MOVIE REVIEW: BALLERINA

 

An assassin trained in the traditions of the Ruska Roma organization sets out to seek revenge after her father's death.

Director: Len Wiseman

Cast: Ana de Armas, Gabriel Byrne, Catalina Sandino Moreno, Norman Reedus, Anjelica Huston, Lance Reddick, Ian McShane, Keanu Reeves

Release Date: June 6, 2025

Genre: Action, Thriller

Rated R for strong/bloody violence throughout, and language.

Runtime: 2h 5m

Review:

Ballerina is preposterous on multiple levels, but the inventive action and Ana de Armas' laser focused performance makes it far more watchable than it deserves to be.  Len Wiseman is no stranger to directing kick ass heroines, having helmed the Underworld franchise in the early 2000's, so he makes an easy fit for this John Wick spin off.  He's more than capable of emulating the look and feel of the main line films, especially the increasingly outlandish action sequences highlighted by a flamethrower fight in the final act.  There's also a fun injection of tongue in cheek comedy during the barrage of action sequences highlighted by a sequence in a Bavarian Cafe that might have people of a certain age have Three Stooges flashbacks.  It’s a nice way to mix things up for the usual formula along with making a point of Eve having to make up for the strength disparity with the majority of her male adversaries.  That's not to say she doesn't mow through a boat load of people throughout the film's runtime but it’s refreshing to see them get a bit more inventive with the character relying more on knives and bombs in addition to the cornucopia of guns she uses.  Sure, it’s ultimately lip service since her character has a video game style rechargeable life bar which recharges shortly after the assorted injuries she endures throughout.  Ana De Armas is impressively focused throughout, making it all the mayhem and carnage immensely watchable even as it starts to overstay its welcome.  There's also a sense that she's searching for something meatier, character wise, to bite into which is sadly lacking for her and the cast across the board.  The script offers the bares of a story thread, leaning heavily on the established lore while throwing out some interesting ideas like an assassin cult but never really doing anything with it.  If there had been a bit more time and attention given to the story and characters, it would have made Ballerina more than a fun but forgettable detour from the main series.     

C+

MOVIE REVIEW: BOOKSMART

Academic overachievers Amy and Molly thought keeping their noses to the grindstone gave them a leg up on their high school peers. But on the eve of graduation, the best friends suddenly realize that they may have missed out on the special moments of their teenage years. Determined to make up for lost time, the girls decide to cram four years of not-to-be missed fun into one night -- a chaotic adventure that no amount of book smarts could prepare them for.

Director: Olivia Wilde

Cast: Kaitlyn Dever, Beanie Feldstein, Jessica Williams, Will Forte, Lisa Kudrow, Jason Sudeikis

Release Date: May 24, 2019

Genres: Comedy

Rated R for strong sexual content and language throughout, drug use and drinking - all involving teens

Runtime: 1h 42min

Review:

Booksmart can easily be written off as a female version of Superbad but it’s actually much more than just that.  Oliva Wilde directorial debut is a smart and funny even if feels familiar.  The coming of age story is well worn and it can be difficult to bring something new to the table.  Wilde brings a nice bit of visual flair along with likable characters.  The central duo of Kaitlyn Dever & Beanie Feldstein share great chemistry and strong comedic timing.  The supporting cast is made up of a steady stream of familiar faces who all make the film better though I do wish we’d gotten a bit more of Jason Sudeikis.  Billie Lourde does stand out as a recurring character that’s constantly everywhere.  Overall, the story has a strong sense of inclusiveness and heart at its center adding depth to the raunchy romp.  It’s likely to join the list of the great coming of age movies much like Superbad.

A-

MOVIE REVIEW: JOHN WICK: CHAPTER 3 - PARABELLUM

After gunning down a member of the High Table -- the shadowy international assassin's guild -- legendary hit man John Wick finds himself stripped of the organization's protective services. Now stuck with a $14 million bounty on his head, Wick must fight his way through the streets of New York as he becomes the target of the world's most ruthless killers.

Director: Chad Stahelski

Cast: Keanu Reeves, Halle Berry, Laurence Fishburne, Mark Dacascos, Asia Kate Dillon, Lance Reddick, Anjelica Huston, Ian McShane

Release Date: May 17, 2019

Genres: Action, Crime, Thriller

Rated R for pervasive strong violence, and some language

Runtime: 2 h 10min

Review:

John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum somehow finds a way to up the ante on the action franchise.  It’s dance like choreography of the action sequences are truly something to behold.  Here director Chad Stahelski delivers a bevy of action set pieces that are just as jaw dropping and as they are audacious.  It’s a cornucopia of variety as well which keeps the sequences from becoming stale or repetitive.  Keanu Reeves is at the center of the whole thing of course and in his usual Reeves way he moves the film along even with the barebones plot.  The plot itself is strangely complicated and simplistic at the same time.  The story does open up the world and mythology but rarely gets bogged down too much keeping the focus on the action that everyone has come to expect from the franchise.  If there is a slight issue, it’s that this entry seems slightly more tongue in cheek than the previous entries.  The villain is an interesting take which may or may not work depending on how serious you prefer your big bad.  Ultimately, it’s not a major miscalculation because the film as a whole is just a load of mindless fun.  The visuals and choreography are the stuff of popcorn fueled dreams.  The door is left open for another sequel which would have a high mile marker to surpass.    

A-

Movie Reviews: CHOKE

Saturday, September 27, 2008
Movie Reviews: CHOKE
IN THEATERS

CHOKE

An adaptation of Chuck Palahniuk's novel, Choke is the sardonic story about mother and son relationship, fear of aging, sexual addiction, and the dark side of historical theme parks.

Cast: Sam Rockwell, Anjelica Huston, Kelly MacDonald, Brad Henke, Clark Gregg

Director: Clark Gregg

Opened September 26, 2008

Runtime: 1 hr. 32 min.

Rated R for strong sexual content, nudity and language

Genres: Black Comedy, Sex Comedy, Comedy

Review:

Choke can be called to things for certain, perverse and subversive but just not as much as it may think it is in. Actor turned director Clark Gregg does an admirable job of translated Chuck Palahniuk's novel even if it doesn't quite reach the manic nihilism of David Fincher's inspired adaptation of Fight Club. With a much smaller budget and resources Gregg does a fine job bringing us a translation which will offend the overly sensitive but Choke's bark is far worse than it's bite. Sex covers this movie in every shape and form but it's never meant to titillate, instead it comes across as a user getting his fix. Dirty and at times inspired Choke wraps it greasy raunchy fingers around your corneas and demands you watch. Sam Rockwell plays his part to a T as he lives in the skin of Victor, the slime ball adolescence protagonist. There's a sad self realization of his own pathetic nature drawled across his face as we see every twisted fantasy on screen throughout the film. Brad Henke does well as Victor's best friend whose equally sad if slightly less swarmy than Victor. Anjelica Huston is mostly wasted here but does have a few impressive scenes with Rockwell, it's a shame she isn't give more to do. Clark Gregg gives himself a fun little role as Rockwell and Henke's boss who take his role as lord of the historical theme park a tad too seriously. Gregg's has a good sense of the spirit of Palahniuk's novel yet he doesn't quite get it to translate to the screen a 100 percent. Gregg's film may not have the visual flourishes of Fincher's Fight Club but its still a solid effort and make it gives you the sense that we are viewing the world through the protagonist's fractured eyes.

B