The Great Buck Howard

2008 PG 1h 27m Blu-ray / DVD

The Great Buck Howard

2008 PG 1h 27m Blu-ray / DVD
  • Overview
  • Details
In this offbeat comedy, a law student quits school against his dad's wishes to be the apprentice of cantankerous illusionist the Great Buck Howard.
Cast
Colin Hanks, John Malkovich, Emily Blunt, B.J. Hendricks, Steve Zahn, Tom Hanks, Debra Monk, Matthew Gray Gubler, Adam Scott, George Takei, Don Most, Griffin Dunne, Wallace Langham, Ricky Jay, Jill Ragan
Director
Sean McGinly
Format
Blu-ray DVD
Screen
Widescreen 1.85:1
Subtitles
Spanish (Neutral)
CC
Yes
Audio
English: Dolby Digital 5.1
Screen
Widescreen 1.85:1
Subtitles
Spanish (Neutral)
CC
Yes
Audio
English: Dolby Digital 5.1
Rating
PG - Some material may not be suitable for children. Parents urged to give parental guidance. May contain some material parents might not like for their young children. PG - Some material may not be suitable for children. Parents urged to give parental guidance. May contain some material parents might not like for their young children.
age 12+
Common Sense rating OK for kids 12+
age 12+

Common Sense Note

Parents need to know that although this eccentric comedy is fairly tame when it comes to language and nudity, it's probably not on most kids' radar. Still, tweens and teens who are into magic might actually find it interesting, though the movie's life lesson -- love what you do -- doesn't always come across clearly. Expect a bit of drinking and kissing, as well as some loud arguments and rudeness and tantrums from the main character.

Sexual Content

A girl with a boyfriend hooks up with a co-worker; they kiss and presumably sleep together, but there's no graphic love scene.

Violence

Buck throws things around and sometimes has meltdowns. Some loud arguments.

Language

Fairly mild: "nitwit," "stupid," "suck," "butt."

Social Behavior

A once-successful magician has delusions of grandeur that don't befit his humbler career. He's sometimes rude and pompous and condescending to fans. He also insults his employees and is blindingly self-important. Overall, the movie's message is to love what you do, though it doesn't always come across loud and clear.

Consumerism

Lots of name-checking: Johnny Carson, George Takei, Sally Jessy Raphael, Jerry Springer, Jay Leno. Some clips of Buck on TRL, The Daily Show, and Live With Regis and Kelly. An issue of Entertainment Weekly figures prominently.

Drugs / Tobacco / Alcohol

A girl guzzles liquor from a hotel mini-bar. Some social drinking.

  • Age appropriate
  • Not an issue
  • Depends on your child and your family
  • Parents strongly cautioned
  • Not appropriate for kids of the age

This information for parents is provided by Common Sense Media, a non-profit organization dedicated to improving kids' media lives.

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