We' re back

The universe is about to be taken over by the First Order. Led by Supreme Leader Snoke (Andy Serkis) and Kylo Ren (Adam Driver), the First Order looks like it will overwhelm the Resistance, and then some. The experience of Han Solo (Harrison Ford) and General Leia (Carrie Fisher) come to bear, but it will require all the energy, resourcefulness and courage of Rey (Daisy Ridley), scavenger on the planet Jakku, Finn (John Boyega), the reformed stormtrooper, and Poe Dameron (Oscar Isaac) to save the day and find the way to Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill). The seventh edition - and this time a sequel - Star Wars - The Force Awakens - is a perfect blend of familiar Star Wars elements while doing enough to keep the storyline fresh and what increasingly looks like timeless. And yes, no review of this movie would be complete without a mention of the resourceful droid BB8, that takes the droid quotient of the series to an all new level

15/20

Truly Exceptional

Marty (Woody Harrelson) and the ultra-talented Rust (Matthew McConnaughey) totally nail it in True Detective Season 1. The pair seek out a serial killer in the Louisiana deep south, with its surfeit of temperance and Americana. Stirringly authentic, enough to bring me back to sitcoms after perhaps years of avoidance. True Detective Season 1 is a must-watch – the performances are solid, the story is gripping, the central character is relentless

16.5/20

Maratha Gallantry

Bajirao Mastani (Hindi) is the love story of Peshwa Baji Rao I and his second wife the Rajput princess Mastani (Deepika Padukone). First wife Kashibai (Priyanka Chopra) also plays a significant role. The film is set against the backdrop of the Peshwas going headlong against the Mughal empire

14/20

Time never stands still

Project Almanac is a brilliant little movie that has gone unnoticed, but deserves much more attention than it has garnered. David Raskin (Jonny Weston) is admitted to MIT, but cannot afford the tuition. Rather than sell the house, David rummages through his father's belongings, and chances upon a time machine. Goals start becoming blurred when David starts zoning in on scenarios that optimize his relationship with Jessie (Sofia Black D'Elia), at possibly huge collateral damage. A must-watch for sci-fi fans

15.5/20

To Prison, to Prison

James King (Will Ferrell) is living the Americal Dream. Leading the charge for a successful hedge fund, engaged to the boss' daughter and gold digger Alissa (Alison Brie). James' life turns upside down when he is framed (?) on charges of embezzlement, and is sentenced to 10 years in the much-dreaded San Quentin prison. Seeking some much needed toughening up, James turns to his car washer Darnell (Kevin Hard), who is entrusted with taking James through the rigor of prison bootcamp. Get Hard is an entertaining watch if laden with many stereotypes. A movie that you will not see in Indian movie halls anytime soon - I guess maybe 10% of the footage would have survived our enthusiastic censors

14.5/20

Fear the Water

In the Heart of the Sea had all the ingredients for an epic spectacle. Herman Melville (Ben Whishaw) is listening to a first person account of the sinking of the Essex in 1820 (itself an adaptation from Nathaniel Philbrick's 1920 novel). Owen Chase (Chris Helmsworth), First Mate, has many ruboffs against Captain George Pollard (Benjamin Walker) of the great Pollard seafaring family, but none can doubt the former's seafaring talent and navigational skills, in leading the crew of the Essex. Driven further and further into the Pacific in search of whaling grounds, the Essex finally meets in match in a feared sea-dweller - the legendary Moby Dick. So what doesnt work in all of this? The heroism does not click. The fearsomeness of the whale does not click. It seems that the sum total of the cinematography of Hollywood is no match for the evocative prose of Melville. Or maybe the cruel killing of whales just draws a different kind of empathy in our time

13/20

Strictly for Fans

The Peanuts Movie works through the many adventures of Charlie Brown, trying to catch the attention of The Little Red Haired Girl. In a parallel stroyline, Snoopy writes a novel about his battles for Fifi vs. The Red Baron. Strictly children's fare and for Charlie Brown fans, at that

12/20

The Journey is Everything

Rusty Griswold (Ed Helms), the eponymous family man who does not quite feel the love back from his family, takes wife Debbie (Christina Applegate) and two sons on a long drive to amusement park Walley World. Along the way, evidence of Debbie's wild college ways, old crushes - notably Stone Crandall (Chris Helmsworth), disastrous swims and rafting expeditions, midnight liaisons that turn into exercises in hilarity - make for an entertaining time. Will the family bond together in spite of all the rough encounters, and finally discover who they really are? Vacation is an interesting watch that is quite hilarious in parts

13.5/20