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.

Sicario

GENERAL INFORMATION

Release Info: 2 October 2015

Director: Denis Villeneuve
Writer: Taylor Sheridan
Running Time: 121 Minutes

Staring:  Emily Blunt, Josh Brolin, and Benicio Del Toro and many more

Rating? R

SPOILERS? Not really :)

REVIEWS

IMDB: 8.1 of 10 / Rotten Tomatoes: Critics: 92% Audience: 90%

MY RATING: 9

STORYLINE

An idealistic FBI agent {Blunt} is enlisted by a government task force to aid in the escalating war against drugs at the border between the US and Mexico.

MY REVIEW

This was a deeply intense movie. There were so many moments that left me with an uncomfortable feeling, however, I'm sure this was intentional. It was dark, very dark. I not only think it was intentional, but necessary to be as such. The discussed themes delve into the depths on the extreme evil that is still happening in the drug trade in Mexico and in the US. Again, it's extremely intense and disturbing. From the opening raid on a house in Arizona to the night border crossing, to the final sequences... PURE awesome! GO see this movie!

What I DID LIKE about this movie:

• The cinematography is stunning. There was a few scenes that I actually wanted to take out my iPhone and snap a shot. AMAZING! There was an eeriness about the vast nothingness that was in the imagery as they transition from the US to Mexico. The sharp distinction between the US homes and the Mexican homes is disturbingly real. Uncomfortably real. 
• The choices for the casting were spot on. Emily Blunt, Josh Brolin and Benicio Del Toto are insanely great to watch. Emily Blunt played Kate Macer, a visibly internally tormented person who lives for her job as an FBI Agent in Arizona. She's been singled out by some government agency led by Josh Brolin, who at first seemed that he would be solely used for Comic Relief, but turned into so much more! And Mr. Del Toro. Wow! What an amazing character!

What I DID NOT LIKE about this movie:

• Plot- This is where I have to say that the movie fails to live up to the casting and intensity of the story. In some areas, the plot really didn't seem like it was as interesting as it COULD have been. What this movie least me with was an unsatisfied hunger for resolution. One is certainly left with some things to think about due to the themes, characters and ideas being levied, however, the plot leaves holes for me that go unfilled. 

On a more personal note..... Look at this little guy!  We've had him for about 2 weeks. His name is Dexter Morgan. He's half Domestic Shorthair and half Munchkin. He's so TINY!!!

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