Connect with us

News

JOHN WICK: CHAPTER 2 Offers More Headshots And Is Entirely More Badass

Published

on

Every once and a while, there is a flash of intense genius in cinema. Here, I’m talking about the action variety. The sort of action that is searing and leaping off of the screen. In a time when American action films were hitting a wall of mediocrity, John Wick came out of nowhere and absolutely audiences with its badass self and now here we are with John Wick: Chapter 2 continuing the bloody path of equal balls-to-the-wall action genius.

The film begins with John Wick still picking up the pieces from the aftermath of the path of destruction from the first film. If you recall, John murdered a bunch of people and got sweet revenge but he never was able to get his Mustang back. So, naturally, the film opens with John going after his beloved car. This leads to an all out battle of metal, glass, bones and blood as he goes up against the dudes trying to stop him from taking the car back. Big mistake.

The central story follows Wick as he attempts to get back to a less murdery life, only to have someone from John’s past come up and ask him to perform a hit. When John turns down the offer, he is reminded that he owes a blood oath. Eventually seeing he has no other choice, he takes the job and heads to Italy to perform one last hit.

The intricate and analog world of John Wick is back. The Hotel Continental still acts as a sanctuary and John’s colleagues are still a big part of the story. But, as with any good sequel, this one opens up that world even further and gives you a peak behind the curtain. This is a world where a bartender acts as your weapons dealer, a tailor acts as a armor dealer and old telephone switchboards act as the underworld’s sole lines of communication. The world is still hyper-stylized with eccentric killers and intense candy-colored light magic.

This one also doubles the headshots and the amount of chaotic damage John does when armed. We have seen him use his pistols before, in this one he ups the action by switching to automatic shotguns and assault rifles. The mix of Judo and gun fu are a hypnotically awesome dance to watch.

Wick

Keanu, once again puts himself through the ringer in order to perform his own onscreen fights and gun magic. The dude was born to play the part, and he reminds of you of that throughout. The close-ups of Reeves in close quarters combat are breathtaking and couldn’t have been done without the level of commitment that Reeves had to becoming a real-life tactical expert.

From John Wick: Chapter 2’s first teaser poster,designed identically after Harry Lloyd’s Two-Gun Gussie. It was clear that this film would have inspiration from the classic silent films of yesterday. When John Wick battles Cassian (Common), the film becomes a sustained exercise in the best of silent films. The back and froth between these two could easily have the volume muted and still be just as effective.Adding to the silent film inspired world, Ares (Ruby Rose) plays one of the baddies who is a mute with a sadistic side. Rose does an awesome job of brining a unique character into the world and assisting in the silent world aesthetic.

The bone crushing practical stunts and the big set pieces go for broke this time around. I know what you are saying “But the first one was already action packed and brutal! How could this one take it any further?!” Well, good question (and stop yelling) but I assure you this one improves on and builds off of everything from the first film, making it your favorite action movie of 2017.

As if they were trying to overload my brain on the amount of cool shit in this movie, they bring in a Keanu Reeves and Laurence Fishburn reunion and a cameo by Franco Nero (Djano himself!). Fishburn plays a character called The Bowery King, it’s clear that John and him have a history. Their interaction is one of the few dialogue filled moments that allow you to catch your breath from all the action. It’s good to see these dudes on the screen together again and if all goes well, we might be seeing him again if there is a Chapter 3.

Asia usually gets all the cool action stuff, so I feel like we are living through history when we get our very own out this way. John Wick and John Wick: Chapter 2 are history in the making and are entirely badass. Don’t miss Keanu blasting heads off of the bad guys and as homework, try to count up all the headshots. Pssst, it’s a lot.

'Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire' Popcorn Bucket

Click to comment

You must be logged in to post a comment Login

Leave a Reply

News

New Poster Reveal For Nicolas Cage’s Survival Creature Feature ‘Arcadian’ [Trailer]

Published

on

Nicolas Cage Arcadian

In the latest cinematic venture featuring Nicolas Cage, Arcadian emerges as a compelling creature feature, teeming with suspense, horror, and emotional depth. RLJE Films has recently released a series of new images and a captivating poster, offering audiences a glimpse into the eerie and thrilling world of “Arcadian”. Scheduled to hit theaters on April 12, 2024, the film will later be available on Shudder and AMC+, ensuring a wide audience can experience its gripping narrative.

Arcadian Movie Trailer

The Motion Picture Association (MPA) has given this film an “R” rating for its “bloody images,” hinting at the visceral and intense experience awaiting viewers. The film draws inspiration from acclaimed horror benchmarks like “A Quiet Place,” weaving a post-apocalyptic tale of a father and his two sons navigating a desolate world. Following a catastrophic event that depopulates the planet, the family faces the dual challenge of surviving their dystopian environment and eluding mysterious nocturnal creatures.

