zalkins Reviews

John Wick (2014)

A non-stop action revenge movie

[5/10 · 14 January 2015]

Punisher meets The Expendables.

If you were engaged by the dialog in The Expendables, and liked its character development, then this might be the right movie for you. It's a classic revenge movie, like Punisher or any Steven Seagal movie of your choice.

It is a classic revenge movie with non-stop action where most of the effort went into the action scenes. Not surprisingly, both directors have been stunt coordinators since the beginning of the 90's and this is their first time directing a movie.

Check out this movie if you're looking to switch off your mind for a couple of hours and don't mind repeating action scenes.

Now You See Me (I) (2013)

It's like watching a two hour trailer

[4/10 · 26 August 2013]

The writers of Charlies Angels and Prince of Persia get together with the director of Clash of the Titans. Had I looked that up before watching the movie I probably wouldn't have watched it at all.

If you liked any of those movies though then this might be for you. It's decent visually and it's fast paced, but lacking in story and character development.

It's like watching a two hour trailer. They introduce the characters as brief as they do in any action trailer nowadays. I like fast paced movies and camera shots, but only if they slow it down once in a while so that the characters have the time to interact with each others for more than a minute.

I'm as disappointed in this movie as when I see a bowl of fruit only to realize it's plastic.

Drinking Buddies (2013)

A great movie about ordinary people.

[9/10 · 5 August 2013]

This is not your ordinary rom/com. This movie focuses on conversation and relationships. Long, realistic conversations with buddies, work colleagues and partners. It's so sad to see reviews complaining that this movie is too realistic and that nothing happens, when that's exactly what the movie wants.

I was expecting another generic romantic Hollywood drama/comedy like The Dilemma or the Change-Up, with an obvious plot to work around and some clichés thrown in. Instead it felt more like Blue Valentine meets Closer, but lighter than Blue Valentine and more realistic than Closer.

I liked the long camera shots that follow the characters around, focusing on them and their interactions. I liked that I didn't know what was going to happen in a scene because there's no obvious overall plot in the movie. There's just ordinary people having ordinary conversations.