Pig (out Sep 16) is a pleasant surprise. It's the story of a man who, after spending more than a decade living as a hermit in an Oregon forest, returns to civilization on a vengeance mission after goons steal his prized pet pig. There’s a fair bit to unpick here and first-time director Michael Samoski provides a nice balance of intrigue and dramatic action. Nicolas Cage terrific in the lead role. Grade: B+.

Ride the Eagle (out Sep 9) has an interesting concept - a man inherits an house from his late mother... but only if he agrees to complete a series of tasks left by her. Unfortunately, the characters are dull and the laughs, for the most part, don't hit the mark. Grade: C+.

Summer of Soul (out Sep 2) is a terrific documentary that shows previously unseen footage of the 1969 Harlem Cultural Festival (featuring amazing music) while also delving into the mood of African Americans at the time. Grade: A-.

Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings (out Sep 2) is the latest in the Marvel universe and is about a master of Kung Fu who must take on his villainous father to save the world. This is decent. There are well choreographed action pieces (e.g. a scene on the scaffolding of a high-rise building) and some humorous banter between the characters. Grade: B+.

Streamline (out Sep 2) is a Queensland-made coming-of-age tale about a 15-year-old swimming prodigy who, triggered by a family event, heads down a path of self-destruction. Character development is light on and the swimming scenes are hammy... but the strong lead performance of star Levi Miller makes you invest in this story and its redemptive themes. Grade: B+.

Eiffel (out Sep 2) chronicles the tale of Gustave Eiffel and the many people he had to overcome to see his famed Parisian tower constructed between 1886 and 1889. It’s a good idea for a movie (I enjoyed it as a history lesson) but the fictitious romantic stuff was not convincing. Grade: B-.

Don't Breathe 2 (out Aug 26) isn't as good as its 2016 predecessor. It's the tale of a blind man, a young girl, and some goons who are chasing them. Grade: B-.

Candyman (out Aug 26) is a horror flick intended to be a sequel to the 1992 of the same name. It’s the tale of a vengeful spirit who kills people who say his name. I admired the aesthetics (music, editing, cinematography) but I'm not sure the pay-off in the final act is worth the trip. Grade: B.

Annette (out Aug 26) is as much an "experience" as it is a movie. I'll describe it as a dark, off-beat, musical fairy tale with Shakespearean-like qualities. Adam Driver and Marion Cotillard star as a celebrity couple who fall in love and raise an unusual daughter. From the music to the editing to the cinematography... the film succeeds because of French director Leos Carax. Grade: B+.

Reminiscence (out Aug 19) is a sci-fi thriller with interesting ideas and a creative setting... but it can't bring it all together into something credible and moving. Hugh Jackman stars as a "memory reader" who instantly falls in love with a woman and then investigates her subsequent disappearance. Thandiwe Newton the best of the cast. Grade: B-.