A new episode of our What Happened to This Celebrity series just dropped on the JoBlo Originals YouTube channel, and with this one we’re taking a look at the life and career of one of the most beloved actors of his generation: Keanu Reeves. Here’s a guy who has been in the acting world since the 1980s, and just keeps getting more and more popular as the years go by. How is this possible? Well, it helps when you can play a dog-avenging badass like John Wick… and it also helps to have a reputation as being one of the most kind, warmhearted people in Hollywood. To hear all about Keanu Reeves, and to celebrate a very cool dude, check out the video embedded above.
As mentioned in the video, Reeves’ acting skills have been criticized, but he has made some great movies and brought to life some iconic characters. He’s best known for playing John Wick, Ted “Theodore” Logan from the Bill & Ted movies, and Neo from the Matrix franchise – but he has also played a Sam Raimi villain (in The Gift), gone up against Satan himself on more than one occasion (Constantine and The Devil’s Advocate), starred in one of the best action movies to never receive a sequel (Point Break – which did get a remake, but the less said about that, the better), starred in an action movie that received a Keanu-less sequel most fans wish hadn’t been made (Speed), and worked in some well-liked dramas (River’s Edge,My Own Private Idaho) and comedies (Parenthood). One recent, largely overlooked gem in his filmography is the romantic comedy Destination Wedding, which reunited him with his Bram Stoker’s Dracula (and A Scanner Darkly and The Private Lives of Pippa Lee) co-star Winona Ryder. Reeves cut his dialogue in the most recent John Wick movie down to the bare minimum, but if you want to see him deliver a great performance and a whole lot of dialogue, check out Destination Wedding.
Are you a Keanu Reeves fan? Check out the new episode of What Happened to This Celebrity, then let us know by leaving a comment below.
If you want to play the brand new class Diablo IV: Vessel of Hatred introduced, this Spiritborn build guide has you covered. The Spiritborn is a brand new class in Vessel of Hatred, and Blizzard did a fantastic job with them. Every build is viable when leveling, but my two favorites are Centipede and Eagle.
If you want to play the brand new class Diablo IV: Vessel of Hatred introduced, this Spiritborn build guide has you covered. The Spiritborn is a brand new class in Vessel of Hatred, and Blizzard did a fantastic job with them. Every build is viable when leveling, but my two favorites are Centipede and Eagle.
PLOT: An unrivaled and highly elusive lone assassin, the Jackal, makes his living carrying out hits for the highest fee. But following his latest kill, he meets his match in a tenacious British intelligence officer who starts to track down the Jackal in a thrilling cat-and-mouse chase across Europe, leaving destruction in its wake.
REVIEW: The Day of the Jackal is a title that resonates even if you have not seen the 1973 film or the novel it was based on. Loosely remade in 1997 as The Jackal, starring Bruce Willis and Richard Gere, the core plot of the Frederick Forsyth novel followed a master assassin attempting to kill the President of France and the investigation to stop him. While the original film was a critical and box office success, the dated subject matter has been ripe for a contemporary update. The new Sky/Peacock limited series The Day of the Jackal dramatically changes the plot and characters while keeping the core cat-and-mouse dynamic between the titular killer and the agent tasked with hunting him down. The new iteration of the story takes a deeper look at the parallels between the hunter and the hunted to deliver a psychologically complex portrait of two people on opposite sides with masterful performances from Eddie Redmayne and Lashana Lynch.
Updating the story from 1960s France to modern-day Europe, The Day of the Jackal centers on the assassin (Eddie Redmayne) as he expertly undertakes a job involving disguises, complex choreographed sniper skills, and a perfectly timed escape. Redmayne portrays The Jackal as a natural mimic who balances his professional life with a secret family, including a young son and a wife, Nuria (Ursula Corbero). While The Jackal ties up loose ends on the job that opens the series, he is recruited for a new target by a wealthy cabal looking to take out a high-profile adversary. As The Jackal balances his carefully curated dual lives, his recent kill has resulted in a multinational hunt for his whereabouts despite no one knowing who or where he is. That is despite the single-minded focus of MI-6 agent Bianca (Lashana Lynch), who has made it her responsibility to find The Jackal and bring him to justice.
