Genres

Visitors Review

The_Matrix_Rocks 2012-05-20 20:18:28

Nice try, but misses the mark

I like Jon Heder. I liked him in "Benchwarmers". I liked him (less) in"Blades of Glory". He's a likable guy.The problem with "School for Scoundrels" is that Jon's inherentlikability is all about his inability to win through. Even when hewins, it's more about everyone winning than Jon's characters winning athis "opponents" expense."School for Scoundrels" tells the story of a bunch of losers whoencounter a teacher who turns them into lesser losers. They're all veryhappy for the uprating in coolness, but at what price? Throw in a plotthat twists and turns, and then keeps twisting and turning, and anannoying cameo by the usually film-stealing Ben Stiller, and whatunfolds is a tale that ultimately left me feeling uninterested in thismovie...chiefly because it offers nothing by the way of interestingoutcomes. Which is unfortunate because one plot twist more (or indeedfewer) and you'd have something worth talking about.The movie ultimately falls between two stools. And just so we're clear,the one stool is a "Revenge of the Nerds' remake, and the other stoolis an "Anger Management" remake - see what I mean? Oh, and Billy-BobThornton. Yeah. Whatever. Don't see what all the fuss is about.

2012-05-20 09:36:14

Excellent.

Jon Heder (Napolean Dynamite) is hilarious in the film...as the typical nerd turned awesome guy....This movie is what's it's all about.

jimmythegeek 2012-05-18 03:19:38

Runs out of gas and subversive humor

I really wanted to like this movie. I usually find Billy Bob Thortonfun to watch when he's in reprobate mode. I like "Ice Harvest", "BadSanta", and the "Bad News Bears" remake. He was good in this as theaggressive dude teaching wimps how to be alpha males.The script could have used some work. The first half, the interestinghalf, had kind of a "Fight Club" theme. It was concerned with manhood,being a winner, and shooting your classmates in the nuts with apaintball gun. That's comedy! (I dig slapstick - sue me.) Then, as JoeBob Briggs used to say, the plot gets in the way of the story. It runsout of gas and interest as it morphs into a boy-gets-girl thing. Theactions and choices of the two antagonists aren't especiallyinteresting in the second half until maybe at the very end.I think part of the problem is the casting. I don't think Jon Heder isthe right guy for the sympathetic loser. He's great as an over-the-topdork. But he didn't engage my sympathy or interest in this role. A lotof the characterization was external, so he didn't have a lot to workwith. Lame job, OK. Pajamas. OK. Needs a little...more. This is amean-spirited comedy: let's see some mean-spirited stuff!

mikhalt 2012-05-17 17:50:38

This movie looks funny

this movie looks funny with Ben Stiller in it and a whole cast ofcharacters. I believe this movie will be really big in the theatres,but I guess we will see depending on what happens you know. I havealways enjoyed Ben Stiller movies they have a certain originality tothen. Authenticity like Adam Sandler movies, with exception to hisMystery Men movie considering that it was a complete flop. The elementsin this movie look well considered and ready to please. To bring it alltogether in the end that makes sense I believe. I wonder about the plotwhether it will be well thought out or make sense. We will have to seewhen you guys go and see this film.

jotix100 2012-05-16 19:48:54

Lie, lie, lie, and lie some more!

Imagine the poor nerd-like Roger, who is humiliated on a daily basis byhis co-workers. He is such a pathetic individual that even the BigBrother group he mentors want to get rid of him. What to do? How aboutenrolling in a school that will give him the skills that will help himovercome his own shortcomings. For that, he goes to Dr. P's schoolwhere supposedly he will learn, among other things, how to overcome hisinability to deal with the tormentors he faces everywhere and then getto have great sex that has been denied to him.The premise of this comedy must have sounded great to the people behindthe project. Todd Phillips, after all, is a major talent that has donemuch better. Writing the screenplay together with Scot Armstrong, andloosely based on the original English film of the same title, one wouldhave expected a laughter riot. After all, the casting seemed made inheaven.The pairing of Billy Bob Thornton and Jon Heder, should have yielded anedgier comedy, but alas, it was not meant to be. One cannot blame theactors involved because the material given for them to act, doesn'thold many surprises. There are isolated parts that are funny and work.Most of the time the gags feel flat.Even though the end product is not what one expected, "School ofScoundrels" has its moments and it could be a film to watch withfriends if the group is into a party mood.

fhelipe_d 2012-05-16 00:59:12

cool movie

i just saw this movie tonight and god was it good :);) just wanted tosay if your looking for a movie for entertainment then this movie isone you should consider:) also just thought i would say that the actorsfor this movie is very good and very good selection process---------------------------------- ------------------------------------------------------------------ ---------------------------------------------- ---------------------------- --------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------------- ------------ ----------------------- --------------- --------------------- ---------------------- ----------------- --------------------------

