TV Talk: 'Idol' judges move on to other reality shows

Looks like audiences will be seeing former American Idol judges Paula Abdul and Kara DioGuardi on their TV screens again as each musical starlet has her own reality show in the works.

Adbul's show, "Live To Dance," will debut on CBS with a two-hour episode on Tuesday, Jan. 4. It will then air on Jan. 5 in its regular 8-9 p.m. timeslot against the singer and dancer's former TV home, American Idol, on Wednesday nights (the first live broadcast is set for Jan. 12).

The reality dance competition will feature 18 contestants competing for a $500,000 prize. It will be hosted by Australian Idol host Andrew Günsberg. Lead expert Abdul , 48, will be joined at the juding table by fellow panelists Travis Payne, choreographer from Michael Jackson's "This Is It," and former Pussycat Doll member Kimberly Wyatt.

Fellow former Idol judge Kara DioGuardi has also graduated to her own new reality competition. Called "Going Platinum," the 10-episode songwriter competition is set to air on Bravo in 2011. DioGuardi, who has penned hits for Kelly Clarkson, Pink, the Jonas Brothers and Britney Spears, will serve as head judge, with folk songtress Jewel set to play host.

The show will follow 12 musicians as they write and perform lyrics for themed episodes to compete for a $100,000 cash prize, and music publishing and recording deals with Sonny, the Writing Camp and RCA/Jive. The show also plans to include a judging panel consisting of an unnamed music executive and celebrity guests.

This all, of course, follows news that Simon Cowell is working on an American version of his U.K. hit "The X Factor," slated to air next fall. Abdul is currently rumoured to be reuniting with Cowell at the judging table.

Sources:
Washington Post: Paula Abdul's dance show taking on 'American Idol' night in January
Los Angeles Times: Paula Abdul preps for her new CBS show
MTV: Former 'American Idol' judge Kara DioGuardi lands new show

Film Flash: 'The Hobbit' and 'Breaking Dawn' casts continue to grow



Followng news that Peter Jackson has found his Bilbo Baggins--U.K. Actor Martin Freeman from "Hitchiker's Guide to the Galaxy" and "Hot Fuzz" (pictured left)--the cast of "The Hobbit" continues to grow.

Joining Jackson and Freeman for production in February 2011 will be Richard Armitage (British series MI-5) as Dwarves leader Thorin Oakenshield, as well as fellow English Actor Rob Kazinsky and Irish actor Aidan Turner as dwarves Kili and Fili.

Other dwarves Jackson has cast for his two-part adaptaption of the J.R.R. Tolkien book include several TV actors like Graham McTavish from "24" as Dwalin and John Callen ("Power Rangers Jungle Fury") as Oin. The cast also includes Stephen Hunter ("All Saints") as Bombur, Mark Hadlow ("King Kong") as Dori, and Peter Hambleton ("The Strip") as Gloin.

In addition to filling more cast slots, Jackson has also reached an agreement with the New Zealand government enabling him to keep production of the movies in the country.

In other book-to-film-adaptation news, the "Breaking Dawn" two-part finale event is adding even more to its overflowing, fanged cast.

In a press release by Summit Entertainment, the newcomers include Olga Fonda ("Love Hurts"), Janelle Froehlich ("Hacienda Heights"), Masami Kosaka ("The Runaways"), Sebastiao Lemos ("Força-Tarefa"), Amadou Ly ("The Tested"), Ty Olsson ("2012"), Wendell Pierce ("Ray"), and Carolina Virguez ("Matalobos").

According to Entertainment Weekly, Summit has not yet announced which characters they will be playing.

Sources:
EW: 'Hobbit' director Peter Jackson cast heartthrob dwarf
CNN: New Zealand, filmmakers reach agreement on 'Hobbit' movies
EW: 'The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn' announces more cast members

TV Talk: How 'Glee' lost, may get its groove back

Last year, FOX's hit musical comedy about the McKinley High School Glee Club rode a wave of critical and audience praise for its talented diverse cast, modern takes on well-known songs, campy quick-witted scripts, and joyous underdog bravado.

