X-Men: First Class

****
Release Date: June 1st 2011

In 1962, the United States government enlists the help of Mutants with superhuman abilities to stop a malicious dictator who is determined to start world war III.

Director: Matthew Vaughn (Kick-Ass, Stardust, Layer Cake)

Starring: James McAvoy, Michael Fassbender, Jennifer Lawrence, Rose Byrne, Kevin Bacon, January Jones, Nicholas Hoult

Instead of choosing to go forward from The Last Stand and Origins, Matthew Vaughn and the Marvel team take X-Men universe right back to the beginning. All the favourites are there (albeit a prominent character, who turns up in what could be one of the best cameos ever) and it also introduces a few others that will be known by the comic fans.

The focus of First Class is mainly on Charles Xavier (James McAvoy) and Erik Lehnsherr (it doesn't take a brainiac to work out it's Magneto, played by Michael Fassbender) and how their relationship slowly burns. Their conflicting personalities bode unwell from the start.

Other mutants grow to who we know well from the previous films. Raven/Mystique, acted out by an admirable Jennifer Lawrence, and Nicholas Hoult as Hank/Beast, calm and collective hold the best back stories apart from the main two. The baddies are neglected and are not treated in the same way.

This story puts all the pieces of the puzzle together is done expertly. In the mix of this is evil mutant Sebastian Shaw (Kevin Bacon), who Erik has a personal vendetta against. Shaw is an ex-nazi who's using the Cuban missile crisis to wage war on the humans.

Fassbender and Bacon really stand out with their performances. Fassbender's uncontrolled anger is at it's best before he's even met Xavier. One moment he's in an Argentinian bar laughing and toasting, the next torturing some helpless souls.

McAvoy's Professor holds a love/hate fluctuation from start to finish. He's very self-righteous, to the point where it becomes an annoyance and drifts far from Patrick Stewart's Prof. X.

For all the money pumped in XMFC (around $160m), the CGI is sparse for such an epic film. The finale holds some of the worst of it, with a submarine smashing into the coast standing out. Hopefully imagination will trump awkward use of technology!

Overview: Far superior than the last two X-Men films, it packs a punch that most will believe 20th Century Fox have redeemed themselves.

Madela: Long Walk to Freedom

****
Release Date: January 3rd 2014

A chronicle of Nelson Mandela's life journey from his childhood in a rural village through to his inauguration as the first democratically elected president of South Africa.

Director: Justin Chadwick (The Other Boleyn Girl)

Starring: Idris Elba, Naomie Harris

During Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom's London premiere, Nelson Mandela passed away. Zindi and Zenani Mandela, Nelson's daughters, attended the premiere and were informed of their father's death during the screening. They were asked if they wanted to postpone the screening but they decided against it. The rest of the audience were unaware and were only told at the end. A 2 minute silence took place after out of respect. Prince William and Kate also attended the same premiere.

Biopics surge in popularity when the focused person has passed away. It's too early to tell with LWTF in this respect. A biopic about an incredibly loved idol such as Nelson Mandela will attract attention regardless of the horribly coincidental situation. This isn't a tale of Mandela's fabled life. This story has been adapted from his autobiography. This is Mandela's story, and no others.

There's a central focus on Nelson (Idris Elba) and his second wife Winnie. The film starts to pick up when Mandela is ditched by his first wife, meets Winnie and becomes a member of the ANC (African National Congress). Elba oozes this bold enigma that no other can match. His accent is spot on, with little gripe to mention. It'll be a wonder if he is neglected from the 2013 award ceremonies.

Whether you know a lot about the history of Nelson Mandela or very little, LWTF is upsetting as it is beautiful. There's a major contrast between Mandela's early life in the suburban village he grows up in to what goes on in his time in the city of Johannesburg. Mverzo (hometown) comes with glistening sun-rays that makes the area look enticing. Johannesburg on the other hand has a constant dusty sheen kicked up by all the anger and the suffering that apartheid has caused.

Mandela's 26 year imprisonment rallies the black people of South Africa. What Mandela goes through is difficult to show due to such a time frame being difficult to cover for a film that's over two hours.

Overview: Idris shines as Mandela, never taking away the man that is known. Contains heartbreaking moments that will stay with us forever.     

Red Eye

**
Release Date: September 2nd 2005

A woman is kidnapped by a stranger on a routine flight. Threatened by the potential murder of her father, she is pulled into a plot to assist her captor in offing a politician.

