Review: 'The Imitation Game' starring Benedict Cumberbatch and Keira Knightley

Tis the season for the lives of geniuses captured on film. The similarities between Alan Turing biopic The Imitation Game and the Stephen Hawking movie The Theory of Everything stretch beyond the gigantic intellect of their subjects. Both films endeavor to simplify extraordinary achievements to fit within understandable genre. For Hawking it was a love story; for Turing its wartime espionage that captures the attention of his feverish brain. While effective at cementing Turing's place as a WWII hero who was tragically punished for his sexuality, so much of The Imitation Game is boiled down for easy consumption that it doesn't compute quite as it should.

Chronicling a WWII story emphasizing brains over firepower, the film stars Benedict Cumberbatch as the socially awkward and abrasive Turing. A mathematical heavyweight better with numbers and codes than people, Turing is recruited to head up a top secret program to decipher the Nazi "Enigma" code which had been confounding the Allies and extending an already terrible war. The longer it takes to crack Enigma, the more soldiers die. Crack the code, the war ends; everybody goes home heroes, right? Well, not so easy. Penned by first-timer Graham Moore, the story does a great job getting across just how important Turing's mission is, but also the price he would pay for accomplishing it.

Joined by other highly-skilled cryptanalysts and big brains such as eventual fiancé Joan Clarke (Keira Knightley) and Hugh Alexander (Matthew Goode), Turing is essentially in a race against multiple ticking clocks, and the suspense of it is consistently thrilling in a spy movie kind of way. A machine is built that should be able to figure out Enigma; the higher-ups don't believe in it; Turing's team don't believe in him because he's such a jerk. Of course he'll need to soften his tone and make a few friends before everything can work out.

The film is titled The Imitation Game and it applies as much to Turing's personal life as the codes he's so adept at cracking. Jumping between Turing's childhood, 1941 during the war, and 1951 long after it was over, we're gently taken through Turing's personal life, as if director Morten Tyldum hopes to tip-toe us through the scandalous weeds. A homosexual during a time when it was a crime to be so, Turing's eccentric personality and introverted nature are forged out of intense secrecy. Later, he would be convicted for being gay and forced to undergo dehumanizing hormonal treatments. While its heartbreaking to watch the brilliant Turing reduced to a scared, quivering wreck interrogated by a weary cop, these scenes are treated with a tremendous amount of British subtlety. It's a lot like they're still embarrassed over the treatment Turing received. But when exploring the dark morality at the center of this great Enigma mystery the film briefly reaches incredibly tense heights. Cracking the code may save lives, but revealing their success could doom thousands more. How do you keep something like that secret? Should you? It becomes a game of choosing which attacks to foil and which to let happen, a terrible choice nobody should be forced to make. They've been granted the power of life and death for a great many people, and the exploration of that is one of the film's most gripping aspects. Certainly it's more interesting than watching them stare at the machine while we wonder what's going on.

Cumberbatch is good, as expected, but that seems to be the recurring theme with him. He's good. Playing Turing as close to on the Autism scale as possible, his performance is appropriately awkward and bristling, but Cumberbatch is beginning to play every character in the same fashion. The rest of the cast aren't given much to work with despite playing renowned figures in the field, as well. Basically they exist to reflect certain aspects of Turing's personality. Goode is all swagger as the brilliant Alexander, while Knightley is the lens through which we see Turing's dual lives. Their friendship-turned-"romance" is never given the attention needed to be resonant later on, but Knightley is reliably effective.

In the end, The Imitation Game ably details a little-known corner of the WWII story, one that has incredible relevance today. Turing, who was only recently given an official apology by the British government, is considered one of the forefathers of the modern computer and a leader in the field of artificial intelligence. Despite the terrible prejudice and persecution he would face, Turing's legacy is undeniable and can never be lost to the annals of history. The Imitation Game doesn't connect us with Turing in the way it should, but by showing us the tremendous good he was able to accomplish it makes us thankful he was who he was.

