Valkyrie

During the holiday season, there's little to do after opening all the presents and seeing all the family. One sure-fire thing to wipe away the ugly sweater and family drama blues, are the movies. 

 Valkyrie, starring the smiley, Scientologist idiot, Tom Cruise, was actually an amazing film. Based on the true story of one of many attempts to assassinate Adolf Hitler, when his regime had seen the end of its days. We find that many in his own army had realized how sinister of a man he truly was, and went to great lengths to overthrow The Fuhrer. And while Tom Cruise has been on my "ridiculous" list for quite sometime, he gave an intense performance.

His performance wasn't Oscar-winning material by any means. But he delivered a great inner energy this assassin needed to be believable. 

Bryan Singer has certainly earned his weight in the director's chair. Giving us range from "The Usual Suspects" and  "Confessions of a Dangerous Mind", and breathing life back into the comic book franchises with "Superman Returns", and his amazing "X-Men", he knows how to direct a film. His cinematography choices are simply stellar and he doesn't disappoint in Valkyrie, (look for intense moments involving a briefcase). In putting so much emphasis on the story,  he gives the actors room to dive in without abandon. The familiar faces take a back seat to the color choices, mood and momentum he gives all to well.   

All in all, I thoroughly enjoyed the film and is definitely worth the cost of the ticket. If anything, it's a great conversation piece that you and your movie partner in crime will enjoy.

RATING:  B