Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny (out Jun 29) is an ambitious but messy entry into the franchise. Lots of interesting ideas but they aren't well executed. The action scenes don't flow (you never feel any suspense), the dialogue is corny and lacking in honest humour, and the villains are too flat. Grade: C+.

Carmen (out Jul 13) puts loose, modern-day spin on the acclaimed 19th Century opera. Enjoyed the dance numbers and the music score of Nicholas Britell. However, it's a thin storyline with stiff dialogue. Grade: B-.

Mission: Impossible - Dead Reckoning Part One (out July 13) is an above average, well-polished action piece. I grew weary of the slightly repetitive chase for the mysterious key (they get it, they lose it, they get it, they lose it...) but the narrative is simple, the action is impressive, and the cast make it fun. Grade: B+.

Reality (out Jun 29) is a powerful drama about FBI detectives who visit the home of a young woman suspected of leaking confidential information. Drawing strongly from the transcripts of an actual event, this is simple, eye-opening, and thought-provoking. Grade: A-.

Belle & Sebastian: Next Generation (out Jun 29) is an average French family flick about a young boy who bonds with an intelligent dog while on holidays at his grandmother's remote farm. Limited narrative and so-so direction. Grade: C.

No Hard Feelings (out Jun 22) is all over the place. The broader narrative is garbage, some skits don’t work, and the tonal changes between comedy and drama don’t flow. On the flip side, some skits DO work, there’s surprising laughs, and the two leads (Jennifer Lawrence and Andrew Barth Feldman) are very good. Grade: B.

Driving Madeleine (out Jun 22) is the tale of frustrated 46-year-old taxi driver who picks up a storytelling 92-year-old passenger and drives her across Paris. This is a wonderful film that offers moments of moments of blissful happiness and moments of confronting tragedy. The two stars, Line Renaud and Dany Boon, are sensational. Grade: A-.

Red, White & Brass (out Jun 22) is a light New Zealand comedy about a group of Tongan friends who form an impromptu band (despite having no musical talent) to get tickets to a World Cup rugby game. Loosely based on actual events, it's trying too hard with its feel-good vibe. Grade: B-.

Transformers: Rise of the Beasts (out Jun 22) isn’t wildly original, but it’s satisfying enough. I liked the charisma of both Anthony Ramos and Dominique Fishback, there’s some good one-liners, the visual effects are convincing, and you want to see the villains get what they deserve. Grade: B.

The Flash (out Jun 15) is a “thumbs up” entry in the DC Extended Universe. It's a character-driven piece where we spend more time watching the heroes think about solutions to their growing list of problems… as opposed to mindless, monotonous fistfights. I like the approach the performance(s) of star Ezra Miller. Comedic elements better than the dramatic one. Grade: B+.