With Jim Sabatini

Mr. Woodcock

Rated: PG-13 for crude and sexual content, thematic material, language and a mild drug reference
Reviewed by: Chris
Release date: September 14, 2007	Released by: New Line Cinema

This somewhat amusing comedy explores what would happen if the gun-ho evil gym teacher that made gym classes unbearable, ends up back in one's adult life.

Seann William Scott is so traumatized from his experiences as a child with Mr. Woodcock (Billy Bob Thornton) touting and bullying him, he grows up to be a successful author. He is the author of self-help books and uses his experiences in order to help other cope.

He's a self-confident adult who has overcome his unhappy childhood. That is, until he discovers Mr. Woodcock, the reason for all of his angst, is engaged to his mother (Susan Sarandon). Suddenly, all of his bad memories come flooding back, and he has to find a way to convince mom that Mr. Woodcock is evil incarnate.

Woodcock hasn't changed with age; he's still a mean, vindictive, if somewhat older man and Thornton plays him with zeal. Sarandon is also quite effective as a woman who is blinded by love.

Released at a time when more serious fare is showing, Mr. Woodcock has some comical moments and Thornton's performance makes this comedy worth a look.