Well said, Matt. Keauna isn’t bad, but he seems to be half-asleep on film. Oh, and he wasn’t in Speed 2.

If you slate a Hollywood actor, you get backlash from the hardcore fans/PR folk in their corner. It’s a fact of life! Good job with the comeback, bit you really don’t hav to justify any slight on Mr Reeves’ acting talents – the filmography speaks for itself I say… Plus, it’s an opinion! We’re all allowed those.

I agree with you Matt, he ruined Dracula for me too. I do love some of his work though, like you mentioned already I thought he was top on movies like The Matrix, Speed, Point Break etc.. but I also happened to like him in Constantine even though he was miscast.
Keanu Reeves is a limited actor but given the right roles he shines through. I think some people need to learn to accept other peoples opinions and if they do feel the need to say something, do it in an intelligent and informative manner and not resort to blatant insults.
You made a lot of good points Matt so good on you.

He was AWESOME in Constantine!   That you would say otherwise, proves you are a biased hack Matt Holmes! Constantine = AWESOMENESS and that’s a fact! The idea that he turned down The Watchmen and Speed Racer due to money, I don’t buy at all. The idea that he simply made a weird bad career choice makes more sense. The dude has never been about the money, but has frequently made mystifying career choices (Feeling Minnesota? and foregoing a hefty paycheck for what looked like a sure hit in Speed 2?) Sometimes the bad career choices unexpectedly pay off as in Speed 2, but mostly they don’t as in Feeling Minnesota.Also, how do you break up comments into seperate paragraphs in the new comment box? All my comments end up smushed together.In conclusion, you’re a biased hack Matt Holmes! Keanu is AWESOMENESS! Point Break is severly underrated. Constantine is one of the best comic book movies ever made! “Passengers” sounds like a cool script based on its Black List writeup! TDTESS doesn’t interest me because I never cared for the original, supposed “classic” or not!!!

Darn smushed up comment box.
Grrrr!

This is hysterical. Poor Matt. Yet another blog expert who trashes Keanu the exact same way everyone else does and then WONDERS why he gets negative remarks. IT’S BECAUSE YOU TRASH KEANU THE SAME WAY EVERYONE ELSE DOES.Your blog was biased, negative, somewhat gleeful, and then went off on a completely unrelated, unjustified tangent about Keanu Reeves asking for too much money. And yes, “mega flop” was “harsh”, no kidding? Not to mention you acting like Speed Racer and Watchmen are already hits just to paint an even blacker picture of KR’s fading future. How do you know turning down these was a mistake? Have you seen them?I didn’t even say anything about Keanu’s lack of Cruise’s and Smith’s numbers. I said he generally can’t reach them. But then Cruise and Smith don’t have the raging hatred from critics either. And your posts about their lack of success isn’t filled with that same glee.He sucked in The Gift? Sure he did…. Because even when Keanu can’t be further from suckitude, when he can’t be further from “surfer dude”, and in a role that even many assholes give him credit for, he still won’t get any props from most of you. Given all that shit flung at him, once again, his career has been steady. Just in case you need someone to tell you this, Keanu has done more low-budget films with award winners than he’s done Box Office hits. And while no one knows who Rebecca Miller is, she is the type of person people who care about quality rather than money tend to work with. If he was only someone who brought mindless masses to the box office, and survived only on “box office returns” he wouldn’t be able to continue working with these kinds of people. Once again, not that that would make you trash him any less nor stop blatantly LYING about the kind of movies he can get. And what does it matter whether I read or don’t read your blog anyway? Again, I haven’t made any comments about your previous posts. Talk about not reading, the “He ruined Dracula for me too” clown speaks for himself. And proves my point.

Any restriction to responding to this article? I can’t post my longer message… weird. Will try later.

Wow.  I’m blown away nobody mentioned any of the “Bill and Ted” movies.  He was perfectly cast in those too.  Incredibly silly, but hysterical. 
Or was that one movie I’m in the minority for.

