Page 2 January 2, 2020 EL SEGUNDO HERALD
By Morgan Rojas for cinemacy.com
Much like the young soldiers in the film,
director Sam Mendes set out on a seemingly
impossible mission: create a feature-length
WWI film in a single take. That’s 119 minutes
of real-time conflict and non-stop adrenaline
rush, in one take. Not only is 1917’s mere
existence already a success, but it’s also one
of the most technically proficient, emotionally
compelling, and jaw-dropping goliaths
of a war film that I’ve ever seen. Set in the
desolate trenches behind British lines, 1917,
now playing in theaters, will undeniably rank
side by side with some of the best war films
of all time.
Often, the individual faces of soldiers are
lost amongst a sea of thousands of uniformed
troops; 1917 puts a face to two brave young
men who were willing to sacrifice all they
had to save the lives of others. On April 6th,
1917, Privates Schofield (George MacKay) and
Blake (Dean-Charles Chapman) are selected
for a potentially deadly mission. They are to
deliver a time-sensitive and life-saving message
to their neighboring battalion troop of 1,600
men ordering them to cease their scheduled
attack against the Germans. The attack, it turns
out, would be an ambush, killing the British
soldiers, including Private Blake’s older brother.
Schofield and Blake only have until dawn the
next morning to relay the news, and so begins
the race against the clock, the Germans, and
the pan’s labyrinth of battlefield death traps
they’ll encounter along the way.
Technically speaking, 1917 is no doubt a
cinematic feat, and the same can be said on
screen with much praise belonging to George
MacKay. As the lead in what is likely one of
the most challenging films of any actor’s career,
he carries 1917 with strength and a certain
sweetness. His performance is astounding,
both physically and emotionally. Dean-Charles
Chapman equally commands the screen as a
desperate young soldier who will do whatever
it takes to help his brother. Andrew Scott,
Benedict Cumberbatch, and Richard Madden
also contribute their talents, rounding out a
powerhouse ensemble cast.
What’s equally as impressive as the film itself
is the credits, which run almost 10 minutes.
The thousands of names that scroll across the
screen are a sharp reminder of the amount of
work, time, money, and passion that goes into
making a film, especially one of this size and
caliber. Highlighted in the thousands of names
are frequent Mendes-collaborators, including
cinematographer Richard Deakins (Skyfall)
and composer Thomas Newman (American
Beauty). Their contributions to 1917 make
the film what it is: unforgettable.
There have been a handful of war films this
year, A Hidden Life, Jojo Rabbit, and Midway,
all telling specific stories of life on the outskirts
or battlefields of their respective wars. While
powerful in their own way, nothing holds a candle
to the brute force imagery that 1917 pulls off.
Based on the audible “wows” from the audience
and minutes-long applause as the credits rolled
during my press screening, it looks like Mendes
and company will be a frontrunner in the battle
for Best Picture this awards season. •
Calendar of Events
Deadline for Calendar items is the prior
Thursday by noon. Calendar items are $1
per word up to 25 words. Email listings to
marketing@heraldpublications.com. We accept
Visa and MasterCard.
THURSDAY, JAN. 2
• WINTER BREAK – NO SCHOOL for
ALL ESUSD Students!
• El Segundo Historical Committee Meeting,
7:00 PM. – 8:00 PM., El Segundo Public
Library, 111 W. Mariposa Ave., Call Sari:
310-364-0117.
• El Segundo Certified Farmer’s Market, 3:00
PM. – 7:00 PM., located on Main Street,
Downtown El Segundo
FRIDAY, JAN. 3
• WINTER BREAK – NO SCHOOL for
ALL ESUSD Students!
• Bingo, 1:00 PM. - 3:00 PM., 50 Plus, $3.00
minimum, Senior Club of El Segundo, 339
Sheldon Street
SATURDAY, JAN. 4
• Saturday Night Dance, 7:00 PM. – 9:45
PM., Cost: $5.00 Per Person, Adults of all
Ages Welcome, Senior Club of El Segundo,
339 Sheldon St., Call: 310-524-2705.
• Heritage Room Open to the Public, 1:00
PM. – 3:00 PM., El Segundo Public Library,
111 W. Mariposa Ave., Call Sari:
310-364-0117.
SUNDAY, JAN. 5
• Bridge & Pinochle Groups, 11:30 AM. –
3:45 PM, Senior Club of El Segundo, 339
Sheldon St., Call Pam at: 310-318-2856.
MONDAY, JAN. 6
• Canasta Group, 11:30 AM. – 3:00 PM., 50
Plus, Free, Senior Club of El Segundo, 339
Sheldon St., Call Pam at: 310-318-2856.
• High School Teens: Wine Cork Pendants,
3:00 PM., El Segundo Public Library, 111
W. Mariposa Ave., Call: 310-524-2728.
• Maker Monday: Altoid Tin Box Art,
12:00 PM. – 1:00 PM., El Segundo Public
Library, 111 W. Mariposa Ave., Call:
310-524-2728.
TUESDAY, JAN. 7
• Pinochle, 11:30 AM. – 3:30 PM., Senior
Club of El Segundo, 339 Sheldon St., Call
Pam at: 310-318-2856.
