John Peters Reviews: “The Forbidden Kingdom”

Remember that Chuck Norris flick, in which a young white kid dreams of kicking butt next to his martial arts hero? ‘The Forbidden Kingdom’ is just like that except this kid’s heroes are ancient teachers from a different time. The Norris flick I was referring to was ‘Sidekicks (1992)’ and it amazed me how similar these two films were. In this film, the young white boy collected old movie posters and the DVDs of his favorite kung fu films, so the film has this self-referential mentality. The opening credits displayed a clever use of the old movie posters from films of Bruce Lee and Gordon Liu and when the movie ended, how did I wish ‘Forbidden Kingdom’ had some of that old Shaw Brothers flavor.

We begin with that for mentioned young white boy (there’s a reason I’m calling him out on his race, so just wait) who has an old man friend in Chinatown where he gets his bootlegged DVDs from and on his way home some bullies beat him up and force him to help rob that old man he gets his movies from. From a simple robbery to murder, the old man is shot and passes this stick-like weapon to the white boy, telling him to take it to the rightful person it belongs to. From there he is transported to a different time, out of place, and he must find this person the staff belongs to. Sound simple? It is. How do you think it’ll play out? If you said well, he starts off on his journey and gets into trouble early only to have a kung fu master save him, then he decides to help him on his mission, only to have the white boy ask the kung fu master to help teach him the martial arts, I’d say you’re off to a good start. Then, reluctantly, the kung fu master starts his training, all the while the evil warlord steals the staff, there’s a climatic kung fu battle, in which the student must help his defeated teacher, saves the day, wins a trip back home and now uses his kung fu skills to beat the crap out of the bullies’whoa, wait a sec! You’re giving away the movie! Or you, like me, could guess the story, the twists, the ending, and a mile away.

It’s a bit of a shame, that the long waited on screen pairing of Jet Li and Jackie Chan is surrounded by such a clichéd, standard kung fu fantasy drivel. I like my martial arts films too but I could’ve come up with a much better story to pair these Chinese legends in. The film is clearly an attempt at a loving homage to the wild, fantasy films from the Shaw Brothers, and despite such bland plotting, some of it is fun. It’s a clean, family martial arts film. There’s little blood, no cussing, and the clean cut, white boy is clearly a marketable character. That’s the shame. Why must it be a white boy who saves the Chinese people from the evil warlord? Typical Western ideals. It might not get noticed to the most of its core audience, but I caught on. Did Gordon Liu need a white boy to help him defeat a master in ‘36th Chamber of Shaolin’? Hell no. Did Bruce Lee need a white boy in the ‘Chinese Connection’? Nope. I think the film would have been better if it was made in Li’s and Chan’s native country.

But enough of that critical thinking, what about the fight scenes, that’s what Li versus Chan is all about. I know, and seriously, they do fight in an extended sequence, so you won’t get cheated like a recent Li versus Jason Stratham in ‘War’ was to us all. The fight scenes are plenty and furious, all choreographed by the immortal Woo-ping Yuen, who has implemented his fighting techniques in everything from ‘Kill Bill’ to the ‘Matrix’ to ‘Once Upon a Time in China’. It’s that crazy ‘wire-fu’ we’re all use to and while the fight scenes are good, they’re not as original or fresh as the were in ‘Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon’, but hey, you come up with different fighting styles since the early seventies for all of these films.

Getting back the white boy thing, these American producers think in Western ideals, that Americans want to see a western in these oriental locations. Looking at my DVD collection, as a white male westerner, I own plenty of Chinese flicks that are all in Mandarin and feature no white boys. It’s a tad stereotypical and slightly offensive. The film is safe and predictable and while Li and Chan have been in better, the whole gimmick is to see them fight each other-finally-and for that it’s mildly entertaining. We’re all fascinated with martial arts films and that culture, but not the American version of those films and a Western view of the culture like ‘Forbidden Kingdom’ is.

Killer Film’s May Box Office Predictions

Studios don’t wait till end of June to have the beginning of the summer like Mother Nature does, there’s begins in the first weekend of May. So, what to see, what to see, because May is expected to be a big month because last year’s May feature 3 out of the 5 biggest money makers from last summer, “Spider-Man 3”, Shrek the Third” and “Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End”, all reaching $300 million or more. Here at Killer Film, we love movies and it is the summer, meaning sunny days and popcorn and here’s the month of May at a glance of each weeks big release with advice on whether to see it or skip it and for the fantasy box office players out there, a little prediction at the money they will or won’t haul in. Enjoy.

