Python Hyena The New Guy (2002): Dir: Ed Decter / Cast: DJ Qualls, Eddie Griffin, Eliza Dushku, Zooey Deschanel, Lyle Lovett: Comedy about transformation and by its conclusion viewers may wish that it took the form of a better film. DJ Qualls plays a school nerd who is bullied to the point that he attempts expulsion. Why he is sent to prison for this is beyond me but he is trained by Eddie Griffin in the art of intimidation. Now he is enrolled in a new school with a brand new outlook. He goes through the predictable clichés of gaining interest of the school slut and bully's girlfriend. Directed by Ed Decter with amusing references to Patton and Braveheart. Qualls does what he can with otherwise predictable material. We know that he will face his oppressors and conquer and none of it amounts to chalk board dust. Griffin narrates for reasons unclear. He will school Quall in the art of rebellion. Eliza Dushku plays the girlfriend with the personality of a paper bag. Zooey Deschanel also appears as one of Quall's friends who has "unnoticed girlfriend potential" written all over her. This is unfortunate since she is totally hot. Lyle Lovett makes a wasted appearance to remind us that his career is dying rapidly. Theme regards acceptance and fitting in as well as standing up for yourself, which everyone can relate too but the screenplay needed transformation to match and it fails to do so. Score: 5 ½ / 10

camachbr0 This ridiculous film doesn't have much brains, but a lot of laughs at other's expenses and sexy girls, sounds like high school to me. This is a film I grew up with and I think it offers a legitimate way to get yourself out of the unpopular crew. It's an idea deep seeded in every dork or bullied kid's mind. Of course there are various extremities as the film plays like a cartoon without any logic or sense of pain for its characters. What is very true in the film is its overall theme, how to be popular (Be yourself, who hasn't heard that?) and how to get the hot girl (confidence). Because of its touchy subject of popularity that everyone can relate to, this film will grab everyone's heart and emotionally indulge you. That's what it, is a lovable film with a lot of heart and no brains. You'll definitely miss high school, after seeing this despite what part of the social hierarchy you were in. In the end, it's fair to everyone, and you'll smile, question things, shake your head, but try the "crazy eyes" for sure. Good film to re-imagine you scoring with your old high school crush. - camachbr0

FlashCallahan Dizzy Harrison is an unpopular geek going through a bad senior year. In an attempt to make a new identity for himself, he gets himself expelled, learns the technique's of cool from a prison inmate, and enrols at a new school under the alias Gil Harris, to make new friends. He then gets noticed by the head cheerleader, Danielle, and helps the school football team gain self-respect to win games. But things unknowingly begin to turn sour when Danielle's disgruntled boyfriend begins investigating into his past to uncover any dirt on him.....Its a great premise, and could have been a wonderful movie, but I have never seen a movie where the lead is so miscast, that it ruins the whole film.Qualls is a good actor, Road Trip was funny, but to cast him as someone who would be considered cool by all the school and to have Dushku be attracted to him, is beyond bonkers.I know its shallow me saying that, but its a shallow movie, and despite the message of the film 'if your nice, it doesn't matter if your not cool' its still shallow, humourless stuff.The cast grate, Griffin is wasted, and its so predictable, you can almost count to three when the titular character has something bad happen to him, and then its all okay come the end.Add two really bad homages to Patton and Braveheart, you have a really disappointing movie.

Jakemcclake Some Spoilers DJ Quails stars as a kid who purposely gets expelled from one school to go in to another school, where he can start with a new reputation. The story then shows him attaining all of what he wants, but he has to disconnect himself from his past. Then he is reconnected with the past he is running from. There are a couple laughs and a feel good or almost fairy tale ending, as all works out in the ends and he gets the girl and keeps his new reputation.Eliza Dushku also stars in this one and she is the girl he gets. She again in an edgy cheerleader and a side character, like "Bring It On". I always watch Eliza hoping for a little more drama from her. She can be a very powerful dramatic actress. However, in this one, she hardly raises her voice.The story may seem pretty unrealistic, but it has a good theme, I believe in. The main character's major change starts as an act, but he gradually gains confidence in himself. When his confidence changes, he is no longer concerned so much with himself, but with others. At that point he becomes likable and one can understand why the new school likes him.