3/5 Writer's Block? Not!
  by James "Scotman" April (Bakersfield, CA)


The year 2000 saw the release of The Wonder Boys, a tale of a washed-up, one-hit wonder novelist who ends up in a university teaching writing. Michael Douglas plays Grady Tripp, a guy who smokes pot to get through his day, and meeting up with his gay publisher.

As the movie progresses, marching out these cast of characters, I was struck by the chemistry of the actors. Katie Holmes, an aspiring writer herself, wants more than a student/teacher conference, but the script does not play her up well. Robert Downey Jr. (Iron Man) plays the gay publisher, who has not had a hit ever since Grady's successful novel, though it's been seven years.

No, the focus is on Tobey Mcguire's (Spider-man) character, James Leer, who is a chronic liar, runs away from his rich parents and his only saving grace is his writing. James shoots a blind dog and steals a Marilyn Monroe jacket for kicks and Grady tries to get him through it.

Surviving the weekend, Grady makes some choices in his life including giving an angst-ridden writer (who has many problems) a chance at a novel.

I was intrigued by the chemistry and the writing really helped this film, although slow at times and a bit tiresome as the plot plods along. Grady wants the chancellor, played by Frances McDormand (Fargo). I don't get what he sees in this plain, stoic woman who can't make up her mind about Grady and frankly treats him like crap.

Good film for film and writing students to see, R-rated for drug use.

5/5 wonder boys
  by V. Thomas (OKC,OK)
GOOD QUALITY DVD.I HAD OWNED IT ON VHS AND BOUGHT IT AGAIN ON DVD.RECEIVED IT IN QUICKLY AND WAS REASONABLY PRICED.

4/5 Spiderman, Iron Man and Batman's Girlfriend All In One Movie
  by Tara Schechter
Okay, a little deceiving title to my review since this movie has nothing to do with superheros. In fact, this movie is more about the anti-hero with its flawed, but endearing characters. I really love to watch top-notch actors (multiple Academy Award nominations) given quirky characters that allow them to stretch and become much different personalities than what they've often portrayed in other movies. I recommend this movie for people who appreciate dark comedies with interesting and lovable loser characters that by the end of the movie you'll be hoping wind up a little better situated than they were at the start.

3/5 2.5 stars out of 4
  by One-Line Film Reviews (Easton, MD)
The Bottom Line:

A movie that seemed to me weird for the sake of being weird (Tobey Maguire's shooting the dog seems to come out of a Farrelly Brothers movie), Wonder Boys features an enjoyable performance by Michael Douglas but it's long and winding and slow and not nearly as clever as it thinks it is.

5/5 Wonder Boys
  by Danielle DeGarie (Little Rock, AR)
This is one of my favorite movies. These are the best characters I've ever seen Michael Douglas and Toby Maguire play. It's a little dreary but hilarious. Excellent characters and good cinematography.