Take My Hand (out Aug 22) is an Australian romantic drama loosely inspired by the life of the film's two creators. It stars Radha Mitchell as a middle-aged woman adjusting her life after being diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis (MS). The dialogue is stiff, the tone is confusing, and the pace is messy... but it's still a well-intentioned eye-opener about MS impacts people and those around them. Grade: B-.

Alien: Romulus (out Aug 15) is a “standalone” sequel which takes place between the events of Alien (1979) and Aliens (1986). A group of enslaved youngsters flee a desolate planet but end up on a decommissioned space station swarming with aliens. They’re not the most interesting characters and the film gives off a seen-it-all-before vibe. Grade: C+.

Borderlands (out Aug 8) is an action-comedy based off a video game series created in 2009. An eclectic group find themselves looking for treasure on a war-torn planet. Aiming for a blend of Star Trek and Indiana Jones, the end result is underwhelming. Grade: C+.

Iris and the Men (out Aug 15) is a disappointing French comedy about a married businesswoman (Laure Calamy) who, unsatisfied by her husband, goes in search of men on dating apps for one-night stands. Perhaps I’m not the target audience but I struggled to find laughs given the contrived, over-the-top screenplay. Grade: C.

It Ends with Us (out Aug 8) is based on the best-selling book and is the story of a woman (Blake Lively) who returns to her childhood home in Boston, opens her dream flower shop, and falls in love with a handsome neurosurgeon. Old memories from the past and fresh events in the present threaten to derail her newfound happiness. The film has its flaws (too long, Lively’s character needed more depth) but the messages are important. Worth seeing and discussing. Grade: B.

Trap (out Aug 1) didn't work for me. The latest from director M. Night Shyamalan is about a smiling serial killer (Josh Hartnett) lured into an elaborate trap by the police. Not a bad concept but each scene is less credible than the last. Wish it made more sense. Grade: C+.

The Fabulous Four (out Aug 1) is a disappointing comedy about four elderly friends who get together for an impromptu wedding. One of the worst scripts I've seen all year. Full of contrived nonsense. Grade: C.

The President's Wife (out Aug 1) is a silly, fictitious comedy about the world of the underappreciated Bernadette Chirac (played by Catherine Deneuve) while her husband served as President of France from 1995 to 2007. It's a one-note film with little nuance or insight. Grade: C.

Ezra (out Aug 1) is a warm-hearted film which deftly illustrates the challenges of parental responsibility. It's centred on a not-so-successful comedian (Bobby Cannavale) trying to better connect with his 11-year-old autistic son (William Fitzgerald). The film provides a timely reminder that when it comes to being a supportive parent, no one is perfect. Life is a continual journey of learning and discovery. Grade: B+.

In a Violent Nature (out Aug 1) is a quirky horror-thriller about a zombie who goes on a killing spree. Writer-director Chris Nash wins points for doing things differently (not the normal approach we see for the genre) but I don't think there's enough tension and pay-off. Grade: B-.