Dunkirk Review

     The talent pool of cinema's current directors is something to be admired. Some of the greatest filmmakers to ever live are out there right now making movies. Wes Anderson, Jeff Nichols, Kathryn Bigelow, Richard Linklater, and Denis Villeneuve just to name a few; but if you were to ask every cinefile in the world who the best director currently working is, I feel like Christopher Nolan would get the most votes. The British director Nolan made his directorial debut in 1998 with the well received "Following." But Nolan first made waves with the critically acclaimed "Memento" in 2000, which would go on to be called one of the best films of the decade by many media outlets. And in 2008 he became the director to watch with "The Dark Knight," which is widely considered to be the best comic book movie of all time. And with 2010's mind bending sci-fi thriller "Inception," he became a film legend. Since then Nolan hasn't been at his best, with the often criticized (but still praised) "The Dark Knight Rises" and "Interstellar;" but when it was announced that Nolan would be making a film about one of the most important moments of World War 2, I was immediately interested. "Dunkirk" is like no movie Nolan has tackled before, and the result might be the finest film of his already illustrious career.

     The Battle and Evacuation of Dunkirk was a British military operation that took place May 26- June 4, 1940. With several hundred thousand British soldiers trapped on the French beach with German soldiers moving in, all hope seemed lost. With Germans controlling the air, land, and sea around Dunkirk, the UK had trouble sending in support out of fear of losing valuable resources. In a last ditch effort they recruit civilian boats to try and pick up the stranded. The film follows a few different storylines at the tail end of the evacuation, turning into one of the most thrilling war movies ever made.

     Since the very first reviews for this film were released, I heard more than a few critics call it a masterpiece and one of the best war movies of all time; so going into the theater I had high expectations, and they were vastly surpassed. "Dunkirk" is a cinematic triumph, and one of the most impressive films I've seen in years. A little over half way through 2017, and we may have finally found what will be the best film of the year. First off, all the credit in the world has to go to director Christopher Nolan. Nolan direction is powerful to say the least; he has complete control over every little thing and has an incredible eye for detail. The way he directs even makes the calm scenes tense and thrilling, and at no point during the entire run time was I anywhere close to bored. Nolan is the type of director who loves the classic, and you can see it with "Dunkirk." This movie feels very old-school, both in the approach and scope; reminiscent of films like "The Hateful Eight," "Dunkirk" feels like a love letter to movies of yesteryear; which is only solidified by Nolan's choice to primarily use practical effects, including thousands of extras and boats/planes that were at the Dunkirk Evacuation. One thing that may upset some when walking out of this movie is that it's not like the war movies we've seen in the past few years; it's not an action movie. One thing that I've never liked about war movies is that many dramatize and romanticize war, "Dunkirk" does not. While there are some thrilling air battles, this is a movie about war and not the battles. More recent war movies like "Lone Survivor," "American Sniper," and "Hacksaw Ridge" often took terrible situations, and turned them into action movies for only the sake of entertainment. But "Dunkirk" comes off as a respectful adaptation of one of the most terrifying moments of WW2. Nolan did a great job with script, being respectful, but being constantly exciting. And as with every Nolan movie, it is truly beautiful. The cinematography is stunning; and with the choice to film in 65 mm (projected on 70 mm film), Nolan captures some of the most beautiful scenes I've seen in years. And the last thing I'll gush about over Nolan is his use of silence and sound. Very little is said in this movie, other than the ambient noises it's mostly silent. Characters only speak when necessary, which is a brave choice on the film's part that I respect. Most movies feel the need to pad the silence, to have characters talk just for the sake of noise. Not in "Dunkirk," and I respect that. The only real issue I have with the film is the story; not so much the story itself, but how it tells it. The problem is that the film shows us several storylines, but they aren't happening at the same time. In doing so the plot is hard to follow at times, and it takes a bit for you to be able to put the pieces together. Despite this issue, it doesn't change my opinion on the movie. "Dunkirk" is something special, something exceptional. It is the type of picture that bridges the gap from blockbuster to tour de force. Coupled with stellar performances from the whole cast and a beautiful score from Hanz Zimmer, and you have the makings for the best movie of the year. "Dunkirk" is impressive, a rare cinematic treat; one that should be seen, and admired, in the theater. Even with so many great movies under his belt, "Dunkirk" may be Christopher Nolan's finest hour.

