Movies and TV John Wick

**Bowser** · 10-16-2014, 08:15 PM

Yes, it's a former-hitman-comes-out-of-retirement-for-revenge movie. Yes, it stars Keanu Reeves as the aging hitman. Yes, it looks pretty badass.

It's also getting a bunch of pre-release love...

http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/john...id=home_list3a

(Credit to GoChiefs for posting the trailer in the movies thread, causing me to research it a bit more. Maybe this movie needed its own thread, maybe not. We'll see when it gets released.)

**Bowser** · 10-16-2014, 08:17 PM

Sample review....

The Box Office:

As more and more movies that aren’t the very biggest fantasy action spectaculars find themselves in platform release or in the VOD circuit before a token theatrical release, I have to admit I was pleasantly surprised that John Wick would in-fact be getting a wide theatrical release courtesy of Lionsgate (Lions Gate Corp.) on October 24th. My surprise was made even more pleasant when I discovered that the film would be getting the IMAX treatment as well. The film is a down-and-dirty B-movie action spectacular, full of old-school gun battles and occasional brutal smack downs. In an era when some of the best old-school action goes the DTV route (think Universal Soldier: Day of Reckoning), I am pleased to say that you can in-fact seek out Keanu Reeves’s dip into the “older movie star plays unstoppable killing machine” sub-genre at a theater near you a week from this Friday. But will you?

Like a number of old-school movie stars, Keanu Reeves has been on somewhat of a sabbatical from the blockbuster game for the last several years, only periodically popping up in so-called “big” movies since The Matrix Reloaded and The Matrix Revolutions in 2003. He scored a $29 million debut in 2005 with Warner Bros.’ (Time Warner Inc.) R-rated Constantine ($230m worldwide total on a $100m budget) and another $30m debut for 20th Century Fox’s The Day the Earth Stood Still remake in 2008 ($233m on an $80m budget). He didn’t make another “big” movie for five years, although it could be argued that the infamously troubled 47 Ronin extended that gap by virtue of its delays. 47 Ronin is rightly seen as a flop for Universal (Comcast Corp.), although it should be noted that the film earned $150m worldwide. Had it not cost a rather insane $175m to produce, well, if “A” were “B” then “C” would be “D.”

Point being, Mr. Reeves has a genuine following. The $20m five-day domestic debut for 47 Ronin with little to sell beyond his face on the poster makes a good case for the actor’s general popularity. And obviously, however unlikely it might be, a $150m worldwide total for the presumably much cheaper John Wick would be a massive win for producers Summit Entertainment, MJW Films, and Thunder Road Pictures as well as distributor Lionsgate. Keanu Reeves has spent the last eleven post-Matrix years dabbling in art house fare (Thumbsucker, The Private Lives of Pippa Lee, etc.) and a martial-arts focused directorial debut (Man of Tai Chi). Oh, and he also produced (and appeared in) the terrific 2012 documentary about the rise of digital video and the fight for film preservation, Side By Side, which I imagine will eventually be shown in every film school in America. Keanu Reeves is fifty years old, so I don’t expect him to be as big of a star as he was in the 1990′s. But it will be interesting to see how this genuinely old-school movie star in an old-school action movie will perform in an environment where such things are lucky to end up in theaters at all.

The Review:

John Wick isn’t just a terrific shoot-em-up action movie that reminds you why Keanu Reeves remains a movie star twenty-five years after Bill and Ted’s Excellent Adventure, twenty-years after Speed, and fifteen years after The Matrix. It’s a terrific example genuinely successful world-building. I don’t presume the producers of John Wick have aspirations for any kind of Marvel-style expanded universe or sequels and spin-offs in mind. Yet ironically, despite its stand-alone nature, directors David Leitch and Chad Stahelski, along with screenwriter Derek Kolstad have crafted a genuinely unique and delightfully specific world in which its title character inhabits. What could have been a generic “reformed hit man takes vengeance after a personal loss” story is enlivened both by the quality of acting and action (more on that later), but by the rich world that has been created. There have been quite a few “older movie star turns into unstoppable killing machine” films over the last five years. John Wick may be the best one yet.

