Dunkirk – 5/5 stars
When Christopher Nolan makes a film, you pay attention. The acclaimed filmmaker known for constantly pushing the boundaries of the norm for modern day blockbusters – and responsible for masterful feats of cinema namely The Dark Knight Trilogy, The Prestige, Inception and Interstellar – there’s no question his latest, Dunkirk, has been one of the most anticipated films.
The film depicts the untold true story of the colossal military disaster that was the Dunkirk evacuation. Allied soldiers were rescued from the beaches and harbour of Dunkirk (in the north of France) between May 26 – June 4, 1940 during World War II, after large numbers of troops were cut off and surrounded by the Germans during the Battle of France. Nolan uses three different perspectives of land, sea and air to tell an interconnected story, creating suspense with little dialogue, instead focusing on the details in a perfectly recreated era and highly detailed setting so good you’ll feel like you’re actually there.
We expect nothing less from a writer/director in full command of his craft,with zero computer generated effects and shot on IMAX 65mm, even going so far to use boats that actually participated in the real Dunkirk evacuation. A beyond excellent cast is assembled in the form of Fionn Whitehead, Kenneth Branagh, Cillian Murphy, Mark Rylance and Tom Hardy with Harry Styles. A five-star masterpiece, this isn’t just the ‘event’ film of the year and easily one of the greatest, but also an emotionally satisfying spectacle.
The story: the only way out is by Sea. The Germans have air superiority, bombing the British soldiers and ships with little opposition.
With no alternative, Britain sends civilian boats to try to evacuate the encircled forces. Two RAF fighter pilots, a group of civilians on their boat, and a soldier stuck on the beach all interweave as tensions mount the British Army are reduced to sitting ducks. Awaiting rescue or death, which will come first?
Baby Driver – 5/5 stars
Deservedly so, currently all the rage around the world, Baby Driver is the kind of film you should be rushing out to see if you haven’t already.
The latest offering of cinematic brilliance from writer/director Edgar Wright (The man responsible for Shaun of the Dead, Hot Fuzz and The World’s End [collectively known as The Three Flavours Cornetto Trilogy] and also Scott Pilgrim vs. The World), this action comedy turned heist thriller about a young getaway driver forced into a life of crime combines excellent writing, a killer soundtrack and an outstanding ensemble cast led by Ansel Elgort to hit the road running with one of the best opening scenes of a film, ever – never looking back until the credits roll. Exciting, hilarious and high on thrills, the rest of this year has a lot to prove to beat out what is undeniably the current title holder of 2017’s best film thus far.
Left partially hearing impaired following an accident when he was a child, Baby (Elgort), now a highly talented getaway driver with an unrivalled set of skills behind the wheel blocks out severe tinnitus by way of constantly listening to music through headphones and recording his everyday conversations to remix into songs.
Unwillingly working for crime boss mastermind heist planner Doc (Kevin Spacey) in order to pay off a debt, Baby’s next job should be his last – But just when he thinks he’s finally free to enjoy his own life with newly found girlfriend Deborah (Lily James), the threat of death and pressure from a pack of intimidating criminals (Jon Hamm, Eiza Gonzalez and Jamie Foxx) forces him back in the driver’s seat of armed robberies and the criminal underworld.Translating his best tracks into a plan on how to face the music until he can leave this life behind, survival for everything Baby cares about shifts into daring escape attempts from police and unpredictable cons alike as the streets of Atlanta, Georgia heat up with the quest for freedom.All you need is one killer track.
