Sony Pictures Home Entertainment has send us over information one of their upcoming DVD release "Firefiles in the Garden". The film boasts an all star cast that includes  Ryan Reynolds (Green Lantern, The Proposal), two-time Best Supporting Actor Oscar^® nominee Willem Dafoe (Platoon, 1986; Shadow of the Vampire, 2000), two-time Best Actress Oscar^® nominee Emily Watson (Breaking the Waves, 1996; Hilary and Jackie, 1998), Carrie Anne Moss (The Matrix trilogy), Hayden Panettiere (TV’s “Heroes”) and Academy Award^® winner Julia Roberts (Best Actress, Erin Brockovich, 2000). 

DVD Features include: A Flash of Life: The Making of Fireflies in the Garden” Featurette. "Fireflies in the Garden" is set to hit DVD shelves and VOD on Feburary 7th.   

Press Release:

An all-star cast headlines the powerful, character driven drama Fireflies in the Garden, debuting on DVD and Digital February 7^th from Sony Pictures Home Entertainment. Ryan Reynolds (Green Lantern, The Proposal), two-time Best Supporting Actor Oscar^® nominee Willem Dafoe (Platoon, 1986; Shadow of the Vampire, 2000), two-time Best Actress Oscar^® nominee Emily Watson (Breaking the Waves, 1996; Hilary and Jackie, 1998), Carrie Anne Moss (The Matrix trilogy), Hayden Panettiere (TV’s “Heroes”) and Academy Award^® winner Julia Roberts (Best Actress, Erin Brockovich, 2000) star in the story of a seemingly perfect family and the conflicting, interpersonal relationships which bring their dysfunctional and destructive elements to the forefront. When a tragic accident leaves them without the one person they could count on to keep them together, they are forced onto a path in search of forgiveness and redemption. Bonus materials include the behind-the-scenes featurette “A Flash of Life: The Making of Fireflies in the Garden.” Fireflies in the Garden will be available for $30.99 SRP (DVD). 

Synopsis:

To an outsider, the Taylors are the very picture of the successful American family: Charles (Willem Dafoe) is a tenured professor on track to become university president, son Michael (Ryan Reynolds) is a prolific and well-known romance novelist, daughter Ryne (Shannon Lucio) is poised to enter a prestigious law school, and on the day we are introduced to them, matriarch Lisa (Julia Roberts) will graduate from college-decades after leaving to raise her children. But when a serious accident interrupts the celebration, the far more nuanced reality of this Midwestern family's history and relationships come to light.

DVD Bonus Features Include:

§  “A Flash of Life: The Making of Fireflies in the Garden” Featurette

I haven’t read the Green Lantern comic books put out by DC Comics, so I have no idea of how true the movie is to the source material. Frankly, I don’t care if it is or isn’t because nothing can change the fact that “Green Lantern” is a very dull affair. There’s nothing here to distinguish this particular superhero from so many others like him. He’s just another guy who suddenly gets these amazing powers but is not sure that he is “the one” to save the day. I know a lot of friends who idolize this particular comic book character, but this movie makes him look frustratingly generic at best.

Ryan Reynolds stars as Hal Jordan, a test pilot who somehow becomes a Green Lantern after Abin Sur, mortally wounded, orders his ring to find a worthy successor. Of course, when the ring picks Hal and hurtles him a hundred miles away to where Abin is at, he’s convinced the ring made a mistake. But we all know by the end that he will live up to the Green Lantern standard and live to save the day. This is regardless of him being irresponsible and in taking too many chances as a hotshot pilot. Maverick from “Top Gun” seems to live on in one form or another after 25 years.

The trouble with “Green Lantern” came at the start when the prologue offered us some exposition about who these beings are. I really couldn’t understand or care about any of it, and it also didn’t help that one schmuck ahead of me was still playing around with his cell phone after the movie started. Another guy behind me asked him to turn it off, and it took him another two minutes to do so. Needless to say it was distracting and it took my attention away from what the narration was saying. Then again, I’m not sure I would still understand what was going on.

The other problem is that as a character, Hal Osborn/Green Lantern is not that interesting. Or at least, he’s not interesting as portrayed here. Hal, as I pointed out earlier is a Maverick/Tom Cruise clone from “Top Gun,” and we’ve seen this kind of character a hundred times before. As for Green Lantern, he has the power to make anything he thinks of become real. Now on one hand that’s cool, but it also makes his fights seem like they were over as soon as they started. The movie becomes a big special effects show, and like “Speed Racer” the action scenes lack friction to make them truly exciting.

Regardless of his abilities, Green Lantern pales in comparison to Batman and Superman among others. I don’t care if he can fly, travel through space or make one hell of a fist; he seems weak when you stand him up against Wolverine. There’s not much character depth here, and we can figure out his arc right from the start. Perhaps if I read the comic books I would feel differently about Green Lantern overall.

