The week after the Diwali releases Ae Dil Hai Mushkil and Shivaay sees slim pickings for Hindi movie fans, but Hollywood followers have three films to choose from.
Doctor Strange Benedict Cumberbatch is perfectly cast as Stephen Strange, the neurosurgeon who loses the use of his hands in an accident. Strange not only learns to regains the use of his hands but also masters superpowers under the tutelage of the Ancient One (Tilda Swinton) and Karl Mordo (Chiwetel Ejiofor), but will his arrogance get the better of him? Directed by Scott Derrickson (The Exorcism of Emily Rose, The Day The Earth Stood Still), the movie is the latest adaptation of a Marvel comic book character. Rachel McAdams plays Christine, Strange’s former lover, while Mads Mikkelsen (Hannibal) plays Kaecilius, who wants to use his powers to take over the world.
Mahayoddha Rama Rohit Vaid’s animated film is the story of the Ramayana from Ravana’s point of view. A unique selling point is that each of the ten heads of the demon king has been voiced by different actors. Gulshan Grover has the privilege of being Ravana’s main voice, while Kunal Kapoor plays Ram, Jimmy Shergill Laxman and Mouni Roy (Naagin) is Sita.
Trolls The evil-cute dolls, not the social networking beasts without whom life would be saner and cleaner. Mike Mitchell and Walt Dohrn directed the animated comedy about a group of happy trolls who are imprisoned by the Bergens who want to eat them all up. The voice cast includes Jeffrey Tambor, Anna Kendrick, Justin Timberlake, John Cleese, Zooey Deschanel and Russell Brand.
Mr Church Eddie Murphy plays the lead in a drama by veteran director Bruce Beresford and based on a real-life story about a young woman, her dying mother, and their devoted African-American cook. In the movie, Church (Murphy) moves into the Brooks household and never leaves. Also starring Natascha McElhone, Britt Robertson, and Xavier Samuel.