The Duke (out Mar 31) works as a simple crowd pleaser. Based on actual events, it’s the tale of an elderly British man who steals a valuable painting for political purposes. Much of this feels over-simplified but it’s a fun role for Jim Broadbent. Grade: B.

Sonic the Hedgehog 2 (out Mar 31) is marginally better than the original. The opening act is sluggish but it eventually hits its stride and becomes a light-weight action film targeted at kids. Not a lot for adults. Natasha Rothwell the pick of the cast (by a wide margin). Grade: B-.

X (out Mar 24) is an above-average horror movie with a decent script, an energetic cast, and lots of style. Set in Texas, 1979, it's the tale of three men and three women who have rented a run-down guest house on a remote farm to shoot a “quality” porno movie. It's as light-hearted and entertaining as it is creepy and gory. Grade: B+.

Nowhere Special (out Mar 24) is a tear-jerker about a single father dying of terminal cancer who must find a new set of parents to raise his 4-year-old son. Writer-director Uberto Pasolini (Still Life) doesn’t milk this story any harder than needed. James Norton is sensational in the lead role. Grade: A-.

It Snows in Benidorm (out Mar 17) is a slow-burn drama about a lonely, retired British banker investigating the disappearance of his brother in Spain. As he's done with so many of his other projects, star Timothy Spall elevates the film with a terrific, subtle lead performance. An interesting tale that reminds us of the importance of romance, friendships, and general human connection. Grade: B+.

Preparations to be Together for an Unknown Period of Time (out Mar 17) is the story of a 30-something-year-old neurosurgeon based in the United States who quits her job and travels to Hungary after falling in love with a man. Things don’t go as planned. If you want to go on a strange, peculiar ride where you’re not sure what lies around each bend, this is for you. Grade: B+.

Escape from Mogadishu (out Mar 17) is based on actual events from 1990-91 and is the story of North and South Korean embassy officials forced to team up and flee Somalia in the midst of a violent civil war. A little too scripted in places but it’s an interesting story with some powerful images. Grade: B.

Anonymous Club (out Mar 17) is an Aussie documentary centred on introverted singer Courtney Barnett. She opens up about a range of topics including life as an in-the-spotlight artist, the negative thoughts which shape her music, and the difficultly she has doing press. An interesting person. Grade: B+.

Dog (out Mar 17) is the kind of movie where you know what'll happen from the outset. A former U.S. Army Ranger suffering from PTSD (Channing Tatum) befriends an ex-military dog battling demons of her own. The film struggles in trying to be both a light-hearted canine flick that families can enjoy, and a darker tale of war, PTSD and suicide. Well-intentioned but not particularly deep or memorable. Grade: B-.

Book of Love (out Mar 10) is a trashy, manufactured romantic comedy about two unlikely people who team up to create a successful book. One is a boring English idiot and the other is a struggling single mother from Mexico. It's amazing how little sense this made. Grade: C.