Pokémon Detective Pikachu (2019)

I grew up watching Pokémon and I’m one of those people who has been playing PokémonGO for the past three years, so when news came out of Pokémon Detective Pikachu, saying that I was excited about the film is an understatement.

Set in a world filled with hundreds of unique creatures — Pokémon —, the story follows Tim Goodman (Justice Smith), a 21-year-old blue collar insurance worker, as he teams up with a talking Pikachu (voiced by Ryan Reynolds) to investigate the death/disappearance of his father, Kanto police detective Harry Goodman.

The biggest problem with Pokémon Detective Pikachu is the plot. It is extremely simple and predictable, so much so that anyone over the age of eleven will be able to figure it out almost immediately, but it’s actually at its worst when it tries to be more complex as it feels out of place and had me waiting, kinda bored, for the next cool Pokémon thing to happen. Despite this, it still manages to deliver a surprising twist at the end and, although it’s quite silly, the story is throughout engaging and interesting to follow.

The characters are just as thin as the story. Actually, they are even worse as they are non-existent — they barely have personalities and don’t have anything resembling development. Also, the villain is tremendously bland, generic.

Thankfully, Justice Smith gives a performance that is likeable enough to make you care about Tim. Also, he delivers both laughs and some genuine emotions. It’s Ryan Reynolds, however, who completely steals the show as he yet again delivers great comedy in the role of the adorable, fluffy Pikachu. Bill Nighy is also very enjoyable. The rest of the cast, I don’t even want to talk about them. That’s how bad they are.

Warner Bros. Pictures

It’s not only Reynolds’s Pikachu who steals the scene though, as every single Pokémon making an appearance in the film stands out, from Cubone to Ditto to Mr. Mime who delivers the film’s most hilarious moments — everyone in the audience was laughing during his scenes, kids and adults alike.

Ultimately, Pokémon Detective Pikachu is not a great film — it’s not like I was expecting it to be though — but it’s overall an enjoyable and funny film, especially if you are a Pokémon fan.

​

The Proposal (2009)

I still remember the first time I watched The Proposal — I liked the movie so much I talked about it all the time and I even convinced my mother to watch it. I've been meaning to rewatch it for quite some time to see how I'd feel about it now and, since recently I'm often in the mood for romantic comedies — what is happening to me? — I finally did. 

The story follows Margaret Tate (Sandra Bullock), a successful editor at a prestigious New York publishing house, and her personal assistant, Andrew Paxton (Ryan Reynolds). When Margaret, a Canadian, faces deportation due to an expired visa, she blackmails Andrew to marry her. In return, she would promote him to editor and publish his book. Mr. Gilbertson (Denis O'Hare), however, the clerk of the immigration department is a bit sceptical and schedules an interview on the next Monday, so Margaret and Andrew travel to Alaska to celebrate his grandmother's (Betty White) ninetieth birthday and announce their engagement.

The plot to The Proposal is very far from being perfect as it's very predictable, clichéd and unrealistic — that's kind of the point of romantic comedies though —, there are many plot holes, subplots that make no sense whatsoever — I'm still wondering what was the point of that plot involving Andrew's ex-girlfriend as she doesn't have any impact on the story, and that Andrew and Margaret's love comes completely out of the blue — a scene with them bonding over literature and books would have been nice. Despite these flaws, it still manages to be engaging and fun.

The characters aren't particularly well-written either as they are nothing but clichés — Margaret is bossy and bitchy because of course all women in power have to be portrayed as horrible human beings, and Andrew is the ambitious person willing to do whatever it takes to make his dream come true — and quite cartoonish, especially Andrew's grandma. Also, there are so many secondary characters thrown into the story that are pointless and kind of take away the focus from Margaret and Andrew. Still, it's fun to see them interact with each other and, despite how unbelievable it is, it comes more than natural to root for Margaret and Andrew.

Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures

The cast is what I love the most about The Proposal. Sandra Bullock — who happens to be the reason I first watched this many years ago — and Ryan Reynolds are both so charismatic and have such nice chemistry — they even dated in real life at some point —, they are a delight to watch. It also helps that they are pretty funny in their roles too. It's Betty White as the dopey grandma, Annie, and Oscar Nuñez as Ramone, the exotic dancer/Mr. I do it all, that absolutely steal the show though with their hilarious, a little over the top performances.

As for the comedy, The Proposal relies a lot on overused jokes and slapstick but it works pretty well and overall the film is quite funny.

The Change-Up (2011)

I added The Change-Up on my watchlist a long time ago because of Jason Bateman but never cared to watch it because I knew it'd be some idiotic comedy. There are those days though when I feel like watching these movies, like today. 

The story follows two friends —Dave (Jason Bateman) who is a hard-working lawyer married with the beautiful Jamie (Leslie Mann) and father of three, and Mitch (Ryan Reynolds), a single, reckless and unemployed stoner who never concludes anything. One night, after getting drunk, they urinate in a park's fountain and at the same time they wish they had each other's lives. The next morning, they wake up and discover that they have switched bodies. 

It certainly isn't the most original premise as there's plenty of body switch movies out there whose execution is why less juvenile than The Change-Up's. That being said, the plot as predictable and clichéd as it gets —I mean, that epiphany you could see it coming a mile away— isn't terrible as watching Dave and Mitch switch bodies and try to adapt to the other's life is enjoyable, entertaining almost. 

As for the characters, they are tremendously superficial as well as the typical characters played by these actors as Jason Bateman plays the serious and kind of awkward workaholic, with a family this time around, he always plays, and Ryan Reynolds plays the idiotic, carefree, irresponsible ladies' man he plays most of the time. However, Dave and Mitch switching bodies means Bateman and Reynolds switching roles and, despite the fact that cheap laughs are all they get, it's quite refreshing to see them play atypical roles. Leslie Mann is a bit of a show-stealer though as she manages to give her shallow, non-existent character a little depth. Olivia Wilde is here only for eye-candy purposes. And Alan Arkin is terribly underused as Mitch's father. 

Universal Pictures

Despite the enjoyable plot and the actors, The Change-Up still is a mediocre film, nothing more than an idiotic bro movie for the most part —at some point, it gives up its bro tone to become an overly sentimental mess—, with plenty of gross moments, vulgarity and gratuitous nudity. Sure, it's entertaining and fun-ish but at the same time it's offensive and most of the jokes fall flat.

Paper Man (2009)

I stumbled across Paper Man years ago while I was scrolling through Emma Stone's filmography and, since I love her, it ended up on my watchlist. But eventually, it got lost among the thousands of movies in there. 

The film follows Richard Dunn (Jeff Daniels), a 40-something failed writer who still talks to his childhood imaginary friend, Captain Excellent (Ryan Reynolds). When his wife Claire (Lisa Kudrow) drives him to Long Island and leaves him there, alone, so that he can finish his book, Richard meets Abby (Emma Stone), a 17-year-old whom he hires to babysit, despite the fact that he has no kids. When she finds out, Abby seems completely fine with it and the two start to bond. 

I didn't know anything about the film's plot when I started watching and I have to admit that Ryan Reynolds wearing that ridiculous superhero costume almost put me off, but I'm glad I kept watching since it turned out to be such a warm and heartfelt story about the unlikely friendship between an adult man and a teenage girl. Sure, it's pretty straightforward and predictable, but it's interesting enough to keep you watching. 

That happens because Paper Man is all about the relationships and interactions between its characters. It kind of sounds crazy and like it doesn't make a lot of sense as some of the characters are imaginary, but it works. The relationship between Richard and Captain Excellent, Richard and Abby, and Abby and Christopher (Kieran Culkin), a strange boy who follows Abby everywhere, they all serve to show the human need to have someone, to not be alone. 

The friendship that develops between Richard and Abby is very sweet and touching as it fills the void each character has in their lives. It's romantic without being too romantic, and it's a joy to watch it grow. The main reason for it is the beautiful, natural chemistry between Jeff Daniels and Emma Stone --their performances are excellent, the first as a lonely, depressed and unhappy writer, the latter as a vulnerable young woman with no friends and a neglectful boyfriend. 

MPI Media Group

As for the rest of the cast, Kieran Culkin does a good job as the nerdy guy who has a crush on Abby, and Ryan Reynolds brings to the film his great comedic presence and his charm and, no matter how stupid the joke is or how stupid he looks with that costume, he will make you laugh. They both are underused in the film though. Lisa Kudrow was a bit of a surprise. I wasn't sure how she would fit the film but, as it turned out, she provides some good comic relief. 

