Five games to look out for in 2020
1: Animal Crossing: New Horizons (Switch): This uber-charming village management series takes a journey into the unknown for its debut on Switch. ETA: March.
2: Final Fantasy VII Remake (PS4): It captured hearts way back in 1997, and now the epic RPG and Cloud Strife return in a fully updated PS4 exclusive. ETA: March.
3: Half-Life: Alyx (PC): It’s now more myth than game but this VR prequel is very real. Featuring Half-Life 2’s co-star Alyx Vance, it promises all the same excitement of the original. ETA: March.
4: Cyberpunk 2077 (PC, Xbox One, PS4): Sprawling sci-fi RPG has promised so much for so long but come Easter, we’ll know if it’s a genre-definer. ETA: April.
5: Resident Evil 3 (PC, Xbox One, PS4): This has a lot to live up to. But signs point to another thrilling return to zombie-infested Racoon City. ETA: April.
Many movies have adopted the one-take shooting style – some properly adhering to it and others using gimmickry to create the illusion – to varying degrees of success.
Sam Mendes’ First World Warset 1917 is the biggest and most mainstream flick to bring the technique to the big screen.
The simple story – penned by Mendes and Glasgow-born Krysty Wilson-Cairns – follows young British soldiers Lance Corporal Blake (Dean-Charles Chapman) and Lance Corporal Schofield (George MacKay) as they face a treacherous mission to deliver a message deep into enemy territory.
It’s easy to accuse Mendes of using the one-take method to disguise the lack of story stretched across two hours, but that would be a false assumption.
1917 is a terrifically tense trip that, with you never quite sure what lurks around the corners of the trenches and tunnels the lead duo navigate, often feels like a horror movie.
Because Chapman and MacKay – both very good – are relative unknowns, their fate remains uncertain right until the end which only adds to the sense of danger.
The film’s star power is supplied by its supporting cast of familiar British faces and while most of them bring the expected gravitas, you could make a drinking game out of guessing who will be the next big name to drop in and pass on their wisdom.
Mendes and legendary cinematographer Roger Deakins plant you right in the middle of war with retina-scorching visuals.
The aftermath of one attack is genuinely unsettling and you can feel the heat coming off fiery landscapes.
The sound design – led by Thomas Newman’s imposing score – attacks the ears, in a good way, to ratchet up the suspense.
I’ve not always been a fan of war movies but 1917 grabbed me from the off – and never let go.
Antonio Banderas is the best he’s been in years in Pedro Almodóvar’s meditative drama.
The film looks terrific and tender moments mix well with warmth and clever humour.