Tom Hardy and wife Charlotte Riley welcomed their second child together a few days ago.&nbsp;

Interestingly, the actor duo has named their child Forrest after the famous movie character from the film ‘Forrest Gump’ starring Tom Hanks. According to UK-based magazine Sun, Charlotte has always loved the movie.&nbsp;

A source quoted in the magazine said, "The couple is over the moon with the new addition to the family. Friends are already saying that the baby boy looks exactly like Tom.&nbsp;

"They've been laying low over the festive period so they can get used to having a busier household and adjusting to the needs of a newborn," the source added.

Tom and Charlotte got married in 2014. They turned parents together in October 2015. Tom, however, has a kid from a previous relationship, 10-year-old Louis with girlfriend Rachael Speed.&nbsp;

Tom was last <a href="http://www.wionews.com/entertainment/tom-hardys-venom-hits-bulls-eye-in-north-america-170302">seen</a> in <a href="http://www.wionews.com/entertainment/sony-pictures-venom-looks-set-to-make-cash-registers-ringing-at-the-us-box-office-169586">‘Venom’</a> as the dark anti-hero. It is an adaptation of a Marvel Comics character, that was first seen as a villain in the Spider-Man franchise. The Sony Pictures owns the rights to this franchise.

Tom Hardy and wife Charlotte Riley welcomed their second child together a few days ago. Interestingly, the actor duo has named their child Forrest after the famous movie character from the film ‘Forrest Gump’ starring Tom Hanks.

Tom Hardy and wife Charlotte Riley welcomed their second child together a few days ago. Interestingly, the actor duo has named their child Forrest after the famous movie character from the film ‘Forrest Gump’ starring Tom Hanks. According to UK-based magazine Sun, Charlotte has always loved the movie. A source quoted in the magazine said, "The couple is over the moon with the new addition to the family. Friends are already saying that the baby boy looks exactly like Tom. "They've been laying low over the festive period so they can get used to having a busier household and adjusting to the needs of a newborn," the source added. Tom and Charlotte got married in 2014. They turned parents together in October 2015. Tom, however, has a kid from a previous relationship, 10-year-old Louis with girlfriend Rachael Speed. Tom was last seen in ‘Venom’ as the dark anti-hero. It is an adaptation of a Marvel Comics character, that was first seen as a villain in the Spider-Man franchise. The Sony Pictures owns the rights to this franchise.

Tom Hardy and Charlotte Riley welcome their second child

Superhero blockbuster 'Venom'&nbsp;saved the day at the North American box office this weekend, pulling in <a href="http://www.wionews.com/entertainment/box-office-venom-launches-to-80-million-a-star-is-born-draws-426-million-170049">more than $80 million in ticket sales</a>, industry data showed on Monday.

The film, a Spider-Man spinoff marking the official launch of Sony's Marvel Universe, stars Tom Hardy as a journalist who becomes the host for an alien symbiote that gives him superpowers. <a href="http://www.wionews.com/entertainment/tom-hardys-troubled-past-helped-him-perform-venom-169328">This is what prepared Tom for this role.&nbsp;</a>

The character is a villain in the 'Spider-Man'&nbsp;comic book world.

Industry tracker Exhibitor Relations said the film took in $80.3 million.&nbsp;

That was enough to break October's opening weekend record by more than $20 million, said another industry tracker, Box Office Mojo.

Another new release took second place. Musical romance 'A Star Is Born'&nbsp;earned $42.9 million over the three-day weekend, Exhibitor Relations said.&nbsp;The third remake of the 1937 film of the same name, it marks Bradley Cooper's directing debut. He also stars as a musician who discovers and falls in love with a young singer played by pop superstar Lady Gaga.

Third place went to Warner Bros's 'Smallfoot,'&nbsp;with earnings of $14.4 million in its second weekend. The comic family animation tells the story of a group of Yeti who come across a human, with voicing by Channing Tatum, LeBron James and Danny DeVito.

Coming in fourth was last weekend's champion, Universal's 'Night School,'&nbsp;whose earnings dropped $15 million to $12.5 million this weekend.

The raucous comedy stars Kevin Hart as one student in a class of misfits working toward high school diplomas under the firm tutelage of Tiffany Haddish.

Fifth place went to Universal's family-friendly offering 'The House With a Clock in Its Walls,'&nbsp;which slipped from third place last weekend with takings of $7.3 million.

Rounding out this weekend's top 10 were:

'A Simple Favor'&nbsp;($3.4 million)

'The Nun'&nbsp;($2.7 million)

'Crazy Rich Asians'&nbsp;($2.2 million)

'Hell Fest'&nbsp;($2.1 million)

'The Predator'&nbsp;($947,000)

Superhero blockbuster 'Venom' saved the day at the North American box office this weekend, pulling in more than $80 million in ticket sales, industry data showed on Monday.

Superhero blockbuster 'Venom' saved the day at the North American box office this weekend, pulling in more than $80 million in ticket sales, industry data showed on Monday. The film, a Spider-Man spinoff marking the official launch of Sony's Marvel Universe, stars Tom Hardy as a journalist who becomes the host for an alien symbiote that gives him superpowers. This is what prepared Tom for this role. The character is a villain in the 'Spider-Man' comic book world. Industry tracker Exhibitor Relations said the film took in $80.3 million. That was enough to break October's opening weekend record by more than $20 million, said another industry tracker, Box Office Mojo. Another new release took second place. Musical romance 'A Star Is Born' earned $42.9 million over the three-day weekend, Exhibitor Relations said. The third remake of the 1937 film of the same name, it marks Bradley Cooper's directing debut. He also stars as a musician who discovers and falls in love with a young singer played by pop superstar Lady Gaga. Third place went to Warner Bros's 'Smallfoot,' with earnings of $14.4 million in its second weekend. The comic family animation tells the story of a group of Yeti who come across a human, with voicing by Channing Tatum, LeBron James and Danny DeVito. Coming in fourth was last weekend's champion, Universal's 'Night School,' whose earnings dropped $15 million to $12.5 million this weekend. The raucous comedy stars Kevin Hart as one student in a class of misfits working toward high school diplomas under the firm tutelage of Tiffany Haddish. Fifth place went to Universal's family-friendly offering 'The House With a Clock in Its Walls,' which slipped from third place last weekend with takings of $7.3 million. Rounding out this weekend's top 10 were: 'A Simple Favor' ($3.4 million) 'The Nun' ($2.7 million) 'Crazy Rich Asians' ($2.2 million) 'Hell Fest' ($2.1 million) 'The Predator' ($947,000)

Tom Hardy's 'Venom' hits bulls eye in North America 

The unlikely dynamic duo of 'Venom'&nbsp;and 'A Star Is Born'&nbsp;have livened up the fall moviegoing season with the best October weekend of all time in North America.

Tom Hardy's superhero tale 'Venom'&nbsp; grabbed $80 million at 4,250 sites for Sony and Marvel while the Lady Gaga-starring remake of 'A Star Is Born' earned an estimated $42.6 million at 3,686 locations for Warner Bros. -- well above pre-weekend forecasts. 'Venom'&nbsp;smashed the record for an October opening, topping the $55.8 million launch of "Gravity" by 43%.

'Venom'&nbsp; also dominated at the international box office with $125.2 million, setting an international record for an October opening. South Korea led the way with $16.3 million.

'Venom'&nbsp; and the critically acclaimed 'A Star Is Born' were both able to draw effectively from beyond their core audiences. The strong domestic openings pushed the weekend's total business to about $174 million, or 15% above the prior mark of $151.5 million set in 2015 when Matt Damon's 'The Martian'&nbsp;opened, according to comScore.

Sony is hoping 'Venom'&nbsp;will launch a shared universe similar to Disney's lucrative superhero franchise. 'Zombieland'&nbsp;director Ruben Fleischer helmed the film, which carries a $100 million budget. Hardy portrays Eddie Brock, a journalist bound to the alien entity known as Venom.

Paul Dergarabedian, a senior media analyst with comScore, credited Sony and Warner Bros. with savvy scheduling. "A box office star is born as October sings a glorious tune the likes of which the industry has never heard before for the oft-overlooked month, as a perfect harmony of superhero blockbuster and Oscar-bound musical create one of the most perfectly orchestrated movie weekends at the multiplex in recent memory," he added.