John Wick (Keanu Reeves) is a reformed assassin who was once among the most feared of underworld killers (“He’s the guy you send to kill the boogie man.”). He is attempting to live a life of quiet domesticity. Alas, tragedy strikes for Mr. Wick, as he is forced to watch his wife (Bridget Moynahan, who makes the most of a very small and mostly vocal role) succumb to illness. However, a potential lifeline is offered as Mr. Wick finds a puppy on his doorstep, which reveals itself to be one last gift from his late wife so that he might not have to grieve alone. However tragedy strikes twice for Mr. Wick, as a random act of violence takes his dog away as well, which of course sets the once-and-future gun-toting deliver of mass death on a rampage through the underworld. That’s pretty much all of the story you get. John Wick has a simple story which leaves ample room not just for action but for character and the above-mentioned world-building.

There is an entertaining specificity to the world of John Wick, including hotels and night clubs that exclusively serve the criminal element and which have detailed0000000000000 codes of conduct, along with services that deal with body disposal after a shoot-out. Absent these details, John Wick might have just been a generic action vehicle for an aging action star which frankly would have been enough considering the quality of the action star and the quality of the action. But the world of John Wick feels genuinely original and feels absolutely lived-in. Without saying whether or not the events of John Wick lend themselves to a sequel, I can say that I wouldn’t mind a series of films set in this specific world, with Lance Reddick manning the hotel lobby. It’s in super-limited release, but The Guest which also features Mr. Reddick, is also a genuinely engaging and unique action thriller of sorts. Anyway, in an era when every studio is seemingly trying to turn every property into a “Marvel-style expanded universe,” John Wick stands as an example of actually bothering to create a unique universe actually worth visiting from time-to-time.

But most people won’t walk into John Wick for world-building or quirky Lance Reddick cameos. They will want to see Keanu Reeves shooting bad guys and looking good while doing it. And you will absolutely get your money’s worth. It is sometimes difficult to describe quality action, or at least my idea of quality action, without going into clichés (long and fluid takes, wide shots, creative choreography, etc.), or giving away the best beats (no spoilers here). So I’ll merely say that directors Leitch and Stahelski have created a beautiful looking action picture, one that is indeed gorgeous enough to deserve the IMAX Experience, and one that will thrill both action fans and gore-junkies (lots of head-shots for those who appreciate such things). There has been a lot of talk over the years about action movies borrowing the visual language of video games, usually as a negative statement or a criticism. But watching John Wick‘s fluid and always comprehensible action sequences that do feel like a solid Max Payne-style action sequence, I’ve realized at long-last that I would rather action cinema borrow from video games, which generally aren’t edited within an inch of their lives, as opposed to the stereotypical music video or Paul Greengrass/shaky cam style. Nearly the entire second act is one long action sequence in fits-and-starts, and it’s a wonderfully entertaining piece of action cinema.

John Wick also benefits from an uncommonly strong cast. First of all, I consider myself a Keanu Reeves fan, and his slow-burn underacting is in fine form this time around. I’ve long defended Mr. Reeves as both a compelling actor (he, like Harrison Ford and Kevin Costner, rarely over-acts and is thus often written off as wooden) and this film provides ample evidence of his potent screen presence. There is a moment in the third act when he finally emotionally explodes, and it’s frankly the kind of scenery-chewing we don’t usually see from him, so it’s shocking both from a character standpoint and for longtime fans of the actor himself. Like him as an actor or not, Reeves has unmistakable and smolderingly charismatic screen presence, and he also has the benefit of being fifty-years old and yet still looking like he gets carded at bars and while buying R-rated movie tickets. He is surrounded by the likes of Willem Dafoe, Ian McShane, and Adrianne Palicki, all of whom give this simple revenge tale a certain gravity and pathos that arguably elevates it beyond high-quality craftsmanship. This is a full-meal cinematic experience, and if the film has a core flaw it is that it goes on just a little past the logical end point, but it never ceases to be engaging during its 101-minute running time.

