The D Train

Jack Black is up to his usual comic rock nerd tricks in "The D Train," but the script, by co-directors Andrew Mogel and Jarrad Paul, elevates the shtick to a welcome, poignant level.

Black is loser consultant Dan Landsman, who still managed to be married for 14 years to his high school sweetheart Stacey (Kathryn Hahn), and poorly raise his teenager, Zach (Russell Posner). He's heading (much to their chagrin) his high school's 1994 reunion committee, and resolves to lure back cool guy Oliver Lawless (James Marsden), for whom he develops a huge man crush after seeing the now-actor's Banana Boat suntan lotion ad.

"If David Schwimmer comes, everyone comes," he reasons.

Dan convinces his Luddite boss Bill (Jeffrey Tambor) that he needs to fly from Pittsburgh to LA for a fictitious business meeting, but Bill decides to tag along, leaving behind his computer-less wood-paneled office, rotary phone and TAB vending machine (several of the many subtle and hilarious touches throughout).

Marsden is the perfect Hollywood hipster, snorting coke wearing a half-on wool cap, aviator shades, and several days of stubble. And he's just as star-struck as Dan when he pretends to know Dermot Mulroney (playing himself) at a pretentious LA bar, eventually admitting that he "peaked in 11th grade."

When dad is too focused on being cool to answer his son's sex questions, Lawless steps in to explain a three-way: "to be efficient, stack the girls like lawn chairs" (which has a brilliant callback in the end).

There's a gag reel in the Blu-ray special features, but the real funny is carefully crafted throughout this surprisingly deep and relevant film.

"The D Train"
Blu-ray
$35.99
http://www.d-trainmovie.com