Well, that's my spiel, as the Jews say.

Bad Teacher

(2011)

We're not talking Bad Santa levels of reprehensibility here, although that may be because Jake Kasdan doesn't imbue his film with the sense of misery that Terry Zwigoff did Santa.

But there's nevertheless a gleeful revelling in Cameron Diaz's unrepentant misbehaviour until the inevitable cop-out in the final reel. Diaz herself is great, clearly loving the chance to curse, be ill-tempered, anti-social and narco-stimulated.

Supporting cast-wise, Lucy Punch (I didn't spot that she's English) is impressively batshit crazy as a Diaz's nemesis while Justin Timberlake is game to act the arse as the object of Diaz's desire (I'm still unsure about his acting abilities; maybe he just annoys me). Coming off best is Peter Segal, one of Judd Apatow's company, who has the laidback charm that the seemingly more successful Seth Rogen completely lacks.

***1/2

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We live in a twilight world.

Tenet (2020)
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Marriage Story (2019)
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My dear, sweet brother Numsie!

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Post-Beverly Hills Cop, Eddie Murphy could have filmed himself washing the dishes and it would have been a huge hit. Which might not have been a bad idea, since he chose to make this misconceived stinker.

Now In Full Color, with a Happier Ending

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