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First Trailers for 'The Imitation Game' Starring Benedict Cumberbatch as Alan Turing

Hello awards season, we see you lurking just a few weeks away. While the summer is beginning to wind down with the coming tentpole release of Guardians of the Galaxy, the fall is right around the corner and that means highbrow movies will be back in style for the reminder of the year. One film that is expected to be a major contender in the Oscar horse race is The Imitation Game, the Alan Turing biopic starring fan favorite Benedict Cumberbatch, and now the first two trailers for it have been released.

Long in the works and once eyed as a starring vehicle for Leonardo DiCaprio, it is instead Cumberbatch who takes on the role of Turing, the genius mathematician and code breaker who helped crack the German Enigma code in WWII, helping to assure an Allied victory. For all his heroic exploits, Turing was eventually ostracized then prosecuted for being a homosexual, with neither trailer overtly referencing that part of his life. We do get suggestions of it, though, when Mark Strong's character says "You have more secrets than the best of them," chances are he's not talking about numbers. Keira Knightley co-stars as Turing's friend and one-time fiancée , Joan Clarke, with Matthew Goode and Charles Dance (Game of Thrones) also in supporting roles.

Let's not forget that many had similarly high hopes for Cumberbatch's performance in The Fifth Estate, and that turned out to be a dud in just about every way imaginable. So perhaps it's a good idea not putting too many expectations on The Imitation Game. Morten Tyldum is directing the film for release on November 21st. 


The Imitation Game - Official UK Teaser Trailer (Benedict Cumberbatch) by cinemur


The Imitation Game Official Trailer #1 (2014) - Benedict Cumberbatch Movie HD by BBCHD3

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New Images of Benedict Cumberbatch in 'The Imitation Game'

Is The Imitation Game the film that will finally have Benedict Cumberbatch taking the stage to claim his Oscar? For a time it looked like The Fifth Estate might be his best shot, but when nobody saw it (really, it only made $8M worldwide!!!) those hopes were dashed spectacularly. But this one has hot director in Morten Tyldum (Headhunters), a terrific cast, and tells the story of a true unsung hero who changed the tide of WWII.

New photos from The Imitation Game have been released, which show Cumberbatch as mathematician and cryptanalyst Alan Turing, famous for breaking the Nazi Enigma Code which helped the Allies secure victory. But due to his being a homosexual, Turing's accomplishments were largely swept under the rug and his personal and professional life destroyed. Just how far the story will go into the persecution he faced is unclear, and hopefully we'll get a trailer soon that will shed some light.

The Imitation Game co-stars Mark Strong, Keira Knightley, Matthew Goode, and hits theaters November 21st. [EW]

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Rumor: Matthew Goode has Met for 'Batman vs. Superman' Role

When Zack Snyder began looking at actors to play Superman in Man of Steel, one of the names on the shortlist was Matthew Goode. And for awhile he seemed to be a legit contender. The two had worked together on Snyder's last DC Comics adaptation, Watchmen, so they had a working history. Of course the role ultimately went to Henry Cavill, but maybe Snyder and Goode are going to give it another go in Batman vs. Superman?

CBM has a rumor stating that Goode has met with Warner Bros. brass about a role in the Man of Steel sequel, and that's pretty much all the information they have. Let's not forget that Goode was also briefly considered to play Batman in the film before they gave the cowl to Ben Affleck, so somebody over there really wants to bring Goode back under the umbrella. That's assuming any of this is true, of course.

Any ideas on who he could play? Batman vs. Superman opens May 6th 2016.

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First Trailer for Historical Drama 'Belle' Starring Gugu Mbatha-Raw

Steve McQueen's unrelenting 12 Years A Slave (review here) is in theaters now, and while the film has been greatly buzzed about and is all but a lock for the Oscars, it's going to be too tough for many to sit through. But for those who, for whatever reason, are looking for a film that follows similar thematic territory, there has been a great deal of positive talk surrounding Belle, a period drama directed by Amma Asante. The film premiered at Toronto last month and while it's still a ways off from hitting theaters, Fox Searchlight is riding 12 Years A Slave's coattails to start getting the word out.

