Movie Review: Darkest Hour

I have always been a fan of history (its always been my favorite subject; aside from English in High School) I love reading about and watching documentaries on any particular time period. Which is probably why I will always be thankful that we don't live in a time of war and I will always pray that we (and my infant son) never have to do so. 

Different influential people who have changed history are kind of like the heroes and villains in the movies we enjoy watching today (of course we have to remember that it is the victor who writes history, so a little extra research is always helpful plus with the prevalence of fake news on social media, we have to be extra, extra careful). One of our favorite historical figures has always been Winston Churchill. So just imagine our excitement when we found out that one of our all time favorite actors (the great) Gary Oldman will be playing Churchill?! 

We already knew that Gary Oldman would do an exceptional performance as Churchill, (as evidenced by his many nominations and wins for the role) what gave me more reasons to love the film was the excellent writing and beautiful cinematography in the film.   

You wold think that just because its a war/historical movie that it would be all talk and dialogue but the script is written in such a way that is witty and funny and keeps you awake. The transition of scenes, even using wide bird's eye view landscapes keeps the movie even more interesting.

The film tells the story of the early days of Churchill as Prime Minister of and as Nazi Germany is sweeping through Europe, bringing the threat of war closer and closer to home and how he finds the strength to fight in the war and to not surrender, despite the many different pressures around him. 

A history lesson, worth learning "Darkest Hour" takes you inside the intense Bristish war council of WWII to the intimate confines of an occupied water closet; to the horrors of a doomed garrison. It shows you the strength it takes to make the most difficult decisions in the darkest hours and at the most bleak of times.

Gary Oldman is Winston Churchill, in his best work yet, his transformation and performance is so complete that you will forget you are watching an actor.A film which brings back the power to the people, "Darkest Hour" is a reminder that inspirational leadership can and does change history. 

#DarkestHour is showing in Ayala Malls Cinemas on Feb.14.

Movies: Lily James Showcases Dramatic Prowess In “Darkest Hour”

Hot off the box-office and critical success of Baby Driver, British actress Lily James now stars in Focus Features' Oscar-nominated historical drama Darkest Hour (exclusive at Ayala Malls Cinemas (Trinoma, Greenbelt 1) starting February 14.)

Directed by Joe Wright (Atonement, Pride and Prejudice) and starring Oscar Best Actor nominee Gary Oldman, Darkest Hour is the dramatic and inspiring story of four weeks in 1940 during which Winston Churchill’s courage to lead changed the course of world history.

Responding to what she saw as a “powerful story of [British] history, of everyone’s history, that we should remember and reflect on,” James joined the Darkest Hour troupe to portray the character of Elizabeth Layton, Churchill’s personal secretary.

Movies: Oscar Contender “Darkest Hour” Opens Exclusively At Ayala Malls Cinemas Feb 14

Nominated for six major Academy Awards including Best Picture and Best Actor, Focus Features' historical drama Darkest Hour will be shown exclusively at Ayala Malls Cinemas (Trinoma, Greenbelt 1) starting February 14.

Directed by Joe Wright (Atonement, Pride and Prejudice), Darkest Hour is the dramatic and inspiring story of four weeks in 1940 during which Winston Churchill’s courage to lead changed the course of world history.

During the early days of World War II, with the fall of France imminent, Britain faces its darkest hour as the threat of invasion looms. As the seemingly unstoppable Nazi forces advance, and with the Allied army cornered on the beaches of Dunkirk, the fate of Western Europe hangs on the leadership of the newly-appointed British Prime Minister Winston Churchill (Academy Award nominee Gary Oldman). While maneuvering his political rivals, he must confront the ultimate choice: negotiate with Hitler and save the British people at a terrible cost or rally the nation and fight on against incredible odds.

Movies: “The Post,” “Darkest Hour,” “Call Me By Your Name” Ready For Globes Glory Jan 8

Three critically acclaimed films that will soon be shown in the Philippines are expected to reap honors in the 75th Golden Globe Awards on Monday morning, January 8.

