If you were waiting anxiously for the sequel to the super hit 2018 horror film on aliens that get attracted to sound, then ‘A Quiet Place 2’ does justice to each of that emotion. The horror thriller is a masterclass on how sequels to tentpole films that have much riding on them, should be treated! It doesn’t leave pace, it doesn’t leave the story, it doesn’t leave out any gaps that might bore you or look gimmicky.&nbsp;

John Krasinski teaches a thing or two about writing and directing as he takes&nbsp;over a challenging task to direct a sequel to a film that blew everyone away with its concept and execution. Also, since there’s a huge gap between the two films (the first came in 2018 while the second in 2021), this one also connects the dots and gives a memory rejig without repeating scenes from the first film and that’s truly commendable.&nbsp;

&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/no-time-to-die-to-you-what-to-watch-on-ott-and-theatres-in-october-417303" hreflang="en">'No Time To Die' to 'You': What to watch on OTT and theatres in October</a>

The sound design is phenomenal and deserves a special mention as it heightens and balances the mood throughout the film. It manages to pack the thrills as and how the aliens attack and look for humans. From going pin drop silent to crazy, shrilly noise -- it offers exactly what we waited for these three years.&nbsp;

Apart from intelligent storytelling that starts with the day when all this started to an year later when Evelyn (Emily Blunt) is left with no husband and one child less, the film’s actors look devoted to the time and circumstances they are stuck within. Evelyn now has a girl and a boy and one newborn to fend for as her house burns down thanks to the aliens. So she treads off on a path to find survivors and meets an old friend, played by Cilian Murphy.&nbsp;

Watch A Quiet Place 2 trailer here:

<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="440" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/BpdDN9d9Jio" title="YouTube video player" width="782"></iframe>

Cilian is not too happy to have found Emily’s family and asks them to leave. Meanwhile, Emily’s daughter deduces that there are more people out there and that she can try saving them. Cilian ends up helping her as the film emphasises on&nbsp;humans and their&nbsp;emotions of trust and hope while being in a precarious position like that.

If you compare it too close to the first film, A Quiet Place sequel&nbsp;obviously isn’t as good as the first but can anything be better than the first? The sequel comes close with almost no gaps to point out. If you’re looking for horror-thriller this weekend, our bets are on this one!

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/madonna-reveals-two-biggest-regrets-of-her-career-and-why-she-wanted-kill-herself-419221" hreflang="en">Madonna reveals two biggest regrets of her career and why she wanted 'kill herself'</a>

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/lifestyle/news-ed-sheerans-wife-cherry-seaborn-had-a-shocking-reply-to-his-marriage-proposal-read-419212" hreflang="en">Ed Sheeran's wife Cherry Seaborn had a shocking reply to his marriage proposal; read</a>

If you were waiting anxiously for the sequel to the super hit 2018 horror film on aliens that get attracted to sound, then ‘A Quiet Place 2’ does justice to each of that emotion.

If you were waiting anxiously for the sequel to the super hit 2018 horror film on aliens that get attracted to sound, then ‘A Quiet Place 2’ does justice to each of that emotion. The horror thriller is a masterclass on how sequels to tentpole films that have much riding on them, should be treated! It doesn’t leave pace, it doesn’t leave the story, it doesn’t leave out any gaps that might bore you or look gimmicky. John Krasinski teaches a thing or two about writing and directing as he takes over a challenging task to direct a sequel to a film that blew everyone away with its concept and execution. Also, since there’s a huge gap between the two films (the first came in 2018 while the second in 2021), this one also connects the dots and gives a memory rejig without repeating scenes from the first film and that’s truly commendable. 'No Time To Die' to 'You': What to watch on OTT and theatres in October The sound design is phenomenal and deserves a special mention as it heightens and balances the mood throughout the film. It manages to pack the thrills as and how the aliens attack and look for humans. From going pin drop silent to crazy, shrilly noise -- it offers exactly what we waited for these three years. Apart from intelligent storytelling that starts with the day when all this started to an year later when Evelyn (Emily Blunt) is left with no husband and one child less, the film’s actors look devoted to the time and circumstances they are stuck within. Evelyn now has a girl and a boy and one newborn to fend for as her house burns down thanks to the aliens. So she treads off on a path to find survivors and meets an old friend, played by Cilian Murphy. Watch A Quiet Place 2 trailer here: Cilian is not too happy to have found Emily’s family and asks them to leave. Meanwhile, Emily’s daughter deduces that there are more people out there and that she can try saving them. Cilian ends up helping her as the film emphasises on humans and their emotions of trust and hope while being in a precarious position like that. If you compare it too close to the first film, A Quiet Place sequel obviously isn’t as good as the first but can anything be better than the first? The sequel comes close with almost no gaps to point out. If you’re looking for horror-thriller this weekend, our bets are on this one! Also Read: Madonna reveals two biggest regrets of her career and why she wanted 'kill herself' Ed Sheeran's wife Cherry Seaborn had a shocking reply to his marriage proposal; read

