JOHN WICK: CHAPTER 4 Brings the Mythology to a Crescendo

An action franchise whose films have been progressively more successful, John Wick: Chapter 4 is an expanded, grand sequel that elevates the series into nirvana for fans.

Assassin John Wick (Keanu Reeves) seeks his freedom from the ruthless High Table, the controlling body for assassins governed by strict covenants and unflinching loyalty. The Marquis (Bill Skarsgård)  is sent to eliminate Wick and uses top assassins including Wick’s old friend, Caine (Donnie Yen) who is blind yet lethal.  Wick is pursued across the globe seeking help from the Japanese Continental, reconnecting with his past in Berlin, and ultimately confronting his destiny in Paris.  Can Wick survive or will he fall victim to an overwhelming horde of killers?

The film, filled with quotable maxims, never forgets the importance of friendships, loyalty, and tradition as it introduces new characters and resurrects familiar faces (Ian McShane, Laurence Fishburne and the late Lance Reddick) that are integral to the mythology of the series. Reeves has some of the film’s best moments when paired with Yen, a great addition whose physical prowess and martial arts are breathtaking.

Longtime director Chad Stahelski has come into his own with beautifully composed scenes (recalling John Woo) merging fluid camerawork and color schemes with well-choreographed fights and stylized violence.  The film is filled with spectacular scenes integrating martial arts, swordplay, and guns (lots of guns) particularly in three remarkable sequences: the Japanese Continental, the Arc de Triomphe, and a stupendous climax on the Sacré-Coeur steps.  And then there is Keanu with nunchucks…

This supreme entertainment, despite its 169 minutes, manages to be engaging and well-paced throughout. Although a couple action scenes could have been trimmed, this mega epic delivers the goods with an emotional ending that may surprise some.  (There is a key end credit scene.)

**** of **** stars

Brash, Bold Bogart in SPINNING GOLD

Spinning Gold is a trip down memory lane as it explores the origin of some of the greatest pop music of the 1970s and beyond. It’s the remarkable, true story of a legendary rebel who revolutionized the musicbusiness. 

Beginning in the 1960s through the 1970s, Neil Bogart (Jeremy Jordan) is a born entrepreneur who struggles to find success in the music industry.  Making a break with big labels, he starts an independent company and goes head-to-head with them in a David vs Goliath scenario that turns acrimonious. Bogart is passionate whether he is hustling a record deal or being a showman and promoter as he nurtures up and coming artists like Gladys Knight, Kiss, Bill Withers, The Isley Brothers, Donna Summer, and many more across various musical genres from rock to gospel to disco. However, his fledgling label, Casablanca Records, finds itself deep in debt, and with no megahits to stave off creditors, things look bleak until Bogart’s unwavering belief in the music begins to make a difference for what will become the largest independent record label ever.

Bogart is depicted as a brash visionary, part con man, whose personal life was torn apart while descending into drugs and alcohol. Through it all, he has a knack for spotting talent and using whatever means including payola to get his records airplay on radio stations.  The hit songs that infuse the soundtrack and the faithful recreations of live performances vividly recall the era, and the background stories behind the artists are revealing and fascinating.  

This serviceable chronicle, a loving tribute (warts and all) by Bogart’s son, director Timothy Scott Bogart, aims to be more than it is but is worth a look. Just don’t expect too much.

*** of **** stars

Stoic Authority Gone Too Soon

 

I loved actor Lance Reddick on Fringe and John Wick films. He always had an authoritative aura and formality. Born in Baltimore and started in The Wire. Gone much too soon. Gone much too soon. Not sure if he completed his scenes in the Wick spinoff Ballerina (I hope so), but watching his finished role John Wick 4 will carry added meaning.

95th Oscars Return to Normal

 

Jimmy Kimmel masterfully hosted the Oscars as the ceremony felt normal post Covid and post 'slap'. The show was long but well paced and minimal dead space which has been a sin in previous telecasts. Lady Gaga, busy shooting a film, made a surprise appearance to sing the nominated song from Top Gun Maverick. You could feel a swell building for Everything Everywhere All at Once and it dominated at the end in a way no film has done in many years totaling seven Oscars. Happy for veterans Jamie Lee Curtis and Michelle Yeoh (although Cate Blanchett was my pick.) In Memoriam segment badly missed several obvious name actors. Very happy for comeback kid Brendan Fraser.  Also pleased Sarah Polley got recognized for her adapted script for Women Talking. felt like a normal show finally.

OSCAR Predictions of 2023 Oscars for 2022 FIlms

2023 Oscar Predictions for 2022 Films

This is one of the most challenging years for predicting the Oscars. Some categories are easy but several major ones could provide surprises as the previous guilds have gone in different directions. Again, I have seen the Best Picture nominees and many others and will give my best guesses, shaky as it will be this time around. Figure Everything Everywhere All at Once will get the most wins. But there is a chance several awards could swing to Everything Everywhere. In recent years the Academy has spread the awards with no one film dominating, and I am going with that sentiment for better or worse. Above all, enjoy the show and watch out for a shock or two!