Matt, you don’t have to defend yourself. Keanu Reeves was tragically born with no talent whatsoever. It’s a fact. The man simply cannot act, and he’s in the wrong line of work, and the sooner he becomes unemployable, the better. He pulls off roles that don’t demand acting. The Matrix had a good enough plot and awesome special effects, and his character was a withdrawn, confused geek. Easy, he managed to scrape by. Bill and Ted, go completely over the top, awesome. But the fact of the matter is the guy is undefendable. No, that’s not just my opinion, it’s common sense. Easily the worst actor in Hollywood.

Hey! You dislike the guy so much that this post is even worse towards him than the other. I don’t take this as a defense, but more as a confirmation of your beliefs. Don’t try to hide, the sentiment is allowed, that’s fine. I know a lot of people who thinks Reeves is the worst single thing to happen for Hollywood (I know some who are fans too). The difference is that they don’t own a “movie site” and spread biased hatred around the web, because IMO no matter how good Keanu is in a movie you will always point some flaw and will pick on him.  ——-You are right, I don’t read your site very often, but I do read it. I missed the Leatherheads article, that’s right, but (unfortunately) your site is in my “favorites”… guess what? I check it once in a while, it’s informative and easy to read. Take it with you. Congratulations.  Today I checked because of Reeves, so, my bad.  ——- You had the chance to talk about Keanu’s upcoming projects but… awwww, how can we miss the chance  to “slap” him once more!!! It’s impossible to just say something good. You always has to say something to make him look bad. Ok, we understand. ——- Talking about your “reasons”… well, no one said the BO of SK wasn’t a disappointment. What we said is that the movie isn’t a flop, not yet. And even if it will be a flop, you can’t really blame Keanu alone as he gave a real good performance and I’m not the only one saying it. And why the surprise that such a good cast and a good movie (yes, it is) isn’t able to capture more viewers? Why do movies like Smart People,  Rescue Down, In Bruges, for example, barely hit the theaters and make no money?  And why things like 21 and Prom Night make? The answer is very deep and we would be here discussing it for nights along. Don’t come with the summer blockbusters comparisons, it’s ridiculous as they are absolutely different universes.  ——-

(CONT) — About Watchmen and Speed Racer, I still believe there were more motives and I read about the BTS  too. You are talking about an actor who did Thumbsucker and A Scanner Darkly getting only the SAG. And as you put him down as “fading fast” you forget that, at first, Zack Snyder and The Wachowski wanted him for both movies. So much for someone “fading”. And in your urge in putting him down, you say that’s good for Watchmen, as he is fading fast. OK! And everyone knows who Billy Crudup is! As if a known actor who has a great career as Reeves would be bad for the movie, playing a character that basically doesn’t require that much acting. As you say, for the expressionless Reeves, perfect choice! And as if anyone believes people will be seeing the Watchmen for the actors… it’s the concept that sells, as in 300, as in Batman, or Iron Man. And about TDTESS, it’s obvious he chose it for it’s merits too, as both Watchmen and TDTESS are meant to be blockbusters, each one in his own way. And who knows, maybe he identified himself much more with Klaatu than with Dr. Manhattan. It was his choice and good thing he could choose between two so “bad” projects uh? ——- Your constant comparison of Keanu with Will Smith and Tom Cruise shows how you are “out there” about Reeves’ career. He never was a super high profile actor, not all that popular. Everyone knows that. He isn’t the super cool, easy going personality as Will, much less likes to promotes himself like Cruise. He doesn’t pose as beyond cool as Depp or as “I’m too deep” as Bale. Keanu is basically a nobody in Hollywood, someone people can’t really describe or relate to. He is an anomaly whose career and longevity  many try to explain.  He makes mostly small movies, has weird choices (how to explain turning down Platoon and Heat?) and once in a while stars in a blockbuster type. His career is still the same as when he started.  Comparisons with Will and Cruise are unfair. Keanu, since start, was the “outsider” type, the guy who wasn’t in the Brat Pack. That never changed. I can’t see Cruise doing a supporting role in a Thumbsucker type movie. Period. And you cited Hitch as a small movie? Hitch was overly promoted as a BIG comedy!  But put  Will Smith in Ali or in The Legend of Bagger Vence type of movies against Prom Night and see what happens. And, BTW, each release has different realities and predictions are always that: predictions. ——-

(CONT) —

…And then there are people like Dave. So confused, they have to have everyone agree with their opinion. This is a problem with people too dumb to live, not with Keanu.

