Dunkirk

[marylander1940]

 

I watched yesterday, even if you know details about the story (most Americans don't care about history) you'll be in suspense with the music and the acting.

 

Best movie of the year so far, but that's just my opinion.

[+ WilliamM]

In Center City Philadelphia and theaters close to Center City,

Dunkirk is only playing at Imax at the Franklin Institute. That's a drastic change from last week. Is the film not doing well financially?

 

I live very close to the Franklin Institute but am not a fan of Imax only because of my poor eyesight.

[+ not2rowdy]

Being a military history buff I enjoyed the movie and thought it was, overall, quite historically accurate. Acting and cimematography was quite good.

 

But I thought the way it was presented was unnecessarily “convoluted”. There were about 5 different stories going on with the “scene timing” going back and forth. One of the “stories” would progress and then you would find yourself “back in time” picking up the plot of another “story”. I was able to follow it - but it was confusing the way it was presented. But I have a simple mind that's easy to confuse.

 

Recommended.

[+ ArVaGuy]

In Center City Philadelphia and theaters close to Center City,

Dunkirk is only playing at Imax at the Franklin Institute. That's a drastic change from last week. Is the film not doing well financially?

 

I live very close to the Franklin Institute but am not a fan of Imax only because of my poor eyesight.

 

 

http://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?page=main&id=chrisnolan2017.htm

 

Domestic = 165 million

Foreign = 229 million

 

Budget = 100 million

 

I think it's a hit but Hollywood has some arcane accounting practices. It may never make an actual "profit" but a lot of people will make a boatload of money.

[+ pitman]

But I thought the way it was presented was unnecessarily “convoluted”. There were about 5 different stories going on with the “scene timing” going back and forth. One of the “stories” would progress and then you would find yourself “back in time” picking up the plot of another “story”. I was able to follow it - but it was confusing the way it was presented. But I have a simple mind that's easy to confuse.

That's one of the trademarks of its director, Christopher Nolan. Have you seen 'Memento'. That one is a real mindfuck (and one of my all-time favorite films).

[+ newguy]

Being a military history buff I enjoyed the movie and thought it was, overall, quite historically accurate. Acting and cimematography was quite good.

 

But I thought the way it was presented was unnecessarily “convoluted”. There were about 5 different stories going on with the “scene timing” going back and forth. One of the “stories” would progress and then you would find yourself “back in time” picking up the plot of another “story”. I was able to follow it - but it was confusing the way it was presented. But I have a simple mind that's easy to confuse.

 

Recommended.

Thank you for giving this advance warning. I'm also easily confused by rapidly shifting plots.

This advice will make the movie easier for others (like us!) to follow...

 

I think that when a movie is shot entirely from beginning-to-end without plot interruptions

it is called "shooting in continuity." An example of this was "Saving Private Ryan."

 

Now, three cheers for the Brits! Not only did they save the world from Hitler, they

have some of the most beautiful men. And sexiest escorts.

 

 

NG

[+ pitman]

I live very close to the Franklin Institute but am not a fan of Imax only because of my poor eyesight

I saw it in IMAX, but I think I would have liked it better in a different format. The sound was very loud and at times overwhelming.

I generally dislike films with a lot a intrusive music telling you how you are supposed to feel about a certain scene.

 

Having said that, I think it was a very good film, but I would say the must-see of current releases is 'Detroit'.

[MikeyGMin]

One of the “stories” would progress and then you would find yourself “back in time” picking up the plot of another “story”.

You're a smarter man than me if you could find a story in the movie anywhere. To be honest, we walked out after about 40 minutes so maybe they eventually gave you some background on these guys and made you care about them, but it was everything I dislike about a war movie except at a snail's pace. Big thumbs down from me and my two friends.

[+ WilliamM]

You're a smarter man than me if you could find a story in the movie anywhere. To be honest, we walked out after about 40 minutes so maybe they eventually gave you some background on these guys and made you care about them, but it was everything I dislike about a war movie except at a snail's pace. Big thumbs down from me and my two friends.

 

Thanks. I'll just have to skip the film since my only possibility now is Imax.

[body2body]

Being a military history buff I enjoyed the movie and thought it was, overall, quite historically accurate. Acting and cimematography was quite good.

 

But I thought the way it was presented was unnecessarily “convoluted”. There were about 5 different stories going on with the “scene timing” going back and forth. One of the “stories” would progress and then you would find yourself “back in time” picking up the plot of another “story”. I was able to follow it - but it was confusing the way it was presented. But I have a simple mind that's easy to confuse.

 

Recommended.

Complex plotting and non linear story lines are a hallmark of any film by Christopher Nolan, going all the way back to "Memento". I love his films because you have to pay attention. My best friend hates his movies because he finds them hard to follow. To each his own. Scuttlebutt from some industry friends call this film a sure thing thing for a Best Picture nomination.

[+ MostlyLurking]

FWIW, I am pretty stupid about non-linear story telling, but I did not have trouble with Dunkirk. And it's a big film so - for those of us who do not have difficulty with the format - it should suit IMAX well.

[+ pitman]

Complex plotting and non linear story lines are a hallmark of any film by Christopher Nolan, going all the way back to "Memento". I love his films because you have to pay attention.

Have you seen 'Following'? Its a low-budget British film he made before 'Memento', but has some similarities. If you like his other work, 'Following' is worth seeking out.

[+ WilliamM]

FWIW, I am pretty stupid about non-linear story telling, but I did not have trouble with Dunkirk. And it's a big film so - for those of us who do not have difficulty with the format - it should suit IMAX well.