Picture- Everything Everywhere All at Once though Top Gun: Maverick was my personal pick
Actress- Cate Blanchett for Tár was to me the best, but I would love Michelle Yeoh for Everything Everywhere...
Actor- Brendan Fraser in The Whale but watch out for Austin Butler in Elvis and also Colin Farrell in The Banshees of Inisherin if votes are split
Director-The Daniels for Everything Everywhere....
Supporting Actress-Angela Bassett in Wakanda Forever but Jamie Lee Curtis  in Everything Everywhere has momentum
Supporting Actor-Ke Huy Quan for Everything Everywhere All at Once
Adapted Screenplay-Women Talking
Original Screenplay-Everything Everywhere All at Once but I prefer The Banshees of Inisherin
Cinematography-All Quiet on the Western Front
Costume Design-Wakanda Forever but Elvis is close
Film Editing- Everything Everywhere All at Once
Makeup and Hairstyling- Elvis but The Whale and Fraser may be tied together
Production Design- Babylon
Score- Babylon but All Quiet on the Western Front is closing in
Song- RRR
Sound- Top Gun: Maverick
Visual Effects- Avatar: the Way of Water
Animated Feature- Guillermo delToro's Pinocchio
Documentary Feature- Navalny over All the Beauty and the Bloodshed
International Film- All Quiet on the Western Front
Animated Short-The Boy, the Mole, the Fox, and the Horse
Documentary Short-The Elephant Whisperers
Live Action Short- An Irish Goodbye barely over Le Pupille

Good Old Fashioned CHAMPIONS

Director Bobby Farrelly, whose previous collaborations with his brother Peter Farrelly generated enormously popular comedies (There’s Something About Mary and Dumb and Dumber), goes solo with the comedy/drama, Champions, a good natured, entertaining tale of soul searching and redemption that features an engaging performance by Woody Harrelson.

Marcus (Harrelson), an assistant basketball coach, yearns to rise in the coaching ranks, but his headstrong temper gets him fired and court ordered to coach a youth team comprised of an odd assortment of players, many of whom are intellectually challenged. A hard drinker, at times self-centered and reckless, he knows game strategy X’s and O’s, but what he lacks is building relationships.  To complicate things, the sister of one player is an old flame who holds bad memories. However, people can surprise you when given a chance with good coaching and mentoring.  As the team remarkably rises to the occasion, it all comes down to an important game, and the players must overcome adversity to prove themselves.

It’s the classic story of underdogs (with echoes of The Mighty Ducks and Hoosiers) who learn to band together as a team, and part of the fun is watching them build rapport among themselves and with their new coach. Of course, this is an opportunity for Marcus to not only learn from his players, but reassess his priorities and realize what really makes him happy.

Farrelly retains his past, comedic touches as a number of lines and sight gags are funny and occasionally gross, and the film just misses becoming something special by not fully exploring the changes in Marcus. Yes, you’ve seen this ‘feel good’ scenario before, but the play is the thing, and Harrelson and company do a winning job of it.

*** of **** stars (add ½* for Woody fans)

A Rebel With a Cause

Movie and TV actor Robert Blake has passed at 89. A child actor with Our Gang and early films like The Treasure of the Sierra Madre, he began to star in important films like In Cold Blood and Tell Them Willie Boy Is Here. He was a standout starring in the cult classic Electra Glide in Blue (which had a poster adorning the captain's office in TV's Hill Street Blues). He guested on numerous talk shows but none more so than his dynamic interviews on The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson.  His signature role was as the tough, streetwise detective on Baretta which earned him an Emmy Award.

I actually met him at a friend's wedding on the West Coast decades ago and told him I enjoyed his work. That's how I choose to remember a career that spanned Hollywood's Golden Age to the New Hollywood.

Iconic Role in Fiddler on the Roof

Israeli actor Chaim Topol has passed at 87.  This veteran of stage, screen, and TV earned Tony and Oscar nominations for his signature role in Fiddler on the Roof on Broadway and the 1971 film version. His roles were spare but memorable including the TV blockbusters, The Winds of War and War and Rememberence. One of his best roles was of a mysterious Greek in For Your Eyes Only.

 
 

Actor in Action Pics

Actor Tom Sizemore has passed at 61. He co-starred on TVs China Beach before key roles in Point Break and True Romance. He was featured in Natural Born Killers and Enemy of the State. His most noteworthy work were starring roles in some of the biggest action films ever, Heat, Pearl Harbor, Saving Private Ryan, and Black Hawk Down.