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FILM REVIEW: John Wick: Chapter 3 — Parabellum

NNPA NEWSWIRE — Keanu Reeves as Wick is 30% a punching bag and 70% an aggressive warrior. Martial arts. Gunplay. Reeves convinces you completely that Wick is the professional all other killers look up to. There is no franchise, as we know it, without him. He dominated The Matrix, and now this.

Published

6 years ago

May 28, 2019

Oakland Post

By Dwight Brown NNPA Newswire Film Critic

Keanu Reeves And Halle Berry In John Wick Chapter 3 Parabellum

Should the glorification of gun violence, as depicted in this action/thriller, become a thing of the past? Is that notion worth a discussion? Think on it.

John Wick is back. In Chapter 3 of this ultra-violent franchise, this assassin digs deeper and deeper into an underworld of hit men and women who are greedy for conquests and money.

Stunt double (The Crow, Matrix) turned director Chad Stahelski (John Wick, John Wick: Chapter 2) starts this tale of lawlessness and adjudication with Wick knee-deep in action. He’s running pigeon-toed down rain-soaked streets, across Times Square, through traffic. Before you can take a breath, a hit is put on him with a $14M bounty. What did he do? He knocked off a member of an assassin’s organization, The High Table, in the wrong place.

That kind of loot brings more killers out of the woodwork than roaches scoping out a piece of cake on a kitchen counter. The dude is “excommunicado.” He’s the prey, and the hunters want him dead, not alive.

Hopefully the Stuntman’s Association and Stuntwoman’s Association demanded bonus payments for the 90 body doubles in this movie. Whatever the lead stars can’t do, they do with a verve and athleticism that is astonishing to watch.

Asia Kate Dillon and Lance Reddick in John Wick Chapter 3 Parabellum

The action in this crazed ode to human destruction, whether it’s on horseback or motorcycles or in a hotel or souk, is some of the most mind-boggling and kinetic that’s ever been displayed on-screen. The level of carnage is startling—if not overwhelming. Gunshots pierce bodies, heads, knees and throats. Again, and again.

Keanu Reeves as Wick is 30% a punching bag and 70% an aggressive warrior. Martial arts. Gunplay. Reeves convinces you completely that Wick is the professional all other killers look up to. There is no franchise, as we know it, without him. He dominated The Matrix, and now this.

Ian McShane is back as Winston, the haughty proprietor of the Continental Hotel. He runs his business but is under the thumb of a syndicate that calls the shots and enforces their rules. His right-hand man Charon is played with stern conviction by Lance Reddick (The Wire). Add into the mix: The Adjudicator (Asia Kate Dillon, Orange Is the New Black), who implements consequences. The stealth killer Zero (cult icon Marc Dacascos, lately of Hawaii Five-O) and his deadly ninjas. A local NYC neighborhood leader, Bowery King (Laurence Fishburne). And a Belarusian ballet master named The Director (Anjelica Huston).

Halle Berry in John Wick Chapter 3 Parabellum

The biggest surprise, in a perfectly cast movie, is Halle Berry as Sofia. She plays an old acquaintance of John’s and he needs her help. Initial scenes between the two sitting at a coffee table are dull, like a second-rate acting class. But oh heavens, when the fighting begins Berry pulls out her A-game and is more vicious than a rabid dog. Speaking of which, her performance is enriched greatly by the appearance of two Belgian Malinois. That canine breed was reared to be herders but are now used for policing and protection. Berry and her two four-legged weapons are integral to this chapter and help make it more unique that the other two. In fact, if Sofia gets a spin-off, a legion of fans will follow her.

Tip your hat to: Cinematographer (Dan Laustsen, The Shape of the Water), for his dynamic camerawork, rich lighting and saturated colors. The musical score (Tyler Bates, Joel J. Richard), it punches up the frenzy with every note. Spot-on editing (Evan Schiff, John Wick: Chapter 2), footage is cut so tight it doesn’t give you time to gasp for air. Evocative production design (Kevin Kavanaugh), art direction (Ian Bailie, Teddy Setiawan, Chris Shriver) and set decoration (Letizia Santucci, David Schlesinger) that collectively give the film a masterful look and feel.

Laurence Fishburne And Ian McShane In John WIck Chpater 3 Parabellum

Chad Stahelski creates a world all his own, taking style hints from filmmakers like John Woo (A Better Tomorrow), Chan-wook Park (Oldboy) and Sam Peckinpah (Straw Dogs). Few directors are this deft at creating a wall of violence that intensifies right up to the end. It’s stunning, relentlessly vicious, soulless and well-planned. The script (Derek Kolstad, Shay Hatten, Chris Collins and Marc Abrams) dishes it out, and Stahelski shovels it to the audience, as John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum builds to a chaotic ending. Fight after fight. Gun battles in rapid succession. And more climaxes than a couple on a honeymoon.

