John Wick: Chapter 3 - Parabellum (watched May 16, 2019)

The action in chapter 1 plus the action in chapter 2 almost equals all of the action in this chapter 3. The face of one of the most pioneering action film series in the “Matrix,” Keanu Reeves, reprises his role in this third installment of John Wick. For those of you who could use it, here’s a quick synopsis of the first two chapters to set up where the third chapter takes off from.

In chapter 1, John Wick, a retired lethal assassin, is mourning the death of his wife with a furry companion in the form of a new dog. When a team of Russian mobsters led by the mob boss’ son attempt to steal John’s car and kill his new dog in the process, they start a war that draws John right back into a life of violence. He ends up killing most of that Russian crime ring, including the son and father, before adopting a new dog and trying once again to retire from that life.

In chapter 2, John is paid a visit by a lead Italian mob boss who collects upon a debt he claims John owes him for helping him get out of his dangerous lifestyle the first time and allowed John to marry his now deceased wife Helen. John repays his debt to the Italian mob boss, who in turn puts a bounty on John’s head as a way of playing the fool and acting like he had nothing to do with John’s latest completed mission. At the end of chapter 2, John kills this mob boss as well- but, he does it on the grounds of the Continental Hotel, which is a safe haven for criminals where killing is strictly prohibited. The Continental owner has no choice but to report John’s actions to “the Higher Table” (but not before giving John a one hour head start to get as far away as possible before a worldwide, $14 million bounty is put on John’s head).

“John Wick: Chapter 3 - Parabellum” picks right back up where chapter 2 finished, with John making his rounds visiting the few people he thinks he can still count on for help. However, the word is now out and everybody who’s anybody who notices John goes all out in an attempt to kill him and cash in. When I say the action is non-stop, I mean the action is NON-STOP. John can’t even make it a block without encountering handfuls of fellow criminal assassins putting their lives on the line for a massive pay day. The fighting truly does feel organic in a way that makes it seem less choreographed and more free flowing- almost like full contact capoeira. Nothing feels forced; and, while there are moments of lengthened dialogue, it certainly works to move the plot forward.

The film is almost exactly two hours long; but, I only ever noticed once the film was over. As you may have guessed, I certainly watched it in 4DX; and, while the movie wasn’t 3D, the 4DX theater seats were moving and punching and kicking at a rapid rate because of the non-stop hits. Personally, this movie was so enjoyable that it gets 4 reps out of a possible 5 from me; and, it may just be the best John Wick movie to date. However, fans certainly have something MORE to look forward to, as a fourth chapter has already been confirmed for release in Spring 2021 and seems poised to feature another Matrix teammate of “Neo,” which certainly has me excited.

Have you caught all of the hits dished out by the third installment to the John Wick series? If you haven’t and are into action, then you most certainly should. Let me know your thoughts in the comments section. As always, check with E for all your movie notes either after (but preferably before) heading to your next movie outing because... there are NO SPOILERS here... NOT UP IN HERE!

The Intruder (watched May 7, 2019)

If you think you’ve seen this movie before it’s probably because you have- one iteration of it or another. “The Intruder” is the latest version of that movie type wherein a person or couple have their livelihoods threatened by a neighbor or angry ex who just can’t seem to cut ties and “let go.” From the original “stalker” movie classic directed by Alfred Hitchcock “Rear Window” that was reimagined in Shia LaBeouf’s “Disturbia,” to Jennifer Lopez’s “The Boy Next Door” and Beyoncé’s and Idris Elba’s “Obsessed,” the premise here remains largely the same: a shot at peace and happiness is endangered by others who simply can’t find that for themselves under their current circumstances.


This time around, the intruder comes in the form of a retiring gentleman named Charlie (played by one of the true film legends in Dennis Quaid) who lost his wife to cancer and hopes to start anew by moving to Florida and reconnecting with his daughter. The unsuspecting couple is Annie and Scott Russell (played by the beautiful Megan Good and Michael Ealy), which is fighting its own struggle to repair a fractured marriage by moving farther from the city into a home more conducive to raising children. Charlie garners the pity of Annie but remains highly questionable in the eyes of Scott. When Charlie insists on helping around the house in an effort to keep its structural integrity intact, he quickly becomes an increasing nuisance to the relocated city couple.


The Intruder is packed with tense moments of confrontation that result in increasingly questionable reactions from the couple. The couple’s decisions will have you screaming in your head with anger (or out loud at the film). What the couple’s actions do not detract from is an exquisitely and increasingly unorthodox character development on the part of Dennis Quaid, which is the film’s most redeeming quality. Although it has a very manageable running time of one hour and forty minutes, The Intruder probably will not prove to be a must-see for many moviegoers. For being only a slightly recycled “stalker/creepy neighbor” film with its share of tense moments and even more questionable decisions, I give The Intruder 2 reps out of 5.


