“Deadpool” (Action/Adventure: 1 hour, 48 minutes)

Starring: Ryan Reynolds, Morena Baccarin, T.J. Miller and Ed Skrein

Director: Tim Miller

Rated: R (Profanity, violence, nudity, sexual content and gore)

 

Movie Review: Deadpool is the antihero hero. He does the right thing in an unethical manner.

These traits make him intriguing as a character. Also, the fact one of his character’s abilities is that he breaks the fourth wall — he can talk to audiences as if he knows we are watching him. This works as comedy and unique characterizations.

Wade Wilson (Reynolds), a former Special Forces operative turned mercenary, is given a cancer diagnosis, revealing the disease has spread to several of his major organs. Not wanting to risk hurting the woman he loves, Vanessa (Baccarin), Wilson decides to undergo an underground radical experiment that gives Wilson accelerated healing powers but also makes him appear like he suffered burn injuries to his entire body. He becomes Deadpool, using his new abilities to fight those who made him the way he is.

“Deadpool” is not your typical superhero flick. It is a true adult action and comedy production. It is profane, energetic and thoroughly engaging.

Deadpool is a clownish guy. He often appears as a jester of sorts, a deadly one. He dispenses killings with a comical flair, often singing, dancing or cracking jokes during intense moments. These moments make the character enjoyable.

Reynolds plays him with happy flair. One can tell that he is enjoying this role. He should. This role fits him better than his turn as the title character in 2011’s “Green Lantern” (Director Martin Campbell). Reynolds is naturally funny in comedy roles, although he can be overly childish occasionally, and he is a physically toned actor. He is fit, six-pack abs and all.

Accordingly, this role fits him. He is also good when in serious screenplays such “Woman in Gold” (2015) and 2010’s “Buried” (Director Rodrigo Cortés), yet he is uniquely perfect for this role.

He is joined by several others who are also engaging. T.J. Miller is funny as usual. Morena Baccarin is beautifully engaging, and Leslie Uggams is neat as Deadpool’s older, blind roommate.

At its best, this is an action and comedy movie that happens to be a superhero entertainment. Tim Miller’s first full-feature length film becomes overly childish at points, but it works for adults who like this action genre and comedy.

Grade: B (Lively action entertainment.)

“Zoolander 2” (Comedy: 1 hour, 42 minutes)

Starring: Ben Stiller, Owen Wilson, Penélope Cruz and Will Ferrell

Director: Ben Stiller

Rated: PG-13 (Profanity, violence and sexual content)

 

Movie Review: 2001’s “Zoolander,” directed by its lead star, Ben Stiller, was an acquired taste. “Zoolander 2,” also with Stiller at the helm, has no taste.

Derek Zoolander (Stiller) and Hansel (Wilson) are once again models. Their timing to return to the runway is not good. Someone is killing the world’s most beautiful people.

Of course, Derek Zoolander and Hansel are also prime targets. Derek discovers his estranged son may also be a target.

Stiller and Wilson are eccentric models. It may have been new and somewhat humorous the first outing, but now these guys appear just pathetically and childishly weird.

The story is also similarly strange. It is a hodgepodge of lackluster jokes that are supposed to be funny. Instead, the screenplay is laughable, utterly asinine material.

Grade: D- (Far from a model movie.)

“How to Be Single” (Comedy/Romance: 1 hour, 50 minutes)

Starring: Dakota Johnson, Rebel Wilson, Leslie Mann, Damon Wayans Jr. and Anders Holm

Director: Christian Ditter

Rated: R (Profanity, sexual content, brief violence and nudity)

 

Movie Review: I saw this movie all by myself. The action was a brief exercise in being single. Alone or with someone, this movie is not something to love. This is the perfect non-Valentine.

Alice Kepley (“Fifty Shades of Grey’s” Johnson), Robin (Wilson), Meg (Mann), Lucy (Alison Brie), Tom (Holm) and David (Wayans) are single people. They are looking for long-term relationships, but they constantly keep falling short. Meanwhile, for people searching for love, they appear to love one-night stands.

“How to Be Single” has a good premise as its title notes. People fall in love easily, but many never learn how to be single. Like characters in this movie, people often date the wrong person for companionship rather than face being alone. While that plot is good, the film allows senseless comedy bits.

Wilson is funny for about 10 minutes. Then, one realizes she plays the same character in movies continuously. She actually becomes the film’s major player, as her hijinks steal good moments and drag them down to asinine humor.

Johnson, Holm and Wayans add good moments. However, the comedy is too far-fetched for them to help.

Think of this as a more comical “Sex in the City.” It has four ladies and two men trying to find love in New York City, but “How to Be Single” is not as sophisticated as “Sex in the City.”

People get in and out of relationships in “How to Be Single.” In between, they complain constantly. The process is tediously repetitive.

If you have a good romance with someone, stay away from this comedy. It is not a date night movie, and it is definitely not a noteworthy romance.

Grade: C (Should only play for a single week.)

 

“Jane Got a Gun” (Western: 1 hour, 38 minutes)

Starring: Natalie Portman, Joel Edgerton, Ewan McGregor and Noah Emmerich

Director: Gavin O’Connor

Rated: R (Violence, strong language and gore)

 

Movie Review: The screenplay by Actor-Writer Joel Edgerton (“The Gift,” 2015, his directorial debut) and co-writers Brian Duffield and Anthony Tambakis is thought-provokingly riveting. The story is intriguing. It keeps itself fresh as a Western with plenty unforeseen twists.

Natalie Portman is Jane Hammond. She, her husband, Bill Hammond (Emmerich), and their daughter have established a good life. They are happy until the Colin McCann (McGregor) and his ruthless posse begin stalking Jane and her family. Jane turns to former fiancé, Dan Frost (Edgerton). Jane hopes Frost will help defend her family from multiple outlaws.