You have to admire the spectacle, the rampant, grotesque brutality. If you can’t, at least the target audience of action/thriller/martial arts fans will. They’ll be euphoric.

But questions arise. “Should impressionable tweens and teenagers be allowed to see this mind-numbing violence?” “How will they process it if they do?” “Is an ‘R’ rating (parents must accompany anyone under age 17) appropriate? Would an “NC-17” rating (no one under 17 can see this film) be more fitting?

After weary adult filmgoers stumble out of the theaters, those issues may arise as they chat over a stiff drink, try to calm their frayed nerves and say to themselves: “WTF?”

Visit NNPA Newswire Film Critic Dwight Brown at DwightBrownInk.com and BlackPressUSA.com.

Oakland Post

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LIVE NNPA 2025 National Legacy Awards Gala | Savannah

Published

3 days ago

June 27, 2025

Oakland Post

https://youtube.com/watch?v=14B2itRmFgs&feature=oembed

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Op-Ed: Why Black Fathers Like Me Must Speak Up About Autism

Being “Dad” to my daughter Amari, who was diagnosed with autism, changed everything. In the Black community, silence around disability comes at a cost. I’ve learned that fatherhood is leadership—and it’s time we speak up. Our kids need early support, inclusive policies, and visible, vocal fathers. Autism isn’t the tragedy—silence is.

Published

3 days ago

June 27, 2025

Oakland Post

BLACKPRESSUSA NEWSWIRE – As a Black father, I’ve worn many titles—provider, protector, community leader, mentor. But none has shaped me more than being “Dad” to my daughter Amari, who was diagnosed with autism.

When I first heard the word autism associated with my child, I’ll admit—I was overwhelmed. Like many parents, I didn’t fully understand what it meant. I was afraid of what the future might hold. But in the Black community, fear is often met with silence. And silence—especially around disability and mental health—has become a quiet barrier too many families struggle behind.

That’s why I’m speaking out—not just as a father, but as an advocate for our children, for public service education, and for civic engagement rooted in love and leadership.

Black children are too often diagnosed, later, misdiagnosed, or outright denied access to the early interventions they need. The reasons are layered—racial disparities in healthcare, cultural stigma, under-resourced schools, and unconscious bias in medical and educational systems. The results are heartbreaking. Our children fall through cracks that should never exist.

Even fewer people talk about the role of fathers—especially Black fathers—in this journey. Too often, we’re pushed to the margins of the conversation or expected to stay silent. That ends here.

I’ve sat in countless IEP meetings. I’ve researched therapies, pushed for inclusive classrooms, and sought out the support systems that weren’t readily available. I’ve wiped away tears and celebrated every breakthrough. And in each step, I’ve realized that parenthood is more than presence—it’s informed, engaged leadership. It’s showing up as our child’s strongest advocate.

Through my advocacy, I’ve worked with other families here in Prince George’s County to build community, share knowledge, and empower fathers. But we need more. We need a cultural shift—one that recognizes neurodiversity, reduces stigma, and promotes civic participation among parents and caregivers. We need to normalize vulnerability in Black men and redefine strength as being fully present for our children.

And we need policy.

Paid family leave.
Inclusive classrooms.
Early intervention access.
Increased funding for special education—especially in underserved communities where disparities are most pronouncedl.

These aren’t just family issues. They are issues of public leadership. They are the foundations of building future leaders through involvement, advocacy, and education.

Our children deserve more than awareness—they deserve action. And our fathers deserve to be seen, heard, and supported—not shamed or silenced.

Autism is not a tragedy. Silence is.

Let’s talk. Let’s act. Let’s lead.

Oakland Post

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The Sacramento Observer and Savannah Tribune Win Big at 2025 NNPA Messenger Awards

BLACKPRESSUSA NEWSWIRE — The Sacramento Observer earned the night’s most prestigious recognition, the John B. Russwurm Award, presented to the newspaper with the highest cumulative score across all award categories. The Observer achieved an impressive 154 points and took home first-place honors in Education Reporting, Business Reporting, Original Photography, Youth and Children Coverage, and Facebook Campaigns.

Published

3 days ago

June 27, 2025

Stacy M. Brown

By Stacy M. Brown
Black Press USA Senior National Correspondent

SAVANNAH, Ga.—The Sacramento Observer and The Savannah Tribune stood out as the top honorees at the 2025 National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA) Fund’s Messenger Awards, held during the Black Press of America’s annual convention at the JW Marriott Savannah Plant Riverside District Hotel.

The convention, themed “The Black Press: Engaging Black America—Empowerment, Justice and Prosperity,” marked the 198th year of the Black Press of America, which today comprises more than 200 African American-owned newspapers and media companies committed to covering the stories and issues that shape Black communities nationwide.

