The Dark Horse (out Nov 20) is a New Zealand film that follows a troubled man who starts a chess club for kids in his community. Not everyone is a fan though. A few moments are over-dramatised but this drama (based on a true story) hits the right marks when it needs to. Grade: B+.

The Drop (out Nov 13) is a crime drama that begins with a simple bar robbery and escalates into something much bigger. Thankfully, the film isn't ruined by overly convenient moments or unbelievable twists (as can often be the case). It's a little slow in places but the ending is worth it. Also nice to see the late James Gandolfini in his final role. Grade: B.

My Old Lady (out Nov 13) follows a struggling American writer who travels to France so that he can sell a property that he has inherited from his late father. It won't be that easy though. There are parts that will tug at the heartstrings but for the most part, the characters are difficult to like and it's a film that pushes its messages too forcefully. Grade: B-.

Let's Be Cops (out Nov 13) is a dumb comedy about two losers who impersonate police officers and stumble across a major crime ring. There’s only so far you can take this concept and I quickly grew tired of the crude, endless chatter between the two leading characters. I can think of many other buddy cop comedies (Bad Boys, Hot Fuzz, The Guard, The Heat, Lethal Weapon) that I'd rather watch. Grade: C+.

Love, Rosie (out Nov 6) is the story of two great friends who take 12 messy years to finally figure out they're in love with each other. Every emotion, every action feels over exaggerated here. It's just a myriad of convenient plot devices (complete with musical interludes) that push the characters together and then pulls them apart. Pretty actors but struggled to sense the connection. Grade: C+.

Interstellar (out Nov 6) follows a group of astronauts who slip their space shuttle through a worm hole and go in search of a new, habitable planet. It's a bold film but I struggled to get my head around many of its concepts (time travel, 5th dimensions, gravity). It's also pushing a few messages that don't really fit the narrative. A rare miss for director Christopher Nolan. Grade: B-.

My Mistress (out Nov 6) is an Aussie film about a 16-year-old who strikes up a friendship with a middle aged woman from the same neighbourhood. Turns out she's a prostitute/dominatrix! There are flashes of intrigue but for the most part, I struggled with these characters. Tough to figure out why they act the way they do. Grade: C+.

Two Days, One Night (out Nov 6) is a Belgian film about an employee who has a single weekend to convince her fellow workers to give up their bonuses so that she can remain at the struggling company. The film is repetitive in places but it's still worth your time for its exploration of mental illness. A passionate leading performance from Marion Cotillard. Grade: B.

The Best Of Me (out Oct 30) is a Nicholas Sparks penned romantic drama about two childhood sweethearts who reunite after 20 years apart. There are some nice conversations shared between the two leads. A shame the film overdoes the melodrama and makes every decision so black and white. Oh, and the ending is laughable. Grade: C+.

The Young and Prodigious T.S. Spivet (out Oct 30) is the curious tale of 10-year-old boy who runs away from his family and is proclaimed a scientific genius. This is charming yet utterly bizarre film from the director of Jean-Pierre Jeunet (Amelie). No idea who it's targeted at but I enjoyed the journey. Grade: B.