Film reviews

John Wick: Chapter 4 Review

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John Wick: Chapter 4 is almost three hours long, but it doesn’t feel like that because it’s one of the most action-packed and lethal flicks in this franchise. In this latest, possibly the last, John Wick film, all the events and conflicts from the previous films come together. There are simply no limits to the violence in John Wick: Chapter 4. It left me breathless and dazzled.

Keanu Reeves continues as John Wick in John Wick: Chapter 4, but this time he’s on his biggest mission yet—taking on the High Table, the world’s most powerful crime organization. All that Wick has worked for has come to this point. The way for Wick to earn his freedom is to win the battle against the High Table. Wick still works for Winston (played by Ian McShane), and he’s come a long way towards meeting Winston’s expectations, and the expectations of Bowery King (played by Laurence Fishburne). But before Wick makes his way to the High Table, there are some harsh situations and enemies he must get by, including no less than an entire army. With another crime boss, Marquis (played by Bill Skarsgard), and a deadly assassin, Caine (played by Donnie Yen), who happens to be blind, coming into the fray, John Wick: Chapter 4 sizzles with deceit, twists, and the most danger yet for Wick.

From the previous films in this franchise, I had a feeling this would be the longest ride of destruction yet in a John Wick movie. And besides the destruction, the ride was also invigorated by its dialogue. When Wick is told, “Kill as many as you can,” the clock starts for massive damage to begin. I was astounded by the film’s vast array of destruction. It was like attending a prize fight because the punches were loud, and it seemed like you’d be able to hear them from miles away.

Reeves is a man of a few words, in real life and in most of his movie roles, and his quietness helps him role with the punches in John Wick: Chapter 4. In one scene the phrase, “a genuine conundrum,” is used, and Wick indeed finds himself in all kinds of conundrums in this film. Most of the time Wick succeeds in finding his way out of the situation, and he usually does the most damage. The unstoppable force of John Wick will make the audience feel his wrath in Wick in John Wick: Chapter 4.

The fighting, the adventures, the twists—every moment creates an important foundation in John Wick: Chapter 4. There is no stopping Wick from reaching the top to regain his freedom—or is there? Can Wick make it out alive? John Wick: Chapter 4 will keep its viewers wondering what’s to come.

This is definitely one of the best films in the franchise. John Wick: Chapter 4 brings the stressors of the previous films to a gun blazing pinnacle. A wild ride of Keanu Reeves action and unparalleled craziness. An unforgettable experience. Four stars for John Wick: Chapter 4.

Film reviews

Palm Trees and Power Lines

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Being an adolescent is a time of challenge for many individuals. There is peer pressure and a desire to be popular. There is also disconnect in young people’s relationships with their parents. In Palm Trees and Power Lines, the lines of disconnect and peer pressure intersect in this tale of a girl who just wants to feel loved. This movie is visually moving and utterly surprising. The film deals with deep emotions and will change the way many look at individuals growing up in challenging times. Through the eyes of actress Lily McInerny, we experience her vision of what she feels can bring her life and happiness. She is someone who deserves both, but the way she receives them may not be what everyone anticipates.

Palm Trees and Power Lines is focused on the pressures of a teen girl. There are many romantic opportunities for the girl. The issues, however, are that she feels like her mom does not connect with her, and her friends are strange. These issues cause her to not have the best judgment regarding what direction to go in her life. Palm Trees and Power Lines displays many of the emotional behaviors which can cause an adolescent to not think straight or think for themselves. The film is a vivid work of art that crosses boundaries. Despite the disturbing scenarios, it is faithful in its illustration of wanting to be connected.

The plot Palm Trees and Power Lines centers on Lea (McInerny). She is a teenage girl who lives with her mom Sandra (played by Gretchen Mol.) Lea feels disconnected because her mom cares about having a social life which does include Lea. Although Lea’s mom does not have bad intentions, Lea surrounds herself with friends who drink and get into other mischievous teenage behavior. All of this stops when Lea meets Tom (played by Jonathan Tucker.) The age difference between them is huge and concerning. Lea is only seventeen and Tom is in his thirties. When they’re together, Lea feels happy and connected. However, as they continue to hang out and have that romantic vibe, some red flags appear. For example, when Lea goes out with Tom, she is asked numerous times if she needs help which makes Lea question what Tom is like.  Still, she feels too connected to let him go.

