Like a Boss (out Jan 23) is a comedy about two women (Tiffany Haddish and Rose Byrne) who argue over the direction of their struggling cosmetics company. It's about the value of life-long friends (a worthy message) but the execution is dismal. The story makes NO sense. Jennifer Coolidge is the only member of the cast who earns genuine laughs. Grade: C-.

Just Mercy (out Jan 23) draws from the autobiography of Bryan Stevenson and tells the story of an African American lawyer who founded an organisation in the late 1980s to provide legal assistance to those denied a fair trial. The performances are very good (including stars Michael B. Jordan and Jamie Foxx) and it's a film that offers much to reflect upon. Grade: B+.

A Beautiful Day in the Neighbourhood (out Jan 23) is centred on a cynical magazine writer (Matthew Rhys) who finds his view of the world transformed after reluctantly agreeing to interview the famed entertainer, Fred Rogers (Tom Hanks). I'm not sure it digs deep enough into Rogers but it’s hard not feel better about life while watching his calm demeanour and listening to his comforting voice. Grade: B+.

Dolittle (out Jan 16) stars Robert Downey Jr in the famed role of a doctor who can talk to animals. I'm not quite sure what they were hoping for but Downey Jr's odd, mumbling persona didn't work for me. It's like he's trying to come up with a kid's version of his Sherlock Holmes character. Grade: C+.

Go! (out Jan 16) is the story of a teenager who develops a love for go-kart racing has his eyes on the national championship. It's incredibly formulaic but it's still nice to see Australian dramas pitched at younger audiences. Just wish it took a few more chances. Grade: B-.

Bad Boys for Life (out Jan 16) is a tired, formulaic, seen-it-all-before buddy cop movie. It's the kind of movie that will make a little money and be all but forgotten about in a few weeks. Our two heroes (Will Smith and Martin Lawrence) argue about nothing, struggle with a case a blind monkey could solve, and are helped at just the right moments by a team of personality-free "young guns". Grade: C.

Bombshell (out Jan 16) delves into the final months of Roger Ailes tenure as the CEO of Fox News in 2016. The film succeeds in illustrating the toxic culture that can exist in the workplace. Stars Charlize Theron, Margot Robbie and Nicole Kidman have created interesting characters. Hopefully the film will get people talking. Grade: B+.

My Spy (out Jan 9) is a silly, nonsensical family flick about a not-so-smart spy who teams up with a 9-year-old girl as part of his latest assignment. Young kids may enjoy the story but from an adult perspective, it's hard to overcome the lack of humour and sizeable plot holes. Grade: C+.

True History of the Kelly Gang (out Jan 9) is a poetic, part-fictionalised tale of Ned Kelly that goes down unexpected paths. It's less about Kelly's criminal activities and more about the fractured/peculiar relationships involving his mother, siblings, lovers and friends. Strange but intriguing. Grade: B.

A Shaun the Sheep Movie: Farmageddon (out Jan 9) has been created using stop-motion animation and plasticine characters. Just like the 2015 original, it features no dialogue but these cute animals and their human owner, are able to convey emotion and tell a story in the same vein as great silent actors from the early 20th century. Easy to like. Grade: B+.