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It's always been a delight to watch a Steven Spielberg movie; no matter which style or genre he's tackling, he's a proven master craftsman who has a unique way of handling lives. This time, he has chosen to say the story of a big triumph in a small world of 'free expression'; the courage it took for Katharine Graham, the owner-publisher of the Washington Post, to divulge highly classified information on one of the biggest diplomatic lies that has ever been told-the Pentagon papers and the Vietnam War! It was no mere journalistic victory, given a bold Lady's guts it took to make an advance move; the effort put in by Ben Bradlee-the Editor in Chief, and his team in condensing the immense contents of the papers to its simplest relatable form. There's a scene in the movie where Katherine quotes her husband Phil, on the ironic immensity of the press' nature-"News is the first rough draft of History!". And who brings it out, definitely the Press. If there's been a big reason as to why Spielberg made 'The Post' in 2017, it's to assert the significance of free Press and censure in a Democratic setup. Meryl Streep as Mrs.Grahams and Tom Hanks as Bradlee is a dream cast for any movie on the same subject; yeah it's not a dream anymore! There's nothing more to comment on their acting or Spielberg's direction, they're proven masters of this trade. The way Streep and Hanks make their acting seem so effortless presents a true befuddlement. When it comes to the other master, there's a specific purport, dignity, intrigue and mastery in his storytelling, as always. Nowadays, only in a Spielberg movie can you spot a neatly executed Dolly zoom, trolley movements and classic close-ups. There'll definitely be Janusz Kaminsky, Michael Kahn and John Williams to his legendary squad, and so they are here. An impeccable army! Investigative journalism is one of Hollywood's widely dealt with topic; to pick some classic examples we have an 'All The President's Men', a Spotlight and a Zodiac-even the father of all well made movies 'Citizen Kane' is ultimately a movie on Press. 'The Post' begins off like a satire on 'Nam, and later takes off in a more linear direction. It's a known story, rather a page from renowned History textbooks; that's where the real challenge lies, to make an engaging movie on a story whose beginning and ends you already know, everybody knows. I believe Liz Hannah has achieved it hands down, credits to the rightful assistance meted out by Josh Singer, one of the men behind Spotlight, a rightful hire. Needless to say, the 'class' and the substance is only amped up by the hands of the big Master. From what happened in 'Nam, to what happens in the Post's unofficial Board Meetings, to what goes through the mind of a sensitive Mrs.Grahams, to what's going on in the White House and down even to Watergate, Spielberg has shown it all. We know the Vietnam War wasn't neither a big victory, nor short **** number of casualties; it was a long kept Diplomatic Secret which left no more spaces to public negotiation; a terrible loss followed by inglorious consequences. To rationalise the ill sides of such an important event in History; to make it available to the Public is a sure buy for any seller, but an even riskier task for a journalist. Now, one may ask who really cares whether or not someone had made an age-old lie; one may ask why it needs to be discussed in the current world scenario? The world is getting torn apart by civil wars and mostly internal strifes, democracies are nearing a halt, nepotism is gaining a headway in all spheres, and totalitarianism is slowly finding its way back to immense adjacencies(even Disney bought Fox AF!). The face of the world is changing, and new currents are growingly apathetic to public expression and free press. This is where 'The Post' holds a contemporary relevance; this is an ode to unsung journalistic heroes, and a note of encouraging their good spirits. Such an important lesson to come from a classic team, 'The Post' is for times to come!!! Won't be surprised if it wins the Big Prize!????

The Second World War is at its height; the system has fallen and Britain is at its Darkest Hour. Chamberlain has stepped down from the Big Chair, Halifax refuses to take over the reins, and the focus obviously shifts to a man who they believe can win most hearts; a flawed man who's known widely for his strange habits and fitting eloquence, a man who lives upto the reputation he upkeeps-none but one of the greatest Leader-Orators the world has ever had a taste of-Winston Churchill. It's such a well known story, with multiple underlying aspects to it. Joe Wright, the man who made 'Atonement', chose to make a movie on this one in particular, because he knew how far elucidative and reverberatory a story he could tell on this one. He has managed to rip of multiple perspectives on the same, besides the Great Man demanding a constant centre stage; the movie focuses on the view points of Clementine Churchill, King George VI, Halifax, Chamberlain, Eliza Nel Churchill's personal secretary, and more importantly that of free citizens, as much as it focuses on The British Bulldog. The word 'Dark' is given paramount importance in the whole method of storytelling; most of the drama happens in dark rooms and unlit alleys, and within the brooding darkness of a perplexed mind, Churchill has always housed. Some of his iconic speeches have been featured in the movie, and the arresting flow of visuals blended with a storming performance by Gary Oldman is sure to oust you out from your seats on intense outbursts. Gave me goosebumps, literally. Portraying Churchill, Gary Oldman's is an expression par excellence. Besides impersonating Churchill to the maximum possible extent, in appearance, gait as well as strange poses, he has manifested the essential character of the Man under study, to astounding results. He looks like a Churchill in the eyes, in deeds and posture; even in silhouettes!!! As far as an actor is concerned, he must make the rest feel nothing about his acting at all; at least until the movie ends. I never saw a trace of Oldman in this movie; all I saw was Churchill, who I even took to believe could've replaced the real one. Such a profound feat! Brilliance is the word. Churchill was not only a man famous for his leadership, looks and behaviour, but also for his strong words. The modulation that Oldman has brought about, combined with the strict control he has kept, gives us one of this year's countable performances which will make the Big Race soon. As of now, I'll say it's Oldman; have to watch Phantom Thread more to judge on that one completely! At one instance Churchill says at the peak of his screen tension, "You cannot reason with a Tiger when your head is in its mouth." Oldman will make us wonder which side Churchill meant himself to be in; he has both the tiger as well as a fearing doe in his face there!!! The movie is all about inner conflicts, the mind's darkness; it also brings in unheard details about the Great Man. It shows even the great Winston Churchill had stuttered on many occasions, before presenting some of his iconic pieces. The movie was made the same year we had another Dunkirk movie by Nolan; 'Darkest Hour' presents a whole lot of unseen perspective on Operation Dynamo and Churchill's hardbound decisions. There's even a subtle nod to the hasty 'naming ceremony' of the whole operation. There's another great scene where he makes a call to the Whitehouse, asking for help and reinforcements to defend his country; 'Franklin Roosevelt' on the other end is shown as a helpless voice, while the effective drama is taking place in Churchill's face and his head, not to leave out the darkness enveloping his private recess. The movie starts of where the darkness has just crept inside the Men's souls, wounded with fear and ends off on a resolutive high. It shows the ordeals that the Great Leader had to surpass to reach there, the new channels he had to break open towards it. Instead of focusing on the general victory, it dwells and swings inside a perplexed heart; which had to think a great deal in pain, before making an anyway detrimental decision at this hour, with the least harm assured. The age too wasn't favourable for him; Thanks to Oldman's acting expertise, all these details subtly flow. It also has its funny moments; gives some trivial confirmation on the iconic man's strangest ways. His wits were impeccable, as was his uncontrollable rage! Joe Wright has done it all in a conventional way, delivering an outright classic. The Drama is so intense, and rich with emotions; and it's as riveting as the peachiest entertainment flick there is, running in town. A very well written screenplay by Anthony McCarten, and a dashing score by Dario Marianelli has rightly contributed to its ebbs and flows. A really well made movie on one of the most adored figures from History, a ripe man who was always young at Heart and eloquent in speech, 'Darkest Hour' is easily a must watch.