Since the show's September 2009 debut, the first season has gone on to garner several award nominations and wins--including 19 Primetime Emmy Award noms and a win as the Golden Globe's Best Television Series of 2010 for a musical or comedy.

But "Glee" has also faced some serious backlash. In the wake of its early bombastic success, the show was quickly accused of "letting the fame go to its head," so to speak.

This was demonstrated by the program's growing penchant for themed episodes ("The Power of Madonna" and "Theatricality" with Lady Gaga songs) and celebrity guest stars (Kristin Chenowith, Olivia Newton-John, Neil Patrick Harris, Josh Groban, etc.) that became more prevalent during the second half of the show's first season. The change in direction drew ire for moving the focus from the wonderfully quirky crew of motley characters to the choreography and big name guest stars.

Globe & Mail columnist John Doyle echoed the remarks made by fans and critics alike when he wrote:

"With this show we are witnessing the monster that is over-exposure eat alive the sweet, guileless talent that simply wanted to succeed.

It's impossible to maintain that lovable naiveté when the show is so preening in its camp, knowing awareness of its success."

The second season of "Glee" premiered Sept. 21, 2010 (along with news the progam was comissioned for a third season). Aside from a slight misfire with the Britney Spears themed episode "Britney/Brittany," which featured heavily contrived transitions involving a few too many doses of laughing gas, the first few episodes have harkened back to the show's former glory.

But showrunners Ryan Murphy and Brad Falchuk are still not out of the woods. After a fun but forgettable premiere that introduced new Glee club members and the love-it-or-hate-it Britney episode, the third episode "Grilled Cheesus," which tackled religious beliefs, landed the show with criticisms of being too preachy (debate: fair or not?).

But recent episodes like "Duets" and tonight's "The Rocky Horror Glee Show" may have put it back on track. "Duets" felt like a flashback to the first nine episodes of the first season, focusing entirely on the kids with no overshadowing guest stars and no gimmicks. The "Rocky Horror" episode showed how the Glee Club can tackle a theme without forcing the songs to work and without sacrificing real storylines about its true stars.

Despite the overblown GQ photo spread controversy, "Glee" has once again become fresh and relevant with storylines about its characters addressing issues like religion, fitting in, and even male body image.

Here's to hoping this is a sign that "Glee" is taking a step back in the right direction.

Sources:
Globe & Mail: These days, I'm watching 'Glee' with dread
EW: TV Recaps: Glee Cental

TV Talk: ABC's "Cougar Town" brings the funny

Despite a dreadfully misleading title, ABC's sitcom "Cougar Town" starring Courtney Cox is a surprisingly crass yet heartwarming TV comedy about family, friends and growing up.

Airing Wednesdays at 9:30 p.m. during the alphabet channel's winning comedy block, "Cougar Town" focuses on the life of Florida real estate agent Jules Cobb (Cox).

While Cox is engaging as clingy, wine-guzzling Jules (a role vastly different from her former Friends persona), the show's strength lies its in stellar ensemble casting and unafraid, off-the-wall writing.

The cast include includes an insatiable Busy Phillips as Jule's younger employee Laurie, Dan Byrd as her slightly awkward son Travis, and Christa Miller with Ian Gomez as the fantastically dysfunctional couple, Ellie and Andy Torres, among others.

When the show debuted in September 2009, it initially began as a stereotypical glimpse into the life of the recently divorced 40-year-old recapturing her youth by dating younger men. But five episodes into its second season, the show has transformed into something more. Ditching young men and hollow storylines, the show now focuses on Jules as a caring, if slightly neurotic, mother and friend.

The antics she and her neighbors get into (lying about the Torres' son Stan being dead to get free food, turning a neighborhood watch effort into a way to spy on others in the cul-de-sac, etc.) may be highly unrealistic, but the show is self-aware of its kooky characterizations and storylines. The result is a hilarious guilty pleasure of epically inappropriate proportions crammed into a bright and shiny, 30-minute package.

