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Woodshop
Jeri Jacquin, Movie Maven
Out on DVD on September 7th, 2010 from director/writer Peter Coggan and 42 Productions is a trip down high school’s memory lane with “Woodshop”.
This film tells the story of Chris Johnson (Scott Cooper Ryan), an A-student and class valedictorian whose perfect grades are in jeopardy when a chemistry experiment goes all wrong. Sitting in the Principal (Don Davis) office, Chris makes the deal of a lifetime!
All he has to do is spend one Saturday in detention in the woodshop with ex-Army ranger turned teacher Frank Madison (Jesse Ventura). It doesn’t take long before Chris realizes he’s going to have to do more than learn how to wield a hammer if he’s going to make it out alive!
With his best friend Trey (Jonathan Davis), brainiac Craig (Keegan Ridgley), the girl who catches his eye Wendy (Olivia Hendrick), along with Paul (Jeffrey Nixon and Brett (Mitch Todd) on his side – they will be able to defeat the woodshop bully Leudaking (Ross Marquand).
But, they all have a history that bands them together!
FINAL WORD: Ryan plays the role of Chris fairly straightforward. He’s in detention with a rag tag bunch! Playing this character is about redefining who he is and how far he’s willing to go to do what’s right.
Davis as Trey is very comfortable in his role as Chris’ friend. Hendrick as Wendy plays that one gal who always loves woodshop but lies low – except she plays the role with spunk!
Each of the characters has a story and the fun of that is watching them unfold and connect. This does lend itself a little to the “Breakfast Club” sort of film with each having a role to play.
That being said, it is Ventura who causes a lot of giggling. His character is irritated at losing fishing time but is always there when the gang needs him. The only character I couldn’t get with was Marquand as Leudaking. This actor seemed too old to be playing this role so it pulled away from the film.
Other cast members include: Mitch Pileggi as the FBI agent, Nick Holmes as Thad and Drew Todd as Jim.
This is a film for those who remember spending either summers or Saturdays in woodshop class and the antics that can only be found in high school. From towel racks to planter boxes – the days of woodshop classes have faded into history. But those of us who remember will get a kick out of this film.
Look for “Woodshop” to be released on September 7th!
In the end – its easy to convince yourself that life is a collection of unhappy memories where no good deed goes unpunished – its not! | 
