Benediction – Toronto 2021

Benediction is a portrait of World War I poet/anti-war activist, Siegfried Sassoon, who lived during an era when being gay was unacceptable. Terence Davies takes a look at Siegfried Sassoon’s life, both as a young man (Jack Lowden) and in his later years (Peter Capaldi). If you were worried that the film might make an attempt to straightwash his life, you have nothing to worry about. This is a complex role in any way you…

"Benediction – Toronto 2021"

Sundance 2019: Fighting with My Family

Telling the story of WWE Superstar Paige, Fighting with My Family is a comedy that manages to delight viewers regardless of whether they like wrestling. Born Saraya-Jade Bevis (Florence Pugh), she would eventually adopt the professional name of Paige.  Our story starts long before she joined the WWE.  Paige was born into a wrestling family, including both her father, Ricky (Nick Frost), and mother, Julia (Lena Heady).  Following a brief prologue, we see how she…

"Sundance 2019: Fighting with My Family"

Mary Queen of Scots: Fit For A Queen

Mary Queen of Scots may span a few years of the queen’s life but actress Saoirse Ronan delivers a commanding performance as Scottish royalty. Saiorse Ronan is proving to be an unstoppable force as an actress.  Her role as the late Scottish Queen proves to be no exception.  While her performance is great, my only beef with the film is how they don’t really bother aging the queen in appearance.  Mary arrives back in Scotland…

"Mary Queen of Scots: Fit For A Queen"

The Impact of Dunkirk on the British

The evacuation of Dunkirk is one that has had a huge impact on the British.  If not for the evacuation, there’s no guarantee what would have happened if not for Operation Dynamo. It’s far more than just a British story. “It was a massive event that still has international significance, says Joshua Levine, author of Forgotten Voices of Dunkirk, and a historical consultant on the film.  “Everything that’s celebrated about World War II—in Britain, in…

"The Impact of Dunkirk on the British"

Dunkirk: An Event Film That Should Be Seen In 70mm

Based on an inspiring true story, Dunkirk delivers a film that should give Christopher Nolan a long-overdue Oscar nomination for outstanding directing. Written and directed by Christopher Nolan, the war film stars Fionn Whitehead, Tom Glynn-Carney, Jack Lowden, Harry Styles, Aneurin Barnard, James D’Arcy and Barry Keoghan, with Kenneth Branagh, Cillian Murphy, Mark Rylance, and Tom Hardy.  Nolan veteran Michael Caine sneaks in with an uncredited voice cameo talking to Tom Hardy’s Royal Air Force…

"Dunkirk: An Event Film That Should Be Seen In 70mm"

Denial: The Holocaust on Trial

Denial is the true story of Emory professor Deborah Lipstadt’s court battle during 1996-2000 with a Holocaust denier. The film’s release would have been perfect if it had come out closer to Yom HaShoah. Instead, the release comes during the fall batch Jewish holidays. That being said, the September release will leave the film in the minds of the many Oscar voters. The film is based on Lipstadt’s book, Denial: Holocaust History on Trial. Libel…

"Denial: The Holocaust on Trial"