Friday, May 13, 2005

It's scary out there

A frightening hodgepodge of four new movies opens nationwide today, which should at least make for an effective band-aid after the summer box office tripped out of the gate last weekend (before the permanent fix arrives next week).

Not that Mindhunters is going to make money, but Kicking & Screaming will no doubt open at the top and bring in the family money for a few more weekends, even if it is lame.

The only one of the bunch I've actually seen is Monster-in-Law. The weak, generic, comedy is only of interest for Jane Fonda's first screen appearance in fifteen years. She's funny in the movie, but not in a way that would make anyone forget 9 to 5.

It's a little like watching DeNiro in Meet the Parents: you understand what they're trying to do, and are gratified they're at least pretty good at it, but you can't help but think you're watching genuine talent go to waste. Do good actors reach a point where they simply lose interest in working with good directors?

Monster-in-Law is also another whatever film choice for Jennifer Lopez. She's come a long way from the promising actress of Mi Familia, Selena, Blood & Wine and Out of Sight. These days most people consider her to be an annoyance, not an actress. She treats herself like a one woman industry and her career seems less focused on good work than on on world domination.

In her film career Lopez has demonstrated a clear preference for lame romance, and very little of it has actually been successful. Monster-in-Law will probably sit comfortably with her other work this decade, and that's not something to be proud of.

A lot of major actresses seem to try to pattern their careers after Julia Roberts. But they should take a look at the films Julia has actually made. Otherwise the actress you're truly emulating is a lot less interesting.

No comments: