Tag Archives: Sicario

Action/Thriller, All Movie Reviews, Drama, Like It, Long Reviews (>400 Words)

Sicario: Day of the Soldado (2018) Movie Review

June 29, 2018 Alex Brannan Leave a comment

There are two reviews I can write about Sicario: Day of the Soldado. One compares the drug cartel thrill-drama to its inarguably superior predecessor. The other views it in a vacuum. One of these reviews disparages the film. The other provides a half-hopeful shrug of the shoulders.

To write this first review would be easy. With Sicario 2, director Denis Villeneuve is replaced by less-seasoned Italian director Stefano Sollima. As such, Continue reading Sicario: Day of the Soldado (2018) Movie Review →

2016 Academy Awards, Award Ceremonies

2016 Academy Awards Predictions – Best Sound Editing

January 17, 2016 Alex Brannan Leave a comment

The two sound categories at the Oscars may appear synonymous. And, yes, the two categories often go to the same film. I think this year will end up going that route, as well. But, of course, anything is possible.

All five of the films in Best Sound Editing feature superior sound work. As a result, I feel that the award will go to Continue reading 2016 Academy Awards Predictions – Best Sound Editing →

2016 Academy Awards, Award Ceremonies

2016 Academy Awards Predictions – Original Score

January 14, 2016 Alex Brannan Leave a comment

In film, a score is the mood. It is the suspense in a horror or thriller. It is the lightness of a feel-good period piece. It is the driving pulse of a drama.

The category of Best Original Score is always hard to narrow down. Similar names pop up through the years, but that doesn’t mean these usual suspects have an upper hand on any given award season. Following trends in other award shows is usually the best way to see who is going to win the Academy Award.

This year, there is a clear favorite, and his chances have been raised by Continue reading 2016 Academy Awards Predictions – Original Score →

2016 Academy Awards, Award Ceremonies

2016 Academy Awards Predictions – Best Cinematography

January 14, 2016 Alex Brannan Leave a comment

This is one of my personal favorite categories. Cinematography is the infrastructure of the art of cinema. When a film is beautiful you just know. There’s just something about it that strikes you. That’s probably cinematography awing you with miraculous shots.

2015 was no slouch when it came to cinematography. Lush films dominated the year. Every film in this category is beautiful. But, of course, there can be only one.

That one is Continue reading 2016 Academy Awards Predictions – Best Cinematography →

2016 Academy Awards, Movie News

Reactions to the 2016 Oscar Nominations

January 14, 2016 Alex Brannan Leave a comment

The Academy released their list of Oscar nominees this morning, and, as per usual, it is cause for many a reactionary blog post. This post is not unlike the rest.

Here are my reactions to some of the nominations (and notable absences from them).

Carol and The Hateful Eight Got Snubbed

Continue reading Reactions to the 2016 Oscar Nominations →

Lists

Top Ten Movies of 2015

January 1, 2016 Alex Brannan Leave a comment

Lists are always difficult. I find it nearly impossible to whittle down a large body of films into a list of ten. An honorable mention addendum would be longer than the top ten itself.

Additionally, I haven’t seen all the films I want/need to see from 2015. For example, as it stands now, The Revenant is in limited release, and won’t be widely available until after the New Year. It very likely could wind up being one of my top ten favorites of the year, but it can’t show up on this list.

Here are my top ten movies of 2015.

10. Sicario

The gritty crime drama Sicario was completely Continue reading Top Ten Movies of 2015 →

Action/Thriller, All Movie Reviews, Drama, Long Reviews (>400 Words), Love It

Sicario (2015) Movie Review

October 9, 2015 Alex Brannan Leave a comment

During a raid on a Phoenix house that may have possible links to the drug cartel, the FBI stumbles upon an array of dead bodies. The bodies are quickly associated with drug lord Manuel Diaz (Bernardo P. Saracino). Following the discovery, Kate Macer (Emily Blunt) is recruited to a task force led by the Department of Defense that is enlisted with stopping Diaz.

On a plane to Juarez, where they are to intercept Guillermo (Edgar Arreola), Diaz’s brother, Kate meets the team’s number two Alejandro (Benecio Del Toro). He is terse and stoic, but, as Kate watches him sleep, we see something terrifying within. Continue reading Sicario (2015) Movie Review →

Action/Thriller, Drama, Horror, Movie News

Most Anticipated Movies of Fall 2015: September

September 7, 2015 Alex Brannan 1 Comment

Fall movie season is upon us. This means Oscar watch. Big Holiday films (like a certain space opera…). And the possibility of a September slump. September isn’t the same as January, but there is always a big drop off from Summer box office numbers. This said, September 2015 has some intriguing films to take note of.

Continue reading Most Anticipated Movies of Fall 2015: September →