Sicario, directed by Denis Villeneuve is one of few films in which action and emotion merge to make an action-packed movie. The movie starts as a simple cops vs. drug dealers film but quickly becomes a difficult to watch, suffocating ride. Although it’s not a horror film, there are some really disturbing scenes.
Sicario doesn’t hesitate to dive into the harsh realities of living in a town overthrown by drug cartels. He also explores the hardships of those who are on the right side. Which side will you choose to root for when both sides are flawed but right in their own ways? You, as a viewer, will also have to make tough decisions as the characters make them. How far will you go for someone who clearly crosses the line?
This movie is difficult to watch due to its heavy tone. It’s an engaging experience, even though it takes you into dark territory. Sicario is a movie I love. My suggestions include gritty, intense features that will leave you feeling exhausted.
No country for the old man
A hunter finds over 2 million dollars worth of drugs money and is stalked and hunted down by a psychopath man. He won’t stop until he gives the money. He is not about to give up on the money.
For the most part, those who expect a great action spectacle will be disappointed. No Country for Old Man‘s heart is in the subtlety of its characters without any heart-stopping chase, nail-biting shootout, or last-minute contrived twist. It has a rich, multi-layered story that will tug at your heart.
I want you to come in completely unprepared, with no knowledge of this unpredictable feature. This personal story should be experienced firsthand. This film is a joy to watch, even in its violence, and exudes a surreal serenity.
Prisoners
This story is about a father who desperately searches for his daughters. He decides to search for his daughters himself, and stops waiting for the police to give up on him. He doesn’t know what he is in for.
Hugh Jackman’s powerful performances and Jake Gyllenhaal’s powerful script make for a film that is relentlessly focused on the action, but never lets its audience rest. This movie is a living example of Jackman’s hypnotic acting skills, even if it is not set in the Marvel universe.
Prisoners doesn’t shy away from delving deep into the grim, suffocating reality of child abductions and the emotional suffering a family goes through afterward. You might miss important details if you don’t pay attention to the subtle hints.
Bridge of Spies
This Tom Hanks-starring movie is directed by Steven Spielberg. It tells the story of a U.S. attorney who must defend a Russian spy who was a traitor to his country by leaking sensitive information. He is aware that this case will make his deathly unpopular but he refuses to accept it, as his victory will guarantee the release of a U.S spy who was captured by Russia.
Mark Rylance’s portrayal as a determined Russian spy stirs both hatred and sympathy. This is a testament to the fact that Rylance is in the largest of leagues. It’s not unusual for a villain to tug at our hearts like this. However, it does suggest a biased script.
Tom Hanks’s brilliance as a lawyer loyal to his cause is also worthy of praise. You will root for both of the lead characters, which is basically the same.
Although the story can sometimes feel like propaganda from cold war times, it doesn’t diminish its value as a film. Bridge of Spies has some very moving scenes that will stick with you for a long time.
Hell or High Water
Two brothers, who are a team of savages, have gotten nothing except each other and some courage. They resort to bank heists in a desperate attempt to save their ranch. Their already miserable lives are made worse by the fact that cops follow them around like deranged hounds.
Hell or High Water, a slow-burn family drama with some cops vs. robbers tropes, is powered by the enigmatic performances of a talented cast.
Sicario, Hell or High Water, just like Taylor Sheridan’s first scripted movie, is more than a dogged heist spectacle. This film will make you think, something that not many movies can do.
Who are you going to root for? Are they a desperate family? Or a ruthless cop in their trial? This is a moral dilemma, but a good one. You will have to choose which side you want on this roller-coaster ride.
Heat
Heat arguably makes most of the other heists movies look like high-school squabbles. It’s amazing that Hollywood has not produced better shootout scenes in 15 years. You’ve probably seen a few shots from a gun, and you know that Hollywood’s depiction of shootings is different than how it sounds and feels in real life. However, this cruelly oppressive feature is quite different. It all feels real and too real from the gunshot echoes to the bullets slapping against the ears.
This movie is one of those films where you will root for the protagonist as well as the antagonist. Their performances are so powerful that you can’t help but feel emotionally attached to everything they do. We only hope they don’t cross paths. You’ll enjoy the blood-soaked chaos that follows when they do.
Collateral
Tom Cruise, a sociopath contract killer, takes a taxi to get around the city and kill five of his targets. It’s quite a busy night. The cab driver initially agrees with the killer’s plan. But soon the driver improvises to save the lives the remaining victims.
Collateral can be confusing, especially in the opening scene where it starts off on a romantic tone. Cruise’s scornful character is the only thing that makes things darken. Although the bizarre transformation may seem a bit contrived, once you get past the lengthy setup, it’s all fireworks. Jamie Foxx and Tom Cruise deliver the best performances of their lives as they play a bizarre cat-and-mouse game to outsmart one another.
Michael Mann’s expert hand ensures that each aspect of this psychological thriller is balanced.
Cartel Land
Cartel Land, directed by Matthew Heineman is a riveting look at the real-life struggles between the drug cartel and the people who are fighting them along the US-Mexico border. Do you like the plot? Sicario fans, rejoice!
Cartel Land, unlike the former, doesn’t get into characters’ personal stories. Instead, it focuses on the brutal depiction reality, which is fraught with dangers.
The documentary feels like a movie. Matt Porwoll and Matthew Heineman are remarkable steady hands. Even in the heated and tension-filled moments, it feels like a full-fledged movie. This is the closest we will ever see an all-out cartel war, as we are confined to our homes with our roofs over our heads.