Pros: Powerful direction from Christopher Nolan, stellar performances from the entire cast, stunning cinematography, beautiful score from Hans Zimmer, incredibly tense and thrilling, never boring, respectful adaptation of real life event, well written screenplay, exceptional use of sound and silence, impressive practical effects and production design, exciting air battles, feels old-school.

Cons: Story can be hard to follow at times.

5/5 Stars

Best Movies of the Half Year and Awards 2017

Honorable Mentions: The Lego Batman Movie, I Don't Feel at Home in This World Anymore, Okja.
Note: These are what I consider to be the best movies released so far in 2017. It's important to remember I haven't seen every movie to come out in 2017.

Runner-Up: John Wick: Chapter 2
Back in 2014, movie fans were delighted by the surprise hit "John wick." Following the title character as he goes on a revenge rampage against those who killed his dog and stole his car, what looked like a generic action movie from the trailer turned out to be one of the best from the genre in the past few years. Feeling like a world that came right out of the comic books, fans wanted more; and the creators delivered. "John Wick: Chapter 2" takes place not long after the events of the first movie; Wick has gotten his revenge and just wants to retire, but an old friend comes back into his life. Calling on an old debt, Wick is forced back into the role of a hitman in the hopes of eventually retiring. "John Wick: Chapter 2" doesn't change a whole lot from the first, but that's not a bad thing. It's just a bigger, better version of what was already a great movie. Praised by critics and audiences, a third film was quickly announced. While fans will have to wait a while to see how this story wraps up, I'm sure the end result will be worth the wait.

Runner-Up. The Lost City of Z
"The Lost City of Z" is the type of movie that was stuck in development hell for years. Based off of the novel of the same name, this movie was in the development stage for six years. Securing funding, logistics, casting, writing, and filming were apparently all a nightmare; but with all said and done, many will likely call this the best movie of 2017. "The Lost City of Z" is based off the true story of Percy Fawcett, a geographer and former soldier. Fawcett was hired to travel to South America to map some uncharted areas, but along the way he hears legends of an ancient city he calls "Z." The film chronicles his attempts to find the city, and everything that goes wrong along the way. "The Lost City of Z" is impressive to say the least; very old school, I can't even imagine what the crew must have gone through to film it. Beautifully shot with strong direction and performances, there's a lot to love about this movie. The only real problem is that it's too long, they could have cut about thirty minutes and it would have been perfect. Even so, this is a type of film we don't get to often, and one that many will love.

10. Hounds of Love
Movies of certain subject matters are often controversial, despite how good they are. Whether it be violence, sexual content, or perceived racism/sexism/bigotry, a movie's plot can be scrutinized just for being the plot. One film that premiered this year that was met with such controversy would be "Hounds of Love" from Australia. The movies revolves around a serial killing couple who kidnap, torture, and rape young women they pick up on the street; and a teenage they recently captured is their latest victim. A disturbing, unsettling thriller, many of the negative reviews around the film are less so about the movie's quality but its subject matter; with many denouncing the violence against women depicted in the movie. While I disagree with criticism like this, I see why some are upset. This is a worst case scenario for almost every woman in the world, and some might not like seeing such a case on the big screen. But that doesn't change the fact that "Hounds of Love" is a well made, intense thriller that will likely shake you to your core.

9. T2 Trainspotting
In 1995, British director Danny Boyle released "Trainspotting;" a comedy-drama about a group of heroin addicts and their dysfunctional lives. Since the film's release, it is widely considered to be one of the best movies of the 90s, and one of the best to come out of the UK. It was creative, funny, dark, and even heart breaking. It is truly an exceptional movie, and one of my all time favorites. So when, after 20 years, it was finally confirmed that the long awaited sequel was in development, I was excited. Picking up a little over 20 years after the events of the original, "T2 Trainspotting" catches us up with the beloved old gang. Rent Boy comes back to town, and gets caught up in the antics of his old friends; all of whom still hold a grudge against him because of the 16 thousand pounds they stole. "T2" is a good movie; it is well made, and I thoroughly enjoyed watching it; I even thought it was even good enough to make this list. But that doesn't change the fact it pales in comparison to the original. This is a case where the sequel just can't live up to its predecessor. So while I will remember "Trainspotting" for the rest of my life, it's unlikely I will say the same about "T2 Trainspotting."

8. Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2

For almost a decade now, Disney's Marvel's Cinematic Universe has dominated the box office. The MCU quickly became the highest grossing film franchise of all time, and it doesn't look like it will be slowing down anytime soon. Much of this success has to come from their sleeper hits, the movies that less was expected from, such as "Guardians of the Galaxy." Released in 2014, "Guardians" quickly became a fan favorite; noted for its comedy, characters, action, tone, and visual , the movie was praised upon release and became a box office hit; so a sequel was obviously inevitable. Finally released in 2017, director James Gunn did not disappoint. Bringing more development to the charters without losing any of the laughs, "Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2," much like its predecessor," has become a fan favorite; and I for one am certainly looking forward to "Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3."

7. Wonder Woman
The DCEU began in 2013, and for years struggled to get its footing. The first three films in this comic book franchise, "Man of Steel," "Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice," and "Suicide Squad," were all panned by critics and performed worse at the box office than the studio hoped for. So when it was announced that Wonder Woman was getting her own film, I was hesitant based off the track record of its predecessors. When finally released, I was relieved to discover that I was wrong. "Wonder Woman" takes place in the early 1900s, Diana is the princess of the Amazonian's on a mythical island. One day she saves a young man from drowning off the coast, a spy named Steve Trevor. Trevor explains he has information vital to stopping the Germans in World War 1. Diane believes it is her destiny to help, so she sets out alongside him to save the world. "Wonder Woman" is, by a wide margin, the best movie of the DCEU. Action packed, entertaining, with great characters involved in an interesting story, "Wonder Woman" was a treat to watch; now we just have to hope this franchise continues this level of quality in the future.

6. Uncertain
Documentaries are a rather underappreciated genre of movies if you ask me. When people think of documentaries they think of watching Nation Geographic features they were forced to watch when they were in grade school; but they can be so much more if done properly. "Uncertain" takes place in Uncertain, Texas, a small town on the Texas-Louisiana border with a population of just about 150 people. The film is simple; it follows the lives of several of the town's residents and the hardships of the past and issues they will face in the future. While it may not seem like much on the surface, it is beautiful to behold. This town is home to several interesting characters, many of which have tragic back-stories that have moved to Uncertain to get away from it all. Acting as 2017's first great documentary, I expect "Uncertain" to win a few awards when the end of the year rolls around.

5. Logan
2016's "Deadpool" was one of the best, and most important comic book movies ever released. It was funny, action packed, and a fan favorite; but most importantly, it was rated R. R-rated comic book movies are few and far between, and when attempted in the past they weren't big at the box office. But to the surprise of many, "Deadpool" became the highest grossing R-rated movie of all time. And by doing so, it opened the door for other comic book movies to receive the same rating, and in comes "Logan." The third, and final, stand alone Wolverine movie, and Hugh Jackman's last time to put on the claws. Inspired by the acclaimed "Old Man Logan" comic, "Logan" takes place in a near future where the X-Men are no more and mutant kind has been decimated. Logan lives in Mexico with Professor X, who is beginning to suffer from severe seizures that make his powers go crazy, and is working as a driver to save up money to buy a boat for him and the professor to live on away from civilization. One day Logan is contacted by a woman who asks him to escort a young girl across the border, and a series of events, he agrees to do so; but is hunted by a corporation that wants the girl back. I'll cut to the chase; "Logan" is the best "X-Men" movie and easily ranks as one of the best comic book movies ever made. With great performances, strong direction, and a gritty and violent story, it's a perfect movie to send Wolverine out on.

4. The Big Sick
If you ask me, romantic-comedies are one of the most difficult genres of film to make. It's hard to make a movie relationship to come off as serious and believable, but at the same time making the film as a whole funny without making the relationship seem ridiculous. "The Big Sick" manages to find that perfect balance between comedy and reality, probably because it's based off of reality. Based off of events that happened to co-writer and lead actor Kumail Nanjiani, we see what happens to him before he became famous. Kumail is a want-to-be comedian born in Pakistan and living in Chicago. After a set one night be begins talking to a young woman who was at the show by the name of Emily. They hit it off and begin seeing each other. The problem is that Kumail's parents are very old school, and are attempting to involve him in an arranged marriage with one of many single Pakistani women living in the area. But everything changes when Emily becomes sick and is put into a coma. At a cross roads in his life, Kumail needs to make some difficult choices. To my surprise, this might be my favorite movie of the year so far. You can tell that Kumail and the real Emily V. Gordon, now husband and wife, really put there all into this movie. Sweet, sincere, and often hilarious, "The Big Sick" is one of the best the genre has seen in years.