Director: Wes Craven (Scream, A Nightmare on Elm Street)

Starring: Rachel McAdams, Cillian Murphy, Brian Cox

Wes Craven has come away from what feels like the umpteenth Nightmare on Elm Street and Scream sequel to make Red Eye, a small and broken up film about control, and the difference between what's morally right and emotionally accepted.

Red Eye is the term used to describe any flight occurring late at night and arriving the following morning. Just like its title, it gives little to go on, and all we know is a flight will definitely take place. Is it a post 9/11 scare? Is it a disaster movie? The first third of Red Eye is ambiguous, and happens to be the better third too.

Lisa's (McAdams) flight is cancelled. She meets Jackson (Murphy), a man who's abstruseness is intriguing and dark. A harmless interest for Lisa becomes uncomfortable awkwardness when Jackson 'miraculously' ends up seated next her; the first of many anticipated formulas. Lisa is forced by Jackson to make a decision between who lives and who dies (her Dad, who's played by Brian Cox, or a very important politician).

Now the less information we're given the better; if we're left in a state of gripping tension then as an audience we are hooked until the end. A great horror/thriller needs this. A closed narrative keeps us asking the right questions. In Red Eye's case, we could have been limited to Lisa and Jackson's actions, instead after the first half hour, little is left to the imagination.

The middle third of the film is repetitive; Lisa tries to warn others whilst Jackson stops her at every moment. The final third becomes a cat and mouse chase. It's suspenseful up to a point but the outcome is underwhelming.

At least the acting cannot be faulted. McAdams makes her situation believable and Murphy goes to show that he can play the mentally unhinged very well.

Overview: Wes Craven is one of the leading directors in the horror/thriller genre. Don't use this as an example though as it's surely not his best work.

Grown Ups

***
Release Date: August 27th 2010

After their high school basketball coach passes away, five good friends and former teammates reunite for a Fourth of July holiday weekend.

Director: Dennis Dugan (You Don't Mess with the Zohan, I Now Pronounce You Chuck and Larry, Big Daddy, Happy Gilmore)

Starring: Adam Sandler, Kevin James, Chris Rock, David Spade, Rob Schneider, Selma Hayek, Mario Bello

Grown Ups is a film that involves little thinking; you're with them to share the fun. Unwind, relax and enjoy. It's inoffensive and easy going, like most Adam Sandler films. If you like some of his earlier, better material (Big Daddy, Anger Management, The Longest Yard, Click), you'll find this a bit mediocre in comparison.

Five school friends reconcile for their basketball coach's funeral. They spend a weekend together at a lake-house. Fun times should ensue, but more often than not they don't. It's true that when male friends are together they prat around. Grown Ups doesn't make use of mans immaturity (hence its  name) and at least half of the audience would relate to this. A couple of reminiscing moments that happen are by far the funniest i.e a game involving a bow and arrow, and alternating who checks out Schneider's unbelievable beautiful daughters.

There are a few subject matters that Dugan and Sandler don't take full of advantage of, instead GU resorts to flatulence jokes and low comedy. Kevin James and Mario Bello's sex life is almost non-existent because their (too old) child still breast feeds, Chris Rock wears the skirt in his relationship and is an emotional wreck and Rob Schneider is just weird. They never break their stereotypical boundaries.

Overview: Grown Ups lacks a narrative backbone that would make this film more engaging. Here's hoping the sequel learns from its mistakes.   

Last Vegas

***
Release Date: January 3rd 2014

Three sixty-something friends take a break from their day-to-day lives to throw a bachelor party in Las Vegas for their last remaining single pal.

Director: Jon Turteltaub (National Treasure, National Treasure: Book of Secrets)

Starring: Michael Douglas, Robert De Niro, Morgan Freeman, Kevin Kline, Mary Steenburgen

What would happen if the Wolfpack from The Hangover went back to Las Vegas 30 years later? It would be an amusing take on an older generation trying to party like they're still young. The outcome is funny, but safe. Men will be men, regardless of their age.

Films with a seasoned cast have been hugely successful over the last couple of years. Last Vegas has an exceptional ensemble, similar to that of The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel and Quartet.

