Posts Tagged ‘keanu’

14 Nov

Movie Review: John Wick

Posted by vagrantesque in Movies. Tagged: , , , , , , , , , .

Any Keanu fans in the house?

-◊-◊-◊-◊-
Starring: Keanu Reeves, Ian McShane, Willem Defoe
Director: Chad Stahelski (New)
Rating: MA15+
-◊-◊-◊-◊-

.

Say what you will about Keanu Reeves, but there is one kind of role he does really, even spectacularly, well. When he’s on a screen, not saying anything, dropping villains and acting like a general badass, there are few who can match his magnetism. That’s what helps make his latest film, John Wick, one of the most surprising movie outings of the year, but it isn’t what makes it an instant recommendation from yours truly if you enjoy action. No, what makes it so good is its astonishingly effective commitment to world building within a short time frame. If you enjoyed Liam Neeson‘s Taken but wished every one-man-army action movie since its release hadn’t felt exactly the same, you need to go see John Wick.

Continue reading →

22 Jan

Movie Review: 47 Ronin

Posted by vagrantesque in Movies. Tagged: , , , , , , .

I saw this the same day as Saving Mr Banks. I struggle to think of a greater contrast.

-◊-◊-◊-◊-
Starring: Keanu Reeves, Hiroyuki Sanada, Rinko Kikuchi
Director: Carl Rinsch (Newcomer)
Rating: M
-◊-◊-◊-◊-

When I was in Tokyo late last year, I was understandably surrounded by more larger-than-life advertising than I could shake a Pocky stick at. Though anime, J-Pop and fashion billboards dominated the urban landscape, the one Western film that seemed to be getting enough coverage to register amongst the madness was 47 Ronin. Such a presence is understandable, as the film claims to present a fresh, more visually appealing and more fantastical interpretation of one of Japan’s most well known and highly celebrated historical legends than has ever gone before (many, many times, mind you). Yet this latest take on the beloved Japanese tale ends up disappointingly flat despite some cool moments.

Continue reading →