Iron Man (May 2nd)

Plot Synopsis: When an industrialist is forced to create a life support suit to keep him alive after an accident, he decides to use the technology in his suit to fight crime. Based on the Marvel comic.

Starring: Robert Downey Jr., Gwyneth Paltrow, Jeff Bridges, and Terrance Howard

Director: Jon Favreau

Jon’s Take: The trailers have wowed just about anyone who has seen them but what’s impressed me more than the cast is within the trailer, you can see how well Favreau has treated the character. Flamboyant, cocky, intelligent, and understanding, much like the Tony Stark character we’ve read for the last 40 years. Most first films of a superhero franchise tend to focus more on the origin story and a rushed climax, but I think “Iron Man” will be constantly entertaining throughout. I’m more eager in seeing his capture by the terrorists and his first conception of the suit, than who the ‘big bad’ is, although him fighting against the people he’s made weapons for, sounds like a great twist than a standard comic book villain. Iron Man never had a good rogue’s gallery (although fighting War Machine and Captain America), so fighting the U.S. military will provide for some exciting action scenes and story. Some might call this the sleeper film this summer, but just talking to random people; I expect this to be HUGE. And Marvel needs it to be too because, “Electra”, “Blade: Trinity”, and “Ghost Rider” were bombs and fans disliked “Spider-Man 3”, X-Men 3”, and “Hulk”. (See it)

Topher’s Take: Let’s kick this summer off with a bang! The film “Iron Man” not only marks the start of the summer blockbusters, but it is the first of four comic book films. I am a huge fan of (most) comic book films, and this one doesn’t look like it will disappoint me, regardless of the fact that I didn’t grow up an Iron Man fan! Robert Downey, Jr. is a spot-on choice for the role of Tony Stark. Jon Favreau seems to really be taking a formidable interest in the character, as to avoid the mundane cookie-cutter presentation that is so painstakingly noticeable in many summer movies (*cough*Transformers*cough*). This is this year’s “300″. The trailer has stirred up so much buzz that few remotely interested will fail to see it. (See it)

Killer Film’s Box Office Prediction? $280mil

Speed Racer (May 9th)

Plot Synopsis: A young race car driver attempts to obtain glory with the help of his family and an advanced car created by his father, based on the anime cartoon series.

Starring: Emile Hirsh, John Goodman, and Christina Ricci

Director: The Wachowski Brothers

Jon’s Take: I’ve never been that big of fan of the cartoon and the first trailer looks like a neon nightmare on screen. I can’t imagine this on the IMAX, which it is. Reports of animal abuse and with some duds since the original “Matrix” film (because the sequels blew and their editing on “Invasion” was incomprehensible); the Wachowskis need this to be big. I think it will make money, but after the summer is over, look for “Speed Racer” to be one 2008’s bombs. I could be wrong and I’ll find out soon, but out of all of these summer ’08 films, I’m looking forward to this the least. It could be too cheesy to be liked; since the trailer features the racings more than the story or dialogues, which outside of “Matrix” aren’t the Wachowskis’ strong points. Look for this to be a CGI-fest like no other. (Skip it)

Topher’s Take: Many filmgoers don’t appear to have the need for speed. I’m hearing a lot of “that looks horrible” or “it’s gonna suck”. But I’m going to have to disagree. It won’t be a great movie. But it’s sure to provide a lot of fun. Sure, it’s catering to kids. But isn’t that what we all need every once in a while? It’s odd, though. I wasn’t around when the Speed Racer cartoon was new, and I still can’t seem to sit through an entire episode. But there’s something about the character that intrigues me. I was even Speed Racer last year for Halloween! (See it)

Killer Film’s Office Prediction? $180mil

Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian (May 16th)

Plot Synopsis: The Pevensie siblings return to Narnia, where they are enlisted to once again help ward off an evil king and restore the rightful heir to the land’s throne, Prince Caspian. Based on the series of books by C.W. Lewis.

