The Misfits (out Jul 29) is a terrible action comedy about an experienced thief (Pierce Brosnan) who teams up with an eclectic group of youngsters to bring down a terrorist organisation in the Middle East. Everything is far too easy and convenient for these characters. Grade: C.

Shiva Baby (out Jul 29) is a low-budget American film about a college student from New York who gets stuck an increasingly awkward family event to celebrate the death of someone she doesn’t even know.  Writer-director Emma Seligman does a really good job building tension and Rachel Sennott is terrific in the lead role. Grade: B+.

Snake Eyes (out Jul 22) is the latest entry in the G.I. Joe franchise. The action scenes are well choreographed (for the most part) but it's a dull, empty story... and the characters could be described the same way. Grade: C+.

Old (out Jul 22) is an M. Night Shyamalan thriller about several folk on a beach who finds themselves aging super rapidly. There's a decent punchline but the lead-up is frustrating and tedious - partly because it's hard to give this idea credibility and partly because the script isn't sharp enough. Grade: C+.

Rosa's Wedding (out Jul 22) is a Spanish comedy about a 45-year-old single mother who, feeling underappreciated by her family (rightly so), curiously decides to marry herself and set her life on a new path. It's an offbeat idea that works thanks to the lead performance of Candela Peña who brings the right mix of confidence and insecurity to the character. Nominated for 8 Goya Awards. Grade: B+.

Gunpowder Milkshake (out Jul 15) is a fun action piece that doesn't take itself too seriously. It's about a group of female assassins forced to defend themselves against a powerful, influential male gang. It's loaded with style (lots of distinctive imagery and music) and while the dialogue needed a bit of work, it's well above average for the genre. Grade: B+.

Space Jam: A New Legacy (out Jul 15) is 99% commerce and 1% art. Almost every creative decision (casting, other movie references, the film itself) feels like it’s been made for box-office/promotional reasons as opposed to crafting a fun, engaging, creative storyline. Don Cheadle isn’t too bad as the villain. Grade: C.

Nine Days (out Jul 15) is a curious drama about a mysterious man from the afterlife (or somewhere similar) who interviews people to decide which souls are worthy to be born in the real world. It’s a great concept but there’s a lack of tension, meaning in the film that prevented me from fully latching on. Grade: B.

Alex Ferguson: Never Give In (out Jul 15) feels like it’s only scratching the surface and it could have used a broader range of interviews… but it’s still great to hear the inner thoughts of the legendary football manager as he reflects on his highs and lows. You’d almost call this an autobiography. Grade: B.

Black Widow is a mixed bag. The villain is a "nothing" character, the laughs often miss, and the over-the-top action scenes smother the story. Thankfully, David Harbour and Florence Pugh elevate the material and create characters worth rooting for. Grade: B.