The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry (out Jun 8 ) doesn't make a lot of sense but it's a big-hearted drama about an elderly man who goes on a 500km walk across the UK to visit a dying friend. A simple but effective feel-good yarn! Jim Broadbent and Penelope Wilton are both great. Grade: B+.

Happy 50 (out Jun 8) is an underwhelming comedy about a group of friends who get together in a rainy French town to celebrate a 50th birthday. Jokes are limited and when they do arrive, they're dragged out longer than they need to be. Grade: C+.

The Endangered Generation? (out Jun 8) is another big-screen Aussie doco about the environment (that's 5 of them now in the past year). Again, it's a very worthy subject but this doesn't have much new material to add. Grade: B-.

The Boogeyman (out Jun 1) is an unadventurous horror flick about a troubled family and a nasty, paranormal being they find in the closet. Tough to get enthused. Grade: C+.

Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse (out Jun 1) lacks the “wow” factor of the original and is a bit too hectic at times but it’s still a fun, twisting, entertaining, above-average adventure that has something to offer from start to finish. The line between hero and villain remains blurry (that’s good) and Gwen Stacy’s character takes centre stage (that’s also good). Grade: B+.

Sweet As (out Jun 1) is a short, simple Aussie drama about four troubled teenagers who learn about photography on a week-long outback excursion. The film's heart is in the right place but we don't get to know the characters in enough depth. Grade: B-.

Bank of Dave (out Jun 1) is a comedic tale loooooosely based on the true story of a British millionaire who tried to start a small, not-for-profit bank to service small investors and borrowers in Lancashire. It goes overboard in creating its feel-good narrative but Rory Kinnear does a nice job in the lead role. Grade: B-.

The Little Mermaid (out May 25) is good enough. I don’t think it’s any better than the 1989 animated original but in trying to judge on its own merits, this live-action version provides light entertainment for younger crowds. Daveed Diggs is MVP with his scene-stealing voice performance as Sebastian the sarcastic, frustrated crab. Songs are beautifully sung too. Grade: B.

Saint Omer (out May 25) has an unusual structure but it's a powerful French courtroom drama about a woman charged with the killing of her 15-month-old child. A film that sticks with you. Grade: A-.

Renfield (out May 25) is a vampire comedy starring Nicolas Hoult, Awkwafina, and Nicolas Cage. There’s nothing flash about the storyline (the crime family stuff is meh) but the film is at its best when the three lead characters are venting about their bizarre troubles and, keeping their faces as straight as possible, bouncing jokes off each other. Grade: B.