Channel: MovieNight

Category: Film & Animation

Tags: prime ministeroscar nomineesbest picture nomineedunkirkacademy awardshistoricalbritishbest actorworld war ii#jogwheeldrama90th annual academy awardsperiod dramamotion picture#jpmnreviewbest picture reviewscripted movie reviewjoe wrightdarkest hour reviewacademy awardgary oldmanfilm reviewfilmoscars 2018movie reviewspoiler-free movie reviewoscarsdarkest hourprofessional movie review

Description: • Darkest Hour - Brilliant performance overcomes narrowly-focused script, 7/10. WATCH full episodes of "Movie Night" -- bit.ly/JogJPMN READ my un-filmed reviews / scripts: bit.ly/JPMNNotFilmed FOLLOW me on Letterboxd to see what I'm watching / rating: bit.ly/JonLetterboxd ~ Movie Night ~ Your host, and film critic Jonathan Paula reviews everything from opening day releases, recent DVDs, upcoming trailers, and classics from years past. Each "Quick Review" is an excerpt from a full episode, which airs on the Jogwheel channel every week. ~ Watch More Reviews ~ Browse By Year ----- bit.ly/MNYear Browse By Rating --- bit.ly/MNRating Trailer Reviews ------- bit.ly/MNTrailers ~ Other Channels ~ Jogwheel (Main channel) --- bit.ly/Jogwheel Jon's World (2nd channel) -- bit.ly/JonWorld The Microwave Show --------- bit.ly/TMSArchive Twitch ------------------------------ bit.ly/JonTwitch ~ Social Media & Merch ~ Twitter ---------------------------- bit.ly/JonTW Facebook ----------------------- bit.ly/JonFBFan Instagram ----------------------- bit.ly/JonInsta Patreon -------------------------- bit.ly/JonPatreon Letterboxd ---------------------- bit.ly/JonLetterboxd T-Shirts -------------------------- bit.ly/JogStore ~ Credits ~ Created by ------ Jonathan Paula Camera ---------- Panasonic HMC-150 Microphone ----- Sennheiser ME 66 Software --------- Adobe Premiere Pro CC 2015 Computer ------- bit.ly/JonPaulaPC • Jogwheel Productions © 2017 • ~ Script ~ Directed by Joe Wright, this 2017 British war drama scored more than $100 million in profit above its $30 million dollar budget, and six Oscar nominations. The two-hour and five minute movie focuses on the newly appointed Prime Minister of England - Winston Churchill - as he deals with the early days of World War II; with the fate of Western Europe hangs in the balance. In a long career of outstanding character work, memorable supporting roles, and vicious villains - Gary Oldman's turn as Churchill during his first month in office, May of 1940 - is easily his magnus opus. Layered in prosthetic make-up and speaking with a heavy accent, Gary is nearly unrecognizable as the war-time PM. If this role doesn't finally score him a much-deserved Oscar; nothing will. And while the magnificence of his talent cannot be understated, one exemplary performance does not a good movie make. Dealing with the behind-the-scenes politics regarding the evacuation of the British forces on Dunkirk beach; "Darkest Hour" makes for a marvelous companion film to Christopher Nolan's picture on the same subject, released just months prior. Whereas "Dunkirk" dealt with the emotional side; leaving much historical exposition out of the narrative, this film does the opposite; giving us a rather cold and detached view of the war zone struggles. They compliment each other so well, that separately, the movies actually feel incomplete once you've seen both. It's this lack of emotional perspective that hobbles "Darkest Hour" the most. We do see some glimpses though, like when Churchill defends his no-surrender policy by angrily shouting; "You cannot reason with a tiger when your head is in its mouth!" Later, an impromptu subway ride with Londoners helps him work through his difficult decision; in an excellent scene that's easily the films most affecting. Besides these flashes of empathy, the entire PG-13 rated picture is little more than a display of Oldman's impressive acting prowess. As interesting as it is, most audience might be better served by a documentary on the war instead. Oldman's brilliant performance propels "Darkest Hour" above its narrowly-focused script. It's a COOL film. ~