The relationship between Tom and Lea raises a lot of eyebrows. It even shifts Lea’s behavior towards her mother. When her mother tries to be there for Lea, Lea becomes rebellious and acts like her mom is distracted. While her mom is distracted, she is not a bad person. Lea struggles to see who is looking out for her, as her relationship with Tom grows stronger. Since their romance is already inappropriate, Lea feels she is invested in being part of Tom’s life. Therefore, she spends more time with him than working on herself or her other problems in her own life.

The theme of Palm Trees and Power Lines is heavy and emotional. Some may find it hard to watch which I did during a few scenes. It is a story in which Lea must decide if she wants to continue the situation she is in with Tom. Is she truly happy?  Is Tom realistic about his feelings? With the age gap, there is a series of consequences that can ruin both their lives. Palm Trees and Power Lines demonstrates how adolescents make poor decisions during difficult times which made me feel empathy for Lea in the film.

One fact I reflected on throughout Palm Trees and Power Lines was that in young adults much of the human brain is not yet fully developed. This was evident in Lea’s performance. Because of her age, she does not understand what it is like to be in love or committed, but simply wants to feel cared for. Palm Trees and Power Lines is one of the heaviest representations I have seen related to the consequences involved in poor judgment while growing up. It is mesmerizing, although it may be hard to sit through a second viewing. Three stars.

Film reviews

65 Review

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The meaning of 65 is “65 million years ago” and is intended to be an attention-grabbing fact. The movie is a blur of sci-fi fascination with technological captivation. It also has a lost planet vibe where there are endless surprises. The world in 65’s futuristic setting may be appealing, but I was not very impressed. A better way to describe 65 would be to say it is like the world of a video game merged with a film. The video game is along the lines of Halo, and the movie a bit like Jurassic Park. Two factors that may sound interesting to correlate, unfortunately fail to deliver.

There is not much of an intriguing plot while the film progresses from one catastrophe to the next. To help provide a better understanding, 65 starts with a ship crashing on an unknown planet. The captain is Mills, played by Adam Driver. All his passengers are gone, his ship has malfunctioned, and he has one survivor. The survivor is Koa, played by Ariana Greenblatt. Koa is Mills new mission. She is his responsibility to get to safety and to help her find her way home from this unknown planet which is full of dinosaurs and all kinds of strange scientific stuff. 65’s scenery is amazing, but it is like a video game. The movie adaptation has a very poor setup to its premise.

Much of the action in 65 just keeps happening without any explanation. It also seems like it borrows elements from other sci-fi classics.  For example, the ship in the film looks like the Starship Enterprise from Star Trek, and the world looks like the video game Metroid Prime.  The film is poorly written.  If the movie were to be more interesting, it should have created more questions for its audience. Is there more to the crash on the planet? Is there a reason why the planet is extinct? Are there resources on the planet for survival? 65 is a ride of rushed boredom that does not focus on factors that could entertain its audience.

There are a few points in the film when I did find the dangers on the planet enjoyable because they were visually stunning. Otherwise, 65 does not do much justice as a sci-fi adventure because it is not adventurous. It is a film that feels like a rip-off TV series that did not sell me at all. In fact, most video games based upon movies usually do not turn out that great either. In addition to 65 being nothing original, its technicalities, its characterizations, and its writing are all glitchy and cheesy. Watching it requires the attention-span of watching paint dry.  My experience with this film equates to watching a video game I was bored of playing.

Is 65 terrible? No, it is mediocre. Is it visually excellent? Very much so. Are there hidden treasures of sci-fi excitement? Not really. How many stars does it deserve? I would rate with only two stars because it lacks in many qualities.

Treating cinema in many forms of art!