How to Beat a Bully

When 12-year-old Cory moves to a new town, he gets picked on by the bullies at school. His father’s sappy advice doesn’t help, so Cory has to come up with his own plan. After watching a show on TV, he gets an idea. He tells the bullies a whopper of a fib – that his father works for the mob! At first no one believes him. But through a series of misunderstandings, the whole town is convinced it’s true. That’s because his dad is an Insurance Salesman who keeps telling people they need “protection.” Cory soon becomes king of the schoolyard, helping all the kids and becoming their BFF. However, when the rumor spreads to “real” gangsters in town, they think Cory’s dad is horning in on their territory, so they capture him. When Cory realizes what has happened, he gathers his bullies-turned-buddies to help him save the day. The kids battle the bad guys, rescue his dad and become town heroes. Cory and his new friends ultimately learn that it's better to be buddies than bullies!

Dove Review

“How to Beat a Bully” is similar to “Home Alone,” except in this case, the main kid, Cory, elicits the help of his friends, former bullies who picked on him, to help him beat some members of the Mafia! The action is almost non-stop, and the antics of the kids against the fumbling and tumbling mob members will bring a smile to your face.

One of the funny moments includes a scene of a husband trying to knock spiders off of his wife, and a neighbor who sees the scene through the window thinks the husband is trying to harm the wife. The kids plot to defeat the Mafia members by using sleeping pills and laxatives in their pizza. Parents might want to give some guidance during this scene!

This story is about Cory and his parents, who move to California from New Jersey, and how Cory adjusts to the changes and turns bullies into friends. We are happy to award this movie our Dove Family Approved Seal for ages 12-plus. It is a rip-roaring good time!

Dove Rating Details

Faith

None

Integrity

Bullies pick on boy but later become his friend; bully drops boy's sandwich on the ground; a dad gives a speech about insurance for the home, pops a paper bag hard in front of the class to illustrate what can happen to a home, and he startles some of the students; kid says he doesn't want his brains to end up on the sidewalk; men threaten each other with pitch fork; kids throw balls at crooks; kid sprays another kid.

Sex

Husband kisses wife.

Language

G/OMG-3; D-2; Butt-1; Slang for testicles-1; Duh-1; Tush-1; Rumpville-1; Slime-1; Screwy-1; Dirty Sleaze Bag-1; Pi*sed Off-1; Shut Up-2; Two-Time Loser-1; Melon Head-1; Ugly-1; Poop-1; Sheesh-1

Violence

Drugs

Drinking; the mention of champagne; kids put sleeping pills and laxatives in mob members' pizza.

Nudity

A man pulls the back of his boxers down to go to the bathroom, but nothing graphic is visible; man in boxers.

Other

Belching and flatulence; man sprays himself in eyes with a certain spray can; a man spits.

More Information

Film Information

Genre

Comedy

Runtime

Rating

N/A

Reviewer

Edwin L. Carpenter

Actors

Writers

Marilyn Anderson &

Directors

Douglas Bilitch

Producers

Jackeline Olivier, Marilyn Anderson, Paul Rocha, Robert Dudelson, Sofia L. Monroe, Stephen Langford, Wes Underwood

Studios

Dream Factory Ent.