Antlers (C+ or 2/4 stars)
'Mr. Woodcock' is a comedy directed by Craig Gillespie (Lars & the Real Girl). John Farley (Seann William Scott, aka 'Stifler') is a self-help author who returns to his hometown only to discover that his mom (Susan Sarandon) has fallen for his old high school gym teacher, Mr. Woodcock (Billy Bob Thornton). Having put John through years of mental & physical abuse (as the mean, no-nonsense physical ed. teacher), John is determined to stop his mom from eventually marrying the very man who inspired him to write his self-help book. Well, I laughed; but only because I couldn't believe how UNfunny this 'comedy' was.
While growing up, John and many other schoolmates were tormented by Jasper Woodcock. Woodcock has made life a living hell for generations of kids. But John survived, becoming a writer & motivational speaker. Coming home to accept an award for his merits, he thought his painful memories were behind him. WRONG. The deadpan, cantankerous ass-of-a-teacher who takes pleasure in humiliating adolescent boys (this would 'never' occur in any real school) has actually proposed to his mom. From here on out, John tries to prevent the marriage by sabotaging Woodcock in any way possible.
Trying to beat him at his own game, John spends entire days with him. They go to the gym. John hopes to shove in Woodcock's face just how physically fit he is ... that backfires. They go to a retirement home to visit Woodcock's equally banal father. Woodcock is a sort-of recreational adviser to the old folks. John butts in to help when he thinks a man is drowning ... that backfires. John then attempts to beat Woodcock at carnival games ... that backfires. You see the trend of completely lifeless, ridiculous scenes that are thrown into this mess. I refuse to post anymore plot. You can probably guess the treacly ending, anyway.
#1: I can't 'believe' this is the same director who guided Lars & the Real Girl a genuinely funny, but genuine film at the same time. This movie is garbage. #2: What the hell is Sarandon doing in this? #3: Why is Thornton lowering himself in these recent roles? #4: I'm giving this film 1 star for 2 reasons, .5 of a star for a treadmill incident which made me burst into hysterics ... and .5 of a star for an equally humorous incident involving a school chair; that's it. And #5: Yeah, I like Seann William Scott, but if he's some well-respected author/motivational speaker, than I'm the Leader of Eritrea.
You see, some of the 'insult' comedy worked (because of Thornton's passive-aggressive delivery), but 90% of it doesn't! The movie is ludicrous, repetitious & mean-spirited. The plot is degrading & uninspired. I don't want to watch a string of juvenile, vulgar put-downs for 87 minutes. It's the kind of pointless, NON-existent film that everyone involved appeared to do for the $$, and nothing else. My opinion, of course, but there's just not enough comedy here.
While growing up, John and many other schoolmates were tormented by Jasper Woodcock. Woodcock has made life a living hell for generations of kids. But John survived, becoming a writer & motivational speaker. Coming home to accept an award for his merits, he thought his painful memories were behind him. WRONG. The deadpan, cantankerous ass-of-a-teacher who takes pleasure in humiliating adolescent boys (this would 'never' occur in any real school) has actually proposed to his mom. From here on out, John tries to prevent the marriage by sabotaging Woodcock in any way possible.
Trying to beat him at his own game, John spends entire days with him. They go to the gym. John hopes to shove in Woodcock's face just how physically fit he is ... that backfires. They go to a retirement home to visit Woodcock's equally banal father. Woodcock is a sort-of recreational adviser to the old folks. John butts in to help when he thinks a man is drowning ... that backfires. John then attempts to beat Woodcock at carnival games ... that backfires. You see the trend of completely lifeless, ridiculous scenes that are thrown into this mess. I refuse to post anymore plot. You can probably guess the treacly ending, anyway.
#1: I can't 'believe' this is the same director who guided Lars & the Real Girl a genuinely funny, but genuine film at the same time. This movie is garbage. #2: What the hell is Sarandon doing in this? #3: Why is Thornton lowering himself in these recent roles? #4: I'm giving this film 1 star for 2 reasons, .5 of a star for a treadmill incident which made me burst into hysterics ... and .5 of a star for an equally humorous incident involving a school chair; that's it. And #5: Yeah, I like Seann William Scott, but if he's some well-respected author/motivational speaker, than I'm the Leader of Eritrea.
You see, some of the 'insult' comedy worked (because of Thornton's passive-aggressive delivery), but 90% of it doesn't! The movie is ludicrous, repetitious & mean-spirited. The plot is degrading & uninspired. I don't want to watch a string of juvenile, vulgar put-downs for 87 minutes. It's the kind of pointless, NON-existent film that everyone involved appeared to do for the $$, and nothing else. My opinion, of course, but there's just not enough comedy here.