If you've been to Las Vegas before then you'll instantly know that Last Vegas' representation of the Strip is at times exaggerated (don't expect to get there and instantaneously party with LMFAO) and at others true to its core (being bombarded with sleazy adverts of scantily clad women at every street corner). Besides this, the story is focuses friendship, with Vegas being the backdrop.

Billy (Douglas) is has proposed to his other half, whom is a woman half his age. He rallies his three closest friends, old but fiery Archie (Freeman), married sex pest Sam (Kline) and not so warm Paddy (De Niro) to come to his bachelor weekend in Vegas, but it's up Archie and Sam to convince Paddy to come along. After much toil and drudgery, Paddy decides to join them. Little does he know that Sam and Archie 'forget' to tell him the reason why they're going.

Last Vegas may be predictable, but it's no major concern. Once united, the quartet are in full bloom, bouncing off each others mannerisms with incredible results. Archie gambles most of his pension money, only to come out the other end with a six figure sum. Sam sets out to fill a yearning need that only the opposite gender can adhere. Billy questions his marriage when he meets lounge singer Diana (Steenburgen) and Paddy finds tiny reasons to lash out at Billy over past mistakes.

If there's anything to take from Last Vegas, it's that age is never a concern. Whether you're old or young, Vegas is a place for adventure, and there are no limits. Age stereotypes dominate the scenes; the young disrespect their elders, and the majority of the laughs come from repeated subject matters i.e. age, or the inability to perform certain tasks (because of their age and health). Not to be taken seriously, this is a film that knows we all follow the same road, and growing old is inescapable.

Overview: We all laugh at the expense of others, and Last Vegas allows us to partake in this. The four main actors keep the film's head above water, never letting it fully sink.

12 Years a Slave

*****
Release Date: January 10th 2014

In the antebellum United States, Solomon Northup, a free black man from upstate New York, is abducted and sold into slavery.

Director: Steve McQueen (Shame, Hunger)

Starring: Chiwetel Ejiofor, Michael Fassbender, Benedict Cumberbatch, Paul Dano, Paul Giamatti, Lupita Nyong'o, Brad Pitt

12 Years a Slave is a very powerful and moving film, with superb acting coming from many. It's not only emotionally touching but a gripping animosity that contradicts itself by being beautifully shot with raw, gripping imagery.

After being kidnapped in Washington D.C and sold in the slave trade, Solomon Northup (Ejiofor) is passed through three different plantation owners. The first is Benedict Cumberbatch's Ford, who's somewhat calm and warming towards our lead, giving him a violin to play and a kindness that's not expected.

After a run in with Ford's lackey Tibeats (Dano), Solomon is left hanging by his neck, slipping in the mud. This is a guttural long shot that never cuts quite when you think. It's there for us to take in how unpleasant slavery was, and Ejiofor does a grand job portraying it. McQueen has the camera fixated on Solomon so we can take in just exactly how he feels. Other slaves are seen getting on with their business as Solomon struggles to keep himself alive. The depth of fear and sadness stretches far. The juxtaposition of the slaves and Northup is shocking and impossible to comprehend.

The last slave/plantation owner that Solomon works for is Edwin Epps (Fassbender). Epps has a visceral temper that switches from hot to cold from the slightest of annoyances that sees Fassbender topping all personas. Epps believes that he has a strong connection with slave favourite Patsey (Nyong'o) who makes an unbelievable debut. Her character does her best to stay unnoticed, but the actress does so fine a job that makes her the most noticeable.

12 Years a Slave mixes high-spirited moments (Solomon and the other slaves come across Native Americans and watch them dance) with great sadness. Watch as Solomon struggle to keep his emotions from tumbling out and resist singing for the death of slave in the group.

Overview: 12 Years a Slave takes the dramatic edge off Django Unchained by being bolder and having a seriousness that the latter might have played with. Ejiofer, Fassbender and Nyong'o will reap nominations and awards aplenty.
          

Trance

****
Release Date: March 27th 2013

An art auctioneer who has become mixed up with a group of criminals partners with a hypnotherapist in order to recover a lost painting.

Director: Danny Boyle (127 Hours, Slumdog Millionaire, The Beach, Trainspotting)

Starring: James McAvoy, Rosario Dawson, Vincent Cassel

Danny Boyle has an amazing handful of films that cross a fair amount of genres. From dramas and horrors to intense thrillers and Isles of Wonder, the London 2012 Olympic Opening Ceremony, there seems to be nothing he can't do. His latest film, is as weird and psychedelic as it's name. Trance isn't your typical kind of thriller. You'll never know who's telling the truth or lying through their teeth. Danny Boyle thrusts us in to the heart of this crazy heist and leads us to believe that we know who's right and who's wrong, but as soon as we think we do, he snatches it away, leaving us none-the-wiser. 

