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Christopher Nolan's Dunkirk isn't just a war film; it's a visceral, almost unbearably tense experience that plunges the viewer into one of history's most harrowing moments. IMO it is a resounding 9 out of 10. The film stands as a testament to cinematic artistry, redefining how we portray historical events on screen.

From its opening frames, Dunkirk announces its visual ambition. The cinematography is nothing short of breathtaking, a character in itself that tells as much of the story as any line of dialogue. Hoyte van Hoytema's lensing is extraordinary, capturing the vast, bleak expanse of the beach, the claustrophobia of a sinking ship, and the dizzying dogfights in the sky with equal mastery. Every shot is meticulously composed, not for grandeur, but for gritty realism and an almost painterly depiction of human struggle against overwhelming odds. The wide-angle shots of thousands of stranded soldiers on the beach evoke a sense of desperation and vulnerability, while the tight close-ups in the confines of a sinking vessel heighten the terror. This visual language is crucial to the film's success, transforming the historical account into an intensely personal journey.

One of Dunkirk's most profound strengths lies in Nolan's audacious decision to trust the viewer to grasp the narrative through visuals alone. Dialogue is sparse, almost incidental, acting more as punctuation than explanation. Instead, we are immersed in the sounds and sights of the evacuation - the incessant drone of enemy aircraft, the rhythmic lapping of waves, the distant thud of explosions. The film doesn't hold our hand, nor does it resort to heavy exposition to explain the geopolitical context or individual backstories. We are thrown into the chaos, experiencing the events as the soldiers themselves did: disorientated, terrified, and focused solely on survival. This approach demands active engagement from the audience, rewarding their attention with a deeper, more empathetic understanding of the ordeal. It's a bold artistic choice that eschews conventional narrative structures, opting instead for a sensory, almost documentary-like authenticity that elevates the film beyond mere entertainment.

Crucially, Dunkirk achieves a delicate balance in its portrayal of the human element. It does justice to the bravery and sacrifice of those involved without ever overdoing the celebration. There are no grand, sweeping speeches or overt displays of jingoism. Instead, heroism is depicted in quiet acts of defiance, in the unwavering determination of ordinary people facing extraordinary circumstances. The film focuses on the grim reality of survival, showcasing the resilience of soldiers facing death, the quiet courage of civilian boat owners sailing into danger, and the unwavering resolve of pilots outnumbered in the skies. This nuanced approach avoids the pitfalls of saccharine patriotism, instead fostering a profound respect for the sheer human will to endure. The acts of courage are all the more poignant because they are presented within the broader context of a desperate struggle for survival, rather than as isolated acts of glory.

Perhaps the film's most powerful message lies in its unwavering honesty: it acknowledges that Dunkirk was, at its core, a defeat. The initial images of the trapped soldiers on the beach, vulnerable and exposed, leave no doubt about the dire straits they were in. Yet, within this acknowledgement of military setback, the film celebrates the avoidance of a catastrophe with the invaluable help of ordinary people. The arrival of the "little ships" - civilian vessels ranging from fishing boats to yachts - is depicted not as a glorious military maneuver, but as an organic, desperate, and ultimately miraculous civilian response. This emphasis on the collective effort, on the ordinary citizens who risked their lives to bring their countrymen home, transforms a military retreat into a powerful testament to community spirit and solidarity. It's a story of retreat transformed into rescue, of despair giving way to a fragile glimmer of hope, all made possible by the unwavering courage of countless individuals, military and civilian alike.

Dunkirk is a masterpiece of modern cinema. Its stunning cinematography, its unwavering trust in the viewer, and its respectful yet unvarnished portrayal of heroism and defeat combine to create an unforgettable and deeply moving experience. It is a film that doesn't just show you history; it makes you feel it, leaving an indelible mark long after the credits roll.

Girl gets on a flight and sits next to a guy ensuring a storm. In a drunk panic she starts spilling all her inner thoughts and secrets to him. Only to find out he's the big boss of the firm she works for. All this is in the trailer.

The leads are charming enough - Alexandra Daddario can do comedy, but when it comes to delivering lines about how ordinary she is... That doesn't quite make it. She's not remotely ordinary. But hey, that's a standard Hollywood flaw for these types of movies.

The film is short enough that it doesn't stick around and bore you. It never really surprises you either. Worth a watch if there's nothing nothing else.

Short: this series is breathtakingly ambitious. The first season is science fiction as it should be done on TV. It didn't expect it to go even further in the second season.

The story begins, no spoilers, with the idea of the first humans who upload into computers and how this triggers the SF concept of "singularity". All I have told you so far is what you can read on a "premise" of the show.

The show is animated but don't let that pit you off. The voice talent is stellar. The story in season 1 takes its time to get going as it begins in the mundane and then launches into SF. Trust me when I tell you it's nothing compared to where season 2 is eventually going.

It's a well made and intelligent science fiction TV show and deserves your attention.