Monster-In-Law

It's always tragic when the "chick flicks" are just as misogynist as the guy movies, and few action romps can compare to the astonishing vilifications of Monster-in-Law. Jennifer Lopez stars as the dog-walker/temp who falls for hunky Michael Vartan; unfortunately for her, Vartan's mother is Jane Fonda, a recently cancelled talk show host with a chip on her shoulder a mile wide. One look at the low-bred Lopez and mama's head begins to throb, compelling her to try and sabotage the couple's impending marriage. This would be fine were it not for the film's constant attempts to link Fonda's career focus with failed marriages, alcoholism, hysteria and general brass-balled bitchiness. And despite an early ass-covering scene in which she throttles a Britney Spears clone (something I've always wanted to do), the film devotes itself to painting her as unfeeling, uncooperative and unwomanly in her refusal to feel. Worse, the production sees fit to attach the obligatory "sassy black assistant," with Wanda Sykes demeaning herself with impotent backtalk and lines like, "I think you just dislocated my vagina!" You'd feel for Lopez if you didn't feel for Fonda, and you'd feel for Fonda if you didn't feel the pit in your stomach at having wasted your money so spectacularly. Flee in terror. A two-disc special edition, this features a commentary with director Robert Luketic, Wanda Sykes and various technical personnel, which is ingratiating, convivial and far more pleasant than watching the movie with the sound on. Disc two features seven deleted scenes, four hagiographic accounts of Fonda, Lopez, Luketic and Vartan, two featurettes on the set and costume design, a gag reel, and a quizzical clip of Sykes lip-synching to a Britney-esque musical number. (Alliance Atlantis)