The Right Man For The Job..."Darkest Hour"

Darkest Hour (2017)

Rated PG-13

Starring Gary Oldman, Kristin Scott Thomas, Ben Mendelsohn, Lily James, Ronald Pickup, Stephen Dillane,

Directed by Joe Wright

The Story:

As the Nazis roll through Europe, Great Britain is facing an internal crisis of their own as Chamberlain (Pickup) resigns as Prime Minister and recommends Winston Churchill (Oldman) instead. However while the majority seem to want to forge a peace with Germany, Churchill seems determined that England draw a line in the sand, and fight!

It's rare to have the 2 hour biographical drama that you wish would have kept going, or might get a sequel, but then, Winston Churchill is the rare subject that likely deserves it.

Oldman disappears into the role and carries the picture that pretty much is a short snapshot of him getting selected as Prime Minister and the first weeks in office.

But that's because quite a bit of events kept churning up in that window of opportunity.

The movie blazes through this time period, while also giving a brief look at his life at home with his wife (Thomas) as well as Churchill breaking in a new secretary (James).

Having read and watched other Churchill biographies, this one hits most of the high points of that crucial time period and thanks to the spectacular work of Oldman, leaves you wanting more.

Definitely worth a look.

Final Grade: B+

Killer Car Chases... "Baby Driver"

Baby Driver (2017)

Rated R

Starring Ansel Elgort, Lily James, Kevin Spacey, Jon Bernthal, Jon Hamm, Eliza Gonzalez, Jamie Foxx,

Written and Directed by Edgar Wright

The Story:

Baby (Elgort) is the getaway driver for a crime boss (Spacey). He's trying to work his way out of debt, one job at a time, hoping to buy his freedom. But when his girl (James) needs medical attention, Baby's got to go back to the one thing he was good at. Maybe with one more job, he'll finally be free, and can be with his true love again. Of course nothing can be that easy, right?

I love a good heist film, possibly more than many others do.

However, Baby Driver and I never really clicked.

Perhaps I listened to all of the other critical hype that made this out to be a cinematic masterpiece.

Meh.

:)

It was alright.

You know how in most movies, during a certain scene they'll give you a killer soundtrack to lay over the action?

Imagine that is done with every scene of the film, for 90 minutes.

Granted, yes, there are breathers in between the musical interludes, but that seemed to be the selling point of this movie:

We will make an action film that every action scene will have a cool song attached to it. We'll also do the same for much of the narrative as well.

Gotcha.

Now, don't get me wrong: the car chase scenes in this film are phenomenal.

However, once everyone is out of the car... that's when the attention begins to wane.

Or more specifically, when the supporting cast isn't featured, and it's just Baby and Debora.

Sorry,  again, just calling it like I saw it.

I also will not be one of the cool kids in the corner that's conflicted over this movie because Kevin Spacey is in it.

Kevin Spacey the actor is, was, and always will be, amazing.

Kevin Spacey the human being, he's got some problems.

I figure if I'm not going to overly praise a critical darling, I may as well go all in with my review.

:)

Final Grade: B-

Jane Austen Is Rolling Over In Her Grave...And Craving Brains! "Pride & Prejudice & Zombies"

Pride and Prejudice and Zombies (2016)

Rated PG-13

Starring Lily James, Bella Heathcote, Matt Smith, Sam Riley, Jack Huston, Douglas Booth

Written and Directed by Burr Steers

The Story:

What's the best way to describe the story?  What if you took the writings of Jane Austen, and decided to frame them around a deadly zombie outbreak?

Why yes, that would probably do it.

So all of the players are on the board, they just have to survive the zombie hordes if they hope to make it to the altar alive.

Good, but not great.

That's about the easiest way for me to sum up my reaction to the film.

They made a beautiful period piece, and they intersperse the zombie apocalypse in there pretty well.

However, the film just sort of drags along with fits of brilliance interrupting periods of dullness.

So yes, a typical Jane Austen work.
:)

I don't know, perhaps they played it too straight, but there is no sense of fun or impending dread, two things that often set the best zombie movies apart from the lumbering pack.

Who knows, maybe I was just tired while I was watching, but I often found myself starting to drift when the cast wasn't in peril.

That said, Lily James certainly carries this film on her shoulders in a way she was unable to do with the extremely boring Cinderella remake.

Final Grade:  C+

Ashes To Ashes..."Cinderella"

Cinderella (2015)

Rated PG

Starring Lily James, Cate Blanchett, Sophie McShera, Holliday Grainger, Richard Madden

Directed by Kenneth Branagh

The Story:

Ella (James) loses her mom at an early age, and when her father remarries, she tries to please her stepmother (Blanchett) and two step-sisters (Grainger & McShera). Ah, but tragedy strikes again, and soon their disdain and contempt shine through and Cinderella earns her name as she is ground under the boot of her family. If only a Prince Charming (Madden) would come to the rescue...

Ultimately, disappointing.

Where Disney struck gold with Maleficent doing a live action version of Sleeping Beauty, but presenting a different take on the tale, Cinderella becomes a boring paint by numbers retelling of the story with little left to the imagination.

Clearly the animated classic was better, and for that matter, so was the far superior Ever After which told this story, and much better, back in 1998.

I must say though, I will give Blanchett credit for being an exceptionally cruel stepmother. There was no real reason for her behavior, and she dialed it up to 11. Thoroughly detestable.

But it's Disney, and their hype machine is in full swing, and all the little girls out there will no doubt wish to see this version.

Meh.

So be it, but this makes me nervous about all the remaining live-action reboots that Disney is churning out at an alarming rate.

I will proceed with caution.

And so should you if you're looking for a version of Cinderella to watch with the family.

Final Grade: C