'A Quiet Place 2' review: John Krasinski hits it out of the park with this horror-thriller sequel

Popular opinion--Melissa McCarthy, Tiffany Haddish, Amy Schumer can dissect any piece of insipid writing and turn it/them into an absolute comedy gold, if they choose to, that is. So this venturing into drama seemed like one that an otherwise stellar Melissa McCarthy could pull off--like Jennifer Aniston had in 'Cake', or even Vanessa Kirkby in 'Pieces of a Woman', both broken beyond repair over loss of children.&nbsp;

<img alt="Melissa McCarthy's a mother who has lost her infant daughter in the movie" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="977e8f79-0e3a-4d87-a690-9239fc7f43a1" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/pjimage%20-%202021-09-25T180202.902.jpg" /> 
But, this supermarket employee has other battles to fight. Just outside, in the backyard of her pretty home, Lily (Melissa McCarthy)'s wrestling with a stubborn starling bird that refuses to leave the property. An uninspiring and far-too-easy metaphor for Lily's trauma and the ideation that grief is never a straight line. Tsk, tsk!

 
If the aloof yet social wife buries the heaviness of her heart in the mundanity of her regular life, the husband seems to be spiraling: Jack (Chris O’Dowd) is parked at a psychiatric facility. Both McCarthy and O'Dowd, as a middle-aged couple dissociated by tragedy, evince what an everyman with meagre means would do in the face of adversity.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/lifestyle/news-wion-exclusive-manike-mage-hithe-singer-yohani-in-bollywood-i-would-love-to-work-with-ar-rahman-415805">WION exclusive: 'Manike Mage Hithe' singer Yohani: In Bollywood, I would love to work with A.R. Rahman</a>

Theodore Melfi (Hidden Figures), the director, however, squeezes the broad spectrum of love and loss into his hurried, one-hour-45-minutes-long version of events we all are now made to call 'The Starling'.&nbsp;

<img alt="McCarthy and O'Dowd are a troubled yet affable couple in 'The Starling'" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="27a358da-8795-433c-9d61-39125f4c0034" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/pjimage%20-%202021-09-25T180120.565.jpg" /> 
The film neither has the splintering of one's moral compass at its heart like 'Cake'--an obscure like 'The Starling'--nor does it have the raw, rugged anger of a mother like Kirkby's in 'Pieces of a Woman'. It, in fact, didn't even echo the subtleties of Casey Affleck's big-league Oscar entry 'Manchester By The Sea'. Frankly, 'The Starling' is loud and obnoxious: about life, death, therapists, metaphors, and similes.&nbsp;

 
A work-in-progress couple, a couthie&nbsp;McCarthy... 'The Starling' could have been a cathartic experience of a drama. Instead, it is just an introductory guidebook to&nbsp;what personal loss feels like to some.

The Starling is now streaming on Netflix.&nbsp;

Popular opinion--Melissa McCarthy, Tiffany Haddish, Amy Schumer can dissect any piece of insipid writing and turn it/them into an absolute comedy gold, if they choose to, that is.

Popular opinion--Melissa McCarthy, Tiffany Haddish, Amy Schumer can dissect any piece of insipid writing and turn it/them into an absolute comedy gold, if they choose to, that is. So this venturing into drama seemed like one that an otherwise stellar Melissa McCarthy could pull off--like Jennifer Aniston had in 'Cake', or even Vanessa Kirkby in 'Pieces of a Woman', both broken beyond repair over loss of children. But, this supermarket employee has other battles to fight. Just outside, in the backyard of her pretty home, Lily (Melissa McCarthy)'s wrestling with a stubborn starling bird that refuses to leave the property. An uninspiring and far-too-easy metaphor for Lily's trauma and the ideation that grief is never a straight line. Tsk, tsk! If the aloof yet social wife buries the heaviness of her heart in the mundanity of her regular life, the husband seems to be spiraling: Jack (Chris O’Dowd) is parked at a psychiatric facility. Both McCarthy and O'Dowd, as a middle-aged couple dissociated by tragedy, evince what an everyman with meagre means would do in the face of adversity. Also read: WION exclusive: 'Manike Mage Hithe' singer Yohani: In Bollywood, I would love to work with A.R. Rahman Theodore Melfi (Hidden Figures), the director, however, squeezes the broad spectrum of love and loss into his hurried, one-hour-45-minutes-long version of events we all are now made to call 'The Starling'. The film neither has the splintering of one's moral compass at its heart like 'Cake'--an obscure like 'The Starling'--nor does it have the raw, rugged anger of a mother like Kirkby's in 'Pieces of a Woman'. It, in fact, didn't even echo the subtleties of Casey Affleck's big-league Oscar entry 'Manchester By The Sea'. Frankly, 'The Starling' is loud and obnoxious: about life, death, therapists, metaphors, and similes. A work-in-progress couple, a couthie McCarthy... 'The Starling' could have been a cathartic experience of a drama. Instead, it is just an introductory guidebook to what personal loss feels like to some. The Starling is now streaming on Netflix.

