It’s a big weekend, perhaps you’ve heard. The Winter Olympics is in full swing, the Super Bowl is Sunday and, of course, Valentine’s Day is on Monday. As we approach Valentine’s Day, it means romantic comedies or romances at the movies. This year is no exception as Marry Me, starring Jennifer Lopez, drops on Friday. In honor of the release, for this week’s Binge Watch I’m looking at five other Lopez films for those that want to dive deep into her back catalogue. While some are romances, others are just interesting or surprising films.
Anaconda (1997)
About: This is one of her first feature films, released the same year she appeared in U-Turn and Selena. I put it on the list because I’m a fan of a good creature horror thriller. This one, as you might suspect, is about a big snake that, you know, eats folks. Lopez is part of a cast that includes Jon Voight, Eric Stoltz, Owen Wilson and Ice Cube. It isn’t an incredible film but it’s kind of fun, especially if you like these kind of B horror films with a semi-high-profile cast.
Out of Sight (1998)
About: This film arguably put Lopez on the map, featuring her as Karen Sisco starring opposite George Clooney in a film by Steven Soderberg. I like the style and mood of the film, and the casting here is solid, too. This is one of Lopez’s better films and well worth checking out. It probably even qualifies as a Valentine’s Day Weekend film.
The Wedding Planner (2001)
About: OK, Lopez has also done plenty of romantic comedies. This one, where she is, naturally, a wedding planner opposite Matthew McConaughey is probably one of the most well know. If you’re looking for a date night film at home, this will likely be a popular option for some. I’ll be honest, it wasn’t totally my cup of tea. I like the actors but a lot of the film doesn’t really work for me. It’s just OK.
Second Act (2018)
About: This comedy dropped around Christmas in 2018, starring Lopez as a middle-aged woman who fakes her way into a corporate dream job. It looked like a simple if unremarkable comedy, but I went to see it anyway because my wife is a fan. The story is much more complex and interesting than I’d imagined, and I loved the way Lopez played off of co-star Vanessa Hudgens. This one has good heart and an interesting story. It’s a fun film to check out.
Hustlers (2019)
About: I didn’t know what to make of Hustlers when it first came out, but the film from writer/director Lorene Scafaria is an interesting and engaging drama. It’s a different kind of part for Lopez, but she excels and plays well off co-star Constance Wu. It’s a darker kind of tale that has a twisty story, but it’s my favorite of Lopez’s films.
Matthew Fox is a graduate of the Radio, Television and Film program at Biola University, and a giant nerd. He spends his free time watching movies, TV, and obsessing about football. He is a member of the FSWA. You can find him @knighthawk7734 on Twitter and as co-host of the Fantasy Football Roundtable Podcast.
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