In terms of the other characters, there are a lot of blown opportunities here. Peter Sarsgaard plays Dr. Hector Hammond who’s an immensely eccentric scientist whose actions are governed by his crush on Carol Ferris (Blake Lively) and the fact that his father (Tim Robbins) is deeply disappointed with him. This could have made for a very compelling villain, but Hammond ends up becoming your typical one-dimensional villain, and he exits the movie way too soon.

In addition, you have Carol Ferris who’s the obligatory love interest who hates how reckless Hal gets, but of course she still has the hots for him. You have Thaal Sinestro whose one of the most lauded Green Lanterns, but he thinks that Hal is unworthy of this special status. Does he gain respect for Hal by the movie’s end? Does a bear shit in the woods?

The acting overall is good, and there’s not too much to complain about. Ryan Reynolds acquits himself well in the iconic role of Hal Osborn/Green Lantern and holds his own throughout. Whether or not he looks more comfortable in a romantic comedy didn’t matter after a bit.

I had to keep pinching myself to remember that Blake Lively, who’s very glamorous here, had also played a serious drug addict in Ben Affleck’s “The Town.” She looks completely different here, and she’s a better actress than I bothered to realize before.

As for Peter Sarsgaard and Mark Strong (“Robin Hood,” “Body Of Lies”), they do the best they can with seriously underwritten parts. The same goes for Tim Robbins and Angela Bassett who somehow ended up in this mess which wastes their talents. Geoffrey Rush and Michael Clarke Duncan fare a little better as they voice some of the more popular Green Lantern killers in the series.

It’s hard to believe that “Green Lantern” was directed by the same man who reinvigorated James Bond with “Casino Royale.” Martin Campbell has proven himself to be adept at helming action movies that are strong on character and never boring. With him behind the camera, I was convinced that “Green Lantern” would really work as a live action movie. The fact that it doesn’t makes it a surprising disappointment.

Aside from a kick ass James Newton Howard score and some great special effects, there’s very little to recommend about “Green Lantern.” Granted, every comic book movie can’t be like “The Dark Knight,” but they should take lessons from it all the same. There are so many movies out there based on comics from Marvel or DC, and filmmakers really need to work harder at differentiating superheroes from one another. Otherwise, it’s just gonna be the same old shit.

* ½ out of * * * *

Lionsgate recently released the official poster for the upcoming Ryan Reynolds thriller "Buried".

Paul Conroy is not ready to die.

But when he wakes up 6 feet underground with no idea of who put him there or why, life for the truck driver and family man instantly becomes a hellish struggle for survival. Buried with only a cell phone and a lighter, his contact with the outside world and ability to piece together clues that could help him discover his location are maddeningly limited. Poor reception, a rapidly draining battery, and a dwindling oxygen supply become his worst enemies in a tightly confined race against time- fighting panic, despair and delirium, Paul has only 90 minutes to be rescued before his worst nightmare comes true.

"Buried" hits theaters in limited release on September 24th and expands nationwide on October 8th.

Film Arcade recently got ahold from Lionsgate, the teaser poster and trailer for "Buried" which stars Ryan Reynolds.

Paul Conroy is not ready to die.

But when he wakes up 6 feet underground with no idea of who put him there or why, life for the truck driver and family man instantly becomes a hellish struggle for survival. Buried with only a cell phone and a lighter, his contact with the outside world and ability to piece together clues that could help him discover his location are maddeningly limited. Poor reception, a rapidly draining battery, and a dwindling oxygen supply become his worst enemies in a tightly confined race against time- fighting panic, despair and delirium, Paul has only 90 minutes to be rescued before his worst nightmare comes true.

"Buried" hits select theaters September 24th and nationwide October 8. For more information on this film, you can goto: http://www.experienceburied.com/ and follow "Buried" on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/experienceburied

"Buried" Official Trailer

Vitagraph film recently send us over information on their upcoming release "Paper Man", which goes into limited release tomorrow.

Paper Man is an inspirational comedic drama about an unlikely friendship between Richard (Jeff Daniels), a failed middle-aged novelist who has never quite grown up and Abby (Emma Stone), a 17-year-old girl whose role in a family tragedy years earlier has stolen away her youth. Both are unsure, both are afraid to take firm steps forward, and both are looking for that special friend—that connection—to help guide them into the future. Since his childhood, Richard has mostly relied on the imaginary one that resides in his head—a costumed superhero known as Captain Excellent (Ryan Reynolds).

At the urging of his wife Claire (Lisa Kudrow), Richard has moved to a Long Island beach community for the winter season in order to overcome his writer’s block. There, Richard meets Abby and hires her as a weekly babysitter, even though he has no children. Their tenuous, new friendship is sparked by Richard’s awe over Abby’s homemade soup and Abby’s enjoyment of Richard’s writing and his attempts at Origami. As the season progresses and the warm, quirky friendship between Richard and Abby grows, the two begin to share with each other their dreams and life hardships. With the coming of spring, Richard and Abby discover there comes a time to let go of the imaginary friends of the past and to embrace the future as a new beginning—just as one would embrace a new and unique friendship.

