FILM: Lincoln (9/10)

Why did I watch it?
Lincoln was one of 2012's biggest releases and earned Oscar nominations for Best Picture, Best Director and Best Actor. I caught in on a plane before general release in the UK.

What's it all about?
Set in January 1985, with the backdrop of the American Civil War, Lincoln follows the 16th President of the United States as he strives to get the landmark Thirteenth Amendment passed through the House of Representatives, legally abolishing slavery. Lincoln faces friction within his own party, accused of not giving every effort to first end the war, as well as opposition to the bill from the Democrat party.  

Should you watch it?
Don't let the above plot put you off. Yes, its politics but it's so much more. It's a character study of the highest order. We get to see Lincoln's political machinations, frustrations with public office, as well as his personal strife behind the White House's doors. The narrative never feels dull or anything other than monumentous. 

No, its not an early episode of Suits

I haven't seen any of the films featuring other nominees for Academy Best Actor but I just cannot imagine that any of the performances come close to Daniel Day-Lewis' as Lincoln. Just when you think the guy can't get any better (There Will Be Blood), he steps up to another level. His performance as Lincoln is simply wonderful. Patient, stoic, inspirational, determined, regretful, melancholy, Day-Lewis manages to capture everything.

To heap all the praise on Day-Lewis would be disrespectful to the rest of the cast. Credit where due, Sally Fields is excellent as the Mary Lincoln, Tommy Lee Jones turns in a strong, sombre performance and with the cast on offer I could go on all day.

FILM: The Adventures of Tintin (7/10)

Why did I watch it?
Spielberg's first animated film, produced by Peter Jackson and based on the popular children's books, it seemed worth a watch.

What's it all about?
After buying a model of a famous ship, The Unicorn, Tintin becomes entangled in the villainous Sakharine's attempts to discover the ship's secret treasure. After being kidnapped by Sakharine (with Snowy obviously), Tintin escapes with Captain Haddock and helps him to unravel the mystery of his ancestor's sunken ship.   

Should you watch it?
Based on the books of the forties, The Adventures of Tintin is good clean fun and is a genuinely enjoyable film suitable for all the family. Spielberg's team of British writers, Edgar Wright (Hot Fuzz), Stephen Moffat (Sherlock) and Joe Cornish (Attack the Block) combine elements from three Tintin stories to produce an exciting adventure   but simple mystery.

Watching the fantastic looking animation, it's easy to forget that with the motion-capture, the actors aren't just providing voices but are responsible for all character movements. In terms of performance, Andy Serkis steals the show as the largely inebriated Captain Haddock. Simon Pegg and Nick Frost pop up as bumbling Interpol officers Thomson and Thompson for comic effect.

One thing I couldn't shake from my childhood was how serious, self-righteous and frankly annoying Tintin can be. Obviously that's a criticism of the character not of the movie, but this version didn't go anyway to changing my opinion.

Spielberg evokes pleasant memories of Indiana Jones in several chase sequences and action set pieces, none more so than the intrepid reporter and Haddock riding in a motorbike and sidecar. Not a bad thing at all.