Aspiring mime artist Marcel Marceau (Jesse Eisenberg) joins the French Resistance to save the lives of thousands of children orphaned at the hands of the Nazis.

While we’re used to the gung-ho, patriotic WWII films with brave G.I.’s charging headfirst into the breach, Resistance is not that movie. Instead, director, Jonathan Jakubowicz takes a life-affirming approach to the story, which champions humanist themes and a desire to good. Jakubowicz takes us to war-torn France, circa 1939 and leads us into the occupation of it by the Nazi’s and Gestapo thugs who decide to cleanse its streets of anyone who they deem to be sub-human. Here Jakubowicz introduces us to the comical Marcel Marceau (Jesse Eisenberg) and places his audience firmly in the dangers of Lyon, France circa 1941, and there’s plenty to keep audiences on edge here. This look at the French Resistance is also something that is normally lacking in much of contemporary Western cinema, and this look at a different kind of hero is very refreshing.

Taking on the lead role of Marcel Marceau is Jesse Eisenberg, an actor of stunning range and vitality and the character of Marceau is a perfect fit for him to play. Introduced as a lovable goofball who dreams of being a theatre extraordinaire, Marcel is a rather shallow and completely self-absorbed individual who thinks of nothing but himself, until a busload of Jewish orphans arrives on his doorstep and he suddenly realises that the world is far bigger and more complex than ever before. Seeing the rising Nazi threat and the suffering that brings, he’s compelled to do something and that leads him to join the French Resistance and battle and Nazi’s, saving as many lives as he can in the process.

The role of Marceau plays to Eisenberg’s strengths as an actor but also challenges him in the same instance. While Eisenberg has made a career out of playing intellectual types, with an affinity for being ‘the smartest man in the room’, here the realities of WWII and the blood, death and horrors that come with it are not lost on his performance. When he sees danger near, Eisenberg’s Marceau runs towards it, looking the tiger in the eye and jabbing out as quickly as possible. But while he starts with a desire to cause as much chaos to the Nazi machine as possible, he soon comes to turn with the fact that his ability to prolong and celebrate life is what counts and it is this that leads him to save the lives of hundreds of Jewish orphans as the story progresses. The act of courage comes in many forms, and Eisenberg celebrates the unique heroism that only someone like Marcel Marceau could deliver throughout this conflict.

Facing off against Marcel is the psychopathic Gestapo agent Klaus Barbie and he’s played in a completely monstrous turn by Matthias Schweighöfer. Schweighöfer is terrifyingly convincing as Barbie, and his presence as the man who infamous bore the name, the ‘Butcher of Lyon’, is sure to send shivers down your spine. In Resistance, Schweighöfer gives Barbie a naturalness to the disturbing acts that he commits to root out the Resistance and any Jews that they may be hiding. Killing or mutilating another human has little or no effect on him, and there’s a sick sense of glee and enjoyment that he partakes in his work. One of the film’s most shocking scenes involves Barbie’s interrogation of Clémence Poésy’s Emma, Marcel’s love interest and this scene certainly puts the fear into the audience. Out of respect to history, Jakubowicz’s portrayal of Barbie is in keeping with the terror that he inflicted, and this only amps up the necessity for Marcel to succeed in his mission.

One thing that is incredibly appealing to audiences with Resistance is how director Jonathan Jakubowicz frames his story through the themes of the humanist philosophy. While Resistance is a serious film of life and death, it is the film’s protagonist, Marcel Marceau’s dedication to preserving life, and all things that make it wonderful which is what sets it apart. Through tremendous hardships, and a story that is an absolute ‘against all odds’ drama, Jakubowicz puts his focus towards how the action of human emotion can be the ultimate saving grace, and its use in both Resistance’s narrative and the actions of Marcel is sure to leave an impression on audiences.

Resistance is a film of absolute importance in the current age in which we live, and it’s the message of holding onto your humanity against all odds, and approaching adversity with a smile, and still being able to conquer it while retaining one’s dignity. It’ a powerful story that needs to be told. A story of fact and truth where good did conquer evil and audiences will be thoroughly moved because of it.

Image: Rialto

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Set in the world of high frequency trading where billions of dollars are made in milliseconds, director Kim Nguyen has created the space for a compelling and thrilling piece of cinema. And while the thrill of the hunt and the desire to win at all costs does resonate within this work, the director takes another step and really focuses inward upon the characters that are present in this crazy story.

As an example of character acting at it’s finest, The Hummingbird Project draws out plenty of amazing talent and it’s headlining star is the always sensational Jesse Eisenberg. Known for his whip smart movement and motormouth performances, Eisenberg has made a place for himself in Hollywood with being able to portray the smartest guys in the room, and here he finds a character who fits his performance perfectly as the hot-headed Vincent Zaleski. Driven by an unwavering desire to succeed, and especially to succeed on his own, via his own merit, Vincent is headstrong, defiant, argumentative and determined to get what he wants out of life at any cost. In short, it’s a perfect fit for Eisenberg’s talents, and his character arc throughout this movie offers up something brand new and unique for his catalogue of credits and he absolutely holds the attention of the audience in front of him.

