It was a slightly above average week in the Pop Bunker House of Blues, with three films that all landed squarely within the strike zone of my expectations. It’s a Three-Star Extravaganza next…
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THE BACK-UP PLAN (2010)
Written by Kate Angelo
Directed by Alan Poul
CBS Films
”I’m sorry. Did you just call me a ‘stupidhead’?”
It’s all a matter of timing, and it couldn’t be a worse time for Zoe (Jennifer Lopez) to meet Stan (Alex O’Loughlin). See, Zoe has decided that she’s never going to find Mr. Right and decides to be artificially inseminated to have a child. Then Stan comes along, and they find that starting a relationship under these unusual circumstances is going to be complicated.
Lopez and O’Loughlin have decent chemistry, and overall this wasn’t a terrible film. There are no big surprises, but there are more than a few good laughs. Unsurprisingly, the movie gets stolen away from the leads by a who’s who of supporting players, including Robert Klein, Tom Bosley, and Linda Lavin.
I especially liked Michaela Watkins as Zoe’s best friend Mona, Jennifer Elise Cox cracks up as a clerk at Babies “Я” Us, and Anthony Anderson has some great improv moments as a dad at the playground.
It’s cute. Worth a rental if you need it, but it’s mostly good for a mid-weekend viewing when it hits HBO or something.
Elwood Says: 3 Twin X Torpedos out of 5.
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COP OUT (2010)
Written by Robb Cullen and Mark Cullen
Directed by Kevin Smith
Warner Brothers Pictures
”You like that? We practiced that shit for an hour.”
From the opening scene where Tracy Morgan interrogates a suspect using nothing but quotes from movies, this film freely admits that is nothing but homage to other movies. By and large, this is not a bad thing.
Taking from pretty much any movie (cop or otherwise) made between 1980 and 1992, whether it’s a Buddy Cop film, or a Rogue Cop flick, a comedy or drama, an action film or character piece, there is a sprinkling of it packed into this laugher from Kevin Smith. I caught some Lethal Weapon, a pinch of Tango and Cash, dollops of Running Scared, The Blues Brothers, Midnight Run, and even Bruce Willis’ own The Last Boy Scout.
Also, the movie’s score – a twinkly synthesized theme – is right out of the Beverly Hills Cop franchise. If it wasn’t for the fact that Harold Faltermeyer actually wrote the score for Cop Out (he also recycles a song he wrote for Fletch, as well as a new original song sung by Patti Labelle who did 2 songs on the BHC soundtrack), I would have suggested he sue. Instead, it’s kind of incredibly awesome.
This is Kevin Smith’s first time directing a film without also writing it, and since he’s a walking encyclopedia of film himself he manages to pull this off in a serviceable fashion. Granted, this was a gimme for Smith. I’d be curious to see what he would do with a straight-up drama sometime. (Frankly, anything to keep him away from writing more crappy Batman comics.)
It’s busy, and it’s funny, and I would certainly enjoy seeing it again.
You know…as an homage to when I watched it the first time.
Elwood Says: 3½ 1952 Andy Pafko Cards out of 5.
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CLASH OF THE TITANS (2010)
Based on the 1981 Screenplay by Beverley Cross
2010 Screenplay by Travis Beacham, Phil Hay, and Matt Manfredi
Directed by Lewis Leterrier
Warner Brothers Pictures
”You have insulted forces beyond your comprehension…”
You know how, when you’ve heard way too much about a movie – positive or negative – before you get around to seeing it, all of that information tends to inform your viewing experience so much that you have an opposite reaction? That happened to me recently when I watched Fight Club for the very first time ever. Everyone loves it so much, but I waited too long (and was obviously spoiled regarding the Twist), and I came away from the movie only feeling so-so about it.
I had the same thing happen while watching the remake of Clash of the Titans. Most of the feedback on this film is negative (including the review by our own Baroness Heather), so I readied myself for a crap-fest. Except that by setting my expectations so low, I was actually able to enjoy this action-packed mythic tale.
I hold the 1981 original near and dear to my heart, but I liked the updated story and (most) of the special effects. It’s the acting that wears the film down, from Sam Worthington’s wooden delivery to Liam Neeson phoning in a role once played by Sir Lawrence Olivier, the performances overall are sub-par. I wish that wasn’t the case, because it would have made the film so, SO much better. Instead, we get to see what boils down to animated action figures.
The Gods will rise again, but this wasn’t the arena where it was going to happen.
Elwood Says: 2½ Giant Scorpions out of 5.
Similar Posts:
- Cop Out (2010)
- Cinematic Blues – 3/28/2010
- Cinematic Blues – 6/22/2010
- Cinematic Blues – 6/1/2010
- Cinematic Blues – July 27, 2010
- Cinematic Blues – July 20, 2010
- Cinematic Blues – June 27, 2011
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Elwood J. Blues is both an Editor and Author for Pop Bunker. From his listed residence at 1060 West Addison, Elwood spends a great deal of time and effort getting people addicted to comic books at 
All movies I have vague plans to see at some point in time…in general I can take or leave Lopez, I will see Cop Out to support Kevin Smith (and because Bruce Willis is the man–I can’t stand Tracy Morgan), and Clash just looks up my alley in spite of its bad reviews. Good to know I wouldn’t be completely wasting my time on any of them.
I *love* Tracy Morgan and found COP OUT surprisingly fun. I also agree 100% with CotT – I thought it was passable is not exactly good. Worthington is a terrible actor – what made this guy hot property anyway?
I enjoyed The Back-up Plan and agree with your rating and review.
When I saw the commercials for CopOut, I didn’t want to see the movie. For one thing, Tracy Morgan seemed very annoying. But ended up watching it with my sister & brother-in-law and was pleasantly surprised. The movie was fun, funny, and Morgan wasn’t annoying (except for 1 scene which is the one they showed on the commercials). I’d say 3.5 is bang on.