Warner Bros.' second weekend of animated entry 'Smallfoot'&nbsp;finished third with $14.4 million at 4,151 venues, followed by Universal's second session of Kevin Hart-Tiffany Haddish comedy 'Night School'&nbsp;with $12.3 million at 3,019 locations. Amblin-Universal's 'The House With a Clock In its Walls'&nbsp;finished fifth with $7.3 million in its third weekend for a domestic total of $55.1 million and $87.4 million worldwide.

The unlikely dynamic duo of 'Venom' and 'A Star Is Born' have livened up the fall moviegoing season with the best October weekend of all time in North America. Tom Hardy's superhero tale 'Venom' grabbed $80 million at 4,250 sites for Sony and Marvel while the Lady Gaga-starring remake of 'A Star Is Born' earned an estimated $42.

The unlikely dynamic duo of 'Venom' and 'A Star Is Born' have livened up the fall moviegoing season with the best October weekend of all time in North America. Tom Hardy's superhero tale 'Venom' grabbed $80 million at 4,250 sites for Sony and Marvel while the Lady Gaga-starring remake of 'A Star Is Born' earned an estimated $42.6 million at 3,686 locations for Warner Bros. -- well above pre-weekend forecasts. 'Venom' smashed the record for an October opening, topping the $55.8 million launch of "Gravity" by 43%. 'Venom' also dominated at the international box office with $125.2 million, setting an international record for an October opening. South Korea led the way with $16.3 million. 'Venom' and the critically acclaimed 'A Star Is Born' were both able to draw effectively from beyond their core audiences. The strong domestic openings pushed the weekend's total business to about $174 million, or 15% above the prior mark of $151.5 million set in 2015 when Matt Damon's 'The Martian' opened, according to comScore. Sony is hoping 'Venom' will launch a shared universe similar to Disney's lucrative superhero franchise. 'Zombieland' director Ruben Fleischer helmed the film, which carries a $100 million budget. Hardy portrays Eddie Brock, a journalist bound to the alien entity known as Venom. Paul Dergarabedian, a senior media analyst with comScore, credited Sony and Warner Bros. with savvy scheduling. "A box office star is born as October sings a glorious tune the likes of which the industry has never heard before for the oft-overlooked month, as a perfect harmony of superhero blockbuster and Oscar-bound musical create one of the most perfectly orchestrated movie weekends at the multiplex in recent memory," he added. Warner Bros.' second weekend of animated entry 'Smallfoot' finished third with $14.4 million at 4,151 venues, followed by Universal's second session of Kevin Hart-Tiffany Haddish comedy 'Night School' with $12.3 million at 3,019 locations. Amblin-Universal's 'The House With a Clock In its Walls' finished fifth with $7.3 million in its third weekend for a domestic total of $55.1 million and $87.4 million worldwide.

Box office: 'Venom' launches to $80 million, 'A Star Is Born' draws $42.6 million

'Venom' star Tom Hardy revealed in a television show recently that he was addicted to alcohol and cocaine so much so that he took them on daily basis. 
The 'Venom' actor opened up on a candid show called 'Good Morning Britain' about his past struggles and how he was a 'bog standard alcoholic' and how he suffered in the wake of grim crises. 
&nbsp;His struggle in the past lend a massive support in forming up the character that he had to essay, that of a person with a disturbed psyche&nbsp;in the new horror film 'Venom', in which he plays an investigative journalist whose body is invaded by an alien. 
Hardy, who does not drink at present, said, "For me, obviously, I`m a bog standard alcoholic for my whole life as it were, I`m in recovery now. 
"There are elements of that, `Okay, that`s my inside voice, normally I would act out on that but that`s not very good for me as a human being,` but this isn`t me. This is a superhero entity thing. But I can see the symbolism there, `Oh there`s a grown-up, there`s a man, I can`t go out and bite people`s heads off`." 
Hardy's hardships started when he was just 11 and was given reminders by the policeman who visited his school to talk about the dangers of sniffing glue.&nbsp;

'Venom' star Tom Hardy revealed in a television show recently that he was addicted to alcohol and cocaine so much so that he took them on daily basis. The 'Venom' actor opened up on a candid show called 'Good Morning Britain' about his past struggles and how he was a 'bog standard alcoholic' and how he suffered in the wake of grim crises.