Will you be confronting The Intruder in theaters, wait for its digital/DVD release or avoid it completely? Let me know which way you're leaning either way. How do you think this particularly saturated film type can have new life breathed into it?

Pokémon Detective Pikachu (early screening on May 6, 2019)

Firstly, I’d like to thank Cathy Rong of Vayner Media for making it possible for me to watch this movie before its official theatrical release, which is May 10, 2019. My twelve year old self is ESPECIALLY grateful for this one. Because of her, I have been able to attend a number of early movie screenings, including the surprisingly well done “Escape Room” a few months ago. Thank you kindly, Cathy. I am always most grateful for your generosity.

In grade school I was an AVID fan of Pokémon. I collected the trading cards and organized them in my Pokémon binder. I assembled two separate decks to “battle” other “trainers” during my Saturday morning visits to the Pokémon trading card game league that met in my local Toys R’ Us (RIP). And when the feature length cartoon movie released in theaters, you better believe I was in line early to get my free promo card of Ancient Mew. “Pokémon Detective Pikachu” is the live-action Pokémon film fans have been waiting on for what seems like forever.

In the film, Pikachu is voiced by the hilarious Ryan Reynolds and helps Tim (played by the rising star Justice Smith of the Netflix show “The Get Down”) uncover what has happened to his missing father, with whom Tim is not particularly close. One thing that stands out immediately is that the movie does not bother establishing for its audience the world in which Pokémon exist. If you’re completely new to Pokémon, then this approach is potentially more of an issue for you than it is for others. It operates in a world where the existence of Pokémon is already a long standing reality; so, be prepared to jump right into things as if you’ve already known about them for some time.

As for the live action Pokémon we see on screen- they are AMAZING. They are exactly what twelve year old me initially wished to see on screen but had to wait on for the necessary technology to make possible. From Ryan Reynolds pulling off a Daredevil-like Pikachu with attitude, to Charizard looking as menacing as ever and all of the surprise guest Pokémon appearances throughout (including rare Pokémon and evolved Pokémon), it is no secret what this film’s bread and butter is.

The film is actually under 90 minutes long; so, it’s certainly an easy watch in that regard. But the plot itself is rather spotty and takes several leaps just to get from one confusing development to the next head scratcher. The way in which the movie progressed felt very reminiscent of the cartoon episodes I watched religiously growing up, with only a modicum of interest being engendered for the plot because what I really wanted to see was Pokémon in battle. The movie is FANTASTIC for kids; and, fans of all ages should certainly watch this in theaters to get the full effect of the spectacular work put into the Pokémon; but, don't expect to be floored by much else. For finally bringing Pokémon to life in spectacular fashion (particularly a hilarious Pikachu and mighty Mewtwo), with little else to offer, I give Pokémon Detective Pikachu 2.5 reps out of 5. I am still, nevertheless, extremely pumped for future Pokémon movies given how well a job was done with their live action portrayal in this one.

Will you be entering the Pokémon world alongside Detective Pikachu or might you actually skip out on seeing the live action adaptation of these magnificent creatures? Let me know what you’re hoping for from the Pokémon world moving forward. Don’t be shy, folks- it’s what the comments section below is for! :-) 

Long Shot (watched May 03, 2019)

You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take. This particular shot comes from way downtown and hits nothing but net. “Long Shot” tells the story of a highly opinionated journalist named Fred (played by everybody’s favorite stoner Seth Rogen) who remains loyal to his set of morals, even, at times, to his own detriment and that of his bank account. Upon hearing that the company he writes for has been bought out by a business tycoon that stands against everything he believes in, Fred walks out on his job and turns to his childhood friend Lance (played by the up-and-coming O’Shea Jackson Jr.) for comfort and advice. The hilarity that ensues is nothing short of epic.

Together, Fred and Lance take the city by storm, doing all they can to help distract them from Fred’s current situation. The audience is treated to a series of laughs as we get to witness a genuine chemistry between the two lifelong friends. Their day of adventures is punctuated by attending a party that boasts a guest list full of influential people. Chief among said guests is Charlotte Field, a powerful politician played by the incredibly talented Charlize Theron. While Charlotte lives in the eyes of so many as a larger-than-life figure, Fred actually knows her from back when she was running for class president of her high school class. The two of them reconnect and set off an improbable roller coaster ride of events fully equipped with highs and lows through and through.