Final Grade: A- (3.5 out of 4 stars)

Tune in Wednesday nights at 9:30 p.m. to watch "Cougar Town" on ABC.

Next week's episode: The Halloween episode, "You Don't Know How It Feels," airs Oct. 27th.

Sources:
ABC's Official "Cougar Town" Web site
IMDB: Cougar Town (2009 Series)

TV Talk: "Glee" GQ cover stirs up controversy

In the October issue of the men's magazine GQ, "Glee" stars Lea Michele, Dianna Agron and Cory Monteith were splashed across the cover and inside pages in provocative clothing, poses and sets.

The photos quickly drew ire from fans of the FOX hit and their parents, citing the photoshoot as too sexualized and verging on "pedophilia."

Tim Winters, president of the Parents Television Council, said:

"It is disturbing that GQ, which is explicitly written for adult men, is sexualizing the actresses who play high school-aged characters on 'Glee' in this way. It borders on pedophilia. Sadly, this is just the latest example of the overt sexualization of young girls in entertainment."

In the photos, Michele and Agron are wearing little other than colored, lacy panties and bras in suggestive poses scattered throughout a high school setting (often while donning kitten heels and sucking on lollipops). In one shot, the girls are scantily clad in the library. In other photos, Michele is straddling a bench in the boys lockerroom while Agron depicts the male fantasy of a sexy cheerleader.

Though the actors in the shoot are adults--Michele and Agron are 24, Monteith is 28--the photo spread is clearly promoting the comedy show set in a high school in which the actors portray teenagers. It is not uncommon for older actors to play teens in TV shows or movies.

Though FOX did not comment, GQ responded:

"The Parents Television Council must not be watching much TV these days and should learn to divide reality from fantasy. As often happens in Hollywood, these 'kids' are in their twenties. Cory Montieth's almost 30! I think they're old enough to do what they want."

In the GQ photo shoot, the stars appear to be playing their characters and not themselves as individuals. This probably indicates that the shoot is too racy for the audience "Glee" is actually intended for. But the photos probably aren't too racy for GQ readers. The question is, had the actors not been on high school sets intended to simulate the "Glee" world, would the rules be different?

Also, is "Glee" really a family show just because it's about teenagers? With storylines about the loss of virginity, early ejaculation and masturbation, is "Glee" meant to be considered family programming?

Another issue at the center of the controversy is the gender inequality evident in the photo spread. While Michele and Agron must be feeling a breeze due to their lack of clothing, Monteith has to be toasty warm in his several layers of shirts and sweaters. Why are the girls undressed, but the boy is not? All three should have been in the same state of dress (or undress).

Lastly, in a show known for its wide, diverse cast, why were only the three white, straight, thin actors chosen for the photo shoot? Were none of the actors available? Or maybe, they were smart enough to stay away from GQ's overly sexual shoot.

To weigh in on the debate, CBS' Katie Couric shared her opinion in a special segment. Click here to view it. To share your thoughts, feel free to comment below.

Sources:
EW: 'Glee' goes provocative for GQ, and we ask: Ugh, why?
Billboard: Sexy 'Glee' photos draw pedophilia protests
Yahoo: 'Glee' photos drawing fire for Lea Michele and Dianna Agron

Reel Review: 'How To Train Your Dragon' as good as Pixar, changes animation game

Since Disney/Pixar pioneered full-length animated films with its 1995 release of "Toy Story," other studios have tried to repeat the on-screen magic captured in the computer-animated faces of toys, monsters and animals.

Dreamworks has tried to cash in on the trend and has succeeded to varying degrees of success with "Shrek," "Over The Hedge," and "Monsters vs. Aliens," among others. 20th Century Films released its "Ice Age" series and "Robots." Sony gave it a valiant effort with "Surf's Up" and "Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs." Warner Bros. offered audiences "Happy Feet" and "The Polar Express."

