Ryan Reynolds, Jason Blum and Blumhouse honored at the 36th American Cinematheque Awards

Although we were in the middle of Beverly Hills last night for Ryan Reynolds’ American Cinematheque Awards ceremony, you’d be forgiven for thinking you’d somehow been transported to Canada from the Beverly Hilton International Ballroom. Judging by this procedure, Reynolds may be the most popular importer to ever cross the line.

Numerous presenters and contestants, notably Reynolds’ heavily pregnant wife Blake Lively (they have three daughters with one other child), reported to the star dead pool, free man and Other Hits has never strayed far from what he truly considers “home,” and that is his native Canada, adding that he is the first Canadian recipient of the award in his 36 years. I can’t remember the last time I sat through a Hollywood tribute like this and felt compelled to stand up and sing the song. everyone Canadian National Anthem (ze could to get the lyrics on screen for us non-Canadians in the crowd). This was followed by enthusiastic recorded remarks from Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau praising the actor. This man is bigger than hockey. At least that’s my impression.

Among those who showed up in person for the toast and barbecue – but surprisingly not too many – was Reynolds Mary Steenburgen (who played his mother) the application), Nathan Fillion (still One more Canadian), who starred with him in the ABC sitcom Two men, A girl and a pizzeria, and Octavia Spencer, who is currently co-starring in Apple TV+’s new Christmas movie Funny. But as she noted, she first worked with Reynolds in a small role as Crackhead, described only as a “streetwalker/pedestrian.” the nine Another stream Funny Co-star Will Ferrell spoke first.

“It’s an award for an outstanding performer in the entertainment industry,” Ferrell said, before asking, “What happened? Who failed?”

Fillion laughed, noting that he has a habit of pre-writing eulogies for his friends and then reading one he wrote for Reynolds. His current bromance with Welcome to Wrexham Buddy and partner Rob McElhenney were on full display in his commentary, which bordered on the love letter.

Producer and director Shawn Levy who created Free Guy, The Adam Project and do the following Dead pool 3 with Reynolds and Hugh Jackman – “if it doesn’t work, we blame Jackman,” Levy laughed – was very funny and sincere as he gave the presentation to the star, who was genuinely touched by all the attention.

“I’ve never taken myself too seriously. It creates an incredible paradox that I’m being celebrated with a very serious awards show,” Reynolds said modestly. “I was standing in this very room eight years ago when Jeff Bridges put his arms around me and looked around a room full of executives, movie stars and producers and said, ‘This is ours. tribe, Man!’ Reynolds said he initially dismissed it, but has since come to recognize the show business community is A “tribe” and he is proud to be a part of it.

Among the video tributes is the hilarious one from Reynolds RIPD Co-star Bridges was a real highlight. Jackman, on stage the music man, released one featuring his son as Deadpool, Salma Hayek, Helen Mirren and Monica Baccarin also filmed tributes interwoven with numerous clip packages highlighting various aspects of the tribute’s career and showing the versatility that made him a star.

Before the main event, Blumhouse founder and producer Jason Blum took the stage as both the company and its director received the American Cinematheque Power Of Cinema Award. The gong was presented by Donna Langley, president of Universal’s Filmed Entertainment Group, after a cold reel of Blum’s signature horror films was shown. The head of the studio that has counted on Blum for the past decade as the executive producer of some very big Universal hits, including the Oscar winners. Go away, the black phone, the purge franchise, the latest Halloween Trilogy and More – admitted she was so scared of horror movies that she couldn’t watch the role, but had nothing but praise for the prolific producer, who, upon accepting the credit, expressed his gratitude and noted that “there are few awards for horror films and films far in between”.

The evening began with remarks from American Cinematheque Chairman Rick Nicita, President Mark Badagliacca and Hill Valley Board Member, Founder and CEO Eric Nebot. The Cinematheque currently operates the Aero and Los Feliz theaters for its various film programs, and is relocating its other location – along with Netflix – to the world-famous Egyptian Theatre, which reopens next year to celebrate its first 100th anniversary.