Almost Three Years and an Expansion Pack Later is, "Cyberpunk 2077," Forgiven?

I knew it was a mess when, "Cyberpunk 2077," first was released, but damn it I loved it. It was my favorite video-game of 2020, with numerous flaws and all. Since that initial release, a lot of updates have been done with a massive variety of tweaks made in the latest free update that everyone can enjoy--it also aligns with a major paid expansion, "Phantom Liberty," as well. With this Update 2.0 folks are basically judging everything as one package, and they are pleased. Nearly three years since it first hit shelves, is "Cyberpunk 2077," finally meeting expectations?

This has happened before. "No Man's Sky," infamously was a bit broken at launch but a number of years later seems to (mostly) be the game everyone wanted it to be. That said, the disastrous launch of, "Cyberpunk 2077," basically has served as a blueprint to other companies that they might be better off delaying games than rushing them to the market only to spur outrage from consumers. "Cyberpunk 2077," has grown despite all that anger it once faced, and now might be considered truly, "Done," with no other expansions or such on the way. 20 new hours of content is arguably a game in itself, and Idris Elba has joined the fun as a mysterious character as well so don't worry that this new expansion lacks for star power after Keanu Reeves made a big splash in the main game as Johnny Silverhands.

I can't say if, "Cyberpunk 2077," deserves an overall re-review, or if the, "Phantom Liberty," expansion should simply be judged on its own. I also don't know if all the fixes make, "Cyberpunk 2077," retroactively as good as it should've been or if we should only now consider it a truly complete game (thanks to all the updates even if you don't pony up for extra content). The only thing I can say for sure is that hearing, "Cyberpunk 2077," is polished and less broken does make me want to revisit it for the first time in a while, whether I pay for the expansion right away or not. If an update to a game can be good enough I return years later, that says something, I'd argue.

Film Friday: "Constantine 2," with Keanu Reeves is Actually Happening

Rumors swirled for a while that the different-but-still-good take on John Constantine that Keanu Reeves supplied us with in the simply titled, "Constantine," could get a sequel. An underappreciated version of the character, even the comics sometimes acknowledged differing versions of the character (including this version) could exist. Getting an actual sequel seemed like a long shot, even if Peter Stormare (who played Satan) seemed to let slip something was in the works back in 2020. Well, as of today, Deadline has confirmed, "Constantine 2," and I'm pleased! 

The original movie was all the way in 2005 with Reeves as the star and Francis Lawrence making his directorial debut. Both are back in those roles and I'm intrigued to see what this version of John Constantine may have been up to in the nearly two decades since he last graced the screen. Maybe some other DC characters will even be involved, for all we know. Warner Brothers Discovery is a bit of a mess right now, so at least we got something good out of the company alternating between canceling stuff and throwing whatever it can at the wall to see what sticks.

"The Matrix Resurrections," Looks Like it Might Actually be Quite Cool

I adored the first, "Matrix," movie. Directed by Lana and Lilly Wachowski, it was a mind-bending experience full of philosophy, kung-fu, wild special effects, and it was just a delight. The two sequels were alright but admittedly let me way down compared to the first flick. Looking at everything now with some distance they hold up fine, but that first movie is still the best of the three by far. Now here we are almost two decades later and a new, "Matrix," movie is on the way. Titled, "The Matrix Resurrections," this one is directed solely by Lana with her as a writer of the script along with Aleksandar Hemon and author David Mitchell (of, "Cloud Atlas," fame, for better or worse). Here's the trailer:

The trailer actually looks pretty good and makes me wonder if this new entry could be a damn good flick. It looks like Neo (although now he doesn't even know he's Neo) is in our new modern era, possibly being monitored and kept relatively sedated (perhaps he didn't truly die at the end of the last flick and is trapped in a new Matrix). Keanu Reeves has had a career renaissance as of late and it's fun to see him return as Neo as you couldn't callback to a more classic role Reeves has played besides if you did another, "Bill and Ted," movie...which I recall now they actually did. Carrie-Ann Moss is back, Laurence Fishburne isn't but a man who looks and acts suspiciously like him is, and we get a healthy dose of Neal Patrick Harris in the preview, and I always enjoy some NPH in my flicks.