Despite all these efforts, Pixar seems to have won the race for the hearts of audiences. The studio has also won almost all the coveted golden statuettes for "Best Animated Feature" at the Academy Awards (five out of seven Pixar films have taken home the Oscar).

Out of the many attempts, very few of those films have come close to exhibiting Pixar's level of artistic or creative mastery until Dreamworks' surprise smash "How To Your Dragon."

Released in theaters March 26, 2010 in 2-D and 3-D, "How To Train Your Dragon" immediately earned rave reviews from critics and audiences for its story about a young viking-in-training trying to fit in. The film features an all-star cast of voices, including Jay Baruchel, Gerard Butler, America Ferrera and Jonah Hill. By July 2010, the acclaimed film had gone on to earn a domestic gross of over $217 million.

The movie tells the story of Hiccup Horrendous Haddock III, a gangly teenage viking that is supposed to follow in his father's footsteps to become a dragon slayer. But when Hiccup faces his first opportunity to slay a real dragon, he finds out that he doesn't want to follow the rules.

On Rottentomatoes.com, "Dragon" has received 153 positive reviews (out of 156) for a 98 percent fresh rating. Critics praised the film, calling it Dreamworks Animation's "best entry to date" that "manages to give Pixar a run for its money."

As the site's Tomatometer summarizes:

"Boasting dazzling animation, a script with surprising dramatic depth, and thrilling 3-D sequences, 'How to Train Your Dragon' soars."

"Dragon" stands out from its predecessors because it is an engaging and joyful romp of a film with snappy dialogue, interesting characters and colorful animation. More importantly, the story doesn't get stuck in the mire of a preachy, underneath-it-all moral lesson. Instead, it celebrates imagination, forgiveness and kindess without shoving a message down your throat (a la' Pixar's "Wall-E" and Warner Bros. "Happy Feet"). The result is a fun and family-friendly flick with clever dialogue and characterizations that are sure to captivate audiences of all ages.

Grade: A (4 out of 4 stars)
To view the trailer, click play below. "How To Train Your Dragon" is now available on DVD.



Sources:
imdb: 'How To Train Your Dragon' (2010)
Rottentomatoes: 'How To Train Your Dragon' movie reviews, pictures

Film Flash: Peter Jackson to direct 'The Hobbit'

After months of vollying back and forth, a momentary hiring of Guillermo Del Toro and constant speculation, Warner Bros., MGM and New Line Cinema have (finally!) officially announced that The Lord of The Rings director Peter Jackson will helm The Hobbit. The Academy Award-winning director also co-wrote the script and will produce.

Production on the two film installments is set to begin in February 2011 and will be shot in 3D. Though, the exact location of Middle Earth has yet to be determined. CNN reports that labor issues with the New Zealand Actors' Equity and SAG might result in relocating production to another site (possibly Australia, one of many countries that has reached out to Jackson).

Now that a name has been attached to the director's chair, casting rumors have begun to spread across the blogosphere. Rings actors Ian McKellan and Andy Serkis are expected to reprise their roles as Gandalf and Gollum, respectively. The rumour most likely to be true is that U.K. actor Martin Freeman ("Hot Fuzz," "The Office" and BBC series "Sherlock") will play the young Bilbo Baggins. Offers have also been made to other British actors, including Jimmy Nesbitt ("Millions," "Bloody Sunday"), Michael Fassbender ("Jonah Hex," "X-Men: First Class") and David Tennant ("Doctor Who").

Jackson and his Rings cast were reunited in the current issue of Entertainment Weekly. To read more about the teary-eyed hellos, click here.

Sources:
EW: Peter Jackson to officially direct 'The Hobbit'
CNN: 'The Hobbit' to begin production in early 2011
MTV: 'The Hobbit' casting rumours

Film Flash: 'Breaking Dawn' casts its crew, covens

For the final two film adaptations of Stephanie Meyer's worldwide phenomenon, the "Twilight" series, director Bill Codon ("Dreamgirls") has sunk his teeth into the casting process and quickly filled the numerous positions in his cast and crew for "Breaking Dawn."

