From a career standpoint, the years 2004 – 2013 were not very kind to Keanu Reeves. Sure, The Matrix had made him very wealthy, and his internet reputation was about as good as a celebrity could get without Harvey Weinstein sized payoffs. But with the exception of 2005’s IMO underrated Constantine, Reeves was having trouble finding a new franchise to stomp out of the gate with. 47 Ronin anyone? But along came 2014, and a little movie about a guy who killed two men with a pencil.
At the very end of our review of John Wick Chapter 2, Johnny Moreno, Jack Falvey, and I all speculated on what would happen in John Wick Chapter 3 and whether or not they could possibly follow up the last film with one at least as if not better than its predecessors. Could it be at all possible?
Join the three of us as we answer that question along with dissect the new Keanu Reeves and Halle Berry starring actionier, while also once again wondering, where the hell they could go from here?
John Wick Chapter 3: Parabellum (?/10, ?/10, ?/10)
This column will introduce you to the most popular movies that are coming out in theaters this weekend.
What movie will you see?
Battle of the Sexes
Who doesn’t love Sport? Oh yeah, me. However, I do like sport movies. Anyway, this biographical drama tells the story of a tennis match between the number one female player, Billie Jean King and ex number one male player, Bobby Riggs. Emma Stone and Steve Carell play the leads, while the rest of the cast includes, Bill “ E-Dub” Pullman, Alan Cumming, Chris Parnell, Elisabeth Shue, Andrea Riseborough, and more. Jonathan Dayton and Valerie Faris are the directors of the film. Dayton and Faris have directed a shit ton of music videos, 2012’s Ruby Sparks, and Little Miss Sunshine. Simon Beaufoy penned the script for Battle. Beaufoy wrote the screenplays for Everest, The Hunger Games: Catching Fire, 127 Hours, Slumdog Millionaire, and more. Go check this flick out this weekend.
Friend Request
When a popular college student unfriends an outcast online, all hell breaks loose. Meaning, demonic possession and people dying. Starring in this horror flick are Alycia Debnam-Carey (Fear the Walking Dead), William Moseley (The Chronicles of Narnia), and more. Co-writing and directing is Simon Verhoeven(not relation to Paul). This will be Verhoeven’s first directorial American film debut. Don’t unfriend me this weekend. Go see Friend Request instead.
Kingsman: The Golden Circle
Kingsman Part 2. Do we really care what the story is here or do we want to see awesome action set pieces. Ok….fine. The Kingsman and another “secret service” come together to fight a common enemy. Starring in the sequel are Taron Egerton, Mark Strong, Julianne Moore, Colin Firth, Channing Tatum, Halle Berry, Jeff Bridges, and more. Matthew Vaughn is back to direct and co-write the follow up. Vaughn’s last 4 directorial films are Kingsman: The Secret Service, X-Men: First Class, Kick-Ass, and Stardust. He is also signed on to direct Kingsman 3. Love the first one? Then go see this.
The LEGO Ninjago Movie
6 young ninjas must save Ninjago City and fight an evil warlord called Garmadon, who’s son happens to be one of the ninjas. Lending their voice for this animated feature are Jackie Chan, Dave Franco, Fred Armisen, Kumail Nanjiani, Michael Peña, Zach Woods, Justin Theroux, Olivia Munn, and more. There are 3 first time directors on this film. Charlie Bean, Paul Fisher, and Bob Logan. However, they all have worked in the art/animation department on many features. Now, leGo to the theater this weekend.
Stronger
Jake Gyllenhaal stars as Jeff Bauman, a real life victim of the Boston Marathon bombing, who becomes a symbol of hope for the city of Boston. The rest of the cast includes, Tatiana Maslany (Orphan Black), Miranda Richardson, Lenny Clarke, and more. David Gordon Green directs this biographical drama. Green’s last 4 directorial films are Joe, The Sitter, Your Highness, and Pineapple Express. He is also directing Halloween for 2018. Co-written by Danny McBride and starring Jamie Lee Curtis. Need some inspiration this weekend? Then go see Stronger.
