Semi-Pro

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Buy This Item Semi-Pro by New Line Home Video  Available from Amazon  $18.99  on 11-15-2008     The 1970s are back in all their excessive glory in <I>Semi-Pro</I>, an uneven but not uninspired Will Ferrell comedy about a professional basketball team that puts more energy into insane promotional schemes than playing well on the court. Ferrell stars as Jackie Moon, a former pop sensation who made enough money from a couple of hit records (the biggest: "Love Me Sexy") to buy Flint, Mich.'s the Tropics, a disorganized bunch of losers with one genuine talent named Coffee Black (Andre J. Benjamin). Despite knowing little about the game, Jackie is the Tropics' coach as well as a player, though his greater love is in coming up with such bizarre marketing stunts as wrestling a bear and attempting a motorcycle jump over a line of cheerleaders. When the Tropics look like they might be shut down, Jackie desperately agrees to let washed-up veteran player Monix (Woody Harrelson) take over coaching, turning the team's fortunes around--just a bit. The film's thin premise opens the floodgates to a series of absurd vignettes that suit Ferrell's silly-satiric brand of frat humor very well. There are choice moments, such as Jackie's table-shoving tantrum at a meeting of team owners (presided over by an aghast but tolerant commissioner, adroitly played by David Koechner), and his rapid escape from the Tropics' arena when he realizes everyone in the stands has won free corndogs (at Jackie's expense). Other performers shine, too, including Will Arnett and Andrew Daly as a glass-half-full/glass-half-empty pair of game announcers, and Maura Tierney as Monix's former love interest. The script is by Scot Armstrong (<I>The Heartbreak Kid</I>), and the film is the first directorial effort of producer Kent Alterman (<I>Mr. Woodcock</I>). <I>--Tom Keogh</I> Reader Reviews Normally I like most of Will Ferral's movies. I LOVE Talladega Nights, Old School, Anchorman, etc. But WOW! This movie was HORRID! The plot was dumb, the jokes were old and tired, even Woody Harrelson (who I love in comedies) couldn't save this movie. Seriously, I didn't laugh ONE SINGLE TIME. At least Blades of Glory (which I thought stunk) had a couple of funny lines. This one had none.

Semi-Pro Available from Amazon Price: $18.99 Updated on 11-15-2008.

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