Thursday, March 25, 2010

TRAILER: Jennifer Anniston's "The Switch" vs. Jennifer Lopez's "The Back-up Plan"

It's the battle of the Jen's! lol Ok, technically their films are being released four months apart, so it's not really a competition. But I'm interested in seeing which will appeal to people more. While I'm technically game for all romantic comedies, I think Anniston's might gross more based on a few advantages:

1. Male Lead: Jason Bateman (The Switch) vs. Alex O'Loughlin (The Back-up Plan)
Yes, O'Loughlin ("Moonlight" and "Three Rivers") is hot. We noticed that from the 15 seconds of the trailer where he is baring his recently tanned-and-toned muscles. But 50% of a rom-com is comedy, and Bateman totally has O'Loughlin beat in that department. As for the romantic portion, let's look at the plot...

2. Plot
The Switch is about the classic unrequited love scenario that's made less creepy by the underlying friendship. Bateman plays Anniston's best guy friend, who is secretly in love with her. When she decides to get a donor, in order to have a child, he gets drunk, and accidentally disposes of her donor's semen. His brilliant solution? Replace it with his own. Tada! He now has a child with his bff...unbeknownst to her. A few years pass, she moves back to the city, he meets his kid, and he realizes that if he doesn't fess up, he'll miss out on his son's life...and true love, since the donor (Patrick Wilson from Watchmen and Little Children) wants to make a play for her.


The Back-up Plan is also about a woman who decides to not wait for Mr. Right and just purchase Mr. Semen. Unfortunately, the same day she inseminates is the day she meets that previously fictional Mr. Right. Once she gets past the big reveal, he has to decide whether or not he's comfortable moving so quickly in the relationship and raising someone else's kid.

Romance-wise, I think Bateman's self-depracating and adorable affection for Anniston is way more appealing than a couple hundred pregnancy/parenting-horror stories that are sprinkled with touching moments of selflessness and chivalry.

3. The Writers
Let's see, a lady (The Back-up Plan) who wrote a few episodes of "Becker" and "Will & Grace" versus the guy (The Switch) who wrote Things We Lost in the Fire. That's kind of a no-brainer.

Check out the trailers before the final verdict:


Release Date: April 23


Release Date: August 20

So the winner is...Anniston. I really do think The Switch will do better. Of course, Anniston hasn't had the best rom-com track record as of late, and Julia Roberts' Eat, Pray, Love and Drew Barrymore + Justin Long's Going the Distance come out the weekend before, giving her some major competition. J. Lo will have problems of her own, since she's opening the week after the long-awaited Kick-Ass and Chris Rock's remake of Death at a Funeral, and the same week of The Losers. I guess we'll just have to wait and see.

Which are you betting on and why?

39 comments:

  1. I think "THE BACK UP PLAN" looks a lot funnier then "The Switch" and the fact that both women get inseminated seems to be the only similarities between them. Ok i'll give you that Jason Bateman has more comedic experience, basically thats all i've ever seen him do. Alex O'Loughlin on the other hand is extremely talented and versitile and can play any type of character, so comedy won't be a problem for him at all, not to mention how much sexier he is. Face it Alex O. is scorching hot!

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  2. The Switch? Are you kidding? Alex O'Loughlin is so hot, that your TV will simply melt when you watch The back-up plan! Your Switch is no chance to win!

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  3. Going by the trailers I think The Backup Plan looks a lot funnier.

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  4. Switch has a great cast but also juding by the trailer, i'll pick "The Back-up plan" i'm kind of tired of Aniston in films she always play the same character.

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  5. Yeah... anyone who bets on the success of a Jennifer Anniston movie... has obviously never actually SEEN a Jennifer Anniston movie. JLo does manage the occasional hit... so I'm going with her.

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  6. I will go for the Back Up Plan!
    The trailers and clips look very funny and the writers are excellent. I am not a JLo fan but find her much funnier and more versatile than Anniston. As far as the leading man goes, have you seen Alex O' Loughlin in "Moonlight"? The man is gorgeous, talented, charismatic, and sexy.
    Jason Bateman who?

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  7. Paula Walker3/25/2010 9:01 AM

    Alex all the way! He CAN do comedy and he is the hottest thing on 2 legs! I vote for The Back Up Plan

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  8. Are you kidding?
    The Back Up Plan no doubt partly because the Jenifer Lopez was fortunate to have Alex O'Loughlin the sexiest man, charming, beautiful and charismatic of the world and the most talented team with her!
    I am sorry for Aniston but TBUP will be the great success!

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  9. The Back up Plan has Alex O-the only reason I would watch it. Overall, sorry to say Switch will do better. Much better cast. Devin

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  10. I like Justin Bateman as a comedy much better than Alex O. Switcb by far.

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  11. The Back-Up Plan of course, not only because it has the talented and sexy Alex O'Loughlin but after watching the trailers Alex and Jennifer have an incredible chemistry, it feel real!!

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  12. No-brainer indeedy! I'll take The Back-up Plan over The Switch any day of the week and twice on Sunday. Jennifer Lopez and Alex O'Loughlin have amazing chemistry in this movie. They're funny, romantic and heartbreaking, all the elements a great romantic comedy should have.

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  13. I will go for the Back Up Plan! It looks better!!!

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  15. I'll go for The Back-Up Plan!
    It's more fun and Alex O'Loughlin is gorgeous!

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  17. Definitely The Switch!! Love JA and JB! Comparing the two clips, no contest!!

