Reeves gets job done in action-packed ‘John Wick’
Keanu Reeves’ comeback and a new twist on an old story are among new DVD releases this week.
• “John Wick,” B: Keanu Reeves turns in one of his most intense performances playing the retired contract killer.
Once he’s forced back to work, the only thing that can stop him from getting total revenge is running out of bullets. Reeves brings just the right amount of killing tenacity, tempered by a five-year absence from the job, to make Wick formidable yet slightly vulnerable.
The screenplay by Derek Kolstad is loaded with leaps of logic, but director Chad Stahelski never lets the action slow down. This is a film built on body counts.
• “Dracula Untold,” C: Luke Evans has neither the charisma nor the muscle to make Vlad the same kind of captivating character that Dracula has been in past productions.
Sarah Gadon’s work as Vlad’s wife is so colorless that she often blends into the scenery.
• “Dear White People,” B: Director/writer Justin Simien looks at race issues on an Ivy League college campus during the Obama era.
“Dear White People” offers a wry reminder that racism is still rampant.
• “The Best of Me,” B-minus: High school sweethearts reunite after many years when they return to their small hometown.
Nicholas Sparks has never been subtle when it comes to laying on the emotion. The sentimentality becomes so heavy, it crushes “The Best of Me.”
• “Ouija,” F: The scariest thing about the new horror film is that you might get crushed under its pile of cliches or fall out of your seat from boredom.
Do whatever you have to do to move the planchette to say “NO” to this one.
Also new on DVD
“Wonder Years Season 2”: Contains 17 episodes of the TV series.
“Richard Pryor: Omit the Logic”: Documentary that examines the legacy of the comedian.
“Anzac Girls”: Based on the true story of five Australian and New Zealand nurses during World War I.
“Demon’s Rock”: Residents of a quiet town must deal with a evil that comes through a portal.
“Exists”: Five friends find terror on the back roads of Texas.
“Boys”: Mischa Kamp’s award-winning story of two track stars finding their first love.
“Pom Poko”: Film about the clash between modern civilization and the natural world.
“The Reagans: The Legacy Endures”: Documentary about the 40th president.
“Coffee Town”: Efforts are made to save a favorite coffee shop.
“Leslie Charteris: The Saint, Set 2”: Simon Dutton plays Simon Templar.
“Starry Eyes”: Aspiring actress gets role to die for.
“Hector and the Search for Happiness”: Psychiatrist is frustrated he can’t give his patients real happiness. Simon Pegg stars.
“Starred Up”: Teen fights for his life after being transferred to an adult prison facility.
“Tales from Earthsea”: Based on the “Earthsea” fantasy book series.
“Video Games: The Movie”: Chronicle of the rise of the video game industry.
“Zombie Killers: Elephant’s Graveyard”: Small band of young adults are trained to protect their city.
“ABCs of Death 2”: The film features 26 chapters of scares.
“The Overnighters”: Struggling Americans hit the road in hopes of finding a new start.
“Care Bears: Share Your Care”: Bears have their usual feelings switched by the Feeling Flu.
“Foyle’s War”: The final season of the series starring Michael Kitchen.