Ultimately, Paper Man has its flaws --like the simple and predictable story, some paper-thin characters, especially the supporting ones, and at times it tries too hard to be dramatic-- but it's a charming little film that deserves to be watch. 

Deadpool 2 (2018)

Two years ago Deadpool completely changed the way we look at superhero movies, mainly because of its unique, hilarious and, yes, vulgar, approach to the genre. I'm one of those who loved it and yet I wasn't really looking forward to seeing Deadpool 2 because we all know how sequels go, especially when the first film is such a success. Luckily, Deadpool 2 is another hit. 

Wade Wilson aka Deadpool (Ryan Reynolds) is still a mercenary who takes out the bad guys, and he still is in a relationship with Vanessa (Morena Baccarin). When his life takes a terrible turn, he tries to find a new purpose with the help of the X-Men, but things take a turn for the worst when he sets out to protect a mutant kid, Russell (Julian Dennison), as the kid is hunted down by a time-traveller mutant named Cable (Josh Brolin).

The plot somehow manages to be even more simple than Deadpool's, it's rather disjointed and doesn't make a lot of sense --it kinda feels like the three writers, Rhett Reese, Paul Wernick, and Ryan Reynolds, never met nor bothered working together, and each wrote a piece of story-- and yet it is engaging and a tiny bit more unpredictable. Also, unlike its predecessor's where it was all about revenge, Deadpool 2's plot even has some morals. 

The messy and unfocused plot though doesn't leave a lot of room for character development, which leaves us with many one-dimensional characters it's difficult to care about. Also, the characters from the first film return but their screen time is cut down to make room for the new characters, most of which --the mutants Deadpool assembles-- are forgettable, not to mention the non-existent villain. On the other hand, Deadpool is given the opportunity to grow as a person, and some of the new characters are pretty awesome, especially Domino, the mutant whose superpower is being lucky, as she adds a lot of excitement to the film. 

20th Century Fox

As for the cast, Reynolds does not disappoint and gives another brilliant, humorous performance as the titular anti-hero; Josh Brolin is a blast as Cable, and the fact that he also plays Thanos makes him the perfect cast for the role; Zazie Beets gives a sassy and sarcastic performance as Domino that will easily win you over. The other actors also do a good job, and the chemistry between them is impressive.

The sense of humour is the same of the first film, still crude, with plenty of pop culture references ranging from The Passion of Christ to Batman vs. Superman to other Marvel superheroes, and slapstick, and it works just as well. Deadpool 2 is indeed pretty hilarious. 

The action sequences are beautifully choreographed --one of the guys who killed John Wick's dog directed this film, after all-- and exciting. And at last, the soundtrack, still very 1980s, is awesome and each song fits its scene. 

DEADPOOL: Best Trailer For A Trailer I've Ever Seen!

Reynolds NAILS it for this NSFW (swearing) trailer for a trailer! I've never seen one this good before probably because there hasn't been a character like Deadpool in his own movie before.

I have no assurances yet that DEADPOOL will be in 3D so keep that in mind. Fox - do the right thing.

DEADPOOL stars Ryan Reynolds, Morena Baccarin, Ed Skrein, T.J. Miller, Gina Carano and Brianna Hildebrand.

Here's the storyline for the movie:
Based upon Marvel Comics’ most unconventional anti-hero, DEADPOOL tells the origin story of former Special Forces operative turned mercenary Wade Wilson, who after being subjected to a rogue experiment that leaves him with accelerated healing powers, adopts the alter ego Deadpool. Armed with his new abilities and a dark, twisted sense of humor, Deadpool hunts down the man who nearly destroyed his life.

This movie is going to surprise a lot of people. Can't wait!

DEADPOOL slices and dices into action February 12, 2016. 

YES! Ryan Reynolds Lies Down For First Look At DEADPOOL

As can be expected, Ryan Reynolds absolutely NAILS the first image from DEADPOOL revealing his character's costume (Reynolds tweeted it today). It's very similar if not exact to the costume used in his test footage short.