'Venom' star Tom Hardy revealed in a television show recently that he was addicted to alcohol and cocaine so much so that he took them on daily basis. The 'Venom' actor opened up on a candid show called 'Good Morning Britain' about his past struggles and how he was a 'bog standard alcoholic' and how he suffered in the wake of grim crises. His struggle in the past lend a massive support in forming up the character that he had to essay, that of a person with a disturbed psyche in the new horror film 'Venom', in which he plays an investigative journalist whose body is invaded by an alien. Hardy, who does not drink at present, said, "For me, obviously, I`m a bog standard alcoholic for my whole life as it were, I`m in recovery now. "There are elements of that, `Okay, that`s my inside voice, normally I would act out on that but that`s not very good for me as a human being,` but this isn`t me. This is a superhero entity thing. But I can see the symbolism there, `Oh there`s a grown-up, there`s a man, I can`t go out and bite people`s heads off`." Hardy's hardships started when he was just 11 and was given reminders by the policeman who visited his school to talk about the dangers of sniffing glue.

Tom Hardy's troubled past helped him to perform in 'Venom'

Tom Hardy talks about son's influence on 'Venom'

One of the most popular actors of Hollywood, Tom Hardy is gearing up for the release of his new film 'Venom'. Touted as the big release of this season, Hardy will be seen playing a superhero in this Marvel film. Now, Hardy has previously played the bad guy in Nolan's blockbuster Dark Knight Rises and Hardy's performance as super-villain Bane is remembered till date.&nbsp; 
 
Now, what if Bane and Bollywood's greatest villain Mogambo from MR India were to come together? Hardy recently recreated Mogambo's famous line for his Indian fans and pretty much nailed it.&nbsp; 
 
Hardy was promoting his 'Venom' co-star Riz Ahmed's upcoming single 'Mogambo', and the Pakistan-origin actor made him say the catchphrase "Mogambo khush hua ". Veteran Indian actor Amrish Puri played the role of Mogambo in 'Mr. India'.&nbsp; 
 
Ahmed's single is scheduled to be released on October 3.&nbsp; 
 
"Tom Hardy gives us his best mogambo - what's the verdict? Think you can do better? Post yours here with #mogambo before the single drops October 3," Ahmed tweeted along side the video of Hardy reciting the dialogue.&nbsp;

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
Tom Hardy gives us his best <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/mogambo?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#mogambo</a> - what’s the verdict? 
Think u can do better? 
Post urs here with <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/mogambo?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#mogambo</a> before the single drops Oct 3rd... <a href="https://t.co/TEkyvi9vdt">pic.twitter.com/TEkyvi9vdt</a>
— Riz Ahmed (@rizmc) <a href="https://twitter.com/rizmc/status/1046232580423467010?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 30, 2018</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

During an appearance on 'Jimmy Kimmel Live', Ahmed had revealed that his debut solo rap song was inspired by Bollywood's supervillain from the 1987 movie.&nbsp;

One of the most popular actors of Hollywood, Tom Hardy is gearing up for the release of his new film 'Venom'. Touted as the big release of this season, Hardy will be seen playing a superhero in this Marvel film.

One of the most popular actors of Hollywood, Tom Hardy is gearing up for the release of his new film 'Venom'. Touted as the big release of this season, Hardy will be seen playing a superhero in this Marvel film. Now, Hardy has previously played the bad guy in Nolan's blockbuster Dark Knight Rises and Hardy's performance as super-villain Bane is remembered till date. Now, what if Bane and Bollywood's greatest villain Mogambo from MR India were to come together? Hardy recently recreated Mogambo's famous line for his Indian fans and pretty much nailed it. Hardy was promoting his 'Venom' co-star Riz Ahmed's upcoming single 'Mogambo', and the Pakistan-origin actor made him say the catchphrase "Mogambo khush hua ". Veteran Indian actor Amrish Puri played the role of Mogambo in 'Mr. India'. Ahmed's single is scheduled to be released on October 3. "Tom Hardy gives us his best mogambo - what's the verdict? Think you can do better? Post yours here with #mogambo before the single drops October 3," Ahmed tweeted along side the video of Hardy reciting the dialogue. Tom Hardy gives us his best #mogambo - what’s the verdict? Think u can do better? Post urs here with #mogambo before the single drops Oct 3rd... pic.twitter.com/TEkyvi9vdt — Riz Ahmed (@rizmc) September 30, 2018 × During an appearance on 'Jimmy Kimmel Live', Ahmed had revealed that his debut solo rap song was inspired by Bollywood's supervillain from the 1987 movie.