Starring: Tilda Swinton, Ben Barnes, and Georgie Henley

Director: Andrew Adamson

Jon’s Take: I really enjoyed the first film and in doing so, went back and read the first book. It’s the only book out of the series I’ve read but this trailer looks impressive, so I might have to go back and read the rest. I’m sure, under Disney’s guidance, this will be a good film. I think the real question is if audiences aren’t yet burned out of the fantasy genre. “Golden Compass” bombed royally and “The Spiderwick Chronicles” came and went, so are audiences tired of getting lost in a fantasy world? We’ll see and Disney hopes not. “Narnia’s” fan base is large, more so than “Golden Compass’” and Disney is hoping they come out, which they should. If all goes right, this could be one of the summer’s biggest hits. (See it)

Topher’s Take: First off, I must note that I did not see the first film. It didn’t look interesting to me, and honestly, it still doesn’t. However, I have decided that I might need to sit through it, because the trailer for “Prince Caspian” has caught my attention. The normal fan boys (oxymoron?) will flood the cinema as usual, but the film definitely looks deserving of a chance from a possibly disinterested audience. (See it)

Killer Film’s Box Office Prediction? $295mil

Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull (May 23rd)

Plot Synopsis: Unknown

Starring: Harrison Ford, Shia LaBeouf, and Cate Blanchett

Director: Steven Spielberg

Jon’s Take: With an unknown plot and huge hype, here comes Indiana again. While the first films equal one great trilogy, can such a long hiatus help or hinder this (needed? unneeded?) fourth film? Harrison is well older and the first trailer seems fun but after I saw it, I just didn’t get that feeling inside I expected to have. I think, due to the hype, no matter how good the film is, it’ll suffer from the “Episode I” syndrome: too much hype leads to fan disappointment. It’s sad because many good films die under fan anticipation, but it is Spielberg, it is Harrison, and it is Lucas, but with Shia LaBeouf added and that slick look of the film (did Lucas convince Spielberg to shoot HD?), there’s some apprehension from me, but I’m there for the midnight showing, regardless. (See it)

Topher’s Take: I’ll have to agree with Jon on this one. This film will probably suffer from the over-hyped-ness (yeah, I made that up). I’m a little embarrassed to admit that I don’t remember the original trilogy all that well, and I’m not even sure if I’ve seen all three films all the way through. (See it)

Killer Film’s Box Office Prediction? $305mil

The Strangers (May 30th)

Plot Synopsis: A couple relaxing at their summer home are terrorized by three unknown robbers.

Starring: Liv Tyler and Scott Speedman

Director: Bryan Bertino

Jon’s Take: In summer counter-program, here comes a horror/suspense film looking for some attention. Now horror doesn’t fair too well in the summer months, especially one in this month of “Iron Man”, “Indiana Jones”, and “Narnia”, so I don’t expect this one to last long. Whether it’s good or not, won’t matter, the other blockbusters are taking everyone’s money. It looks like a studio version of “Funny Games”, but the trailer does make it seem a tad interesting. (See it)

Topher’s Take: I can’t really comment on this one. This film is part of a genre that I rarely involve myself with. It just looks like another cliché horror film to me. (Skip it)

Killer Film’s Box Office Prediction? $31mil

Meet Dave (May 30th)

Plot Synopsis: Tiny aliens take over a human in attempts to have him help save their planet, only to fall in love with a female human.

Starring: Eddie Murphy

Director: Brian Robbins

Jon’s Take: Good God another Eddie Murphy “comedy” in which he plays multiple characters? It’s all he does and this will be as lame as the others. I’m sorry; I’m not much into Murphy or these types of comedies. This could either be a “Pluto Nash” type of bomb or a “Norbit” type of hit. If there’s any reason to Murphy why he didn’t win that Support Actor Oscar for “Dreamgirls” just look at the types of films you do. I say avoid. (Skip it)

Topher’s Take: Yeah, I won’t be able to subject myself to this one. Not a single moment of the trailer reminded me that it is a comedy. I don’t foresee too many people taking an interest. (Skip it)

Killer Film’s Box Office Prediction? $55mil

Well, that does it for the month of May. There’s some good looking titles to see and a few to avoid. Hope this helped in determining where your dollar is going. Needless to say, come back here often to check out our reviews on these films and more, because we will see them all for you, our beloved reader. No seriously.

Also, be sure to come back prior to the first weekend in June to see Killer Film’s take on the month of June as well as more fun predictions and takes on the summer films through August. Keep it here.

Reaper Watch

Alright folks it’s time for another edition of “Reaper Watch.” This week Sam’s life gets turned upside-down when Andi sees him chop the head off of an escaped soul. After witnessing what she thinks is a crime she gives him twenty four hours to either explain what was going on or she’ll call the fuzz. Not knowing how to deal with the situation Sam makes a deal with the devil so that he can tell Andi the truth.

