John Wick is perfect

John Wick is the best action movie I have seen in years. First time directing duo Chad Tahelski and David Leitch have created a classic. In fact, I haven't been this pumped about an action movie since Equilibrium.

The role of John Wick was made for Keeanu Reeves. There is minimal dialogue and Reeves gets to focus on kicking ass in a completely dispassionate manner, as if it were a foregone conclusion. In fact, the people Wick is after realize that it largely is a foregone conclusion. Michael Nyqvist is a great mob boss. John Legiuzamo shows up for a small but crucial role. Three roles stand out for me though: Willem Dafoe as Wick's assassin friend, Adrianne Palicki as a female assassin foe of Wick's, and Alfie Allen as the guy you love to hate who wrongs Wick. Seriously, Alfie Allen has likely been permanently typecast as a guy you want to punch in the face. See e.g. Theon Greyjoy.

The fight sequences are more or less believable. The details are great. You can hear shells drop after each shot, Wick takes time to reload, and everything seems so deliberate. The way the movie is shot reminds me somewhat of the first Matrix in that there is a certain minimalist quality to the sets, lighting, and characters. I loved the fact that the movie gave you a glimpse of the underworld, and how Wick is this mythical figure in it. If you like action movies you owe it to yourself to see this movie. I mean, there is no way it will disappoint you.

10/10, perfect action revenge movie. seriously, 10 out of 10.

I ain't no boy

Hellboy is one of the first generation (I think that's right) of comic book movies that came out between the late 90s and early 2000s. I think it was really Blade that was the first big comic movie. Not counting Superman or Batman of course. In this case, Hellboy (the topic of this post) came out in 2004, and was Guillermo del Toro's first major production, unless you count Blade II. Where was I?

Nazis, demons, and random gadgets what more do you want in a popcorn flick? Plus, bonus! Niles Crane plays the underwater dude, movie name "Abe Sapien." Yes I know it is David Hyde Pierce. And let us not forget Selma Blair as, yep, a brooding character. Ron Perlman might have actually been born to be Hellboy. I mean without the makeup he kind of looks like Hellboy. Oh, by the way, Ron Perlman was in Blade II. True story.

This is a good action/sci-fi movie. The story is adequate. The acting is sufficient.

6/10, but a really strong 6. I don't know why I don't just adopt a rating system that incorporates half points...

Space Western Comedy Movie That Works

Guardians of the Galaxy is pure fun. The movie features a ton of stars, and the soundtrack is probably the best soundtrack from last year.

Guardians of the Galaxy is sort of a crime caper set in space. You've got the cowboy, that's Peter Quill aka Starlord played fantastically by Chris Pratt, the cold-blooded assassin Gamora, that's Zoe Saldana, the maniac Drax the Destroyer, played by Dave Bautista, Rocket the jaded genius played by Bradley Cooper, oh and of course the indescribable Groot, played by Vin Diesel. This motley crew is a delight to watch.

The actual Guardians are wonderful in their own right, but the supporting cast is fantastic as well. Glenn Close shows up, John C. Reilly, Lee Pace, and Benecio del Toro. The movie moves at a fast pace, but there is sufficient character development. The story is rather epic, and has a few twists to it, but the story doesn't try to do too much. This is a great popcorn movie.

I really liked the comedic banter among the characters. The cgi was good. The love interest believable enough. I mean, If you like action movies, sci-fi movies, and comic movies you can't miss this movie.

This movie is a 9/10. Maybe 8/10 if you're being a baby. I look forward to the next one.