Ne Zha II (out Aug 28) is a very good Chinese animated feature (dubbed into English) about young heroes trying to save the world. There's a bit too much going on at times (lots of subplots) but I applaud the animation, the sound, the music. This is top shelf quality. Grade: A-.

The Ballad of Wallis Island (out Aug 28) is a quirky comedy set on a remote island about a wealthy man who helps reunite a music duo he's long admired. The odd premise kind of works... but I'm not convinced there's enough narrative to make the idea last for 100 minutes. Grade: B.

The Thread (out Aug 28) is a French drama centred on a defence attorney representing a man charged with his wife's murder. It brings back memories of the brilliant Anatomy of a Fall (in that's French and it's a courtroom based whodunit) but the characters aren't as interesting. Grade: B-.

Kangaroo Island (out Aug 21) is an Aussie film about a snobby young actress who returns to South Australia after a stint in Hollywood and must deal with family woes. Some subplots lack credibility (especially the U.S. scenes) but when it focuses on the interactions with her dad and sister, it's a moderately interesting drama. Grade: B-.

Relay (out Aug 21) keeps you thinking and keeps you on your toes. It's an excellent spy thriller with a heightened focus on "method". Instead of using the two hours to create backstories regarding families and love interests, it gets into the nitty-gritty of “spy work” and the creative ways they avoid detection. It's fun, slick entertainment with a great lead performance from Riz Ahmed. Grade: A-.

The Naked Gun (out Aug 21) is a hit-and-miss revamp of the spoof comedy trilogy made famous by Leslie Nielsen between 1988 and 1994. A few jokes are overdone/predictable but there's also some great gags you won't see coming. Star Liam Neeson can't quite match the late Nielsen but he gives it a good crack. Grade: B.

Eddington (out Aug 21) is the latest from writer-director Ari Aster (Hereditary) and centred on a group of ideologically different people in a small American town. It'll generate debate (that's a good thing) but not sure it's changing anyone's political views. Grade: B-.

Irena's Vow (out Aug 21) is the second movie I've seen starring Sophie Nélisse as a woman helping hide Jewish people from Nazis during World War II (The Book Thief was the other). It's not exactly eye-opening but it does a good job creating tension as the German soldier grow increasingly suspicious. Grade: B.

Nobody 2 (out Aug 14) is an inferior sequel to the 2021 original. Given the secretive background of the film's hero was revealed in the first movie, this is just a ho-hum action film with a finale that has as much realism as a Home Alone movie (silly booby traps and stuff). Villains add nothing. Grade: C+.

Mr. Burton (out Aug 14) is an interesting biopic about the arts-loving school teacher who helped shape the career of Welsh actor Richard Burton in his early years. With great lead performances, it’s a reminder to reflect on the people in our own lives who have made us who we are today. Grade: B+.