Dirt Music (out Oct 8) is set in Western Australian and is the tale of two people who fall in love... but both have demons to exorcise before they can truly be happy. The film fails to elicit an emotional response and the finale is a cliché-laden head scratcher. Grade: C.

The Last Black Man in San Francisco (out Oct 1) relies on its crux (a man trying to reclaim his family home) too heavily but it's still a powerful character study about one person's obsession with the past and their inability to look forward. The music and cinematography is top-notch. Grade: B+.

The Trial of the Chicago 7 (out Oct 1) battles to condense everything inside of two hours but it's still a riveting courtroom drama (with a splash of comedy) that's filled with top-notch performances. Based on actual events, it's the true story of an eclectic group who were charged with inciting riots during the 1968 Democratic National Convention. A must see. Grade: A.

Antebellum (out Oct 1) is an engaging thriller where the less you know going in... the better. Janelle Monáe (Hidden Figures) is excellent in the lead role and Gabourey Sidibe (Precious) is a hilarious scene stealer. The finale is little clunky but this still has my recommendation. Grade: B+.

On the Rocks (out Oct 2) is a weaker inclusion on Sofia Coppola’s otherwise strong resume. It's the story of a woman (Rashida Jones) who teams up with her father (Bill Murray) to discover if her husband is having an affair. Much of this feels clumsy, contrived and unoriginal. Grade: C+.

Four Kids and It (out Sep 24) is based on the children's book from British author Jacqueline Aitken (itself a spin-off from Edith Nesbit's Five Children and It). A blended family meet a magical creature that can grant wishes and, in the process, learn more about themselves. It's a film with good intentions but it's very predictable and we've seen similar tales before. Grade: B-.

The High Note (out Sep 24) features several subplots but it's largely focused on the relationship, both personal and professional, between an iconic R&B singer and her hard-working personal assistant. The interaction between Dakota Johnson and Tracee Ellis Ross in these two lead roles is the film’s strongest attribute. A few elements are clumsy but on the whole, it's easy to watch and easy to enjoy. Grade: B+.

The Secret Garden (out Sep 17) is a sub-optimal adaptation of Frances Hodgson Burnett's novel. Maybe it's because the source material feels dated or maybe it's because this interpretation from director Marc Munden lacks energy. It's the tale of spoilt young girl who is forced to live at her uncle's rundown English estate. Grade: C+.

An American Pickle (out Sep 17) is a disappointing, nonsensical comedy about a man from 1919 (played by Seth Rogen) who is transported to the year 2019 and learns how quickly the world has changed. It's an idea with potential but it's a shame how poorly it's been executed. Grade: C.

The Broken Hearts Gallery (out Sep 17) follows a long-time hoarder named Lucy who starts an art gallery to help people let go of sentimental objects that remind them of ex partners and lovers. It falls back on too many romantic comedy cliches but I really liked the two leads, the broader supporting cast, and the use of humorous one-liners. Grade: B+.