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    Mike Ryan

    Mike Ryan

    Senior Entertainment Writer, The Huffington Post

  • This Movie Killed The Space-Themed Action-Adventure Movie

    “Episode I” was finally released in 1999.) Children of that era (ahem) were already so scattershot with their attention spans, that they had moved on to G.I. Joe and Transformers for entertainment. By 1985, "Power of the Force"-labeled “Star Wars” action figures warmed retail-store pegs. The first movie my parents ever took me to see in a theater was “The Empire Strikes Back.” The next year, in 1981, they took me to see a re-release of the original “Star Wars.” I know my father wasn’t a particular fan of “Star Wars,” but he tolerated it because they are genuinely entertaining movies.

  • Christian Slater's Man-Crush On Benedict Cumberbatch

    Over his career, Slater has sure earned his reputation as a "bad boy" (a term he uses), from his on-screen roles in "Heathers" and "True Romance" to his past, off-screen troubles that, kind of surprisingly, the now 44-year-old Slater does not shy away from discussing. Oh, yes, that controversial Lars von Trier movie: In "Nymphomaniac" (which has been divided into two separate films for theatrical release), Slater plays the father of a woman named Joe (Charlotte Gainsbourg), whose sexual evolution is told in flashback -- detailing her sexual origin from youth until her experiences as a mature woman.

  • Is There Going To Be A Doctor Strange Movie?

    One of the most talked about Marvel Studios properties that still doesn't have an official release announcement is "Doctor Strange." (Eagle-eyed Marvel fans, however, should keep an eye out for an Easter egg in the upcoming "Captain America: The Winter Soldier.") On Wednesday, we spoke to Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige (the full interview will publish closer to the release of "Captain America: The Winter Soldier") who gave us an update on the status of Dr. Stephen Strange, going as far to admit that he'd be surprised at this point if a "Doctor Strange" movie doesn't happen. Also, it's already known that in the upcoming "Avengers: Age of Ultron," Elizabeth Olsen and Aaron Taylor-Johnson play the mutants Scarlet Witch and Quicksilver, respectively.

  • Scarlett Johansson Confirms There Will Be No Delays In Shooting 'Avengers: Age Of Ultron'

    Scarlett Johansson is currently promoting the upcoming sure-to-be blockbuster "Captain America: The Winter Soldier." Though, with rumors of her upcoming pregnancy, there have been some questions about another inevitable blockbuster, "Avengers: Age of Ultron" -- in which, like the new "Captain America," Johansson is supposed to have another large and physically demanding role -- and if this news will lead to any delays in the shooting. On Wednesday afternoon, we spoke to Johansson (the full interview will publish closer to the release of "Captain America: The Winter Soldier"), who did her best to put everyone's minds at ease that the Black Widow will be a-okay.

  • Is 'Need For Speed' That Bad?

    The reviews have been pretty unkind to "Need For Speed" and, admittedly, while watching the film I rolled my eyes quite a few times. The aforementioned Tobey Marshall, portrayed by Aaron Paul, is our "Need for Speed" hero. Tobey owns a small garage and street races at night to help pay the mortgage.

  • Why Your TV Series Finale Sucks

    The HBO series “True Detective” on Sunday night finished its eight-episode arc exploring the partnership between one Detective Rustin Cohle (Matthew McConaughey) and Detective Marty Hart (Woody Harrelson). It’s also remarkable that, in only eight episodes, “True Detective” managed to piss off the Internet with its finale -– something also usually reserved for a series that has logged quite a few seasons. There’s a good chance that a show like “True Detective” may have gone unnoticed if it weren’t for the Internet.

  • Did Lena Dunham Deliver A Good 'SNL'?

    The hype that surrounds the announcement of an interesting “SNL” host like Lena Dunham is always odd. Usually the extra noise will come from the fans of that host, as opposed to people who watch “SNL” on a weekly basis.

  • The 'SNL' Cast Has A Size Problem

    Chevy Chase, John Belushi, Jane Curtin, Garrett Morris, Dan Aykroyd, Lorraine Newman, Gilda Radnor -- became personalities. What people remember about that original cast are the classic sketches that have been replayed hundreds of times since they originally aired. What those seven original cast members had going for them is that they were such large personalities -- and that there were only seven of them.

  • Eva Green Absolutely Steals '300: Rise Of An Empire'

    Oh, I don't like watching myself. But thank you for the kind words. Why not?

  • Should You See 'Non-Stop' If You Are Afraid To Fly?

