Movie review: 'Mr. Woodcock'
14.09 00:34 - Movie review: 'Mr. Woodcock'"The only way to get my respect is by beating me to a bloody pulp."
2 stars (out of four) Not that we advocate doing this sort of thing, but let's say you find yourself at the multiplex, and the first 20 minutes of 'Mr. Woodcock' happen to correspond with the 20 minutes you need to waste before your movie of choice begins. Those are the ideal 20 minutes to spend with this marginally promising--but ultimately unfunny--comedy.
The premise is reasonably solid: Opening scenes feature Billy Bob Thornton, at his smoothly sadistic best, as the titular Mr. Woodcock (tee-hee!), the most feared gym teacher in America, or at least Nebraska. As the camera pans the terror-struck pupils, Thornton struts and sneers, hurling basketballs at the weak-kneed and insults at the rest. 'You!' he barks at the kid wheezing for breath. 'Take a lap. And lose the asthma!' Woodcock seems to hate all his students, but reserves special humiliations for John Farley, a pudgy little guy who sweats and strains but still can't quite conquer the pull-up bar. Read more
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