Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga (out May 23) is another worthwhile instalment in George Miller’s distinctive franchise. I don't think it achieves the same originality and “edge of your seat” impact as 2015's Mad Max: Fury Road but it's hard not to impressed by the talents of the cast and crew. When it comes to action, Miller does it in his own way (and the world is better for it). Grade: B+.

Radical (out May 23) is Mexican film which won the Festival Favourite Audience Award at the 2023 Sundance Film Festival. It's cheesy and simplistic in places but still easy to enjoy. Based on a true story, it's the tale of teacher who, in trying to turn around his school's performance, tries a new way of learning to engage his 6th graders. Grade: B+.

The Strangers: Chapter 1 (out May 16) is a horror-thriller about a young couple terrorised while staying in a remote Airbnb home in Oregon. Not a lot on offer that we haven't seen before within the genre. The lack of a climax (it's being saved for the next two chapters) adds to the sense of unfulfillment. Didn't mind the two leading actors. Grade: B-.

IF (out May 16) is a very mixed bag. Liked the production values, score, voices, and lead performance of Cailey Fleming… but what does it all add up to? What am I supposed to take away? Who’s the target audience? It’s a PG-tale about a softly spoken young girl who teams up with a man to find new homes for imaginary friends. Grade: C+.

The Way, My Way (out May 16) is a fictional drama given the feel of a documentary. Based on the 2013 memoir, it follows a deliberately annoying Bill Bennett (played by Chris Haywood) as meets an assortment of people while walking Spain’s Camino Trail. Grade: B.

The Three Musketeers: D'Artagnan (out May 16) is the first instalment of a two film French series (the second movie is out next month) which adapts Alexandre Dumas’ 1844 novel. The story isn’t the easiest to follow (lots of characters and politics) but there’s something appealing about a swashbuckling epic with a bombastic film score set across a variety of cool locations with swords, horses, and spirited battles. Grade: B.

Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes (out May 9) is the 4th instalment in the rebooted franchise and I'm happy to report it still has legs. Set several generations after the last film (from 2017), it explores interesting ideas such as the way information is passed down over time. It's too long at 145 minutes but it strikes a nice balance of drama, comedy, and action. Grade: B+.

Monster (out May 9) won the best screenplay award at last year's Cannes Film Festival and is an excellent drama told from three different perspectives - a concerned mother, a conflicted teacher, and a confused child. As each plot point is peeled back, another is revealed. Great approach with stellar performances. Grade: A-.

Tarot (out May 2) is based on a 1992 novel and is the story of seven college student who find some old tarot cards and they become the trigger for a bunch of unfortunate events.  Like the idea but found the dialogue and character authenticity to be sub-par.  Grade: B-.

Boy Kills World (out May 2) almost runs out of gas but it's still an above-average, John Wick-style action flick about a deaf mute seeking revenge against those murdered his family (with a few twists thrown in). Bill Skarsgård is very good in the lead role as he conveys emotion through facial expressions as opposed to words. Grade: B+.