3. Get Out
When you talk about a sleeper hit, few are more prevalent than this year's "Get Out." Acting as the directorial debut (as well as being written by) comedic actor Jordan Peele, "Get Out" is a satirical horror-thriller that quickly became one of the most praised horror movies in recent years. Chris is young black man working as a photographer in New York and has recently been dating a white woman named Rose. The two plan on going away for a few days to Rose's parent's home, the problem is she has not told them Chris is black (but is confident they will like him). When the two arrive, Chris is greeted with open arms, but soon becomes suspicious feeling something is quite right in Rose's parent's community. "Get Out" was absolutely brilliant, and a true surprise. When reviews first began to come out, they were universally positive; this movie was one of those rare cases where I truly believe all the praise was worth it. One of the best horror-thrillers in years, "Get Out" may be an instant classic.

2. Baby Driver

Edgar Wright is undeniably one of the most talented directors to come out of the UK over the past few decades. With films like "Shaun of the Dead," "Hot Fuzz," and "Scott Pilgrim vs. The World" under his belt, Wright is a director that's always worth paying attention to. So when I heard that he had another film coming this year, my interest was peaked. "Baby Driver" is an action-comedy following a young man that goes by the name Baby. Baby reluctantly works as a getaway driver for an Atlanta kingpin whom he's in debt to, but only has a few jobs left until they're square. And even though he's almost done, things get a bit complicated after he starts seeing a beautiful young woman named Debora. "Baby Driver" is one of the best action-comedies of the past few years. The action is fast and frantic; the comedy will make you laugh out loud more than once, and just about everything else is as good as it could be as well. "Baby Driver" has something for just about everyone, and I'm sure it will top many "Best of the Year" lists at the end of 2017.

1. Raw
Going into 2017, this was one of my most anticipated movies of the year. I first heard of it last September when it premiered at a film festival where it was reported that several audience members were throwing up and passing out, which peaked my interest. When we finally started to see glimpses of the movie online, we were grated with what looked like a fascinating little art-house horror. "Raw" revolves around Justine, a young vegetarian woman who is following in her family's footsteps and entering veterinarian school; but after a hazing ritual that involves her eating a piece of raw meat, she begins to crave something a little more taboo. From the opening scene to the final reveal, I was truly enthralled in this movie. It's a tour de force, and the best horror movie released in nearly a decade. Sexy, stylish, loud, and disturbing, I loved every second of this movie. It's a shame so few people know of it, and even fewer had a chance to see it since it has such a small limited release here in the states, but I truly can't recommend it enough. It's not just the best movie of 2017 so far, it's one of the best I've seen in years.

Best Actor in a Leading Role (Tie): Daniel Kaluuya (Get Out)/Hugh Jackman (Logan)
Best Actor in a Supporting Role: Patrick Stewart (Logan)
Best Actress in a Leading Role: Garance Marillier (Raw)
Best Actress in a Supporting Role (Tie): Ella Rumpf (Raw)/Zoe Kazan (The Big Sick)
Best Animated Feature: The Lego Batman Movie
Best Cinematography: Raw
Best Costume Design: Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2
Best Director (Tie): Edgar Wright (Baby Driver)/Julia Ducournau (Raw)
Best Documentary Feature: Uncertain
Best Film Editing: Raw
Best Foreign Film: Raw
Best Makeup and Hairstyling: Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2
Best Original Score: Raw
Best Original Song: Who's The (Bat)Man (The Lego Batman Movie)
Best Picture: Raw
Best Production Design: Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2
Best Sound Editing: Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2
Best Sound Mixing: Raw
Best Visual Effects: Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2
Best Adapted Screenplay: Logan
Best Original Screenplay (Tie): Get Out/The Big Sick