Dunkirk

Christopher Nolan's newest film, Dunkirk, is quite simply a masterpiece. In certain ways, the film perfects Nolan's signature style - primarily in its split storyline format - while in other ways it pushes beyond his normal "comfort zone" of sorts, with minimal dialogue and a wider cast. In Dunkirk, we get to witness Nolan at the pinnacle of his craft; creating a tale of terror in a unique and conventional war film.

We all have our idea of what a "war movie" is. Chances are, you're probably picturing Tom Hanks on a beach. Nolan subverts the genre in this tale of 30,000 soldiers stranded on the beach at Dunkirk. Of course, there's the classic writing idea of "showing not telling." War movies are always great at this. They show us the horror of war - the guts, the gore, and the corpses. But with, Dunkirk, Christopher Nolan opts for a less graphic yet more personal style of showing the war. Instead of showing us some intestines or a stomach (Hacksaw Ridge, I'm looking at you), he focuses on the actors themselves; their emotions, and their pain. The audience doesn't feel like they're witnessing the horrors of war, they feel as if they're there. In fact, his style is even more effective than that of a conventional war movie.

Dunkirk's cast is led by a main trio, one from each of its settings. Fionn Whitehead, Tom Hardy, and Mark Rylance all give stellar performances. Yet the cast is much wider, and rarely actually feels focused on these characters. The focus remains on the battle for survival itself. The cast is supported by a minimal script, exercising their talents through nonverbal means.

Finally, something must be said of Hans Zimmer's pulsing, pounding, and ticking soundtrack. It drives the movie forward, keeping the audience on the edge of their seat even when things seem to be quiet. The ticking is a constant reminder of the race against time, a unique and driving form of rhythm that keeps us aware of every minute passing. It doesn't intrude, but it continually creates a sense of urgency.

In Dunkirk, there are no rousing speeches or tales from back home. You don't get to know the personal lives of each soldier you follow. Instead, it takes a more realistic approach - these really are young men simply terrified for their lives. It's in this tension and in this terror that Dunkirk truly thrives.

What to know: Dunkirk is an unconventional war movie that grips the audience throughout, combining stellar acting and world-class directing to create a truly unique and visceral filmgoing experience.