Page 20 THE VILLADOM TIMES II & IV • July 13, 2011 (continued from Entertainment page) young minds, performing one outlandish faux pas after another, whether aimed at kids’ insecurities, parents’ concern for the curriculum, standardized tests, or a principal (John Michael Higgins) who must balance teacher squabbling with oversight from the superintendent. The rest of the cast also deliver some spot-on performances in “Bad Teacher,” which elevate the film from merely OK to very good. Punch is very funny as Amy, who starts out as a friend to Elizabeth and becomes her romantic rival. Timberlake is cast against type as a nerdy, bookish teacher who has recently had his heart broken. Phyllis ‘Bad Teacher’ Smith (TV’s “The Office”) steals her scenes as Davies, a shy, middle-aged teacher who befriends Elizabeth and emerges from her shell somewhat as she learns how to have fun. Jason Segal plays physical education teacher Russell Gettis, who is attracted by Elizabeth’s considerable physical charms but put off by her behavior in school and the example she is setting for her students. In “The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie,” a popular, charismatic teacher is revealed to be a detriment to her students. In “Bad Teacher,” viewers know that from the start. The jokes emerge as Halsey navigates the waters of public education through a boozy haze. One thing is sure: As you think back to your days in middle school, you’ll be grateful you never had a teacher anywhere near as terrible as Ms. Halsey. Following the death of her troubled mother, Miral’s father (Alexander Siddig) is forced to entrust her to the orphanage of Hind Husseini (Hiam Abbass). Hind’s commitment to peace through education has a profound impact on the maturing young woman, and viewers watch Miral’s selfesteem strengthening as her social consciousness is raised, proving both dangerous and hopeful. Director Julian Schnabel (“The Diving Bell and the Butterfly”) attempts in “Miral” to show 50 years of Middle Eastern history through the eyes of a small group of Palestinians. The result is that the script is all over the place and lacks dramatic focus. The movie comes off more as an antiIsrael indictment than a solid dramatic character study. Special features include deleted scenes, a making-of featurette, a Q&A session with Schnabel, and audio commentary with Schnabel and producer Jon Kilik. (continued from Restaurant page) acts of gallantry, generosity, and goodness. Even though Barney is, on the surface, an unremarkable person, Giamatti’s performance is so clean and brutally revealing, that viewers can’t turn away. In fact, his performance is the film’s strongest point. Extras include commentary with the director, writer, and producer; a 92nd Street Y Q&A session with Giamatti, and three behind-the-scenes featurettes. “Barney’s Version” is available in Blu-ray and DVD versions. “Miral” (Anchor Bay) is the story of a Palestinian girl coming of age in the war zone of the Israeli-Arab conflict, told from the perspective of Miral (Freida Pinto) herself. DVDs