Sicario: Day of the Soldado

Like the original Sicario, Director Stefano Sollima’s Sicario: Day of the Soldado is a gritty thriller, not for the faint-of-heart.   

However, I must inform you that, if you didn’t know, as I didn’t, that this is only the second part of a trilogy with an open ending of its multiple story lines, you might want to wait to see it until that third film is a definite.

It is really difficult to create a Part Two and, unfortunately, Writer Taylor Sheridan’s storyline doesn’t totally succeed.  So, despite the great production values such as Cinematographer Dariusz Wolski’s haunting images and Composer Hildur Gudnadσttir’s equally haunting music, plus the fabulous acting by Benicio Del Toro, Josh Brolin, Catherine Keener and young Isabela Moner, we’re left feeling either cheated, empty or both by the non-conclusion.

Yet, I still have to give Sicario: Day of the Soldado a 4 out of 5.

Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom

Director J.A. Bayona’s Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom is an exciting popcorn thriller with amazing action sequences and fabulous dinosaur creations.  It’s only fault lies in the violation of the logic it setup in order to make an apocalyptic ending, that, sticking to its logic, could have easily been avoided. It also gives a bad rep to clones.

 

Be that as it may, Chris Pratt and Bryce Dallas Howard lead a fine cast on a journey to save the dinosaurs, when their island’s volcano erupts and puts them all in peril. 

If you’re a fan of the previous visits to this world, go see it because this has the best effects yet.  But, see if you can pick out the two major plot flaws at the end.

Despite that, however, I give Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom a 4.3 out of 5.

The Miseducation of Cameron Post

Aside from its poor title,Writer/Director Desiree Akhavan’s The Miseducation of Cameron Post is a well-made drama about the failed attempts of gay conversion therapy centers in the ‘90s.

An orphan, Cameron (Chloё Grace Moretz) is placed in such a center by her conservative guardian after being caught making out with her best friend (Quinn Shepard) at their Senior Prom.

Her interaction with the center heads played by Jennifer Ehle and John Gallagher, Jr. is often fascinating, but it’s her bonding with fellow inmates played by the interesting Sasha Lane and Forrest Goodluck that makes the film enjoyable.

I give The Miseducation of Cameron Post a 3.8 out of 5.