Movie Review: John Wick - Chapter 2

Three years ago, a little, unassuming action film was released to theaters. It had the rather dull title of John Wick and starred an actor that, while popular, had been something of a poster child for bad actors for years for his somewhat wooden screen presence. As it turns out, this small little action film turned out to be an incredible blast of adrenaline that shows us just what kind of effect an action movie can have. It has an immediate emotional hook which got the audience involved and the lead upset, essentially getting the hero all wound up and then unleashing him for a journey of vengeance. As soon as it ended I wanted more, it has finally arrived in the form of John Wick: Chapter 2.

Movie Review: John Wick

I remember the first time I saw the trailer for John Wick. My first reaction was happy to see Keanu Reeves back in an action movie. Yes, I like Reeves and think he did a really good job with his directorial debut, Man of Tai Chi. Then my thoughts rolled the action around my mind, it looked pretty good. Then there were the story elements, a stolen car (a gorgeous 1969 Mustang), a dead wife, and a murdered dog. I immediately hoped that the thrust of this movie was a man getting revenge for his dog. Simple, elegant, emotionally gripping. Kind of like the reaction I had early in The Rover, hoping Guy Pearce simply wanted his car back. Sometimes simple is better.

Movie Review: 47 Ronin (2013)

The much delayed Japanese epic 47 Ronin has finally arrived in theaters and it has displeased the critics. Now, this does not automatically mean it is a bad movie, but it certainly doesn't help. Well, I went and saw it for myself and found myself not so much conflicted as merely entertained. There are things to like about this movie, but it also feels somewhat incomplete, unexplained, and decidedly not meant for everyone. Still, it is a mediocre experience that never quite pulls itself together.

Blu-ray Review: Man of Tai Chi

In the years in between Keanu Reeves last big screen appearance in The Day the Earth Stood Still, he has taken the time to try his hand behind the camera. The result is a Hong Kong/American co-production called Man of Tai Chi. It is a traditional martial arts tale set in a modern world and shows that Reeves was paying attention when he was on all those movie sets. It is a competently directed and very entertaining martial arts yarn. Reeves also shows respect for the martial arts by allowing the fights to be seen and not just chopped into music video style bites. It also helps that he reunites with his Matrix choreographer, the legendary Yuen Woo Ping.

Movie Review: Man of Tai Chi

It is had to believe I has been five years since we have seen anything significant from Keanu Reeves. The last time we saw him on the big screen was back in 2008 with that terrible remake of The Day the Earth Stood Still. I know Keanu isn't exactly a great actor, but I have always liked him, so I was particularly happy to see the trailer for 47 Ronin last month, then this happened. I was scanning the list of movies opening locally and I came across one called Man of Tai Chi, which just happens to be directed by one Keanu Reeves.