All Quiet on the Western Front (out Oct 13) is a German production which follows a group of tired, forlorn soldiers in the final days of World War I.  It’s a familiar story (naïve kids wising up to the futility of war) but the exceptional production values and performances will stick with you. Grim and powerful. Grade: A-.

Armageddon Time (out Nov 3) is a semi-autobiographical drama which allows director James Gray to recount his rocky 1980s upbringing in Queens, New York. It’s not a groundbreaking tale but the strong performances create characters worth showing an interest in. Grade: B+.

Sissy (out Nov 3) is an Australian horror-drama centred on a hen’s party and an estranged friend. There are some interesting elements here (cinematography, score, concept, social media) but the narrative loses its way in the contrived second half where farce overshadows impact. Grade: B-.
 

Whina (out Nov 3) is a New Zealand drama which spans several decades and recounts the life of Dame Whina Cooper who helped fight for the rights of Māori people and the ability to retain their lands. There's a lot to unpack in two hours but the filmmakers give it a good crack. Grade: B+.

Bros (out Oct 27) is a romantic comedy (Billy Eichner) about a successful, middle-aged guy who isn't looking for a relationship... but stumbles into one unexpectedly. It's trying too hard to be funny in places but it's still an easy, light-hearted watch. Grade: B.

Mrs. Harris Goes to Paris (out Oct 27) is the 1957 tale of a poor London widower who comes into money and travels to Paris to buy her dream Christian Dior dress. One could easily think this was written by Hans Christian Anderson given it has the look and feel of a contrived fairy tale but that said, I’m a long-time fan of Lesley Manville and will admit to being won over by her charming, loveable performance. Grade: B.

The Woman King (out Oct 27) is set in 1823 and tells the true story of an all-female group of African warriors who helped protect their country from attack. I don’t think the battle scenes are well directed (too much editing, odd camera angles) but aside, this is a strong action drama. You understand what motivates the characters, you care about their fate, and your eyes are opened to a seldom publicised part of African history. Grade: B+.

Mia and Me: The Hero of Centopia (out Oct 27) is a simplistic, mediocre animated feature where a young girl must help defeat a villainous toad and protect her colourful kingdom. Grade: C+.

Black Adam is a dreadful Dwayne Johnson-led superhero flick where the abundant editing, visual effects, lightning bolts, and slow motion fail to mask the muddled, dreary storyline and the awful dialogue. Grade: C.

Barbarian (out Oct 20) is a terrific horror-thriller which shows there's more than one way to create effective scares. Some scenes tap into our apprehension of the unknown/supernatural while other moments offer a more realistic narrative delving into common fears and inherent suspicions of other people. It's the tale of young woman who finds a few things amiss her single-bedroom Airbnb. Grade: A-.