The ten-episode series has a propulsive start as we become intimately informed about how The Jackal operates. Eddie Redmayne has played nuanced characters before, but I cannot recall his role with this level of duality or sociopathy. There is a charming, James Bond-like quality to The Jackal but there is also an undercurrent that makes you question whether you should like him a an individual. He is talented and calculating, and when we see him disarmed as a family man, he can be likable, but we never forget he is a murderer. Redmayne adopts The Jackal’s chameleon-like ability to change his appearance, voice, and demeanor, making him even more frightening. However, the perspective of this series also shows the motivations behind why he does what he does, which offers more humanity to the performance than we saw in the previous adaptations of the novel. Redmayne keeps you invested in The Jackal as both a villain and an antihero for the duration of the series, even when he must make difficult choices in the final episodes.
While the two storylines do not directly converge for several episodes, the parallels between The Jackal and Bianca’s arc are numerous. Lashana Lynch has already shown she has the chops to play a spy in No Time To Die as well as a superhero in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, but her turn as the single-minded agent using her brains and cunning to track down a killer is one of the actor’s most impressive turns to date. Bianca, like The Jackal, drops her personal life at a moment’s notice when she is called by her superiors, including Osita Halcrow (Chukwudi Iwuji) and Isabel Kirby (Lia Williams) as she tries to foil another death, this time of entrepreneur Ulle Dag Charles (Khalid Abdalla). Bianca risks disappointing her daughter and husband, but it is in the service of the greater good that puts her and The Jackal on a collision course, which the series continually amps up through each successive chapter. Had the series only focused on Bianca and not The Jackal, this series would have remained a stunning showcase for Lashana Lynch. The limited screen time shared between Redmayne and Lynch allows each character to develop fully without relying on the other.
Brian Kirk, Anthony Philipson, Paul Wilmshurst, and Anu Menon directed the ten-episode series, which Ronan Bennett scripted. Bennett, a novelist and writer, is best known for the BBC historical limited series Gunpowder and Michael Mann’s 2009 biopic Public Enemies. At times, the series feels like two different shows following shared arcs with the supporting players, including Charles Dance, Eleanor Matsuura, Richard Dormer, and Kate Dickie, existing in one and not the other. Alongside the standout leads, Ursula Corbero is fantastic and continues to make me wonder why she is not leading more projects like this. My only complaint, without divulging any spoilers, is how the series wraps up the finale. In many ways, it works within the context of how the story unfolds, but I could not help feeling a bit underwhelmed at the lack of a more conclusive ending.
From the Bond-esque opening credits complete with a sultry title song to the balance of character development, political intrigue, and realistic stakes, The Day of the Jackal is at once indebted to the 007 franchise and its antithesis. This grounded, realistic thriller takes time to develop the protagonist and antagonist while leaving audiences wondering which side they trust and whether they should or should not. This is not a clean-cut espionage story or even an action-oriented tale. The Day of the Jackal is a worthy modernization of the classic novel and delivers two of the year’s better performances on film or the small screen. Eddie Redmayne and Lashana Lynch are absolutely fantastic and somewhat eclipse the minor shortcomings of the project itself. If you come into this series expecting it to be like Mission: Impossible or The Bourne Identity, you will be disappointed, but if you are a fan of Slow Horses and Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy, you are in for a treat.
The Day of the Jackal premieres on November 7th on Peacock.
The lovable bear is back. Paddington in Peru has the task of following two movies that had near-perfect positive reactions. Plus, the original director, Paul King, sits this one out. So, now that the film has been screened in the U.K., reactions are hitting social media. How is it faring this time around? Paddington in Peru “follows Paddington and the Brown family as they visit Aunt Lucy in Peru. A thrilling adventure ensues when a mystery plunges them into an unexpected journey through the Amazon rainforest and to the mountain peaks of Peru.” Ben Whishaw returns to voice Paddington, with Hugh Bonneville, Emily Mortimer, Madeleine Harris, Samuel Joslin, Julie Walters, Jim Broadbent, Olivia Colman, Antonio Banderas, and Imelda Staunton rounding out the cast.
Paul Klein of Film Hounds stated, “#PaddingtonInPeru doesn’t hit the heights of 2. But it’s still a lovely, funny, exciting film that knows the charm is in how earnest the Bear is. Olivia Colman as a singing nun is a highlight.”
#PaddingtonInPeru doesn’t hit the heights of 2. But it’s still a lovely, funny, exciting film that knows the charm is in how earnest the Bear is. Olivia Colman as a singing nun is a highlight. pic.twitter.com/0lkRDmXF80
Kelechi Ehenulo posted that this third entry fell below the first two, “#PaddingtonInPeru is my least favourite in the franchise, missing Paul King’s magic and dare I say it, I missed Sally Hawkins (Mortimer innocent though). However, its heart and intention is in the right place with Paddington himself never losing his charm. Colman steals the show.”
