'Hamlet 2'

2 stars = Mediocre
Ratings explained

The play's the thing for Dana Marschz (Steve Coogan), as long as it's an adaptation of a Hollywood blockbuster. He's a drama teacher in Tucson, Ariz., where the spring spectacular is a poorly attended and reviewed stage version of "Erin Brockovich."

Dana borrows from the Bard for his next production, "Hamlet 2," also the name of the comedy opening today at AMC-Loews and expanding on Wednesday.

In writing "Hamlet 2," Dana decides to take the tragedy out of the tragedy -- thanks to a time machine, plus a special appearance by Jesus with a sexy swimmer's body.

But the personal and professional obstacles start piling up as Dana faces a wacky wife (Catherine Keener), unhappy school administrators and wrangling a larger and more racially diverse cast than his usual twosome (played by Skylar Astin and Phoebe Strole from "Spring Awakening").

"Hamlet 2" has some spikes of laughter, starting with commercials Dana made in his acting days and later featuring a real actress playing herself, but it relies too often on vulgar language, nudity and cheap gags.

Perhaps it's the "South Park" effect, considering that Pam Brady, who co-wrote the screenplay with director Andrew Fleming, spent years on the animated show that did all sorts of ungodly things with a cartoon Jesus.

Here, we get Jesus on a cell phone and a show-stopping song called "Rock Me Sexy Jesus" that loops through your head after hearing it. A tune called "Raped in the Face" does not.

Its skewering of inspirational teacher movies and its treatment of show business work far better than threads about Dana's marriage and sidebars in which Coogan loses his sobriety and trousers. Or both, but never his sense of silliness.

R for language, including sexual references, brief nudity and some drug content.

-- By Barbara Vancheri, PG movie editor

'The House Bunny'

2 1/2 stars = Average
Ratings explained

Just in time for back-to-school comes "The House Bunny," a showcase for the talents of Anna Faris. Her sunny disposition and solid comic timing make this film a whole lot more enjoyable than it ought to be.

It's essentially a female remake of "Revenge of the Nerds," with a script from "Legally Blonde" writers Karen McCullah Lutz and Kirsten Smith. Faris stars as Shelley, a perky Playboy bunny who gets kicked out of Hef's mansion and becomes the house mother for Zeta Alpha Zeta, a sorority of misfits. With only seven members, the Zetas need 30 pledges to avoid having the mean-girl Phi Iota Mus take over their house.

And so Shelley, with her itty-bitty outfits, transforms these wallflowers into Pussycat Dolls and turns the Zeta house into the place to be. Silly? Impossible? Of course. This is a Happy Madison film, after all -- although it is refreshing to see Adam Sandler's company come up with a female-centric comedy for once.

PG-13 for sex-related humor, partial nudity and brief strong language.

-- By Christy LeMire, Associated Press

'The Longshots'

2 stars = Mediocre
Ratings explained

"The Longshots" is a certifiable crowd-pleaser, an agreeable variation on the kid sports movie formula whose family-friendly messages outweigh its corny over familiarity.

The dramedy from musician-turned-filmmaker Fred Durst (Limp Bizkit) is set in the world of Pop Warner football. It hits the usual sports formula, but it also hits its marks and tugs its strings. It works.

"Longshots" is about Jasmine (Keke Palmer), an outsider in a Minden, Ill., school. Jasmine's Uncle Curtis (Ice Cube), her after-school baby sitter, was a star back in the day. He puts down his beer and teaches Jasmine football -- and she's a natural. Palmer ("Akeelah and the Bee") is a pretty, earnest actress who lets us see the wheels turning. She clicks with Ice Cube, who shows an effortless charm we haven't seen before.

"Longshots" is packed with positive messages. It's also messy, with loose ends left dangling, but Durst & Co. have done a decent job with a movie that never set out to be more than average.

PG for some thematic elements, mild language and brief rude humor.

-- By Roger Moore, The Orlando Sentinel