Starring the extremely talented Gugu Mbatha-Raw (Larry Crowne) in her first feature film lead, the true story centers on Dido Elizabeth Belle, the illegitimate biracial daughter of Royal Navy Admiral Sir John Lindsay, who is raised as an aristocrat by her great uncle (Tom Wilkinson) and aunt (Emily Watson). Despite her priviledged status, Belle's mixed race heritage continues to be an issue in an England where slavery is still a way of life.

Co-starring Tom Felton, Sarah Gadon, Miranda Richardson, and Matthew Goode, Belle opens on May 2nd 2014.


BELLE Movie Trailer by GaMeFORGaMeRz

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Josh Brolin, Ryan Gosling, Joe Manganiello Up for Batman Role in 'Superman vs. Batman'

Only a day ago a rumor surfaced that Warner Bros. was seeking an older actor, possibly in his 40s, to play a "grizzled veteran" Bruce Wayne in Zack Snyder's Superman vs. Batman movie. That led to what one would expect, a ton of speculation, dream casting, and even greater rumors. Whoever dons the cape and cowl of Batman is a major decision for the studio because the choice they make is likely to be around for a long time, through the dark knight's solo films and into the inevitable Justice League.


Six names have emerged as contenders for the Batman role according to THR, and they seem to confirm an older actor is being sought. Leading the way as the apparent frontrunner is Josh Brolin, who coincidentally has been at the top of many fan castings for the character, and has a number of connections to the studio and The Dark Knight Returns author Frank Miller, whose graphic novel inspired this particular story. Brolin has worked with WB on Gangster Squad and the unfortunate Jonah Hex, and he's set to star in Sin City: A Dame to Kill For, which is based on Miller's comic book. If Brolin is the lead choice WB won't admit to it, dismissing the rumors because casting has yet to begin. Thanks to Poumap at DeviantArt for that image of Bat-Brolin.


At 32 years old, Ryan Gosling is the youngest name on the list but easily the most high profile. While it may not seem like the most obvious move for Gosling to make, he was attached to WB's remake of Logan's Run for a time, and has worked with the studio on Gangster Squad and his upcoming directorial debut, How to Catch a Monster. I have a hard time buying into Gosling as Batman, but after watching how he was able to transform himself in Blue Valentine and The Place Beyond the Pines, it would be foolish to write him off.


Perhaps the most interesting name on the list is Joe Manganiello, who at 36 years old fits right in the middle in terms of age, and is reasonably well known thanks to his leading a wolf pack on HBO's True Blood. He began to come into his own a little bit last year in Magic Mike, but what's important to remember is that he was the runner-up to Henry Cavill for Man of Steel. So clearly Snyder likes him, and may be looking at a way to get both of his top guys on screen.


Matthew Goode has worked with Snyder in the past as part of 2009's Watchmen, so he knows a thing or two about superheroes and adapting some of comics' most cherished works. Other names in consideration are Max Martini, who played the Aussie dad in Pacific Rim, but he seems too unknown for a role like this. And lastly, there's Richard Armitage, best known for slaughtering orcs as Thorin Oakenshield in The Hobbit movies.

This is still very early on as David Goyer and Zack Snyder are still working on the script, but to assume they haven't been planning this sequel for months already would be foolish. So it's likely that many of these names and others have been kicked around for awhile. A decision is said to be coming in just a few weeks in order to get ready for an early 2014 start date.

Can you see any of these actors as Batman? Or do you have someone else in mind?

