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Here's a look at the new movies I saw this week.

Darkest Hour
Starring: Gary Oldman, Lily James, Kristen Scott Thomas, Stephen Dillane, and Ben Mendelsohn
Synopsis: At this point, we've covered World War II from many angles. And in recent years, we've had a number of Academy Award-nominated films tread over that ground. Even earlier this year, the great director Christopher Nolan tackled the period with "Dunkirk." "Darkest Hour" doesn't exactly tell a new part of history, but it certainly takes a new angle. In 2007, with "Atonement," director Joe Wright touched on the plight of troops on the beach at Dunkirk as part of that story. With his latest film, "Darkest Hour," he looks at the political battles behind the scenes as the government sought to find a way to bring those boys home. The film focuses on the early tumultuous days of Winston Churchill's time as Prime Minister, when he had to battle those in his own party to stay the course. As played by Oldman, who earned an Academy Award nomination and is among the front-runners for the award, Churchill was a man of powerful vision, unafraid to speak his mind, but often at a cost, both personally and professionally. But "Darkest Hour" shows that he was the right man for the job at the time, and it was in part through his strength of will that he helped carry his people through one of the darkest periods in their history. The film has some wonderful supporting performances, too. Scott Thomas plays his wife, while James is a young typist through whom Churchill sees something of the people. Dillane serves as one of his staunchest adversaries, while Mendelsohn gives a nice performance as the king. We had previously seen the experience of the king during "The King's Speech," but what I liked about this film was the interesting way the relationship between the king and Churchill is framed, especially the outset of a partnership that was vital to the success of the war effort. "Darkest Hour" has been nominated for six Academy Awards, including Best Picture, and will be an interesting player this awards season. I enjoyed the film and the craft Wright uses to tell the story, but it didn't quite rise to that Best Picture level for me. It's worth seeing, however, for Oldman's performances alone.
Rating: PG-13 for some thematic material.
Verdict: Three stars out of four.

Phantom Thread
Starring: Daniel Day Lewis, Lesley Manville, and Vicky Krieps
Synopsis: Paul Thomas Anderson is an incredible filmmaker. You may not always enjoy his stories, but you have to appreciate his craft. And arguably his best film came a decade ago when he teamed with Daniel Day Lewis on "There Will Be Blood." That film is a powerful masterpiece, one that earned Lewis an Academy Award and is perhaps his best and most note-worthy performance in a career chock full of them. It seems only fitting, as Lewis has said he's retiring after this last film, that he again re-teams with Anderson. And his work in "Phantom Thread," while a character nearly completely opposite than their first pairing, is beautiful and powerful. Like much of Anderson's work, "Phantom Thread" likely isn't a story that will appeal to everyone. It tells the tale of driven tailor Reynolds Woodcock (Lewis), a confirmed bachelor who's had a series of muses to fuel his creative and personal passions. But the one constant in his life is his sister and business partner, Cyril (Manville), who is given the task of disposing of her brother's companions when they become tiresome. She is talented in her own right, and together Reynolds and Cyril have created a booming empire. Their bond seems unshakeable. But that begins to change when Reynolds takes up with Alma (Krieps), who seems to shake the typical patterns and rhythms, leading Reynolds to wonder if he should step outside his sturdy routine. This is a beautifully shot and crafted film, and one that sticks with you long after it's over. Like the best of Anderson's films, your appreciation for the subtle beauty of it grows the further you get from screening it. That's a credit to his vision for the film, and also to the beautiful performances contained in it. Manville was a Best Supporting Actress nominee, and it is deserved, but Krieps is equally as compelling. But really it all works best thanks to Lewis, who is a master craftsman. If this is, indeed, his final film, what an excellent showcase to depart on. Those going into this film might have been expecting some of the fireworks we saw a decade ago because of the re-teaming with Anderson, but this is a completely different kind of film and different kind of role. But what hasn't changed is Lewis' ability to convey so much through facial expressions and body language. He sinks into the role, makes it his own and completely captures the audience attention in every scene he's in. It's great work that should make him among the top contenders for Best Actor, and one of the reasons I think this film could be a dark horse in the Best Picture race.
Rating: R for language.
Verdict: Four stars out of four.

Upcoming Releases:
Friday, February 2 - "Winchester"
Friday, February 9 - "15:17 to Paris," "Fifty Shades Freed," "Peter Rabbit"
Friday, February 16 - "Black Panther," "Early Man"
Friday, February 23 - "Every Day," "Annihilation," "Game Night," "War With Grandpa"