The Rose Maker (out Aug 5) is a French comedy about a struggling rose grower (Catherine Frot) who, with the help of some new employees, finds an unorthodox way to reinvigorate her business. It’s corny... it’s contrived... but if you’re looking for a simple feel-good tale to brighten up your mood, perhaps you’re the target audience for this. Grade: C+.

Jungle Cruise (out Jul 29) is an unadventurous family adventure about a scientist (Emily Blunt) who teams up with a steamboat captain (Dwayne Johnson) to travel along the Amazon and locate a magical tree. The characters love a chat but they come across as one-note, empty and uninteresting. Tension lacking also. Grade: C+.

The Misfits (out Jul 29) is a terrible action comedy about an experienced thief (Pierce Brosnan) who teams up with an eclectic group of youngsters to bring down a terrorist organisation in the Middle East. Everything is far too easy and convenient for these characters. Grade: C.

Shiva Baby (out Jul 29) is a low-budget American film about a college student from New York who gets stuck an increasingly awkward family event to celebrate the death of someone she doesn’t even know.  Writer-director Emma Seligman does a really good job building tension and Rachel Sennott is terrific in the lead role. Grade: B+.

Snake Eyes (out Jul 22) is the latest entry in the G.I. Joe franchise. The action scenes are well choreographed (for the most part) but it's a dull, empty story... and the characters could be described the same way. Grade: C+.

Old (out Jul 22) is an M. Night Shyamalan thriller about several folk on a beach who finds themselves aging super rapidly. There's a decent punchline but the lead-up is frustrating and tedious - partly because it's hard to give this idea credibility and partly because the script isn't sharp enough. Grade: C+.

Rosa's Wedding (out Jul 22) is a Spanish comedy about a 45-year-old single mother who, feeling underappreciated by her family (rightly so), curiously decides to marry herself and set her life on a new path. It's an offbeat idea that works thanks to the lead performance of Candela Peña who brings the right mix of confidence and insecurity to the character. Nominated for 8 Goya Awards. Grade: B+.

Gunpowder Milkshake (out Jul 15) is a fun action piece that doesn't take itself too seriously. It's about a group of female assassins forced to defend themselves against a powerful, influential male gang. It's loaded with style (lots of distinctive imagery and music) and while the dialogue needed a bit of work, it's well above average for the genre. Grade: B+.

Space Jam: A New Legacy (out Jul 15) is 99% commerce and 1% art. Almost every creative decision (casting, other movie references, the film itself) feels like it’s been made for box-office/promotional reasons as opposed to crafting a fun, engaging, creative storyline. Don Cheadle isn’t too bad as the villain. Grade: C.

Nine Days (out Jul 15) is a curious drama about a mysterious man from the afterlife (or somewhere similar) who interviews people to decide which souls are worthy to be born in the real world. It’s a great concept but there’s a lack of tension, meaning in the film that prevented me from fully latching on. Grade: B.