Felipa’s Flix: An Ode to Keanu Reeves
EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) – When you think about an actor celebrating four decades of filmmaking, only one word comes to mind: excellent. As he approaches his 60th birthday on September 2, Keanu Reeves is a motion picture icon with a long list of massive hits to prove it. Felipa Solis tells us about Reeves, who is one of her favorites.
I first saw Keanu Reeves in the movie “Speed.” He was unique and engaging. I never expected to become a Shakespearean actor, but he made a mark on the industry and then some. He is known as one of the most excellent Actors in “The Business,’ and by far, the most generous, having donated millions of dollars for Cancer Research, Make A Wish programs for children, and helping the families of members of the film industry who faced hard times during the pandemic and the strikes.
This year, we celebrate the 35th anniversary of his first big hit, ‘Bill and Ted’s Excellent Adventure.’ ‘Speed,’ starring Sandra Bullock, is now 30! ‘The Matrix,’ a film on the National Film Registry considered one of our generation’s finest Science Fiction films, is 25 years old. John Wick is 10, plus countless others. What a career! His longevity in the industry is truly impressive and commands respect.
“Bill and Ted’s Excellent Adventure” stars Keanu, who, along with his best friend Bill, are two Rock N’ Roll teens facing failing High School, and Ted is looking at a bleak future in the military school. Thanks to a time machine and the help of a wise traveler from the future played by the late George Carlin, the dynamic duo relive history and bring the most impressive historical characters to life, thus allowing them to pass their history test. The film is fantastic, and I watched it for the first time this year. Keanu is excellent. Dude!
In “Speed,” Reeves is a young police officer dealing with a mad extortionist, played by the incomparable Dennis Hopper, who places a bomb on a bus that cannot go under 50 mph, or it will explode. It’s up to Keanu and a demanding passenger, played by Sandra Bullock, to save the day. What chemistry, and what Box Office in 1994.
“The Matrix” re-defined Science Fiction in 1999 as Neo, or Mr. Anderson, is placed in a world with a choice between the natural and artificial worlds. The Wachowski Brothers, who brought the classic to the screen, were working to recreate the excitement of Hong Kong action films, whereby Keanu did his stunts and brought Martial Arts back to the screen. Three more Matrix films continued “Neo’s” journey, including life, love, and grappling with the past. He says the Matrix experience was the best of his career.
John Wick is now 10 years old, and the Neo-Noir action (pardon the Matrix pun) tells the life of a legendary retired hitman who always seems to get drawn back into the underworld. The last in the series kicked off in the Summer of ’23 in an unforgettable non-stop action adventure.
One of my favorites will always be “Something’s Gotta Give,” the 2003 classic starring Diane Keaton and Jack Nicholson. Keaton is a playwright in Hampton whose daughter is dating an older man – that’s Nicholson. Whoops, upon his visit, he has a heart attack, and Keanu plays his handsome young doctor. He is smitten with Keaton’s character, a very successful playwright. What to do? Keanu, the young doc, or Jack, the older guy with a lot of baggage? Only movie magic could make this a reality.
Happy Birthday, Keanu! It’s been four decades of an “Excellent” Ride!
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