Page 2 January 11, 2018
Film Review
Golden Globe-Winner Oldman’s
Career Best as Winston Churchill
By H. Nelson Tracey
for www.cinemacy.com
In a very powerful opening shot, dropping
us into the world of 1941 British Parliament,
it’s clear that Joe Wright’s latest film will not
only be a showcase for the work of actor
Gary Oldman, but also a reminder of the
great cinematography of Bruno Delbonnel
-- whose keen eye previously brought life
to Inside Llewyn Davis and Amelie, among
others. Like in his previous films, Wright
doesn’t miss any opportunity to let the camera
do the storytelling and his collaboration with
Delbonnel proves to be a great combination
right from the get-go.
Darkest Hour is foremost a biography film
about Winston Churchill, a leader who remains
a political hero across all party lines. The film
takes place in May 1941, with World War II
and a German invasion imminent. Through
peculiar circumstances, one man is at the helm
of the island-based empire. Unconventional
casting pays off immensely. Gary Oldman,
who in real life looks or sounds nothing like
Churchill, is given one of the most hard-earned
scene-chewing roles in ages. The biography
wisely focuses on a very critical period of
his career and world history, and that helps
the film itself remained focused.
Oldman is unrecognizable. It would take a
more trained eye to tell what is makeup and
what is weight gain. He completely disappears
into Churchill as a fully formed character. It
helps that he’s a bit of a caricature, especially
compared to the more ordinary supporting
characters in the cast, but there is never a
doubt of who we are watching on screen. It
goes without saying that this is the type of
performance that an awards season soaks up
(case in point, last Sunday night’s Golden
Globe win) and I expect many to come
Oldman’s way. Interestingly, Ben Mendelsohn
plays King George VI, a role that has already
been immortalized on film by Colin Firth,
yet Mendelsohn takes the opportunity to also
make his mark in this role. British royalty and
leadership are the Shakespearean characters
of our time, worthy of numerous portrayals
and character interpretations.
In today’s political climate, when American
politicians are nearly all bought and sold
by corporations, it’s unfortunately hard to
imagine a time when solutions to the great
problems were black and white and great
minds could disagree through discourse instead
of stomping their feet. This highlights the
great void between the many classic political
films of yesteryear, which makes it difficult
to apply the lessons of leaders like Churchill
by today’s standards. Regardless, there are
lessons here we can apply to our daily lives.
Never surrender in the face of adversity and
reach out to the people around us for wisdom,
even if they are your opponents. These are
the qualities that make Winston Churchill,
and all those who portray him, live on in the
generations to come in the event that we must
face our own darkest hour. •
Darkest Hour is rated PG-13 for some
thematic material. 125 minutes. Now playing at
most theaters, including ArcLight Beach Cities.
Seniors
New Year Deals: Why Winter
Is the Perfect Time to Buy a Boat
(BPT) - Winter may be frigid for many,
but it’s an ideal time to plan for warmer
days ahead and make dreams of owning a
boat a reality. Beginning in January, boat
shows across the country offer some of the
hottest post-holiday deals around, with special
pricing and incentives on new boat models
and marine accessories - a major draw for
the 142 million Americans who take to the
water each year, according to the National
Marine Manufacturers Association. For those
ready to plan their summer adventures on the
water, boat shows are the best place to start.
Whether you fish or sail, enjoy cruising,
riding personal watercraft or wakesurfing, boat
shows provide the unique opportunity to browse
and board hundreds, sometimes thousands, of
boats while taking advantage of once-a-year
pricing and boat show specials. Boat shows
also provide an avenue to enjoy a taste of
the boating lifestyle during the off-season,
plus they offer educational opportunities
and alternative ways to get on the water for
novices looking to get their feet wet.
Whether you want to fulfill that New Year’s
resolution of spending more time on the water
with family and friends, or are simply in the
mood to escape the winter doldrums, Discover
Boating, the national awareness program to
help get people on the water, offers three tips
to get started in boating at a 2018 boat show:
• Escape cabin fever for the year’s best
deals. Unlike auto shows, boat shows are the
place to buy. Hundreds of new-year models
are available to buy right on the show floor
at some of the best prices of the year, with
many exhibitors offering special show pricing
and other incentives. Boat shows make it
easy for you to shop all the region’s dealers
in one location. Plus, it’s the perfect time to
order a new boat to ensure it arrives ready
to launch in the spring.
• Test the waters. Boat shows are a
great place to learn the ropes of boating
and take advantage of onsite training,
which is usually offered at little to no cost.
Educational opportunities at boat shows
include everything from knot-tying and
DIY boat maintenance seminars, to sailing
simulators and boating lessons. You can often
find fun activities to entertain the family
and get everyone into the outdoors, from
practicing how to reel in a fish to learning
to dock and more.
• Look for the seal of approval. When
shopping for a boat at a show, online or
at a dealership, always check to make
sure it is certified by the National Marine
Manufacturers Association. An “NMMA
Certified” seal means a boat has met strict
industry standards for safety, construction and
federal regulations, enhancing an improved
and safer boater experience. Look for the
NMMA Certified sticker near the helm of
a boat, and find a full list of certified boat
manufacturers at DiscoverBoating.com.
Visit DiscoverBoating.com to find a boat
show near you, a list of certified dealers
and manufacturers, and unbiased advice
for getting started in boating. •
El Segundo Herald*
Manhattan Beach Sun
Hawthorne Press Tribune*
Inglewood Daily News*
Lawndale News*
Torrance Tribune*
EL SEGUNDO OFFICE • 500 Center St. • El Segundo • CA • 90245
Phone: (310) 322-1830 • Fax: (310) 322-2787 • www.heraldpublications.com
*Our papers are legally recognized and adjudicated newspapers of general circulation
Staff and Departments
Editor-in-Chief: Heidi Maerker
Classifieds: Clara Nilles • class@heraldpublications.com
DBA: Clara Nilles • dba@heraldpublications.com
For Fictitious Business Name (DBAs) filings
Graphic Design: Michael Gonzales • ads@heraldpublications.com
Legals: Debbie Waite • legalnotices@heraldpublications.com
Letters to the Editor: letters@heraldpublications.com
Marketing: Debbie Waite • marketing@heraldpublications.com
Press Releases: pr@heraldpublications.com
For press releases, Herald In travel photos and general photos
Real Estate: graphics@heraldpublications.com
For new realtors, contracts, ads
Website contact: web@heraldpublications.com
For comments or announcements (weddings, engagements, obituaries)
Contributing Graphic Artists: Patty Grau, Matt Lopez
Contributing Writers: Haleemon Anderson, Derrick Deane,TerriAnn Ferren, Greg McMullin,
Duane Plank, Adam Serrao, Brian Simon, Cristian Vasquez
DEADLINES
OBITUARIES: Monday at noon.
CALENDAR ITEMS: Monday at noon.
PEOPLE ITEMS: Monday at noon.
CLASSIFIEDS: Tuesday at noon.
LEGAL NOTICES: Wednesday at 11:00 am.
REAL ESTATE ADS: Monday at noon.
AD CANCELLATIONS: Prior Thursday.
LATE CANCELLATIONS WILL BE
CHARGED 50% OF AD
Darkest Hour. Courtesy of Focus Features
H. Nelson Tracey
THANK YOU
TO OUR
ADVERTISERS!