A Quiet Place: Part II

  

        After a brief prologue taking us back to Day 1, this sequel picks up moments after the original ended. Written and directed by John Krasinski, it lacks the emotional depth of the first film but still provides plenty of suspense and is a great thrill ride.

        Emily Blunt returns as Evelyn Abbott, on the road with her three children looking for safe harbor from the terrifying blind creatures attracted by sound. Millicent Simmonds is Regan, her oldest and Noah Jupe is her son, Marcus. And of course, the baby Evelyn delivered in a terrific sequence in the original film. Ms. Simmonds, who is hearing impaired shares most of the weight of this film with Mr. Jupe. In this world, these kids must grow up fast.

        In the clever script, brother and sister are separated and the story rotates between them. Marcus is injured and stays behind with his mother and the baby while Regan goes off in search of help. She is aided by Emmett, an old neighborhood friend, who is now distrustful of people but reluctantly agrees to help her. Emmett is played by Cillian Murphy and he is a welcome addition to the cast.

        The split storyline provides lots of opportunity for exciting sequences and Mr. Krasinski goes old school with some "jump out of your seat" moments. The plot isn't perfect with some contrived scenes to "juice" the story but you can forgive the minor issues as the film does its job to scare and entertain its built-in audience. While there is a satisfying ending, the story seems far from over and I assume it's just a matter of time before we start to see trailers for "Part III".

Dream Horse

         

       Based on a true story, Toni Collette and Damian Lewis star in this uplifting story of a remarkable thoroughbred race horse and the people that own him.

       Ms. Collette stars as Jan Vokes, a grocery clerk by day and a bartender by night in a small town in Wales.  After overhearing a story about a racehorse told by bar patron, Howard Davies (played by Mr. Lewis), Jan gets an idea how to change her "treadmill" life. She convinces her husband, Brian, played by Owen Teale, to buy a mare and breed her to raise a potential thoroughbred. Not having all the money needed, she creates a syndicate of owners formed by a group of other townsfolk.

        The syndicate is made up of a group of colorful characters in their own right and with Howard's knowledge of horses and his job as a tax adviser along with Jan's determination, we watch as "Dream Syndicate" begins his life on the racing circuit.

       Ms. Collette is wonderful as an ordinary woman with an extraordinary dream. Mr. Lewis blends into his role of an average man in a dull job whose life takes on new meaning as the horse begins to improve with each race. The other members of the syndicate are an odd mix each played by actors that bring them all to life. The entire ensemble will make you forget you are watching actors. And the various horses that play the part of "Dream Syndicate" are remarkable animals that you will most certainly fall in love with.

       The racing sequences are exhilarating and will have you on the edge of your seat. There have been plenty of films like this before but "Dream Horse" will still win your heart. So far, it's the one to beat for "feel good movie" of the year.

Those That Wish Me Dead

         

       Angelina Jolie stars in this action thriller about a smoker jumper in the Montana wilderness, protecting a young boy from a pair of assassins. The film is directed by Taylor Sheridan with a screenplay by Michael Koryta, Charles Levitt, and Sheridan, based on Koryta's novel of the same name.

       Adian Gillen and Nicholas Hoult play the very nasty assassins who are hunting down anyone connected with an unnamed criminal activity discovered by a District Attorney. Jon Bernthal and Medina Senghore also co-star as a local deputy sheriff and his wife. Also co-starring are Finn Little as Connor, the young boy and Jake Webber as his father. Ms. Senghore just about steals the movie out from Ms. Jolie.

        Mr. Sheridan knows how to keep the action moving and the audience invested. The film strains credibility but is a fun watch with some exciting moments and a fair share of excessive violence.

Without Remorse

            

       Michael B. Jordan stars as action hero, John Kelly in this adaptation of the Tom Clancy novel and set of "Rainbow Six" video games. There is plenty of action but a paper-thin plot and the film serves primarily as an introduction to the character and a set up for the inevitable sequels.

       The film co-stars Jodie Turner-Smith, Jamie Bell, Guy Pierce and Coleman Domingo. There are double crosses, red herrings and lots of gunfire and explosions. Mr. Jordan is more than up to the task of carrying the film. But it all adds up to nothing more than awaiting the next chapter in the adventures of John Kelly (now known as John Clark).

       Watching the film is like playing the video game without having any controls. It is available on Amazon Prime.

The Woman in the Window

   

   A waste of fine actors, this new "thriller" is poor imitation Alfred Hitchcock.

   The film stars Amy Adams as an agoraphobic , unable to leave her brownstone. One night she believes she witnesses a murder in the house directly across the street. From there it becomes a physiological mess. Did she, or didn't she? Is her tenant in the basement unstable? What are the neighbors hiding, if anything? How many pills and red wine can Ms. Adams consume without throwing up or passing out. What is the cat hiding?

   The dialogue and acting are strangely stunted and the film moves like a stage play, rather than a film. Director Joe Wright can only do so much with the material and borrows multiple ideas from much better films. The set up in the first 30 minutes is ridiculous and while there is some suspense in the final act, it's not enough to improve upon the plot.

   Besides Ms. Adams, who tries her best, the film co-stars Julianne Moore, Wyatt Russell, Jenifer Jason Leigh, Fred Heckinger, Brian Tyree Henry, Anthony Mackie and Gary Oldman. It's a quality cast stuck in clunker of a film. The screenplay is by Tracy Letts, who also has a small part as Ms. Adam's physiologist. It's far from his best work. 

   The film is available on Netflix but my advice is don't bother opening this window.