Watch: 'Venom' star Tom Hardy recreates Mogambo's iconic dialogue for friend Riz Ahmed

&nbsp;British actors Emma Thompson, Tom Hardy, and Keira Knightley are among those who will receive honors in the name of Queen Elizabeth II.

The list, which includes names of prominent personalities, was released by Britain`s Cabinet Office.

"The Queen`s Birthday Honours List recognizes the achievements of a wide range of extraordinary people across the United Kingdom," read the release.

The awards will reportedly be given out by the British monarch or a senior royal acting in her place during investitures at Buckingham Palace.

While Knightley is being handed an OBE for her services to drama and charity, Thompson will become Dame Emma, a high honor that is the female equivalent of becoming a knight.

Hardy is being awarded a CBE for services to drama.

The list, which includes names of prominent personalities, was released by Britain`s Cabinet Office

British actors Emma Thompson, Tom Hardy, and Keira Knightley are among those who will receive honors in the name of Queen Elizabeth II. The list, which includes names of prominent personalities, was released by Britain`s Cabinet Office. "The Queen`s Birthday Honours List recognizes the achievements of a wide range of extraordinary people across the United Kingdom," read the release. The awards will reportedly be given out by the British monarch or a senior royal acting in her place during investitures at Buckingham Palace. While Knightley is being handed an OBE for her services to drama and charity, Thompson will become Dame Emma, a high honor that is the female equivalent of becoming a knight. Hardy is being awarded a CBE for services to drama.

Tom Hardy, Keira Knightley to get Queen's birthday honors

By Sreeju Sudhakaran

Whenever Christopher Nolan announces a movie, it is something that movie buffs await with bated breath. After having dealt with insomnia, magic, superheroes, dreams and space, he has now turned his sight towards Hollywood&rsquo;s favourite and dependable subject, when they ran out of good ones &ndash; World War II. His latest cinematic venture is Dunkirk, a fictional retelling of a lesser told chapter in World War history. Now we have some really good movies in the war genre, courtesy Oliver Stone&rsquo;s Platoon, Francis Ford Coppola&rsquo;s Apocalypse Now, Mel Gibson&rsquo;s Hacksaw Ridge and of course, Steven Spielberg&rsquo;s Saving Private Ryan. Does Dunkirk join these ranks of being one of the greatest war movies ever made? Bloody Hell, it does!

&nbsp;

What&rsquo;s it about

The movie revolves around the army evacuation of the Allied soldiers at the Dunkirk beach during World War II, when Germany was having an upper hand over UK and France. The evacuation is shown through four different perspectives. First one is through one English soldier Tommy (Fionn Whitehead) who desperately tries to escape from the beach along with two other soldiers, a silent Gibson (Aneurin Barnard) and Alex (Harry Styles). Then there is Commander Bolton (Kenneth Branagh) who is overseeing the evacuation but is frustrated to see the rescue ships being destroyed by the enemies. Third subplot centres around one of the rescue trawlers commissioned by UK to save the soldiers. The boat is captained by one Dawson (Mark Rylance), along with his son and his friend. On the way to Dunkirk, they rescue a lone survivor (Cillian Murphy) from a sunken U-boat who suffers from PTSD. The final track is about Farrier (Tom Hardy) a gutsy pilot who has two enemies to fight &ndash; enemy planes and a depleting fuel.

&nbsp;

What&rsquo;s hot

I will start with a disclaimer &ndash; I am a huge fan of Nolan and his movies, even if a couple of them did fall short of my huge expectations (The Prestige and Interstellar). However, even without any personal bias, I can say this movie is a cinematic achievement that will change how people make war movies in future. Never has a movie in recent times so completely absorbed me in its proceedings as Dunkirk has, and I can&rsquo;t even say I relished every minute of that. For this is not that sort of chest-thumping movie that will make you punch your fist in the air. At one hour 46 minutes, this could be Nolan&rsquo;s shortest film (correct me if I am wrong here), and every minute of it leaves you breathless. And I mean it literally. Like the characters of this movie, even you would be gasping for air at the many claustrophobic moments in the narrative. Believe me, there are plenty. In short, Dunkirk is one nerve-racking experience that you should only go through in IMAX (it&rsquo;s not in 3D, thankfully, because that gimmick isn&rsquo;t needed here).