• El Segundo Kiwanis Club Meeting, 12:00
PM., The Lakes at El Segundo, Contact:
elsegundokiwanis.org.
WEDNESDAY, JAN. 8
• ESHS PTA Meeting, 7:00 PM., ESHS Library,
640 Main Street, Call: 310-615-2662
• Bowling, 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM, 50 Plus,
Senior Club of El Segundo, Gable House
Bowl, 22501 Hawthorne Blvd., Torrance,
Cost: $8.50 for 3 games, Call Joyce at:
310-322-7621.
THURSDAY, JAN. 9
• El Segundo Historical Committee Meeting,
7:00 PM. – 8:00 PM., El Segundo Public
Library, 111 W. Mariposa Ave., Call Sari:
310-364-0117.
• El Segundo Certified Farmer’s Market, 3:00
PM. – 7:00 PM., located on Main Street,
Downtown El Segundo •
Police Reports
Monday, December 23
A battery report was taken at 0240 hours
from the 200 block of Penn Street. The suspect
punched the victim several times.
A burglary (commercial) report was taken
at 0638 hours from the 300 block of North
Pacific Coast Highway. Taken from the business
was an IPad.
One male adult was arrested at 2012 hours
from the 1400 block of East Franklin Avenue
for driving under the influence of alcohol with
a B.A.C of .08% or higher.
Tuesday, December 24
A found property report was taken at 0227
hours from the 800 block of Hillcrest Street.
Money was found and turned in to ESPD.
A found property report was taken at 0228
hours from the 700 block of North Pacific
Coast Highway. A brown wallet was found
on the sidewalk.
A male adult was detained at 1016 hours from
the 300 block of North Pacific Coast Highway
and transported to the Exodus Treatment Center
for a 72- hour psychiatric evaluation.
A petty theft report was taken at 1623 hours
from the 500 block of North Pacific Coast
Highway. The suspect stole merchandise from
the store.
One male adult was arrested at 1946 hours
from the 100 block of South Pacific Coast
Highway for driving a stolen vehicle.
Wednesday, December 25
No Unusual Shift Activity
Thursday, December 26
One male adult was arrested at 0224 hours
from the 400 block of North Pacific Coast
Highway for a misdemeanor warrant out of
ESPD. A burglary report was taken at 0514
hours from the 2100 block of East El Segundo
Blvd. An unknown suspect broke a window
and stole several Amazon packages.
One female adult were arrested at 0758 hours
from Imperial Highway and the 105 freeway
for possession of a crack pipe.
One male adult was arrested at 0758 hours
from Imperial Highway and the 105 freeway
for a misdemeanor ESPD warrant.
One male adult was arrested at 0758 hours
from Imperial Highway and the 105 freeway
for an LA County probation warrant.
An identity theft report was taken at 1325
hours from the ESPD lobby. The victim’s information
was used to make fraudulent purchases.
One male adult was arrested at 1738 hours
from the 200 block of Standard Street for
public intoxication.
Friday, December 27
A report was taken at 0214 hours from the
1400 block of East Imperial Highway. The
victim reported a known suspect took her
property by force and vandalized her car.
A traffic accident (no injuries) occurred at
1229 hours from Continental Circle and Rosecrans
Avenue. Three vehicles were involved.
A grand theft report was taken at 1803 hours
from the 500 block of Main Street. Taken was
an electric bike from the victim’s open garage.
A burglary (auto) report was taken at 1813
hours from the 800 block of Douglas Street.
Taken was luggage.
A battery report was taken at 1920 hours
from the 2200 block of East Park Place.
One female adult was arrested at 1953 hours
for a misdemeanor ESPD warrant, a misdemeanor
LA county warrant, and for driving
with a suspended license.
One male adult was arrested at 2043 hours
from Mariposa Avenue and Nash Street for
possession of drug paraphernalia.
One male adult was arrested at 2056 hours
from Pacific Coast Highway and Walnut Avenue
for DUI.
Saturday, December 28
A burglary (vehicle) report was taken at 0652
hours from the 700 block of North Pacific
Coast Highway.
A vandalism report was taken at 0910 hours
from the 700 block of West Sycamore Avenue.
A burglary (vehicle) report was taken at 1049
hours from the 200 block of Whiting Street.
A lost or stolen plates report was taken
at 1911 hours from the 700 block of West
Mariposa Avenue.
One male adult was arrested at 2348 hours
from Main Street and Oak Avenue for driving
while intoxicated with a BAC above .08%.
Sunday, December 29
One male adult was arrested at 0029 hours
from the 1500 block of East Oak Avenue for one
outstanding Downey PD misdemeanor warrant.
One female adult was arrested at 0053 hours
from the 1900 block of East Mariposa Avenue
for one outstanding CDCR felony warrant.
An attempt grand theft auto report was
taken at 0800 hours from the 100 block of
Concord Street.
One male adult was arrested at 0849 hours
from the 500 block of North Pacific Coast
Highway for burglary (residential) and two
outstanding misdemeanor warrants. •
Entertainment
1917 is a Triumph, Unlike
Anything You’ve Ever Seen
Photo Courtesy of Universal Pictures
Morgan Rojas
Film Review
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