This is the one comic book hero movie I've been waiting for. Fans have been waiting a long time and have even been insulted somewhat (Deadpool was unfortunately mistreated in X-MEN ORIGINS: WOLVERINE) but I think Fox is now firing on all cylinders. The image looks PERFECT.

Here's the movie's storyline:
Based upon Marvel Comics’ most unconventional anti-hero, DEADPOOL tells the origin story of former Special Forces operative turned mercenary Wade Wilson, who after being subjected to a rogue experiment that leaves him with accelerated healing powers, adopts the alter ego Deadpool. Armed with his new abilities and a dark, twisted sense of humor, Deadpool hunts down the man who nearly destroyed his life.

DEADPOOL ignites the fires on February 12, 2016. More news when we get it! And it goes without saying - This had better be a 3D release!

Fox's DEADPOOL Slated To Start Shooting In March

I am a huge Deadpool fan and I've been waiting a long time for this news. Finally we have definitive action on the movie. Hopefully Fox will see the way clear to allow the "merc with a mouth" free reign in doing so - an "R" rating.

They some atonement to make because of how they neutered him in  X-MEN ORIGINS: WOLVERINE. Reynolds still managed an awesome scene though as he egresses an elevator and proceeds to wipe the floor with everyone. Deadpool CAN bring a blade to a gunfight and win.

Ryan Reynolds will mask up in his hometown of Vancouver (North Shore Studios) for the production. Suitable as even Wade Wilson (Deadpool's real identity) claims he is Canadian (Marvel NOW Deadpool #3). 

DEADPOOL has a planned February 12, 2016 release. More news when we get it! And it goes without saying - This had better be a 3D release!

Source: Global via Collider

R.I.P.D. Confirmed As A 3D Conversion!

The upcoming actioner R.I.P.D. starring Ryan Reynolds, Jeff Bridges and Kevin Bacon has been confirmed as being a 3D conversion by Universal.

The movie stems from a group of dead cops who form the "Rest In Peace Department". Ryan Reynolds is a "just died" cop who partners with Jeff Bridges. Kevin Bacon will be the villain and judging by some spy shots, (highlight sentence after to read spoiler): he will also turn into some sort of CGI enhanced "thing". Who knows what that will be.

Our 3D movie list for this year has just hit 40. Not bad at all! We'll have more 3D movie announcements once they are made public by the studios.

R.I.P.D. hits theaters on June 28.

Image source: Zimbio

Must Watch: New Trailer For Dreamworks Animation's THE CROODS

I've been waiting for this one! This first trailer for Dreamworks Animation's THE CROODS opens the door to what I think could be the dawning of a new era for DWA. I've known all along about the plot that an caveman outsider with "new technology" enters into the Crood's family unit and disturbs the so called peace (a comedic idea developed by John Cleese?), but with this trailer we're seeing an entirely new dynamic open up about the family's daughter who is so anxious to explore. What I'm seeing here is some storytelling magic from DWA, expanding on an already great idea with some new arcs about living life to the fullest with the energy and bravado of youth.

Will it pay off for the Croods? How does Ryan Reynold's outsider character play out? Questions to be answered soon. In the meantime, enjoy the first trailer! Joining Reynolds is Nicholas Cage and Emma Stone along with Cloris Leachman, Clark Duke and Catherine Keener.

Here's the storyline for the movie:
The Croods is being written and directed by two-time Academy Award nominee Chris Sanders (HOW TO TRAIN YOUR DRAGON, LILO AND STITCH) and Kirk DeMicco (SPACE CHIMPS) and produced by Kristine Belson (HOW TO TRAIN YOUR DRAGON) and Jane Hartwell (SHREK). It stars Nicolas Cage, Ryan Reynolds, Emma Stone, Catherine Keener, Clark Duke and Cloris Leachman. The Croods is a comedy adventure that takes us back to a previously undiscovered era in the history of our planet known as the Croodaceous, when nature was still a work-in-progress… full of never-before- seen creatures and landscapes. Audiences will relate to the hilarious family antics as an imaginative and resourceful newcomer helps the Croods navigate their way through the fantastic world beyond their cave.

THE CROODS opens on March 22, 2013. For all of our Croods coverage, click here.

GREEN LANTERN Wraps Up Production - Sequel Has Writer Already!