Joining Eisenberg in this crazy, high risk narrative is Swedish heartthrob Alexander Skarsgard, and he does an entire 360 switch-up here as Vincent’s cousin, and programming genius Anton Zaleski. Balding, introverted, possibly autistic and unfathomably intelligent, Anton is the genius behind Vincent’s plan and his desire to beat the market by a millisecond sets these cousins off on their journey. Skarsgard’s performance is unlike anything the actor has ever done before, and it’s a really reserved piece of acting from the perspective of an incredibly oddball character who fluctuates from extreme timidness to explosive rage at a moments notice. But unlike Eisenberg’s Vincent who is concerned with nothing but materialistic success, Anton desires a way to escape the fast paced world of trading and find some kind of peace with his life and this is where The Hummingbird Project gets interesting.

Bearing down on these two misfits is Selma Hayek as their brutal former boss Eva Torres, whose shark-like appearance and enormous ego is enough to scare the hell out of anyone. As Torres, Hayek is a reflection of the very worst parts of corporate America and materialistic culture, and her presence and assimilation into the role is something that really captures the audiences attention. She gives Vincent and Anton a real run for their money and it’s very interesting to watch this dynamic at play.

Kim Nguyen has a great style as a director and while The Hummingbird Project concerns the swanky offices of the New York skyline, the vast majority of the story takes place out in the unbroken wilderness of America and it’s here that we get an incredible juxtaposition of ideas and thematic underscores. Thanks to the cinematography of Nicolas Bolduc we have amazing shots of the beautiful Appalachian mountain ranges, and amongst all of this are a team of slick hustlers trying to undercut it all in the pursuit of profit. Narratively, it makes for some very interesting ideas and as an audience member you’ll find yourself contemplating on everything that is set before you. The film also gives it’s audience one hell of a shock thanks to its ending, and it’s a narrative twist that really switches everything up.

The Hummingbird Project is ultimately the tale of a pair of misfits who decided to take on the system and the trials and tribulations that fall upon them by doing it. It’s thought provoking and insightful and audiences will definitely come out of it having experienced something unique.

Image: Madman Films

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Fearing the actions of a god-like superhero left unchecked, Gotham City’s own formidable, forceful vigilante takes on Metropolis’s most revered, modern-day saviour, while the world wrestles with what sort of hero it really needs. And with Batman and Superman at war with one another, a new threat quickly arises, putting mankind in greater danger than it’s ever known before.

5. Zack Snyder – A director’s passion

Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice feels like Snyder’s masterpiece, and with every frame of this gorgeously shot film you can sense his true passion and love for the characters. Snyder stays true to the spirit of the original source material, crafting a daring film that fans deserve. His direction is inspiring, not to mention his decision to take risks in order to provide an original interpretation of the iconic characters.

4. Gal Gadot – Amazonian Princess

Fans have long desired to see Diana Princess of Themyscira on screen, and it’s a relief to say that she has been brought to life with passion, glamour and a warrior’s edge. Whether as Diana Prince or Wonder Woman, Gal Gadot makes for a commanding screen presence, capturing the spirit of Wonder Woman for a brand new cinema-going audience. With Gadot as the mighty hero, audiences will come to look up to this epic character and the grand position that she holds in the DC Universe.

3. A comic book come to life

With furious energy, masterful cinematography, and a dynamic and tight visual palette, Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice is a literal comic book come to life. Fans of legendary comic artists such as Jim Lee, Frank Miller, George Perez, and Neal Adams will be stunned by the action on screen, and the way in which actors Ben Affleck, Henry Cavill and Gal Gadot have brought these iconic characters to life. Nothing is wasted in Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, and you see every dollar on screen, which makes for a visually arresting and immersive film experience that sucks audiences right into the heart of the action.

2. Jesse Eisnberg – boy genius

If there’s one character who single-handedly steals the film then it’s Jesse Eisenberg’s Lex Luthor — a thoroughly obsessive billionaire whose intensity is absolutely manic. Eisenberg is all over the show, and this helps to bolster Luthor’s eclectic, analytical mind which is working a mile a minute on his grand scheme to bring Metropolis’ greatest hero to his knees. With his very different interpretation of Luthor, and the lengths that he goes as the character, we can’t think of anyone better suited than Eisenberg.

1. The Dark Knight returns

When Ben Affleck was first announced to be playing Bruce Wayne/Batman, there were some who doubted he could ever pull off the role of the Dark Knight. Well not only does he pull it off, but Affleck has crafted the most definitive and dark Batman we’ve ever seen on screen. His channeling of the dual conflict and identity that lies at the heart of Bruce Wayne/Batman drives Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice forward. Brooding, calculating, obsessive and a physically imposing beast, Affleck’s Batman is an unstoppable force of nature who will destroy anyone that attempts to take the life or freedom of another, delivering his judgement with extreme prejudice. The night does indeed belong to the Bat, and Dawn of Justice succeeds on the complete commitment of its lead star.