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  18. The Backup Plan gets my vote even though I tend to like Jennifer Anniston a lot more than Jennifer Lopez. The chemistry between the actors is definitely there in The Backup Plan. Not seeing it in the clip for The Switch. IMO, chemistry between the actors is essential in a romcom so Backup Plan wins.

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  19. I think The Back Up Plan looks sweeter. Anniston's The Bounty Hunter was just out and there was no chemistry there and I know it was only a clip, but did not see it with Jason. JLo and Alex look like they are having fun with the material. I vote for The Back Up Plan!

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  20. Not a big fan of either of the Jens but certainly like Alex O over Bateman. I also think that JLo and Alex have better chemistry, so I am betting on The Back Up Plan. There is also the fact that TBUP come out first and Switch second; by then people might be tired of the same idea.

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  21. I think The Back Up Plan will be much better than The Switch on everything.I see no chemistry between J.Aniston and Jason Bateman.And Alex O'Loughlin is an excellent actor, versatile, very sexy and with great charm, very appropriate for these roles.
    I'm looking forward to seeing this movie and I'm sure it will be a great success.

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  22. The Back Up Plan over The Switch any day! Jason Bateman versus Alex O' Loughlin? No contest.
    Alex is the most versatile actor around (and the sexiest)

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  23. Alex O'Loughlin is so hot! And The Back-up Plan will be much better than The Switch!!!!

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  24. I too go for The Back-up Plan, I watched both trailers , and I found that to be more entertaining , not only because of the talented and gorgeous Alex O'Loughlin , it also has a good plot ; of course JLO and Alex have great chemistry and you can definitely see that on camera !

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  25. Alex O'Loughlin is very good actor! And The Back-up Plan will be much better than The Switch!!!!

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  26. Anything Alex O'Loughlin is in I'm going to watch...he's not only gorgeous but very talented.

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  27. Alex O'Loughlin is so hot! And The Back-up Plan will be much better than The Switch!!!!

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  28. For me, The Back Up Plan, of course, it looks much more fun and especially the couple that doing Jennifer and Alex is fantastic, have great chemistry on screen and I'm sure it will be a lovely romantic comedy, besides having Alex with his great talent as an actor and his spectacular physique. I have no doubt, sorry for the fans of Jennifer Aniston.

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  29. In my opinion, The Back Up Plan is a lot more funny, charming, adorable, realistic and romantic, especially with beautiful and talented Jennifer Lopez and gorgeous, sexy and gifted Alex O'Loughlin portraying the romantic couple.

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  30. It is a no brainer. Sexy, gifted, very handsome Alex O'Loughlin and gorgeous and talented Jennifer Lopez have an incredible on-screen chemistry on The Back Up Plan. The promo trailers are so hilarious, real and entertaining that I can hardly wait to see both of these young actors in The Back Up Plan in April. Bateman and Aniston do no light up the screen at all. Frankly, I am very tired of Aniston who always plays the same type of character, with no sparks and chemistry with any of her leading men. The Back Up Plan is going to be very successful romantic comedy this spring.

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  31. I do not know and do not want to know anything about any "The Switch"! I only know "The Back-up Plan"! Alex O'Loughlin is so hot! Alex O'Loughlin is the best!

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  32. The Back Up Plan certainly looks like the better movie if for no other reason than Alex O'Loughlin, one of the hottest, sexiest, and talent actors out there. Jason Bateman can't hold a candle to him. I mean, who would you want to be your baby daddy? Alex O or Jason Bateman?

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  33. There is no contest here! The Back-Up Plan with super talented, sexy Alex O'Loughlin will rock. Plus, there is just no chemistry between Jennifer Anniston and Jason Bateman. My bet is that her movie will be quickly forgotten, but The Back-Up Plan will become a classic!

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  34. Both movies look good and I will probably watch both but I'm voting for The Backup Plan. I've always enjoyed Jennifer Lopez movies and the addition of Alex O'Loughlin is nothing but a big plus for me. I like Jennifer Anniston too but I think TBUP will be a better movie.

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  35. The Back Up Plan without a doubt. This movie looks hilarious and there is amazing chemistry between Alex O'Loughlin and Jennifer Lopez. When I watched the clip of Switched, it was just emotionally flat to me, no spark at all. Jennifer Anniston seemed flat as well. I find myself smiling and laughing out loud watching The Back Up Plan. It will be the winner.

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  36. actually a fan of Bateman but hands down...the Backup plan looks like it will definitely be funnier and thats what I'm paying for at the box office!!!

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  37. Lesley / LadyHlndr3/27/2010 3:28 PM

    I love Rom-Coms... and both look like good movies...but based on the trailers - Annistons movie is more about -the kid - and how that family unit will form - whereas - Back Up Plan is more about the romance... So Backup Plan gets my vote. Also - Bateman doesn't do a thing for me - I just think of him as a kid actor - grown up... I love Alex O'Loughlin - he's down right SEXY SEXY SEXY!

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  38. I get great vibes from The Back-up Plan clip... nothing like that from The Switch clip. The plot for the latter is quite complicated... too improbable, too fantastic. The story in The Back-up plan seems to be more on the limit between possible and just funny. Comedy, I think, needs a percentage of possibility to be really hilarious. Plus I definitely like the Jen/Alex couple a lot more than the Jen/Jason one... a must for the romantic part. No contest here for me.

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  39. I'm thinking that maybe you should change the part of your article here where you say "So the winner is...Anniston". Judging from all the comments here, looks to me like Lopez/O'Loughlin win, ESPECIALLY O'LOUGHLIN!!!

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