Happy Birthday, Ryan Reynolds!

Today we're celebrating the 35th birthday of Hollywood heartthrob, Ryan Reynolds. Ryan got his start in television in the early-1990s, but he nabbed his role in a feature film in 1993's Ordinary Magic. After dabbling in more television appearances, he landed it big with a starring role in the show "Two Guys and a Girl." His first big film performance came in 2002 when he landed the titular role in Van Wilder, and the success from that film catapulted him into a level of comedic stardom. Although he has yet to land a massive, star-making flick to put him into the entire public's consciousness, Reynolds has enjoyed his time as something of a sex symbol, nabbing top honors in People magazine's 2010 Sexiest Man Alive list. He's been romantically attached to the likes of Alanis Morissette and Scarlett Johansson in the past few years, only adding to his public presence. Still, he's a rather talented comedic actor who has shown that he has the makings of a potentially great dramatic actor as well. You'll next be able to see him in 2012's Safe House. That being said, let's once again wish Ryan Reynolds a happy 35th birthday!

5. Richard Messner
Smokin' Aces (2006)


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4. Andrew Paxton
The Proposal (2009)


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3. Male Nurse
Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle (2004)


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2. Van Wilder
Van Wilder (2002)


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1. Monty
Waiting... (2005)

Movie Review: GREEN LANTERN

GREEN LANTERN

2011
PG-13

Green Lantern is a 2011 superhero action film directed by Martin Campbell that tells the origins of Earth's first addition to the Green Lantern Corps. When hotshot fighter pilot Hal Jordan (Ryan Reynolds) manages to destroy a new fighter jet during a simulated dogfight, he comes under heavy scrutiny from his superiors and his peers, especially his wingman (and love interest) Carol Ferris (Blake Lively), for being reckless and irresponsible. Later that night, Hal is whisked to a remote swamp by a mysterious ball of green energy. Once there, he meets an alien who has crash-landed on Earth - the alien soon bestows a mysterious green ring and lantern to Hal and tells him that the ring has chosen him to succeed him. Confused, Hal takes the items home and begins to ponder their power. He soon learns the basics of their use, but as soon as he discovers the ring's hidden power, the same ball of energy takes him to a faraway planet called Oa, where thousands of Green Lanterns reside. Hal begins to learn the ways of the Lanterns via a crash course from lead Lantern Sinestro (Mark Strong). Meanwhile, back on Earth, an aspiring scientist name Hector Hammond (Peter Sarsgaard) receives the honor of conducting the autopsy on the aforementioned alien. In the process, however, he becomes infected by another alien source hidden inside the creature's body. Almost simultaneously, the Lanterns learn of an old enemy named Parallax spreading throughout the galactic sectors in the form of a new type of evil that threatens to take over the universe.

To be fair, I'm selling the storyline a little bit short with the synopsis I've given above. There is a little bit more going on than what I've posited already, and it actually comes off as less confusing than what I've written. However, I don't want to delve into too many details lest I give away the entire storyline before you have a chance to give it a gander. We actually get a relatively interesting story to follow. Sure, it's not brilliant, and it's lack in anything truly unpredictable, but it does well enough to keep the audience engaged in something more than the characters. There are holes here and there, but for the most part, the screenplay works relatively well considering the genre.

If anything's really selling the movie as a success, it's the level of acting. It's nothing truly spectacular, but the cast does a decent job with what they're given. Reynolds always finds a way to be engaging and charismatic in his own off-beat way, so he does well as our central lead. There are a few bigger names that are given screen-time but don't necessarily bring much to the table (here's looking at you, Miss Lively and Tim Robbins). We actually get some semi-strong performances from Sarsgaard (whom I never would've recognized aside from his voice) and Strong (who I also probably wouldn't have recognized), two actors who generally bring a higher standard to their roles. We are also graced with some rather good vocal performances from some of our CGI characters. Be on the listen for the likes of Michael Clarke Duncan and Geoffrey Rush as two of the Green Lanterns who aid Hal in his training.

We also get a rather well-crafted soundtrack for the film, and although it's not the most stellar score I've ever heard, I would like to tip my hat to James Newton Howard for his work.

Overall, Green Lantern has its moments, but it never truly pushes itself beyond a level of "good." I think it had the potential to be something more, but for whatever reason, the filmmakers decided to hold back a little too much, going for something rote and a little contrived instead. In different hands, this movie could have been a smash-hit, but as it stands, it will probably be a fun once-view that will quickly fade into obscurity. Although, they did leave a set-up for a potential sequel - be sure to stick through the credits for an additional scene (it comes halfway through the credits, so you don't have to wait all the way through).

Movie Review Summary:

Grade: C+
0.5 Thumbs Up

Movie Review: THE PROPOSAL

THE PROPOSAL

2009
PG-13

The Proposal is a 2009 romantic comedy directed by Anne Fletcher. It follows the relationship between big-time editor-in-chief Margaret Tate (Sandra Bullock) and her assistant Andrew Paxton (Ryan Reynolds). When Margaret, the resident office witch, learns that her work visa has expired and she is going to be deported back to her native Canada, she quickly informs her superiors that she and Andrew are engaged to be married. This comes as a shock to Andrew who knew nothing of the sort. In an attempt to convince immigration services of their apparent "love," Margaret reluctantly agrees to join Andrew in his weekend visit to his parents' home in Alaska. Upon their arrival, the two do their best to maintain their charade in the hopes that they can make Andrew's father (Craig T. Nelson), mother (Mary Steenburgen) and grandmother (Betty White) believe their story without letting them be hurt by the truth. As time continues to pass, however, Margaret and Andrew start to learn more about one another, and feelings they didn't know they had start to surface.

If the above synopsis sounds like every other romantic comedy you've ever seen, then you've had hit the nail on the head. There's really nothing entirely new or original thrown on-screen in The Proposal, which falls into the rote storyline of nearly every romantic comedy I've ever had the "privilege" to see. The whole deportation to Canada isn't something I'd heard before, but that just works as the centerpiece for a film that brings nothing else to the table, story-wise. Some of the dialogue is decent, but it's nothing to rave about and applaud. Overall, the screenplay is a little bit of a bore, never truly hooking you into any aspect of the film.

Fortunately, we do have some halfway decent performances in the film, ultimately making The Proposal relatively watchable. I really only watched this movie because of Ryan Reynolds, who I tend to enjoy. This is by no means my favorite Reynolds role (for that, you'd have to take in 2005's Waiting...), but he does his best with what he's given this time around. Bullock is also very good - she nabbed a Golden Globe nomination for the role - also despite the screenplay she's given. One of the selling points of the film is probably the chemistry between Bullock and Reynolds. Their arc from hating each other to loving each other is actually pretty believable, so kudos to them.

We've also got some pretty good supporting performances, although I felt like some of the actors were a tad bit under-utilized. The ever-present and always-hilarious Betty White easily draws the most laughter. There's something about someone so elderly being so irreverent that just provides for perfect comedy. I would watch her in anything, to be honest, but that's neither here nor there. Oscar Nuñez is also very funny in a limited amount of screen-time. And even Malin Akerman makes a few appearances, but I thought she should have played a much more important role considering her character. Oh well, I guess. The filmmakers must have thought otherwise.

Overall, The Proposal is a serviceable, if entirely predictable, romantic comedy. When they start making truly ORIGINAL rom-coms again, someone please give me a call. I'm down to watch any type of movie, romantic comedies included, but if they can't figure something out with this unoriginality thing, I might have to dump these entirely.

Movie Review Summary:
Grade: C-
Thumbs Sideways