While all that crazy stuff is going on Ben gets married to a fellow coworker at the Work Bench so that she can get a green card. Sock is back together with Josie and Sam asks Tony to change into his demon form in an attempt to make Andi believe that he is actually a Reaper that catches escaped souls and sends them back to hell, while at the same time trying to catch a soul that can replicate just by cutting body parts off.

In the end Andi decides to give Sam another try even if his soul is doomed to burn in hell, and the Devil asks him to spy on Tony and his demon rebellion.

Donny Broussard Reviews: “Death Wish”

Charles Bronson is a bad ass mofo, and as Paul Kersey in “Death Wish” he is the reigning king of the revenge genre. After watching Bronson kill useless street scum it’s hard to resist running out to buy a gun so I can start doing my part in in the gentrification of my own brutal city. Only I don’t live in a brutal city, and I don’t think I could grow a stash as cool as Bronson.

The flick follows a simple but extremely effective plot. Paul Kersey walks around New York killing street trash in an attempt to avenge his wife and daughter. His wife was killed by a gang that followed her home from a supermarket and his daughter was so traumatized by the event that she is in a comatose state. One very cool thing this flick does is illustrate Kersey’s transition from husband and father into full fledged vigilante. After his first kill Kersey runs home and vomits, but as he gets used to it he starts to enjoy it. Another positive plot point is that the NYPD are instructed by government officials to let him go because putting him behind bars might cause public unrest.

This is the kind of flick that you throw on, sit back with a six pack of beer, and enjoy the carnage unfolding on the screen in front of you. I enjoyed this flick when I was younger but I wasn’t sure wether or not it would still stand up. Well, it totally withstood the test of time and Bronson kicked so much ass is it was ridiculous. I highly recommend this flick to anyone and everyone, in fact it should be required viewing in all film schools so that the students can see a true example of what a real movie hero should be. “Death Wish” is most definitely a killer film!

New Release Tuesday

It’s Tuesday which means new releases! It’s the final Tuesday if April and possibly the best release week all month and that’s saying something, because this has been a good month, full of mainstream hits, indie must owns, and classic reissues. Hope your wallet is full, but if not, at least you’ll be getting that stimulus check soon. I know what mine is going towards, so let’s look at what’s coming out.

The Diving Bell and the Butterfly

**DVD PICK OF THE WEEK**This was one of last year’s films that pushed the medium in artistic ways and while that sounds pretentious, it’s very true, the film is a visual wonder; director Schnabel crafts the narrative as freely as the character’s mind thinks. It doesn’t sound like a film to sit down and watch, it’s a true story about Elle’s top editor, who suffers a major stoke that leaves him 99% paralyzed. From despair to hope, we travel with a man, who relearns how to live and love life. As dark as sad as it sounds, it’s also a powerful journey to hope and believe. Max Von Sydow gives another extraordinary performance in a supporting role. You must see this.

Extras:
-audio commentary
-Charlie Rose interview
-making of feature

The Golden Compass

While this might be the film that did in New Line Cinema as a separate entity, it’s also a rather standard fantasy film with little to nothing new about it. It’s also another Kidman/Craig bomb after the horrendous “Invasion”. The film is based on a classic trilogy that criticizes the Catholic Church subliminally and little to none of that made it into the final film. It’s just too plain to b accepted as anything else than a copycat fantasy film and I think audience’s either smelled that or were tired of this genre. It didn’t help that much of the film played as a Cliff’s Notes version of something deeper and grander. It’s okay, worth a rental when you’re bored, but don’t expect anything. There’s a single disc, two-disc Special Edition, and a Blu Ray version.

Extras:
-audio commentary
-11 featurettes
-DTS audio

King Corn

“King Corn” changed how I thought about my steak and stopped me from drinking pop. It’s a fun, breezy documentary about how corn is a billion dollar Middle America Corporation that’s killing us one by one. Think “Super Size Me” on a global scale. It’s fast moving and quite informative, without being preachy. It all started when naive Bostonians wanted to plant a seed of corn into Iowa to see when it goes. They uncover this evil substance of High Fructose Corn Syrup. Find out more by giving this a shot.

Extras:
-lost lectures
-deleted scenes
-featurette

Nanking

This was one emotional powerful documentary, filled with the survivors of Nanking recollecting their horrendous lives during that time. In case you might have known, Nanking was a city in the middle of China in which the Japanese raped and killing thousands of Chinese. When the deceased talk through their letters, they have name actors like Woody Harrelson and Stephen Dorff narrate. In between the talking heads nature of the documentary, some rather rare and graphic photos fill in the blank. It’s powerful and raw.

