JOHN WICK  3.0*** as regular movie (4.0*** as an action film)

 

       This movie is an “over-the-top”  action flick starring Keanu Reeves (in arguably his best action role since THE MATRIX) as the ultimate, unstoppable hit-man, John  Wick, who is in retirement when the film opens. .But then he  finds himself drawn back into his old ways when the punk son of a  Russian mobster steals his prized '69 Mustang and kills his puppy - a gift from his recently deceased, beloved wife.  Hell bent on getting revenge Wick is laser focused on his prime objective which is to  kill the punk no matter what it takes. His leaves destruction and a huge body count in his wake while all the time  being targeted himself with a huge bounty on his head.  

 

 “John Wick” is insanely fun, violently brutal and an overall wild romp. It is propelled by Tarantino-ish  style and  dialog mixed with the swagger of action stars from the 70s. Reeves literally emulates cool in this film and does it with such confidence, that we never doubt the character...even when he coolly and expertly kills countless bad guys with extreme force in some utterly ridiculous and implausible situations. We don't doubt him  for a minute. This is EXACTLY what you want out of an action film. It is briskly paced, brilliantly shot and meticulously choreographed .The supporting cast filled with the likes of John Legiuzamo, Ian McShane, and Willen Dafoe also keeps this film very interesting. These guys don't play good guys…. what the heck…,  John Wick by traditional standards would be a bad guy in any other film. Every character Wick encounters (including one really bad-ass woman assassin) is more ruthless than the next and pushes John Wick to be even more ruthless than they are, creating a very cool dynamic between the character and the plot regarding the idea of how far is too far? However, don't expect some illuminating revelation from John Wick regarding good versus evil… the point here is…… be very careful whose dog you kill..

 

This film wants you entertained and does so with brute force, it never lets up, not even for a second. One scene in particular that will have your blood pumping is a showdown between multiple thugs and Wick in a nightclub. This action sequence is the best in the film and will have you holding onto your seat with white knuckles due  the sheer intensity of it. Overall, John Wick is slick, violent fun that turns into a remarkably surprising film. I highly recommend this film to action buffs who can withstand a whole lot of brutal violence. The rest of you be forewarned.

 

Rated R for strong and bloody violence throughout, language and brief drug use

 

Clark

 

THE JUDGE  3.2***

 

           Robert Downey, Jr. returns to the screen as Henry Palmer in The Judge.  Henry is a successful Chicago defense attorney who is very good at his job and provides well for his wife and grade-school aged daughter. The wife is bored because Henry works so hard and she is seriously contemplating a divorce. When Henry learns that his mother has passed away, he returns to the small Indiana town of his childhood for the first time in 10 years. There he is reunited with his older brother, Glen (Vincent D'Onofrio), his younger, mentally challenged brother Dale (Jeremy Strong), and his  father, Judge Joseph Palmer (Robert Duvall) with whom he is bitterly estranged.

Judge Palmer becomes a murder hit/run suspect when a low-life he had previously sentenced is hit and killed on his bicycle. Henry defends his father in court. It's more family drama than courtroom drama and just because there's no mystery or "who done it" to solve doesn't mean the courtroom scenes aren't fulfilling. Every scene is  packed with drama  and some humor, and  are quite riveting. The rival prosecuting attorney played by Billy Bob Thornton is a nice surprise.

 

 

With brilliant performances from Robert Downey Jr and Robert Duvall, their battle is a joy to watch. Robert Downey Jr plays the son with his usual quick witted, cocky and charismatic style, and Robert Duvall's very humanistic performance as the bitter, stubborn father makes for a wonderful pairing of adversaries. Their outward bitterness is balanced well with their suppressed love for each other and the film is a wonderful emotional ride.  The two them on screen together are flat out amazing. The chemistry they bring to their on-screen relationship makes the film.  By films end, motivations are clear as well as the reasons why they are so estranged and why their relationship went down that path.  

Even though there was a bit too much going on at time, it is still a touching and absorbing film that will make you laugh and cry, and if you are a fan of either Downey Jr or Duvall you'll love !!

Rated R for language including some sexual references… but a “soft” R.

Clark

THE SKELETON TWINS   3.2***

       The film opens with Milo (Bill Hader) failing at a suicide attempt and winding up at the hospital, and twin sister Maggie (Kristen Wiig) receiving the call while she’s attempting her own suicide attempt. Maggie brings the LA-based Milo back to New York to live with her and her human Labrador of a husband Lance (Luke Wilson). As both come to grips with their brushes with death, they start to face and accept their personal demons.  Some of the major revelations that occur  are incredibly well-handled  giving the audience hints of what’s to come but never making it clear how dysfunctional average-looking people can be.  

The major pull for this film is to see what Wiig and Hader can do (They performed together often when they were on Saturday Night Live). It shouldn't come as a surprise that Wiig (great in “Bridesmaids”) is absolutely terrific, as adept with the drama  as the comedy. Her performance sits in the space between the two, that delectable tension of wondering in what direction she will go   The great delight though is Bill Hader, who proves to be just as skillful as his co-star. Milo is the more "showy" role, a gay actor riddled with emotion and neurosis, but what a relief to see Hader err away from the cliché and worry more about Milo as a character rather than his sexuality . And together, Wiig and Hader are absolutely electric, a powerhouse on-screen team that bring out the best in each other. When the sh** hits the fan, both come out with guns blazing, and leave you cheering as the twins find a place for each other in their complicated lives. There is also excellent work from Luke Wilson, Ty Burrell as Milo's old high school teacher/lover and Joanna Gleeson as their self-absorbed hippy mother

 

There is lots of darkness here. We see suicide attempts, adultery, depression and more, and it's not hidden behind fancy camera work or elevated language. It feels real and you can relate to it. These characters show what families can offer and take away. Nonetheless, 'The Skeleton Twins' is a beautifully pitched film that asks you to feel for a bit, sometimes in ways that feel a little too close to home or too difficult to ponder, but rewards you with hope and heart.

