Midsommar (out Aug 8) has some wonderful flourishes and some unforgettable sequences... but I'm not convinced by the sum of its parts. Slow in places, it's a "folk horror" tale about a group of Americans who travel to Sweden for a special festival. Grade: B-.

Late Night (out Aug 8) lacks realism in places but it's still an amusing comedy-drama about a long-time talk show host who must revamp her approach to halt sagging ratings. Emma Thompson feels like she's channelling Meryl Streep's Devil Wears Prada routine in trying to create a tough, mean-spirited character who is still likable. She doesn't quite succeed. Grade: B.

Danger Close: The Battle of Long Tan (out Aug 8) tells the true story of a group of Australian and New Zealand soldiers who fought a bloody battle against opposition forces during the Vietnam War. The dialogue is stiff and it doesn't offer much insight into the war itself... but the tense fight sequences do a great job putting audiences "in the battle" and showing the perils of war. Grade: B.

Palm Beach (out Aug 8) is an Australian drama from director Rachel Ward and is about three couples who get together to celebrate a 60th birthday. The film delves into the way we perceive life as we get older. From the delivery of the dialogue to the subtle reactions in key scenes, the experienced cast do an outstanding job of making these characters interesting and authentic. Grade: B+.

Ophelia (out Aug 1) stars Naomi Watts, Daisy Ridley and Clive Owen and retells the story of Hamlet but from the perspective of Ophelia (with a few details changed). Changing the viewpoint lessens the impact of key events (such as the fate of Polonius) and the end result is a choppy, disappointing drama. Grade: C.

Camino Skies (out Aug 1) is a documentary that follows a group of people making the 800km pilgrimage across Spain that finishes in the city of Santiago de Compostela. It's struggling to fill the 80 minute running time (it's repetitive in places) but it's hard not to admire their motivation and determination. Grade: B-.

Fast & Furious Presents: Hobbs & Shaw (out Aug 1) is one of the weaker entries in the franchise. You could see why characters were prepared to risk their lives in the earlier movies but this has all become too cartoonish with our “heroes” more interested in insults and comedic one-liners. The film bizarrely heads into sci-fi territory with Idris Elba playing a dud, Terminator-style villain. Grade: C+.

Who You Think I Am (out Aug 1) is a peculiar French thriller about a 50-year-old woman (Juliette Binoche) who creates a fake online identity to seduce a much younger man. A few parts are hard to believe but it'll still hold your attention. Grade: B.

The Public (out Aug 1) is the story of a group of homeless people who barricade themselves inside a public library to avoid freezing temperatures outside. Writer-director Emilio Estevez has taken a risk in including so many subplots but to his credit, he’s found a way to weave it all together and create a tense, compelling narrative. Lots to think about here. Grade: B+.

Hail Satan? (out Jul 11) is a documentary that analyses the interesting beliefs of The Satanic Temple, a religious organisation offering an alternative to Christianity. It's sluggish/repetitive in places but it still has something important to say about the separation of church and state. Grade: B.