Bill and Ted’s Bogus Journey (1991) – Film Review

It wasn’t enough of a journey to pass history in order to become the best band ever to save the world, Bill and Ted need to meet their next key point in history – learning to play and becoming the best band ever. Only when evil robots are send back in time to kill them, take their ladies and change the course of history, will Bill and Ted prevail?

So good. Everything. Okay, apart from the moments of homophobia. And the questionable logic. It’s worth watching just for the amazingly stylish future clothes which are so impractical that the wearers can barely walk… and for anything featuring the Grim Reaper. Such a good character. And Station. And the robots. There’s a lot of good here.

Bill and Ted’s Excellent Adventure (1989) Film Review

Bill (Alex Winter) and Ted (Keanu Reeves) are a couple of teenagers who pay no attention in class, are probably massive stoners (but for this rating, drugs aren’t going to get a mention) and who are failing History. However, they are also the saviours of life on Earth, and if they fail this History test, they won’t be able to fulfil their destiny.

Tenuous logic? Oh, there’s so much in this. But ignore the fact that a whole year’s worth of failing can be saved by one presentation. Or that chances are, they are probably failing every other subject. And make sure you are unencumbered by the fact that timelines in History don’t get affected by any behaviour in any way… switch off all logic and enjoy. I loved this as much for the memory of watching it as a teenager, travelling into town to meet friends. And for the most part, it held up. It was disappointing that there were a couple of moments of casual homophobia. Of its time? I suppose. I’m just glad they were fleeting and that there was enough silly fun to keep it as a decent film.

John Wick 2 (2017) Film Review

After the events of this first film, John Wick (Keanu Reeves) has pissed off a lot of people, but he’s also pissed off at a lot of people. There is a lot of fighting, a lot of shooting, a lot of bodies, some pretty kick-arse driving and it’s awesome for being exactly what it is, and leaving the end at a point where a further sequel must absolutely happen, and it has happened, and I can’t wait to see it.

 

The Matrix Revolutions (2003) Film Review

 

Neo (Keanu Reeves) and his other rebels are fighting the robots on so many levels. And it’s big and cool and violent and fabulous.

After the disappointment of The Matrix Reloaded, I wasn’t expecting much of this. But, I loved it! I loved the big fights scenes, and the tension and the shooting and, even though I felt very little chemistry between Neo and Trinity, I still loved their relationship. It’s corny and cheesy, but a good way to end what started fabulously.

 

The Matrix Reloaded (2003) Film Review

Neo (Keanu Reeves) is now working with the rebels to try to break down the hold that the machines have over them.

Having totally loved The Matrix again, I was very interested to see the others, the two sequels. And boy, was I disappointed… I so wanted to love this, but it was just so… wanky. I don’t know, it felt like an entire film of exposition, and I lost interest. A lot. I found the wire work during the fight sequences far too obvious, and while the big action scenes (especially the one on the freeway) were fabulous, I just wasn’t in to the whole thing. But I still need to watch the third. In all honesty, the one scene that was really the kicker was the multi-Agent Smith – imagine Keanu Reeves fighting hundreds and hundreds of Hugo Weavings…. Ah, too good.

The Matrix (1999) Film Review

Neo (Keanu Reeves) is a pretty standard computer hacker, up all night, struggling with work. Then he is contacted by a mysterious woman, Trinity (Carrie-Anne Moss) who leads him to Morpheus (Laurence Fishburne) and before long, he learns that the world is not as he sees it – he’s in The Matrix, being chased by Agent Smith (Hugo Weaving) and trying to figure out if he can save the human race.

Love it. Loved it when I saw it when it was first released, and I still feel as though I could watch it again and again. I love the action, I love that scene with them going in to the building, I love the concept, I just loved it all.

The Matrix won Oscars for Best Film Editing, Best Sound, Best Effects – Sound Effects Editing and Best Effects – Visual Effects.

 

John Wick (2014) Film Review

John Wick (Keanu Reeves) used to be a hitman, but now he retired for a quiet life with his wife. Unfortunately, she became ill and passed away, but left him with a dog for company. Then this spoilt gangster brat who wants John Wick’s very nice car breaks in, beats him up and kills the dog. This sends John Wick over the edge and he goes out and kills all the bad guys.

There really is very little story to this. It is just all about bad guys and blood, shooting, killing, killing, killing. And Keanu Reeves is still just such a marvellous action hero. He can walk slow and shoot like the best of them. It is very beautifully shot, and really just wonderfully violent.

 

Parenthood (1989) Film Review

There are the original parents of the family; Frank Buckman (Jason Robards) and his wife Marilyn (Eileen Ryan) (oh, and one of their mothers is still around, played by the delightful Helen Shaw). They have four kids; Gil (Steve Martin), Helen (Diane Wiest), Susan (Harley Jane Kozak) and Larry (Tom Hulce). Gil, married to Karen (Mary Steenburgen) is dealing with an anxious son, a quite normal daughter and a crazy toddler and is trying to figure out how he feels about the fourth which is on the way. Helen has a son, Garry (Joaquin Phoenix) who is reclusive since his father left and a rebellious daughter, Julie (Martha Plimpton) who is dating drag- racing drop-kick Tod (Keanu Reeves). Susan is married to Nathan (Rick Moranis) who is desperate to ensure their daughter is a genius. And Larry turns up out of the blue being chased by gangsters who owe him money and with a surprise son, Cool, in tow.

A lot going on? Yup. Funny? Very. Heartbreaking? Yes, at times. Does it stand up to time? I think so. Some of the fashions are dated, but not in a bad way. I’d be interested to see how much would change if such a film were made now. Possible not a lot. It’s clever, entertaining and I totally enjoy it every time I see it.

Parenthood was nominated for Oscars for Best Actress in a Supporting Role (Dianne Wiest) and Best Music, Original Song (Randy Newman, I Love to See You Smile).

The Lake House (2006) Film Review

Doctor Kate Forster (Sandra Bullock)moves into the lake house – a beautiful house with a tree in the middle that is on stilts on a lake. So does architect Alex Wyler (Keanu Reeves). Only the kicker is that he is living there two years before her. There is a weird time-travelling letterbox that allows them to communicate and, of course, fall in love.  But the path of love does not go smoothly.

It’s a pretty appalling film. The concept almost works, although there are several scenes where the two characters are sitting and having a conversation in the same place but in different times, and I don’t see how that would work. Far too many drives to that darned letterbox, methinks. Keanu Reeves is not good as a romantic lead. It seemed to me that he was trying too hard to be a damaged man (although damaged by what? That wasn’t clear to me). Give him some explosions, a gun, something to run towards or away from and let him do some kicking and punching. That’s what he is awesome at. I loved Sandra Bullock in this, but I love Sandra Bullock in almost anything – well, anything romantic and anything comic.

The Day the Earth Stood Still (2008) Film Review

In 1951, a film was made which featured an alien visitor come to earth to warn the people of the planet that the planet would be destroyed if the destructive manner of the humans was not stopped. In 2008, someone decided that the message had not been received, and that the film should be remade. It was not the best decision.

Keanu Reeves plays Klaatu, the alien visitor who takes human form to report to the leaders of the planet. He leaves the secure site he is held in, helped by scientist Helen Benson(Jennifer Connelly) who believes he is not out to destroy the world. Add in her cute step-son, Jacob (Jaden Smith) and you have the makings of a mediocre disaster film. I’m not sure if anything could save this – it was corny and clichéd throughout. The special effects were pretty awesome, but neither they nor the talent of Kathy Bates or John Cleese could save it.