Lonita Cook Movie Review and Interview with Sam Mendes: “1917”
by LONITA COOK for IN Kansas City Magazine
George MacKay as Schofield in “1917,” the new epic from Oscar®-winning filmmaker Sam Mendes.
In 1998, I was a young, wide-eyed innocent taking my taste of the big New York City apple. I had a super crush on a long, dark ponytail wearing Calabrian. His super smoky skin, his buttery accent, a perfect smile that belonged on a dental ad, and those eyelashes lining his almond shaped coffee-colored eyes. Whoa doggie, I was in the puppiest of loves by the time he finally asked me out. Even before we showed up to the cinema, all I could think about was the end of the night with the classic The Crystals tune as soundtrack to my girlish fantasy.
He took me to see Saving Private Ryan. Brilliant, impeccable, genius Saving Private Ryan. Subsequently, I never talked to him again.
That is how much I hate war movies.
How did I give up love with one of the most handsome human creatures I’ve ever seen, but now find myself head over heels for 1917?
Read the full review with interview here.
LONITA COOK is a member of the Kansas City Film Critics Circle. She contributes to the lifestyle show, “Better KC”, on KCTV 5 (CBS affiliate) and IN Kansas City Magazine. She merrily serves on the boards of the Johnson County Arts & Heritage Museum Foundation, Film Society KC, and Avila School of Visual and Communication Arts (Advisory). One of her favorite things is advocating for filmmakers and being there when their dreams come true. She supports filmmakers through volunteerism at events such as Tallgrass FF and 13 years at Sundance Film Festival. Please look for “Awaken the Sleeper” and the forthcoming “Jellabias” novels in the Chronicles of Cyn book series. Lonita is proud to participate in the growth of Kansas City film and champion burgeoning artists through entertainment company Cookie Lane.