Monster-In-Law
Directed by Robert Luketic

By Peter Knegt

Channelling the immense method acting technique she displayed in such greats as Maid in Manhattan and The Wedding Planner, Jennifer Lopez almost destroys Monster-In-Law. Her drab line readings and repetitive facial expressions are enough to drive even Marc Anthony mad. But somehow the much-hyped comeback of one Jane Fonda manages to save the film. If it wasn't for Ms. Fonda's absolutely killer performance that all but annihilates Lopez, and everyone else, Monster-In-Law would be as good as The Wedding Planner 2. Fonda steals every second of screen time she has and manages to make what could have been a mediocre film an absolute blast.

Lopez plays Charlie, a temp who falls for the supposedly dreamy Kevin (Alias' Michael Vartan, who is essentially a background prop). As their romance builds, Monster-In-Law plays like a dreadful romantic comedy. But enter Fonda as Viola, Kevin's mother. Recently fired from her long-running stint as a famed talk show host and fresh out of rehab, Viola is not in the mood to hear that Kevin and Charlie are engaged. She spends the better half of the film attempting to sabotage their courtship, which gives Fonda a chance to display comedic talents many didn't think she had in her.

Monster-In-Law benefits from its fun premise and manages to rise above most of the films similar to it with some great one-liners and wonderfully orchestrated physical comedy. One wonders if it could have benefited from an actual actress playing Viola's nemesis, but at least with Lopez, Fonda gets every opportunity to shine. Her first film in over 15 years, somehow the comeback hype was worth it and Monster-In-Law might just be the Hollywood comedy of the summer. (Alliance Atlantis)

Kung Fu Hustle - Dir. by Stephen Chow
How much longer can North America ignore Stephen Chow? His amazing Shaolin Soccer became the highest grossing Hong Kong-made film and was completely mishandled by Americans. Kung Fu Hustle is even better and has already surpassed his previous film’s box office record. Is this the film that will make the rest of the world take notice? ...Read More
3-Iron - Dir. by Kim Ki-duk
Campfire - Dir. by Joseph Cedar
Crash - Dir. by Paul Haggis
House of D - Dir. by David Duchovny
House of Wax - Dir. by Jaume Serra
Jiminy Glick In Lalawood - Dir. by Vadim Jean
Kingdom of Heaven - Dir. by Ridley Scott
Madagascar - Dir. by Eric Darnell and Tom McGrath
Mindhunters - Dir. by Renny Harlin
Palindromes - Dir. by Todd Solondz
Palindromes - Dir. by Todd Solondz
Sabah - Dir. by Ruba Nadda
Social Genocide - Dir. by Fernando E. Solanas
The Longest Yard - Dir. by Peter Segal
The Year Of The Yao - Dir. by Adam Del Deo and James D. Stern
Aside from deliberately misspelling their entire lyric book, there's nothing I dislike about Capade's Dno't Say It Mihgt Maen Somehitng. This record is everything a sophomore album should be; it's a much more developed effort stylistically and construction-wise than their debut, Wake Me Up... Full Review
Though recently implying that he's tapped out musically, Sufjan Stevens has never created something as pointedly ambitious as The BQE. Originally commissioned by the Brooklyn Academy of Music for a 2007 performance, as a take-home release The BQE consists of an uncompromising essay ostensibly all about the Brooklyn Queens Expressway, a visually stunning film, a stirring orchestral soundtrack, a stereoscopic View-Master reel, and, in limited edition, a 40-page comic book about characters known as the Hooper Heroes.... Read More
Montreal’s no-wave, Moog-rock four-piece Duchess Says are brilliant at working with language. That is so to say, they are francophone, and yet front-woman AC sings more in rhythmic sounds than in anything linguistically discernible. Her male band-mates keep their distance, because her trance-like th... Full Review
Social Networking
• Be our friend on MySpace
• Be our fan on Facebook
Tweet us on twitter
Viewing the May 2005 Issue: Contents PageNewsClick Hear • Articles --> On the Cover  •  Front Five  •  Points  •  Comics  •  Point of View  •  Questionnaire  •  Timeline • Music Reviews --> Recently Reviewed  •  Aggressive Tendencies  •  Beats & Rhymes  •  Destination Out  •  Frequencies  •  Groove  •  Pop Rocks  •  Wood, Wires & Whiskey  •  Concert Reviews  •  SXSW Reviews • Motion Reviews --> Recently Reviewed  •  Dvd Reviews  •  Film Reviews  •  Music DVD Reviews • Music School --> Label Life  •  Meet & Greet  •  Need to Know  •  Where I play Contests • Contact --> About Us  • Advertising  • Distribution  • Getting Reviewed  • Getting Published  • Letters To The Editor  • Partnerships  • Subscriptions • Exclaim! Radio --> Aggressive Tendencies Radio  • Beats & Rhymes Radio  • Frequencies Radio  • Destination Out Radio  • Groove Radio  • No Future Radio  • Pop Rocks Radio  • Wood, Wires & Whiskey Radio Exclaim! TV • Home & Latest Issue Browse Issues