Bring Her Back (out May 29) is not a movie you’ll soon forget – because of both its disturbing content and its directorial brilliance. It’s centred on two siblings placed in a foster home after a tragic event. Australian brothers Danny and Michael Philippou (Talk to Me) have created a movie which induces anxiety from start to finish. The performances are fantastic and I cared deeply for the two kids. Grade: A.

Lilo & Stitch (out May 22) is a live action remake of the popular Disney animated feature from 2002 and while it won’t win awards for originality, it succeeds because of its great casting. Children should enjoy. Grade: B+.

Universal Language (out May 22) contains some of the driest humour you'll see all year. It's hard to describe but I'll go with... a nutty Canadian comedy focused on unusual people and their interlocking stories. I had fun! Grade: A-.

Mission: Impossible - The Final Reckoning (out May 17) is the 8th... and likely final movie in the franchise. The action pieces are terrific with director Christopher McQuarrie shooting them in a way which makes the stakes clear (not over-edited). I was less enamoured by the storyline - particularly the illogical villains and boringly one-sided government officials. Grade: B.

La Cocina (out May 15) is a wild, black-and-white film about a group of illegal immigrants working in the kitchen of a restaurant close to Times Square in New York City. They're a great group of characters! Grade: B+.

The Surfer (out May 15) is a thriller starring Nicolas Cage as a dad looking to buy beachfront property in Australia but he runs afoul of a local gang who don't want him using their beach. I like the idea but the psychological torment becomes repetitive. Grade: B-.

The Salt Path (out May 15) marks the feature film debut for acclaimed theatre director Marianne Elliott and is a beautiful true story about a 50-something-year-old couple who, after being evicted from their home, make the impulsive decision to hike the 1,000 km South West Coast Path in England. Wonderful lead performances from Gillian Anderson and Jason Isaacs. Much to reflect upon. Grade: A-.

Final Destination: Bloodlines (out May 15) ultimately succumbs to its history and feels like a “same old, same old” cash grab taking next-to-no chances. The characters aren’t worth caring about and their actions lack logic. I wish studios spent more time on original horror flicks instead of clinging to tired franchises which have been milked for all their worth. Grade: C+.

Monsieur Aznavour (out May 8) is a French drama based on the true story of Charles Aznavour – an acclaimed singer who was born into poverty in 1924 but would become a renowned singer with a tenor voice. Great music but not as interesting as other musicians we've seen covered in recent biopics. Grade: B.

Clown in a Cornfield (out May 8) is a horror film that features, yes, a clown and yes, a cornfield. It's a “routine” slasher flick that provides shock value through gruesome deaths and a moderately interesting whodunit. The finale is contrived and hard-to-believe but, as strange as it sounds, the movie works best when trying to be a comedy. Grade: B-.