65. The Switch

                 Jason Bateman and Jennifer Aniston are the stars of the Romantic Comedy called The Switch. While these 2 stars do a fine job they are not the best thing in this movie. They don’t even give the best performance in the movie. That honor goes to 8 yr old Thomas Robinson. Robinson plays Sebastian, the son to the before mentioned Bateman and Aniston.

              Robinson continues a great streak right now of performance by Child actors that outshine the adult ones.  For example if you saw Just Go With It (Aniston again!) you know that the child actors steal almost every scene they are in.  But back to the Switch. The Switch is decent when it comes to RomCom fare. Aniston is feeling the ticking clock of life and wants to have a baby the new fashion way of a donor. Batemen who is her best friend and madly in love with her switches the “goods” that she found with his “goods” and never tells her.  Thus we have a movie and Sebastian.

                What follows next is Bateman trying to get close to a son that doesn’t know him as his father all while still trying to figure out a way to reveal both his love and his secret to Aniston.  The movie also stars Jeff Goldblum as Bateman’s best friend. Goldblum gives his normal quirky spin on the movie.  The movie is entertaining and fun to watch.   

Final Verdict:  it’s good but not worth owning good.

29. Just Go With It

               Adam Sandler. What does one think about when you hear that name? First thing that always pops in my head is Billy Madison.  Maybe then Opera Man.  But do you still think Movie Star when you hear the name of Adam Sandler? You should.

                His movies have made over a BILLION dollars at the box office and its almost a sure thing when it comes to his style of movies. His latest, which we saw at the always awesome AMC 16 in Creve Coeur,  Just Go With It is good. Really good. I can't help but wonder when people will start to look past the sophomoric, frat boy humor that he injects into his movies and see the depth that he does layer his films with.  It's not all Happy Gilmore. Bedtime Stories, Click and 50 first dates have some of the most genuine heart tugging moments  that are just as good as any other movie.

  Just Go With It is about a guy whose whole scam to pick up women is to pretend he is in a bad marriage and plays the victim to get their sympathy. But he finally meets a girl who likes him for him but then mistakenly thinks he is married. SO he comes up with a plan to ask his assistant,  Jennifer Aniston, to play along as his soon to be divorced wife. Then it escalates to where her children are involved and it just keeps going and going and going.  In fact the two child actors that play the  children steal almost every scene they are in. Great casting there.  The movie is funny, lots of improv was involved and you can tell they were having fun making this movie.  If you liked 50 First Dates then you will love this one.

Final Verdict: I think it will added to my Sandler Collection.

Other Tidbits:

-Nicole Kidman plays a minor role and it was awesome to see her express her crazy zany side. And she was really funny.

-Sandler plays a plastic surgeon so look for many of his SNL alum who appear as his patients.

2. Marley and Me

Yes, men do cry.

First, I have to start off with the fact that I love Owen Wilson. He is one of my favorite actors. To some he might be a one trick pony, but ever since Armageddon I have found him absolutely hilarious. So when I pulled out Marley and Me that was my first thought. I was happy. Ready to go.

The best thing about Marley and Me is that it is based on a true story. I love that. I think it bleeds into the movie throughout. You also need to realize that this was the first movie that Owen Wilson made after he attempted suicide. IF you don’t know the whole story, Google it. I really feel that everything that Owen went through in his personal life really comes to life in this role. It's perfect for him. He is not over the top funny and gets to show his “range” as an actor. I love him in this role.

*****SPOILER***** Yes, Marley dies. You can't get around it, and you can't change it. It's based on a true story. Man, I cried. I have cried every time I have seen this movie. Which I think is 4 times now. I will be the first to admit that I cried and cried and cried. Call me a wuss, whatever. I grew up with a dog. It brought back so many great memories of growing up. When he is sitting there at the end telling Marley how great he was for loving them day in and day out I start to tear up. I really lose it at the burial when the children are sharing their feelings. Every time. You don’t get that with Owen Wilson in Shanghai Noon do you!? Final Decision: Absolutely worth owning!

Owen Wilson and Jennifer Aniston

Favorite Line: “It’s like Of Mice and Men” – Owen Wilson’s character John when on the way to get Marley fixed.

Other tidbits
-Alan Arkin plays Owen's boss in the movie and is so funny!
-The movie used 22 different Marleys in the filming.