Unlike other movies of this genre, Dunkirk doesn&rsquo;t rely on sensationalism or gore to terrify, and yet it is the most horrifying movie on war that I have ever seen, even without much visual representation of the blood count. Even the brief moments of calm is unnerving because you know something bad is around the corner (and your instinct is right, most of the times). Nolan doesn&rsquo;t give any of the characters any kind of backstory, save for a little insight at one of the characters&rsquo; past towards the end. The main characters, despite without given a prior background, are all well-etched and easily relatable. What is more frustrating about the plight of our protagonists, is that their home is not too far away (one character says, they can even see their country from the beach), and yet help is not easily available. Unlike other war movies, the enemy here has no faces &ndash; we know that they are Germans, but they are represented by well-timed gunshots and explosions, an idea more unnerving than showing a real face. Like Nolan&rsquo;s classic Memento, the movie doesn&rsquo;t follow a linear pattern, which springs a surprise on you at certain junctures of the movie.

Technically, the movie is on par with the best of Hollywood. Nolan may have achieved a technical marvel with Interstellar, but it&rsquo;s here where all the factors gel well. The cinematography by Hoyte van Hoytema is amazeballs, especially in how they shot all those aerial plane fights. Speaking of which, Dunkirk boasts of the best plane fighting sequences I have ever seen in a movie. The sound editing is Oscar-worthy, making us feel we are right in the middle of the attack. Hans Zimmer&rsquo;s background is another winner, his score in the movie is what John Williams did to Jaws.

Speaking of the performances, every actor in the role fits their character perfectly, and I am glad that Nolan chose a mix of veteran and newcomers as a part of the cast. Debutante Fionn Whitehead has a confident start; he is our eyes in the movie. One Direction fans will be glad to know that Harry Styles hasn&rsquo;t disappointed at all, he has a promising career in acting ahead. In fact he reminded me of a younger Johnny Depp at times. Tom Hardy is again relegated behind a mask after The Dark Knight Rises, but he lets his eyes do the talking. Mark Rylance, Kenneth Branagh, Jack Lowden, Aneurin Barnard, James D&rsquo;Arcy, Barry Keoghan and Cillian Murphy were all brilliant in their roles.

&nbsp;

What&rsquo;s not

I really didn&rsquo;t find any major flaws, apart from a few dialogues which sounded clunky (Nolan&rsquo;s major weakness). Also those expecting a conventional war drama like Saving Private Ryan and Platoon may find Dunkirk a very unusual experience (though it isn&rsquo;t a bad idea at all!).

&nbsp;

What to do

Someone asked me if Dunkirk is better than Nolan&rsquo;s The Dark Knight or Memento. I fairly had no clue how to answer him, and I really don&rsquo;t want to. For Dunkirk is not a movie that begs for comparison, it is a flick immerses you into its proceedings and leaves you enthralled at the end of it. It is a gritty, rivetting revisiting of one of the darkest chapters of modern history, that will leave you gasping at times. Dunkirk may or may not be the best war movie ever made, but it is definitely the best blockbuster of the year. Highly recommended, that too in IMAX.

