Mark Burgess (Chameleons)
It's been a long time since I did the two movies in a day thing at the cinema, it's even rarer these days that I don't actually nod off at some point cause my last few visits have been dire. Got it right today though, first up 'WAR FOR THE PLANET OF THE APES'. I was a huge fan of the original franchise when I was a kid, hated Tim Burton's reboot - I mean if you're going to base a film on 'Monkey Planet' then MAKE IT, don't fuck about picking bits of it and mashing it up with garbage - Anyway I was really impressed with the first two and again was surprised to get something here that, going off the title, I didn't really expect. Great performances all around with a few nods to the original, or maybe they're setting up something for the next one if there is a next one. I for one hope there is. Great story, great performances and the kind of CGI that doesn't get on your nerves, 8/10.
Finally probably one of the best films I've seen in the last five years, 'DUNKIRK', Christopher Nolan's take on one of the darkest days in British history. Absolutely fantastic job. The cinematography is breathtaking at times and again, very tastefully done. Even this cynical old git was stirred at the site of that Spitfire soaring above the troops. It's all filmed from the British troops point of view. Constantly under fire, under stress doing whatever they can to survive and get home, you don't actually see a single Nazi, just their machinery, which I really liked and worked very well. All the more poignant for being aware while I was watching it, that Reg's father was on that beach. We really need to remember what that generation went through to save us all from the forces of darkness. I can't recommend it enough. Brilliant. 10/10.
It's been a long time since I did the two movies in a day thing at the cinema, it's even rarer these days that I don't actually nod off at some point cause my last few visits have been dire. Got it right today though, first up 'WAR FOR THE PLANET OF THE APES'. I was a huge fan of the original franchise when I was a kid, hated Tim Burton's reboot - I mean if you're going to base a film on 'Monkey Planet' then MAKE IT, don't fuck about picking bits of it and mashing it up with garbage - Anyway I was really impressed with the first two and again was surprised to get something here that, going off the title, I didn't really expect. Great performances all around with a few nods to the original, or maybe they're setting up something for the next one if there is a next one. I for one hope there is. Great story, great performances and the kind of CGI that doesn't get on your nerves, 8/10.
Finally probably one of the best films I've seen in the last five years, 'DUNKIRK', Christopher Nolan's take on one of the darkest days in British history. Absolutely fantastic job. The cinematography is breathtaking at times and again, very tastefully done. Even this cynical old git was stirred at the site of that Spitfire soaring above the troops. It's all filmed from the British troops point of view. Constantly under fire, under stress doing whatever they can to survive and get home, you don't actually see a single Nazi, just their machinery, which I really liked and worked very well. All the more poignant for being aware while I was watching it, that Reg's father was on that beach. We really need to remember what that generation went through to save us all from the forces of darkness. I can't recommend it enough. Brilliant. 10/10.