2012-05-15 08:57:55

Great Movie, Original Storyline

School For Scoundrels is about a loser who takes classes on becoming a winner taught by a psychopathic type character played by Billy Bob Thornton. The story is a romantic comedy with a hard edge. The acting is great and the storyline is unforgettable. I highly recommend watching this movie. As silly as the premise is some things ring true to real life.

hiltonheadserg 2012-05-14 17:32:39

great movie for this genre

This movie is not for everyone, but for people with that little bit oftwisted sense of humor it is terrific. it also has enough of a sweetstory to keep most people, even the most sensitive, enjoying if theyjust hang in there through the tough parts. some great lines tore-count with your friends later.Napolean dynamite gives his usual steady performance, while graduallymoving away from that persona in each movie he does.Billy bob Thornton is right in his element here.fast talking, andconfident to a sickness, it's almost as if this role was written forhim. strange to see that Phillips wanted Howard stern for this role.this movie would probably have been terrible with stern in the lead.My girlfriend,and I, both enjoyed tghis movie. we couldn't hardly befarther apart in what we enjoy.all-in-all an excellent movie that mostwill find something in it to enjoy.

Floated2 2012-05-10 20:18:39

Decent film

Jon Heder, dialing down the gawkiness of his breakthrough role inNapoleon Dynamite, stars as Roger, a spineless New York City meter maidprone to panic attacks and being picked on. He can't even muster thenerve to ask out the girl next door, Amanda, a warm-hearted Australian.Roger hits bottom when he's dumped (again) as a big brother, leadinghim to a secretive, cash-only class taught by Thornton's Dr. P, aself-styled self-help guru who shows weak men how to unleash their"inner lion." This films has an interesting story and premise but isn'tall that great and it seems very usual compared to other films. Attimes it seems like it doesn't know what type of comedy it wants to be.Is it a black comedy that isn't dark enough? Or a dumb comedy thatisn't stupid enough, or a gross-out comedy that isn't yucky enough? Oris it really just a romance comedy that isn't sweet enough? It startsout as a silly comedy then turns into a romantic comedy and ends thatway. The film could have been much better but it wasn't so bad. Notvery funny either. Decent and watchable film.

caseysmith584 2012-05-10 07:18:37

Good Movie

OK, the movie yes, started off pretty boring. Anyone who can sit thereand call John Heder an intolerable actor is absolutely lame. He is byfar the best comedic actor in his age group. He is full of goodhumor.Also, if you expect every movie to be freaking awesome with himin it then your wrong. That's whats wrong with America today, theycan't adjust to change. By the way,the movie wasn't suppose to be basedaround Billy Bob Thorton either. It's about a guy who is lame and wantssomething more out of life, which would make John Heder the maincharacter, duh. Of course the end was going to be predictable, but whatending in a movie isn't. You rarely get a movie that is unpredictable.I give John Heder, a new rising actor,Two thumbs up. He's only tryingto adjust his image, so people won't always look at him as Napoleon.

2012-05-10 00:55:48

pretty good

Billy Bob Thornton and Jon Heder work well together in this off-beat comedy. There are lots of recognizable actors sprinkled throughout the movie and I was pleasantly surprised overall (especially after seeing the sub-par Mr. Woodcock).

bitcetc 2012-05-09 20:19:19

Uneducating

Adequately entertaining. Billy Bob Thornton and Jon Heder make mildlyinteresting, obviously unmatched adversaries. Talented supporting castalso supplies some interest, but no character is fully developed.Michael Clarke Duncan comes the closest, but his hostility, his backstory, his orientation is unexplained and sometimes inexplicable.Jacinda Barrett plays a nice girl, and does a nice job. Some laughs,interrupted by huge plot holes. What is Sarah Silverman doing, exceptbeing nasty? The premise is funny. Who hasn't felt like "the nice guy who finisheslast", with the exception of people like the self-proclaimed "DoctorP", Billy Bob Thornton, who teaches the class of the weak and the meekto become lions. The overall mediocrity of the mess is pretty muchattributable to director Todd Phillips ("Old School", "Starsky andHutch"). Wait for the DVD, and rent it for $1.00; don't buy it.