I have some other thing I would like to post to finish it, but the board doesn’t let me. maybe tomorrow. nite.

Can’t wait Alicia. Jeez.

No, I’m just saying there’s a line between opinion, and ignorance. Sure, like Keanu all you want, but a good actor he is not.

Alicia, AJ, and Hellen have jumped onto this and overreacted with Scientology-like defensiveness. Are you in some way affiliated with Keanu? Are you Keanu?Are you even separate people?Hmm.

Dear Dave, I’m only stating my opinion. Not the same as the others, check the IPs, you can do that very easily. And not affiliated with Keanu, nor a scientologist. Just someone REALLY tired of so much bashing towards an actor that doesn’t deserve it. You think he is a bad actor, your right, but you just can’t accuse others that like him to be “fundamentalists”. And, to finish my opinion (and I know you are so anxious to read it… sure, fine, whatever…) ——– When you talk about putting Johnny Depp or George Clooney in the equation, yes, that’s valid. Although both are award winners and loved by critics and public, they are not immune to flops. Depp, before Pirates, could not have a good movie seen in many years. He was in a bunch of turkeys too (The Ninth Gate, The Astronaut’s Wife or From Hell, among others) and even his talents could not save those movies. A big kid blockbuster saved him from the eternal fate of “good movies no one sees” and from that he started to work with much better projects (very well deserved dare I say), even though all his charisma and “can do no wrong” fame were not enough to put people watching him through The Secret Window or The Libertine. Clooney is another case. He has some really bad movies, and some good movies that no one sees. But everyone seems to love Clooney and I don’t think his acting talents (and he is a better diretor BTW) have much weight anymore. Don’t tell me do you think he deserved an Oscar nomination for Michael Clayton… ——- And if Box Office is ALL what MATTERS in Keanu’s career, as you say with so much pride, how do YOU explain 24 years of a coming and going career working with so many known and good names even after all those small movies and duds he has? I dare you to write an essay about him that really explains that phenomenon. You can’t say that’s because he is handsome, whatever, because there are tons of actors much more charming than him in Hollywood and they came and faded after some years. Keanu stayed. Dare to explain? ——-

About the “wannabe critics” I was referring to, I was talking about people like YOU, who has a biased opinion about him and puts it into articles that should be EXEMPT. Some people liked the movie, some don’t… what is the problem? Every movie has lovers and haters, get over it. You hated, good for your. Some liked. Accept that. Keanu can’t be blamed for all the movie goers that still seeing his movies, good or bad ones. ——-

You wasn’t promoting his upcoming projects, you was dissing him, that’s different. And I do agree about Fincher working with him, shows some promise, although his last movie, Zodiac was, as you would say: a flop! Of course, you loved Zodiac, but… if Reeves was in the cast, it would not be a great movie that people didn’t want to see, it would be… a flop! And of course, you would blame Reeves… ha, we know that. You said Sweeney Todd was not a flop, but it made $151 and only $52 domestic. Sure, not what WB wanted after so many PR for the movie. The Lake House made $114 WW, but I guess you would call it a flop because only U$ 52 was domestic. For Depp a “flop” is a disappointment. For Keanu a “flop” is… well, a flop! Double stardard judgement, obviously. ——–

And, to finish this, Keanu was really bad in Dracula (he said that himself). And was even worse in Sweet November (God forbid!). But he was great in many, many other movies (and don’t come with the ole “The Matrix was all about effects and yadda yadda vitriol” because doesn’t make sense). Watch River’s Edge, I Love You to Death, Devil’s Advocate and The Gift, even A Scanner Darkly, to see for yourselves). So, I don’t think it costs too much, just give credit where credit is due. Peace.

Is Dave a clueless noob, overreacting with Scientology-like benightedness? The answer speaks for itself.

Hmm, this comment box looks different today. Could it be?
I shall test it!

OMG! I can format actual paragraphs now! [Weeps with joy!]

Matt, you are now forgiven for your irrational hatred of the awesomeness that is Keanu Reeves!

This new formatting power is making me giddy and lightheaded. Wheeee!