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Ray Winstone Joins 'The Gunman'; Sam Riley Enters 'Suite Francais'; Matthew Goode Plays 'The Imitation Game'

* And the cast of Pierre Morel's The Gunman keeps getting better. Already with Sean Penn, Javier Bardem, and the recent additions of Idris Elba and Jasmine Trinca, the latest to join is Sexy Beast star, Ray Winstone. Penn will play Martin Terrier, a paid killer who is double-crossed by his bosses when he wants out of the game. Winstone will play Terrier's mentor, with Elba and Bardem on the opposite end of what should be one epic shoot out. Always a great tough guy and a bear of an actor, Winstone should fit into this machismo-filled flick pretty easily. He'll be seen next squaring off against Russell Crowe in Darren Aronofsky's Noah. [Deadline]

* It took awhile, but Sam Riley is finally starting to live up to the potential he showed in 2007's Control. He recently starred opposite Kristen Stewart in On the Road, he'll track down a pair of sexy vampire in Byzantium, and next summer he'll star in Disney's Maleficent. Now he's joined Michelle Williams, Kristin Scott Thomas, and Matthias Schoenaerts in an adaptation of Suite Francias, directed by Saul Dibb. The WWII drama charts the complicated love affair between a young French woman and a German officer. Riley will play Benoir, a French soldier. Look for this to be a potential Oscar contender when it opens next summer. [Deadline]

* After having a bit of difficulty getting off the ground after Leonardo DiCaprio and Ron Howard turned it down, Alan Turing biopic The Imitation Game is shaping up to be pretty amazing. With Benedict Cumberbatch in the lead role of the famed cryptanalyst, the Daily Mail confirms that Matthew Goode has joined the cast as code-breaker Hugh Alexander. They also firm up Keira Knightley's role as that of scientist Joan Clarke, who Turing proposed marriage to but backed out after revealing his homosexuality.  Turing was essential in cracking the German Enigma Code in WWII, but was persecuted for his homosexuality and tried in a court of law, decimating his career.

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Matthias Schoenaerts and Matthew Goode may join 'Far from the Madding Crowd' with Carey Mulligan

Last fall we learned that Dogme 95 founder and The Hunt director Thomas Vinterberg was taking on an adaptation of Thomas Hardy's classic novel, Far from the Madding Crowd. Even better, Carey Mulligan was circling the lead role of Bathsheba Everdene. While she hasn't been confirmed just yet, two other big names have entered the mix to join her.

Baz Bamigboye over at the DailyMail says that Rust and Bone star Matthias Schoenaerts has been offered the Gabriel role, while Stoker and Watchmen villain Matthew Goode is rumored for the part of Frank Troy. David Nicholls is penning the screenplay, which follows the courtship of Bathsheba by
three men: Gabriel, a gentle shepherd; William Boldwood, a wealthy farmer; and Frank Troy, a dashing soldier.

The schedules for all three are pretty tight, so it remains to be seen if any of this comes to pass. Vinterberg has said his version of the story won't be just another period piece, but will be "raw and revolutionary". With the cast he's trying to assemble, that certainly seems to be the case. 

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Rumor: Matthew Goode the frontrunner to play Superman?

He played the wealthy industrialist turned costumed supervillain Ozymandias in Zack Snyder's Watchmen last year, and now Matthew Goode might be taking on another comic book persona completely. Movienewz is reporting that the British born actor is the frontrunner to play Clark Kent in Snyder's relaunch of the Superman franchise.

Their source indicates that Snyder is looking to take a similar approach to creating the Man of Steel that's being done with Green Lantern, which is to enhance him through CGI. Goode is about 6 foot 2, but he's slight of frame, so by using the computer animation they can buff him up.

It's been widely reported that Warner Brothers was looking for an actor around the age of 28-32 for the role, and was open to the idea of using an unknown actor, possibly even a TV actor to build the franchise around. Goode is currently 32 years old, and while he's had an impressive career with major roles in acclaimed films like A Single Man, The Lookout, and Match Point, he's not exactly a known commodity in most households. Obviously nabbing the role of Superman would change that.

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