Steve S 2012-05-01 21:15:34

Not Bad, Not Great

It was an OK movie. Every time I see Jon Heder I think "Gonna eat yourtots ?" or "I had an excellent time". To see him in a love story justseems strange. He seems to play the same guy in every movie. Down onhis luck, insecure, shy and loves a woman he can't talk to. SarahSilverman plays probably the worst person in the world. If she was realpeople would kill her or beat her. Ben Stiller is wasted (not drunk butnot used to his abilities), in fact Ben Stiller could have had JonHeder's part and it would have been the same movie. Billy Bob is notreally in this movie. Maybe if he had been the Sling Blade guy it wouldhave been hilarious. "MMHmm, you like fried taters with your woman?'His character is just there. I have no idea what Micheal DuncanClarke is doing in this movie. He plays a tough guy who isn't verytough. The whole airplane scene is pretty good. Probably the best partof the movie. Unfortunately, it's at the end.

Robert W. 2012-05-01 06:32:49

Well written, clever and funny...a battle of wits and love

I give Jon Heder great respect for doing everything he can to continuehis career following his type casted performance as the brutally stupidNapoleon Dynamite which became an instant cult classic. Having seeneverything he has done since that film I think this is truly his firststep at escaping that role. It's still a comedy and he's still theunderdog but he's smart, and cute funny, and he gets to match wits andkick ass against Billy Bob Thorton which highlights this film and makesit worthwhile. It's really an underdog film, and it's about beingyourself. The laughs aren't really roll on the floor but more of asubtle dark humor with so much of it basing itself around the battlebetween these two men...the self confident, conceited, vindictive Dr.P, and the much more down to earth and reluctantly confident, romantic,and determined Roger. It's actually a very clever and intelligent andfor the most part originally done comedy.Jon Heder of course heads up the cast as Roger. One of the trulydelightful things about Heder's performance in this film is that he isso just a buddy. He's a normal, regular, guy with some real confidenceproblems and you can't help but relate to the guy. He looks and acts sodown to earth and that might be Heder's real charm in breaking out intoother roles besides Napoleon (which I never thought was all thatspectacular.) He is really good in this part and you'll root for him100%. His teacher/mentor and then ultimate adversary is the deliciouslybad Billy Bob Thorton as the mysterious Dr. P. I mean overall Thorton'scharacter is just a complete and utter A**hole...and I never, everswear in my reviews but that is exactly what he is. Dr. P is mean andignorant but yet somehow manages to inspire non-confident men intobeing mean machines themselves and taking what they want. Thorton isjust awesome in this role. You hate the guy and yet find yourself drawnto his weird style. Finally he takes a rather psychotic turn and goesafter Heder's girl that Heder absolutely loves launching a complete warbetween the men with no holds barred. Both of them play a mean game andin the process Heder really shines with his tactics considering howtwisted Thorton's character is. But the comedy in the film definitelypeaks with their battle. Both actors are terrific!! Jacinda Barrettplays the object of both their affections and despite a small moresubtle role she does quite well and manages to have good chemistry withboth Thorton and Heder but especially Heder. And she's not classically,outright beautiful but has a more girl next door to her look whichhelps with the part and the story. Michael Clarke Duncan is hilariousas the equally cruel teacher's assistant Lesher. Duncan's comedy comesentirely from him being so enormous and physical at the same time buthis role is classic. Also honorable mention to the supporting cast ofcomedians including the under rated Horatio Sanz, Matt Walsh, and ToddLouiso. Most useless role in a film gets handed out without hesitationto Ben Stiller who makes a useless cameo that is probably supposed tospike people's interest but he is forced on you in true Stillerfashion. Stiller's comedy doesn't fit this type of film because itisn't a laugh out loud, stupid comedy but far more intelligent and hejust doesn't fit. I suppose he likely had a hand in producing orsomething so he had to make himself a role but he wasn't necessary butgraciously the part is small. The director is also a Frat Pack directorso it makes sense he brought Stiller aboard.However that's not to say anything bad about director and co-writerTodd Phillips because he does an excellent job. I think his directionstyle is subtle and he lets talented actors do their thing like Hederand Thorton. He has done a lot of comedy but it has mostly been morethe gross out "Porky's" type humor and this is a nice change for himand I think he should hopefully do some much more intelligent comedylike this one. School for Scoundrels is definitely one of the bettercomedies I have seen as of recently. Some won't like it because it'sfar more subtle and intelligent but that is it's charm and adults willlike it's style of comedy. I do recommend absolutely!! 8/10

2012-04-24 11:04:27

All right!

