Movie Musings: Bad Teacher

After a major venting session over dinner last night, I desperately needed a laugh. I was supposed to spend the day today at the Let's Talk About Food Festival along the river, but when the rain ruined my intended plan, I wound up at the movies instead.

With two girlfriends in tow, I sat down for the 11:50am showing of "Bad Teacher." I should have known from the word "bad" in the title that the movie would reflect it's lead adjective. In this 90 minute flick, Cameron Diaz stars as a newly single woman teaching and trying to work her way up to enough cash to afford a boob job (yeah, they don't tell you that in the trailer).

Along the way, Diaz's character makes a few friends including, Lynn, played by Phyllis Smith of "The Office." Smith has some of the best lines in the movie! It was such a treat to see her here.

In the movie Diaz pursues Justin Timberlake's character, Scott. Scott is a nerdy, quirky substitute at the school. It was entertaining to see Timberlake in a role so opposite of his public persona. I can't even imagine the awkwardness he and Cameron faced filming their hook up scene, given that they dated for years. I'd die.

Major props to Lucy Punch who plays Diaz's rival teacher, Ms. Squirrel. I hadn't seen Punch in anything before, but she stole the show from Cameron, no contest.

The true highlight of the movie for me was Jason Segal. Segal, best known for playing Marshall on "How I Met Your Mother," plays the school's gym teacher. I find him so incredibly endearing. He genuinely seems like someone I could be friends with in real life.

A warning to anyone thinking of seeing this with a teengager, there is a reason it's rated R. This movie in particular has a surprising amount of sexual and drug related content. Though I thought it might have a "School of Rock" type vibe, it was much worse.

Though the movie was a bust, we did get to see previews for a few summer movies I definitely want to see, including:

  • Friends with Benefits - Justin Timberlake and Mila Kunis. Need I say more?
  • The Change Up - Yes, this concept is 100 percent stolen from "Freaky Friday" but who can resist Ryan Reynolds and Jason Bateman in the same movie? Not me.
  • The Help - I haven't read the book, but the movie looks fantastic.
  • Footloose - There has been a lot of negative press about this remake, but I can't wait. I saw Footloose on Broadway in New York in high school and became obsessed, particularly with the song "Let's Hear it for the Boy." The trailer, specifically the dancing, looks incredible. The dancer reprising Kevin Bacon's role is Kenny Wormald who was on MTV's short lived, reality show "DanceLife" and who happens to be from Boston!

Skip "Bad Teacher" and wait for one of these upcoming flicks.

 

Molly Galler

Welcome to Pop.Bop.Shop. My name is Molly. I’m a foodie, fashionista, pop culture addict and serious travel junkie. I’m a lifelong Bostonian obsessed with frozen confections, outdoor patios, Mindy Kaling, reality television, awards shows, tropical vacations, snail mail and my birthday.

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