December Movie Review Roundup; the Historically-Inaccurate Sublime

This month’s picks are right here, but the all-time list is also available for all right here: Stoski’s Ultimate Movie Ratings Guide.

The King (2019)

The King follows Henry's sudden and unwanted ascension to the throne, becoming King Henry V of England. The politics of power reveal themselves to be too strong to overcome, as young Henry is slowly but surely dragged into a world he detests. One by one, each decision he's forced to make wears on him a little more. As a benevolent ruler, Henry strives for peace, even in the face of blatant calls for war, but when the world conspires against you, few men would be blamed for falling to the dark side.

While not totally historically accurate, The King offers a gritty and compelling view of life in the 15th century. While other historical films take a far-back stance, this one brings the audience right up to the action. The action scenes in particular are particularly horrific, choosing to show the dirty, terrifying, overwhelming realities of war, rather than glamorise or demonise it. Where others say "this is what you should think", The King says "here's the reality, now make your mind up". One would expect a film like this to show the King as an all-powerful ruler, the final word and decider of all, but no man rules alone, and the politics of power create constant struggle, a struggle which The King is not afraid to portray. 

A highly enjoyable ride from England to France and back. When historical fiction is this great, it makes you wonder what the real history books forgot.

4/5

Dazed and Confused (1993)

You know that meme? "That's what I love about these high-school girls man - I get older, they stay the same age" and "it'd be a lot cooler if you did"? This is where they came from! That isn't all Dazed and Confused offers, though. The story follows various groups of teenagers on the last day of school before summer vacation. Some would call it a toned-down, more subtle, non-sexual American Pie - teens getting up to no good doing whatever it is that teens do. 

What it certainly is, though, is a slice of life. A look into something that we can all relate to. It doesn't show anything particularly special, but in that manages to stand out. In a sea of "look at this amazing thing", Dazed and Confused watches the lives of a few generic nobodies, in one rather generic point in time, and crafts something special from the footage. I heard good things about this movie, and now, so have you.

3.5/5

All movies added this month 

Movie 43 (2013) 3/5

Caddyshack (1980) 3/5

Dazed and Confused (1993) 3.5/5

Midnight Run (1988) 3.5/5

13 Hours: The Secret Soldiers of Benghazi (2016) 4/5

Life (1999) 3/5

Cats (2019) 0.5/5

The King (2019) 4/5

Other things you might like