Frame by Frame

Not for a moment do I deny the cinematic quality, the excellent casting, the flawless special effects, and the sheer riveting spectacle that is The Hobbit - The Desolation of Smaug - the fifth installment of the LOTR/ Hobbit series. The issue is that we are perhaps too used to the excellence, and maybe the reader is left wondering just what justifiable reason could be given for stretching (by LOTR standards, a brief) novel to such lengthy proportions. Yes, it is a good watch while it is there. No, beyond a point, it is just pretty monotonous. A monotonous must-watch - a fate that i suspect that this Hollywood trend of milking franchises to the hilt will have to hear a lot more of

14.5/20

Race It

Wanted fugitives Dominic (Vin Diesel) and Brian (Paul Walker) get a new lease of life as they are asked by Agent Luke Hobbs (Dwayne Johnson) to take out a criminal organization led by Owen (Luke Evans) in exchange for clearing their criminal records. Its time for showdown in (mainly) London – with fast cars and a bevy of beauties – including Mia (Jordana Brwester), an estranged Letty (Michelle Rodriguez – permanent female Hispanic lead action fixture), Gisele (Gal Gadot) and the turncoat Riley (Gina Carano). Spellbinding (though logically and scientifically inexplicable) action sequences and engaging car chase scenes – watched this one in a paid preview – yes, was on fast forward, much like everything else in Fast & Furious 6. Not to forget, the movie ends with a cameo by Jason Statham (no less) in Tokyo – the promise of much more to come

13.5/20

Greek Gods

Immortals is the story of Theseus (Henry Cavill), born of a peasant mother, but of such strength and resolution that Zeus (Luke Evans) himself believes that the Gods should not intervene in the affairs of men, to save Theseus and the Hellenics, because Theseus alone is capable enough to lead his people. Pitted against Theseus and the Hellenics is the evil Hyperion (Mickey Rourke), with his hordes that show no mercy as they search for the Epirus Bow in their quest to unleash the Titans upon the Gods. With much action drawn straight from Greek Mythology, the story centres around Theseus and the virgin oracle Phaedra (Freida Pinto) and their battle against the evil hordes of Hyperion, who stand steadfast in the way of the latter’s quest to free the wrong half of the Immortals

13/20