It isn't all moody talking and atmosphere, however, there is plenty of kicking, jumping, and slow-mo guns that are this franchise's hallmark. In some ways, "The Matrix," feels even more relevant with its concept of humanity becoming trapped in our own technology--a point that is driven home in a clip during the trailer where Reeve enters an elevator and everyone is obsessing over their phones and tablets. That may very well help, "The Matrix Ressurctions," be deliciously topical as well as packed full of exciting action scenes. Come December 22nd anyone who wants to go to a theater or watch it on HBO Max will be able to judge for themselves if this is all empty hype that is going to be more like the deflated sequels or a new entry that will hit as hard as the first movie. All I know is this preview got me a lot more intrigued than I had been.

I'm Surprised it Took This Long for, "BRZRKR," to be Optioned

When it was announced that Keanu Reeves would be co-writing a comic with Matt Kindt titled, "BRZRKR," I assumed before even the first issue came out it would have a media option announced. I was wrong, it took until after the first issue but before the second. Yep, "BRZRKR," a comic about a man who can't die and is working with the government as a violent secret agent in hopes of finally becoming mortal will be a movie and spin-off anime series on Netflix. 

One thing that is being heavily overlooked in all this is how while the comic's story was perfectly fine and might make a decent flick, the artwork was actually stellar. Ron Garney did the illustrations for the first issue (and upcoming issues) or, "BRZRKR," and he's been around long enough (getting work published since the 90s) that he knows how to draw everything from the explosive and extremely violent action sequences to the quiet flashbacks as our protagonist remembers the day of his birth 80,000 years ago--he is basically immortal and is able to remember a lot, you see.

Garney draws the (quite bloody) action fantastically.

The media articles about, "BRZRKR," getting optioned maybe have somewhat ignored Garney's contributions, but they sure seem excited to see another Keanu Reeves project. This is fair as he is a great actor, but I will admit feeling a little cynical these days when a comic seems to be made as little more than a proof-of-concept pitch for a potential movie/television show/etc. I don't mind stuff being optioned and there are in fact things I wish would get optioned. This, however, was destined to get bought for the screen before a single word was written or pen was put to paper (or tablet, you know what I mean). The comic wasn't bad by any means--as I said, Garney's art is amazing--so I imagine the movie and anime series will be fun. It still doesn't make me any less cynical though.

E3 Happened A Bit Ago

That big Electronic Entertainment Expo or, E3, as it is also known, happened a bit ago. It used to be a huge deal, with video-game companies making big announcements and such. Now it gets some press but is a lot less of a, "Thing." There were some interesting tidbits, such as the fact Microsoft plans to launch a new console during the holiday 2020 season, and how that long-in-development, "Cyberpunk 2077," has a definite release date (April 16th, 2020) as well as a digital Keanu Reeves, which is exciting but also as more is seen of the game some social-elements are a bit...problematic. Also, "Dying Light 2," looks kind of cool with is multi-layered cities, plus that, "Final Fantasy VII," remake keeps chugging along, but there wasn't anything super-wild and crazy announced that hadn't already leaked to some degree before the show (sup, "Watch Dogs: Legion,") or is specifically of interest to me even if other folk are pumped (a new game with George R.R. Martin involved).

E3 happened and some cool stuff was there, but it wasn't as wild as back in the day; that sums things up pretty well. Oh, and also that, "Avengers," game from Square Enix looks kind of off-putting and its annoying it'll be one of those, "Service games," you get sporadic little updates to. That does not inspire much excitement within me.

The (Potentially) Best Films of 2017 I Didn't See

The Ever-Growing List
As has become routine at this point, there are a lot of more movies that might be stellar which I haven't seen than movies people rave about which I have. In honor of that, here is my big ol' list of 2017 flicks I didn't see but should view at some point. Let's go in alphabetical order and begin!

So Many Movies and There Wasn't Enough Time

Baby Driver
Wow, this came out in 2017? I ask because it has Kevin Spacey in it and it feels like forever ago we learned he was a creep. Whatever the case, this movie by Edgar Wright apparently masterfully incorporates music with its action and is otherwise a rollicking good time.

Blade Runner 2049
Apparently despite rave reviews plenty of other people didn't see this either, and it tanked hard at the box office. That said, it's got plenty of talented actors and amazing imagery, so maybe after a quick review of the story in the original, "Blade Runner," as I've forgotten basically everything, I'll check this out.