John Wick is the real deal. It is a terrific action picture, filled with strong performances by a game cast, along with superb action set-pieces and a genuinely interesting world to boot. Reeves commands the screen and reminds us why he is still a genuine movie star, while the film serves as an example of successful world-building that benefits the story rather than distracting from it. I don’t know whether I need to see John Wick Kills Yet Some More, although I wouldn’t mind seeing John Wick and The Equalizer Get Taken By Jack Reacher. But the film should be viewed by Hollywood executives as an example of how to successfully expand their universe, which means actually creating a unique and original universe rather than a generic setting with little interest beyond a pre-established character (cough-Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit-cough). With terrific action, engaging characters, and an interesting world in which said characters meet their fates, John Wick is the full package and one of the best action films of the year.

http://www.forbes.com/sites/scottmen...-action-blast/

Deberg_1990 · 10-16-2014, 08:31 PM

This looks badass

reeves is an interesting creature. Every time you think his career is dead, he bounces back with something surprising.

**Buehler445** · 10-16-2014, 09:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Deberg_1990

This looks badass

reeves is an interesting creature. Every time you think his career is dead, he bounces back with something surprising.

Yeah, I'll see it. Maybe not in the theater, but I'll watch it.

Man Reeves has been in a bunch of shit I've never heard of. Since Speed, I've seen Hard Knocks, Matrix, Constantine.

I've heard of 47 Ronin.

All the other shit I've never heard of

listopencil · 10-16-2014, 10:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Buehler445

Yeah, I'll see it. Maybe not in the theater, but I'll watch it.

Man Reeves has been in a bunch of shit I've never heard of. Since Speed, I've seen Hard Knocks, Matrix, Constantine.

I've heard of 47 Ronin.

All the other shit I've never heard of

47 Ronin is worth a watch. My son and I enjoyed it in a theater.

**007** · 10-16-2014, 11:28 PM

Ummmm, Yeah. I'm in.

Dayze · 10-17-2014, 09:36 AM

nice Chevelle

**Tribal Warfare** · 10-17-2014, 09:39 AM

You killed his dog.............. Now yer gonna pay!

**Baby Lee** · 10-17-2014, 09:41 AM

Lookin' spiff on RT.

Dayze · 10-17-2014, 10:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tribal Warfare

You killed his dog.............. Now yer gonna pay!

if someone killed my dog, I'd go all John Wick on them as well.

**BigRichard** · 10-19-2014, 06:48 PM

I don't think I have been more stoked than I have for this movie. It just looks totally bad ass.

**Tribal Warfare** · 10-23-2014, 04:00 AM

http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/john_wick/

TomatoeMeter: 94%

Critics Consensus: Stylish, thrilling, and giddily kinetic, John Wick serves as a satisfying return to action for Keanu Reeves -- and what looks like it could be the first of a franchise.

**Tribal Warfare** · 10-24-2014, 11:13 AM

Great shoot'em up flick. It was like an old school John Wu film

**Bowser** · 10-25-2014, 09:09 PM

I enjoyed it. It was a very well paced and put together shoot 'em up with great action. It certainly didn't re-invent the wheel on action flicks, but it was definitely worth my time and money.

**BigRichard** · 10-28-2014, 07:28 PM

I was pretty disappointed in this movie. I guess the reviews got me all hyped.

Spoiler!

10-16-2014, 08:15 PM
Bowser sorta mod-ish Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: KC North Casino cash: $3521616	John Wick Yes, it's a former-hitman-comes-out-of-retirement-for-revenge movie. Yes, it stars Keanu Reeves as the aging hitman. Yes, it looks pretty badass. It's also getting a bunch of pre-release love... http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/john...id=home_list3a (Credit to GoChiefs for posting the trailer in the movies thread, causing me to research it a bit more. Maybe this movie needed its own thread, maybe not. We'll see when it gets released.)
Posts: 100,455