The Starling review: Grief knows not what grief does

There could never be a better time for a film like ‘Oslo’ that premiered on Disney+ Hotstar in India on May 29 and looks at Israel-Palestine decades-old conflict through the prism of peace accords that were signed between the countries in 1993 with the help of a Norweigian couple backed by their government.&nbsp;

Adapted from American playwright JT Rogers’ play of the same name, ‘Oslo’ director Bartlett Sher brings us a dramatised version of events that led to the signing of Oslo peace accords between arch enemies Israel and Palestine. While history remembers the famous handshake between the-then PLO (Palestine Liberation Organisation) leader Yasser Arafat and Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin as the US President Bill Clinton stood beside them -- the world looked on with disbelief as the two vowed to step back from violence and bring a new world order in 1993, ‘Oslo’ puts to light the very eventful nights and days that made it possible. That too a backchannel, unofficial round of discussions between 1992 and 1993.

The HBO film, as it deals with the complexities of the geo-political issue, carefully treads with its characterisation of the PLO leaders, Israeli diplomats who were a part of the under-the table discussions, so as to step away from making them caricaturish while it balances its weighs on how much the world truly understands their fight for land, their exertion of need of legitimacy of the cause and intricacies that follow with any matter of occupation of any land and its people.&nbsp;

<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/QsRlXQcHd8c" title="YouTube video player" width="640"></iframe>

‘Oslo’ in its entirety makes no claim to know it all and does not look like a textbook explanation of the conflict. It is not a documentary and it does not claim to be. The film, however does bring the White view on the Middle Eastern crisis but that can be given a passing considering it’s from the view of two Norwegians who facilitate a peace deal between the two warring parties without offering a solution or edging towards one party more. Andrew Scott as Terje Rød-Larsen, director of think tank Fafo Foundation and wife Ruth Wilson, a Norwegian diplomat Mona Juul are brilliant in their scope. They never offer an opinion, never meddle, never sit with them on the table as the negotiations go on until the very last brokerage -- helping the film stray away from criticism of being partial to any side. Other actors, Salim Daw, Jeff Wilbusch, Yair Hirschfeld, and Igal Naor are convincing in their roles.&nbsp;

The film runs linear mostly with a very simple style of storytelling, inviting the viewer to explore the history on their own to get an in-depth understanding outside of the movie's scope. It’s a film that is high on human emotions and drama rather than being a history lesson.

There could never be a better time for a film like ‘Oslo’ that premiered on Disney+ Hotstar in India on May 29 and looks at Israel-Palestine decades-old conflict through the prism of peace accords that were signed between the countries in 1993 with the help of a Norweigian couple backed by their government.

