The Selfish Giant (out Aug 7) is the story of a not-so-bright 13-year-old who turns to a life of petty crime to earn some cash. Nominated for best British film at the BAFTAs and featuring some super performances, this is indeed a moving tale. Grade: B+.

The Hundred-Foot Journey (out Aug 14) is the story of two restaurant owners - one French and one Indian - who battle for the ascendency in their small town. It's a film that’s screaming out “FEEL GOOD! FEEL GOOD!” but it needed to do a lot more to convince me. The father/son subplot works well but the romantic stuff is confusing. Oh, and why did the Indian restaurant never have any customers??? Grade: C+.

Guardians Of The Galaxy (out Aug 7) is at its best when it’s trying to be funny. It makes great use of its 1960s/70s soundtrack and there are plenty of pop culture references. Not everything works through. The dramatic elements don’t resonate, the villains aren’t anything special and the script feels too “busy”. The public are going nuts for this film but I'd describe it as "good, not great." Grade: B.

Snowpiercer (out Aug 7) is a futuristic film set on a train. A group of passengers, stuck in the back carriages for 18 years, attempt to overthrow the driver and take control. The premise is hard to swallow (I felt like I needed more backstory) but there are some cool, stylish action sequences that more than compensate. Grade: B.

A Most Wanted Man (out Jul 31) is a cracking spy thriller that stars an overweight, chain-smoking Philip Seymour Hoffman in his final leading role. It doesn't succumb to silly Hollywood twists. Like Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy, it's a sharp, intelligent, insightful film that shows how difficult life can be as top spy. Grade: A.

And So It Goes (out Aug 7) stars Michael Douglas as the world’s biggest schmuck who goes through a hard-to-believe character transformation after (1) falling in love with his next door neighbour and (2) discovering he is grandfather. There are glimpse of promise (some of the dialogue is good) but the scenarios are so clichéd (e.g. delivering a baby) that it's hard to take seriously. Grade: C+.

Lucy (out Jul 31) stars Scarlett Johansson in a film that (1) asks philosophical questions about the value of life and our place in the universe, and (2) has car chases and guns and stuff. It's an odd combination that doesn't always work... but it's still nice to see an action film that is very different from the standard mould. Grade: B+.

The Keeper Of Lost Causes (out Jul 31) is disjointed in the way it tries to tell two stories concurrently... but I'm a sucker for crime stories and this one isn't too bad. We see things from the perspective of a troubled police detective and also from the kidnapped woman he is trying to locate. Grade: B+.

These Final Hours (out Jul 31) is the story of a young Perth guy who must decide what to do with his final 12 hours on earth (an apocalypse is nigh). There are a few credibility issues but it's nice to see an action film that asks questions (what would you do in the same situation?) Nathan Phillips a good fit in the leading role. Grade: B.

Mrs Brown's Boys D'movie (out Jul 24) is a film spin-off from the popular TV series and follows a cigarette-loving, foul-mouthed grandmother trying to save her small business from a money hungry property developer. Making some odd style choices (the film is bizarrely self aware of itself), this is a comedy absent of laughs. Grade: C-.