10-16-2014, 08:17 PM	#2
Bowser sorta mod-ish Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: KC North Casino cash: $3521616	Sample review.... The Box Office: As more and more movies that aren’t the very biggest fantasy action spectaculars find themselves in platform release or in the VOD circuit before a token theatrical release, I have to admit I was pleasantly surprised that John Wick would in-fact be getting a wide theatrical release courtesy of Lionsgate (Lions Gate Corp.) on October 24th. My surprise was made even more pleasant when I discovered that the film would be getting the IMAX treatment as well. The film is a down-and-dirty B-movie action spectacular, full of old-school gun battles and occasional brutal smack downs. In an era when some of the best old-school action goes the DTV route (think Universal Soldier: Day of Reckoning), I am pleased to say that you can in-fact seek out Keanu Reeves’s dip into the “older movie star plays unstoppable killing machine” sub-genre at a theater near you a week from this Friday. But will you? Like a number of old-school movie stars, Keanu Reeves has been on somewhat of a sabbatical from the blockbuster game for the last several years, only periodically popping up in so-called “big” movies since The Matrix Reloaded and The Matrix Revolutions in 2003. He scored a $29 million debut in 2005 with Warner Bros.’ (Time Warner Inc.) R-rated Constantine ($230m worldwide total on a $100m budget) and another $30m debut for 20th Century Fox’s The Day the Earth Stood Still remake in 2008 ($233m on an $80m budget). He didn’t make another “big” movie for five years, although it could be argued that the infamously troubled 47 Ronin extended that gap by virtue of its delays. 47 Ronin is rightly seen as a flop for Universal (Comcast Corp.), although it should be noted that the film earned $150m worldwide. Had it not cost a rather insane $175m to produce, well, if “A” were “B” then “C” would be “D.” Point being, Mr. Reeves has a genuine following. The $20m five-day domestic debut for 47 Ronin with little to sell beyond his face on the poster makes a good case for the actor’s general popularity. And obviously, however unlikely it might be, a $150m worldwide total for the presumably much cheaper John Wick would be a massive win for producers Summit Entertainment, MJW Films, and Thunder Road Pictures as well as distributor Lionsgate. Keanu Reeves has spent the last eleven post-Matrix years dabbling in art house fare (Thumbsucker, The Private Lives of Pippa Lee, etc.) and a martial-arts focused directorial debut (Man of Tai Chi). Oh, and he also produced (and appeared in) the terrific 2012 documentary about the rise of digital video and the fight for film preservation, Side By Side, which I imagine will eventually be shown in every film school in America. Keanu Reeves is fifty years old, so I don’t expect him to be as big of a star as he was in the 1990′s. But it will be interesting to see how this genuinely old-school movie star in an old-school action movie will perform in an environment where such things are lucky to end up in theaters at all. The Review: John Wick isn’t just a terrific shoot-em-up action movie that reminds you why Keanu Reeves remains a movie star twenty-five years after Bill and Ted’s Excellent Adventure, twenty-years after Speed, and fifteen years after The Matrix. It’s a terrific example genuinely successful world-building. I don’t presume the producers of John Wick have aspirations for any kind of Marvel-style expanded universe or sequels and spin-offs in mind. Yet ironically, despite its stand-alone nature, directors David Leitch and Chad Stahelski, along with screenwriter Derek Kolstad have crafted a genuinely unique and delightfully specific world in which its title character inhabits. What could have been a generic “reformed hit man takes vengeance after a personal loss” story is enlivened both by the quality of acting and action (more on that later), but by the rich world that has been created. There have been quite a few “older movie star turns into unstoppable killing machine” films over the last five years. John Wick may be the best one yet. John Wick (Keanu Reeves) is a reformed assassin who was once among the most feared of underworld killers (“He’s the guy you send to kill the boogie man.”). He is attempting to live a life of quiet domesticity. Alas, tragedy strikes for Mr. Wick, as he is forced to watch his wife (Bridget Moynahan, who makes the most of a very small and mostly vocal role) succumb to illness. However, a potential lifeline is offered as Mr. Wick finds a puppy on his doorstep, which reveals itself to be one last gift from his late wife so that he might not have to grieve alone. However tragedy strikes twice for Mr. Wick, as a random act of violence takes his dog away as well, which of course sets the once-and-future gun-toting deliver of mass death on a rampage through the underworld. That’s pretty much all of the story you get. John Wick has a simple story which leaves ample room not just for