Illustration by Mary Jane DeCarlo

KEY

4 = Great; 3 = Good; 2 = Fair; 1 = Poor; 0 = Ooh, let’s not go there

“Pacific Rim Uprising” is an unnecessary sequel. A sequel is supposed to take the characters established in the first installment in a new direction. This follow-up is redundant with the feel of a spin-off. The beginning is absurd, the editing makes it feel incomprehensible, the acting is mostly monotone – except for the young actors and Charlie Day – and some of the characters have no real purpose in the narrative. If it weren’t for the plot twist before the climactic battle, this movie would be rated worse than it currently is. [Star Rating: 2/4]

“A Quiet Place” provides the thrills and chills fans of the genre want, but it’s more than a simple scare story. At its core is a tender story of a family trying to survive. They care for each other and will do anything to make sure they all see the light of day. Much of the content ranges from unsettling to heart-stopping and will keep people on the edge of their seats. It works like a silent film through the predominant use of sign language and use of Marco Beltrami’s score to carry the narrative. With John Krasinski as the auteur, he presents a well-acted and frightening, yet rather touching, horror film. [Star Rating: 3.5/4]

(QUICK NOTE: I forgot to give Isle of Dogs a star rating in the last publication. My rating for the film is 4/4.)