Only three characters remain uncast, though it is unclear whether or not Codon aims to fill those roles. The surprisingly impressive list of confirmed hirings is provided below.

Crew Members
Cinematographer - Guillermo Navarro ("Pans Labyrinth")
Visual effects supervisor - John Bruno ("Poltergeist," "Avatar")
Production designer - Richard Sherman ("Gods and Monsters," "Kinsey")
Costume designer - Michael Wilkinson ("Watchmen," "300," "Tron: Legacy")
Make-up designer - Jean Black ("The Curious Case of Benjamin Button")

Vampire Casting
Renesmee - 9-year-old Mackenzie Foy ("FlashForward")

Denali clan:
Irina - Maggie Grace ("Lost")
Eleazar - Christian Carmargo ("The Hurt Locker," "Dexter")
Carmen - Mia Maestro ("Alias")
Kate - Casey LaBow ("Moonlight")
Tanya - MyAnna Buring ("Doomsday")

American nomads:
Garrett - Lee Pace ("Pushing Daisies")
Mary - Toni Trucks ("Music and Lyrics")
Randall - Bill Tangradi ("Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronciles")
Peter - Erik Odom (newcomer)
Charlotte - Valorie Curry ("Veronica Mars")

Amazon tribe:
Senna - Tracey Higgins ("Chains")
Zafrina - Judi Shekoni ("Private Moments")
Kachiri - TBD

Egyptian coven:
Amun - Omar Metwall ("Munich")
Kebi - Andrea Gabriel ("Lost")
Benjamin - Rami Malek ("Night at the Museum")
Tia - Angela Sarafyan ("The Good Guys")

Irish coven:
Maggie - Marlane Barnes ("The Tree of Life")
Siobhan - Lisa Howard ("Highlander")
Liam - Patrick Brennan (newcomer)

Romanian coven:
Vladimir - Noel Fisher ("Pacific")
Stefan - Guri Weinberg ("Munich")

European nomads:
Alistair -Joe Anderson ("The Crazies")
Charles - TBD
Makenna - TBD

Whew! That was a lot of names. Codon seems to have carefully selected individuals with top-notch credentials and experience, so hopefully this will shape up to be a fine cast and crew. As the fourth and final book in the teen vampire series, "Breaking Dawn" will be divided into two film installments (a 'la "Harry Potter"). The first part will hit theaters November 18, 2011. The second is set to be released November 16, 2012.

To attach faces to the names, check out MTV's "Breaking Dawn" cast photo gallery.

Sources:
EW: Bill Codon announces key crew members for 'Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn'
EW: 'Breaking Dawn' announces more new cast members
MTV: 'Breaking Dawn' casting news
CNN: Stephanie Meyer excited about 'Breaking Dawn' casting

Wall of Weird: Teenage girls to buy Justin Bieber nail polish!



 To borrow from "Smallville"s intrepid reporter Chloe Sullivan, here's one for the classic wall of weird. 16-year-old, male pop singer/wannabe hip-hoppr Justin Bieber is officially launching a nail polish line to debut at Wal-Mart this December just in time for frenzied holiday shopping.

Sources report that the line is inspired by and will be named after the pint-sized radio staple's hit songs. The "One Less Lonely Girl" collection will heavily feature proud primary colors and tons of glitter (including heart-shaped ones). The line will be released in other retailers like Sears and Target in February next year.

This interesting news follows recent headlines that Bieber may host a reboot of MTV's prank show "Punk'd" previously hosted by the only-seen-on-twitter (or with other women) Ashton Kutcher. Whether or not this is true, the nail polish gig is enough to make one question the marketing team behind the boy wonder's success.

As EW writer Tanner Stranky postulates:

"This is real, folks—a teenage boy has launched a collection of nail polishes, solely to take financial advantage of his fanbase, which has a voracious appetite for anything emblazoned with his name." 

