Film Review:”Open Season” and “School for Scoundrels”

This week at the movie theater, there is something to fit everyone’s taste. Two movies in particular stand out as wonderful examples of that: “School for Scoundrels” and “Open Season.”

First up, “School for Scoundrels,” which stars Billy Bob Thornton as Dr. P, the teacher of a secret confidence-building class that helps losers to be cool. Roger (Jon Heder of “Napoleon Dynamite” fame) enrolls in the class to gain enough confidence to ask out his love interest, Amanda (Jacinda Barrett). Roger excels in the class, but when he finds that Dr. P is providing competition for Amanda’s heart, things become very interesting as the student attempts to teach, and compete with, his teacher.

This is a surprisingly good film. The trailer does not do this film justice. Usually all the funniest bits are in the trailer, but in this case the film is funny throughout. It really is hilarious and the actors work well together, Heder being the most surprising of all. After movies like “Napoleon Dynamite” and “Benchwarmers,” it is good to see Heder in a role where he isn’t walked all over the whole time. Though he may play a nerd wonderfully, he is funnier as the nerd playing confident as he does in “School for Scoundrels.” Directed and written by Todd Phillips, co-written by Scot Armstrong and rated PG-13, this film is good for everyone 13 and up. I give this film 5 out of 5 stars.

“Open Season” takes the fun in a different direction. This CG animated family film follows a grizzly bear who has been domesticated, Boog (voiced by Martin Lawrence). Boog is released back into the wilderness just three days before hunting season begins. Along with his friend, Elliot the deer (voiced by Ashton Kucher), he sets off on his way to try to get home before the hunters arrive. But when he sees that other forest animals need help defending themselves from the hunters, Boog and Elliot organize a rebellion against the humans.

This movie is a decent kid movie, but that’s all. It is not as clever as “Toy Story” or “Shrek.” Those films were entertaining for children and parents; this film is riddled with bathroom humor, an Ashton Kucher comedy that plays well for young kids. But this film disappoints in the fact that it is such a good premise and there is so much that could be done with this, yet it is primarily “funny sounding word” humor. Directed by Roger Allers, Jill Culton and Anthony Stacchi and written by Steve Bencich and Ron J. Friedman. Rated PG, this film is good for kids 5 to 12. I give this film 2 out of 5 stars.