#PaddingtonInPeru is my least favourite in the franchise, missing Paul King's magic and dare I say it, I missed Sally Hawkins (Mortimer innocent though). However, its heart and intention is in the right place with Paddington himself never losing his charm. Colman steals the show. https://t.co/xX2bRW5N7m
Darren Mooney calls Paddington in Peru “pretty fine” while taking a shot of Dial of Destiny as he says, “Look, at least Paddington in Peru is the best Indiana Jones film to star Antonio Banderas, so there’s that. Paddington in Peru is pretty fine. It’s funny and charming, but you really miss the active involvement of Paul King and Simon Farnaby, who share a story credit.”
Look, at least "Paddington in Peru" is the best "Indiana Jones" film to star Antonio Banderas, so there's that.
"Paddington in Peru" is pretty fine. It's funny and charming, but you really miss the active involvement of Paul King and Simon Farnaby, who share a story credit. pic.twitter.com/QT3uvysWLx
Clarisse Loughrey was not nearly as forgiving on the film as she also makes a bear pun, “sorry to be the BEARer of bad news, but PADDINGTON IN PERU is kind of a letdown”
sorry to be the BEARer of bad news, but PADDINGTON IN PERU is kind of a letdown https://t.co/G94jjB0M7L
Meanwhile, Carl Roberts would glow about the movie, saying, “#PaddingtonInPeru is an early Christmas treat for the whole family. A wonderfully entertaining, funny and heartfelt movie that rarely puts a foot wrong throughout. Fun, bubbly and truly superb. Pack the marmalade sandwiches and enjoy the ride!”
#PaddingtonInPeru is an early Christmas treat for the whole family. A wonderfully entertaining, funny and heartfelt movie that rarely puts a foot wrong throughout. Fun, bubbly and truly superb. Pack the marmalade sandwiches and enjoy the ride! pic.twitter.com/GKt1VH4xoq
Two things have been constant in the newly released reviews for this film — the movie stood no chance against Paddington 2 and it’s “just fine” and Olivia Colman comes away as the highlight of the film. A factor that many have pointed out is that Paul King‘s direction is sorely missed. However, the former series director always aimed to hand off the franchise. King stated that “because there’s so much Paddington source material, you could make 50 Paddington movies. I’d be a hundred years old and still doing Paddington.” If there was only enough source material to make two or three films, King said that things might have been different, but he was “really pleased” with where they left Paddington after the second movie and that it was “time to let go and give somebody else a shot.“
Recently, it was announced that there will be a Paddington 4 as well as a TV adaptation. “We are also working on a new TV series and a new movie to come in 2027, ’28,” said Françoise Guyonnet, CEO of StudioCanal Kids & Family, noting that 2028 will mark the 70th anniversary of the franchise. “Of course, the big event for the StudioCanal family is the release of Paddington in Peru.”
James Van Der Beek has announced that he has been diagnosed with colorectal cancer, a form that begins in the colon or rectal area.
Speaking with People, James Van Der Beek announced, “I have colorectal cancer. I’ve been privately dealing with this diagnosis and have been taking steps to resolve it, with the support of my incredible family…There’s reason for optimism, and I’m feeling good.”
While James Van Der Beek didn’t go into any specific details over his cancer diagnosis, there is a lot of information online As per the American Cancer Society, most developments of this cancer start as polyps; if cancer forms within, it can then expand to the walls of the colon or rectum. The stage of cancer can be determined depending on how deep into the walls it is. As far as how many men it may affect, they note that there is a 1 in 23 lifetime risk of developing this form of cancer, although that would be based on numerous factors. They also list five-year survival rates — provided it is localized, meaning it hasn’t spread out of the region — in the low 90% range.
The news hasn’t only been a surprise to fans but even family members of James Van Der Beek, who offered his apologies after he discovered that many relatives found out via the web. In a social media post, the actor wrote, “There’s no playbook for how announce these things, but I’d planned on talking about it at length with People magazine at some point soon … to raise awareness and tell my story on my own terms. But that plan had to be altered early this morning when I was informed that a tabloid was going to run with the news.”
Despite the news of his cancer diagnosis, James Van Der Beek is keeping busy enough, with a selection of projects lined up. One — due out later this month as a Tubi Original — is Sidelined: The QB and Me, based on a young adult novel. But Van Der Beek will always be best known for Dawson’s Creek and Varsity Blues.
We here at JoBlo.com want to wish James Van Der Beek the best in the process of his cancer treatment and recovery.
