From the World of John Wick: Ballerina (2025)

From the World of John Wick: Ballerina follows a trained assassin seeking revenge in the familiar but slightly off-center world of Wick's underground.

Directed by Len Wiseman, best known for Underworld and Live Free or Die Hard, the film has his usual stylized flair. It feels just different enough from the mainline Wick entries to stand on its own. There’s still that slick gun-fu and neon-drenched worldbuilding, but with a touch more grace and a little less grit. Wiseman’s touch gives it personality without straying too far from the formula.

Ana de Armas, coming off action-heavy roles in No Time to Die and The Gray Man, does a great job handling the physicality. The choreography doesn’t pretend she’s stronger than her frame allows. Instead, she’s thrown around like Peter Parker, flipping, dodging, and surviving through skill and speed. It’s refreshing to see an action film acknowledge size and weight realistically. She’s believable, stylish, and focused.

Keanu Reeves and Ian McShane reprise their roles from the John Wick franchise. Reeves brings the same quiet intensity that he’s known for from both The Matrix and Wick films, while McShane, always composed and calculating, slides right back into Winston with ease. Their appearances feel earned and never forced, acting more like connective tissue than distractions.

Norman Reedus, best known for The Walking Dead and The Boondock Saints, is a strong addition. He plays his role with that same grimy charm he’s known for and fits into the world effortlessly. He’s got a presence that hints at something bigger, and if there’s a sequel, he’s a solid foundation to build on.

Sharon Duncan-Brewster, known for Dune, doesn’t land the same way. Her performance feels flat and detached. In a movie full of sharp edges and deliberate style, she’s the only piece that doesn’t quite click.

It's another Wick film. Result: B

Comments

Sleepwalker (2026)

Sleepwalker is a horror thriller written and directed by Brandon Auman , who quickly reminds us why his career has primarily been in television rather than feature films. Writing for children's television can sometimes get away with simplistic dialogue and storytelling, but those weaknesses become glaring when stretched into a feature-length horror movie. The screenplay is filled with clunky dialogue and predictable horror beats, while the jump scares rarely land. Instead of creating tension, the film repeatedly left me sighing in boredom. Hayden Panettiere delivers a strong performance despite the material she's been given. It's clear that many of her lines weren't written with much care, but she does what she can to make the character feel believable. Knowing this is her final film makes the performance bittersweet, especially because she deserved a much better script to go out on. Fortunately, her performance here doesn't diminish the work she's done in bet...

The End of Oak Street (2026)

The End of Oak Street starts with Anne Hathaway immediately establishing herself as the film's strongest performer, especially when compared to the wooden performance from Ewan McGregor . The premise of a writer struggling with an unsupportive spouse hits close to home for me. The split-focus direction from David Robert Mitchell isn't particularly new or uniquely executed. Instead, it often feels disorienting without accomplishing what I assume was the intention. Mitchell also struggles with the screenplay, as the dialogue can be atrocious at times and boring the rest of the time. This isn't his first failed attempt at writing interesting characters, which makes it understandable why he hasn't written or directed anything in eight years. Anne Hathaway is easily the best part of the film. She brings enough personality and emotional weight to keep the movie watchable despite the material surrounding her. Unfortunately, even Hathaway can't carry the entire film. Ew...

Lanterns EP1 (2026)

Lanterns is one of the few television shows I've felt compelled to review because I'm a big fan of Green Lantern , particularly Kyle Rayner and John Stewart . While the story focuses somewhat more on Hal Jordan , I'm glad we get a solid actor playing John. The first episode does a good job establishing that John is still green and new to the situation, pun intended. The show has a solid foundation, although its interpretation of the Green Lantern characters isn't always what I would have preferred. Aaron Pierre immediately makes an impression as John Stewart . I had never seen him in anything before this, but his presence is undeniable, and his chemistry with Kyle Chandler is one of the show's strongest elements. Their banter is entertaining and gives the relationship some much-needed energy. John being inexperienced works well for the first episode, but I'm hoping the character develops into the confident leader he becomes in the comics. Kyle Chandler play...

Movies, Film, and Chili

Search This Blog