Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle (out Dec 26) is a terrific reboot/sequel/whatever to the 1995 original. Four school kids find themselves sucked into an unusual video game and must make their way to the end before they run out of lives. The characters are fun and there are lot of cool video game trademarks. Both children and adults should enjoy. Grade: A-.

Just to be Sure (out Dec 26) is a cute French comedy about a man who goes in search of his biological father. It puts a series of events in motion that result in humorous chaos for those around him. It pushes the coincidences too but this is still a fun crowd pleaser. Grade: B+.

Call Me by Your Name (out Dec 26) is a hauntingly beautiful love story set in northern Italy. Director Luca Guadagnino makes the most of the idyllic setting and perfectly captures both the exterior and inner beauty of his characters. Dialogue is used sparingly with Timothée Chalamet gives the performance of a lifetime. If there’s been a better film released during 2017, I haven’t seen it. Grade: A+.

Breathe (out Dec 26) chronicles the inspiring true story of Robin Cavendish - a man struck down with polio who was given just a few days to live but found a way to survive for another 36 years. Touching leading performances from Andrew Garfield and Claire Foy. Grade: B+.

Downsizing (out Dec 26) is set in a futuristic world where people can be permanently shrunk to create a better life for themselves. This wins the award for the coolest idea with the worst execution. The economic effects are fascinating but the messages get muddled with the film going off on some strange tangents. Grade: C+.

Paddington 2 (out Dec 21) seeing the cute, polite, charming bear... sentenced to 10-years in a maximum security prison for robbery. It may sound farcical on paper but this film takes a few interesting turns and is better for it. Hugh Grant is wonderfully good as the villain and there are many laughs for adults and kids. A rare sequel that is better than the original. Grade: A-.

The Florida Project (out Dec 21) is set down the road from Disney World in Orlando, Florida but offers a very different view of life in the United States. With the attention focused on a 6-year-old girl and her unemployed mother, the themes may take time to sink in but this is a commanding character study (similar to a Mike Leigh drama) that will hopefully open eyes. Grade: A-.

Star Wars: The Last Jedi (out Dec 14) is a functional action piece that will appeal to fans of the franchise. Still, it's slightly unfulfilling in that it doesn't advance the broader narrative in a huge way and saves plenty for the finale in 2 years. Weak villains but enjoyed the interaction between the two most interesting characters - Rey and Kylo Ren. Grade: B.

Ferdinand (out Dec 14) is based on the children’s book first published in 1936 and follows Ferdinand - a talking Spanish bull (voiced by John Cena) who is trying to “buck” convention and make a better life for himself. Aside from Ferdinand the Bull and Lupe the Goat, none of the characters offer much in the way of interest. Grade: B-.

Wonder Wheel (out Dec 7) is the latest from director Woody Allen. It stars Kate Winslet as a married, middle-aged woman who has an affair with a lifeguard. It's too predictable in places but when secrets come out into the open during the final act, things do get interesting. Grade: B.