Brigsby Bear
Kyle Mooney takes a plot that sounds potentially terrifying (child who grew up in a bunker and is obsessed with a pop-culture character nobody else has ever heard of) and makes a movie that actually is kind of sweet and makes you think about how we view our favorite cultural-stuff.

Coca
Putting aside how everyone hated the Olaf short that preceded this movie (until they pulled it from theaters), I'm told this is an amazing production full of the usual Pixar charm.

Darkest Hour, The
Gary Oldman plays Winston Churchill in this film that sounds perfect for someone who is a combination of a history buff and Gary Oldman fan like myself.

Disaster Artist, The
I adored the book about the making of cult-classic failure, "The Room," so I'd be eager to see a movie about the book about the movie (whew, try saying that five times fast).

Downsizing
Matt Damon shrinks himself down in order to both save the environment and live like a king. It sounds like a weirdly fascinating plot and something I would never do as I'd be terrified someone would step on me.

Dunkirk
Christopher Nolan's World War II film filled with minimal dialogue and extensive imagery impressed a variety of reviewers, and again, as someone who enjoys studying history this should appeal to me.

Florida Project, The
I know basically nothing about this movie other than it has Willem Dafoe in it and it's topping a variety of, "Best Movies of 2017," lists. I just had to know it featured Dafoe to want to see it though.

Get Out
I'm honestly embarrassed I still haven't seen this as someone who enjoys political commentary, horror films, and has enjoyed the work of creator Jordan Peele (he's the director of this movie). I need to make sure I see this STAT.

Girls' Trip
A gross-out comedy with a variety of actresses whose work I enjoy? Sounds fun to me!

Good Time
Robert Pattinson has basically been doing all kinds of weird indie-movies ever since the, "Twilight," saga as if he's desperate to prove he can act. You've proven you're talented man, its okay. All the positive buzz for, "Good Time," just solidifies that.

It
After years in development Hell I as well as everyone else was surprised when it turned out this didn't suck and was actually really good.

John Wick: Chapter 2
Keanu Reeves is a cool guy and a solid actor. "John Wick," was surprise hit and its sequel is apparently splendid as well.

Justice League
I mean, plenty of people didn't like it but as someone who thought even, "Batman VS Superman," had its charms I'm interested in checking it out.

Logan Lucky
Steven Soderbergh is a filmmaker who always manages to impress, so knowing he made this movie which even he has his character's jokingly refer to as a, "Redneck Ocean's Eleven," makes me wanna see it.

Mother!
Apparently this is a weird movie full of religious symbolism that either had nobody go see it because it is pompous and dumb, or because it is too smart and went over everyone's head, depending on whom you ask.

Okja
This is actually a Netflix original movie, but they screened it in some theaters too I believe. It's a weird mixture of genres and features a gigantic pig. Frankly, once I knew it had a mega-pig I was excited.

Patti Cake$
A movie I've heard described as, "Charming," about a lady who wants to be a rapper. I like charming movies, so I'd see it!

Shape of Water, The
Director Guillermo Del Toro is a craftsman at the top of his game and this film about love, humanity, and power is apparently amazing. Plus, from the previews it totally looks like that lady bangs the fish-dude.

Star Wars the Last Jedi
I'm not a diehard, "Star Wars," fan, but I for sure enjoy the series a great deal and look forward to checking this out.

Thor: Ragnarok
I need to make sure to see every MCU film I've missed (not too many, but still) before the big latest, "Avengers," movie comes out so I can be sure I'm fully up-to-speed. Plus, hearing this is a Thor movie that is actually really good is encouraging.

War for the Planet of the Apes
The threequel to the prequel series! I've been a fan of the other two films so I'm eager to check this out. Plus, Woody Harrelson is always a solid actor to put in your film.

There We Go!
If I didn't include a movie on this list there is a good chance I either saw it or don't care about it. 2018 clearly is going to involve some catching-up however!

Film Friday--I Saw A Variety of Those 2014 Releases I Said I Wanted to View

Movies, Yah!
At the conclusion of 2014 I discussed how there were a good chunk of movies I wanted to see from the year. I haven't seen all of them, but managed to view an assortment and shall now share my thoughts in alphabetical order, as I did the first time.

