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List Price: $14.94 | | Label: Sony Pictures
Salesrank: 11957
Released: July 19, 2005 |
| Our Price: $3.50 |
| Used Price: $0.16 |
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MPAA Rating: PG-13 (Parental Guidance Suggested)
Media: DVD |
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Editorial Review:
When five perky cheerleaders witness the murder of a drug bust informant, they require 'round-the-clock surveillance to keep from being the next victims. Enter tough-as-nails Texas Ranger Lt. Roland Sharp (Tommy Lee Jones), who masquerades as their assistant coach and camps out in their campus digs. But these feisty foxes just want to have fun, and the buttoned-down Sharp learns it's no easy task to keep the uncontrollable coeds in line and out of harm's way. Cedric the Entertainer joins this spirited cast in a comedy that busts out with high energy, pride, and the joy of a Texas Ranger getting in touch with his feminine side.
Description of Man of the House:
Let's face it, sometimes you just want to watch some fluff. The ever-expanding subgenre of cheerleader cinema offers dependable fluff, of which Man of the House is a shiny, frivolous example. After a multiethnic cheerleading squad witnesses a mob execution, Texas Ranger Roland Sharp (Tommy Lee Jones, The Fugitive, Men in Black) is assigned to protect them. That's all you need to know--a formulaic plot follows, but the filmmakers recognizes that the formula is known by all so they doesn't waste time with unnecessary exposition. Instead, we go straight to amusing scenes of Sharp teaching the unruly (and scantily clad) girls some discipline and the girls teaching Sharp to loosen up and forge a better relationship with his estranged daughter. It's a one-joke movie, but thanks to Jones' leathery hound-dog face and cowpoke gravitas, the contrast between the girls and Sharp keeps being funny. Of its kind, Man of the House isn't in the same league as Bring It On (pretty much the ne plus ultra of cheerleader movies), but it's head and shoulders over the likes of Sugar & Spice. Also featuring Cedric the Entertainer (Barbershop), Anne Archer (Fatal Attraction), and R. Lee Ermey(Full Metal Jacket). --Bret Fetzer
Man of the House Reviews:
Man of the House DVD 
2008-10-03 - What a great movie. It is funny, has action and keeps you guessing througout. Everyone will enjoy this super movie
Julia Nye
*Groan* 
2008-09-26 - What was Tommy Lee thinking? This was probably one of the most awful things I've sat through in a while. And only because it was on TV and there was nothing to watch. It was just terribly stupid from beginning to end, completely full of every cliché you can think of. It was NOT funny, you can't even call this a mystery since we know who the bad guy is like ten minutes into the film. What is the point??
Great Entertainment
2008-08-10 - I love Tommy Lee Jones, but this comedy with him is the best. I will
watch this movie again, and again.
Very Funny 
2008-08-03 - Not one of Tommy Lee Jones best movies but very watchable and has an excellent ending. It's very funny to see him in a comedy as he as so often done serious movies, but he easily does the genre. If you get the chance you should see this one.
MAN...IN CHARGE? 
2008-03-15 - There are movies released that are nothing more than formula films. Many critics chastise the film makers of these films for making what they consider drivel. The fact of the matter is that movie goers rather like these sorts of films, feeling somewhat comfortable with them. Such is the case with this movie.
Tommy Lee Jones stars as Roland Sharp, a Texas Ranger who has seen his partner shot down while trying to take in a witness who is shortly thereafter murdered. Shot in an alley, the murder is witnessed by a group of Texas college cheerleaders who then come under the protection of Sharp.
A fish out of water story unfolds as Sharp moves in with the girls in their house. Not only does he move in, he imposes restrictions and rules on the girls who revolt any chance they get. No cell phones, not going out and no dates lead to not only in house confrontation but having to track down anyone who escapes.
As Sharp does his best to protect the girls, the man responsible for killing the informant is revealed and he's tied into the criminal justice system. Eventually he WILL track down the witnesses and do his best to eliminate them. But with Sharp standing in his way, does he have a chance?
The movie plays off of the rigid character that Lee has played so many times before, most notable in THE FUGITIVE and its sequel U.S.MARSHALS. He is the tough looking tough guy who takes on all comers without batting an eye. And yet when faced with handling a group of young girls he may have met his match.
Along the way the girls learn a few things about themselves, turning out to not be the bubble headed bimbos that most cheerleaders are portrayed as (including first appearances here). And Sharp learns a few things to, like how to communicate with his daughter, a little about love and a tad about feminine hygiene.
Jones turns in a wonderful performance, showing a knack for comedy that was untouched until he hit the MEN IN BLACK films. Wasted is Cederic the Entertainer who is hyped as a major player and yet ends up in a minor supporting role. The same can be said of Anne Archer whose screen presence is VERY limited. The girls of the house? All are fantastic in the various roles that they play and the fun part of their being in this film will be waiting to see where they turn up again. All are lovely (a plus when playing a typical cheerleader) but they show more acting power than many would give them credit for.
This movie will not go down as a cinematic act of genius. But it will become a hit simply based on the fun loving appeal that it has to offer. This is a date movie that's safe to go to. It's a film that has enough laughs to make it worth spending the money on. And though while a bit formulaic, who says that's a bad thing?