Warner Bros. is moving FAST with the GREEN LANTERN franchise (most likely a trilogy) and just days after co-producer Geoff Johns wrapped up the GREEN LANTERN production they have secured writer Michael Goldenberg (CONTACT, WHERE THE WILD THINGS ARE, HARRY POTTER AND THE ORDER OF THE PHOENIX) to flesh out a screenplay. [Variety]

Goldenberg will be using the treatment that was written by Greg Berlanti, Michael Green and Marc Guggenheim to launch from.

Goldenberg also rewrote GREEN LANTERN.

GREEN LANTERN opens June 17, 2011.

Love that Warner Bros. is embracing comic adaptations so eagerly. They are also working on future BATMAN, SUPERMAN and THE FLASH movies from their newly acquired division, DC Entertainment. Can't wait for THE FLASH - we have seen BATMAN and SUPERMAN on the big screen before, but to see the Scarlet Speedster in 3D for the first time? That's just plain awesome. Comics are the perfect replacement for the giant hole left by a wrapping up HARRY POTTER franchise.

Is it my imagination or is Ryan Reynolds everywhere nowadays? He should knock this one out of the park too. Gifted actor.

Another GREEN LANTERN Poster!

Hey guys - check out the super busy Ryan Reynolds in this new GREEN LANTERN poster.

Click to enlarge.

Studio: Warner Bros Pictures
Director: Martin Campbell
Writer: Greg Berlanti, Marc Guggenheim, Michael Green
Cast: Ryan Reynolds, Blake Lively, Peter Sarsgaard, Tim Robbins, Mark Strong, Taika Waititi, Temuera Morrison, Angela Bassett, Jay O. Sanders, Jon Tenney

Release: June 17, 2011

The man is an acting robot! He has BURIED coming out this year and then two massive movies for 2011 - GREEN LANTERN and DEADPOOL. "Super" busy is right with playing all these super heroes.

FIRST LOOK: Ryan Reynolds as GREEN LANTERN!!

Hey guys - check out an awesome shot of Ryan Reynolds as GREEN LANTERN on the cover of Entertainment Weekly. This movie is going to kick some serious butt. Joining Ryan Reynolds will be Blake Lively, Peter Sarsgaard, Tim Robbins, Mark Strong, Taika Waititi, Temuera Morrison, Angela Bassett, Jay O. Sanders, and Jon Tenney.

The premise is all about Reynolds playing a rookie for the Green Lantern Corps. Every Green Lantern wears a ring that grants them superpowers. When a new enemy threatens to destroy the balance of power in the universe, fate lies in the hands of their newest recruit who just happens to be the first human ever selected: Hal Jordan.

Be sure to write off the evening of June 17, 2011 as GREEN LANTERN burns into 3D theaters everywhere!

Warner Begins Work On GREEN LANTERN 2 And THE FLASH!!

That's confidence for you! Warner Bros. is apparently hiring writers for GREEN LANTERN 2!!

On the strength of what they are seeing already from the Ryan Reynolds topped comic book adaptation, Warners has re-hired the writing team of Greg Berlanti, Michael Green and Marc Guggenheim to work on its sequel. They have asked them to write a treatment for THE FLASH as well! Both are dream gigs if you ask me - solid stories surround these characters which makes it much more likely to have big screen success.

From THR: It also appears to be the first moves the studio is making under its newly configured relationship with DC. In September, DC was reorganized to bring it closer to Warners, with Diane Nelson named president of newly created DC Entertainment. In February, artist Jim Lee and executive editor Dan DiDio were named publishers of DC Comics. Star writer Geoff Johns was appointed chief creative officer of DCE, with the aim of bridging the comics and filmed entertainment sides. With new Batman and Superman films in the writing stages and “Lantern” filming, the team thought “Flash” was the next logical hero to tackle.

Director Martin Campbell has GREEN LANTERN in production right now on location in New Orleans. Ryan Reynolds plays a superhero who is part of the Green Lantern Corps that police our galaxy.

I take this as a HUGE sign that all is proceeding as planned. If you will recall, Warner Bros. has committed to 3D tentpoles with comic book adaptations replacing the Harry Potter cash cow. Can't wait to see what they have in store for us!