Low Expectations of 'What to Expect When You're Expecting'

What To Expect When You’re Expecting is a film adaptation based on the New York Times bestseller pregnancy guide of the same name.  The film takes a look at the joys of parenting and parenting-to-be through the lives of five interconnected couples.  In almost two hours, the film attempts to illustrate the ups and downs of adoption, the undesirable side effects of pregnancy, and the unfortunate mishaps.

The film centers around five Atlanta couples:  the high profile celebrity couple Evan (Matthew Morrison) and Jules (Cameron Diaz), Alex (Rodrigo Santoro) and his photographer wife Holly (Jennifer Lopez), former NASCAR driver Ramsey (Dennis Quaid) and his much younger trophy wife Skyler (Brooklyn Decker),  Ramsey’s adult son Gary (Ben Falcone) and his “baby-crazy” businesswomen/author wife Wendy (Hunger Games‘ Elizabeth Banks), and rival food truck chefs Marco (Chace Crawford) and Rosie (Anna Kendrick) who put the “cart before the horse” before even going on a first date.  All the couples are at different stages of their lives, but all await the arrival of their bundles of joy.

However, the cast falls short in the category of balanced chemistry.  Director Kirk Jones (Nanny McPhee) misses the mark and doesn’t do the novel justice.  Screenwriters Shauna Cross (Whip It) and Heather Hach (Freaky Friday) have done better and sadly this film does not highlight their writing talents.  Between attempts to make you laugh, there are a few tender moments, but unfortunately not enough to carry the film.

Although What To Expect When You’re Expecting focuses on expectant motherhood, the film tries to show the role that the father plays in the journey.  Outside of a few of Chris Rock’s typical comedic rants about fatherhood (which lacks in comparison to the stand-up routine he is known for) and a major meltdown by Banks’ character, there’s very little that this movie offers that actually lives up to the title.  To make matters worse, the films worst offenses were the over dramatized acting, forced laughter, and a lack of fluidity between the actors.  The film’s storyline delivers an unbalanced mishmash of vignettes.  In essence, it tries too hard to make you laugh and fails to bring cohesion between plot and characters.

If you don’t mind witnessing a dysfunctional man’s club, jumping from story to story with no clear direction, or finding humor in watching a screaming woman go into labor, then maybe this is the movie for you. What To Expect When You’re Expecting has a notable cast, but disappointingly it’s a flat and lackluster comedy.

Rating: 5.5 out of 10 stars

'Bird on a Wire'...meet 'Knight and Day'

How many of you remember the 1990 flick Bird on a Wire (starring Mel Gibson and Goldie Hawn), well I think it met its match (along with a James Bond twist) with the new summer film Knight and Day. It's a slightly different storyline, but it has all the remnants of the earlier flick. I felt like I was time warped watching this film, but at the same time enjoying it because it was taken to a new level.

Imagine a wholesome, Midwestern woman accidentally geting involved with an international super spy and is forced to flee the country with him while he protects a dangerous new piece of technology...Well this is a perfect picture of what Knight and Day is all about. You get to see a movie that gets straight to the point and takes no prisoners...and I like it!! Trust me you can't help but enjoy this movie!

You are constantly jumping out of your seat and shouting ooohs and ahhs, because of the amazement that hits the screen. After seeing Tom Cruise and Cameron Diaz last in Vanilla Sky this movie, I was wondering could I be convinced that they could pull off another movie successfully. Their chemistry in this film sets a new mark that you can be waaaay better than your first time (think of it like getting that original high that seems unattainable).Their comic timing is great, and they even give us emotion just at the right moments.

Now I cannot forget the action its is one to be commended, every scene is non-stop from the exuberant amount of spilling bullets to the motorcycle chase amongst Spanish bulls to a remarkable & unbelievable car chase. Its not only a grand presentation but had twists of humor all thoughout.

My only gripe and its a minor one is the role of June Havens (Diaz), it almost seemed like they took "blonde and ditsy" to a whole different level. You begin to question can she do anything else in the film. Now here and there within the film she gets bold but is it enough? Here lies the question could there have been more potential to the movie?

Mind you now the the movie is a good, solid 130 mins but it sure does not feel that way (and that's not a bad thing), considering there was non-stop action throughout the whole film. I truly enjoyed the film and would definitely recommend you put this on your Summer list! Think of Knight and Day like a comfort food, its a pleasant diversion, a fun time at the cinema, and it doesn't ask much of the audience except to enjoy the ride.

Grade: 3 out of 4 stars