Sicario: Day of the Soldado

GENERAL INFORMATION

Release Info: 29 June 2018

Director: Stefano Sollima
Writer: Taylor Sheridan
Running Time: 2 Hours and 2 Minutes

Staring: Benicio Del Toro, Josh Brolin, Isabela Moner, Catherine Keener, Matthew Modine and Elijah Rodriguez

Rating? R

SPOILERS? NO

REVIEWS

IMDB: 7.5 of 10

MY RATING: 8

STORYLINE

The drug war on the US-Mexico border has escalated as the cartels have begun trafficking terrorists across the US border. To fight the war, federal agent Matt Graver (Josh Brolin) re-teams with the mercurial Alejandro (Benicio Del Toro).

MY REVIEW

Refer to my review of Sicario. I really loved that movie and had high hopes for this one. What had me worried? Well, the original director, Denis Villeneuve was amazing and I think he brought a lot to the movie. This director, Stefano Sollima, is new to me and his repertoire is basically Spanish language writing and directing.  BUT, Taylor Sheridan reprises his role as writer. His long credit list speaks for itself as both a writer, actor and a director.

This movie was a hit on almost all levels for me. The subtle score, the settings and the general idea of the story. It was intriguing and poignant. We're in a world where terrorism is now a daily occurrence and the things that we have to do may not always seem right or even just, but  sometimes the ends justify the means and sometimes they do not. This movie puts your brain to work and makes you think. I love when movies treat me like I know what the hell is going on and not spoon-feed me the story. I have a fucking brain. Great job on that.

What I DID LIKE about this movie:

• The Brolin/Del Toro combination is on FIRE! They play off of each other so well and the fact that they are uniquely different just makes it that much better. 
• This movie is intense. There are so many things that you just want to be mad at in this film as a human. 
• What movie aficionado would NOT just love the cinematography in this movie? The wide shots on the dead terrain on the other side of the border were brilliant.
• The violence is exactly what is needed in a movie like this. It would have felt less real. 

What I DID NOT LIKE about this movie:

• Some basics of the plot I found to be a little less thought out. There were times when as a viewer, I couldn't really tell if the action and sub-action were in the same time period, near each other or days apart.
• There are a few things hat stick out as just off. I don't want to give you all of the pieces, but fi I saw it, you guys will.

On a more personal note..... 

Wore a Hiscox USA T-Shirt to work. Realized that Jinx has become a little too used to sitting on the bookshelf in my office.

Adore

GENERAL INFORMATION

Release Info: 3 April 2013
     Watched on Netflix 2018 June 30

Wrier and Director: Anne Fontaine
Running Time: 1 Hour and 52 Minutes

Staring: Naomi Watts, Robin Wright, Xavier Samuel, James Frecheville and Ben Mendelsohn
Rating? R, well deserved

SPOILERS? YES

REVIEWS

IMDB: 6.2 of 10

MY RATING: 8

STORYLINE

A pair of childhood friends fall for each others sons,

MY REVIEW

You know those movies where you are basically on the edge of your seat as it ends hoping that there will be some sort of second movie or continuation that will keep the story going? Yeah, this was one of those for me. I just want to know what happens to Lil and Tom and Roz and Ian. It is definitely like watching a trainwreck in progress knowing that this will not end well.

What I DID LIKE about this movie:

• Sometimes, you just can't help who you are attracted to or with whom you fall in love. This movie is that exact situation played out in just under 2 hours. Passion and attraction can lead you to do insane, crazy things that you can't control.
• The story felt real. There were twists and turns that could not be helped. It wasn't overly sexual or overly dramatic just for the sake of a movie plot. 
• Scenery in Australia cannot be beat. The homes on the cliff leading down to the beach brought an unnamed character into the movie.

What I DID NOT LIKE about this movie:

• I felt like the premise was intentionally provocative but did not delve far enough. I mean, yes, it's insane to think that two women could fall for and ultimately begin sexual relationships with their friends adult sons, but the loves end and the young men eventually meet/marry and have children with women their won age. But one of them go back to the familiar love with the older mom next door. It's off somehow.
• The jilted Dad, Roz's husband who has already raised his child with her and has a new job far away, which really allowed his wife to stray, then gets married again to a younger woman and has a new baby and that's not the least bit subversive here. The new step-mom and the sons are roughly the same age. Talk about double standards! Sheesh!

On a more personal note..... 

Just hanging out with the little kittens today. Dex and Oliver bonded a little.