They are Steven Spielberg's The Post, Luca Guadagnino's Call Me By Your Name and Joe Wright's Darkest Hour – all distributed locally by Columbia Pictures.

Starring Tom Hanks and Meryl Streep, The Post tells of a cover-up spanning the terms of four U.S. Presidents that pushed America's first female newspaper publisher and a hard-driving editor to join an unprecedented battle between journalist and government.

The timely thriller is nominated for six awards, namely Best Picture Drama, Best Director, Best Actor, Best Actress, Best Screenplay and Best Original Score.

The Post marks the first time Meryl Streep, Tom Hanks and Steven Spielberg have collaborated on a project.

Meanwhile, Call Me By Your Name, the gay romantic drama set in Northern Italy in 1983, is the story of seventeen year-old Elio (Timothee Chalamet) who begins a relationship with visiting Oliver (Armie Hammer), his father's research assistant, with whom he bonds over his emerging sexuality, their Jewish heritage, and the beguiling Italian landscape.

Hailed for its “ravishing filmmaking and piercing wisdom,” Call Me By Your Name is vying for Best Picture Drama, Best Actor (Chalamet) and Best Supporting Actor (Hammer).

Finally, Darkest Hour gets a Best Actor nomination for its lead Gary Oldman as real-life British Prime Minister Winston Churchill, who must decide whether to negotiate with Adolf Hitler, or fight on against incredible odds.

Call Me By Your Name opens in Philippine cinemas on January 31, followed by Darkest Hour on February 14 and The Post on February 21.

Movies: A Leader’s Defining Moment Shines In New “Darkest Hour” Trailer

The new trailer for director Joe Wright’s historical drama Darkest Hour starring Gary Oldman as legendary British Prime Minister Winston Churchill has been unveiled by Focus Features and may be seen at:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/uipmoviesph/videos/1713484288725964/
YouTube: https://youtu.be/m_qrh_i4Esg

A thrilling and inspiring true story begins on the eve of World War II as, within days of becoming Prime Minister of Great Britain, Winston Churchill (Academy Award nominee Gary Oldman) must face one of his most turbulent and defining trials: exploring a negotiated peace treaty with Nazi Germany, or standing firm to fight for the ideals, liberty and freedom of a nation. As the unstoppable Nazi forces roll across Western Europe and the threat of invasion is imminent, and with an unprepared public, a skeptical King, and his own party plotting against him, Churchill must withstand his darkest hour, rally a nation, and attempt to change the course of world history.

Directed by Joe Wright (Atonement, Pride & Prejudice), Darkest Hour is the dramatic and inspiring story of four weeks in 1940 during which Churchill’s courage to lead changed the course of world history.

Darkest Hour is written by Anthony McCarten (The Theory of Everything) and also stars Kristin Scott Thomas, Lily James, Stephen Dillane, Ronald Pickup, and Ben Mendelsohn.

In Philippine cinemas 2018, Darkest Hour is distributed in the Philippines by United International Pictures through Columbia Pictures.

Movies: Official Trailer Of “Darkest Hour” Reveals Gary Oldman As Churchill

Focus Features has released the first trailer for director Joe Wright’s historical drama Darkest Hour, opening in Philippine cinemas on January 2018.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/uipmoviesph/videos/1620440971363630/
YouTube: https://youtu.be/4kSbCfvrAKE

Written by Anthony McCarten (The Theory of Everything), the film stars Oscar-nominee Gary Oldman as Winston Churchill and begins on the eve of World War II, chronicling Churchill’s difficult push to get England to stand up to Nazi Germany and enter the war rather than negotiate a treaty.

The film also stars Kristin Scott Thomas, Lily James, Stephen Dillane, Ronald Pickup, and Ben Mendelsohn.

Darkest Hour is distributed in the Philippines by United International Pictures through Columbia Pictures.