Amazon MGM’s Like A Dragon: Yakuza has the unenviable task of taking RGG Studio’s beloved Yakuza video game series and translating it into prestige television. The Yakuza games are as much studies of bizarre secondary characters and unlikely encounters as they are narrative-driven crime stories. And while side quests…
Amazon MGM’s Like A Dragon: Yakuza has the unenviable task of taking RGG Studio’s beloved Yakuza video game series and translating it into prestige television. The Yakuza games are as much studies of bizarre secondary characters and unlikely encounters as they are narrative-driven crime stories. And while side quests…
Quincy Jones, the legendary musician and producer who amassed 28 competitive Grammys over his staggering career, has passed away. He was 91.
With collaborations with the likes of Michael Jackson, Frank Sinatra, Ella Fitzgerald, and countless others, it’s hard to put into words just what sort of legacy Quincy Jones left behind. Working consistently since the 1950s, Jones made his mark almost immediately on the music world, getting his start in Chicago before tagging along for a European tour where he could showcase his jazz talents.
But it was the 1960s when Quincy Jones truly emerged as an artist, not only producing Sinatra’s classic It Might as Well Be Swing album, but lending to film soundtracks as well. His breakout on that front was for Sidney Lumet’s The Pawnbroker, but it would be for In Cold Blood that Jones earned his first Oscar nomination for Best Original Score. He would be nominated in that category and Best Original Song a total of six times, even nabbing a Best Picture nod for producing The Color Purple. While he did not win any competitive Oscars, Quincy Jones was honored with the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award in 1995. He, too, notably did the title song for Sanford and Son.
Quincy Jones would hit a much younger audience when he teamed with Michael Jackson, producing 1979’s Off the Wall, 1982’s Thriller (the best-selling album ever) and 1987’s Bad – we’re talking “Don’t Stop ‘Til You Get Enough”, “Wanna Be Startin’ Somethin’”, “Beat It”, “Billie Jean”, “The Way You Make Me Feel”, Man in the Mirror”, and so many more. The ‘80s also found Quincy Jones leading “We Are the World”, the iconic charity song that featured a who’s who of legendary singers.
In a statement to the Associated Press, the family wrote, “Tonight, with full but broken hearts, we must share the news of our father and brother Quincy Jones’ passing. And although this is an incredible loss for our family, we celebrate the great life that he lived and know there will never be another like him.”
In addition to his 28 Grammys – the most recent of which was in 2019 – and Oscar, Quincy Jones also nabbed a Tony for Best Revival of a Musical (The Color Purple) and Outstanding Music Composition for a Series (Roots).
Leave your condolences and give us your favorite Quincy Jones works below.
Quincy Jones, the legendary musician and producer who amassed 28 competitive Grammys over his staggering career, has passed away. He was 91.
With collaborations with the likes of Michael Jackson, Frank Sinatra, Ella Fitzgerald, and countless others, it’s hard to put into words just what sort of legacy Quincy Jones left behind. Working consistently since the 1950s, Jones made his mark almost immediately on the music world, getting his start in Chicago before tagging along for a European tour where he could showcase his jazz talents.
But it was the 1960s when Quincy Jones truly emerged as an artist, not only producing Sinatra’s classic It Might as Well Be Swing album, but lending to film soundtracks as well. His breakout on that front was for Sidney Lumet’s The Pawnbroker, but it would be for In Cold Blood that Jones earned his first Oscar nomination for Best Original Score. He would be nominated in that category and Best Original Song a total of six times, even nabbing a Best Picture nod for producing The Color Purple. While he did not win any competitive Oscars, Quincy Jones was honored with the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award in 1995. He, too, notably did the title song for Sanford and Son.
Quincy Jones would hit a much younger audience when he teamed with Michael Jackson, producing 1979’s Off the Wall, 1982’s Thriller (the best-selling album ever) and 1987’s Bad – we’re talking “Don’t Stop ‘Til You Get Enough”, “Wanna Be Startin’ Somethin’”, “Beat It”, “Billie Jean”, “The Way You Make Me Feel”, Man in the Mirror”, and so many more. The ‘80s also found Quincy Jones leading “We Are the World”, the iconic charity song that featured a who’s who of legendary singers.
In a statement to the Associated Press, the family wrote, “Tonight, with full but broken hearts, we must share the news of our father and brother Quincy Jones’ passing. And although this is an incredible loss for our family, we celebrate the great life that he lived and know there will never be another like him.”
In addition to his 28 Grammys – the most recent of which was in 2019 – and Oscar, Quincy Jones also nabbed a Tony for Best Revival of a Musical (The Color Purple) and Outstanding Music Composition for a Series (Roots).
Leave your condolences and give us your favorite Quincy Jones works below.
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