The Ruminative Reviewer

Medici: Masters of Florence is a political drama about the powerful banking family, Medici, of 15th century Italy. An attractive, intelligent and self-possessed protagonist reluctant to take up the mantel of a dynasty, but exceptionally good at it. That’s a classic, case in point, The Godfather. I decided to watch Medici because I love period dramas and History fascinates me. Medici: Masters of Florence is historical fiction at its most entertaining. Cosimo de’ Medici, played by Richard Madden, is the charismatic heir of the influential Medici banking family. The first season of the show is about his ascension to power. It is a political story having the compelling characteristics of a bildungsroman. The evolution of Cosimo’s character, similar to that of Michael Corleone’s, is intriguing. Al Pacino won hearts all over the world with his performance as the Italian mafia lord, Michael Corleone, in The Godfather. Though I feel it sacrilegious to compare Richard Madden to Al Pacino...

Cloudy skies and black leather-clad figures; violence, bloodshed and betrayal- such is the atmosphere of the Underworld movie series. Underworld Blood Wars is better than its predecessor, Awakening (2012), in terms of entertainment value. However, the Directors seem to be dragging the story unnecessarily. Blood Wars is about Selene’s transformation into a more powerful and wiser vampire. David’s character, first introduced in Awakening as an idealistic warrior, develops in this flim. His significance is explained and he is finally given the charge of leadership. However, Eve, Selene’s daughter, seems to be lurking in the shadows. Eve was introduced in Awakening; in fact, the story was about her reunion with Selene. The stories of Awakening and Blood Wars seem to be centered on Eve and her unique heritage, yet she plays a minor role in the first and hardly features in the latter. Her character seems to be an excuse to make more Underworld movies about Selene, her mother, who assi...