Extras:
-audio commentary

The Red Balloon

**DVD PICK OF THE WEEK** I know this is my second pick of the week, but with its low price tag, it should be picked up ASAP. It’s the first time “Red Balloon” as been released in Region 1 and we can thank Criterion for that. It’s a 28 minute short about a red balloon that befriends a little boy. The balloon follows him everywhere and despite other kids wanting the balloon, it only responds to him. Get caught up in the magic as this is the rare type of short that is better than most family features out there. It’s beautiful, loving, and more importantly, it will stick with you. This short is the subject of a new critically acclaimed film called “Flight of the Red Balloon” which examines the sorts theme in further detail. Both can’t be more recommended enough. Tell your kids to screw “Shrek”; it’s all about the “Red Balloon”. I’ll have a review up soon, but just expect liner notes as the extras.

All Monsters Attack/Terror of Mechagodzilla

I have the reviews up on the site already, if you want a more detailed examination of these titles, but they’re really well done and fun movies.

Extras:
-audio commentaries

New York Ripper & Nightmare City

Blue Underground continues to reissues OOP Anchor Bay titles. I’m sure the extras are slim and are ported over from the Anchor Bay discs, but knowing Blue Underground the sound and picture should be as superb as one could hope and imagine for these films. I’ve seen “Nightmare City” and it’s over-the-top, cheesy, wild and fun, but far from Lenzi’s best. I’ve always wanted to see “New York Ripper” which is said to be Fulci’s more chauvinistic film with nasty gore. I had trouble locating the old Anchor Bay DVD, so this is a welcomed reissue. Later this year, Blue Underground will start releasing Blu Ray titles-can’t wait to see their first slate of releases!

Karaoke Terror & Party 7

Synapse Films are one of those awesome independent DVD companies that release just awesome titles. These two are a part of their Asian Cult Cinema line and sound mildly interesting Can’t really offer much of an opinion, but knowing Synapse, they should be at least in your Netflix queue.

White Mane & Paddle to the Sea

Two more from the Criterion/Janus Films line and are both highly recommended. “White Mane” is another short film by the “Red Balloon” director and while I don’t like the narration I think it’ll help the younger audience handle the film’s deeper themes. The ending is truly haunting and heartbreaking. Not as good as “Red Balloon” but a worth companion. “Paddle to the Sea” is a cherished Canadian short that was Oscar-nominated. Show some love towards the shorts genre and pick these up-they’re cheap enough to work as blind buys and feature liner notes.

First Knight

With Blu Ray now the high def format of choice, older titles and more titles are getting released. Sadly, the recent Fox releases have been sub par. Lack of extras and the 1080p video being “just okay” have made these catalogue titles not worth the money. One’s like “Predator” and “Commando” have disappointed high def fans. Here’s hoping “First Knight” delivers where the other failed. Expect little extras on his one too.

Next week is a bit light, but be here next Tuesday to see what’s being released and are they worth you money.

Jon Peters Review: “Deception”

The week prior to the first weekend in May is a tough slot for studio’s to fill. What to fill it with? Whatever they release will more than likely come and go, make a few dollars. It’s a dumping ground. They know you are eagerly awaiting that first summer blockbuster and you are too eagerly waiting for the summer films to kick, so you have this opening slot at the end of April and studio’s decide to release something, to make at least a buck or two. It’s something for the bored crowd to go out and see and the studios usually release a film with little to no fan fare. In case of this year, it’s ‘Deception’.

Now on paper, it’s got a stellar cast: Hugh Jackman, Ewan McGregor, Michelle Williams, in a thriller, filled with subplots and sex. But in execution is a bland, thin, and predictable potboiler.

Jonathan McQuarry is a timid, bookish account, whose job is thankless to everyone else but him. He’s a sort of a freelance accountant going from law firm to law firm, auditing them. People get uneasy when he comes in; hoping he doesn’t stumble upon their secret accounts filled with millions, except for Wyatt Bose, a hot-shot lawyer who befriends him. Soon after Bose introduces McQuarry to a secret club, in which all you have to do is call a number and ask, ‘Are you free tonight?’ You meet at a hotel, don’t ask for names or engage in conversation and have random sex. After his first taste, McQuarry gets addicted to this lifestyle and soon finds him self doing it nightly. His world is sent for a loop as he break’s the rules and falls for a young blonde only known as ‘S (Williams)’. Right when he thought life couldn’t get any better, she disappears and unravels him into blackmail.

