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LeftSideCut (3776 KP) rated 1917 (2020) in Movies

Aug 16, 2020

1917 (2020)

2020 | Drama, War

8.8

(56 Ratings)

Movie Rating Watch

1917 is a remarkable film through and through, and I can't praise it enough.
The cast, the cinematography, the set pieces, the music score are all outstanding.

The plot revolves around Lance Corporals Schofield (George McKay) and Blake (Dean-Charles Chapman) embarking on a seemingly impossible mission across no man's land in Northern France, deep into enemy territory to deliver a message to a fellow regiment, with the aim of preventing them from walking into a trap and potentially losing 1600 soldiers.
The two lead actors are fantastic, portraying two soldiers leaning on each other to achieve their goal.
The journey that takes place is tough and harrowing at times. There's a point about half way through the movie where the pace just doesn't slow down once. It's extremely intense, and bolstered infinitely by the shooting style.

The film is shot in a way that gives the viewer the impression of a one take movie. It's edited together so well that it appears seamless, and allows for some truly breathtaking moments, and never lets you break away from events unfolding. It caught my attention immediately and never lost it for one second.
This method allows for a very stylish looking experience, but it's a kind of style that never detracts or takes away from the horror of war. It's a perfect combination, ensuring that scenes of action feel relentless, whilst sadder moments are suitably poignant and perfectly executed. The emotional beats in 1917 are something else and took me by surprise. I have no shame in saying that I was fighting back tears a couple of times.

By the times the credits rolled, I was just sat in stunned silence, something that has only happened to me a few times before when it comes to movies.
1917 is pretty much perfect. A great war film, a great drama, and en effective exploration of what friendship and duty really mean.
Make the time to watch it if you haven't already!

Kudos

LeftSideCut (3776 KP) rated A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood (2019) in Movies

Aug 28, 2020 (Updated Aug 28, 2020)

A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood is genuinely wonderful.
Like any good drama, it if course has its somber moments, but the overall atmosphere is so heart warming, it honestly feels like a lovely hug, but one of those lovely hugs that makes you cry because life is hard sometimes.

Growing up in the UK, I never watched Mr Rogers, but was always aware of him, and just how much he meant to a massive number of people. This film is less a biopic, and concentrates firmly one one point of Fred Rogers life, namely when he met Tom Junod (presented here as fictional character Lloyd Vogel), a journalist writing for Esquire and profiling Mr Rogers for a piece on American Heroes.
Lloyd is a cynical person, who doesn't hold much love for his fellow man. This begins to change as he spends more time with Fred, a man who truly sees the good in everyone.
At the same time, Lloyd's estranged father is trying to reconnect with him, forcing him to relive past trauma as he struggles to forgive.
It's all very emotionally charged, but wrapped up neatly in Oscar-baiting packaging.

Tom Hanks as Mr Rogers, and Matthew Rhys as Lloyd are nothing short of excellent. Their chemistry is thoroughly believable. Tom Hanks is at the top of his game here, just as much as he has ever been.
The supporting cast are great as well, especially Susan Kelechi Watson and Chris Cooper.

ABDITN also looks fantastic. The contrast of real life drama to dream like sequences within Mr Rogers' show is an inspired choice by director Marielle Heller, and the use of model cars and cities as segues is effective.
The original score by her brother Nate Heller is just downright pleasant.

Overall, A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood is a decent drama about the importance of family, and what it means to love others, whilst remaining a well written love letter to Feed Rogers himself. It's just a really swell movie, definitely check it out.

Kudos

Phillip McSween (751 KP) rated Hercules (1997) in Movies

Sep 5, 2020

Hercules (1997)

1997 | Animation, Comedy, Fantasy

8.2

(75 Ratings)

Movie Rating

Great Combo of Action and Hilarity

Disney’s animated retelling of the classic story of the Greek demi-god. The fun spin that was put on it just happens to make it my favorite. You can’t help but have a good time while watching Disney’s Hercules.

Acting: 10

Beginning: 10

Characters: 10

Cinematography/Visuals: 10
Hercules is beautiful from a visual standpoint. I love the contrast of bright colors against dark backgrounds. My favorite scene is when Hercules is battling the hydra in the rain while flying on his pegasus. It’s so grand in scale as he soars in and out of the dozens of heads. Oh, and I haven’t even touched on the beauty of Hades. It’s gorgeous even in its weird creepiness. So much attention to detail that it’s hard not to appreciate.

Conflict: 9

Entertainment Value: 9
From the opening scene where the awesome divas are singing the setup, I knew I was going to be watching something original and new. With a combo of action-packed sequences and a number of hilarious moments from a great cast, I was invested in the movie from beginning to end. It’s a damn good ride.

Memorability: 8

Pace: 10
Hercules moves extremely efficiently through its story which I find some stories hard to do when singing is involved. There is very little lingering if any as scenes get their point across and you’re off to the next thing. I respect films that can do that as I know a number of movies that overstay their welcome.

Plot: 8

Resolution: 8

Overall: 92
Not only does it have action and comedy, but there is also a love story in true Disney fashion within Hercules. And it all works. I do wish that they would have jumped into Hercules’ hero aspect a smidge earlier, but overall I think the movie is fantastic. Great job yet again by Disney.