John Wick: A Real Kick-starter—Movie

“Do I look civilized to you?” says John Wick to his nemesis,Viggo Tarasov. Well, no, but nothing in “John Wick” is civilized except Wick’s love for both his recently deceased wife and his new puppy, Daisy. Written by Derek Kolstad and directed by David Leitch and Chad Stahelski, “John Wick” is the story of retired hitman Wick (Keanu Reeves) and how he’s forced out of that retirement.

After his wife, Helen (Bridget Moynahan) dies (seen in flashbacks and phone video), Wick receives a puppy sent from Helen prior to her death, to keep him company. The scenes with the puppy and Wick are very endearing and the two quickly bond. Out one day for a ride with Daisy, he stops at a gas station to fill up his beloved ’69 Mustang, and is subsequently harassed by some young Russian thugs. One of them makes an offer on his car and doesn’t react kindly when his offer is rejected. It’s that rejection that sets into motion a never-ending cycle of tit-for-tat, kill-for-kill revenge, beginning with Daisy, eventually leading Wick back into the life he thought he left behind.

“John Wick” is not your typical blood and guts film. It’s more artistic in nature with a very slight, dark sense of  humor. Directors Leitch and Stahelski are known for their stunt work and in Reeves they are paired with just the right actor. The fight scenes are positively spectacular and have a terrific score working within those scenes.

“John Wick” has an outstanding supporting cast. Willem Dafoe is great as Wick’s friend, mentor and what else? We’re never really sure what his character is up to. Michael Nyqvist plays the elder Tarasov with just the right touch of villainy and humor. Alfie Allen, as the junior Tarasov, is spot-on as the too-big-for-his-britches antagonist. Ian McShane and Lance Reddick are quite good as the mysterious Continental Hotel guest and manager respectively, as is Dean Winters as the dead-pan, right-hand man to the elder Tarasov. John Leguizamo has a fun turn as the no-nonsense mechanic. Rounding out these players is Adrianne Palicki as Ms. Perkins, the take-no-prisoners, would-be assassin. She’s absolutely fantastic.

However, as the movie titles says, this film is “John Wick” and  that is most definitely Keanu Reeves. He is just plain fabulous. When called upon to act, he delivers the goods and then some. But when Reeves gets into fight mode, he just astounds.

“John Wick” is not for everyone. But if you are seeking a slightly more nuanced, artistic action flick, you can’t go wrong with “John Wick.” Oh, and Daisy, R.I.P.

3 nuggets out of 4

A Most Wanted Man: Philip Seymour Hoffman Delivers the Goods—Movie

“A Most Wanted Man” is one of the best espionage thrillers ever, it is that good. If Philip Seymour Hoffman had to leave us way before his time, then thankfully “A Most Wanted Man” gives him the opportunity to showcase all of his acting talent in one terrific film.

Directed by Anton Corbijn with screenplay by Andrew Bovell, based on John le Carré’s novel, “A Most Wanted Man” is set in present day Hamburg, Germany. The film’s prologue tells us that the man responsible for the September 11 attacks, Mohammed Atta, did much of his planning with his collaborators in Hamburg, and the country wants to be sure that they are never responsible for anything like that again. It’s in this scenario that we’re introduced to Issa Karpov (Grigoriy Dobrygin), a young Russian-Chechen who was tortured, abused and beaten in both Russian and Chechen prisons. He’s seeking refuge in Hamburg in the home of friends—a Muslim mother and son. Although his father beat him as a child, he also left him millions in Euros, which Karpov wants to claim so he can do something charitable with that inheritance. His friends put him in touch with Annabel Richter (Rachel McAdams), an idealistic young lawyer who agrees to help him. Against this backdrop we meet Günther Bachmann (Philip Seymour Hoffman), who leads a German secret anti-terrorism team that tries to develop sources in the Muslim community that will lead them to high-level terrorist suspects. Bachmann prefers to work quietly, looking at the big picture, building a case that will hold up for the long-term. His group infiltrates groups and families, going directly to their sources. His approach, “allows a minnow to catch a barracuda.” This philosophy runs counter to that of the Hamburg intelligence head, Dieter Mohr (Rainer Bock), who wants to go for the big arrest immediately, consequences be damned. Karpov has been identified as a jihadist and potential terrorist and unbeknown to him, his moves are being monitored by Bachmann’s group. With the cooperation of Richter and Tommy Brue (Willem Dafoe), a banker whose bank controls Karpov’s funds, Bachmann puts an elaborate plan in motion which he believes will lead him to a much bigger fish—Dr. Faisal Abdullah (Homayoun Ershadi ), a renowned and respected Muslim philanthropist who Bachmann’s team believe is secretly backing terrorist operations.

