‘BACK IN ACTION’ Rated PG-13

One thing to keep in mind is that we are in the middle of winter during the month of February, and our expectations for cinematic excellence must be kept in check until at least, hopefully, during the spring.

Meanwhile, Netflix makes it possible to stay in the comfort of home and indulge in either a guilty pleasure or mechanical popcorn entertainment that likely wouldn’t survive more than a week at the local multiplex.

That brings us to the espionage action comedy of “Back in Action,” starring Jamie Foxx and Cameron Diaz as a married couple with two kids who are retired CIA spies pulled back into action when their secret identities are exposed. One mystery here is how did Glenn Close end up in this film?

Like most spy films, the action kicks off quickly when Foxx’s Matt and Diaz’s Emily are CIA operatives who attend the birthday party thrown by an Eastern European terrorist to break into a safe.

Having to fight their way out of the mansion, the duo soon finds themselves on an MI6 plane when they are ambushed by the crew, leading to an incredible crash landing somewhere in the snow-covered alps.

Jump to fifteen years later, Matt and Emily are now suburban parents with 12-year-old Leo (Rylan Jackson) and 14-year-old Alice (McKenna Roberts). A family affair at a nightclub leads to a video that reveals them as former spies.

While the children remain in the dark about their parents’ identity, the family heads to London in search of a key that they hope to return to the CIA, but all sorts of bad people are anxious get their hands on it as well.

Once in England, the now-unretired spies show up at the estate of Emily’s British mother (Glenn Close), who is also a former spy. This long overdue family reunion results in having to overcome a strained relationship.

One thing going for B-movie pleasure of “Back in Action” is that it has plenty of stunts, spectacular vehicular crashes, awesome fight skills, a powerboat chase, and even turning a gas station hose into a deadly flamethrower.

Aside from leaning into the action, “Back in Action” allows Jamie Foxx and Cameron Diaz to engage in plenty of enjoyable banter. To be sure, the plot is sufficiently ludicrous but what else can you can expect. Just go with the preposterous action.



‘PUPPY BOWL XXI’ ON ANIMAL PLANET

On Sunday, Feb. 9th, Super Bowl LIX comes to the Caesars Superdome in New Orleans. As no California team will contend this year for the NFL’s coveted Lombardi Trophy, maybe it’s time to find an alternative game.

There is another Bowl game happening earlier in the day, and it won’t have any two-legged competitors on the gridiron. This television event will be “Puppy Bowl XXI” featuring 142 rescue puppies from 80 shelters across 40 states and two countries.

With more puppies than ever before, Animal Planet’s “Puppy Bowl XXI” will highlight their inspiring journeys from birth to adoption, as well as the tremendous dedication of the shelters that help animals find forever homes.

The game kicks off when Julep, the first-ever St. Bernard mix, and Smoosh, the only Pekingese to compete in the games, will head up Team Fluff, while Mr. Pickles, a Pug-Chihuahua, and Tuani, a Chihuahua-German Shepherd from Nicaragua, will look to bring Team Ruff to victory.

The two teams will meet on the gridiron in hopes of bringing home the Walmart “Lombarky” trophy and see which puppy player has what it takes to be named the MVP (Most Valuable Puppy) and win the Subaru of America Underdog Award.

Eleven inspiring special needs dogs, including Jolene, an American Pit Bull terrier-mix competing in a wheelchair, and Sprinkle, a blind and hearing-impaired Australian shepherd-mix, will take the field, giving it their all and not letting their disabilities slow them down.

Interspersed with extended puppy love, star matchups, and behind-the-scenes moments are the “Pup Close and Personal” segments, sharing the backstories of some of the all-star athletes.

Dan Smyers, from superstar country duo Dan + Shay, will bring a rescue puppy from Wags & Walks Nashville backstage at one of his concerts for some socialization and to boost their chances of being adopted.

Kansas City Chiefs defensive tackle Derrick Nnadi and his girlfriend, Nani, will visit the Humane Society of Greater Kansas City, where they’ll meet Parsnip, a rescue Pit Bull-mix, and spend time training the dog to compete in the games.

In preparation of the big canine showdown, ten puppy prospects will engage in practice drills and show off their moves in the first ever Puppy Combine. Each pup will compete to be selected as the top pick in the Puppy Bowl Draft and join Team Ruff and Team Fluff rosters.

The popular annual event will be simulcast on Animal Planet, Discovery Channel, TBS, TruTV, Max and Discovery+, with the kickoff set to air at 10 a.m. Pacific Time. May the best pooch team carry home the trophy.

Tim Riley writes film and television reviews for Lake County News.