WHAT TO EXPECT WHEN YOU'RE EXPECTING

year: 2012 cast: Jennifer Lopez, Chris Rock, Dennis Quaid rating: **1/2

While having a baby is a woman’s task – and not an easy one – going to a chick flick is the man’s burden. Yet this isn’t such a painful ride given the delivery (pun intended) of one-liners by Chris Rock and a group of Mr. Mom’s providing advice for a naive soon-to-be dad. But these scenes are mere distractions to an ensemble covering just about everything having to do with couples expecting, save for the conception itself – leave that to Judd Apatow.

What makes this work are the eclectic characters ranging all ages: from the son of a famous race car driver to the boyfriend of a famous reality star… to a child photographer to a perfect blond bunny – both sexes are covered equally. There's a touch of melodrama including the fear of adoption and losing a child. And there’s a lot of corny things along the way: some of the relationships seem out of a sitcom, the jokes aren’t always good, and everyone's jobs are just too perfect.

But the semi all star cast, including Jennifer Lopez, Cameron Diaz and Dennis Quaid (whose “son” Ben Falcone looks nothing like him), makes for a decent time waster despite the "predictable" turnout at the hospital paternity ward.

That's right... babies happen.