Rated R for language, some sexuality and drug use… but a “soft” R.

Clark

GONE  GIRL  4.0****

 

              Director David Fincher has delivered once again. His latest masterpiece, Gone Girl, is an uneasy thriller based on the novel of the same name by Gillian Flynn, (who also wrote the excellent screenplay for the film).  David Fincher is  one of my favorite directors particularly for his dark thrillers like “Se7en” and “The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo” though he's probably better known for “ The Social Network”, “Fight Club” and “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button”. Fincher is a true artist. He creates incredibly intricate and stunning settings for his films through his unique and highly stylistic visuals.  

 

Ben Affleck plays the husband of Rosamund Pike who goes missing on the day of their 5^th wedding anniversary, and after a wide ranging search, she is presumed dead. Naturally Ben Affleck is the prime suspect. All of this is divulged within the first 15 minutes of the film. What happens after I won't say because watching the story unfold with all its twists and turns is a BIG part of the thrill and enjoyment of this spectacular movie. You may think you’re pretty good at guessing twists.  But I promise that this time most of you will be blindsided more than once. The story is dramatic, shocking and haunting without going overboard into ridiculousness. What transpires between these people is believable, but a real stretch at times, and is quite shocking. More than that I won't say.

 

The story’s beginning will  remind you of the infamous Scott Peterson case ( his pregnant wife went missing and he was later convicted of her murder) But the film looks unlike any film I've seen in recent years. Lead by an all-star cast featuring Ben Affleck, Rosamund Pike, Tyler Perry and Neil Patrick Harris, Gone Girl rises WAY above other thriller/suspense movies with smart storytelling, amazing pacing and stellar performances. What Gone Girl does so brilliantly is tap into the audience's psyche regarding marriage and a blood-thirsty media. It becomes heavy stuff when the story  gets to the meat and bones of it all. With plenty of twists and turns, Gone Girl keeps you, not only second guessing the whole idea of marriage, but the intentions of every character in the film. It is truly one of the most delightfully twisted thriller films you’ll ever see  . David Fincher and his longtime collaborator and cinematographer, Jeff Cronenweth create a hauntingly tense tone  that makes every twist and turn that much more gut wrenching. Every shot is meticulously planned, showing each shot as if it were a still frame that speaks a thousand words. It is truly gorgeous filmmaking. And as for the music, Trent Reznor and Atticus Finch deliver a perfect score, besting their Social Network and Girl with the Dragon Tattoo scores.  

 

Ben Affleck and Rosamund Pike are EXCELLENT in this film. Harris and Perry give well rounded performances as well but are nothing compared to Affleck and Pike.  Pike is at her career best, particularly in the film's second half where she is nothing short of spectacular !!  She should be  a major contender for this year's award season. Affleck is no slouch either, being tasked with a lot of the weightier moments and nailing them like a seasoned pro. Affleck expertly plays up Nick's winning smile and boyish charm, but there's also an almost uncontrollable rage bubbling just beneath the surface.

 

The only  negative about the movie for me was the ending.. This film is almost 2.5 hours long and yet the ending seemed TOO abrupt and left me confused . Maybe that’s what Fincher intended but I felt like something was left out or maybe I missed something.. But, nonetheless it did not detract enough to change my opinion that this is one of the best films of the year. It is a totally mesmerizing film that probably calls for multiple viewings to truly get the full experience. It is impeccably made, beautifully acted and an all-around a near perfect film.

Rated R for a scene of bloody violence, some strong sexual content/nudity, and language

Clark

PS: If you find yourself confused about the ending as I was  I’ll be happy to share with you what I learned after I checked other reviews of the movie and the ending.

  

 

THE EQUALIZER  3.2***

 

    This movie is based off the television series called "The Equalizer". It is about an ex-CIA operative who uses his special skills to help ordinary people who have no other recourse. The Equalizer is a gritty and violent, suspenseful  action film. This movie is very character-driven, and Denzel Washington, who plays the good guy, Robert McCall, gives another stellar performance. At the beginning of the movie, his character lives alone, keeps to himself, and seems to suffer from some form of OCD.   He is not some  wise-cracking ex-cop in the wrong place at the wrong time, but rather a quiet and complex character whose sense of justice is awakened when a young girl is brutally beaten. The film also has a strong Russian bad guy who has almost as much screen time as  Denzel  which most action films lack. However this isn’t your average action film. It’ll remind you of the excellent 2008 movie “Taken” starring Liam Neeson.

 

Denzel delivers a strong, convincing performance with some very catchy, powerful punchlines that actually make the viewer believe that he really is a super bad-ass guy  capable of taking down the entire Russian mob on his own. He owns the character and makes the character come to life on screen.

 

This movie gives you everything you could want from an action film: guns, explosions, suspense and great effects. In fact, the violence and bloodshed  is so prevalent it is definitely deserving of its R- rating, but that also makes the film feel authentic. The excellent performances by all the cast  also  helps raise this movie above your ordinary action movie. Overall the movie gives us a darker hero for darker times, and one you will cheer on every step of the way!

 

Clark