Freeze Frame: “Sicario: Day of the Soldado” (R), “Uncle Drew” (PG-13), “Mountain” (PG)

“Sicario: Day of the Soldado” is a sequel to the acclaimed drug war drama from 2015. The follow up is equally grim and cynical, this time adding the element of human trafficking along the southern border to the mix. James Brolin’s amoral federal agent recruits the reluctant Benicio Del Toro to stage a Mexican kidnapping aimed at starting a war between cartels. The screenplay crackles with sharp dialogue, but the violent story takes some turns that stretch credibility to the limit. Still, it’s provocative and edgy.

One of the rarest cinematic genres is movies adapted from TV commercials. In the goofy comedy “Uncle Drew” NBA star Kyrie Irving dons old age makeup and takes on some young bloods in a basketball tourney. He’s joined by Shaquille O’Neal, Reggie Miller, Nate Robinson, Chris Webber and Lisa Leslie, all under a ton of latex. It’s all very gimmicky and predictable, but more entertaining than it has any business being.

“Mountain” is an involving documentary that combines stunning visuals, poetic narration and an elegant orchestral score to explore man’s fasciation and obsession with conquering rugged peaks. Filmmaker Jennifer Peedom uses drones and body cameras to capture climbers, bikers, hang gliders, skiers and all manner of extreme sportsmen risking life and limb on mountains all around the world. Willem Dafoe provides the narration culled from explorer Robert Macfarlane’s renowned memoir, “Mountains of the Mind.” For those disinclined to put their lives on the line, “Mountain” provides a vicarious thrill from the comfort of your theater seat.

Also opening this week, “The Catcher Was a Spy” is a true-life drama about a major league baseball player who was drafted to help stop the Nazis from developing an atomic bomb during WWII. Paul Rudd stars. “The Domestics” is yet another post-apocalyptic drama. Kate Bosworth stars.

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