Well, Well, Well, you’re a fan of John Wick, huh? I can dig it, baby! Cool, calm, brutal, nothing says ‘Don’t touch my dog!’ like a good ol’ fashioned rampage through the underworld! Now, sit back, relax and lemme conjure up some cinematic eye candy for ya!
First up, on this classic movie magic carpet ride, we’ve got 1967’s “Point Blank.” Wilder than Wild West itself, featuring the hunk of ’em all, Lee Marvin. Oh, he’s on a quest; a quest for his ninety-three grand that he swindled outta his pal, John. He wants his money back! Oh, revenge is a dish best served cold, or in this case, ‘Point blank.’
Next on miraculous movie menu is “Hard Boiled” from ’92. It’s an opus from John Woo. We’re talking Chow Yun-fat! We’re talking tea house shootouts! We’re talking hospital stand-offs! It’s a face-off before “Face/Off,” a vintage piece of pure action adrenaline. And trust me, it’s Yo-Kai Watch on steroids; a ballet of bullets, if you will!
Now, third to bat, let’s time travel to 1976’s “Assault on Precinct 13.” Here’s a stupendously shot, impeccably paced, palm-sweaty thriller from none other than THE John Carpenter. This ain’t just another shift for Austin Stoker’s ethically unbreakable Lieutenant Bishop; it’s hell in a precinct. *Woof* Makes the dog pound look like the Puppy Bowl!
And whoa, hold onto your seat, because we’re veering into spycraft with “Atomic Blonde” from 2017. Picture this, Charlize Theron, as lethal and beautiful as a Siberian winter, kicking more ass than a donkey pinata at a karate party. This Cold War-set romp delivers a wonderful mix of stylish aesthetics, super badass-ery, and a hint of “who’s-double-crossing-who” intrigue. Or should I say Stoli on ice, with a sucker punch chaser?
Now, movie numero cinco is “The Raid 2” – Yup, got that right, numero DOS! Hear me out, it’s not just a sequel, it’s a full blown action opera. Our good old protagonist Rama’s redeeming his brother and while he’s at it, he’s ripping an undercover trip in Indonesia’s underworld with a side of electrifying martial arts! It’s hot and it’s heavy, it’s ‘Get the popcorn and a heartbeat monitor’ kinda movie.
Finally, we reach a modern marvel, Liquid Nitrogen cool – 2014’s “The Equalizer.” You’ve got Denzel Washington, a man so smooth he could be butter in a suit, deciding the best way to retire is by moonlighting as a DIY store worker, and just maybe, cleaning up Boston in his spare time. A Man on Fire with home store solutions. It’s like if Tim “The Tool Man” Taylor became the Punisher!
Alright, alright, you’re screaming ‘Genie, I ain’t got all millennia!’ So, let me narrow it down…it’s a tough choice, like trying to pick your favorite kid, or your favorite donut at a bakery! But if I gotta pick one… for a John Wick fan, I’d pick “The Raid 2.”
Why? Simple, my friend…the fearless protagonist reminiscent of Keanu’s perfect portrayal! The straight-from-hell antagonists! The stunningly choreographed fight scenes that’ll make you sweat like a you’re in a Bikram Yoga session! Ugh, the nail-biting suspense, and the gritty, glittering, neon-infested cinematography that just sings ‘oh-so-Wick.’
And the cherry on top, the deliciously layered mapping of the seedy underworld. Almost gets you thinking, ‘Is this Wick’s world sans the colorful Continental coins?’ And who can resist the thunderstorm of martial arts raining down on baddies? Wick would approve, I bet my lamp on it!
So, baby, buckle up. You’re in for an insanely wicked ride, that echoes the thrills, spills and kills of the Wick wonderland. But hey, you don’t have to stop there. Remember, you’re spoilt for choice; you have a thrilling smorgasbord of action-packed gratification at your fingertips!
Pick a movie, any movie. As they say, variety is the spice of cue the cinematic magic baby! Lighting, camera, and action! Just remember, it’s not the years, it’s the mileage!
