DEATH Versus BIRTH

This week's death match is between the over-appraised Juno and the under-appraised Over Her Dead Body. Don't get me wrong, Juno is the much better movie. And "Over." is not even that good. But, "but" makes the world go 'round and there is a big "but" here. But, Juno is way blathered over, way too much and Over Her Dead Body has some really good humor performances.

Juno first. This is the cutest little cuddly movie ever, to tackle one the largest social ills among teenagers--unwanted pregnancy. Everyone should see this movie: Liberals (She foregoes an abortion after hearing a plea from a protester) Conservatives (No guilt or shame in sight!!) The characters are great, the dialogue is great, even though you will have to suspend disbelief at the Cloverfield level to think teens actually talk this way or are nearly this smart, responsible, deep, wise or caring. Yet, movies are about hope Juno is quite the hopeful bundle of joy.

The bad about Juno is not the movie but the hype proclaiming it a miracle for the ages. Ellen Page is plenty good, but she's doing nothing that Alison Lohman can't do better. Also overly hyped is the writer Diablo Cody. I wonder if she would be this popular if she didn't have the added moniker, "Former stripper" in front her name at every turn. Hollywood after all, is still run by old men. Is Juno good? Yep. Should you see it? Yep.

Now for Over Her Dead Body. This movie is probably being yanked from cineplexes as fast as I can type these keystrokes. It's a shame. It's not the best, but it has one glowing point. This could be Lake Bell's Mystic Pizza. If you don't know what I am referring too, Mystic Pizza is Julie Robert's first movie role of notice. For the next 20 years the movies wouldn't be the same. With Reese going serious and Nicole mired in art, the movies are primed for the next Julia and that's why Katherine Heigl is getting so much press. But she might just be too pretty and too perfect to carry the mantle. Watch out for Lake Bell. She is the perfect blend of gawky, approach-ability and hot, sexy, chemistry. See this movie to be able to say "you were there."

Sadly, no one is probably going to see this movie until it comes out on Netflix and Lake Bell will probably be back on prime time shows like Boston Legal by then. Another big plus for the movie is the durable comedic talent Paul Rudd. He always bring great humor and romantic chemistry into every relationship with females and males alike. A minus is Eva Longoria saddled with an embarrassing role that looks like it was penned post writer's strike. See this movie to get a few good laughs, see the fattest dog in the world and to witness the beginning of the Lake Bell phenomenon.