Review: Mildly Amusing Horror/Comedy 'Cooties' Can't Follow Through On Its Unique Premise

Science and the development of vaccines have helped eradicate many childhood diseases, but one continues to be passed down from generation to generation with no known medical cure: cooties. While temporary relief can come from a shot accompanied by the phrase, "Circle, circle, dot, dot, now you've got the cootie shot," future flareups are always possible, though at least it's a contagion that one eventually grows out of contracting. I'm obviously being a bit playful here, but one does have to give screenwriters Ian Brennan ("Glee," "Scream Queens") and Leigh Whannell ("Saw," "Insidious") some due for the inspiration of using cooties as a launchpad for a horror/comedy. However, it's a shame that so much potential doesn't get much in the way of follow-through. 

Elijah Wood leads "Cooties" as Clint, an aspiring writer struggling with the first draft of his novel. He lives at home, and turns to teaching to make a few...