“1917” Movie Review

    War, what is it good for?  If your answer was anything but “absolutely nothing”, shame on you for not respecting the lyrics of the hit song by the band War.  The same can’t be said for films focusing on war however.  War films, if done well, have a way of showcasing the brutality of battle and depicting the physical and mental strain it puts on soldiers.  It also has a way making us reflect on the human cost of war.  Unfortunately for many people, war is an inescapable reality.  Does the new film “1917” reach the high bar already set by such war classics as “Platoon” or “Saving Private Ryan”?

    Set during the Great War (World War I), Corporals Blake and Schofield are tasked with crossing the German trenches to deliver a message of vital importance to Colonel Mackenzie.  Mackenzie is about to lead an attack which would jeopardize the lives of thousands of men, including Blake’s brother.  The men risk their lives to reach Colonel Mackenzie in time before his troops are massacred in a tactical German trap.

    Much of the success of “1917”, from a storytelling point of view, is it’s rather simplistic plot which allows us to grow attached to the men as they make their way across no man’s land.  A lot of the best war movies put a focus on the soldiers over the grander battle.  We should care about these men’s lives, not find war to be visually appealing.  What happens to the two leads sticks with you throughout the film and you find yourself rooting for them to just survive.

    The lighting and cinematography overall for this film was breathtaking.  The way the shadows fell on every frame was mesmerizing.  It’s amazing how organic they managed to make it seem as well.  “1917” and “Joker” are going to be the films to beat in the Oscar’s best cinematography category this year.

     Director Sam Mendes has made a stunning film depicting the lives of soldiers fighting in World War 1 loosely based on a story his grandfather shared with him.  Mendes once again delivers a unique movie going experience by telling “1917” through one long continuous shot (or at least the illusion of one).  To be completely honest, I didn’t even notice it in the theater since I was so engrossed with story.  Now, it gives me an excellent excuse to revisit this film just to soak up Mendes’ filmmaking techniques.

    Using two relative unknown actors also helped make the film feel ‘real’, never was I distracted by movie stars in this film.  This isn’t to say the film was without star power at all.  Colin Firth, Benedict Cumberbatch, and Richard Madden all appeared in the film, but they were minor roles that didn’t last long enough to pull you out of the movie.

    “1917” is definitely one of the most unique war movies ever made and one of the best films of 2019.  “1917” is a film best scene on the big screen but important to see regardless how you see it.

Grade: B+

“The Grinch” Movie Review

    The original Christmas special of “How the Grinch Stole Christmas” is among one of my favorite holiday specials ever.  So when I saw the preview for the new version of the Grinch from Illumination, I was on board to see it in theaters as soon as it came out.  I mean, ‘‘tis the season to watch Christmas movies!
    When it comes to remakes/reboots, I try my best to view it as an original thing without comparing it to the previous films but I also know it’s impossible to separate the remake from the source material so if studios are going to cash in on name value, I feel it’s only fair to put each installment up against the best film baring that franchise’s name.  So when I feel like it calls for it, I will compare it to the original classic.  Luckily, this adaptation of the Dr. Seuss' book isn’t a carbon copy of the original.  Yes, all the story beats play the same but the film adds enough to separate it from the other versions of the story.
    I really enjoyed the animation style of the film.  Between the animation and the humor, it really felt like an Illumination film.  The humor was charming and felt crafted so that both children and adults could enjoy it.  The filmmakers also made sure to include some heart and emotion to the story.
    The voice cast was stellar, Benedict Cumberbatch brings a mischievous charm to the role.  Musician Pharrell Williams however, doesn’t live up to the amazing narration of Boris Karloff in the original animated special.  Pharrell Williams delivers his lines in an overly relaxed and care free fashion.  He doesn’t convey how despicable the Grinch’s actions are.
    To me, the highlight of this adaptation are the animals.  The Grinch’s dog, Max, is given a beefier role in this version and he is as cute and sweet as you might expect.  The addition of Fred the Reindeer was also an adorably genius move.  Both these animals had many moments to shine with adorably sweet parts that made me laugh out loud.
    The film does have a few problems.  It has some pacing issues.  The ending feels a bit rushed compared to the rest of the film.  A quick ending works better in a twenty minute special than in a feature length film.  I also wasn’t a big fan of the new version of the classic theme.  It isn’t a big issue, but in a song that iconic, it’s best not to screw it up.

    The film ultimately turned out better than expected and is destined to be a new Christmas classic among many households.  The hard part will be choosing between which version of the Grinch to watch.

Grade: B+