    It's rare that I don't see a big budget studio movie before release –- especially a movie that is currently number one at the box office, as is the case with the Liam Neeson thriller “Non-Stop. Now, I did my best to avoid “Non-Stop” because, frankly, I am terrified of flying and this movie happens to be about a distressed commercial airliner. There was no way I was going to see “Non-Stop” unless Liam Neeson himself wanted to take me on a tour of New York City.

  • We Knocked A Table Over Onto Jeff Goldblum (He Survived)

    Or, you could just accidentally dump a table onto the lap of Jeff Goldblum, watching him dodge a cup of hot coffee and a bottle of water with the reflexes of a cheetah. Goldblum is in this weekend's new Wes Anderson film, "The Grand Budapest Hotel." Goldblum plays Deputy Kovacs, a man responsible for dividing up the vast fortune that was left behind after the death of an eccentric widow who frequented the aforementioned Grand Budapest Hotel. It's almost impossible to present here a "preview," if you will, of what to expect below with an interview with a man as purposefully discombobulated as Jeff Goldblum.

  • 'Batman Vs. Superman' Directer Fires Back At Accusations

    It's safe to say that Zack Snyder is a polarizing director. Snyder is often heralded for the visual imagery that he brings to his films -- it almost feels commonplace now, but when the original "300" was released, its visual style was groundbreaking -- yet, most of his features are divided equally on both sides of the critical argument. For instance, "Man of Steel," last summer's Superman movie that grossed just under $700 million worldwide, created a boisterous rift between critics who loved the imagery that Snyder created versus those who were baffled at Superman's nonchalant inadvertent destruction of Metropolis.

  • How Was Jim Parsons On Colin Jost's First 'SNL' Last Night?

    After almost a month off for the Olympics, “SNL” returned last night with a new feel – hey, there’s a new guy hosting “Weekend Update”! – and a fairly disjointed show. This Jim Parsons-hosted show had the nervous jitters of a season opener, not a show from March. ”Bird Bible” (O’Brien, McKinnon) I am honestly surprised that this aired when it did in the show -- and good for Mike O’Brien to get something so obviously his and so obviously weird on that early in the proceedings.

  • Should You See The 'Super-Sized R-Rated Version' Of 'Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues'?

    Today, in select theaters, patrons will have the opportunity to see a longer, completely re-cut and R-rated version of “Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues.” Now, yes, this does seem like a bit of a cash-grab and if you’ve ever watched the deleted-scenes movie, “Wake Up Ron Burgundy,” that came with the "Anchorman" DVD, you know that not everything that was thrown on the cutting room floor from the first film is comedic gold. Did you hate “Anchorman 2: The Legend of Ron Burgundy”? No: Then you might want to see the new version of “Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues.” Keep reading.

  • Why Jeff Goldblum Isn't In 'Jurassic World'

    Independence Day and Jurassic Park -- will be adding new sequels soon. "Independence Day" director Roland Emmerich had already revealed that Goldblum was in talks to reprise his role in the upcoming sequel, but it's surprising to hear Goldblum admit why he's not appearing in the upcoming "Jurassic World." It's the same reason he didn't appear in "Jurassic Park III" ...

  • What's It Like To Be Addicted To LEGO?

    Are these for you? asks the woman at the checkout counter of a New York City toy store as I buy eight packs of “The LEGO Movie” characters. Now, my first instinct is to lie.

  • Remembering The Late Harold Ramis

    The first thing I saw online about Harold Ramis' death was Jason Reitman’s tweet, comparing the loss of Ramis to that of losing a Beatle. Ramis had a creative hand in some of the most influential and beloved comedies in the cultural zeitgeist: “SCTV,” “Meatballs,” "Animal House," “Caddyshack,” "Stripes," “Ghostbusters,” "Groundhog Day” ... the list goes on and on.

  • Do You Like Disaster Porn? Then You Might Like 'Pompeii'

    So, young Johnny Pompeii's family was slaughtered by Romans, now Johnny Pompeii is a slave who is forced to fight in gladiator battles. a.m. Johnny Pompeii risks his life to help a horse that has fallen.

  • Kevin Costner's Big Comeback?

    Kevin Costner wants to be a movie star again. What's also interesting is just how easily this is happening for still only 59-year-old actor -– it's a grand comeback that few people even realize is happening. It's a remarkable resurgence in productivity and attention.

  • No, The 'Captain America: The Winter Solider' Soundtrack Listing Probably Isn't Real

    Now (most likely fake spoiler alert), the particular track in question is titled, “Alexander Pierce is the Red Skull.” And, yes, if the rest of the titles weren’t so obviously fake, the reveal that Robert Redford’s character is the Red Skull would have been a big spoiler.