Film Review: Dunkirk

Christopher Nolan once again proves himself the master filmmaker with the astounding Dunkirk. The film is unmissable. 

In 1940, Allied soldiers have been pushed back to Dunkirk by the German army. As British soldiers wait on the beaches to be evacuated, time is running out to get thousands of men to safety…

Christopher Nolan has proved himself adept at working in a number of genres, so there were no major concerns with him tackling the war film. The result of this endeavour is a tense, enthralling movie. It is one that respects the historical reality of its subject, yet does not fail to deliver spectacle. 

Dunkirk does not give the audience even a minute to settle, with tension immediately in the air. This is unrelenting through almost the entire duration of the movie. There is little reprieve, as the film focuses on a number of situations, all entering the thick of the action. The momentum builds in the uneasiest of manners, there is a sense of foreboding that emerges early on.

The film offers a few characters for the audience to get behind; it is clear that survival is the name of the game. There are not the clear heroes and villains we so often see; Nolan is more subtle than this. The film is most nerve wracking, but audiences will not want to miss a second of the film. Dunkirk lays bare the horrors of war, in particular the brutality facing soldiers. Similar to Hacksaw Ridge‘s visceral depiction of the battlefield, Nolan depicts the tension and terror of simply trying to survive. It is a depiction well worthy of acclaim. 

Dunkirk should be seen on IMAX 70mm screens if at all possible, to do the film full justice. Nolan’s direction is masterful; action is portrayed in a highly realistic fashion. He really situates the viewer at the heart of action. The sound design adds immensely to the visual spectacle. Hans Zimmer proves his incredible talent with another powerful score. There is little dialogue in the film. The narrative does not really require much talking when the visuals and sound are so impactful. Performances are good throughout; Fionn Whitehead and Mark Rylance stand out in particular. 

Dunkirk will stay with viewers long after they leave the cinema. It will be fascinating to see what Nolan tackles next. 

Film Review: Hacksaw Ridge

Mel Gibson’s Hacksaw Ridge is a brutal true story which illustrates the director’s flair for storytelling. Switching between sentiment and violence, the film is utterly compelling at times.

Desmond Doss signs up to join the army during World War II, feeling it is his duty to serve his country as a medic. His religious beliefs mean that he refuses to fire a weapon. Seen as a conscientious objector, Desmond enters a gruelling battle with his regiment…

Hacksaw Ridge is based on the true story of Desmond Doss, who was awarded the Medal of Honour for his bravery in battle. Written by Robert Schenkkan and Andrew Knight, the film focuses on Doss from his early family life to his later heroics in battle. The film is a sincere portrait of an extraordinary individual.

Director Mel Gibson concentrates on a different aspect of Doss’ life in each of the film’s three acts. The first explores the protagonist’s childhood; giving colour to his beliefs and his relationship with his family. There is also an emphasis on his father’s trauma following military service. The story moves on to Desmond as a young man. The scenes in which he woos Dorothy are heady with sentiment. At times the film is aware of this corniness. Nevertheless, the scenes are very watchable.

The mood shifts between this sweet sentimentality and more forceful drama. There is plenty of humour to be found at training camp, but again this switches quickly with the onset of darker scenes. It is the action scenes which are most memorable in Gibson’s film, however. The war sequences are absolutely brutal, offering a dizzying and terrifying depiction of battle. Viewers who have seen Gibson’s The Passion of the Christ will not be surprised by the level of violence, yet Hacksaw Ridge is unrelenting in its portrayal of carnage. At times difficult to watch, the direction, editing, cinematography and sound design create haunting sequences.

Andrew Garfield delivers a convincing performance as Doss. He is cute in the romantic scenes, and very authentic in depicting Desmond’s struggle. Hugo Weaving puts in a great turn as Desmond’s father, and Vince Vaughn is well cast in his role.

With Hacksaw Ridge, Gibson reminds cinemagoers of his adept storytelling abilities. The film is a testament to conviction, as well as the brutality of war.

Previews: Denial trailer, Hacksaw Ridge and More!

Plenty of trailers, images, and features this week, including the Denial trailer, Hacksaw Ridge, Wonder Woman and more…

Denial Trailer

Here is the new Denial trailer. The film is based on the legal battle over Holocaust denial. Rachel Weisz plays Deborah E. Lipstadt who is accused of libel by David Irving (Timothy Spall). Also starring Tom Wilkinson, Denial is set for release on 27th January 2017.

Fences Poster

Here is the latest poster for Denzel Washington’s Fences. Washington directs and stars in the film, based on August Wilson’s play. Wilson also writes the screenplay for the film. Also starring Viola Davis, Fences is out in UK cinemas in early 2017.

