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Wedding bellsBreaking up the audience, maybe
By Todd Leopold
(CNN) -- Is getting married a pain? In "American Wedding," the third chapter in the series begun by "American Pie," Jim (Jason Biggs) -- having dispensed of his virginity and developed a relationship with Michelle (Alyson Hannigan) in the previous two movies -- is preparing to hit the altar. He's got a lot to overcome, though: a short engagement, reconciling faiths, and that ol' gang of his, determined to get in the way. Then there's Ben and J. Lo. The current celebrity It Couple, Affleck and Lopez star in the other major release this weekend, "Gigli." It was while making this tale of a soft-hearted hit man and a lesbian hit woman that the two hit it off. Since then, they've waded through -- and contributed to -- reams of sludgy gossip about their relationship. Based on early reviews, the film isn't going to be much of an early gift if they do march down the aisle. Perhaps they should have included "American Pie's" Stifler in a love triangle. Eye on Entertainment is ready to crash the reception. Eye-openerWhen "American Pie" was released in 1999, it stood a good chance of making a profit -- it was a low-budget comedy with a likable, if unknown, cast -- but few thought it would become a blockbuster. Four years later, "American Wedding" is expected to be a big hit. Most of the gang's back, the script is equally balanced between gross-out gags, sophomoric sex jokes and sweet coming-of-age material, and the audience is primed. In "Wedding," Jim has more to think about than his engagement to Michelle. His grandmother is in ill health and wants to see her grandson get married before she dies. Finch (Eddie Kaye Thomas) is still lusting after Stifler's mother, and Stifler (Seann William Scott) -- and Finch -- are both lusting after Michelle's younger sister, Cadence (January Jones). Jim's Dad (Eugene Levy) is on hand to dispense wisdom. "American Pie" received many good reviews; "American Pie 2" received many poor reviews but made more money than the first one. Where "American Wedding" will fit in is anyone's guess -- and may indicate whether there's an "American Baby" or "American Divorce" (though writer Adam Herz says no way). On screen• Besides Ben and J. Lo, "Gigli" also has the talents of director Martin Brest ("Going in Style," "Midnight Run"). But word is that "Gigli" isn't going to make anybody forget another movie about a gangster couple, "Prizzi's Honor." Perhaps Affleck and Lopez could put some spice in their relationship by remaking "Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?" • "The Magdalene Sisters" is a grim tale about a group of unwanted Irish girls in the 1960s -- a pair of single mothers, a rape victim and an orphan -- who are taken to live under the supervision of some manipulative, sadistic nuns. The film was nominated for two Baftas (the British equivalent of the Oscar) and won the Golden Lion at the Venice Film Festival. On the tube• Lifetime is taking the opportunity to fill the summer doldrums with two new series -- "Wild Card" and "1-800-MISSING." The former stars Joely Richardson as a former blackjack dealer who changes her life after her sister dies in a plane crash; the latter stars Gloria Reuben as an FBI agent who finds missing people with the help of her psychic partner. If the group teams up, perhaps the psychic can help Richardson go to the casino as a patron and win a few hands. 9 and 10 p.m. EDT Saturday, Lifetime. Sound waves• Blues Traveler's first record of new material since 2001's "Bridge," "Truth Be Told" (Sanctuary), is due out Tuesday. • "Get the Picture" (Interscope), the new album from Smash Mouth, is due Tuesday. Paging readers• Faye Kellerman's new Peter Decker/Rina Lazarus novel, "Street Dreams" (Warner), is due for release Tuesday.
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