 So the question is, whether you're a Bieber fan or not, is the American public that easy? Do we shell out bucks for something just because it's attached to a famous name? Oh wait. Miley Cyrus/Hannah Montanna. Guess I answered my own question. Reality is, no matter what generation of teen movie and music stars we worshipped when we were young, we've all bought into the massive, brand-making machine. Anyone remember the film, tv or music star whose products (sensible or otherwise) they just had to have? (In case you were wondering, it's the Backstreet Boys for me).

The next question would be...is this okay? Is it just harmess, silly teeny bopper fun? Or does this truly signal that there's something wrong with our highly commercialized, entertainment industry? Can't anyone just makes music, movies or TVs shows just to entertain, educate or be asthestically pleasing? Or does everything have to come back to the $$$?

To check out ClevverTV's take on this strange turn of events, click play below:

P.S. - It gets worse. The Herald Sun reports that the nail polish collection will probably debut in conjunction with his "line of lifelike Justin Bieber dolls that play 30-second clips of his songs." Please tell me they're kidding. Of course, in a world with Edward Cullen dolls, it makes sense that Bieber Barbie isn't too far behind.

Sources:
EW: Justin Bieber launches nail polish line: Fun? Or sign of the apocalypse?

AOL: Justin Bieber designs Nicole by OPI nail polish line

Herald Sun: Justin Bieber launches nail polish collection

TV Talk: Miley's music video mayhem

Following the typical path of sweet pop princesses who get famous and grow up too fast (a 'la Britney Spears, Christina Aguilera, Jessica Simpson--but surprisingy, not Mandy Moore), Miley Cyrus has once again angered the parents who used to be grateful for her formerly squeaky clean, Disney persona. According to reports, Cyrus has upset her fans' parents with another scandalous music video.

Last time, her caged dance video for "Can't Be Tamed" was scrutinized for its suggestive dance moves and questionable clothing choices. In the new video for her single "Who Owns My Heart?" the message is clear. With the final season of "Hannah Montanna" wrapping up on the Disney channel, Cyrus is ready to shed her clean-cut image once and for all (and also, her clothes).

The video opens with Cyrus waking up in bed wearing a blindfold. She then vamps it up in tiny shorts to show off her long legs and a low cut golden halter before going clubbing all night long. Throughout the video, Cyrus is seen wearing very little for a 17-year-old singer whose fanbase still consists of little girls and preteens. In fact, in quite a few scenes, the minor is seen wearing little else than panties and tank-tops.

Tim Winter, the president of the Parents Television Council, critiziced the teen's sexualized video, saying:

"It is unfortunate that she would participate in such a sexualized video like this one," Winter said. "It sends messages to her fanbase that are diametrically opposed to everything she has done up to this point. Miley built her fame and fortune entirely on the backs of young girls, and it saddens us that she seems so eager to distance herself from that fanbase so rapidly."

The Parents Television Council frequently speaks out against television content it deems as inappropriate or damaging for children. Most recently, the organization raised objections against CBS' program "SH*! My Dad Says," Adam Lambert's male-on-male liplock and simulated fellatio at the American Music Awards, and the threesome storyline on the CW's "Gossip Girl."

Cyrus also faced similar controversies for a topless Vanity Fair cover in 2008, her pole-dancing move at the 2009 Teen Choice Awards, and her simulated girl-on-girl kiss on "Britain's Got Talent."

With all these incidents in tow, is the "Who Owns My Heart?" video really that surprising? Is it that inappropriate for a pop act that's been pulling these kind of marketing stunts for years?

Watch the Ms. Never-ending Source of Controversy in action below:




Sources:
EW: Miley Cyrus' new music video blasted by Parents Television Council
MTV: Miley Cyrus "Who Owns My Heart" video blasted by Parents Television Council
Yahoo: Miley Cyrus "Who Owns My Heart?" video -- too racy or age appropriate?