“A Most Wanted Man’s” international cast is low-key, but supremely talented. Nina Hoss is terrific as Irna Frey, Bachmann’s team colleague. Her rapport and chemistry with Hoffman is off the charts. Rachel McAdams is very believable as Karpov’s German lawyer. Robin Wright is fabulously unreadable as CIA operative Martha Sullivan working with Bachmann on his plan. Willem Dafoe seems right at home playing a German banker with conflicting allegiances. Dieter Mohr does an outstanding job as the man-in-charge you love to hate. Grigoriy Dobrygin is absolutely fantastic as the tortured soul, both physically and emotionally, seeking peace in Hamburg. It’s Karpov’s plight which propels the film forward, and Dobrygin is great in taking us through his journey.

No matter how wonderful the cast is, ultimately this movie belongs to Philip Seymour Hoffman, and that would be the case even if he was still alive. His portrayal of Günther Bachmann is simply astounding. Pudgy, disheveled, hard-drinking and world-weary, Hoffman’s Bachmann is a man who has little in life other than his job, or as Martha Sullivan puts it in one key scene, “making the world a safer place.” As amazing as he is throughout the entire movie, Hoffman’s final five minutes in “A Most Wanted Man” is a one-man master class in acting. It cannot be said enough how remarkable he is in this film.

“A Most Wanted Man” does a tremendous job in showcasing the underbelly of the spy’s world and just how unglamorous it is. A lot of risk, going by one’s gut and planning—some conflicting paths—go into thwarting unspeakable acts of terrorism. “A Most Wanted Man’s” plot builds slowly and steadily until by the movie’s last 20 minutes or so, you are at the edge of your seat waiting for what will happen next. If you look at your watch, it’s only to determine how much time is left for something to go wrong…or not. This is just one hell of a great movie.

4 nuggets out of 4

 

 

Out of the Furnace: Actors Bring the Heat—Movie

Even though “Out of the Furnace” is one of the bleakest, vicious movies of the year, terrific performances from its nearly all-male cast make it worth your while.

Directed by Scott Cooper and written by Cooper and Brad Ingelsby, the film deals with brotherly love, friendship and revenge. Set in the steel town of North Braddock, PA, “Out of the Furnace” revolves around the Baze brothers—older brother, Russell (Christian Bale), and younger brother, Rodney (Casey Affleck). Russell works in the mill and makes a home with schoolteacher, Lena (Zoe Saldana). Along with his uncle (Sam Shepard), he looks after his sick father. It’s not much of a life, but it’s one in which he seems comfortable. On the other hand, Rodney is a mess. Rather than work in the mill, he joined the military and is a three-tour veteran of Iraq, set for a fourth tour. He seems lost and is full of rage. When he’s home on leave he plays the horses and drinks. One doesn’t want to give too much away, but suffice to say, things go horribly wrong for both brothers. Lives are turned upside down when, in an effort to pay off his debts, Rodney becomes involved in bare-knuckle fighting, first in Pennsylvania and then in the hills of New Jersey (many of us didn’t even know this part of New Jersey existed). The New Jersey fights are run by drug/fight kingpin Harlan DeGroat (Woody Harrelson), who’s violently introduced in the movie’s opening scene.

To some extent, this “taking care of one’s family”is a story that has been told before. What takes “Out of the Furnace” to a whole other realm is its acting. Affleck is outstanding as the vet with a wounded heart. He’s so  good as this type of character that it’s easy to forget that he “can do funny,” as evidenced in his “Ocean’s 11” participation. Woody Harrelson is just amazing as the maniacal DeGroat. On paper, this is not a new role for him, but he always brings something to his performances. And Christian Bale?  He is really the movie’s soul and he doesn’t disappoint. There’s something about his portrayal that has you rooting for him from the get-go. He imbues Russell with such empathy, it’s hard not to want him to succeed, and it really hurts when life seems to go against him.

“Out of the Furnace” is bolstered by a wonderful supporting cast. Zoe Saldana, practically the lone female in the film, is terrific as Lena, Russell’s no-nonsense girlfriend. Willem Dafoe is great as John Petty, the slightly sympathetic/slightly menacing bar owner/bookie. Tom Bower is very good as Petty’s good-hearted bartender and cohort. Finally, in addition to Sam Shepard, Forest Whitaker, as the town sheriff, also turns in a low-key, but no less important performance.

There isn’t much, if any, sunshine in “Out of the Furnace.” Filth permeates the air…figuratively and literally. You’ll almost want to shower as soon as you leave the theatre. But that grittiness works and is abetted to a large degree by Dickon Hinchliffe’s banjo-driven score and some featured Pearl Jam songs.

“Out of the Furnace” lags a bit in the beginning, but ends up grabbing your attention and doesn’t let go until the final credits roll.

3 nuggets out of 4