Deadpool 2 (2018)

Director: David Leitch

Cast:

Ryan Reynolds – Deadpool

Josh Brolin – Cable

Zazie Beetz – Domino

Julian Dennison – Russell

Morena Baccarin – Vanessa

Summary:

It’s here baby, “Deadpool 2.” Ryan Reynolds returns as the ‘merc with the mouth’ and he’s bringing some new people to the fold. Josh Brolin and Zazie Beetz join him as Cable and Domino respectfully. Following the credits of “Deadpool,” we were teased with Cable casting and finally we are given Josh Brolin as the “Terminator” esque comic book character as he is sent back in time to stop a future threat. Deadpool puts himself between Cable and his target and this in turn leads to mayhem and destruction that only Deadpool could conjure up. Returning players to the fold include Morena Baccarin as Vanessa, Karan Soni as Dopinder as well as Weasel, Colossus and Negasonic Teenage Warhead. Tim Miller did not return to the director’s chair due to creative differences between himself and Ryan Reynolds, but instead was replaced by “John Wick” co-director David Leitch. You can definitely feel Leitch’s touch as the action was top notch with the hand to hand combat being pristine as well as an epic chase scene that ultimately topped the bridge scene from the first film. The first “Deadpool” was marketed as a love story and it fit with its Valentine’s Day release and with this film, we have a family film. Family is the theme and it fits as the film sets itself up for X-Force with the eventual climax leaving you all warm and fuzzy inside. The comedy once again hits on all cylinders as Deadpool once again delivers authentic jokes that land a majority of the time. Brolin and Beetz were standouts as they brought their own gravitas to the film and there banter with Deadpool was perfect. Cameos appear in this film and they were all great. Minor issues that I found were a lack of fourth wall breaking from Deadpool as well as recurring story beats from the first film. Also, T.J. Miller wasn’t as funny as he was in the first film and that was a letdown. Otherwise, “Deadpool 2” is a sequel that lives up to the first film that introduces new characters while also upping the ante in the action, comedy as well as being a heartfelt family film.

P.S.,

Stay for the mid-credits scene as you don’t want to miss it.

Score: 4.5/5

Tully (2018)

Director: Jason Reitman

Cast:

Charlize Theron – Marlo

Mackenzie Davis – Tully

Ron Livingston – Drew

Mark Duplass – Craig

Summary:

Motherhood is a challenging task for any woman, but for Marlo, it’s her third time at ‘the plate.’ Directed by Jason Reitman and written by Diablo Cody, “Tully” is an exploration of motherhood and parenthood told in a unique and personified way. Charlize Theron is in the lead role and she once again proves why she is a dominating force in the movie business. She committed herself to the film by putting on 50 pounds and she attained this goal through constant junk food eating. If that wasn’t enough, she even became depressed when it came to the weight gain and this further elevated her performance in the film. Having had two kids already and a third on the way, Marlo begins to lose it and through the persistence of her brother played by Mark Duplass, receives help from a night nanny named Tully, played by Mackenzie Davis. Theron and Davis have great chemistry with one another and that was easily the best thing in the film. Diablo Cody’s writing is top notch as it details the extremities of parentage, especially the stress it tolls on a mother and Theron’s performance matched with Cody’s writing is a match made in heaven. Jason Reitman’s direction is on point as he fully captures the stress and anxiety that is weighing on Marlo and he gets a good performance from the children who are constantly driving her insane. The finale of this film shocked me as I was unsure what the filmmakers were going for. Throughout the film, Cody drops clues that hint at the ending and this kept the film afloat. “Tully” is a film that takes the concept of parenthood and turns it on its head that is further elevated by Theron and Davis’ brilliant performances.

Score: 4/5

Taco Shop (2018)

Director: Joaquin Perea

Cast:

Tyler Posey – Smokes

Eric Roberts – Old School Eddie

Brian Huskey – Bruce

Paula Jai Parker – Eve

Veronica Diaz Carranza – Susie

Rick Najera – Gill

Summary:

With Cinco de Mayo finally upon us, we are unfortunately given a film to fit that audience. That film would be “Taco Shop.” Tyler Posey from MTV’s “Teen Wolf” and Eric Roberts from “The Dark Knight” headline this film. Set in Los Angeles, “Taco Shop” is an 80 minute cringe fest as it deals with two competing taco establishments. Throughout the movie, the film seemingly shoots random scenes that have no cohesiveness and our just filmed to make up a runtime that best suits a theatrical experience. This film is a comedy and it fails at delivering genuine jokes that should be making you laugh but instead our offensive or just downright not needed. The script for this film is atrocious as well as just about everything else. The only positives I can take away is Tyler Posey and Eric Roberts do their best to keep up with these amateurs as you can clearly tell the majority of this cast needs some acting lessons. Also, if you happen to be Hispanic or of Latino heritage, do not see this film as it repeatedly treats Hispanics like dirt and is conveyed through the mouthpiece of a degenerate white male. With that being said, “Taco Shop” should have never been made, but due to a cultural holiday we are given it anyway.

Score: 0.3/5