Woodshock
I really can’t say what this movie is about. IMDB synopsis says, “A woman falls deeper into paranoia after taking a deadly drug.” However, I would check out the trailer for yourself if this interests you. Starring in this weird dramatic thriller are Kirsten Dunst, Pilou Asbaek (Euron Greyjoy from Game of Thrones), Joe Cole (Green Room), and Jack Kilmer (The Nice Guys and son of Val Kilmer). Kate and Laura Mulleavy are the writers and directors of Woodshock. This is the Mulleavys first writing and directing project. Hit the theaters this weekend and see Woodshock.
This column will introduce you to the most popular movies that are coming out in theaters this weekend.
What movie will you see?
The Dark Tower
Based on the Stephen King books, this film adaptation tells the story of Roland Deschain, (the last Gunslinger), who must battle and prevent Walter O’Dim (the Man in Black) from destroying the universe. Starring in this action adventure flick are Idris Elba, Matthew McConaughey, Jackie Earl Haley, Abbey Lee (Mad Max: Fury Road), Nicholas Hamilton (Captain Fantastic), and more. Co-writing and directing is Nikolaj Arcel. Arcel wrote the screenplay for 2009’s The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo. Go check out The Dark Tower.
Detroit
Detroit is based on the Algiers Motel incident and the 12th Street riot that took place in 1967. Starring in this historical crime drama are John Boyega, Will Poulter, John Krasinski, Anthony Mackie, and more. Mark Boal penned the screenplay for Detroit, as well as the screenplays for In the Valley of Elah, The Hurt Locker, and Zero Dark Thirty. Directing, we have Kathryn Bigelow. Bigelow’s last 4 directorial films are Zero Dark Thirty, The Hurt Locker, K-19: The Widowmaker, and Strange Days. If you live in Detroit, go see Detroit, in Detroit. If not, go to a theater near you.
Kidnap
Somehow Law saw this and reviewed it. Anyway. Simple premise. Here we go. A child gets kidnapped in a park in front of his mother. Now, mom must find the kidnappers. Starring in this thriller are Halle Berry, Dana Gourrier (Minnie from The Hateful Eight), Lew Temple (The Devil’s Rejects), and more. Luis Prieto is the director of this flick. Now go Kidnap your best friend and bring him/her to the theater this weekend.
Here we are again, Bingers. Time to tackle a franchise for your listening pleasure. Though this time, we will be tackling two at a time. Sort of.
Let me explain where I’m coming from here. For our special lead in to Batman Vs Superman: Dawn of Justice, I decided to look at the two characters surrounding it by asking two other guys from the site, who also happen to be huge fans of their respected characters, to come on the Aftertaste and discuss them both at length.
First up, Batman. And doing the honors of dissecting this character with me is the New England Patriots loving, Pulp Fiction addict (cue echo) JACK VALLEY. Listen in as Jackie Boy and I go over each portion of Bats in his media conquering pedestal.
Some of the questions we go over here:
How did Jack become such a big fan of the character?
Just how big WAS Nicholson’s contract to appear in Batman, and why was he paid for movies he wasn’t even in?
How much does the Halle Berry starring Catwoman fit into the DC universe, if at all?
What does Batman ’66 have in common with Nolan’s The Dark Knight Rises?
What is Jack’s LEAST favorite characterization of Bruce Wayne?
What is the biggest missed opportunity of Tim Burton’s two directed Batman films?
Who else was paid to NOT be in Batman Returns?
What does Batman & Robin have in common with The Dark Knight Rises?
Is the relationship between Wayne and Gordon in the Nolan films similar to how it was in the comics?
How’s Nolan’s characterization of Scarecrow?
What is the’George Bush Theory’ that surrounds The Dark Knight?
How do we feel Batman Vs Superman Dawn of Justice looks?
So click that little download button on the bottom of this page and get ready for a bat of a good time. Gross.
Happy Valentine’s Day weekend everyone. I hope all of you are enjoying a nice weekend and were lucky enough not to waste your hard earned money on Fifty Shades of Grey. I know I didn’t, won’t, and wouldn’t ever make any plans to see this ridiculous flick. Seriously folks, don’t you know that you don’t have to drop forty bucks at the theater to watch something like this? You are aware that you can find movies just like this online for free, right? And from the trailer that I saw, the ones online probably have better dialogue too. But hey, if that’s what gets you going, by all means proceed.
