John Wick: Movie Review

A sleeper hit like Argo?  I think not, this is my review of Keanu Reeves' latest action movie "John Wick".  

I have to say in advance that I am a Keanu Reeves fan, and my review maybe viewed as bias.  Never the less, I would have to say my rating first, then the reason why I rated it that way.

My rating for this action packed movie, is a 4 out of 5 stars.  And the reason for those are the following:

• The story itself is a bit generic for an action movie, wrong doing must be fixed by the hero or in this case an anti-hero (who seems nice) with action violence.  But, this is a movie, that is building it's own hidden world, that alone is interesting.  And you probably want to know more in another installment (part 2) of the movie.  That is, if they make another one.
• The action is good and the pacing is also very good.  My sleepy wife, was planning to sleep during this movie and wasn't able, meaning the movie is interesting and pacing itself at the right speed that the audience has no time to get bored and sleep.  Compare this to "The Expendables" movie it knows what it is.  An action film, with light dialogue and flimsy story line, but full of gun and fist fighting action.
• The film filter is good, does not look cheap, even though, the premise of the story is flimsy and the dialogue is almost Shakespeare like.  The screenplay may have been bad in the dialogue part, but the action covered for that flaw.

The cinematography was good, settings and lighting was high quality.  It may lack certain things here and there, but gets the point thru the audience.  The point or lesson is don't mess with anyone you don't know.  You may regret it soon enough.  Or the wicked are punished, as plainly stated by the characters as they are having a conversation.

The movie is no "Bourne Identity" in the action scenes, since there are scenes that lack the intensity of a fight hand to hand combat.  It's as if the camera is stationary and you somehow feel disconnected. Vehicle action sequence is a bit good, but also has something lacking in it.

The movie, has a lot going for it.  If you like Keanu Reeves, dark comedy, guns, action, and blood splatter then this movie is for you.  

Other recommendations if you don't want to see this movie in cinema/theater, but want almost the same thing:

• Bourne Identity 1 - 3
• Bourne Legacy
• The Professional (Leon:The Professional - Natalie Portman, Jean Reno, Gary Oldman)
• Grosse Pointe Blank (Comedy - John Cussack, Dan Aykroyd, Minnie Driver)
• Wild Target (British Film comedy/thriller - Bill Nighy, Emily Blunt, Rupert Grint)

Hope this review helps in your decision to watch this movie or not.  Enjoy watching it this weekend, it could be its last week in cinemas.

Currently Showing First week of November 2014 in Philippine Cinemas

The following are the list of movies showing in Philippine cinemas, this 1st week of November:

• Interstellar (New)
• Moron 5.2 (Filipino Movie - New)
• Big Hero 6 (New)
• Stonehearst Asylum
• John Wick
• Best of Me
• Let's Be Cops
• Beauty in a Bottle (Filipino Movie)
• Ouija
• Possession at Gallow Hills

I saw the John Wick movie, and it's a good action flick.  Could be it's last week in cinemas.  Gonna post my movie review on John Wick later.

Currently Showing in Philippine cinemas on the last week of April 2014

Movies now showing in the Philippines this last week of April 2014:

• Da Possessed (Filipino Movie - Comedy)
• Diary ng Panget (Filipino Movie- Comedy-Romance)
• Captain America: The Winter Soldier
• Rio 2
• Divergent
• Heaven is for Real
• Transcendence

Next week will be the showing of the Amazing Spiderman 2 on April 30.  So, Captain America will be gone from cinemas probably next week.  

Currently Showing in Philippine cinemas on the 2nd week of April 2014

It has been a busy March for me, and I haven't been updating this blog as I used to do.

Movies now showing in the Philippines this 2nd week of April 2014:

• Diary ng Panget (Filipino Movie- Comedy-Romance)
• Captain America: The Winter Soldier
• Rio 2
• Son of God
• Haunt
• Divergent

Captain America: The Winter Soldier is on its 3rd week in cinemas and still strong.  There are still some movie goers watching this movie far from its opening week.  Even I just recently watched it in cinemas.  It is as good as they say.  It covers the world of Shield and it's politics.

12 Years a Slave: Movie Review

This is a good movie, it's more of a thinking and emotional movie than an entertaining one.  I must say it's good, but I can't say it is great.

Let me give the rating first, then explain why I gave such a rating.

I rate this movie a 4 out of 5 stars.

After contemplating about movie, I have to say it's a good experience to have seen a story about someone loosing their freedom with the rest of society is just fine with it.  It's really surprising to see a society that allows men to be slaves and some to roam as a freemen.  It's a good depiction of society in the US before the civil war.  At the start of the movie, the main character does not complain that others are treated as property while he is considered a freeman.  It gets interesting when even at that time, underground syndicates try to get profit from abducting freemen and selling them as slaves.  Something I was not aware of being done at all, until now.

The movie was based on a very old novel, that was published even before the American civil war and written by the main character himself, as a way to let some people be aware of things that are happening.  On what happened to him, and what is wrong with their society.

Movie really shows the feeling of lost and hopelessness.  We take for granted our freedom at times and only value it more when we have lost it.  That was what I felt watching this movie, that we often don't value or forget that freedom is something we should realize is very important and something we enjoy today.

The visuals are good, everything seems authentic for the period movie. Only thing that is a bit noticeable is that their clothes are always clean, too clean for a slave.

For a long length movie, I only found it a bit boring on some scenes.  I find it fascinating to watch, but I won't be watching it again soon.

Now Showing in Philippine cinemas on the 4th and last week of February 2014

Movies now showing in the Philippines this fourth week of February 2014:

• 3 Days to Kill [new]
• Starting Over Again (Filipino Movie - Romance)
• ABNKKBSNPLAKo?! (Filipino Movie - Comedy-Romance)
• Non-Stop [new]
• Robocop (2014 remake)
• Pompeii 
• The Book Thief 
• The Lego Movie
• Ninja: Shadow of Tear [new]
• Third Eye (Filipino Movie - Horror)

There's nothing that is a must see movie, this week.  But this coming March there are a couple of movies, that may be blockbusters.  I was able to watch "3 Days to Kill" with my girlfriend, it was an OK movie. The only redeeming factor it has is the beautiful scenery of Paris.  It's directed by McG, the one who directed Charlie's Angels.  No recommendation to watch for me this week.

Now Showing in the Philippines this 3rd week of February 2014

Movies now showing in the Philippines this third week of February 2014:

• 3 Days to Kill [new]
• Starting Over Again (Filipino Movie - Romance)
• ABNKKBSNPLAKo?! (Filipino Movie - Comedy-Romance) [new]
• Homefront
• Robocop (2014 remake)
• Pompeii [new]
• The Book Thief [new]
• The Lego Movie
• Vampire Academy

It's a slow week for a must see movies.  I was able to watch Starting Over Again with my girlfriend, it was an OK movie. No recommendation to watch for me this week.