ppppmaas Reviews

John Wick: Chapter 4 (2023)

In a league of it's own

[10/10 · 24 April 2023]

After 3 chapters of countless casualties I must admit I had not expected anything quite like this. I wanted to see it and I can tell you I came out very surprised and glad I could see it in the theatre. I was most impressed by the locations, visually very impressive settings and a brilliant cast that is not to be underestimated. It was long but well worth it and I personally enjoyed the first half more than the second. There is a strange presence of humanity, respect and even friendship in this movie once you look past the body count. At some point the action becomes a bit much but the movie as a whole is really in a league of it's own and worthy of a great compliment to all involved!

The Woman King (2022)

A movie that succeeds on many fronts

[9/10 · 15 April 2023]

I just saw it on Netflix but wanted to see it in the before. I must admit that I loved it. A good story, a good cast and. Viola Wills is great as always and Thuso Mbedu was also very good among other strong performances. Even John Boyega was ok in this movie. I usually do not like his work but he is really ok in this. Opposite some criticism I think the action was fitting in this movie and balanced. That most actors in the movie are black for me is really beautiful and I loved the fact that they gave a depiction of slavery that gives us another look at the horrors of this hideous practice. As far as I am concerned this movie deserves a much better grade than the one on IMDB. I would rate it 9 out of 10!

Black Lotus (2023)

Why would someone make this?

[1/10 · 15 April 2023]

I understand Rico Verhoeven has a dream to make it as an actor! But is there no one who can tell him he simply has no screen presence nor charisma on the big screen. Even if the the script, dialogue, direction and other elements were on point this still would've been a bust! Frank Grillo is a solid actor with some good work under his belt. Rico has the same but not in acting! It is remarkable that no one slammed the breaks on this train wreck. Rico seems to be a stand up guy with qualities but this is not it. Action stars are seldomly great actors but they often have a presence that compensates! I would think twice at taking another run at this. I would rather not do it than do it (this) badly! There have been very few actors of Dutch origin who were able to carve out a decent career in the US / english language movies and they could actually act. I doubt this will be even remotely successful in the Netherlands let alone internationally!

Luckily the movie looks really cheap so they might make a euro when all is said and done. A sequel seems completely out of the question and who would want one? I do hope Rico wins his next match in the ring though, that's were he stands out!