Image: Roadshow Films 

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5. The origins of Lex Luthor

He’s the whizz kid of Metropolis, and this ultra billionaire has considerable hate for both the alien called Superman and his arch business rival Bruce Wayne. Jesse Eisenberg appears to be portraying Luthor as a two-faced individual who possesses both a pleasant and slightly chipper public face, while his private one is far more calculating, vindictive and extreme. We’d love to see how he got this way, and some sort of origin flashback that would provide insight into his obsession to dominate the business world, and the reasons why he wants Superman to kneel before him.

4. A death in the family

Since the second trailer we’ve known that Gotham has had a bad history with ‘freaks dressed like clowns’, and with a monument set up to honour Bruce Wayne’s slain companion, Jason Todd, in the Batcave also revealed in previous trailers, we’re hoping to see some kind of flashback to the day The Joker (Jared Leto), stole his life from Bruce.

3. Diana, Princess of Themyscira

While we know that Gal Gadot is stepping up and kicking ass as DC’s resident warrior princess Wonder Woman, we’re really keen to see she brings to Wonder Woman’s role as a Princess of Themyscira. In particular, we’re curious as to whether Themyscira is still a mystery to the world’s population, or whether this all-female island is in fact a global power nation.

2. The brawl of the century

The fight is on in the battle of century between DC’s titans, and we’re expecting an all-out war from this. Forget a rematch between McGregor and Aldo, this fight pits two superheroes with nothing left to lose in a battle of no-holds-barred, winner takes all stakes. Not only do we have Affleck’s Batman armed to the teeth in a high-tech exoskeleton, but it appears that he’s willing to do anything to put Superman down. Will we see a good helping of kryptonite? We will have to wait and see.

1. The coming of Darkseid

He’s the greatest and most powerful villain in the DC Universe, and arch-tyrant Darkseid has already been teased in images related to the nightmares suffered by Bruce Wayne. Not only have we witnessed the appearance of the Omega symbol, but we’ve also seen what appears to be a quick shot of  Darkseid’s minions, The Parademons. We would lose our minds if the Justice League came together in a final shot at the end of the film, with the presence of the great tyrant of Apokolips teased in the distance.

Image source: Roadshow Films

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5. “Maybe it’s the Gotham in me.”

Ben Affleck charms and entices as the mysterious and enigmatic Bruce Wayne who, while attending a gala event, runs into Henry Cavill’s intrepid reporter Clark Kent who quizzes him on his opinions related to Gotham City’s bat vigilante. It’s here that Affleck shines as Wayne, twisting Clark’s own question back on him, and openly saying that he views Superman not as a saviour, but as a threat to the very existence of the world. He also pulls back the curtain about the rawness and roughness of Gotham City, and reveals a tantalising treat about its dark history which has been populated with ‘freaks dressed like clowns’.

4. “I love bringing people together.”

While this lavish gala appears to be the first sign of Bruce and Clark squaring off against one another, it’s Jesse Eisenberg’s Lex Luthor who breaks up the tension, offering a breathe of fresh air. While he’s clearly not a physical match for Bruce or Clark, he’s gifted with a vicious intelligence, and his candour and personality really shines. Eisenberg also appears to masterfully capture Lex’s inferiority complex in relation to Superman’s god-like abilities, which question his own god-complex, and is in keeping with the character’s history.

3. “The greatest gladiator match in the history of the world.”

Zack Snyder is promising an epic beatdown in Batman v Superman, and he doesn’t shy away in teasing how special it’s going to be. The trailer makes it clear that Batman and Superman’s dual will likely be an extended event with multiple rounds, rather than being one long extended fight. Both the Batmobile and the Batwing will play a part, and Snyder also gives us a glimpse of Batman’s new voice, which appears to be a mechanised growl. It’s everything we could have wanted, and is another way that Affleck will set his Batman apart from those who came before him.

2. “If man won’t kill god….the devil will do it!”

While Lex Luthor is known to many as a corrupt corporate giant, in his initial comic book appearances he was actually a mad scientist, and Snyder appears to have kept that here with Lex bringing out his inner Frankenstein. The result: Doomsday! Appearing to be some kind of resurrected, mutated, haywire experiment utilising General Zod’s corpse, Doomsday is about to wreck serious havoc on the citizens of Gotham and Metropolis unless it can be stopped.

1. “I thought she was with you.”

With Doomsday on the loose, it looks like Batman and Superman are both in serious trouble, and desperately need saving. Enter Gal Gadot’s Wonder Woman in a truly heroic way, and we have the dawn of the Justice League before us.

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