Travails on Silk Route

Dragon Blade is an ambitious "Asian" attempt at measuring up the might of an "Asian" alliance - Chinese, Indians, Huns, Parthians - against the power and might of the Roman Empire and the latter's warring factions - in a face-off to control the fate of the fabled Silk Road, during the Han Dynasty. Keeper of the Peace along the Silk Road - Huo An (Jackie Chan) - finds himself first at odds with Roman general Lucius (John Cusack) and then inseparable allies with the latter, as they join hands against the imperialist ambitions of Tiberius (Adrien Brody). Quite the entertainer, and a niche hit, with the realism of hand to hand combat being the positive highlight, that is somewhat marred by some kinks and melodrama in the storyline

14.5/20

Crack the Whip

Whiplash is a story of intensity, of burning ambition. Andrew (Miles Teller) is an aspiring junior drummer who is trying to put up with the hard driving Fletcher (JK Simmons) and his ruthless training style, to make it to the "core" of the band. Master and pupil collaborate and clash - in a game that can elevate Andrew to the greats of jazz, or destroy him forever

16/20

Soaring

Riggan (Michael Keaton) aka Birdman - a stereoytped actor from yesteryears, is attempting to resurrect his career in the face of a hostile and unrelenting media reception, estranged daughter Sam (Emma Stone), demanding method actor Mike (Edward Norton) whom he cannot do without - but most of all the ghosts of Birdman lurking in his mind, that are telling him to let go of Broadway ambitions, and pander to the kitschy tastes of his loyal audience. Brilliantly executed, somewhat predictable, full of allegory. Well-packaged Academy Awards candidate

15/20