There could never be a better time for a film like ‘Oslo’ that premiered on Disney+ Hotstar in India on May 29 and looks at Israel-Palestine decades-old conflict through the prism of peace accords that were signed between the countries in 1993 with the help of a Norweigian couple backed by their government. Adapted from American playwright JT Rogers’ play of the same name, ‘Oslo’ director Bartlett Sher brings us a dramatised version of events that led to the signing of Oslo peace accords between arch enemies Israel and Palestine. While history remembers the famous handshake between the-then PLO (Palestine Liberation Organisation) leader Yasser Arafat and Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin as the US President Bill Clinton stood beside them -- the world looked on with disbelief as the two vowed to step back from violence and bring a new world order in 1993, ‘Oslo’ puts to light the very eventful nights and days that made it possible. That too a backchannel, unofficial round of discussions between 1992 and 1993. The HBO film, as it deals with the complexities of the geo-political issue, carefully treads with its characterisation of the PLO leaders, Israeli diplomats who were a part of the under-the table discussions, so as to step away from making them caricaturish while it balances its weighs on how much the world truly understands their fight for land, their exertion of need of legitimacy of the cause and intricacies that follow with any matter of occupation of any land and its people. ‘Oslo’ in its entirety makes no claim to know it all and does not look like a textbook explanation of the conflict. It is not a documentary and it does not claim to be. The film, however does bring the White view on the Middle Eastern crisis but that can be given a passing considering it’s from the view of two Norwegians who facilitate a peace deal between the two warring parties without offering a solution or edging towards one party more. Andrew Scott as Terje Rød-Larsen, director of think tank Fafo Foundation and wife Ruth Wilson, a Norwegian diplomat Mona Juul are brilliant in their scope. They never offer an opinion, never meddle, never sit with them on the table as the negotiations go on until the very last brokerage -- helping the film stray away from criticism of being partial to any side. Other actors, Salim Daw, Jeff Wilbusch, Yair Hirschfeld, and Igal Naor are convincing in their roles. The film runs linear mostly with a very simple style of storytelling, inviting the viewer to explore the history on their own to get an in-depth understanding outside of the movie's scope. It’s a film that is high on human emotions and drama rather than being a history lesson.

'Oslo' movie review: Not a better time for this HBO drama on 1993 Israel-Palestine peace talks

The Cold War has always captured the imagination of filmmakers and it almost always translates to an intense drama whenever depicted on screen via the story of those who furthered the political crisis or those who helped in easing tensions between Russia and the US.&nbsp;

Alas, ‘The Courier’ tries to be that but is dramatically slow in reaching its high point. A spy drama about a British businessman and his Russian ally who try to bring peace in the world while thwarting efforts of the two blocs to reach a nuclear catastrophe amid the Cuban Missile Crisis, the film starts pacing when it reaches its final moments.&nbsp;

Based on a true story,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/benedict-cumberbatch">Benedict Cumberbatch</a> as the British businessman Greville Wynne who hesitatingly at first plays a Cold War spy is convincing in his role but there’s something you expect more from him. He’s Sherlock Holmes after all! Merab Ninidze plays his part as secret agent Oleg Penkovsky does justice.

Rachel Brosnahan looks good as a diplomat but only if she broke from her witty charisma that in parts reminds us of her work in ‘Marvelous Mrs Maisel’. While her presence offers femininity to a through and through boys club of espionage, director Dominic Cooke’s film is about male friendship between the businessman and secret agent in the backdrop of a looming nuclear war crisis.&nbsp;

The title track ‘It Has To be You’ by Abel Korzeniowski,&nbsp;that plays through the film, is brilliant and sets a sombre mood.&nbsp;

Watch the trailer here:

<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="696" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Qeo8qs9xohM" width="1237"></iframe>

‘The Courier’ is a decent watch. It just lacks the pace of a spy film.&nbsp;

The Cold War has always captured the imagination of filmmakers and it almost always translates to an intense drama whenever depicted on screen via the story of those who furthered the political crisis or those who helped in easing tensions between Russia and the US.

The Cold War has always captured the imagination of filmmakers and it almost always translates to an intense drama whenever depicted on screen via the story of those who furthered the political crisis or those who helped in easing tensions between Russia and the US. Alas, ‘The Courier’ tries to be that but is dramatically slow in reaching its high point. A spy drama about a British businessman and his Russian ally who try to bring peace in the world while thwarting efforts of the two blocs to reach a nuclear catastrophe amid the Cuban Missile Crisis, the film starts pacing when it reaches its final moments. Based on a true story, Benedict Cumberbatch as the British businessman Greville Wynne who hesitatingly at first plays a Cold War spy is convincing in his role but there’s something you expect more from him. He’s Sherlock Holmes after all! Merab Ninidze plays his part as secret agent Oleg Penkovsky does justice. Rachel Brosnahan looks good as a diplomat but only if she broke from her witty charisma that in parts reminds us of her work in ‘Marvelous Mrs Maisel’. While her presence offers femininity to a through and through boys club of espionage, director Dominic Cooke’s film is about male friendship between the businessman and secret agent in the backdrop of a looming nuclear war crisis. The title track ‘It Has To be You’ by Abel Korzeniowski, that plays through the film, is brilliant and sets a sombre mood. Watch the trailer here: ‘The Courier’ is a decent watch. It just lacks the pace of a spy film.

