From the World of John Wick: Ballerina (what to expect)
Scorecard, Watchlist Worthy, On The Pod
Is it summer yet?? June hits, and it feels like summer, but apparently, Google says it officially starts on June 20th. I usually wouldn’t want to bet against Google, but I think they're wrong here.
Whether it’s here or not, movies are! And we couldn’t resist plugging the latest AMC A-List Stubs offering (no, we are not affiliated nor do we get any kickbacks, but we definitely should.) A-LIST Classic is here! One movie a week, $14.99 a month. I think that is a steal in most cities.
Okay. Here’s what we got for you this week.
Concession Stand Scorecard: From the World of John Wick: Ballerina
Watchlist Worthy: Do you want to go on a Big Bold Beautiful Journey?
On the Pod: Preparing for the winner: Team Conrad or Team Jeremiah
This week’s movie - From the World of John Wick: Ballerina
Letterboxd Description:
Vengeance has a new face.
Taking place during the events of John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum, Eve Macarro begins her training in the assassin traditions of the Ruska Roma.
Best Watched With
The women who never believed in the words “You Can’t.”
End credit thoughts
Let’s get the big questions out of the way. Is Keanu Reeves really in it? Like really in it? Yes. Does this movie belong in the John Wick movie world? Absolutely. Does this movie do something new? Kinda and not really (we’ll explain). Are there mid-credit or end-credit scenes? No. You don’t have to wait.
Alright. Let’s get into it.
Ballerina throws you right into the mix of the four chapters of John Wick. The story takes place between John Wick: Chapter 3-Parabellum and John Wick: Chapter 4. Where John Wick (2014) just dumps you into the middle of the ocean and you have to figure out who, where, how, and what the hell is going on in this mysterious world of assassins, leaving the viewer to piece the puzzle together, Ballerina does not.
It expands the world by showing more of how people become world-class gun wielders, hand-to-hand combat experts, and people with the creative imagination to turn just about anything into a weapon. It’s structured more like an origin story, which is cool to see. But is it necessary? It does not expand the world so much that it gives us anything new about this universe, but it does give us a new badass force to be reckoned with. Doess Eve Macarro (Ana De Armas) have what it takes to keep the franchise alive and carry the immense weight passed on by John Wick (Keanu Reeves)? Now that is the question.
Ana De Armas is marvelous in Ballerina. Though she is generally smaller and seemingly not as tough as her opposition, her physical ability to break bones and take life, being the last thing people see on this side of life, is believable. She showcases her talent and proves that she can be just as much of an action star as she can be a drama supporting lead in a murder mystery (Knives Out (2019), a must-watch).
The action sequences are meticulously choreographed, just as you’d expect from this franchise. Sure, some of it feels redundant and not as punchy when it was first seen in the John Wick chapters, but do we care that much? The creative, tight, and fast fights are what brought and kept our attention in the first four, and it’s what brought us to watch this in Dolby.
The music, the colors, and the camera work are cut from the same fabric as Ballerina’s predecessors. The familiar faces that appear in this addition do not miss a beat in reprising their roles. Vengeance and grief have been characters themselves, and this movie keeps their hearts pumping, remaining true to the heart and soul of John Wick.
So to answer the question, can this franchise continue living without John Wick? It might be too soon to tell, but it definitely cannot be ruled out. Perhaps a bold Probably with a capital P states it best.
Watch this one in theaters.
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Big Bold Beautiful Journey by Kogonada
“Omg are we in for a magical Q4?”
This was a text I received from Eric the other day. I had never heard of Big Bold Beautiful Journey before this text. It came along with a link to the official trailer. Seconds in, Colin Farrell…Margot Robbie…I love them both! Doors that lead to past memories—the joyful-heartfelt, the brutally honest, the core memories that make a person—and ROMANCE. The kind of movie that makes heartbreak feel good in your local AMC theater (shameless plug AMC Stubs A List) Okay, how have I not heard of this movie before? Don’t tell Eric I’m so upset that he showed me this movie and it wasn’t the other way around.
When Margot Robbie and Colin Farrell are inviting us on a big, bold, and beautiful journey answer is always yes.
A definite add to my watchlist.
-JP :)
Letterboxd Description:
Margot Robbie and Colin Farrell invite you on…
Sarah and David are single strangers who meet at a mutual friend’s wedding and soon find themselves on a funny, fantastical, sweeping adventure together where they get to re-live important moments from their respective pasts, illuminating how they got to where they are in the present…and possibly getting a chance to alter their futures.
Also Directed by Kogonada:
After Yang (2021)
Columbus (2017)
With Season 3 releasing July 16th, here is our episode where Kelly, Eric, and Josh talk about the first season!
✨Kelly’s Pick✨: The Summer I Turned Pretty S1
🎧 Listen to this episode on Apple Podcasts or Spotify
🎥 Watch this episode on YouTube
Kelly is back on the Sweet & Condensed podcast for another episode of ✨ Kelly’s Pick ✨
In this episode, Kelly and her co-hosts, Eric and Josh, discuss The Summer I Turned Pretty, a TV series streaming on Amazon Prime Video.
With lively banter and humorous moments, the hosts explore the intricacies of the love triangle central to the show. Kelly champions Team Conrad, Josh defends Team Jeremiah, and Eric mediates with a slight bias towards Kelly.
Personal anecdotes, character development, and the show's soundtrack, notably Taylor Swift, are thoroughly examined. The conversation also takes a humorous turn, discussing the impact of music, characters' antics involving edibles, and personal experiences related to the show.
Tune in next week for | How to Train Your Dragon
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