The Flicks
The Equalizer

This movie actually surprised me in that it took it as long as it did to start getting violent and action-packed. The extended time in which we see Denzel's quiet life on the screen gives everything a strange kind of sad calm, with it becoming all the more jarring when he starts killing people to protect a prostitute he forms a friendship with--and then finds those actions attract all sorts of angry characters. Denzel's character comes off as a bit of a Mary Sue, skilled at single-handedly taking down any threat he faces, only seeming to really break a sweat during a surreal finale where he rigs a hardware store full of traps between his fighting with the gangsters after him. Anton Fuqua has of course worked with Denzel before ("Training Day," for one example) and their familiarity and comfort with one another helps result in Denzel giving an even-more-excellent-than-usual performance, alternating between icy-calm and red-hot rage. A solidly good time, with the superb acting and Fuqua's stellar cinematography for the action helping elevate this beyond a standard action-movie.
4 out of 5 stars.

Gone Girl

Well, that was extremely interesting. A number of people have not yet seen this movie, which is perfectly okay as I took awhile to see it myself. It's just there is a big twist about an hour into the flick and as I did not have this this plot element spoiled for me and greatly appreciated it I would like to spare anyone still planning to see the movie having it ruined for them. What I can say, is that the acting is stellar, with Tyler Perry even doing a great job (and I've expressed concern about his moral-messaging in his work before, so perhaps the key is to just get him acting instead of writing and directing). Ben Affleck portrays the husband and Rosamund Pike is the wife. We learn a lot about their relationship through her journal entries, and what starts as a fairy-tale romance clearly begins to show concerning issues until we arrive at the present and are left wondering if the wife suddenly going missing is Affleck's fault or not.

Characters come into the film and out of it at various points, such as the aforementioned Tyler Perry as a famous defense lawyer and Neil Patrick Harris as an extremely creepy ex-boyfriend of Pike's character who does a great job making me feel uncomfortable anytime he appears on-screen. I found myself at the edge of my seat throughout the film as all the shocking revelations came at us with lightning speed and by the end of the flick I was dumbfounded at how insane it all was. A stellar movie that shows David Fincher may direct some movies people hate ("Benjamin Button" "The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo) but that he still can make something stellar (like "Fight Club").
5 out of 5 stars.

John Wick

You can actually take a lot of what I say about "The Equalizer" and transfer it to "John Wick". A hero who lost his wife, lives a quiet life, and finds himself returning to violence. In this case however it is clear that Wick once was a very bad man who became better, and that brings with it some interesting elements. "John Wick" gets to the action a bit faster than "The Equalizer" and has a bit more humor in it, but both are solid films. I really like Keanu Reeves as I often read how he is a very nice guy, and despite criticisms of his acting I feel he emotes plenty, with the few scenes where his character discusses the pain of losing his wife showing the hurt behind Reeves' character. Another great action movie.
4 out of 5 stars.

Lucy

I liked this, but God was it bizarre. Sometimes funny, sometimes violent, and often entirely based on fake-science, "Lucy" features Scarlet Johansson basically becoming a super-hero as she gains more and more powers to the point she is an unstoppable force. This film is full of plot holes (so who did her boyfriend even get those drugs from at the start of the movie she was forced to deliver? How come no one else has tried taking a massive dose like her? And countless more questions abound), everyone is mad it makes up more science than it uses, and the ending is a bit of a disappointment, but I still had fun. At the end of the day if you want some dumb fun, this is worth checking out.
3 out of 5 stars.

There You Go!
That is all so far of the movies I had said I really wanted to see, although I definitely do plan on viewing "Birdman", "Nightcrawler" and others I discussed in the future.

2014 In Review/Film Friday--The Best Movies I Still Need To See

We're Doing This Again?
Last year I put up a list of the best movies of 2013 I had yet to see. I felt it was appropriate to do so as there were so many flicks out there in theaters, on DVD, or streaming via Netflix which I desired to give a gander but found it just too difficult to get out to/find the time for. Well, the same thing happened this year with a ton of movies coming out which I would love to digest, but was unable to. Therefore, I now present the best movies from 2014 I have yet to see.

In Alphabetical Order:
Birdman

This just sounds right up my alley, so to speak. We have Michael Keaton--an actor I often enjoy--playing an actor within the movie who used to be in super-hero blockbusters (just like Keaton in real-life with "Batman" so now we're getting meta) and now is trying to prove he still has talent through putting on a big play; plus, and the entire movie is presented as if it were done in one long take (although there are some cuts cleverly disguised). It sounds funny, touching, clever, and otherwise like a rip-roaring time. I definitely want to see this.

