Movie #1370 ........................."Dunkirk"

Movie #1370 "Dunkirk" -- I normally avoid war pictures because of the violence (as I get older, it is even harder for me to watch), but this story intrigued me because it was supposed to be inspiring (and besides, I had seen other films refer to Dunkirk, like"Atonement" which  even showed a scene taking place there)  --- I wanted to know more about it.  I'm not sure this film excelled in doling out information on the subject --- at least, to me, its weakness was in not being clear enough at times --- one actor looks like another esp. when he has oil all over his face --- maybe that's more a casting problem (many of the guys looked alike and I had trouble keeping them apart from each other)but also the story doesn't run as smoothly as it could --- the film juxtaposes a bunch of points of view and with so many stories spinning around, that method of storytelling lends itself to confusion, as well.  Anyway, I could follow most of it (or at least catch up when I momentarily got lost for a minute or two).  What the film excels in is the beautiful photography, the obvious attention to detail (Nolan's the director, so duh!)  and the moments that the emotions hit just right --- it still gives me chills to think of the one moment when the civilians boats show up --- and you can see a lot of it on Kenneth Branagh's face -- very strong and compelling -- I'd be surprised if this isn't nominated as one of the 10 best films of the year.  Yes, there are some awful tragedies that occur because it is a war film, but there is also so much good moments that are worth a strong recommendation from me to see it --- and on a big screen!  4 stars out of 5.

''DUNKIRK"      2017        PG-13        4 stars out of 5

This action-thriller chronicles the epic battle to evacuate more than 300,000 Allied soldiers who find themselves trapped on the beaches of Northern France after the country falls to the Third Reich in 1940.

Cast: Fionn Whitehead, Tom Glynn-Carney, Jack Lowden, Kenneth Brannagh, Harry Stiles