The New Mutants (out Sep 3) is touted as the final film in the existing X-Men franchise. It's a shame to see it end on such an unforgettable note. This is a slow, seen-it-before movie that is light on action and even lighter on character development. Grade: C.

Fatima (out Sep 3) is a religious drama based on actual events that follows 3 young girls who are visited by the Virgin Mary in Portugal in 1917. How you see the film will probably depend on your own background and religious beliefs. There are some solid performances from the kids but aside from that, I was underwhelmed. Grade: C+.

Les Misérables (out Aug 27) is not a remake of Victor Hugo's famed work. Rather, it's a contemporary story set in 2018 that delves into current day issues including crime, corruption and multiculturalism in Paris. French President Emmanuel Macron saw the film himself in late 2019 and was rocked by its power and authenticity. That endorsement says more than any review ever could. Grade: A.

Tenet (out Aug 27) gave me a similar vibe to Christopher Nolan's 2014 sci-fi epic Interstellar in that it's a flawed masterpiece. It’s got a quality cast, moves at an energetic pace, and features a heart-pumping film score... but it's squashing 20 hours’ worth of ideas into 2 and so the end result feels rushed, fragmented and, at times, incoherent. Still worth your time. Grade: B.

Lowdown Dirty Criminals (out Aug 20) is a New Zealand comedy made from the same mould as the Guy Ritchie gangster flicks. A not-so-great pizza delivery driver becomes a not-so-great hit man but thankfully, luck is on his side. Needed a better ending but it's a fun ride. James Rolleston is super. Grade: B.

The Swallows of Kabul (out Aug 20) is an animated feature centered around 4 people living in a Taliban controlled Afghanistan in 1998. It needed a splash more character development (the film is just 80 minutes long) but it's still an affecting piece of cinema with simple, beautiful animation. Grade: B+.

La Belle Époque (out Aug 13) is a romantic comedy-drama that could be described as funny, charming and different. After being left by his wife of 30+ years, a man (Daniel Auteuil) hires a company to recreate the night he and his wife-to-be first met (with the help of an elaborate set and paid actors). The film has something to say about people and the way they change over time. Grade: A-.

Made in Italy (out Aug 13) is about a father (Liam Neeson) and his son (played my Neeson's real-life son Micheál Richardson) who go on a trip to Italy to sell an old, rundown house that's been in the family for decades. There's some shockingly corny stuff (such as a brash couple looking to buy the home) that tarnishes the film's good intentions. Grade: B-.

Force of Nature (out Aug 13) is a very average thriller about a heist that takes place during a hurricane in Puerto Rico. It's predictable and full of clichés. The dialogue is also unconvincing. Grade: C.

Deerskin (out Aug 6) is a warped French horror-comedy about a stranger (Jean Dujardin) who arrives in a small town and convinces locals that he's filmmaker. The unsettling film score, odd characters and bizarre plot developments make it a film to remember. Grade: B+.