You can catch "Paper Man at these theaters:

4/23 New York, NY • Angelika Film Centre

Friday 4/23: Special appearances by Kieran Culkin & co-director Michele Mulroney. Q&A's after 7:55pm show.

Sunday 4/25: Special appearances by Jeff Daniels, Kieran Culkin & co-director Michele Mulroney. Q&A's after 7:55pm show.

11:50am, 2:15, 7:55, and an additional 12:35am show on Friday and Saturday.

Los Angeles, CA • The Landmark
with special appearances by Lisa Kudrow, Emma Stone & co-director Kieran Mulroney. Friday & Saturday 4/23 & 4/24. Q&A's after the 7:20pm show before the 9:50pm shows.

Irvine, CA • Edwards University Town Center 6

4/30
Dallas, TX • Magnolia Theatre
5/7
Seattle, WA • Metro Cinema
5/21
San Fransisco, CA • Landmark Theatres
Austin, TX • Dobie Theatre
Berkeley CA • Shattuck Theatre
5/28
Chicago, IL • Century Centre Cinema
6/11
Minneapolis, MN • Lagoon Cinema

For updated theater listings, please visit the official website at http://www.papermanthemovie.com

"Paper Man": Official Trailer

Written & Directed by: Adam Brooks

Starring: Ryan Reynolds, Abigail Breslin, Elizabeth Banks, Isla Fisher, Rachel Weisz, Kevin Kline

Movie Rating: 2

Film Rating: 3

In so many ways I should not like Ryan Reynolds. Yet here I am, movie after movie, liking the guy. Even though he basically plays various versions of himself, there is something kind of likeable about him. And that was kind of how I felt about this movie: I shouldn’t like it, but the people in it are just so darn likeable.

Pre-show: After passing some random scantily clad girls in the hallway promoting the release of “10,000 B.C.” I was beginning to wonder if I had missed my theatre. Noting that “Rambo” was playing next door to the ladies, I followed the small groups of middle aged woman and sure enough, found the right theatre. I knew the work week had taken its toll on me, but much like Homer Simpson’s loss of doorbell recognition, I apparently lost the knowledge of how to navigate a multiplex at some point this week. Safely settled alone in a seat between two snuggly couples, I was ready for the Valentine’s Day movie of the week.

Movie: “Definitely, Maybe” is the story of Will Hayes (Ryan Reynolds) who is about to sign his divorce papers and who must relive his romantic life at his daughter’s insistence. Since Will adores his daughter Maya (Abigail Breslin) and because she refuses to let it go, Will agrees to tell her the story of his romantic history. However, much like “Dragnet” the names have been changed to protect the innocent. The innocent being the ears of a child in this instance. The flashbacks are punctuated with moments in the present where Maya quizzes her father for answers and tries to figure out which woman in the story is her real life mother. It actually flows rather smoothly, if predictably.

The best part about the movie by a mile is the cast. The characters are nothing truly spectacular but the cast brings such a sweetness and charm that it was hard not to enjoy the movie on some level. Will seems to have a nice chemistry with all the women, but it is precisely that chemistry that telegraphs how each woman will actually fit into his life in the present. Though predictable, it never really felt all that hokey.

Though the story moves along nicely and is never too overly sentimental, that is not to say that it was really well written. The dialogue was rarely memorable and the story went on longer than it should have. However, the script definitely gets points for realism, flow, and interest. I think if there had been any other cast in the roles that this movie would have been a much tougher sale on the script and story alone. The actors make the scenes and they make the movie.

Isla Fisher is just lovely here. At times her character borders on annoying but it is Fisher that makes the character so sweet and likeable despite her quirks. The same can be said about an animated Rachel Weisz and a subdued Elizabeth Banks. Reynolds makes a believable father, although not necessarily of Breslin. Still, Reynolds clearly has a nice bond with the actress and it shows on screen. My favorite role was probably that of Kevin Kline as Hampton Roth. Of course when Kline is in a movie, it is hard for him to not be one’s favorite. On paper the character is a bit over the top, but Kline seems to ground him and make him interesting.

Although this movie was kind of mediocre, it still held my interest for most of the show, and I found that I actually really enjoyed the evening. If for no other reason than it made me nostalgic for New York City. When you live in a city like New York, you are living so close to other people that there is a kind of forced kinship. It is rare in movies to see that kinship and sort of nice side to New York. I’m not saying it is a happy go lucky town, but not everybody starts the day off at the bagel shop there hearing, “You want lox on that? No? Well fuck you!” In this movie there seemed to be a little bit more of a realistic portrayal of what it is like to live in New York. I mean, for a movie. Anyway, I kind of dug that. It made me homesick for the East Coast.

Overall this movie was actually rather pleasant. It appears to be a comedy in the trailers, but do not let that fool you. This is more of a drama than anything. It is a sweet love story told without a lot of bells and whistles, without a lot of swelling music, and without a lot of overly romantic gestures and speeches. Well, the last bit was kept to a minimum at least. For someone like me who seems to have an allergy to schmaltz, that was a nice surprise. Maybe not a theatre kind of pick, but I would definitely recommend it for DVD or cable.