TV Talk: No swearing in the house of Marshall Mathers

On Sunday, Oct. 10th, CBS' staple evening program "60 Minutes" will air Anderson Cooper's revealing interview with Grammy award-winning hip-hop mogul Eminem.

For the interview, the rapper will return to his Detroit roots to take a trip down memory lane. He will discuss his past history with drugs, the issue of race in his career as a lone white rapper, and the constant controversies surrounding his heated lyrics  filled with anti-gay slurs and depictions of violence against women.

The 37-year-old rap artist will also give viewers a glimpse into his creative process and his love of words.

However, in a special preview released by CBS, its seems one of the most water-cooler worthy moments may be a brief glimpse into Eminem's parenting. Specifically, the no cursing rule everyone must abide by under his roof.

As a father (his daughter Hailie is 14; he is also raising his ex-wife Kim's daughter Whitney and his sister's daughter Lainey), Eminem states:

“I mean, how would I really sound, as a person…walking around my house [saying] ‘Bitch, pick this up…”

Is it endearing to hear that Eminem has enough common sense or heart to not swear around the kids in his home? Or does it seem contradictory of him, seeing as the rapper brings venomous lyrics brimming with obscenities into the homes of young people across the globe? His music is targeted to adults and typically contains an "Explicit Content" warning, so maybe the fact that children listen to Em's music isn't his fault. Instead, should the blame for that lie with parents? If so, it is ironic that the rapper's daughter can't listen to him swear but other people's kids pay to listen to it?

To see the segment, click play below:





Sources:
EW: Eminem doesn't allow swearing in his house? Holy ----!
People: Eminem: "I don't use profanity at home"
E! News: Watch Your Effing Potty Mouth Around Eminem

Reel Review: Strong, likable cast saves awkward plot in "The Switch"

The romantic comedy “The Switch” (PG-13), starring Jennifer Aniston and Jason Bateman, is a story about a hijacked pregnancy that transforms into a surprisingly funny, smart, and heartfelt movie experience.
          Set in New York, the story starts with Kassie Larson (Aniston), a working woman who decides to a have a baby on her own. She shares this life-changing news with her best friend, neurotic stock analyst Wally Mars (Bateman).
          But Wally does not take Kassie’s announcement very well, which leads to the film’s major plot device.
          At Kassie’s “insemination party,” Wally drunkenly spills her donor’s sperm and replaces it with his own. An inexperienced partier, he forgets his misconduct and says goodbye as Kassie decides to move away to raise her child.
          The film jumps forward seven years as Kassie returns to the city for a job. “Uncle” Wally can’t help but notice the striking similarities between himself and his friend’s oddly phobic, 6-year-old son Sebastian (Thomas Robinson). With his friend Leonard’s (Jeff Goldblum) assistance, Wally remembers what he did. The story then centers on Wally bonding with Sebastian and finding a way to tell Kassie the truth.
          “The Switch” may be named after an awkward plot device, but the story works because the wonderfully flawed, relatable characters are in the hands of capable and likable actors. Bateman largely deserves the credit for the film’s heart and charm, but he is not the only one.
          Eight-year-old Robinson is fantastically bossy, stubborn and endearing as the precocious and doe-eyed Sebastian. The most resonant scenes in the film occur between Robinson and Bateman because they feel sincere and natural. Aniston is also a smart choice for Kassie with her comedic timing and strong but sweat demeanor. Though, she is given very little room to stretch her acting muscles as she takes a backburner to Bateman’s performance.
          The film’s only weakness is its misdirected dalliance into clichéd rom-com territory with a brief and feebly executed love triangle. Its saving grace is the film’s quick pacing, which allows more time to be spent watching Wally and Sebastian.
         The comedy deftly straddles the line between being quirky and sentimental. It is touching, but it is never annoyingly heartbreaking or cute. Overall, it’s a feel-good film with enough humor, intelligence and heart to not feel like a guilty pleasure.

Final Grade: B (3 out of 4 stars)

Check out the trailer below:





Sources/Links:
"The Switch" Official web site
EW: "The Switch" Review
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