action but for character and the above-mentioned world-building. There is an entertaining specificity to the world of John Wick, including hotels and night clubs that exclusively serve the criminal element and which have detailed0000000000000 codes of conduct, along with services that deal with body disposal after a shoot-out. Absent these details, John Wick might have just been a generic action vehicle for an aging action star which frankly would have been enough considering the quality of the action star and the quality of the action. But the world of John Wick feels genuinely original and feels absolutely lived-in. Without saying whether or not the events of John Wick lend themselves to a sequel, I can say that I wouldn’t mind a series of films set in this specific world, with Lance Reddick manning the hotel lobby. It’s in super-limited release, but The Guest which also features Mr. Reddick, is also a genuinely engaging and unique action thriller of sorts. Anyway, in an era when every studio is seemingly trying to turn every property into a “Marvel-style expanded universe,” John Wick stands as an example of actually bothering to create a unique universe actually worth visiting from time-to-time. But most people won’t walk into John Wick for world-building or quirky Lance Reddick cameos. They will want to see Keanu Reeves shooting bad guys and looking good while doing it. And you will absolutely get your money’s worth. It is sometimes difficult to describe quality action, or at least my idea of quality action, without going into clichés (long and fluid takes, wide shots, creative choreography, etc.), or giving away the best beats (no spoilers here). So I’ll merely say that directors Leitch and Stahelski have created a beautiful looking action picture, one that is indeed gorgeous enough to deserve the IMAX Experience, and one that will thrill both action fans and gore-junkies (lots of head-shots for those who appreciate such things). There has been a lot of talk over the years about action movies borrowing the visual language of video games, usually as a negative statement or a criticism. But watching John Wick‘s fluid and always comprehensible action sequences that do feel like a solid Max Payne-style action sequence, I’ve realized at long-last that I would rather action cinema borrow from video games, which generally aren’t edited within an inch of their lives, as opposed to the stereotypical music video or Paul Greengrass/shaky cam style. Nearly the entire second act is one long action sequence in fits-and-starts, and it’s a wonderfully entertaining piece of action cinema. John Wick also benefits from an uncommonly strong cast. First of all, I consider myself a Keanu Reeves fan, and his slow-burn underacting is in fine form this time around. I’ve long defended Mr. Reeves as both a compelling actor (he, like Harrison Ford and Kevin Costner, rarely over-acts and is thus often written off as wooden) and this film provides ample evidence of his potent screen presence. There is a moment in the third act when he finally emotionally explodes, and it’s frankly the kind of scenery-chewing we don’t usually see from him, so it’s shocking both from a character standpoint and for longtime fans of the actor himself. Like him as an actor or not, Reeves has unmistakable and smolderingly charismatic screen presence, and he also has the benefit of being fifty-years old and yet still looking like he gets carded at bars and while buying R-rated movie tickets. He is surrounded by the likes of Willem Dafoe, Ian McShane, and Adrianne Palicki, all of whom give this simple revenge tale a certain gravity and pathos that arguably elevates it beyond high-quality craftsmanship. This is a full-meal cinematic experience, and if the film has a core flaw it is that it goes on just a little past the logical end point, but it never ceases to be engaging during its 101-minute running time. John Wick is the real deal. It is a terrific action picture, filled with strong performances by a game cast, along with superb action set-pieces and a genuinely interesting world to boot. Reeves commands the screen and reminds us why he is still a genuine movie star, while the film serves as an example of successful world-building that benefits the story rather than distracting from it. I don’t know whether I need to see John Wick Kills Yet Some More, although I wouldn’t mind seeing John Wick and The Equalizer Get Taken By Jack Reacher. But the film should be viewed by Hollywood executives as an example of how to successfully expand their universe, which means actually creating a unique and original universe rather than a generic setting with little interest beyond a pre-established character (cough-Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit-cough). With terrific action, engaging characters, and an interesting world in which said characters meet their fates, John Wick is the full package and one of the best action films of the year. http://www.forbes.com/sites/scottmen...-action-blast/
Posts: 100,455

