When Fall is Coming (out Jul 31) is a French drama about an elderly woman trying to reconnect with her daughter and grandson. With a few interesting twists, it's a strong outing from director François Ozon. Really enjoyed the fact he keeps audiences on their toes and doesn't spell everything out. Grade: A-.

The Stolen Painting (out Jul 31) is a current day French drama centred on a valuable work of art thought to be lost during World War II. The owners and auctioneers work hard and tell a few lies to try to secure the best price. Not sure the film has a clear purpose (lots of subplots that don't really gel) but liked the offbeat nature to several characters. Grade: B-.

The Friend (out Jul 31) is a weird comedy-drama about a New York City based woman (Naomi Watts) who comes into the possession of a large dog when a colleague passes away. Thought it would offer a bit more than a "dogs are great" vibe. Grade: C+.

The Fantastic Four: First Steps (out Jul 24) is serviceable… but not memorable. It’s as if the movie serves a “bridge” to introduce character arcs and subplots that will be resolved in future Marvel flicks. I’d have preferred a more complete narrative. There are positives which include the 1960s-look and the comedic banter offered by stars Ebon Moss-Bachrach and Joseph Quinn. Grade: B-.

Holy Cow (out Jul 24) is a nice tale about finding a passage through adversity and becoming a better human being. From first-time filmmaker Louise Courvoisier, it's a French coming-of-age tale about an 18-year-old man who must quickly "wise up" following a family tragedy. Grade: B.

Four Letters of Love (out Jul 24) is for those who believe romance is determined by fate. It's a love story with interwoven narratives and timelines. I liked the music score and the beautiful Irish landscapes but couldn't fully buy into the film's odd elements (such as Pierce Brosnan as a genius/madman). Grade: B-.

I Know What You Did Last Summer (out Jul 17) is a dreadful reboot of the franchise which began in 1997. There are times when characters are desperately fearing for their lives… and then in the next scene, they’re walking around and taking brazen risks. It makes no sense. Grade: C-.

The Divine Sarah Bernhardt (out Jul 17) is a French film about the acclaimed, spotlight-loving stage actress who rose to fame in the late 19th Century. It gets repetitive at times but still offers insight into an important individual. Grade: B-.

Friendship (out Jul 17) gets the job done as a cringe-inducing comedy. It stars Tim Robinson as a dorky individual who struggles to build close connections with others. He's a weird, amusing protagonist who has good intentions but commits one social faux pas after the other. For those who love dark humour. Grade: B+.

Superman (out Jul 10) is an entertaining jaunt. The premise isn’t wildly original, but it makes a bunch of great artistic choices which, when blended, add up to a worthwhile movie. The cast are great, it doesn't try to be an origin story, there's a nice balance of humour and comedy, the action scenes are easy to follow, and the remix of the John Williams 1978 music score works beautifully. Grade: A-.