Joining Nicolas Cage in this harrowing journey are Jaeden Martell, known for his role in “IT” (2017), Maxwell Jenkins from “Lost in Space,” and Sadie Soverall, featured in “Fate: The Winx Saga.” Directed by Ben Brewer (“The Trust”) and penned by Mike Nilon (“Braven”), “Arcadian” promises a unique blend of poignant storytelling and electrifying survival horror.

Maxwell Jenkins, Nicolas Cage, and Jaeden Martell 

Critics have already begun to praise “Arcadian” for its imaginative monster designs and exhilarating action sequences, with one review from Bloody Disgusting highlighting the film’s balance between emotional coming-of-age elements and heart-pounding horror. Despite sharing thematic elements with similar genre films, “Arcadian” sets itself apart through its creative approach and action-driven plot, promising a cinematic experience filled with mystery, suspense, and relentless thrills.

Arcadian Official Movie Poster

'Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire' Popcorn Bucket

Continue Reading

News

‘Winnie the Pooh: Blood and Honey 3’ Is a Go with Enhanced Budget and New Characters

Published

on

Winnie the Pooh 3

Wow, they’re churning things out fast! The upcoming sequel “Winnie the Pooh: Blood and Honey 3” is officially moving forward, promising an expanded narrative with a larger budget and the introduction of beloved characters from A.A. Milne’s original tales. As confirmed by Variety, the third installment in the horror franchise will welcome Rabbit, the heffalumps, and the woozles into its dark and twisted narrative.

This sequel is a part of an ambitious cinematic universe that reimagines children’s stories as horror tales. Alongside “Winnie the Pooh: Blood and Honey” and its first sequel, the universe includes films such as “Peter Pan’s Neverland Nightmare”, “Bambi: The Reckoning,” and “Pinocchio Unstrung”. These movies are set to converge in the crossover event “Poohniverse: Monsters Assemble,” slated for a 2025 release.

Winnie the Pooh Poohniverse

The creation of these films was made possible when A.A. Milne’s 1926 children’s book “Winnie-the-Pooh” entered the public domain last year, allowing filmmakers to explore these cherished characters in unprecedented ways. Director Rhys Frake-Waterfield and producer Scott Jeffrey Chambers, of Jagged Edge Productions, have led the charge in this innovative endeavor.

The inclusion of Rabbit, heffalumps, and woozles in the upcoming sequel introduces a new layer to the franchise. In Milne’s original stories, heffalumps are imagined creatures resembling elephants, while woozles are known for their weasel-like characteristics and a penchant for stealing honey. Their roles in the narrative remain to be seen, but their addition promises to enrich the horror universe with deeper connections to the source material.

'Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire' Popcorn Bucket

Continue Reading

News

How to Watch ‘Late Night with the Devil’ from Home: Dates and Platforms

Published

on

Late Night With The Devil

For fans eager to dive into one of this year’s most talked-about horror films from the comfort of their own home, “Late Night with the Devil” will be available for streaming exclusively on Shudder starting April 19, 2024. This announcement has been highly anticipated following the film’s successful theatrical release by IFC Films, which saw it earning rave reviews and a record-breaking opening weekend for the distributor.

“Late Night with the Devil” emerges as a standout horror film, captivating audiences and critics alike, with Stephen King himself offering high praise for the 1977-set film. Starring David Dastmalchian, the movie unfolds on Halloween night during a live late-night talk show broadcast that disastrously unleashes evil across the nation. This found footage-style film not only delivers scares but also authentically captures the aesthetic of the 1970s, drawing viewers into its nightmarish scenario.

David Dastmalchian in Late Night with the Devil

The film’s initial box office success, opening to $2.8 million in 1,034 theaters, underscores its wide appeal and marks the highest opening weekend for an IFC Films release. Critically acclaimed, “Late Night with the Devil” boasts a 96% positive rating on Rotten Tomatoes from 135 reviews, with the consensus praising it for rejuvenating the possession horror genre and showcasing David Dastmalchian’s exceptional performance.

Rotten Tomatoes score as of 3/28/2024

Simon Rother of iHorror.com encapsulates the film’s allure, emphasizing its immersive quality that transports viewers back to the 1970s, making them feel as if they are part of the eerie “Night Owls” Halloween broadcast. Rother lauds the film for its meticulously crafted script and the emotional and shocking journey it takes viewers on, stating, “This whole experience will have viewers of the Cairnes brothers’ film glued to their screen… The script, from beginning to end, is neatly sewn together with an ending that’ll have jaws on the floor.” You can read the full review here.

Rother further encourages audiences to watch the film, highlighting its multifaceted appeal: “Whenever it is made available to you, you must attempt to view the Cairnes Brothers’ latest project as it will make you laugh, it will creep you out, it will amaze you, and it might even strike an emotional cord.”

Set to stream on Shudder on April 19, 2024, “Late Night with the Devil” offers a compelling blend of horror, history, and heart. This film is not just a must-watch for horror aficionados but for anyone looking to be thoroughly entertained and moved by a cinematic experience that redefines the boundaries of its genre.

'Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire' Popcorn Bucket

Continue Reading

Embed Gif with Clickable Title