Boyhood

This is the favorite movie from 2014 for many people this year, it seems. Shot over twelve years as the child actor aged from 5 to 18 and everyone else grew older too, this is a, "Coming-of-age" drama with quite the killer hook of how--as I just said--this thing was actually basically filmed in real-time--e.g. they didn't get another actor to play the kid as he grew up, he just did! While that is a unique gimmick, one cool trick does not a movie make. The story is good however, I have heard; we basically see scenes from various points in our character's lives and in the process probably learn more about parenting, ourselves, and what-have-you. I've read it is great and I am a fan of Ethan Hawke (who plays the Dad), so it's worth a viewing.

The Equalizer

Denzel Washington as the lead, Anton Fuqua as the director, and plenty of action? I'm in!

Gone Girl

David Fincher directing, Ben Affleck acting, a whole bunch of other great people involved, and the script was actually written by the person behind the book so you don't have to worry about the author complaining the film-version of her story ruined it--a good recipe for success. I've been told this is an intensely thrilling movie, one that has you constantly second-guessing yourself as a town struggles to figure out what caused as man's wife to suddenly disappear--and how responsible he could be for it.

Interstellar

I enjoy films by Christopher Nolan so even though I know next to nothing about this, I think I will see it when it comes out for home-theater viewing. I just didn't really read much about the movie so all I am aware of is that it involves space, love, and has Matthew McConaughey. Lots of special effects occur too, apparently.

John Wick

I like Keanu Reeves. I read articles about how he is a nice person, and it makes me feel bad for him when I also read how hard it can be for him to get roles in movies. Some folk make jokes about his acting being wooden, but from the movies I have seen him in I would say they are plenty of times he, "Registers a pulse," and emotes just fine. That said, I enjoy action movies, so Reeves playing a retired assassin who ends up having to kick some assess most likely will make for an enjoyable piece of fun.

Lucy

Scarlet Johansson is a strong actress, and even though I was extremely annoyed by previews for this movie furthering the absurd myth we only use 10% of our brain I thought it looked like good fun. Luc Besson has made some enjoyably bizarre films ("The Fifth Element") and from what I read this is quite an out-there movie too. Oh, and Morgan Freeman is in it, he makes almost anything extra fun!

Nightcrawler

I love the movie "Network" with its biting commentary on how the media functions (so much still rings true today about what it says), and "Nightcrawler" is getting a lot of buzz for doing the same--albeit in a way that is less comedic and more creepy through Jake Gyllenhaal's electrifying performance.

Selma

I've already heard a ton of great things about "Selma" and as this did have an official limited release in theaters on Christmas day I put it on this list even though it doesn't actually go into widespread release until January. "Selma" is about Martin Luther King Jr. and other heroes, displaying their struggles and successes. While there have been many films about MLK and the Civil Rights movement, this one is apparently superb, getting rave reviews. I'll check it out in theaters if I get the chance or be sure to rent it later in the year.

Snowpiercer

This has been sitting in my Netflix list, just waiting to be watched. Based on the French comic (now translated into English) and starring a quality cast made-up of folk such as Chris Evans and Tilda Swinton, this looks quite promising. Set in a dystopian future (is there any other kind?) with what remains of civilization riding on a train where the carriages are separated by class-status, this film deals with the kind of troubles that could bring, and focuses on an uprising, I believe. It sounds unique and interesting, something often lacking from today's movies.

Under the Skin

Another movie starring Johansson, of all things! A strange science-fiction flick about an alien (played by Johansson) who lures various men hanging around Scotland to their doom, this sounds quite odd. In a strange twist, many of the men Johansson picks-up while in character are not actors, but real people who were out and about, finding themselves lured into the car of an in-character Johnasson and only being told they were filmed with hidden cameras after pieces of story with them had been recorded! I've been told this is an eerie and quite minimalist experience, with people either loving or hating it. I'd be willing to give it a chance and see how I feel.

A Good Assortment
I've got a good assortment of movies I would like to see from 2014, and while I wasn't able to view everything from 2013 I was interested in, I can hope I'm able to get more of these watched in the upcoming year. We will see, I suppose. Anyways, there is my list for 2014 in review!