I love it.You'll love it if you don't like 'Bad Santa' and 'Napoleon Dynamite' at all.

freakfire-1 2012-04-23 20:55:05

Bad Santa meets Alf

Do you like Billy Bob Thornton? How about the many wives he has had?His movies? All the above? Well, this movie is probably for you.Instead of being a mall Santa or flying into space, he runs a "class"for loveless losers and takes their money. Problem is, some people likeJohn Heder get too good.So Billy Bob proceeds to try to win over his woman (Jacinda Barrett)and starts an all out war with Heder. Things get a little crazy andsome of the things that happen are quite hilarious, although its notalways a 'laffer' at some points.And how Michael Clarke Duncan got involved beats me. But at least he isshown some love in this movie.Overall, not bad. I like the acting in this one. "B"

2012-04-22 23:58:19

Funny movie, learning to be the lion.

I was one of the outsiders that never cared much for nepoleon dynomite, so I am leary of any John Heder film. That said, I think this actually was a decent movie. John Heder plays the role of a New York city Meter man named Roger, a meek man at that. He doesn't stand up for himself, and can't get himself to ask his neighbor out on a date. Heck, he even gets rejected by the little brothers at Big brothers and big sisters, 3 times. Luckily, he get refered by his friend to take a class to become more confident. "Dr. P" (Billy Bob Thornton) is the professor for this course. Well, amazingly, Roger some how makes his way to the head of the class, and even goes on a date. Little does he know, Dr. P has bigger plans, a kind of "master's program" for advanced student...and the glove come off. The movie takes off from here. I won't spoil it from here, other reviewers have written alot already. But, It a funny, entertaining film, and I actually have gained some respect for John Heder. Also, Billy Bob was a good match for the role he plays at Dr. P. Check it out, you get some good laughs out of this one.

2012-04-22 13:13:00

comedy? what comedy?

This movie starts with a absurd love triangle between a loser and con artist. A set up perhaps similar to something about mary. But instead of trying to get laughs - the film spends most of its time trying to be sincere and emotionally deep and believable. I gues the film tries to be a romantic comedy. Unfortunately, all the action is between the rivals, the chick doesnt get enough screen time (she seems kinda bland and nice), plus the initial romance is never really established. SO the emotional heart of the film is missing. Most of the emotion of this film is the brooding of a gloomy loser.there are a few jokes. the only time the film goes into real comedy territory is the very very end. and its not really that funny.

Steven 2012-04-22 05:20:50

Todd Phillips's weakest work, but still solid

Todd Phillips is known for making funny, original comedies. From thedirector of Road Trip, Old School, Starsky & Hutch, and The Hangovercomes School for Scoundrels.Billy Bob Thornton and Jon Heder star in this funny movie. Heder playsRoger, a hopeless romantic who wants to better his life and get theattention of a girl named Amanda. He attends a class taught by Dr. P,played by Thornton.Dr. P is not afraid to say it like it is. He believes that people haveself help books because their self sucks. He has morals that areunusual, but knows how to actually make his students better themselves.Roger has even more to fight for as Dr. P always chooses one student togive a much harder time to. Roger is that student and doesn't know whatto do. Later, he stands up to Dr. P and ends up graduating his class.This movie has some laughs, but lacks some morality. It is still asolid effort by director Todd Phillips. Phillips knows how to make amovie and original, but this one was a little cheesy, but still a soldeffort. There is also a hilarious cameo by Ben Stiller as a formerstudent who also got picked on by Dr. P.

Amy Adler 2012-04-21 14:49:14

Scoundrel is synonymous with Thornton, Heder is unusual choice for a leading man

Roger (Jon Heder) is a wimpy parking meter attendant for NYC. Afterlosing his uniform to thieves on the job and being dumped from the bigbrother program, he is despondent. Add to this his unrequited crush ona beautiful neighbor named Amanda (Jacinda Barrett), and you have a manon the proverbial ropes. However, a well-meaning friend gives himinformation about a secret class in male self-esteem, run by the harshDr. P (Billy Bob Thornton). In class and on outings, Dr. P uses toughtactics to turn his unfortunate students into successful men. But, whathappens when Dr. P decides to put the moves on Amanda, after a chancemeeting? Does Roger have what it takes to thwart Dr P's efforts and winAmanda for himself? This is a fairly nice but easily disposable film.Thornton is, of course, a natural choice for the scoundrel teacher andhe delivers a good-and-slimy performance. Barrett is beautiful andtouching as the love interest, adding greatly to the film's enjoyment.Heder, although a good comic performer, seems all wrong as a romanticlead. But, perhaps it is a bit refreshing for someone without theknockout good looks to go for broke in the love department. Ben Stillerhas a fine cameo as a wacko ex-student of Dr. P. The setting in NYC andthe costumes are nice. All in all, the film is a satisfying view for arainy day. But, it doesn't seem like a movie that will be remembered ortalked about five years down the road.