Simon (McAvoy) is an art auctioneer, who, in the opening credits, helps gangster Franck (Cassel) steal a highly expensive painting, but decides to play the hero and ends up suffering with amnesia because of a fleeting moment of what can only be guilt. It's mind boggling from the moment the credits hit the screen.

Can Simon really not remember where the painting is? Is he lying? These are only a few of the questions you'll be asking yourself. As the film progresses, Simon meets psychic Elizabeth (Dawson) who at first tries to help him but later becomes fueled by greed. More questions are raised, but answers are never given (at least not until the finale). Elizabeth puts Simon under a state of hypnosis to find out where he's hidden the painting.

James McAvoy has had a fantastic year with Trance, Filth, and Welcome to the Punch. His acting has been outstanding in all.

The biggest problem with trance is trying to make sense of it all. Just like Memento and Inception, if you look away for one moment you'll be lost forever.

Overview: With it's cunning unpredictability and impressive visuals, Trance is like a visual puzzle; trying to put the pieces together is not only hard, but fun.

        

 

Katy Perry: Part of Me

***
Release Date: July 5th 2012

The life, career and music of singer Katy Perry as we follow her on the California Dreams tour.

Directors: Dan Cutforth, Jane Lipsitz

Starring: Katy Perry

A documentary such as Katy Perry: Part of Me will always be made for the fans. Anyone who isn't a fan (like me) will at first not find this interesting but may warm to Katy and what she experiences as the film progresses. A documentary that focuses on someone famous will always sit in the middle for me because it will only ever be insightful to the fans.

POM follows Katy Perry on her 2011 world tour. It includes not just her career but her personal life as well. Amongst this is live footage of various shows. Behind the fairytale, colourful stage and whacky wardrobe is a human being that feels like we do.

There's a couple of intriguing moments to point out, the first being what Perry had to go through in order to reach where she is today. All the record labels she worked with wanted to mould her into someone she didn't want to be, like 'the next Alanis Morissette' or 'the next Avril Lavigne'. The second is an unexpected event that will leave you feeling sorry for her. If anything the abrupt change in this documentaries' pace makes it a worthwhile watch.

Overview: This could have been a lot worse to watch, but for me it's Russell Brand's unpredictability that sparks some alluring drama, but may come to late for others.
      

American Hustle

****
Release Date: December 20th 2013

A con man, Irving Rosenfeld, along with his seductive British partner, Sydney Prosser, is forced to work for a wild FBI agent, Richie DiMaso. DiMaso pushes them into a world of Jersey powerbrokers and mafia.

Director: David O. Russell (Silver Linings Playbook, The Fighter)

Starring: Christian Bale, Amy Adams, Bradley Cooper, Jennifer Lawrence, Jeremy Renner

American Hustle is David O' Russell's third film in four years that will hit the award ceremonies by storm. Working with four out of the five main stars before (Christian Bale and Amy Adams in The Fighter and Bradley Cooper and Jennifer Lawrence in Silver Linings Playbook) it's no surprise that this film has a lineup of fine acting potential, and by god do they pull it off!

A small time scam couple, Irving (Bale) and Sydney (Adams) are con artists who get roped into helping out FBI agent Richie DiMaso (Cooper) hustle mafia gangsters by double crossing and bluffing politicians, one being Carmine Polito (Renner), a politician with plenty of power.

Irving's wife Rosalyn (Lawrence) is crazy enough to be the one to let slip their plans that could bring them into turmoil.

With the opening credits including a sentence saying 'most of this is true' followed by Irving's attempt at applying a toupee mixed with funky perms and 70's slick clothing makes American Hustle a film not to be taken seriously, but individually, their own little worlds are incredibly important with the utmost sincerity keeping it together.

This may come hand in hand with the fact that everyone in AH is a bit nuts. Christian Bale's (it must be said that anyone who fluctuates in weight this much for different roles deserves major credit) Irving has little going for him bar his tendency to get others to do what he wants. Both his marriage and affair have their ups and downs, and in Irving's world it's the norm.