Portman, despite her easy-on-the-eyes appeal and her youthful demeanor, works as a dedicated, but angry, woman attempting to protect her family. She makes an excellent Western heroine. More important, she makes this role tangible.

Edgerton and Emmerich also make their roles important. Their roles with Portman are impressive. Simultaneously, these two actors play characters who resent the other. This works as a great onscreen interaction.

McGregor plays the film’s main antagonist delectably, yet he does not have enough time to shine as the others.

The screenplay has plenty to admire. First, the script is engaging material. It takes several characters with histories and uses those moments to convey a story. Second, the acting is topnotch, several good actors in a modern Western. Both elements make for a good straightforward story.

Grade: B+ (She shoots well.)

“The Finest Hours” (Drama/History: 1 hour, 57 minutes)

Starring: Chris Pine, Casey Affleck, Ben Foster

Director: Craig Gillespie

Rated: PG-13 (Intense moments of peril)

 

Movie Review: Some of the best stories involve real-life narratives. The movie is a fine story loosely based on an actual Coast Guard rescue, and it delivers on romance. However, it is not as powerful as the tale it presents.

February 1952 experienced one of the worst storms to ever hit the East Coast. The event involved heavy snow and rough water on the seas. The Pendleton, an oil tanker off the coast of Cape Cod, floats though torn in half. To rescue the survivors, a small Coast Guard lifeboat crew of four under the command of Bernard Webber (Pine) braves the cold and stormy conditions to rescue more than 20 men on the vessel about to sink.

Craig Gillespie has directed some nice movies, “Lars and the Real Girl” (2007), “Fright Night” (2011) and “Million Dollar Arm” (2014). Each is different in style. “The Finest Hours” plays like a modern-day, light version of “Titanic” (Director James Cameron,1997).

The rescue is worthy of telling. The bravery of the Coast Guard personnel is worthy of a story. Gillespie directs in a manner similar to movies of the 1950s. It is a decent movie for those looking for a good story, even if it is not nearly as suspenseful as it should be.

While the decency and heroic story work, the film has an annoying glitch. The courtship of a couple is a part of this photoplay. The problem is they married nearly a year and half before the rescue of the oil tanker crew. So, the addition of a romantic side story is unneeded.

Based on the book by Casey Sherman and Michael J. Tougias, the best moments are actually how the crew of the Pendleton survived. Led by Ray Sybert (Affleck), the chief engineer and senior officer, the engine room staff manages to keep half a boat afloat. Their efforts are just as noteworthy of the Coast Guard’s rescue. Too bad this movie does not stick with those brave efforts of both Coast Guard and the Pendleton’s crew.

“Hours” starts as a romance rather than the noble efforts of brave men. Instead of focusing on a weak romance, the focus for Gillespie and the scripters should be the main story — the rescue — not fictionalized distractions. Otherwise, it is agreeable, decent entertainment for audiences looking for a relaxing movie.

Grade: B- (Indeed, a fine time.)

“Kung Fu Panda 3” (Animation/Action: 1 hour, 35 minutes)

Starring: Jack Black, Bryan Cranston, Dustin Hoffman, Angelina Jolie and J.K. Simmons

Directors: Alessandro Carloni and Jennifer Yuh

Rated: PG (Violence, including martial arts action, and crude humor)

 

Movie Review: The follow-up to “Kung Fu Panda” (2008) is the third in the series. Although not as endearing, it is just as entertaining.

Po (Black), a kung fu panda, has now become a master, a role for which Po thinks he is not ready. Po has to learn his role quickly, supernatural villain Kai (Simmons) has returned to the world of the living, eliminating kung fu masters across China. Additionally, Po’s father, Li (Cranston), arrives and offers Po a chance to see where the other pandas live. Po must ready his new panda family to stop Kai.

Po and others are still fun. Black is the perfect voice for Po. Black’s humorous charm, yet appealing slacker lack calm, make him the perfect person to play a panda. Po is the movie. He provides in-between moments of kung fu fighting. Simmons, Cranston and especially Hoffman provide noteworthy vocal talents.

Families should find this animated action film fun. It is a good adventure for all ages.

Grade: B (A masterful Po of many laughs.)

“Fifty Shades of Black” (Comedy: 1 hour, 32 minutes)

Starring: Marlon Wayans, Kali Hawk, Jenny Zigrino, Affion Crockett, and Jane Seymour

Director: Michael Tiddes

Rated: R (Strong crude sexual content including some graphic nudity, profanity, violence)

 

Movie Review: Comedies come in two main forms: good and stupid. Put this one in the stupid category. The spoof of “Fifty Shades of Grey” (2015) is lame in just about every manner.

Hannah (Hawk) is a college student. She interviews Christian (Wayans), a wealthy man with a very peculiar sex life. They form a relationship arrangement, where Christian commands Hannah more or less. Hannah finds Christian charming and invigorating for a while, but soon realizes his sexual practices may be too extreme.

Michael Tiddes (“A Haunted House,” 2013) directs this mess. Marlon Wayans serves as a producer and co-writer. Wayans has more money than sense. The comedy is a waste of money. It features characters, mainly Wayans, committing one adolescent act after another.

The comedy consists of repetitive jokes that become tiresome quickly. One such joke consists of calling Hawk’s Hannah ugly and plain-looking. The joke does not work if the actress, Hawk, is an attractive woman. Every time, one of the other actors calls her ugly or other derogatory names, one must think about how silly this comedy is.

About 50 other reasons exist not to see this bad adult comedy. It is childish and not worth audiences’ time nor money.

Grade: F- (Fifty shades, all of them are bad.)