Hacksaw Ridge Clip

This is a clip from the upcoming Hacksaw Ridge. Directed by Mel Gibson, the film is based on the true story of Desmond Doss, who saved many soldiers without firing a weapon in a World War II battle. Starring Andrew Garfield, Vince Vaughn, and Teresa Palmer, Hacksaw Ridge will be released on 27th January 2017.

Darkest Hour Image

The first image from Darkest Hour is striking to say the least. Gary Oldman has form as a chameleon, and proves his transformation skills once again playing Winston Churchill. Director Joe Wright’s film is about the tense time the former British Prime Minister faces trying to negotiate a peace treaty with Nazi Germany. Darkest Hour is scheduled for release on 29th December 2017.

The LEGO Batman Movie Trailer

A spin-off from the wonderful The LEGO Movie, The LEGO Batman Movie focuses on one of the best characters from the original film. This trailer reveals more about the plot, as well as the range of franchise characters we can expect. Featuring the voices of Will Arnett, Ralph Fiennes, and Michael Cera, The LEGO Batman Movie will hit UK screens on 10th February 2017.

Passengers Poster

Here is the latest poster for Passengers. Starring America’s current sweethearts Jennifer Lawrence and Chris Pratt, the film is about to passengers on a spacecraft transporting them to a different planet. Also starring Michael Sheen and Laurence Fishburne, Passengers is out in UK cinemas on 21st December 2016.

Wonder Woman Trailer

The second trailer for Wonder Woman reveals more about the narrative and the main characters. Set during World War II, the film tells the story behind the photograph seen in Batman V Superman: Dawn of Justice. Starring Gal Gadot, Chris Pine, and Connie Nielsen, Wonder Woman hits UK screens on 2nd June 2017.

Sully: Miracle on the Hudson Poster

Sully: Miracle on the Hudson tells the story of the pilot who landed a passenger plane on the Hudson River. The film, directed by Clint Eastwood, focuses on the heroic act and the investigation that followed. Sully: Miracle on the Hudson jets onto UK screens on 2nd December 2016.

Previews: Rules Don’t Apply Trailer, Doctor Strange, More!

Lots of film-related goodness this week, including the new Rules Don’t Apply trailer, Hacksaw Ridge, Doctor Strange and more…

Rules Don’t Apply Trailer

Here is the latest Rules Don’t Apply trailer. The film is directed by Warren Beatty, who stars as Howard Hughes. The film is about a relationship between Hughes’ driver (played by Alden Ehrenreich) and an aspiring young actress (played by Lily Collins). Rules Don’t Apply is one of a number of recent films set in Hollywood’s Golden Age, following Café Society and  Hail, Caesar!. Beatty’s film is scheduled for release soon.

Jack Reacher: Never Go Back Trailer

Here is the new trailer for action-thriller Jack Reacher: Never Go Back. The film is a follow up to 2012’s Jack Reacher. This instalment sees To Cruise return as the title character. I am hoping that filmmakers keep the same tone as the original film, even if there is no Werner Herzog. Jack Reacher: Never Go Back hits cinema and IMAX screens on 20th October 2016.

Doctor Strange Poster

Here is one of the Doctor Strange character posters. Tilda Swinton joins a stellar cast (Benedict Cumberbatch, Rachel McAdams, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Benedict Womg, and Mads Mikkelsen) in Marvel’s latest film. Cumberbatch stars as Dr Stephen Strange, a neurosurgeon who sets out to repair himself following an accident. Doctor Strange is out in UK cinemas on 25th October 2016.

Moana Featurette

Here is Moana star Dwayne Johnson and composer Lin-Manuel Miranda talk about mutual love and respect in this new featurette. The film is about a teenager who sets out on a mission to complete her ancestors’ unfulfilled quest. Moana will be released in UK cinemas on 2nd December 2016.

Fences Trailer

Denzel Washington directs Fences, based on August Wilson’s award-winning play. Wilson also writes the screenplay for the film, which is about a man struggling to raise his family in the 1950s. Also starring the brilliant Viola Davis, Fences is set for release soon.

20th Century Women Trailer

Writer-director Mike Mills follows 2011’s Beginners with 20th Century Women. The film is about three women at different eras of the 20th century. Starring Annette Benning, Greta Gerwig, and Elle Fanning, 20th Century Women will be released in 2017.

Hacksaw Ridge Trailer

Mel Gibson directs war drama Hacksaw Ridge. The film is about the true story of Desmond Doss, a soldier during World War II who saved many of his compatriots without firing a weapon. Starring Andrew Garfield, Sam Worthington, and Teresa Palmer, Hacksaw Ridge will be released in cinemas soon.

Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them Trailer

Here is the final trailer for Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them. The film is based on the magical world created by J.K. Rowling. Starring Eddie Redmayne, Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them is out in 3D on 18th November 2016.