Sydney's translucent facade is not as clear-cut as we might think. She is forever playing a game, so she will never be fully understood and her sexy demeanor will leave all feeling lustful or envious. DiMaso is fixated on taking down the mafia to the point of needing anger management, whist Rosalyn blackmails and blames others to get what she wants. Robert De Niro's cameo has an evil and ominous presence that hasn't been felt in years since 1995's Heat.

Incorporate the great performances with a glorious soundtrack and you'll easily forget that the outcome isn't as amazing as the hustle intended it to be.

Overview: A subtly funny film that shows how risque and glamorous the 70's could be. A must see for the acting.

The Wolverine

****
Release Date: July 16th 2013

When Wolverine is summoned to Japan by an old acquaintance, he is embroiled in a conflict that forces him to confront his own demons.


Director: James Mangold (Knight and Day, 3:10 to Yuma, Walk the Line)

Starring: Hugh Jackman, Tao Okamoto, Rila Fukushima, Svetlana Khodchenkova, Famke Janssen

The latest offering in the X-Men series, and the sixth to date, finds Hugh Jackman's Logan/Wolverine in a film with only two mutants in it, the second being the villian. Some may find the lack of mutants disconcerting, but I do not find this the case. It stays true to it's 80's comics, and the title of this film suggests the focus of the most popular of the X-Men characters.

Reading other reviews meant I had little expectation of The Wolverine. I'm glad this was so because it is highly entertaining. James Mangold's attention to detail of Logan/Wolverine has allowed us more than ever to relate to him rather than see his as an incredible entity that cannot be harmed due to his mutant powers. Instead we see him suffer from past trauma, with Jean Grey constantly riddling his dreams.

Amongst Logan's personal burdens, comes the main story, which takes us all the way to Japan. The opening scene see's Logan imprisoned in an encampment of the Japanese army in WWII (which just shows you how old he really is). He saves the life of an army officer when the infamous atomic bomb hits Nagasaki. The recreation is phenomenal, the CGI totally making up for the poor outcome of Origins.

Fast forward in time and the events stand some time after The Last Stand, and Logan has become a hermit wondering the woods somewhere in the USA. After an action-packed scrap with some locals (who anger him a treat), Logan is asked by katana wielding Yukio (Fukushima) to meet up with the officer he saved for reasons other than saying goodbye. So off he flies to Japan, and soon enough Logan finds himself involved in a family crisis.

Taking the location to Japan is a little risky, but the countries' culture and scenery adds to the overall feel of the film. The choreography comes with immense finesse. A scene with Logan running away from pursuers on rooftops, shooting arrows with ropes to hold him back like they're performing some kind of acupuncture treatment on him would have been awesome to see in 3D.

The Wolverine should be a great watch for most X-Men fans, and will hopefully keep the interest going until Days of Future Past is released in the summer.

Overview: Remember to wait for the initial end credits, like most Marvel films, a scene comes that will make you come over with giddy excitement.     

Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues

***
Release Date: December 18th 2013

With the 70s behind him, San Diego's top rated newsman, Ron Burgundy, returns to take New York's first 24-hour news channel by storm.

Director: Adam McKay (The Other Guys, Step Brothers, Anchroman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy)

Starring: Will Ferrell, Steve Carell, Paul Rudd, David Koechner, Christina Applegate, Kristen Wiig, Greg Kinnear, James Marsden

Back in 2004, Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy was unique and flawless. There really was nothing like it. Like all Will Ferrell films, you'll either love it or hate it (I love it). 'It's a cult film that you'll never understand' some would say. I agree that it's different, but it comes with a comedy style that's trial and error. Director Adam McKay and writer Will Ferrell have taken on board what the fans enjoyed about The Legend, but have gone over-the-top with The Legend Continues. There are some outstanding parts but also many unforgettable ones, or at least ones that you'll want to forget.

After being sacked by Mack Tannen (Harrison Ford, the first of many enjoyable cameos) as co-host on the World News channel, Ron Burgundy (Ferrell) has lapsed in to a state of depression, and later loses his job at the San Diego Dolphin World for inappropriately touching a starfish.

Ron is approached by Gary (Kinnear) a news scout who wants him on a completely new channel, the 24 Hour News. Ron sets out to reunite his old news team ('NEWS TEAM.... ASSEMBLE!!!). Sports reporter Champ (Koechner), news pundit turned photographer Brian (Rudd) and alleged dead man Brick (Carell) are back and as charismatic as ever.