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

The movie is directed by Christopher Nolan

By Sreeju Sudhakaran Whenever Christopher Nolan announces a movie, it is something that movie buffs await with bated breath. After having dealt with insomnia, magic, superheroes, dreams and space, he has now turned his sight towards Hollywood’s favourite and dependable subject, when they ran out of good ones – World War II. His latest cinematic venture is Dunkirk, a fictional retelling of a lesser told chapter in World War history. Now we have some really good movies in the war genre, courtesy Oliver Stone’s Platoon, Francis Ford Coppola’s Apocalypse Now, Mel Gibson’s Hacksaw Ridge and of course, Steven Spielberg’s Saving Private Ryan. Does Dunkirk join these ranks of being one of the greatest war movies ever made? Bloody Hell, it does! What’s it about The movie revolves around the army evacuation of the Allied soldiers at the Dunkirk beach during World War II, when Germany was having an upper hand over UK and France. The evacuation is shown through four different perspectives. First one is through one English soldier Tommy (Fionn Whitehead) who desperately tries to escape from the beach along with two other soldiers, a silent Gibson (Aneurin Barnard) and Alex (Harry Styles). Then there is Commander Bolton (Kenneth Branagh) who is overseeing the evacuation but is frustrated to see the rescue ships being destroyed by the enemies. Third subplot centres around one of the rescue trawlers commissioned by UK to save the soldiers. The boat is captained by one Dawson (Mark Rylance), along with his son and his friend. On the way to Dunkirk, they rescue a lone survivor (Cillian Murphy) from a sunken U-boat who suffers from PTSD. The final track is about Farrier (Tom Hardy) a gutsy pilot who has two enemies to fight – enemy planes and a depleting fuel. What’s hot I will start with a disclaimer – I am a huge fan of Nolan and his movies, even if a couple of them did fall short of my huge expectations (The Prestige and Interstellar). However, even without any personal bias, I can say this movie is a cinematic achievement that will change how people make war movies in future. Never has a movie in recent times so completely absorbed me in its proceedings as Dunkirk has, and I can’t even say I relished every minute of that. For this is not that sort of chest-thumping movie that will make you punch your fist in the air. At one hour 46 minutes, this could be Nolan’s shortest film (correct me if I am wrong here), and every minute of it leaves you breathless. And I mean it literally. Like the characters of this movie, even you would be gasping for air at the many claustrophobic moments in the narrative. Believe me, there are plenty. In short, Dunkirk is one nerve-racking experience that you should only go through in IMAX (it’s not in 3D, thankfully, because that gimmick isn’t needed here). Unlike other movies of this genre, Dunkirk doesn’t rely on sensationalism or gore to terrify, and yet it is the most horrifying movie on war that I have ever seen, even without much visual representation of the blood count. Even the brief moments of calm is unnerving because you know something bad is around the corner (and your instinct is right, most of the times). Nolan doesn’t give any of the characters any kind of backstory, save for a little insight at one of the characters’ past towards the end. The main characters, despite without given a prior background, are all well-etched and easily relatable. What is more frustrating about the plight of our protagonists, is that their home is not too far away (one character says, they can even see their country from the beach), and yet help is not easily available. Unlike other war movies, the enemy here has no faces – we know that they are Germans, but they are represented by well-timed gunshots and explosions, an idea more unnerving than showing a real face. Like Nolan’s classic Memento, the movie doesn’t follow a linear pattern, which springs a surprise on you at certain junctures of the movie. Technically, the movie is on par with the best of Hollywood. Nolan may have achieved a technical marvel with Interstellar, but it’s here where all the factors gel well. The cinematography by Hoyte van Hoytema is amazeballs, especially in how they shot all those aerial plane fights. Speaking of which, Dunkirk boasts of the best plane fighting sequences I have ever seen in a movie. The sound editing is Oscar-worthy, making us feel we are right in the middle of the attack. Hans Zimmer’s background is another winner, his score in the movie is what John Williams did to Jaws. Speaking of the performances, every actor in the role fits their character perfectly, and I am glad that Nolan chose a mix of veteran and newcomers as a part of the cast. Debutante Fionn Whitehead has a confident start; he is our eyes in the movie. One Direction fans will be glad to know that Harry Styles hasn’t disappointed at all, he has a promising career in acting ahead. In fact he reminded me of a younger Johnny Depp at times. Tom Hardy is again relegated behind a mask after The Dark Knight Rises, but he lets his eyes do the talking. Mark Rylance, Kenneth Branagh, Jack Lowden, Aneurin Barnard, James D’Arcy, Barry Keoghan and Cillian Murphy were all brilliant in their roles. What’s not I really didn’t find any major flaws, apart from a few dialogues which sounded clunky (Nolan’s major weakness). Also those expecting a conventional war drama like Saving Private Ryan and Platoon may find Dunkirk a very unusual experience (though it isn’t a bad idea at all!). What to do Someone asked me if Dunkirk is better than Nolan’s The Dark Knight or Memento. I fairly had no clue how to answer him, and I really don’t want to. For Dunkirk is not a movie that begs for comparison, it is a flick immerses you into its proceedings and leaves you enthralled at the end of it. It is a gritty, rivetting revisiting of one of the darkest chapters of modern history, that will leave you gasping at times. Dunkirk may or may not be the best war movie ever made, but it is definitely the best blockbuster of the year. Highly recommended, that too in IMAX. Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

Dunkirk movie review: The best blockbuster of 2017

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