Johnel: Your Friendly Neighborhood Movie Goer

Movie review on new Lionsgate film "John Wick: Chapter 4". Written by SHAY HATTEN and MICHAEL FINCH. Directed by CHAD STAHELSKI. Starring: KEANU REEVES, DONNIE YEN, BILL SKARSGARD, LAURENCE FISHBURNE, Hiroyuki Sanada, SHAMIER ANDERSON, LANCE REDDICK, RINA SAWAYAMA, SCOTT ADKINS, CLANCY BROWN, NATALIA TENA, MARKO ZAROR and IAN MCSHANE. Released in theaters March 24th, 2023.

Synopsis

John Wick uncovers a path to defeating the High Table. But before he can earn his freedom, Wick must face off against a new enemy with powerful alliances across the globe and forces that turn old friends into foes.

Movie review on new Niu Vision Media film "Full River Red". Written by Yimou Zhang and Chen Yu. Directed by Yimou Zhang. Starring: Teng Shen, Jackson Yee, Yi Zhang, Jiayin Lei, Wang Jiayi and Yunpeng Yue. Movie in limited release in the US as March 17th, 2023.

Synopsis

12th century China, during the Song Dynasty, set against a brewing rebellion by the Jin people against the Imperial Court. Two hours before a crucial diplomatic meeting between the Song Prime Minister Qin Hui and a high level Jin delegation, the Jin Ambassador is murdered. An important letter destined for the Emperor is stolen from him. As the search for the letter unfolds, alliances are formed, secrets are revealed, and no one can stop the truth that is destined to leave its mark in history.

Movie review on new Warner Bros Pictures film "Shazam: Fury of the Gods". Written by Henry Gayden & Chris Morgan. Directed by David F. Sandberg. Starring: Zachary Levi (Thor: Ragnarök) as Shazam; Asher Angel (Andi Mack) as Billy Batson; Jack Dylan Grazer (It Chapter Two) as Freddy Freeman; Adam Brody (Promising Young Woman) as Super Hero Freddy; Ross Butler (Raya and the Last Dragon) as Super Hero Eugene; Meagan Good (Day Shift) as Super Hero Darla; D.J. Cotrona (G.I. Joe: Retaliation) as Superhero Pedro; Grace Caroline Currey (Annabelle: Creation) as Mary Bromfield / Superhero Mary; Faithe Herman (This Is Us) as Darla Dudley; Ian Chen (A Dog’s Journey) as Eugene Choi; Jovan Armand (Second Chances) as Pedro Pena; Marta Milans (White Lines) as Rosa Vasquez; Cooper Andrews (The Walking Dead) as Victor Vasquez; with Djimon Hounsou (A Quiet Place Part II) as Wizard. Joining the cast are Rachel Zegler (West Side Story), with Lucy Liu (Kung Fu Panda franchise) and Helen Mirren (F9: The Fast Saga). Movie released March 17th, 2023 in theaters.

Synopsis

Shazam! Fury of the Gods, which continues the story of teenage Billy Batson who, upon reciting the magic word “SHAZAM!,” is transformed into his adult Superhero alter ego, Shazam. Billy and his foster siblings, who transform into superheroes as well, are forced to get back into action and fight the Daughters of Atlas. The Shazam family must stop them from using a weapon that could destroy the world. Along the way, they have to make peace with the Gods because they took their powers for granted.

Movie review on new Columbia Pictures/Sony film "65". Written and directed by Scott Beck & Bryan Woods. Starring: Adam Driver, Ariana Greenblatt & Chloe Coleman. Release in theaters on March 10th, 2023.

Synopsis

After a catastrophic crash on an unknown planet, pilot Mills (Adam Driver) quickly discovers he’s actually stranded on Earth…65 million years ago. Now, with only one chance at rescue, Mills and the only other survivor, Koa (Ariana Greenblatt), must make their way across an unknown terrain riddled with dangerous prehistoric creatures in an epic fight to survive.

Movie Review on new Paramount Pictures film "Scream VI". Written by James Vanderbilt & Guy Busick. Directed by Matt Bettinelli-Olpin & Tyler Gillett. Starring: Melissa Barrera, Jasmin Savoy Brown, Jack Champion, Henry Czerny, Mason Gooding, Liana Liberato, Dermot Mulroney, Devyn Nekoda, Jenna Ortega, Tony Revolori, Josh Segarra, Samara Weaving with Hayden Panettiere and Courteney Cox. Release in theaters March 10th, 2023

Synopsis

Following the latest Ghostface killings, the four survivors leave Woodsboro behind and start a fresh chapter. Sam Carpenter, Mindy Meeks-Martin, Chad Meeks-Martin, Tara Carpenter, Kirby Reed and Gale Weathers return.

Movie review on new Lionsgate film "Operation Fortune: RUSE DE GUERRE". Written by Guy Ritchie, Ivan Atkinson and Marn Davies. Directed by Guy Ritchie. Starring: Jason Statham, Aubrey Plaza, Josh Hartnett, Cary Elwes, Bugzy Malone and Hugh Grant. Released in theaters March 3rd, 2023.

Synopsis

In the film, super spy Orson Fortune (Jason Statham) must track down and stop the sale of a deadly new weapons technology wielded by billionaire arms broker Greg Simmonds (Hugh Grant). Reluctantly teamed with some of the world’s best operatives (Aubrey Plaza, Cary Elwes, Bugzy Malone), Fortune and his crew recruit Hollywood’s biggest movie star Danny Francesco (Josh Hartnett) to help them on their globe-trotting undercover mission to save the world.

Movie review on new Sony Pictures Classics film "Return to Seoul". Written and directed by Davy Chou. Official selection of Cannes Film Festival. In limited release as of December 2nd, 2022. Starring: Park Ji-Min, Oh Kwang-Rok, Guka Han and Kim Sun-Young.

Synopsis

After an impulsive travel decision to visit friends, Freddie, 25, returns to South Korea for the first time, where she was born before being adopted and raised in France. Freddie suddenly finds herself embarking on an unexpected journey in a country she knows so little about, taking her life in new and unexpected directions.

Movie review for new MGM film "Creed III". Written by Keenan Coogler & Zach Baylin. Directed by Michael B. Jordan. Released in Theaters March 3rd, 2023. Starring: Michael B. Jordan, Tessa Thompson, Jonathan Majors, Wood Harris, Florian Munteanu, Mila Davis-Kent and Phylicia Rashad.

Synopsis

After dominating the boxing world, Adonis Creed (Michael B. Jordan) has been thriving in both his career and family life. When a childhood friend and former boxing prodigy, Damian (Jonathan Majors), resurfaces after serving a long sentence in prison, he is eager to prove that he deserves his shot in the ring. The face off between former friends is more than just a fight. To settle the score, Adonis must put his future on the line to battle Damian -- a fighter who has nothing to lose.