The news channel cannot be taken seriously by all anchors on board because they believe that no one would watch the news at any time of the day. When Ron and the team find out that they are on the late night/early morning slot, and get roped into a bet to see who gets the most viewers by arrogant competitor Jack Lime (Marsden), they establish a different kind of news.    

The gags take off right from the start, and peak in the centre of the film. An array of tasteless jokes end up being the most amusing. A moment where Ron is introduced to new-found love interest's (and the head of the new channel) family and attempts to fit in is very memorable.

Old jokes are often reused, some with open arms, others with unbearable exaggeration (Ron's flute, Brian's secret cupboard). Brick is stupid as ever, and is joined by just as idiotic Chani (Wiig) who he takes a very childish liking to. At times they are undeniably comical together, but I can't help thinking the outrageous antics could have been better subtle, as it takes away that feeling of comic harmony that the majority of the film has. Champ is still boring and is given nothing to do but at least Paul Rudd can keep up the pace as Brian Fantana.

A sequence near the end of the film is out of place and clunky. Ron is centre stage here, as an accident has left him trying to put the pieces back together of his family. This whole section would be better off edited out and clocks the film closer to two hours. 

Overview: The Legend Continues for me is very much hit and miss. Cameo appearances (in exactly the same manner as TLORB) by a huge roster of A-list celebrities goes without saying that it's legendary.            

The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug

****
Release Date: December 13th 2013

The dwarves, along with Bilbo Baggins and Gandalf the Grey, continue their quest to reclaim Erebor, their homeland, from Smaug. Bilbo Baggins is in possession of a mysterious and magical ring.

Director: Peter Jackson (The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey, The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring, The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers, The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King)

Starring: Martin Freeman, Ian McKellen, Richard Armitage, Orlando Bloom, Evangeline Lilly, Benedict Cumberbatch, Luke Evans

The middle film of any trilogy has the hardest job of keeping up the pace of the narrative, without lacking the ability to have its own standalone story. The sub-plot within the main plot doesn't detach itself but merely enhances the films as a whole. The Desolation of Smaug does exactly this, never giving you a moments breath as it starts off just where An Unexpected Journey ended.

A small introduction is played out with Beorn, the shape-shifter, but Bilbo and the dwarves are quickly off on their adventure again, followed closely by the pursuing Azog and his goblin troop. 

It can be easily said that Middle Earth has such grandeur and beauty that hasn't looked this exceptional since Fellowship. As we know from An Unexpected Journey, Thorin and co. are off to save the lost kingdom of Erebor and the treasure within from the clutches of Smaug the dragon. In The Desolation of Smaug, their journey continues, with a few places to go on the way, including the dark and mysterious Mirkwood, and the splendid Lake Town, a city on water. Although the scenery is amazing to look at, it never steers the audience away from storyline.   

The dwarves, except for Thorin and a few others, still suffer with lack of individuality. Other characters enter the fray including Luke Evans as Bard and a fitting cameo by Stephen Fry.  You will be wondering to yourself why is Legolas in the film when he's not in the book? I, like many others, am a huge Tolkien fan, and find that Peter Jackson and his writing team have been a little disloyal and unfaithful to the book. It's understandable that Legolas would have been in Mirkwood at the time that the dwarves were (due to the fact that Thranduil the king of Mirkwood is his father), but it could also be said that Peter Jackson has added him because he is a favourable moneymaker.

Evangeline Lilly plays a new character named Tauriel that's not in the book. Jackson has decided to add her in order to create a love story that's hard to deal with for the fans but at the same time shows that women do exist in Middle Earth and can kick ass just as much men do. No one wants to see a film dominated by masculinity and I'm sure that some may think it chauvinistic.           

Although there are plenty of changes to the book, there's a lot to like about The Desolation of Smaug, the main feature being Smaug. He is a sight to behold, and Cumberbatch does a fine job voicing him. Freeman does another fantastic job being little trouble in a big world, especially when pitted up against Smaug for the first time.

Overview: Much is still leading up to the final film. The end of TDOS has a cliffhanger that's out to torment and agitate most. The scene where the dwarves escape Mirkwood in barrels is one of the set-pieces in the last decade.