Man of the House (PG-13, 2005)

Tommy Lee Jones, in gloriously full-crag mode, plays a Texas Ranger who is assigned to protect cheerleaders who witnessed a murder.

The plot of MAN OF THE HOUSE provides opportunities for many culture clashes and learning experiences. Unfortunately, most of those opportunities are neglected in favor of cheap humor and cheesy formula. We don't even get to see much cheering. The girls are cute. And Jones is cuter. There is some mild humor and some mildly involving action. But the movie tries too hard to be a little of everything.

And then there is a "this has nothing do to with anything else in the movie but Cedric the Entertainer is funny" scene, with Cedric as a former con turned preacher who shows off some of his best cheerleading moves. Cedric and Jones are pros who perk up a lackluster script. The girls are not quite interchangeable, with pop star Christina Milian a standout as the captain. Paula Garces (Clockstoppers), relegated to a stereotyped spitfire role, still shows some genuine spirit. It's frequently almost cute, almost funny, almost touching. Give it one cheer.