Only a true n00b spells it wrong.

BRAP!

I hope Keanu knows he has such dedicated fans, it’d make him feel warm and fuzzy inside.

I liked his beard in The Gift. It reminded me of Robert Redford in Jeremiah Johnson.

And, to that girl who said Constantine was good. I’ll have what she’s drinking.

He’s pretty limited at times. But has been succesful. He was awful in Dracula but then Oldman and Hopkins were pure cheese as well. In the right role like any successful actor he can be good.

Dave, if your brain can only process “fundy” when someone questions your opinion (which is no surprise), then yes, “we” are Keanu. LOL

The fact is, fans are sick and tired of being ignored, mocked, and have their opinions disavowed, by people that irrevocably claim this or that performance “sucked”, without adding the simple, but very important aspect that it’s an opinion. Like for example: some of the performances you mentioned as bad ones are looked at as some of Keanu’s best, by his fans, and even by some of his critics.
Fans also do feel there is a constant media prejudice against anything Keanu Reeves does. And when somebody in the media HAS to admit he does something right, then there are always paternalistic, dismissive adjectives coming along, like “surprisingly” or “the poor thing tried”. You can’t sit there and answer back, with a straight face, that there ISN’T a tendentious negative reception to ANYTHING Reeves is in.

Simply, your eagerness to put a small budgeted, R rated movie versus a PG 13 money-eater seemed like a good example of such bias. Thus the exasperated reaction.
Also, this tendency you seem to have to put Keanu down as a “has been” is nothing new, I’m afraid: the media has been doing this to him for years, almost decades, now. Why? Among other reasons, he tends to go around in to somewhat erratic parts, and some have been monetary disasters. Then, sometimes, something like The Matrix shows up and the media has to eat their words up: but not without the mandatory paternalism and trash talking, of course… Actually, the fact that Keanu is the type of actor that, since the start of his career, tends to jump from big blockbusters to near unheard indies, makes affirmations such as “Not the same for Keanu who can only survive on box office returns” all the more… strange. How about some “research please”, and all that stuff?

It’s almost funny: it’s like you HAVE to trash talk, in order to somehow try and belong to the high-critics and movie buffs ilk. “Oh, I like Keanu Reeves, BUT:”
- “He makes lousy career choices” – Yes, because your Will Smiths and Tom Cruises of the world never did that.
- “He sucked in this or that movie” – ditto.
- “He (supposedly…) spined this or that story” – ditto. I’m also sure Cruise himself is the epitome of authenticity.
Point is, for some reason, certain actors can get away with a myriad of faux pas. But WAIT, this one Reeves right here?! Not a chance.

Then, I loved it how you immediately correlated critics side by side with “the audience”, that PAYS those… actors!! It really sounded kind of demagogic to me. “No, wait! The critics represent the public, the poor unheard masses!” you seem to be implying. But that’s not the case, I’m afraid. For example, in no way do you represent the mass that just criticized you lately. It’s an opinion. Not public service.

Also, I fail to understand this obsession critics and some viewers have towards Box Office. Last time I checked it was the producers that gained and should be worried about the money a movie makes. All the viewer had to do was, well, go see it, and see if he/she likes it. So, what does it matter, to us, non-producers, how high does a movie qualify in that rank? Unless, of course, you’re willing to make a correlation between a movie’s creative worth and the money it makes at BO, in which case I’ll have to leave and go laugh out loud some place else.
Excuse me if some of this sounded harsh, but a fan’s patience can only be pushed so far…

ckage, I’m sure your lengthy response is a real fun read, but I kind of got bored halfway through the second sentence.

Who really cares anyway? Keanu is rich. I’m sure he’s not bothered about what the media think.

Nah, I’m not really aiming for “fun” at all. If simple conversations bore you, what I am to do?

Also, if he’s not bothered about it, good for him. It bothers me, and that’s good enough for me to argue about it. That should be obvious enough. UNLESS, there is something terribly dysfunctional about commenting… on a “Leave a comment” box. -.-

I think it’s more the case that I couldn’t give a fuck what you think on the given subject. That’s MY opinion, so jog on.

Well, that sounds nice and reasonable. Not dysfunctional at all.