But I’m here today to actually talk about good movies. A few weeks ago, I kicked off my Oscar series by talking about some of this year’s nominees and omissions. And just last week, I started a new fan vote that lets you make your choice for who should win each category this year. You’ve still got a week left, so take a few minutes and make your picks HERE.
I know Oscar night isn’t for everyone (check out this week’s Jack Attack Tuesday), but I’m actually a big fan. I know I shouldn’t be, as it’s really just a bunch of rich people celebrating other rich people, but hey, I guess I’m a sucker for things like this. It’s true that the big celebrities get most of the press, but it is nice to see some of the people behind the scenes get their fifteen minutes as well. I’m talking the costume designers, the set designers, the special effects team, and my personal favorite, the writers, get the recognition they so richly deserve. And while guys like me debate on who should win and who will win, the fact remains that somebody’s name eventually comes after the phrase “And the Oscar goes to….”. And this is my favorite part of awards season. People will argue forever about how this movie should have beaten that movie and this actor didn’t deserve that, but we never turn away from the speeches, even if we disagree with the outcome.
So the plan today is to just give you a few of the best acceptance speeches that I’ve seen since I’ve really started paying attention to the Oscars. But before I do that, I want to start with one that happened before I was even born. It’s perhaps the most controversial speech in Oscar history. In 1973, Marlon Brando was nominated for his work in The Godfather. But the night before the ceremony, he announced he would boycott the show due to the treatment of Native Americans in film. When his name was called the next night as the winner, young actress Sacheen Littlefeather would take his place on the podium, refuse the award, and read a statement that Brando had prepared.
JOE PESCI-GOODFELLAS
It doesn’t get much simpler than this.
JACK PALANCE-CITY SLICKERS
This might be the funniest one on my list. But hey, it’s normal for a man in his 70s to do one-armed pushups on national television in a tuxedo, right?
TOM HANKS-PHILADELPHIA
Longtime funnyman Tom Hanks shows everyone that he’s one of the best actors in the world with this performance. Seriously, if you haven’t seen this movie, you’re missing out. And his acceptance speech is almost just as good. Okay, that might be a stretch, but it’s pretty damn good.
CUBA GOODING JR.– JERRY MAGUIRE
At that time, I don’t think I’d ever seen anybody so excited to win. But just wait a couple spots and you’ll see one that might beat it. But still, this was a very good speech for a very good performance.
ROBIN WILLIAMS-GOOD WILL HUNTING
I almost didn’t put this one on here, as I don’t have much respect for people who commit suicide, but I couldn’t resist as this is one of the best performances I’ve ever seen.
BEN AFFLECK & MATT DAMON-GOOD WILL HUNTING
This was a very cool moment. At this time, these two were not the Hollywood heavyweights they are today. They were two young guys that had a dream and worked their ass off to achieve it.
ROBERTO BENIGNI-LIFE IS BEAUTIFUL
This is what the Oscars are all about. As the director, Benigni would accept the Oscar for Best Foreign Language Film, which is what the clip below shows you. He would also win later in the night for Best Actor and delivered another great moment by telling the audience that “I used up all my English”. Great moment here.
ANGELINA JOLIE-GIRL, INTERRUPTED
And the award for the creepiest speech on this list goes to…Mrs. Pitt. Watch your back Brad. She really, really, really likes her brother.
JULIA ROBERTS-ERIN BROCKOVICH
I don’t pretend to be the biggest fan of Julia Roberts, but I really did like her speech when she won for Erin Brockovich. And she certainly earned that Oscar. I’ve obviously never seen the final vote count, but I’m betting that was one of the biggest blowouts in Academy Awards history.
HALLE BERRY-MONSTER’S BALL
Let the tears flow, Halle. In arguably the most emotional acceptance speech on this list, this was truly an amazing moment.
ADRIEN BRODY-THE PIANIST
It’s not even the speech that people remember here, but the moments leading up to it that make this a great Oscar moment. I guess when you’ve got the chance to go for it, just go for it. And that’s what Adrien Brody did when taking the stage to accept his Oscar from presenter Halle Berry. Pimp move brother.