10-16-2014, 08:31 PM	#3
Deberg_1990 In Search of a Life Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: San Antonio Tx. Casino cash: $3914454	This looks badass reeves is an interesting creature. Every time you think his career is dead, he bounces back with something surprising. __________________ Originally Posted by Cassel's Reckoning: Matt once made a very nice play in Seattle where he spun away from a pass rusher and hit Bowe off his back foot for a first down. One of the best plays Matt has ever made.
Posts: 66,914

10-16-2014, 11:28 PM	#6
007 Shaken. Not stirred. Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: London Casino cash: $14060126 VARSITY	Ummmm, Yeah. I'm in. __________________ My dear girl, there are some things that just aren’t done. Such as, drinking Dom Perignon ’53 above the temperature of 38 degrees Fahrenheit. That’s just as bad as listening to the Beatles without earmuffs.
Posts: 65,554

10-17-2014, 09:36 AM	#7
Dayze Resident Glue Sniffer Join Date: Nov 2003 Casino cash: $5259358	nice Chevelle __________________ Life is 99% inspiration, 1% Perspiration, and 1% Attention to Detial. RIP & Godspeed: Saccoppo Lonewolf Ed Fire Me Boy
Posts: 37,355

10-17-2014, 09:39 AM	#8
Tribal Warfare The Boom Boom Room Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Far Beyond Comprehension Casino cash: $1002813	You killed his dog.............. Now yer gonna pay! __________________
Posts: 42,021

10-17-2014, 09:41 AM	#9
Baby Lee Supporter Join Date: Aug 2000 Casino cash: $6838598	Lookin' spiff on RT. __________________ We need the kind of courage that can withstand the subtle corruption of the cynics - E.W.
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10-19-2014, 06:48 PM	#11
BigRichard Buddy Christ is a Chiefs fan Join Date: Nov 2008 Casino cash: $1979546	I don't think I have been more stoked than I have for this movie. It just looks totally bad ass. __________________ "You know, they lay down with their ugly wives in front of their ugly children and just look at their loser lives and then they look at me and say, "I CAN'T PROCESS IT!" Well, no, and you never will. Stop trying. Just sit back and enjoy the show .... You know?" Carlos Irwin Estevez
Posts: 10,340

10-23-2014, 04:00 AM	#12
Tribal Warfare The Boom Boom Room Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Far Beyond Comprehension Casino cash: $1002813	http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/john_wick/ TomatoeMeter: 94% Critics Consensus: Stylish, thrilling, and giddily kinetic, John Wick serves as a satisfying return to action for Keanu Reeves -- and what looks like it could be the first of a franchise. __________________ Last edited by Tribal Warfare; 10-23-2014 at 11:09 AM..
Posts: 42,021

10-24-2014, 11:13 AM	#13
Tribal Warfare The Boom Boom Room Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Far Beyond Comprehension Casino cash: $1002813	Great shoot'em up flick. It was like an old school John Wu film __________________
Posts: 42,021

10-25-2014, 09:09 PM	#14
Bowser sorta mod-ish Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: KC North Casino cash: $3521616	I enjoyed it. It was a very well paced and put together shoot 'em up with great action. It certainly didn't re-invent the wheel on action flicks, but it was definitely worth my time and money.
Posts: 100,455

10-28-2014, 07:28 PM	#15
BigRichard Buddy Christ is a Chiefs fan Join Date: Nov 2008 Casino cash: $1979546	I was pretty disappointed in this movie. I guess the reviews got me all hyped. Spoiler! I think it could have been so much better had they maybe developed the relationship with him and the dog just a little bit more. Maybe had some funny stuff about each time was killing some people bring up the dog. Just seemed like a big let down. Then the dog at the end should have been a cute little puppy. __________________ "You know, they lay down with their ugly wives in front of their ugly children and just look at their loser lives and then they look at me and say, "I CAN'T PROCESS IT!" Well, no, and you never will. Stop trying. Just sit back and enjoy the show .... You know?" Carlos Irwin Estevez
Posts: 10,340