JOHN WICK (R)(2014) Drive-In 10:35 pm (Fri. Apr. 23)

John Wick (retroactively known as John Wick: Chapter 1) is a 2014 American neo-noir action-thriller film directed by Chad Stahelski, in his directorial debut, and written by Derek Kolstad. It stars Keanu Reeves, Michael Nyqvist, Alfie Allen, Adrianne Palicki, Bridget Moynahan, Dean Winters, Ian McShane, John Leguizamo, and Willem Dafoe. It is the first installment in the John Wick film series.

The story focuses on John Wick (Reeves) searching for the men who broke into his home, stole his vintage car and killed his puppy, which was a last gift to him from his recently deceased wife. Chad Stahelski and David Leitch directed the film together, though only Stahelski was credited.

Kolstad had completed the screenplay in 2012 and further developed it for Thunder Road Pictures. The film was produced by Basil Iwanyk of Thunder Road Pictures, Leitch, Eva Longoria, and Michael Witherill. It marks Stahelski and Leitch's directorial debut as a team after multiple separate credits as second-unit directors and stunt coordinators. They previously worked with Reeves as stunt doubles on The Matrix trilogy.

Stahelski and Leitch's approach to fight scenes drew upon their admiration for anime and martial arts films. The film used fight choreographers and gun fu techniques from Hong Kong action cinema. The film also pays homage to works such as John Woo's The Killer, Jean-Pierre Melville's Le Cercle Rouge and Le Samouraï, John Boorman's Point Blank, and the Spaghetti Western films.

The film was met with positive reviews, with critics labeling it as one of Reeves' best performances and one of the best action films of 2014. It grossed $86 million worldwide against a production budget of $20–30 million. Two sequels, John Wick: Chapter 2, and John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum, released in 2017 and May 2019 respectively, both met with comparable critical and commercial success, with another sequel, John Wick: Chapter 4, set for a May 2022 release and an untitled fifth film following that.

PLEASE PURCHASE ONE (1) TICKET PER VEHICLE.

ONE (1) vehicle admission ticket COVERS EVERYONE IN YOUR VEHICLE!

FAQ's

WHAT TIME DOES THE MOVIE START?

Movie starts at 10:35 PM.

WHAT TIME CAN I ARRIVE?

Gates will open at 10:05 PM.

HOW DO THE NEW LA COUNTY COVID RESTRICTIONS AFFECT OUTDOOR CINEMA?

Gardena Cinema hopes to provide a safe and fun environment for all of our patrons. Sit back, relax, and enjoy a safe night out, with us. Please wear a mask when not inside your vehicle.

WHERE DO I PARK?

Cars will be placed on a first-come, first-served basis, one car at a time, and in sections based on size of car and desired style of viewing. We have mapped out the back-lot to allow for sedans in front rows and tall cars/SUV's/Trucks in the middle to back rows. An attendant will be available to direct you on where to park. We have accommodated so that every guest has a great viewing experience.

WHERE IS GARDENA CINEMA?

Gardena Cinema is located at 14948 Crenshaw Blvd, Gardena, CA 90249.

HOW DO I REDEEM MY TICKET?

Upon purchase, ticket will be emailed to you as a PDF attachment from Eventbrite. When you arrive to the event, please show the entrance attendant the bar code on your ticket through your car window, either by holding up your printed version, or by displaying it on your phone or smart device. Attendant will scan it to check you in, and you'll be good to go!

DO I NEED FM RADIO IN MY CAR?

YES! This is a outdoor Drive-In event, with no outdoor speakers. In fact, our drive-in cinema city permit expressly disallows outdoor speakers, so if you bring your own speakers, please have them at a low level so as not to disturb our neighbors. There are homes next to our parking lot and we would like to keep our drive-in cinema permit going by being good neighbors. The film’s soundtrack will be accessible exclusively through your car’s FM Radio, for maximum social-distance safety. We will provide you with the FM station upon arrival. Make sure your car has an FM radio so you can hear the film! If you do not have a radio, we lend portable radios for the duration of the movie for $5 and your ID Card. PRO-TIP: Some personal speakers also have FM radio built in, and are allowable as long as volume remains reasonable. Such a cool experience!

CAN I BRING FOOD / SNACKS?

YES! Your car is your screening room -- so bring all your favorite screening room snacks and munchies! Gardena Cinema's lobby will also be open, with FRESHLY popped popcorn, drinks, nachos, hot dogs, candies, and more! Please be sure to pay the lobby a visit and remember to wear your protective face mask.

We don't imagine any of you would, but we have to ask that you don't discard your trash out the window. (It's happened...) We want to keep these fun events going, so please help us keep the grounds tidy! There will be trash and recycle stations if needed.

WILL YOU HAVE RESTROOMS?

YES! Gardena Cinema's lobby and restrooms will be open. As our approval of this event is based on our assurance of safety, we ask that folks wear protective masks when leaving your cars for any reason, including to use the restroom. Attendants will be on hand to keep those restrooms sanitized. Social Distancing is a must, at all times.

MAY I BRING MY PET WITH ME?

Bringing your best friend only enhances the experience for you and we aim to keep you as comfy as possible. We ask that you keep your pet inside your vehicle during the movie. As long as you ensure your pet is properly trained and does not disturb neighboring guests while in the Drive-In. Please remember to keep the pets away from other guests. PETS ARE NOT ALLOWED INSIDE THE ACTUAL CINEMA BUILDING, (where restrooms and snack bar are located).

CAN WE BRING LAWN CHAIRS AND SIT OUTSIDE IN FRONT OF MY VEHICLE?

Unfortunately, safety COVID guidelines prevent us from further allowing any guests to sit outside the boundary of their vehicle. Besides, you get such a better view sitting up top a little higher, rather than sitting low to the floor. Please plan accordingly, as we will be politely enforcing this rule, for everyone's safety.

CAN I SIT IN MY TRUCK BED?- OR -CAN I THROW THE HATCH OF MY HATCHBACK UP AND SIT IN THE BACK TO WATCH THE SHOW?

- Guests are allowed to sit in their truck beds, so long as they keep their protective masks on.

- Raised hatches proved quite obstructive to rows of cars behind them in viewing the screen. You will be asked to park either to the sides of our car staging area, or along the back rows. And -- like truck-beds and convertibles -- if your hatch is open, we ask that you keep your masks on.

WILL YOU BE HOSTING MORE OF THESE?

YES! We intend to continue curating and programming some of the BEST cinema in Los Angeles County! We provide an intimate Drive-In style setting. Please support by following us on Instagram and Facebook -- we'll keep you posted on our screenings and events! @GardenaCinema

Follow us on Facebook and Instagram @GARDENACINEMA.