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-.

Ka Whawhai Toni: Struggle Without End (out Aug 1) is a New Zealand film set in 1864 about local Maoris battling against the colonial English. Dialogue is over-written but still liked the characters. Grade: B.

Sleeping Dogs (out Aug 1) is the kind of movie that’s too tricky for its own good. It wants to keep viewers on their toes with twist and turns, but they grow increasingly less credible. It's centred on a retired homicide detective (Russell Crowe) suffering from dementia who reinvestigates a case from a decade earlier. Grade: C.

Deadpool & Wolverine (out Jul 25) is a winner. It taps into my dark, puerile sense of humour, refers to other superheroes (some long forgotten), and weaves in the intellectual property squabbles of big Hollywood studios. While it’s intended to be spoof, the film surprises by offering villains more interesting than what the genre has served up of late (Emma Corrin's "fingering" is fantastic). Well-selected soundtrack too! Grade: A-.

The Teacher Who Promised the Sea (out Jul 25) reminds us of humanity’s beauty… and tragedy. It's based on a true 1930s story from Spain and is centred on a revolutionary teacher with secular, left-leaning views who earned the ire of the town’s religious and political leaders. Nice themes and great performances. Grade: A-.