'The Courier' review: An ode to unconventional friendship amid the backdrop of Cold War

Filmmaker Gabriela Cowperthwaite's 'Our Friend' is not a typical Valentine's Day release. After all, it deals with something as grave as cancer and death of a loved one, but it sure celebrates love among three friends.&nbsp; 
 
Based on columnist Matthew Teague's personal essay on his friend Dave Faucheux who came in to help him take care of his wife Nicole, the film is warm, heartbreaking and sad yet beautifully highlights the devotion of a loyal friend who put his life on hold to help his two friends and their children cope with a terminal illness.&nbsp; 
 
Jason Segal plays Dave, who drops everything and goes to help his friend Matt (Casey Affleck) as his wife Nicole (Dakota Johnson) is diagnosed with cancer. Not only does Dave lend Matt his shoulder to cry on, but also becomes the proxy parent/friend for Matt and Nicole's two young daughters. Dave is there to fix lunches, drop and pick up the girls from school and shields them whenever Nicole collapses and is rushed to the hospital. But he never oversteps. When Matt and Nicole decide to talk to the girls about how grave the situation is in their bedroom, Dave stays on the porch, letting the family of four cope&nbsp;with the grief together.&nbsp; 
 
The film's mood is sombre from the beginning and the narrative is non-linear as the story keeps going back and forth, revealing slowly how Matt and Nicole became friends with Dave and how slowly they got close. Dave is not the most ambitious person around and has had a spate of bad relationships. But he is the warmest person to be around, who is willing to go the extra length for his best friends.&nbsp; 
 
As the family of five prepare for the inevitable, they all try to be brave but have to deal with internal conflicts and unwillingly prepare to say their final goodbye.&nbsp;

<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/jvOX0J1Nwrw" width="560"></iframe> 
 
While it celebrates friendship and loyalty, the screenplay keeps the message simple and subtle. It helps that the three leading actors propel the emotional film with their performances. Affleck, Segal and Johnson and pitch-perfect in their respective role. Segal as the ever-dependable Dave warms up over the course of the film. Affleck plays the Matt, a man who finds hard to express any emotions but eventually is able to overcome his limitations. Johnson plays the vibrant Nicole who keeps a brave face even as she has to deal with pain.&nbsp; 
 
'Our Friend' may be a sad, melancholic film to watch in this season of love, but if you look past illness, it celebrates friendship in an all-new way- without going over the top about love, loyalty and sacrifices that people make for the sake of friendship. re

Filmmaker Gabriela Cowperthwaite's 'Our Friend' is not a typical Valentine's Day release. After all, it deals with something as grave as cancer and death of a loved one, but it sure celebrates love among three friends.

Filmmaker Gabriela Cowperthwaite's 'Our Friend' is not a typical Valentine's Day release. After all, it deals with something as grave as cancer and death of a loved one, but it sure celebrates love among three friends. Based on columnist Matthew Teague's personal essay on his friend Dave Faucheux who came in to help him take care of his wife Nicole, the film is warm, heartbreaking and sad yet beautifully highlights the devotion of a loyal friend who put his life on hold to help his two friends and their children cope with a terminal illness. Jason Segal plays Dave, who drops everything and goes to help his friend Matt (Casey Affleck) as his wife Nicole (Dakota Johnson) is diagnosed with cancer. Not only does Dave lend Matt his shoulder to cry on, but also becomes the proxy parent/friend for Matt and Nicole's two young daughters. Dave is there to fix lunches, drop and pick up the girls from school and shields them whenever Nicole collapses and is rushed to the hospital. But he never oversteps. When Matt and Nicole decide to talk to the girls about how grave the situation is in their bedroom, Dave stays on the porch, letting the family of four cope with the grief together. The film's mood is sombre from the beginning and the narrative is non-linear as the story keeps going back and forth, revealing slowly how Matt and Nicole became friends with Dave and how slowly they got close. Dave is not the most ambitious person around and has had a spate of bad relationships. But he is the warmest person to be around, who is willing to go the extra length for his best friends. As the family of five prepare for the inevitable, they all try to be brave but have to deal with internal conflicts and unwillingly prepare to say their final goodbye. While it celebrates friendship and loyalty, the screenplay keeps the message simple and subtle. It helps that the three leading actors propel the emotional film with their performances. Affleck, Segal and Johnson and pitch-perfect in their respective role. Segal as the ever-dependable Dave warms up over the course of the film. Affleck plays the Matt, a man who finds hard to express any emotions but eventually is able to overcome his limitations. Johnson plays the vibrant Nicole who keeps a brave face even as she has to deal with pain. 'Our Friend' may be a sad, melancholic film to watch in this season of love, but if you look past illness, it celebrates friendship in an all-new way- without going over the top about love, loyalty and sacrifices that people make for the sake of friendship. re

'Our Friend' review: An ode to friendship amid despair and loss 