This film is an absolute riot. The laughs are seemingly endless and although there are hints of slapstick comedy throughout, many of the jokes are surprisingly well developed. The entire cast is completely hysterical. One of Charlotte’s advisors Tom (played by Ravi Patel), does not have too many lines; but, the ones he does deliver are done so with such precision and enthusiasm that I began to laugh as soon as the camera panned to him out of habit. Also, the film’s POTUS is played by Bob Odenkirk, aka everybody’s favorite crooked lawyer Saul Goodman from “Breaking Bad” and “Better Call Saul.” President Chambers is a character that can and will be viewed by some as a commentary on Donald Trump and is the prototypical character we LOVE to hate. Then, there’s O’Shea Jackson Jr. who diversifies his acting profile by getting on screen with some real time heavy hitters and MORE than holds his own.

The running time here is almost two hours long, which makes how funny it is throughout even that much more impressive. And, while this isn’t necessarily a film you have to see in theaters to fully appreciate, this is also NOT one you’re going to want to wait until it releases on DVD to go see. Long Shot tells a rather improbable story; but, the fact that it is an unlikely story doesn’t detract from the spirit and life brought to it by the script and actors. The story is comprised of highly unlikely scenarios, all of which nevertheless retain a sense of realism because they still could have happened. Culturally aware, socially relevant, and boasting a cast that works incredibly well together on camera, Long Shot gets a full 5 reps out of 5 from this moviegoer. I will certainly be watching it multiple times and fully expect it to spread laughter to most who go out and do the same.

Is Long Shot on your list of movies to watch? Feel free (and highly encouraged) to share your thoughts in the comments section and share this website with your movie crew. Maybe I'll see you on one of my next movie trips! And, as always, please remember- all of my posts are SPOILERS FREE! Don't be afraid to read and comment BEFORE deciding what movie to go watch (and then come back and do so AFTER watching the movie as well). ;-)

Booksmart (early screening on May 1, 2019)

It’s produced by Will Ferrell. It’s the directorial debut of Olivia Wilde. And it is the charming, relevant, timely coming-of-age comedy that you didn’t know you need to watch- until now. Being an AMC A-List member afforded me the chance to watch an early screening of "Booksmart;" and, I am so glad office work did NOT get in my way of making this one.

In the film, high school best friends and Valedictorian/Salutatorian Molly and Amy (played by Beanie Feldstein and Kaitlyn Dever) realize the day before graduation that while they chose studying over enjoying high school’s extracurriculars to get into their respective Ivy League schools, their classmates got into the same caliber of schools and had WAY more fun doing so. Determined not to let the last party night of the year pass them by, the duo sets out to break the rules they set out for themselves (and even some legal ones as well). Molly and Amy’s night of fun lends itself to hilarious moments involving all of today’s mobile apps including Uber/Lyft, Instagram, Facebook, etc. The laughs come fast and often, while friendships are tested, unexpected relationships are built, and moves are made to say goodbye to high school before facing all that comes afterwards.

The on-screen chemistry between Beanie and Kaitlyn is something to behold. From the very opening sequence, it actually feels as though the two of them have spent every second they possibly can together. Plans have been set into motion, decisions about the future have been made, and the two seem to have everything sorted out, right up until having everything planned out isn’t going to cut it the night before graduation. Molly and Amy decide to let the wind take them; and, what ensues is utter chaos and beautiful madness. The two finally shed their overly protective layers and venture out into the world beyond books and grades. What they find is as invigorating and educational as any classroom they’ve been in or homework assignment they’ve completed. But, how much do these new lessons cost them to learn?

Booksmart runs approximately an hour and forty minutes; but, it rarely drags. With very little in the form of boring, gap-filling scenes, this film takes audience members on a ride too bumpy to mind when things slow down a bit because those moments don’t last long. The musical accompaniment seamlessly feeds into every step along the film’s plot development; and, as much fun as viewers have along the ride, we are still genuinely interested in seeing how things turn out. Booksmart will bring some hints of nostalgia to those of us whose high school days are long behind us and may very well be an anecdote for those of you who are entering a similar stage in your own lives. Most importantly, it brings light to a number of issues facing today’s youth while proving that no problem should have to be the end of the world, impossible as it might be to realize that in the moment. This film gets a strong 4 reps out of 5 from me and you are going to want to watch this in theaters, as soon as it drops, with a bunch of your close friends because it engenders purely good vibes. And, if you’re anything like me, your vibe is your tribe.

Are you excited to catch Booksmart yet? Have I convinced you to walk down the movie aisle and grab your ticket to the most fun you’ll have learning so far this year? I swear they’re not paying me for this.