The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug

Dr. Watson and Mr. Holmes are reunited in this film... oh wait that is not the case until further reincarnations of the characters. The Unexpected Journey of Bilbo Baggins continues in Peter Jackson's next installment of The Hobbit. If you were left wondering at the end of the first film how Mr. Jackson was going to drag this out into three films, the movie does provide you with the answer. Other than that and the introduction of Benedict Cumberbatch as Smaug, the film serve no other purpose as it acts as a boring bridge to the grand finale of the battle against the dragon. Throw in some unnecessary twists to the plot by the director, we are left with a rather staid, head scratcher of a film. But if one could suspend their knowledge of the Tolkien novel, you could force yourself to be slightly entertained by the movie.

Rating: * *

Blue Jasmine

Woody Allen has been a bunch of hits and misses for me. More of the latter. This one, however, surges to the top of the list because of The Spectacular Cate Blanchett - who plays a neurotic ex-socialite struggling with the turn of events in her life. Heads to her sister's place in San Francisco, who is everything what big sister Jasmine isn't, to seek refuge. Things just get worse as she slowly and comically struggles to stay in the race with the Joneses. Louis C K makes a cameo as a cheating sound engineer and is perfect for a Woody Allen film - straight faced, dark, and makes more out of nothing. 'Blue Jasmine' does have a social angle to it - should be the campaign video for the President's latest brainwave on inequality.

Rating: * * * +

The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey

In the events that launched the Lord of the Rings storyline, Bilbo Baggins (Martin Freeman) finds his calm existence shattered by the intrusion of a wizard and thirteen dwarves. Gandalf (Ian McKellen) wants Bilbo to join him and his merry dwarves in the quest of reclaiming the lost city of Erebor from Smaug, the dragon. Unwittingly following their lead, Bilbo finds himself dealing with goblins, elves, orcs, wargs and sorcerers. Featuring the hair raising ride through the goblin tunnels, you are never bored through this film. Then there is the encounter with Gollum (Andy Serkis) and the ring which is the heart of the film. Despite all of this you are left wondering if there is enough meat for The Hobbit to be stretched in to three films... 

Rating: * * +

Hanna

A young girl (Saoirse Ronan) is trained to be a killing machine in an icy wilderness by her father (Eric Bana). Then with nary an explanation they announce themselves to the people they are supposedly hiding from and split up. Soon they have an obviously evil Cate Blanchett hot on their heels. Inevitable splices of action and chases is soon followed by the obvious climax. Through out which the film is limply held together by a whispering storyline. Thankfully the Chemical Brother filled in the void.

Rating: * +

The Curious Case of Benjamin Button

The story of a man who is born old and dies young. He grows younger as every body around him ages. If only the story focused more on the dichotomy of the situation rather than treating it with a banal focus. But yet when a long film keeps you in your seat, one has to give it; its due.

Rating: * * +

The Missing

An immensely forgettable movie despite a brilliant cast - Tommy Lee Jones, Cate Blanchett, Aaron Eckhart, Val Kilmer. An estranged father (Tommy Lee Jones) finds a perfect situation to make peace with his daughter, as her eldest daughter is kidnapped by some hooligan Indians. Yes, its TLJ in familiar country but with a plot thinner than his shoe lace.

Rating: * +

I'm Not There

The many phases of a certain folk singer born, Robert Allen Zimmerman, are splashed across the scene with each showing a different side of the mercurial singer and poet. Some a direct slice out of his life while others are glimpses of his alter-egos. The fact that these glimpses and slices are brought to life by Christian Bale, Richard Gere and Heath Ledger just makes it extra special. To top it all Cate Blanchett comes on and adds something bloody magical to the proceedings. The film rambles on with a kind of meandering narrative that fits like a glove for a Dylan biography. Never has his life been presented so craftily on any medium. A must watch for all Dylan fans.

Rating: * * *

Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull

The legendary prof is back and running after this crystal skull along with the Russians. There is also his possible successor in tow - in the form of Shia LaBeouf. Found it a bit of an ask to enjoy the movie whole heartedly - action sequences were imaginative & fine, but it wasnt as funny as I remembered these movies to be.

Rating: * *

Little Fish

Tracy (Cate Blanchett) an recovering heroin addict is slowly getting her life back together. She struggles to get a bank loan to start a new business. All seems good but her past comes crowding back in. One by one the characters from her yesterdays, file back into her life sucking her back to a place she does not want to be.

Hugo Weaving plays Tracy's family friend who introduced her to heroin and the man has outdone himself. For once I did not feel like saying, "Welcome, Mr. Anderson".

Rating: * * +

The Good German

Another opportunity to kick Steven Soderbergh's teeth in. Along with another from his circle of 'you scratch mine, i yours', comes this spectacularly dull movie. A big disappointment. Apart from 'Traffic', all others have been just focussed on style.

Rating: * +

Coffee and Cigarettes

There are some directors/actors I am biased towards - not without reason though I assure you - but the truth is I know there is a good movie out there, the moment I learn that its one of them in it. Like Jim Jarmusch for instance and his 2003 movie 'Coffee and Cigarettes'. Shot in B&W, features a wide range of talented artists in a series of 11 chapters - each of which has couple of people meeting over coffee & cigarettes and discussing stuff. In some cases, its tea - for the sake of variety I presume. Some of the conversations are inane, a few I found funny and then there are some that brings attention to some varied pieces of information. But there seems to be a thread running through it - like for example, the two people are related to each other, that coffee before going to sleep is like racing an Indy 500 race and that ciggys + coffee do not make a healthy lunch. I liked it - but its one of those that I would not recommend to anyone. An amusing flick, especially with a fat rolled one in hand.

On a connected note, heres a link to an amusing email exchange between 2 protagonists in the movie - Jack White and Stephen Coogan - brought to you by the Guardian.

Rating: * * *

The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou

Tres brilliant = Bill Murray as an eccentric Steve Zissou, as only Bill Murray can do it. A very stylish comedy about a oceangographer who goes in search for the mythical killer Jaguar Shark that killed his closest buddy. His team consists of various characters that one would expect Steve Zissou put together: a likely illegitimate son, a preganant reporter, a Sardar cameraman, a nutcase German right-hand man, a part ex-wife, a guitar strumming brazilian henchman and ofcourse, weed smoking Steve Zissou amongst others. Enjoyed it, but as I figured not necessarily everyone's cup of tea. So Beware. Good soundtrack as well.

Rating: * * *

Notes on a scandal

Secrets are harmful and can be manipulated - as Sheba Hart finds out. Fantastic performances from the two leading ladies make this movie worth it. Cate Blanchett and Judi Dench outdo themselves in their respective roles of a confused "lonely" married teacher and a vile lonely spinster teacher. An entertaining drama that entirely rides on their performances.

Rating: * * *

Babel

The story of a gun, a bullet and the far reaching effects of a single shot. The shot not only wounds its victim but its splinters go far across continents with unnerving accuracy. From the director of Amores Perros, Alejandro González Iñárritu, this flick leaves you stunned yet in a strange kind of bliss in spite of its starkly realistic nature.
There are scenes from the movie where you find it hard to believe the people in it are actors. Superb acting all around.

Rating: * * *