Everyone's a critic: 'School for Scoundrels'

Three stars (out of four)

In "School for Scoundrels" John Heder plays an underconfident meter maid. After being fired as a big brother, he enrolls in a special class to build self-confidence.

Dr. P (Billy Bob Thornton) uses a variety of techniques to help the class find their inner Lion (confidence). All is good until Dr. P puts the moves on the object of Heder's affection -- a girl named Amanda. A battle of wills ensue for her hand, so don't miss the tennis scene -- funny!

All right, I'll admit I'm a huge fan of Jon Heder and I've watched "Napoleon Dynamite" more than once. Since my teenage son lit me up recently with his paintball gun, the paintball scene was my favorite. If you like stupid, senseless and dumb movies, see the film. Here could I sit back with a bucket of popcorn and enjoy stupid human tricks and forget the stresses of work.

-- Carolyn Kempf

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Three stars (out of four)

"School for Scoundrels" tells the tale of Roger, played by Jon Heder, who enrolls in a confidence-building class in order to win the love of the girl of his dreams. The tale takes a twist when instructor Dr. P., played by Billy Bob Thornton, turns his sights on the same girl, Amanda, played by Jacinda Barrett.

The movie starts out a little slow, but once things get established and we know the characters, then it all begins to pick up.

As the movie progresses, we see how much improvement Roger is making in building up his confidence, only to have things go sour when he discovers his professor out with Amanda. Instead of taking it lying down, though, he decides to get back at him with the help of the rest of the class and Lonnie, played by Ben Stiller, a former member of the class who knows about the professor.

It takes a final twist at the ending, but the movie does a fairly good job of fulfilling the boy-gets-girl scenario. I'd say this one is worth going to if you like Thorton or Heder, or just like cheering for the underdogs.

-- Hank Sessoms