I knew there was not much hope for the film, especially when I just saw the trailer for the first time a week ago, but with that cast and an interesting idea, although not entirely new, it sounded like a decent time. For the opening half an hour it was. Jackman is always likable and his charisma is on full display again here as he befriends McQuarry, in which it’s interesting to see McGregor as the timid, shy type. They’re a natural pairing; while Bose is suppose to be open and help shake up McQuarry’s boring, orderly life, the pairing of Wolverine and Obi-Wan appears natural. You immediately like them and by that you’re roped into their story.

The film is slick and glossy, typical of a mainstream Hollywood drama, even if it’s Marcel Langenegger’s directorial debut, previously a commercial’s man. So the style isn’t that far off from what he is used to nor is the fast-cut editing. Although some shots are stereotypical, like when the go into a sex club, random, close cuts and sexy strippers are a convention and is the first notification that we’re being deceived too.

The film loses its way mostly due to the thin plot. We are not truly let into this private sex list and nor do we ever learn to understand it. It’s a pivotal element that we understand it, outside of the participant’s rules. You can only guess it is an exclusive club to be apart of, as there are hints that these people are part of New York’s rich and wealthy. But instead of embracing this element, it drops out of sight once McQuarry is tricked into Bose’s game (not a spoiler, it is in the trailer that this happens). From there we get a pretty conventional climax that is quite predictable to foresee. Once all of the twists have been giving and the credits roll, is when we realized that all might have been deceived from this movie: us, the audience who paid for the tickets, the stars (I didn’t mention this, but Michelle Williams does a good job with nothing to do), and the theaters who play it.

‘Deception’ is too conventional to recommend, to predictable to entertain, and to bland that does a disservice to the thriller genre. With an almost interesting premise and a good cast, it could’ve been a minor thrill ride, but the whole idea has been done a million times before, but 20th Century Fox doesn’t care. It’s the final weekend prior to the Summer Blockbusters and if it makes a buck, good, if not, oh well.

Uwe Boll/Micheal Bay boxing match?

Uwe Boll has officially gone off the deep end. In a new video blog, Mr. Boll, dressed in his finest Golden Palace t-shirt and cap, has officially challenged Micheal Bay to Pay-per-view boxing match in an, in Mr. Boll’s words, “independent filmmaking against the studio system”. All of this came about from Mr. Boll’s last video blog in which he said Micheal Bay sucks. When Mr. Bay said he didn’t care about what Uwe Boll thinks, and I wish I was kidding here, that hurt his feelings. So of course the next logical conclusion is a PPV boxing match. I have a feeling Micheal Bay won’t care about this either.

Source:Joystiq

Donny Broussard Reviews: “Drillbit Taylor”

Judd Apatow is a busy man. He produces, writes, directs, and his formula for success has proven itself time and again. With “Drillbit Taylor” he’s wearing his producers hat again and long-time collaborator Seth Rogen was part of the screenwriting team. They enlisted Steven Bril (Without A Paddle) to sit in the directors chair and funny man Owen Wilson as the title character. And while the flick has all of the elements in place for another Apatow masterpiece it doesn’t quite hit the mark.

The film follows three nerds that fans of “Superbad” will find very familiar. There’s the smart ass fat kid (Troy Gentile), the skinny kid (Nate Hartley), and the ubergeek (David Dorfman). Only these characters are toned down for younger audiences. Anyway the three geeks decide to hire a bodyguard after being constantly tormented by the school bully, brilliantly played by Alex Frost. And because they don’t have enough coin to hire a real bodyguard they settle for a homeless looser named Drillbit that passes himself off as a badass. The kids and the loser become friends and the looser who at first just wanted to take the kids money has a change of heart.

The story and directing are by no means bad, they just don’t measure up to the material that this super team of comic masterminds usually spits out. On the bright side, the actors are great, with the exception of Wilson who basically rehashes the same character he usually plays. Alex Frost gives a standout performance as Filkins and Leslie Mann is extremely sexy.

The flick is definitely watchable, actually it’s more than watchable and a really good time-waster that reminded me of flicks like “Three O’Clock High.” I’ll probably check it out again once it makes its way to DVD, and maybe it’ll grow on me, but for now I think I’ll let “Drillbit Taylor” rest because it wasn’t quite a killer film.

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