Inside Look: Aniston and Bateman

'The Switch' starring Jennifer Aniston and Jason Bateman opened on Friday and didn't fare well at the Box Office ($8.1M), or with the critics. All this despite having some decent supporting actors on board; including Jeff Goldblum (Jurassic Park, The Fly), Juliette Lewis (Whip It, Old School), and Patrick Wilson (Watchmen, Hard Candy). The Rom-Com isn't quite what it was in the 80's and 90's. Regardless, I've decided to take a look at the careers of Aniston and Bateman. They both started gaining interest on prime time television with 'Friends' and 'Arrested Development' respectively. Lets start with Ms. Aniston.

The best of Jennifer Aniston:

1. The Break-Up (2006): She plays the controlling, obsessive, but sexy girlfriend opposite Vince Vaughn. I don't know what's more ludicrous, the fact that these two were cast together, or the fact that they actually dated. Either way, this is her best performance to date.

2. Along Came Polly (2004): A very funny film starring Ben Stiller, and Philip Seymour Hoffman with maybe his funniest performance ever. The film starts out with Stiller getting dumped on his honeymoon. Soon after, he runs into his old friend, Polly Prince (Aniston). Their relationship has some ups and downs to say the least. This is what a Rom-Com should/can be. Aniston has some really funny one-liners in this film.

3. Office Space (1999): Aniston finally showed what she's capable of in this classic. Who can forget those scenes with her waiting at Chotchkies? A hilarious film with a very good performance by Aniston.

4. He's Just Not That Into You (2009): Aniston has a small role in this above average Rom-Com. She and Ben Affleck are in a serious relationship, but he won't commit. She shows us her serious side in this film and in the end gives Affleck an ultimatum. A decent film, that even a male can enjoy.

5. Management (2008): You've probably never heard of this film because it only played at a few festivals, and then went to DVD. It's a very average film about a hotel manager (Steve Zahn) who falls in love with Aniston at first site. He borderline stalks Aniston and somehow gets her in the sack (let alone talk to her). He follows her across the country and things get really weird. Possibly worth a rent if you like Zahn.

The best of Jason Bateman:

1. Extract (2009): A really funny movie and a good lead role for Bateman. Ben Affleck has a very good supporting role as his stoner friend. Mila Kunis, who is transitioning from TV to feature-films, is good as always. I Definitely recommend this dark comedy from Mike Judge (Office Space).

2. Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story (2004): Who can forget Pepper Brooks from Dodgeball. The chemistry between him and Cotton McKnight (Gary Cole) is undeniable. They're Possibly the funniest play-by-play announcers since Harry Doyle in 'Major League'.

3. Juno (2007): His best serious role to date, in this Oscar-winning film. He plays the slightly creepy, but cool husband of Jennifer Garner. She desperately wants Juno's baby, but he's not quite in love with Garner (ahhh...what?!?). Great film by a great director (Jason Reitman).

4. Starsky & Hutch (2004): He's the right-hand man of a drug lord (a hilarious Vince Vaughn). He sports an awfully funny mustache and snorts coke to take the edge off. A hilarious film by one of the best directors in the business (Todd Phillips).

5. Hancock (2008): While I didn't necessarily like the film, I did enjoy the first half of the film. Bateman is the PR man for the drunk and homeless superhero. He's quite funny while he attempts to tame Will Smith and his wacky antics.

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