The Back-Up Plan

After trying to win an Oscar with her husband, (Mark Anthony aka Skelator), in the movie El cantante, J-Lo is back doing what she did best (Hollywood history has shown that you never do a movie with your spouse). The Back-Up Plan is a wannabe romantic comedy. I say wannabe because it is not as funny as J-Lo's past successes in this arena. The movie starts out with a Doris Day type cartoon to remind you that this is a romantic comedy. This was already a weak attempt. The story is centered on a woman who tries to have a baby through artificial insemination, only to meet the man of her dreams on the very same day.
The editing is really bad in this movie because some scenes take forever to get through to the next. The chemistry between the 2 main characters, J-Lo and Alex O'Loughlin is fine however he does not have any friends? The only supporting friend he has is a stranger he meets in the park, Anthony Anderson. Why couldn't he be his friend? Anderson, who was hilarious in Two Can Play That Game is totally wasted in this movie.
J-Lo friends are also not that funny. With any romantic comedy you need funny supporting players, think Emily Blunt in The Devil Wears Prada.
This movie is a waste of time. The only good thing is that at 40 years old J-Lo still looks fetching! Good Genes or Good Doctor?

Verdict: J-Lo, you have been away too long. How many more romantic comedies can you make?

Death At A Funeral

This movie is a remake of a Frank Oz 2007 flick. This version it is the story about Aaron, Chris Rock, a well-mannered and hard working young man, married to Michelle Regina Hall, and still living at his father's home. When his father dies, it is up to Aaron, the oldest son, to organize the funeral and give the eulogy. There are many other story lines within the movie and there lies the problem.
The trailer for this movie was great but had the majority of the laughs that movie has.
I thought this was going to be Chris Rock's first big movie hit however Tracey Morgan steals the movie away from him. This is not Morgan's breakthrough role but if I was a comedian I wouldn't want him in my movies, he is that funny.
Zoe Saldana and Christopher Short (who are also both in The Losers?!?) also star in this movie.

Verdict: Too much dialogue and comics, not enough laughs.

Kick-Ass

Yes I was a comic book collector. Yes I was one of the thousand of kids that got rid of their comic collections before they were worth anything. Why do I bring this up? because Kick-Ass is a cool comic book movie.
The story is about a high school student and comic book fan who one day makes the simple decision to become a super-hero even though he has no powers or training.
Not much of a story but remember Batman didn't have any superpowers.
I didn't hear any early buzz on this movie but I saw people lining up for sneak previews in San Francisco on a recent trip so I knew it had to be good and it is.
THIS IS NOT A NICK CAGE MOVIE however Nick Cage stars as single parent Big Daddy who is an ex cop bent on revenge. His daughter Chloe Moretz (remember that name) is raised to be a super hero named Hit Girl. Chloe is OUTSTANDING and you can't wait until she returns to the screen. She is that good. Beware: There is lots of blood and gore which may be too much for the casual movie watcher. Some scenes in the movie are like a video game with graphic violence and big boob skanks. This is the first movie this year that had my adrenaline rushing due to vivid cinematography and a crisp soundtrack. Hit Girl has an Elvis Presley snarl when she gets mad and the director cleverly inserts an Elvis song at a key moment. McLovin from Superbad is in the movie as well and does a good job. The only flaw in the movie for me is that Yancy Butler (that crazy women from Lifetime movies) is in the movie but is wasted.

Verdict: Kick-Ass is fresh and funny. I will say it again, Chloe Moretz is OUTSTANDING!

Date Night

I hated Tina Fey in Baby Mama (her first starring major movie role) and I wanted it so badly to be good because I loved her on Saturday Night Live.
With Date Night I didn't expect much and I was pleasantly surprised. The story is about a married couple whose domestic life has become routine. Phil, Steve Carell, decides to take his wife, Tina Fey, to the city for dinner and chaos ensues. Yes at times it seems like a long Saturday Night skit but this one is a little more focused on the characters than cheap laughs. Various actors have cameo roles and Common plays one of the bad guys. Common is the bald headed black guy in every other movie that grimaces and does not say much. He seems to be getting alot of work that way but they need to give the guy something to say. Marky Mark Whalberg walks around without a shirt and Ray Liotta plays a Mafia type hood. Some slow periods throughout the flick but great moments of dialogue. The chemistry between Fey and Carell is dynamic and they should continue to do movies together. Don't make the mistake Will Smith did with not teaming up with Kevin Smith again.

Verdict: Great script, good movie, and Tina Fey what more can I say. Check it out! Director Kevin Smith (Cop Out) should take notes from Director Shawn Levy, this is how you make a comedy.

Why Did I Get Married Too?

After seeing the first version of this movie I didn't think there was much more to say. I was wrong, Tyler Perry has found his movie franchise. WDIGM2 is so good I can see 2 more movies being made with this great cast of characters. The story takes the four couples from the first movie, reunites them in the Bahamas, and they spend time analyzing their marriages with disastrous results. Tasha Smith as Angela steals the movie from everyone with her over the top performance. She is EXCELLENT and should be nominated. I do think that Perry should develop a television show for her and her husband in the movie, Marcus, Michael Jai White.
Janet Jackson and the other stars also manage to give solid performances. Perry does not really get into Janet's character's background so expect to see why she is such a BITCH in WDIGM3.
The movie runs a bit long and is not for everyone.

VERDICT: Must see for Tasha Smith's excellent and funny scenes. A Star is Born!