The Animatrix (2003)

Both more interesting and entertaining than either Matrix sequel. The high-point, Beyond, is probably my favorite thing the Matrix series ever produced. I could watch four more films like it. B

The Matrix Reloaded (2003)

Everything bad about The Matrix intensified, everything good about the Matrix is minimized. It’s a really crappy movie with some spectacular action sequences. C

The Matrix (1999)

A few awkward moments and some really bad dialogue aside, this movie is pretty great. Does everything it sets it’s mind to, and does it well. B+

The Gift (2000)

A failure on nearly every level. Though, surprisingly, Keanu Reeves is pretty good. D

Point Break (1991)

At the end of the day, the movie is about the relationship between Johnny and Bodhi and the fact that neither Keanu Reeves or Patrick Swayze are strong enough actors to make us give a shit DOES hurt it. The action scenes (particularly the backyard chase) are VERY strong and Bigelow spends a lot of time trying to make surfing, sky-diving, and other such hobbies look as beautiful as possible. She focuses on this so much, in fact, that she willingly sacrifices one of the most potentially tense scenes of the film, the “who packed my chute?” moment by instantly dissolving the tension instead of letting it build. I guess the lackadaisical hippy approach (less investigation, more gnarly waves!) suits the material, but it certainly doesn’t do it any favors, particularly when your lead is Keanu Reeves, a man who has never had any chemistry with any other non-Alex Winters actor ever. B-

My Own Private Idaho (1991)

That this is only the second Shakespeare adaptation I’ve ever truly loved (the first being Polanski’s Macbeth) has more to do with the lack of Shakespeare adaptations I’ve seen than anything. Regardless, more films should be so free and loose with their inspirations. This is Gus Van Sant at his most playful, which makes the shaggy nature more enjoyable than something like Paranoid Park (not that that more morose film is without it’s pleasures). I do think making it tighter could have helped make River’s character’s story a more intimate one, but I’m more glad that filmmakers who aren’t as left-brained as I exist. Further proves that, as long as Keanu Reeves is portraying a vapid but beautiful character, he can be fine in films. B+