OPENING THIS WEEK

Seth Rogen (left) and Charlize Theron in “Long Shot”

Long Shot

Directed by Jonathan Levine; stars Charlize Theron, Seth Rogen, Lisa Kudrow, Andy Serkis

A free-spirited journalist runs into a sophisticated politician, who happens to be his former babysitter.

Katie Walsh of the Tribune News Service says, “It’s ‘Veep,’ but less absurdly acid-tongued, and a lot more swoony. Still, the incisive cultural and political commentary cuts deep, and Theron and Rogen turn out to be a winning pair.”

Joe Morgenstern of Wall Street Journal, however, begs to differ: “The pleasingly adolescent absurdities soon regress to grindingly infantile and the raunch grows repetitious until the comedy wears out its welcome.”

Ai-Ai delas Alas in “S.O.N.S. (Sons of Nanay Sabel)”

S.O.N.S. (Sons of Nanay Sabel)

Directed by Dado Lumibao; stars Ai-Ai delas Alas, Ex Battalion, Kylie Verzosa

The film follows a mother who looks for her lost sons and hopes to reconnect with them after many years apart.

Comedienne Delas Alas stars with the hip-hop group that she manages.

“In creating videos for the internet, anything goes,” Ex Battalion member Skusta Clee told the Inquirer. “But for this film, we had to undergo workshops. There’s a script we have to follow.”

Jodi Sta. Maria (left) and Gabby Concepcion in “Man and Wife”

Man and Wife

Directed by Laurice Guillen; stars Gabby Concepcion, Jodi Sta. Maria, Liza Lorena

Spouses’ marriage becomes complicated due to meddling family members from both sides.

Sta. Maria recently told Inquirer Bandera, “As an actor, [Gabby] is really good. And as a person … he’s very humble.”

To the actress’ surprise, their first shooting day was devoted to an intimate scene, she recalled. “But, I must say that he was a real gentleman.”

Pikachu (voiced by Ryan Reynolds) with Justice Smith in “Pokémon Detective Pikachu”

Pokémon Detective Pikachu (May 9)

Directed by Rob Letterman; features the voice of Ryan Reynolds; stars Justice Smith, Ken Watanabe, Kathryn Newton

A top detective goes missing, so his son and a mysterious creature partner up to solve the mystery.

AV Club’s Jesse Hassenger opines, “‘Detective Pikachu’ settles into the generic rhythms of a second-tier ’80s cop movie—in other words, noir for dummies.”

But, Guardian’s Steven Rose says, “The inspired casting of the ‘Deadpool’ actor transforms this from an average Pokémon movie into fun family fare.”