The Sacramento Observer earned the night’s most prestigious recognition, the John B. Russwurm Award, presented to the newspaper with the highest cumulative score across all award categories. The Observer achieved an impressive 154 points and took home first-place honors in Education Reporting, Business Reporting, Original Photography, Youth and Children Coverage, and Facebook Campaigns. The publication also placed among the top three in several additional categories, including Environment, Social Criminal Justice, and Fashion, Beauty, and Lifestyle, underscoring its consistent strength in both editorial content and audience engagement.

While the Observer dominated the content awards, The Savannah Tribune was honored for its leadership and community impact. Publisher Shirley Ann Barber James received the Publisher of the Year Award, recognizing her decades of dedication to preserving and strengthening the Tribune’s voice. Accepting the award, James thanked her family, staff, and Savannah’s civic organizations for supporting the paper’s mission and expanding its reach.

Other publications also earned multiple honors. The Houston Defender captured first-place awards in Health Reporting, Environment Reporting, and Fashion, Beauty, and Lifestyle. The St. Louis American earned first place in the categories of Special Editions, Original Advertising Campaigns, Broadsheet Layout and Design, and Video Campaigns. The Afro-American Newspaper of Baltimore and the Chicago Defender also collected several top finishes.

All winners by category included:

Health Reporting – Emory O. Jackson Award

1st Place: Houston Defender

2nd Place: Birmingham Times

3rd Place: Afro-American Newspaper, Baltimore

Education Reporting – Frank L. Stanley Award

1st Place: The Sacramento Observer

2nd Place: Washington Informer

3rd Place: Savannah Tribune

Social Criminal Justice – Ida B. Wells Award

1st Place: Chicago Defender

2nd Place: Dallas Weekly

3rd Place: The Sacramento Observer

Environment – Wilbert L. Holloway Award

1st Place: Houston Defender

2nd Place: The Sacramento Observer

3rd Place: New York Amsterdam News

Faith & Religion

1st Place: L.A. Sentinel

2nd Place: Baltimore Times

3rd Place: Final Call

Business Reporting

1st Place: The Sacramento Observer

2nd Place: Chicago Defender

3rd Place: Houston Defender

Editorial Opinion – Robert S. Abbott Award

1st Place: Forward Times

2nd Place: Washington Informer

3rd Place: Texas Metro News

Original Photography

1st Place: The Sacramento Observer

2nd Place: Houston Defender

3rd Place: New York Amsterdam News

Entertainment Coverage – Armstrong Ellington Award

1st Place: Afro-American Newspaper, Baltimore

2nd Place: Washington Informer

3rd Place: Atlanta Voice

Sports – Don King Award

1st Place: Afro-American Newspaper, Baltimore

2nd Place: St. Louis American

3rd Place: Atlanta Voice

Youth and Children Coverage

1st Place: The Sacramento Observer

2nd Place: Philadelphia Tribune

3rd Place: Savannah Tribune

Fashion, Beauty & Lifestyle – Ada S. Franklin Award

1st Place: Houston Defender

2nd Place: The Sacramento Observer

3rd Place: Atlanta Voice

Special Editions – Leon H. Washington Award

1st Place: St. Louis American

2nd Place: Philadelphia Tribune

3rd Place: Washington Informer

Original Advertising Campaign – E. Washington Rhodes Award

1st Place: St. Louis American

2nd Place: New Pittsburgh Courier

3rd Place: Seattle Medium

Layout & Design (Tabloid) – Robert L. Vann Award

1st Place: Washington Informer

2nd Place: Texas Metro News

3rd Place: New York Amsterdam News

Layout & Design (Broadsheet) – Robert L. Vann Award

1st Place: St. Louis American

2nd Place: Philadelphia Tribune

3rd Place: Michigan Chronicle

Website Excellence – A. Philip Randolph Award

1st Place: New Pittsburgh Courier

2nd Place: Michigan Chronicle

3rd Place: St. Louis American

Facebook Campaign

1st Place: The Sacramento Observer

2nd Place: Forward Times

3rd Place: Michigan Chronicle

Instagram Campaign

1st Place: Texas Metro News

2nd Place: Chicago Defender

3rd Place: Michigan Chronicle

Video Campaign

1st Place: St. Louis American

2nd Place: Houston Defender

3rd Place: L.A. Sentinel

Community Service – Karl Murphy Award

1st Place: Baltimore Times

2nd Place: L.A. Sentinel

3rd Place: Texas Metro News

Community Engagement – W.A. Scott II Award

1st Place: Dallas Weekly

2nd Place: Houston Defender

3rd Place: Philadelphia Tribune

Newspaper Excellence – John H. Sengstacke Award

1st Place: Philadelphia Tribune

2nd Place: Afro-American Newspaper, Baltimore

3rd Place: Atlanta Voice

Newsletter Excellence

1st Place: New Pittsburgh Courier

2nd Place: Savannah Tribune

3rd Place: Michigan Chronicle

“This is an opportunity to showcase the amazing publications, publishers, and journalists, and their staff who keep the Black press alive,” NNPA Fund Chair and Houston Forward Times Publisher Karen Carter Richards stated.