Voeim Reviews

John Wick (2014)

Manly action film

[7/10 · 11 November 2014]

Lesson learned: don't get on retired legendary hit-man John Wick's bad side. In the film of the same name, he goes back into action shooting up bad guys in a city where it seems that the cops have all simultaneously taken a vacation. Played by surprisingly youthful quinquagenarian Keanu Reeves, John Wick's style of shooting baddies is reminiscent of my days playing Whac-A-Mole, Duck Hunt, or any of those arcade games with the plastic guns. Wick is a vengeant superman, and this is the basis of the entire movie. Although he doesn't have a clear weakness that can be exploited like most heroes, Wick does get into enough trouble for the audience to be sincerely worried about him.

If you're planning on seeing John Wick because you like movies with clever or meaningful story lines, then you're going to be disappointed. If you are looking for raw well- choreographed action and machismo, then look no further. House Greyjoy's Alfie Allen stands out as villainous Russian mafia brat Iosef Tarasov, and Michael Nyqvist (Girl with the Dragon Tattoo) plays Viggo, his mob boss father. Adrianne Palicki, Willem Dafoe, Ian McShane and Dean Winters round out a strong supporting cast.

Overall, I enjoyed John Wick as a pure action film. It doesn't have a storyline like The Matrix or Speed, but it was visually entertaining and the simplicity of the story allowed for appreciation of the action. This movie is manly and primitive, and proves that at the age of 50, Keanu Reeves can still mix it up as an action star.

St. Vincent (2014)

Endearing feel-good comedy

[6/10 · 20 October 2014]

In St. Vincent (directed by Theodore Melfi) recently divorced mother Maggie (Melissa McCarthy) and her son Oliver (Jaeden Lieberher) move in next door to Vincent, who is hardly a saint, played by Bill Murray. As Vincent and Oliver spend more time together, they develop a symbiotic relationship. They need each other, although Vincent tries not to let on that he needs or cares about anyone. Vincent lives a private life, and often shuts people out. In the beginning, the audience does not "know" him that well.

This story is about seeing the good in people. Just like in real life, its easier to see the good in Vincent after you've gotten to know him. What makes Vincent likable in this film? It is his relationship with Oliver that provides us gradual insight into Vincent's character, so that we can like him.

I thought the revelation of Vincent's good qualities was a little too gradual. If not for Bill Murray's charisma, I might have been apathetic towards Vincent for a good part of the film. I also thought Murray's Brooklyn accent was inconsistent. While this movie relies on solid performances by Bill Murray and the supporting cast, don't go see it expecting another Lost in Translation, where he was excellent in a serious role.

St. Vincent is not laugh-out-loud funny, but it makes you smile. The chemistry between Vincent and Oliver helps make the film endearing. Whether or not Bill Murray is at his best, his screen presence is always memorable. Overall, St. Vincent serves it's purpose as a feel-good comedy.

Gone Girl (2014)

Great Thriller

[8/10 · 19 October 2014]

What more could you want in a thriller? Gone Girl is bold and seductive, dark and shocking. It is filled with misdirection. The audience is instantly gripped by the lives of married couple Nick Dunne (Ben Affleck) and "gone girl" Amy Dunne (Rosamund Pike). The movie offers insight into their lives before she went missing. Did he kill her? It is easy to believe he could have. If you don't suspect Nick, then you are left wondering who took her, and whether or not she is dead. If you already read the book and know everything that happens, then you are left thinking just how well done the movie really is.

Director David Fincher is no stranger to psychological thrillers, having directed favorites like Seven, The Game, Fight Club, and more recently, The Social Network. Come Oscar season, I wouldn't be surprised if Fincher again gets nominated for Best Director along with Rosamund Pike for Best Actress and Gone Girl as one of ten Picture of the Year nominees.

Two stories are told in Gone Girl; one centering around Nick and one centered on Amy. It is then vital to the film's success that the performances of Ben Affleck and Rosamund Pike are believable. They go beyond expectations. Affleck shines and Pike gives an Oscar- worthy performance. Gone Girl overall proves to be well-cast and well-acted, with convincing and memorable performances by all who are involved.

I love a good thriller, complete with twists and turns, especially done in the style of David Fincher. Naturally I would recommend Gone Girl to anyone else who does too.