Paul Blart Mall Cop 2 (out Apr 16) sees Kevin James's character head to Vegas and get caught up in a casino robbery. The story is boring and the opening is too serious. There are a few laughs in the later stages but that's the only recommendation I can offer. Grade: C.

It Follows (out Apr 16) is a very effective low-budget horror film about a "presence" that is trying to kill a young college student. The only way she can "pass it on" is to sleep with someone. It doesn't quite stick the landing but it's a cool premise that makes great use of music. Grade: A-.

While We're Young (out Apr 16) is a new comedy from director Noah Baumbach (The Squid And The Whale). It's about a middle aged couple who start reevaluating their life after become friends with a twenty-something couple. It's a little bit quirky, a little bit funny... but not particularly insightful. Grade: B.

The Gunman (out Apr 16) is about a former security contractor (Sean Penn) working in Congo who is trying to escape his past. The film’s anti-capitalism messages get lost in the gunfire but this is still a satisfying action piece about one man trying to outsmart his many adversaries. Not a bad cast either. Grade: B.

Black Sea (out Apr 9) is a thriller about a group of guys who get their hands on a dodgy submarine and go in search of a long lost treasure. There are a few complex moments but things get a bit silly in the later stages. Grade: B-.

The Longest Ride (out Apr 9) is a Nicholas Sparks adaptation that follows two stories - (1) a young rodeo cowboy trying to win the heart of an art history student, and (2) an old man recounting the story of when he first met his wife. It’s too long and the ending doesn’t really stack up… but this will win the hearts of many with its fairy tale romance and sentimentality. Grade: B-.

Mommy (out Apr 9) has three leading roles - a teenager suffering from ADHD, his single mother struggling to make end's meet, and their next door neighbour who needs a purpose in life. This is a character study that is both absorbing and frustrating. The performances are terrific but I didn't know what to take away from it. Grade: B.

X+Y (out Apr 9) follows a teenager battling autism who is trying to win a spot on the British team for the International Mathematical Olympiad. While the script stumbles a few times along the way, the film will be a valuable eye-opener for those new to the world of autism. Asa Butterfield is great in the leading role. Grade: B.

Samba (out Apr 2) is a French drama that brings together two people in need of each other. One is an immigrant from Senegal trying to avoid deportation. The other is as immigration case worker suffering from burnout. It's a eye-opening story but I struggled at times with the characters' choices. Grade: B-.

The Book Of Life (out Apr 2) is a strong animated feature with a Mexican flavour. It follows two young men trying to win the heart of girl and explores themes such a love, death and the afterlife. The animation is colourful & creative and the storyline should appeal to most audiences. Grade: B+.