Alex's Weekly Film Blog - 21st November

Pleased to say I've made my 100th trip to the cinema this year.

Pleased to say I've made my 100th trip to the cinema this year, although a couple of people have suggested it's a little sad that I have a spreadsheet. Streaming from this weekend, Blitz is a story of a mother's desperate search for her son, played by newcomer Elliott Hefferman, who makes a leap for freedom after being evacuated from London on a train.

Blitz boasts an impressive cast list, including Kathy Burke, Paul Weller, Stephen Graham and Harris Dickinson. It feels like an original take on a tumultuous time for British cities, being bombarded by German bombs from autumn 1940 until the spring of the following year. Ordinary people going about their daily lives, with the constant sounding of air raid sirens, and a scramble for safety in makeshift underground bunkers. There's even a flood at Balham Tube Station as people sheltering from a bombardment of German bombs are forced to swim for their lives, and this is based on real events.

With current conflicts continuing to tear apart Ukraine and Gaza, Blitz feels searingly relevant to today. I particularly liked the Nigerian air raid warden Ife, played by Benjamin Clementine and apparently based on a real life figure. Racism and prejudice came to the fore in a number of scenes, but never felt shoehorned into the story. It all worked really well for me, and whilst some reviews have suggested it was all a bit 'cosy Sunday afternoon', and even mentioned a Railway Children vibe, the film spoke to me and left a lasting impression. Paul Weller was excellent, whilst Saoirse Ronan hasn't put a foot wrong yet in her career to date. This is certainly no exception. If you have Apple TV, give it a whirl this weekend. Strong characters, good cinematography, and an excellent watch.

Meanwhile, Gladiator is a sequel almost a quarter of a century in the making. The original won give Oscars, and this one was apparently filmed in just 51 days, which is frankly mind blowing. Paul Mescal is convincing, Denzel Washington is scene stealing as Macrinus, and the sharks and rhinos in the Coliseum are a little baffling. It's possibly not a movie for history boffins who demand that every detail is accurate, but it's good fun to watch nonetheless. The choreography of the battle scenes is stunningly executed, and there's a nice dovetailing of the opening and closing scenes. The two and a half hour running time doesn't feel lengthy, so don't be put off by that. You can save nine minutes once the credits start anyway, as there's not the obligatory extra scene which so often pops up nowadays. Swashbuckling Roman sandal wearing bloodthirsty fun.

Sadly, a scene in which someone is seen reading a newspaper in a cafe is not strictly accurate. Even the Tameside Reporter and Glossop Chronicle don't go back to Roman times. Also, they didn't have cafes. Never mind the accuracy, go for the rhinos and space monkeys. Suspend your sense of disbelief, and I predict you'll enjoy the ride.