From director Sam Mendes, human connection and the magic of cinema are the subject of new drama/romance Empire of Light.
Set n an English seaside town in the early 1980s, Colin Firth, Micheal Ward, Olivia Coleman and Toby Jones star
I’m ready for the dialogue, cinematography and that special magic that exists in all Mendes films. That moment when I’m joyful to be experiencing a great moment on screen. The kind which reconfirms that this medium really is the true perfect amalgamation of all the arts.
It sure is starting to look like 2022 is the year of movies about movies, right? First, we had the rather fun Official Competition. Now, Empire of Light, and of course, Steven Spielberg’s The Fabelmans.
There are only 3 months left of this year but what do you think the chances are that at least one more film about movies is on the way? Quite likely, probably. I think I’ll be happy as long as it’s not too much like Hail, Caesar! (2016).
Tom Brooke, Monica Dolan, Sara Stewart, Crystal Clarke, Tanya Moodie, Hannah Onslow, George Greenland and also star
1917, the latest release from American Beauty (1999) and Skyfall (2012) director Sam Mendes is a memorable film that features all the great things we’ve come to know and love about Mendes’s work.
Once again, partnering with notable cinematographer Roger Deakins, a fair amount of the visuals and lighting in 1917 has stayed with me long after viewing. Especially regarding at least two stand-out scenes which involve running, and snippets of which you get to see in the film’s trailer.
Dean Charles-Chapman and George MacKay, who play two young British soldiers tasked with delivering a life-or-death message across enemy lines, performed well. Anyone, if not all, with siblings can likely relate to the sense of urgency and arguably foolhardy determination displayed by Charles-Chapman’s character in his effort to get the message to his brother’s battalion. I, for one, started tearing up almost immediately. I found myself moved and often at the edge of my seat as I wished desperately for a successful message delivery.
The brotherly bond, humour, beautiful friendship and stunning moments of great cinematography make up several of my favourite moments in 1917. However, I’m not sure that all those combined had me more excited and happy to be experiencing Mendes’s movie more than the scenes featuring the more seasoned actors.
I’m sure that having been a long-time fan of Benedict Cumberbatch, Andrew Scott, Colin Firth, Mark Strong, and Richard Madden had something to do with it. Or, maybe it’s the fact that their dialogue, plus the ways their scenes were captured on screen, was just incredibly arresting. Perhaps it’s their gravitas, great voices and excellent dramatic timing. Without a doubt, the scenes featuring the above five actors were some of my absolute favourites. Especially Scott’s single scene, and when we finally get to meet Cumberbatch’s Colonel MacKenzie.
In terms of what I wish were different about 1917, I’d say a bit more of an even pace, and perhaps a slightly differently edited story, because there were moments where I felt as though my surrender to the storyteller was interrupted with small moments of recognition that my expectations of how seamlessly everything would flow were not fully met. To put it another way, in some moments I got lost in the story in a great way, whereas other moments had me wishing I was that little bit more satisfied with it all; you know, kind of the way Green Book (2018) had me feeling, and led me through the story in a way that proved completely satisfying.
I wouldn’t say overall that 1917 is my favourite war movie. That ‘highly prestigious’ title still belongs to The Hurt Locker (2008) – but it does have a fair amount of highlights you’ll be glad to have experienced.
1917 is the latest drama from Oscar winning director Sam Mendes.
Starring Benedict Cumberbatch, Colin Firth, Richard Madden and Mark Strong, it’s a story set at the height of the First World War. Precisely when two young British soldiers are given an impossible mission in a life or death race against time.
Talk about a love story! What a thoroughly intense predicament.
Bring on the award nominations for one of my favourite directors who has been silent for a while but clearly very busy.
I wonder if my guess is correct in thinking that the brother racing to deliver the message doesn’t make it so his friend carries on instead. I’m sure that what ever the truth, this will still be a memorable audio visual experience.
Andrew Scott, Robert Maaser, Anson Boon, Gerran Howell, Daniel Mays, Adrian Scarborough, Dean-Charles Chapman, George MacKay, Teresa Mahoney, and Justin Edwards also star.
I’ll start this post by saying that my favourite James Bond film of all time remains the massively thrillingCasino Royale (2006). How does this bode with the fact that this is a post about Spectre? Not exactly very well but not absolutely disastrous either.
As the second Bond film directed by Sam Mendes, Spectre succeeds in providing most, if not all of those wonderful thrills synonymous with Craig’s Bond. Thrills that include great action sequences, beautiful cinematography, style, a wonderful sense of Britishness, a great musical score, camera work, dialogue, etc. The only downside is that Casino Royale andSkyfall both do all of those things, but better.
Spectre (2015), Lea Seydoux
Overall, I enjoyed Spectre, even though it did feel a little odd without Judi Dench as M. I won’t be forgetting the very raw and intense fight sequence on the moving train any time soon
There’s also the moment in the beginning where Bond is walking across the rooftop in Mexico City. I just love the music used here and the way it builds up with every step Bond takes towards his target. This is the moment the famous ‘Bond is back!’ feeling took over; resulting in a prolonged, joyous and silent scream – much to the relief of my fellow cinema goers.
I do wonder though, whether I’d love the rooftop scene as much as I do if Daniel Craig’s physique, especially the way he moves and holds a gun wasn’t so arrestingly appealing? Probably not – and thankfully I know that I never have to find out.
The final Spectre trailer has landed and to be honest, I feared that it might show far more than I care to see before the movie. I’m delighted to confirm that it doesn’t.
I’m beyond ready for October 16th (UK release date). Spectre will be available in the US from November 6th, 2015.
The Movie My Life 