Review: 1917 (2019)

Sam Mendes’ “1917” (2019) is more than just a technical marvel; it’s a captivating survival story of young men in wartime. While its one-take approach with all of its footage melded together to look as though the full two hour film was one continuous shot is great, this is not a film ruled by its gimmick. In fact, it’s easy to forget about the one-take editing by Lee Smith once you’re into the action of the movie until there’s a particularly impressive bit of camera movement. At its heart, “1917” tells a story about the destruction that war. Continue reading Review: 1917 (2019)

Review: Ophelia

Despite being one of Shakespeare’s most notable heroines, Ophelia has unfortunately been lost in the heavily male-driven narrative of “Hamlet”. However, Claire McCarthy’s “Ophelia” will give her, and many other neglected female characters, their long-deserved voice. Starring Daisy Ridley as the titular character and Naomi Watts as Queen Gertrude, this film is equally empowering and inspiring.  Continue reading Review: Ophelia