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Movies / On DVD / Mr. Woodcock
Mr. Woodcock

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Mr. Woodcock (2007)

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Reviews Counted: 105

Fresh: 14

Rotten:91

Average Rating: 4/10

Consensus: Underutilizing a talented cast, Mr. Woodcock lacks the comic energy and timing to make the most of its intriguing premise.

Rated: 12A

Runtime: 88 mins

Genre: Comedies

Theatrical Release:28-09-2007

Synopsis: For students at Forest Meadow Middle School, P.E. class is not playtime, but rather an exercise in mental and physical humiliation administered by the tough as gristle Mr. Woodcock (Billy Bob... For students at Forest Meadow Middle School, P.E. class is not playtime, but rather an exercise in mental and physical humiliation administered by the tough as gristle Mr. Woodcock (Billy Bob Thornton). Run more like a military boot camp than a gym class, Woodcock’s physical education class takes on a new meaning where no child’s flaws or weaknesses are safe from the torture and embarrassment that follow the sound of the despised teacher’s whistle. For John Farley (Seann William Scott), author of the national bestseller Letting Go: Getting Past Your Past, the painful memories of being in Mr. Woodcock’s class have since been replaced by the self confidence gained from becoming a successful writer and motivational speaker. When a last minute cancellation on his book tour gives him an unexpected day off, John returns home to surprise his mother, Beverly (Susan Sarandon), with the news that he will be awarded the small town’s prestigious “Corn Cob Key” during its annual Cornival Festival. John’s jubilation quickly turns to angst when he discovers his mother has fallen in love with Mr. Woodcock. Forced to spend time with his old nemesis, John must endure the familiar sting of his former teacher’s sharp tongue and intimidation tactics all over again. Ignoring the pleas of his hard-nosed book publicist Maggie (Amy Poehler) to get back on tour, John extends his visit in an effort to disrupt the relationship between his mother and Woodcock, but with each passing day he finds himself regressing deeper into the insecurities and awkwardness that plagued his youth. Mortified and panic-stricken by the inevitability of his mother marrying the one man he truly despises, John enlists the help of his old school mate, Jay Nedderman (Ethan Suplee), in a last-ditch attempt to take down Mr. Woodcock. The result is a series of hilarious confrontations that lead John to discover that one’s past is often hard to escape. Mr. Woodcock is a New Line Cinema presentation of a Landscape Entertainment production, directed by Craig Gillespie from an original screenplay written by Michael Carnes & Josh Gilbert. The film is produced by Bob Cooper and David Dobkin. The executive producers are Diana Pokorny, Toby Emmerich, Kent Alterman and Karen Lunder. The co-executive producers are Michele Weiss and Keith Goldberg. The co-producer is Brian Inerfeld. The creative behind-the-scenes team includes Director of Photography Tami Reiker, ASC, Production Designer Alison Sadler, Editors Alan Baumgarten, A.C.E. and Kevin Tent, A.C.E., Costume Designer Wendy Chuck and Composer Theodore Shapiro. The talented cast features Billy Bob Thornton, Seann William Scott and Susan Sarandon, as well as Ethan Suplee, Melissa Sagemiller, Kurt Fuller, Melissa Leo, Bill Macy, Brent Briscoe and M.C. Gainey, with Amy Poehler. New Line Cinema will release Mr. Woodcock (rated PG-13 by the M.P.A.A. for “crude and sexual content, thematic material, language and a mild drug reference”) in theaters nationwide on September 14th, 2007. --©: New Line Cinema [More]

Starring: Billy Bob Thornton, Seann William Scott, Susan Sarandon, Ethan Suplee

Starring: Billy Bob Thornton, Seann William Scott, Susan Sarandon, Ethan Suplee, Amy Poehler

Director: Craig Gillespie

Director: Craig Gillespie
Screenwriter: Michael Carnes, Josh Gilbert
Producer: Bob Cooper, David Dobkin
Composer: Theodore Shapiro
Studio: New Line Cinema

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Reviews for Mr. Woodcock

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1 - 20 (sorted by date; UK critics are listed first)
Text View | 1 2 3 4 5 6 >> >|
Arrange By: Fresh | Rotten | Comments | Name | Source | Date
 
 

It’s not the worst film you’ll see all year, but it’s not going to wind up on anyone’s honour roll, either.

Full Review Source: Empire Magazine | comment Comment
10/13/07
William Thomas
Empire Magazine
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

As usual, Billy Bob is very watchable in the lead. But the rest of the film is only so-so.

Full Review Source: This is London | comment Comment
09/29/07
Derek Malcolm
This is London

Mr Woodcock is never less than watchable, thanks to strong performances and some amusing dialogue, but it's badly let down by a disappointingly weak plot.

Full Review Source: ViewLondon | comment Comment
09/29/07
Matthew Turner
ViewLondon

Laughs aplenty in this daft comedy about "letting go" .