 

Given that the IMAX theater is only 2 blocks away, I could see it twice.

[marylander1940]

In Center City Philadelphia and theaters close to Center City,

Dunkirk is only playing at Imax at the Franklin Institute. That's a drastic change from last week. Is the film not doing well financially?

 

I live very close to the Franklin Institute but am not a fan of Imax only because of my poor eyesight.

 

There were only 15 or 20 people in the theater when I watched it.

 

How many Americans even heard about Dunkirk?

[marylander1940]

Complex plotting and non linear story lines are a hallmark of any film by Christopher Nolan, going all the way back to "Memento". I love his films because you have to pay attention. My best friend hates his movies because he finds them hard to follow. To each his own. Scuttlebutt from some industry friends call this film a sure thing thing for a Best Picture nomination.

 

That's precisely what made the movie so interesting. All the characters had the same thing in mind yet they were getting there in a different way, except one of them who doesn't make it back home. I hope I didn't spoil it for some of yinz.

[SuperJunior]

I didn't mind the time triptych presented among mole, sea & air. I don't think it's especially original beyond the supertitles indicating the timelines. Many films have converging stories. They're just not labeled. The sound design was riveting in this film. It drove the movie. Zimmer offers a grand score and Hoytema is just in his wake with visuals. Unfortunately, I felt Nolan lent empathy to the situations without bringing the characters to life. I was definitely stranded by low tide in the hull of a ship, I just wish I cared more for the boys there with me. It's a great film and it features terrific filmmaking, especially in light of the art by committee features flailing through cinemas today. While it's definitely not Nolan's best, it certainly deserves nods for overall cinematic craft and mighty tension, however minimalist.

[SuperJunior]

In Center City Philadelphia and theaters close to Center City,

Dunkirk is only playing at Imax at the Franklin Institute. That's a drastic change from last week. Is the film not doing well financially?

 

I live very close to the Franklin Institute but am not a fan of Imax only because of my poor eyesight.

 

Isn't IMAX easier to view with poor eyesight? Maybe the difference is far v. near sightedness.

[+ WilliamM]

Isn't IMAX easier to view with poor eyesight? Maybe the difference is far v. near sightedness.

 

My problem is driving at night, which started in my 30s. I am not able to take in all images in IMAX but am fine in a regular theater

Edited August 23, 2017 by WilliamM

[+ WilliamM]

How many Americans even heard about Dunkirk?

 

I tried hitch hiking in France many years ago, but barely made it to Dunkirk. I knew the town was well known in WW2, but was not sure why.

[+ quoththeraven]

Complex plotting and non linear story lines are a hallmark of any film by Christopher Nolan, going all the way back to "Memento". I love his films because you have to pay attention. My best friend hates his movies because he finds them hard to follow. To each his own. Scuttlebutt from some industry friends call this film a sure thing thing for a Best Picture nomination.

I like his more conventional movies. I dislike his more experimental ones. The Prestige and The Dark Knight are favorites of mine; I disliked Memento (by the end, I thought it was a waste of time) and didn't finish Inception.

[+ newguy]

There were only 15 or 20 people in the theater when I watched it.

 

How many Americans even heard about Dunkirk?

Dunkirk is a dramatic event in WW2. Not only were a huge number of British and

French troops rescued by small private boats "en masse," but there were peculiar

decisions by Hitler that gave rise to speculation. Hitler halted the tank advance to the

beach for a critical period. I believe some historians believe that Hitler really wanted

an armistice with the British, which he considered from a white, Christian nation and

possibly ancillary to the superior Aryan race--destined to inherit the world. A theory

is that he wanted to spare the British, then, and divide the world with them. This

is only speculation. Can anyone else commenet or provide more details?

 

NG

[body2body]

The idea that Hitler held back his troops because he hoped to negotiate an armistice with the British has largely been rejected by Historians. The order came from Field Marshall Von Rumstedt who felt the terrain was not suitable for armored forces. He was also concerned that the Allied forces might attempt a "breakout" and held German forces back to be better able to respond. He persuaded Hitler to authorize a three day hold. Hermann Göring also petitioned Hitler to allow the Luftwaffe to destroy the Allied forces, however the weather did not cooperate, nor did the RAF. It is true that Hitler considered the English to be true Aryans and hoped for a negotiated settlement. If Edward VIII had not abdicated he might have had an advocate for negotiations. As the Duke of Windsor he visited Hitler and spoke of his admiration for him.

[+ azdr0710]

late to the party.....

 

just watched it last night via Netflix DVD (only just now offered that way from them) and the 1:47 playtime flew by in ten minutes or so!.....liked the moody music, though Ebert didn't like it so much in his review.....tight, to-the-point, clean, unpretentious production......fantastic cinematography.......could they have made the flotilla a little more impressive-looking??.......at most, the scenes of the "little boats" had only ten or twelve putt-putting along......very ending, of course, is a tear-jerker (in a good way)

[LoveNDino]

clean, unpretentious production......

Welcome to the party. I, like you, enjoyed it tremendously. But, didn't you find the gimmick with the time and the three interconnecting stories, just a smidge pretentious?

[+ azdr0710]

But, didn't you find the gimmick with the time and the three interconnecting stories, just a smidge pretentious?

 

good point....yes, those three "chapters" were announced within the first few minutes, as one week/one day/one hour (or similar).....could be confusing to some......I guess I didn't take the three separate stories that seriously and just followed the action as just things going on in different parts of the region.....I may not be that sophisticated