Spiral (out May 13) is the 9th film in the Saw franchise and is centred on a police detective investigating the murder of a fellow officer. It may have a stronger-than-usual cast (Chris Rock, Samuel L. Jackson) but it's an unsatisfying film. It's just a rehash of earlier movies with several illogical plot points. Grade: C+.

Finding You (out May 13) is a romantic comedy/drama about a violin-playing student who travels to Ireland and falls in love with a young Hollywood celebrity. Part of this is a superficial, unrealistic teen-girl fantasy but, thankfully, it’s somewhat redeemed in the second half by delving into the troubles and insecurities of the two leading characters. The cast have charm (despite the limitations with the script). Grade: B-.

The Man in the Hat (out May 13) is an offbeat comedy that feels like it has more words in the soundtrack than the script. An unnamed man (Ciarán Hinds), who barely speaks throughout the entire movie, travels across France in a Fiat 500 and encounters an interesting assortment of people. If you just want to chill for 90 minutes, this could be for you. Grade: B.

Ema (out May 13) is a Chilean romantic drama about a souring relationship between two professional dancers. This is anything but conventional. The character development is sluggish in places but the distinctive cinematography, music and editing will ensure your focus never wavers. Grade: B+.

Carmilla (out May 13) is based on Sheridan le Fanu’s 19th century gothic horror novel and is about an isolated teenage girl who, in desperate need of a friend, meets a mysterious young woman who has a carriage accident outside her home. I enjoyed the film’s eerie, unsettling tone but it takes a little too long to warm up. Grade: B-.

Locked Down (out May 6) is the first film I've seen where COVID-19 plays a key part. It follows an on-the-rocks couple and the drama in both their personal and professional lives while locked down in their London apartment. Oh... and there's also a crime. I enjoyed the banter between Anne Hathaway and Chiwetel Ejiofor but some scenes become repetitive and monotonous after a while (e.g. continual Zoom calls). Grade: B-.

Fatale (out May 6) gets worse with each passing scene. It's a weak thriller about a married man who finds his life upended after sleeping with a clingy police officer. Something must have got lost in the editing room because the narrative is all over the place. Grade: C.

De Gaulle (out May 6) is a drama that looks at the political battle fought by the famed French leader during the early days of World War II. The dialogue is overdramatised (particularly the stuff around board room tables) and it doesn't cover a lot of material. An odd ending too. Grade: C+.

June Again (out May 6) is an Australian film about a dementia-suffering woman who wakes up one morning with her memory fully restored and uses it to cause humorous chaos. There's too much going on at times but the family squabbles between stars Noni Hazlehurst, Claudia Karvan and Stephen Curry make this a winner. As unrealistic as the scenario sounds, you'll care about these characters. Grade: B+.

Wrath of Man (out Apr 29) is a Guy Ritchie directed action-thriller centred around a series of cash truck heists in Los Angeles. The fragmented style should keep audiences intrigued (jumbled timelines, multiple perspectives). A few elements are undeveloped (e.g. subplots involving Andy Garcia and Scott Eastwood) but on the whole, lead Jason Statham does a great job carrying the film to its big finale. Grade: B+.