Full Review Source: Independent | comment Comment
09/29/07
Anthony Quinn
Independent

Thornton does his best with a crass script and a cop-out finale.

Full Review Source: Daily Telegraph | comment Comment
09/28/07
Sukhdev Sandhu
Daily Telegraph
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

Disappointing.

Full Review Source: Guardian [UK] | comment Comment
09/28/07
Peter Bradshaw
Guardian [UK]
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

Thornton is magnificent as the unrepentant monster.

Full Review Source: Times [UK] | comment Comment
09/28/07
James Christopher
Times [UK]
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

Mr Woodcock offers one or two glorious moments of slapstick comedy, separated by a tumbleweed-strewn tundra of tedium.

Full Review Source: BBC | comment Comment
09/28/07
Paul Arendt
BBC
Top Critic Icon Top Critic
N/R

Click to read the article

Full Review Source: Screen International | comment Comment
09/22/07
Screen International

The playful dialog provides the best laughter, while the big set pieces feel strangely muted

Full Review Source: Shadows on the Wall | comment Comment
09/20/07
Rich Cline
Shadows on the Wall

Mr Woodcock is ok as far as predictable, low-brow Hollywood comedies are concerned, and it's considerably elevated by its above average cast.

Full Review Source: Urban Cinefile | comment Comment
07/12/08
Urban Cinefile Critics
Urban Cinefile
N/R

Click to read the article

Full Review Source: Sydney Morning Herald | comment Comment
03/21/08
Sydney Morning Herald

O longa não apenas acaba se revelando terrivelmente sem graça como também assusta por sua moral torta, condizente com a do personagem-título.

Full Review Source: Cinema em Cena | comment Comment
03/15/08
Pablo Villaca
Cinema em Cena

we're stuck with Amy Poehler telling us she's an alcoholic and an unaware Susan Sarandon watching two men act like idiots, which unfortunately isn't funny at all.

Full Review Source: The Scorecard Review | comment Comment
03/03/08
Jeff Bayer
The Scorecard Review

...a tedious and hackneyed effort that surely (and hopefully) marks Billy Bob Thornton's final appearance as a comedically misanthropic curmudgeon...

Full Review Source: Reel Film Reviews | comment Comment
02/28/08
David Nusair
Reel Film Reviews

The whole film is like a depressing nightmare.

Full Review Source: DVDTown.com | comment Comment
01/15/08
John J. Puccio
DVDTown.com

Apparently, Billy Bob Thornton has embraced the idea of appealing to the lowest possible common denominator. How else can you explain his presence in another bad taste bottom-feeder which might have been better titled Bad Gym Teacher, ala Bad Santa?

Full Review Source: Sly Fox | comment Comment
01/10/08
Kam Williams
Sly Fox

Has the mark of something dashed off after reading what dozens of screenwriting manuals had to say about the marketplace and the three-act paradigm, but not one word about characterization or dramatic unity.

Full Review Source: Northwest Herald (Crystal Lake, IL) | comment Comment
11/01/07
Jeffrey Westhoff
Northwest Herald (Crystal Lake, IL)

A close reading of Mr. Woodcock reveals a dark, depressing film about small town decline. I think.

Full Review Source: Flak Magazine | comment Comment
10/30/07
Stephen Himes
Flak Magazine

One can't help but wonder what the Coens or Farrellys might have done with this cast and premise.

Full Review Source: Spectrum (St. George, Utah) | comment Comment
10/22/07
Bruce Bennett
Spectrum (St. George, Utah)
 
 
1 - 20 (sorted by date; UK critics are listed first)
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Latest News for Mr. Woodcock

January 14, 2008: RT on DVD: Good Luck Chuck, Mr. Woodcock, Family Guy Goes Star Wars!
Instead of dwelling on the abysmally-reviewed home video offerings of the week - Billy Bob Thornton's Mr. Woodcock and Dane Cook's Good Luck Chuck -- we're thrilled to point out... More...

September 16, 2007: Box Office Guru Wrapup: Jodie Struggles But Still Hits #1
For the second straight weekend, a star-driven action drama aimed at adult audiences opened at number one with $14M in ticket sales from roughly 2,700 theaters. This time it was... More...

September 13, 2007: Box Office Guru Preview: Jodie's Got A Gun!
Two-time Oscar winner Jodie Foster returns to the big screen this weekend in the vigilante thriller The Brave One which has its sights set on an easy top spot debut. The frame's... More...

September 13, 2007: Critical Consensus: Brave One Isn't Tops, Mr. Woodcock is Flaccid, Hunting Party is Busted
This week at the movies, we've got vigilantes (The Brave One, starring Jodie Foster), gym teachers (Mr. Woodcock starring Billy Bob Thornton and Susan Sarandon), war... More...

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