Estimated read time: 1-2 minutes
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Doug Wright reporting
I'm a big Owen Wilson fan, even in a less than stellar film, I usually enjoy his performance. Now, the lowdown on Drillbit Taylor, its simply a bad film with a phoned in shtick from Wilson. This time he plays a homeless guy scratching out an existence by scamming folks for dimes and quarters. Realizing his life is not on an upwardly mobile path, he answers an online ad from three little nerds who are not faring well in their first days of High School. Targeted by a near psychotic bully, the trio decides to hire a bodyguard and after interviewing a bizarre gaggle of candidates, their budget allows Drillbit. Immediately he begins taking advantage of the boys and steals items from their homes to pawn. Eventually, to keep the ruse going, he actually has to show up at school to protect his little wards. He's mistaken for a substitute teacher which puts him in a position to actually do the boys some good. This is where things really spin out…. he starts a romance with a fellow teacher, he's encouraged by envious homeless friends to ratchet up the scam and really clean out the homes of his little friends, and, finally a showdown with the psychotic bully. There are moments where our little nerds, Wade, Ryan and Jim-played by Nate Hartley, Troy Gentile and Ian Roberts, try to shine and they're actually endearing, but the lack of overall sparkle in Drillbit Taylor is startling. What a disappointment, just 1 ½ stars for Drillbit Taylor and its rate PG-13. Also opening this weekend, the horror thriller "Shutter" about a honeymooning couple haunted by ghostly images in their pictures. Plus, the romantic comedy... Tyler Perry's "Meet the Browns" ...about the realities of love, life and families.
