a bartender/grifter) and there’s decent banter between the leads. Grade: B.

Flee (out Feb 17) is the first film to be nominated at the Academy Awards for best international feature, best animated feature and best documentary feature. It’s the story of a boy who fled war torn Afghanistan with his family in 1980s and sought a new home and a new future. Blending different styles of animation, this is an incredibly moving film that highlights the emotional scars forever carried by refugees. Grade: A.

C’mon C’mon (out Feb 17) is the story of a unmarried man with no kids (Joaquin Phoenix) asked by his sister to care for his 8-year-old nephew while she deals with family issues. He finds the experience both rewarding and exhausting. The way writer-director Mike Mills can make audiences care so deeply about characters in the space of two hours is a skill many other filmmakers struggle to master. Grade: A.

Quo Vadis, Aida? (out Feb 17) was nominated at last year’s Oscars for best international feature. Taking place in July 1995 and based on actual events, it’s the story of a Bosnian woman, working for the UN, who tries to save her family when Serbian troops invade the town. Shot like a documentary, this is a powerful, depressing piece of cinema that shines the spotlight on events that should never be forgotten. Grade: A.

Aline (out Feb 17) is inspired by the life of Celine Dion and is the story of a young singer’s rise to fame. Just because a person is talented and famous doesn’t necessarily mean they’re interesting enough for a feature film. It’s like a shallow highlight reel of Dion’s life. Needed a narrower, deeper focus. Grade: C+.

Marry Me (out Feb 10) is reminiscent of Notting Hill in that it’s about a world famous female celebrity (this time a music staff) who enters a relationship with a complete stranger (this time a school math teacher). I don’t mind the pairing of Jennifer Lopez and Owen Wilson but while Notting Hill made it look so effortless, Marry Me is mishmash of scenes that lack credibility and coherency. Grade: C+.

Blacklight (out Feb 10) is a Liam Neeson helmed thriller about a tired, ready-to-retire-to-spend-more-time-with-his-family FBI operative trying to protect undercover agents in the field. Shady government officials, moralistic journalists and a hero who is always in the right place at the right time. None of this is particularly convincing. The same can be said for the action scenes too. Grade: C+.

Death on the Nile (out Feb 10) sees Kenneth Branagh reprise his role as dessert-loving detective Hercule Poirot as he gets involved with another murder mystery. The huge cast includes Annette Bening, Russell Brand, Gal Gadot and Sophie Okonedo. The pay-off isn’t too bad but it’s a sluggish lead up. Grade: B-.

Drive My Car (out Feb 10) is a complex movie with a simple title. Strap yourself in for... an epic 3-hour Japanese drama about an acclaimed theatre actor staging an unorthodox production of Anton Chekhov’s classic play, Uncle Vanya. Parts feel unnecessarily long and drawn out but there’s much to digest here. Interesting characters who do strange things. Grade: B+.

Benedetta (out Feb 10) is based on actual events and is the story of a 17th century nun who has visions of Christ while also engaging in a lesbian love affair. Standard stuff really. An eyebrow-raising blend of spirituality, scepticism and sex. Not sure it'll get the Pope's recommendation but this is wild ride courtesy of French director Paul Verhoeven. Grade: B+.