The French Dispatch (out Dec 9) is the latest from director Wes Anderson and is both meticulously crafted and incredibly frustrating. It largely consists of three short stories involving journalists on quirky assignments. Despite non-stop narration and an abundance of flashy adjectives, you feel so distanced from the characters and their respective plights. Grade: B-.

The Hand of God (out Dec 2) is from Oscar-winning Italian filmmaker Paolo Sorrentino (The Great Beauty) and is a semi-autobiographical tale about life as a shy 16-year-old growing up in Naples and his prank-loving, everything-out-in-the-open extended family. The opening half appears aimless but it comes together with a thought-provoking finale. Newcomer Filippo Scotti is terrific in the lead role. Grade: B+.

The Lost Leonardo (out Dec 2) is a terrific documentary that looks art and its perceived value - both financial and non-financial. Featuring a great collection of interviews, the film's focus is a recently discovered work from Leonardo Da Vinci. The auction scene at Christie's in New York will leave you shaking your head. Grade: A-.

Encanto (out Dec 2) is an animated effort about a small Colombian community where everyone has magic powers except for a young woman who struggles to understand her purpose. The songs lack punch and it takes a long time to get to point… but the finale resonates. Grade: B.

Dune (out Dec 2) is as much an experience as it is a movie - an orgy of immersive visuals, music and sound that pull you into its enthralling world. Timothée Chalamet is front and centre throughout and his impassioned performance is another reason why audiences should invest their time in this. Grade: A-.

Sit. Stay. Love. (out Dec 2) is a festive movie about a woman who adopts three foster dogs for Christmas and, with a little training, tries to find them a proper home. A wholesome idea but the acting is… not good. Grade: C.

The Card Counter (out Dec 2) is a tedious drama that create subplots and then doesn’t know what to do with them. It feels so aimless. The poker scenes are laughably unrealistic. Grade: C.

The Unforgivable (out Nov 25) is the story of a hardened woman who, having just been released from a long stint in prison, goes in search of people and things from her past. There are a few too many characters but Sandra Bullock and Viola Davis are great in this. Grade: B+.

Cry Macho (out Nov 25) is the tale of an aged, washed-up rodeo champ (Clint Eastwood) who travels to Mexico and goes in search of the teenage son of a long-time friend. It’s a mix of good and bad. On one hand, there are nice dramatic moments between the two leads. On the other hand, there are nonsensical parts where nothing feels true (often involving cops and bad guys). Grade: B-.

Titane (out Nov 25) won the Palm D’or at the Cannes Film Festival and marks the second feature film of director Julia Decournau (Raw). It’s an excellent horror-thriller about a 32-year female serial killer who loves cars. Simultaneously creative and messed-up, this is a film that constantly surprises. Grade: A-.