10s Movie Review - 50/ 50

Director: Jonathan Levine
Genre: Drama/ Comedy
Runtime: 100 minutes
Year: 2011
Starring: Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Seth Rogen, Anna Kendrick, Bryce Dallas Howard, Anjelica Huston, Philip Baker Hall

Description: 27-year-old Adam (Joseph-Gordon Levitt) learns of his cancer diagnosis, and his subsequent struggle to beat the disease.

Review: Jonathan Levine directs the film, based on the script by Will Reiser. The story is about a young man who finds out he has cancer. Even though it’s about this heavy theme, the movie is very light and positive. There are clichés, but the good kind. The awkward relationship between Adam and his therapist Katherine, the infectious humor from his best friend Kyle and Adam’s overprotective mother. “50/ 50” show that clichés aren’t always a bad thing.
The way the story is told, very light, is extremely pleasant and there is a great soundtrack. And the cast convinces. Joseph Gordon-Levitt shows us that he is able to carry a movie and it’s an award worthy performance. Seth Rogen and Anna Kendrick are also very solid and fit their characters well.
Although “50/ 50” is about a terrible decease, it’s wonderful how they managed to make it into such a positive and likeable movie. It’s one of my all-time favorites.

Rating: 5/ 5

Movie Reviews - John Wick: Chapter 3 - Parabellum

Director: Chad Stahelski
Genre: Action/ Crime
Runtime: 131 minutes
Year: 2019
Starring: Keanu Reeves, Halle Berry, Ian McShane, Laurence Fishburne, Mark Dacascos, Jerome Flynn, Lance Reddick, Angelica Huston

Description: John Wick (Keanu Reeves) is on the run after killing a member of the international assassin’s guild, and with a $14 million price tag on his head, he is the target of hit men and women everywhere.

Review: John Wick is back. His name is a well-known fact within the perfectly choreographed fight scenes and highly stylized décor. The third film in the series, picks up where part two has left us. And it’s a fun ride!
John Wick is trying to find his way through rainy New York. He has a 14 million dollar prize on his head, but that’s what happens when you murder a member of the International Assassin’s Guild. And he did this in the Continental Hotel, which is supposed to be neutral ground. Within this gigantic world, everyone is trying to catch John Wick. And like the manager of the Continental Hotel tells him: “Si vis pacem, para bellum”. Or better, if you want peace, you better prepare for war.
John Wick still fights with the consequences of avenging his dead dog. The location and new characters offer more entertainment then depth and the plot sometimes even feels irrelevant. But, let’s be honest, it never really was relevant. It’s mostly the amazing looking fight scenes that we’re all looking forward too.
These action scenes are all fantastic, original and very well-choreographed. The opponents seem more dangerous, the situations more bizarre and mostly more creative. Even in the first half hour, Wick fights his attackers in a room filled with antique weaponry: old revolvers, muskets and knives. And later he used horses. Every fight had new surprises and each fight is intense.
And in those action scenes we see the best acting as well. Keanu Reeves’ face gives away a lot.
Where the first “John Wick” movie surprised everyone, we didn’t expect to be needing a complete trilogy. But we did and we love it. It’s a very solid and consistent trilogy as well. And I wouldn’t be surprised if the series didn’t end here.

Rating: 4/ 5