JAMIE FOXX-RAY
If you would have told me that Jamie Foxx was going to win an Academy Award when I was watching In Living Color in the 90s, I would have had you committed. But I’m sure glad he did, because this may be my favorite speech of all time. Just listen to the end of this speech and try not to tear up.
REESE WITHERSPOON-WALK THE LINE
This was just a very nice speech from a great performance.
MARTIN SCORSESE-THE DEPARTED
It’s a crying shame that it took so long for this to happen, but the great thing about Martin Scorsese is that he just went with it, even asking if the envelope was correct. Well deserved after a long, long wait.
DUSTIN LANCE BLACK-MILK
For most, this is a once in a lifetime moment on that stage, and the writer of Milk certainly didn’t waste his opportunity. Some might call his acceptance speech too political, but I call it fantastic.
KATE WINSLET-THE READER
Okay, she didn’t have the wait that Scorsese had, but Kate Winslet had her fair share of disappointment before finally winning for The Reader.
HEATH LEDGER-THE DARK KNIGHT
This was another one I was hesitant to put on here, but there’s no denying that this was a powerful yet tragic moment in Oscar history.
AARON SORKIN-THE SOCIAL NETWORK
I just like Aaron Sorkin and I love the movie. Deal with it.
MERYL STREEP-THE IRON LADY
It’s nearly impossible to talk about the Oscars and not mention Meryl Streep.
CHRISTOPHER PLUMMER-BEGINNERS
“Where have you been all my life?” Classic.
JENNIFER LAWRENCE-SILVER LININGS PLAYBOOK
Because it’s my list and she’s just so damn cute.
What’s your favorite Oscar speech? Let me know below or hit me up on Twitter @THElukenorris.
Don’t forget to cast your Oscar votes HERE. I’ll be back next week with the results and my picks for each and every category as we get geared up for Oscar night. Until next time, I leave you with this.
And then there was one….. dude with absolutely no points that will hopefully pass Ammon in the near future. Meanwhile, Pete MC continues to ride the domination of Zoe Saldana in Guardians. He’s went from middle of the pack to top 4 in less than 4 weeks. Relax, Pete MC. Hopefully the Fall movies can mix things up a little bit. Click the link below to see the entire spreadsheet or simply stare at the picture as if it one of those magical pictures that changes if you sit there long enough. It’s not.
Tons of points were scored this week but it wasn’t because of the Emmys or SIN CITY: A DAME TO KILL FOR’s box office. Most people scored huge in the nudity category. Lizzy Caplan whipped them out again, as did Eva Green, and Juno Temple. Rosamund Pike scored a Entertainment Weekly cover too. Moreno’s attempt to take control of this league has fallen way short though as SIN CITY flopped in a major way. Meanwhile, Pete MC got a huge push as GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY actually went back into the number one spot. Fuck. Is that HUNGER GAMES movie out yet? I’ll just wait here in limbo. Full spreadsheet is in the link below.
Said Helal has extended his lead nicely in the 20th week of The Hottie Fantasy league but more importantly, we now only have 2 scoreless player left. That’s right, Meryl Streep finally managed to scrounge up some points for Justin Smith and he’s on the board, soon to pass Ammon. There was no relevant nudity this week on TV (somebody should have drafted Sarah Silverman) so it was all box office points. Next week starts Moreno’s huge run at the title with his 2 hotties in SIN CITY: A DAME TO KILL FOR. It almost makes me not want to see it.
Click on the link below for the whole spreadsheet or just look at the silly picture and pretend you know what’s up.
Said Helal’s dynamic duo of Scarlett Johansson and Megan Fox have thrust him into the top spot. For a while I imagine. Moreno will give it a run in a couple weeks with his own tandom in SIN CITY: A DAME TO KILL FOR but everybody else will have to play the long game to see if we can get back in this thing. If I could give Ammon negative points every week, I would.
All the nudity points should be updated but be sure to give me a shout if you think I’ve been ignoring your hottie’s boobs. Click on the link below for the whole spreadsheet or just look at the picture and satisfy yourself. Gross.