John Wick

And this week's Friday night movie has been... John Wick!

Original image located here. Accessed 12th March 2021

Some friends of mine have been urging me to have a look at this one: The first movie in an eventual franchise that resurrected Keanu Reeves' career in spectacular fashion. And, depending on who you ask, an example of what could've happened had Ted gone to military school.
Personally I've seen plenty of action movies of this ilk: One guy, who has extensive combat training, seemingly limitless resources and a flash car, taking on a horde of bad guys through a series of increasingly amazing set pieces without breaking a sweat. I will admit I will never tire of them but there comes a time when you need to do something unique to make one's movie stand out.

Well one could see this is revenge porn for the dog lover...
Okay seriously, this was indeed a gripping movie. The action sequences are well done, I like the use of colour and Keanu proves to be a formidable presence in front of the camera - indeed i have heard people say his acting style has been wooden but here he is well and truly on fire (to a point where I never knew he had it in him).
It may not do anything new to a tried and tested formula but it deliver in the action department. So I'll give it that.
Now about the sequels....

Bill and Ted Face the Music

And this week's Friday night movie has been... Bill and Ted Face the Music!

Original image located here. Accessed 18th September 2020

Of all the late eighties/early nineties franchises to resurrect, I didn't think anyone would touch this one, let alone it being any good.

Once again, the titular characters make the movie - after they're all there in the title. It's amazing how Alex Winter and Keanu Reeves can step back into this roles, after nearly three decades, and bring these characters to life. They may be older and but by no means wiser and they're still funny to watch. One might think that it would be embarrassing to see some middle aged dudes still acting like teenagers but here it just adds to the hilarity.
But even though this is Bill and Ted's movie, it's their daughters, Billi and Thea, who end up stealing the show. Brigette Lundy-Paine and Samara Weaving have the mannerisms of their onscreen fathers down pat that they are a delight to watch
It would be baffling to think of such committed actors in what is, a lowbrow stoner comedy but here it works. Throw in a message of bringing the world together through music, one surprisingly touching scene and a theme of second chances (which i will admit to being a sucker for) and we have a movie that is better than it has any right to be. It could've attempted to do a flat out (and lazy) reprise of Excellent Adventure but, much like Bogus Journey, it refused to do so and came out all the better for it.
You could say it was....Excellent!

Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure

And this week's Friday night movie has been.....Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure!

Original image located here. Accessed 24th February 2017

Once again this is a case of me seeing the sequel before it's predecessor: I saw Bogus Journey years ago when I was a kid but it is only now I've seen this, the original movie.

I have fond memories of Bogus Journey but maybe that's through the eyes of youth. That being said, I did enjoy Excellent Adventure through an adult perspective but I have to wonder what the younger me would have thought of it. Still, this movie made me laugh so it succeeded as a comedy - and, seeing as we all live in a tribal society, perhaps there is value in 'Being Excellent to each other'
Oh and Keanu Reeves should play more stoners - he seems to be really good at doing that XD