The Ghost of John Wick - 'The Continental' Premieres

 

If you're a fan of the high-octane, adrenaline-pumping John Wick film series, then you won't want to miss The Continental: From the World of John Wick, premiering this Friday on Peacock.This television event, set in the same universe as John Wick, takes us back in time to 1970s New York City, a gritty and chaotic backdrop that sets the stage for an action-packed story. 

The Continental, an exclusive hotel reserved for assassins, is at the center of it all. This hotel offers all the amenities only the wealthy can afford, but with a unique twist – no killing allowed on the premises. It's a place where hitmen can kick back and relax, free from the dangers of their deadly profession. But, as you might expect, things don't always go according to plan. 

As with any revenge-driven narrative, violence plays a significant role. It's a visceral and integral part of the series, offering that cathartic release as bad guys get what's coming to them. It's a must-watch for anyone who's ever cheered on Keanu Reeves as he took down his foes in the name of justice. 

Supplement the John Wick cinematic Universe with an action packed and often overlooked 90s thriller, The Hit List in 4K, directed by William Webb. Both The Continental and The Hit List delve deep into the art of suspense and gun combat.  

Beyond the hitman connections, John Wick's fury and tirade of killing begins out of a trauma for the loss of his wife and then the death of his dog, which is a representation of his love and a gift from her. Similarly, in The Hit List, the lead character meets this woman and his love for her begins to destabilize his world because being a Hit Man doesn't really allow for the space of love and a relationship.

The Hit List centers around an elusive hitman who eliminates high-powered criminals whom the law cannot touch. Yet all rules are broken when his mentor requests that Pike help a beautiful family friend, Jordan. Pike is captivated by this mysterious woman and is surprisingly drawn into a deadly double-cross as unexpected events raise the ante and reveal a conspiracy of dangerous dimensions.

Cast includes Jeff Fahey, known for his role as Frank Lepidus in the show Lost, Tony Amendola from The Mask of Zorro and Lone Star as Rabin, and Yancy Butler from the Kick-Ass series as Jordan Henning. It also stars iconic film and television actor, James Coburn, who won an OSCAR for Best Supporting Actor in the 1997 Paul Schrader film, Affliction. 

While The Hit List may belong to an earlier era of action cinema, it laid the groundwork for the intense and relentless action sequences that have become a hallmark of the John Wick franchise. The evolution of action from the '90s to today is a fascinating journey in its own right.

If you're a fan of suspenseful action thrillers with a moral quandary at their core, The Hit List is definitely worth adding to your watch list. Its timeless themes of survival and morality continue to resonate with audiences, making it a hidden gem well worth rediscovering. 

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