“Lone Survivor” is a well-constructed ‘gory war porn’ that camouflages an error of judgment on moralistic grounds and glorifies American patriotism. It’s a realistic, gruesome depiction of war that’ll stay with you long after the lights come back on.

Despite its problems, it’s pretty good fun. Brimming with witty dialogue and some genuinely heartfelt moments, the film doesn’t snap even under the weight of its clichéd climax. At 2 hours and 21 minutes, it’s a tad long and repetitive, yet saved by some solid acting. Parineeti Chopra, in particular, deserves every accolade that’ll come her way; this is her fourth film release and once again she’s the best thing in it.

There are enough scenes of brutal violence in 12 Years a Slave to make your skin crawl…Nicely shot and paced, the film works because it breathes with reality. McQueen drives every scene to the core of its emotions, and their cumulative emotional effect is devastating. It’ll leave you shocked, ashamed, angry and overwhelmed.

It’s possibly the most fun I’ve had at the movies in a long, long time, and like the perfect restaurant meal it leaves you keen to make a second visit soon.

Selected to play in the prestigious Un Certain Regard section at the Cannes film festival in 2012, it’s an unconventional watch, yes, but it’s also refreshing to see a different kind of Indian cinema make its place in the world.

Dedh Ishqiya gives the UP badlands a light cloak of humor and, to the viewer – we’re happy to note – a bold reveal that is more suggested than emphasized. The twist in the tale is one you can spot from a mile away, but it’s nicely done.
I’m going with four out of five for director Abhishek Chaubey’s Dedh Ishqiya. Like heady wine, it delivers a welcome kick.

…is consistently engaging, but is it meant to celebrate this reckless pursuit of wealth, or serve as a cautionary tale against it? That’s for each one of us to decide. To give credit to Scorsese, he’s made a film that works on more than one level, and a film that inspires debate. In their fifth collaboration, Scorsese and DiCaprio once again do their best work together.

Despite its butt-numbing length – a solid 2 hours and 41 minutes -The Desolation of Smaug has a pace and a cohesiveness that the previous film, An Unexpected Journey, lacked.

By the time the film ends, in a rather abrupt climax, you’ve forgiven its faults, and you’ll be eager to see how it all ends. Until next year then…

‘Catching Fire’ has more than a few gripping set-pieces, but its strength is its solid cast and the lasting impression they make.
This sequel ends on a promising note, leaving you hungry for the next instalment.

Disney’s new animated fairytale Frozen has endearing characters, some good-natured comedy, a bunch of show-stopping musical numbers, and gorgeous visuals. It’s a throwback to the studio’s classic musical adventures from pre-Pixar times, and yet it feels modern because the writing is so fresh and the humor so irreverent.