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Dunkirk’s Darkest Hour
Have two highly-acclaimed films ever been so perfectly matched as accompanying entities?
This year, Christopher Nolan’s gritty on-the-beach dramatization of the historically necessary evacuation of hundreds of thousands of British soldiers in Dunkirk was hailed as an incredible war movie unlike any other. You were on the beach, you were in the air and you felt the literal and metaphorical claustrophobia of what seemed like inevitable demise closing in. It was a matter-of-fact story that took audiences into the living hell of British and French soldiers under deadly German air attacks.
Also this year, just weeks ago, Joe Wright’s Darkest Hour was hailed as an engaging peek into the life of British Prime Minister Winston Churchill. Faced with the end of the British armed forces, Western civilization, and the world in domino fashion by Germany in World War II, Mr. Oldman’s metamorphosis into Mr. Churchill was a masterclass in acting brilliance. To put it briefly, Winston Churchill in Darkest Hour was an ordinary man who, through cigars, booze, unlikely confidants, ingenuity, courage and his wife, was able to lead the rescue of soldiers struggling for their lives on the beaches of Dunkirk in a matter-of-fact manner on the silver screen.
Movie fans should see both films, both for historic and cinematic purposes. But what if you could see them interwoven together in an epic trailer?
While Gary Oldman has all but sealed up a forthcoming season of Best Actor awards for his performance as Winston Churchill, there’s an argument for cinematic history to be made with regards to the Best Picture of 2017:
Dunkirk + Darkest Hour.
The Academy will likely not comply. Regardless, history is eternally thankful for the ordinary heroes showcased in both films.
A Real Hollywood Ending
There’s a new movie that takes the idea of practical effects and realism to another cinematic level.
Clint Eastwood is an acclaimed actor and is proving to be, with each new major motion picture under his belt, one of the best directors on the planet. And leave it to the 87-year-old all-American badass to innovate a “young man’s game” in Hollywood by not casting professional actors for events inspired by real-life heroes but by casting the real-life heroes who defined an inspiring event.
Ladies and gentlemen, the first trailer for The 15:17 to Paris (based on a book with the same name) directed by Clint Eastwood was released by Warner Bros. Pictures today.
If The 15:17 to Paris doesn’t qualify as a must-see movie, then I don’t know what does.
Mark down February 9, 2018, on your calendar as movie night. Real-life American heroes (Anthony Sadler, Alek Skarlatos of the Oregon National Guard, and U.S. Air Force Airman First Class Spencer Stone) will be given a Hollywood treatment unlike any we’ve seen before in cinema.
Along with Christopher Nolan’s surreal, yet very realistic and necessarily gritty Dunkirk and Joe Wright’s Darkest Hour led by Gary Oldman’s sublime metamorphosis as Winston Churchill, there’s been no shortage of mainstream films spotlighting incredible people and their acts of courage and bravery.
That’s worth the price of admission and so much more.
Happy Monday!
When will virtual reality make its defining pivot into the mainstream of modern society as an everyday technological necessity? How will we as a species change as a result? Will this transformation be good, bad or found somewhere in between?
For now, the first full trailer for Steven Spielberg’s forthcoming pop culture-infused virtual reality cinematic bonanza, inspired by the pop culture literary giant Ready Player One imaginatively penned by Ohio’s own Ernest Cline, has arrived.
No virtual reality headsets required.
Suggestion: Host Ready Player One’s movie premiere this March in Columbus, Ohio.
Author Ernest Cline is from Ashland, director Steven Spielberg was born in Cincinnati and the story takes place in central Ohio. The legendary filmmaker and Warner Bros. could officially make Columbus the pop culture capital of the world for a night, which would be unforgettable and crazy awesome.
However, would that mean that a major business would purposefully invest in the city and people of Columbus with the intention of having fun and making us look good? It’s been a while but we’re actively on the hunt for people with good intentions who are ready to inspire and celebrate this city (#SaveTheCrew). And favorite sons Steven Spielberg and Ernest Cline would be welcomed back to Hollywood blockbuster-level acclaim and fanfare.
That’s the reality.
Have a Better Week Than Last Week.
Jimmy's Daily Planet 