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James Finnegan delves far back into the archives, well 2017 anyway, to seek out the best movies from that year available on Netflix…
Back to the usual Netflix selection recommendations this week with films that all came out in 2017.
It now seems like a lifetime ago, but these movies are well worth a watch if you missed them first time around. In other years, they would have won more of the many awards for which they received nominations.
Written and directed by Christopher Nolan, Dunkirk looks at the evacuation of the Allied forces from France eighty years ago this week. It is an ambitious ensemble cast production that looks at this event from three perspectives – land, air and sea.
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While it is low in dialogue, it makes excellent use of the soundtrack and cinematography in bringing you right into the action.
The use of the occasional familiar face — Kenneth Branagh, Tom Hardy, Cillian Murphy and Mark Rylance to name but a few — brings this story to life.
It also is relatively historically accurate, although the characters are, of course, composite, and therefore the individual narrative is fictional.
Next up is Roman J Israel Esq. which stars two of my favourite actors, Denzel Washington and Colin Farrell.
It is a true story, with Washington excellent in the title role, as someone with a brilliant legal mind, but unfortunately limited social skills.
His talent is in preparing briefs that concentrate on the civil rights of his firms’ clients, rather than courtroom dynamics.
He has noted the unfair use of plea bargaining in the courts, so he has prepared a brief that would reform this practice. Circumstances bring him into contact with George Pierce (Farrell) who is impressed with Israel’s legal mind, and offers him a job at his larger practice.
The story continues with the struggle with what is morally correct and what is legal. It is not always an easy watch, but it is a fascinating look at the ongoing fight for civil rights, especially at this time.
The sequel to my third choice, Wonder Woman, was due to be released this week. The intriguingly named “Wonder Woman 1984” has been deferred until later this year, so in the meantime, the original is worth another look.
Princess Diana is an Amazon, living on the hidden island of Themyscira. In 1918, she rescues a pilot Steve Trevor, whose plane crashes off the shore while being pursued by German soldiers. When she hears about the global conflict, Diana believes it is being orchestrated by the Greek God Ares as per an ancient Amazonian legend.
Possessing abilities far beyond those of ordinary mortals, and bringing the Amazonian weapon to deal with Ares, Diana enters the world of man, with a number of light comedy and exciting action scenes.
Directed by Patty Jenkins, and carried with great charm and style by Chris Pine as Trevor, and especially Gal Gadot as the title heroine, this was a welcome positive addition to this genre. Enjoy and stay safe.
