Tag: Adam Sandler

REVIEW: Hubie Halloween (2020)

Hubie Halloween Poster
Release Poster – Netflix

Directed by Steven Brill (The Do-Over; Sandy Wexler) — Screenplay by Tim Herlihy & Adam Sandler.

When Adam Sandler was campaigning during the last awards-season for his performance in the Safdie Brothers’ Uncut Gems, he made a threat to the Academy and the film community as a whole. Sandler remarked that if he were to not get an Oscar nomination, then he would purposefully make a movie that was ‘so bad’ to make us all pay. Well, here we are. Sandler was not nominated for his phenomenal performance in Uncut Gems. Steven Brill’s Hubie Halloween, which was, of course, filmed prior to the Oscar ceremony in question, is Sandler’s first film since he missed out on a deserved Oscar-nomination. And, frankly, this film is not the worst straight-to-Netflix film that Sandler has made for the streaming service. In fact, if he keeps on churning out straight-to-Netflix films such as this one, even though it’s certainly not good, then I’ll take it, in return for an Oscar-worthy Sandler-performance every other year.

Continue reading “REVIEW: Hubie Halloween (2020)” →

REVIEW: The Wrong Missy (2020)

Release Poster – Netflix

The following is a review of The Wrong Missy — Directed by Tyler Spindel.

As far as I am aware, Tyler Spindel’s The Wrong Missy is the eighth film that Netflix has distributed for Happy Madison Productions, the production company founded by Adam Sandler. Most of these films feature Adam Sandler in the lead role, and, often, the films take place in sunny locations. This has led to these films jokingly being referred to as ‘vacations’ that Sandler takes his friends and family on to relax between takes. I don’t know if there is any truth to that common joke, but, come to think of it, The Wrong Missy, which, notably, doesn’t feature Adam Sandler, actually does take place in sunny Hawaii.  In any case, this film, unfortunately, isn’t the return to form for Happy Madison that I wanted it to be. Continue reading “REVIEW: The Wrong Missy (2020)” →

REVIEW: Uncut Gems (2019)

Theatrical Release Poster – A24

The following is a review of Uncut Gems — Directed by Josh & Benny Safdie.

“Keep an eye on the Safdie Brothers.” — I ended my short review of 2017’s Good Time thusly. When I watched that film I don’t think I knew of the Safdies Brothers’ early career as young but already somewhat prolific independent filmmakers. To me, they were (and, in a way, still are) exciting newcomers to the world stage of cinema. Good Time was a brilliant but anxiety-inducing nightmare that gave us Robert Pattinson’s finest performance, thus far. That film showcased the Safdies’ talents as directors both with the exquisite mastering of tension and anxiousness, as well as the ability to pull out awards-worthy performances from actors who have a tendency to be pigeonholed. With Uncut Gems, the filmmaking duo has done it again. Adam Sandler delivers his finest performance since 2017’s The Meyerowitz Stories in the Safdies’ Good Time-follow-up, which is even more nailbiting and even more impressive. Continue reading “REVIEW: Uncut Gems (2019)” →

REVIEW: Murder Mystery (2019)

Release Poster – Netflix

The following is a review Murder Mystery — Directed by Kyle Newacheck.

I go back and forth when it comes to Adam Sandler. I love plenty of the audience-favorite comedian’s films. I think Sandler is gifted with tremendous dramatic talent, which he showcased with his performances in Paul Thomas Anderson’s Punch-Drunk Love and Noah Baumbach’s The Meyerowitz Stories. He is still a very funny stand-up comedian if his excellent Netflix special Adam Sandler: 100% Fresh is anything to go by. But, more often than not, Sandler is known for his comedies. More often than not, Sandler is known for his not-so-fresh, critically panned comedies. Sandler and Netflix have made about a handful of Happy Madison-comedies together, and, thankfully, though Murder Mystery isn’t exactly a home-run, it is far superior to the godawful, snoozefest that last year’s The Week Of, arguably the worst film of 2018, was. Continue reading “REVIEW: Murder Mystery (2019)” →

REVIEW: The Week Of (2018)

Release Poster – Netflix

The following is a review of The Week Of — Directed by Robert Smigel.

Although Adam Sandler is in (and is great in) Noah Baumbach’s The Meyerowitz Stories (New and Limited), which is a film that Netflix acquired the distribution rights to, the straight-to-Netflix Adam Sandler films — the true Netflix productions — haven’t exactly been great. When I saw the first trailer for The Week Of — his latest Netflix original film — I was convinced that this would be an improvement on films like The Do-Over and The Ridiculous Six. I was wrong.
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REVIEW: The Meyerowitz Stories (2017)

Release Poster – Netflix

The following is a review of The Meyerowitz Stories (New and Selected) – Directed by Noah Baumbach

Adam Sandler is a really great actor, when he wants to be one. Every seven or eight years it seems like Sandler lands a role with which he manages to wow even his biggest critics. Normally, when I watch a new Sandler Netflix-film, I am greeted with lazy attempts at humor that sometimes becomes downright offensive in films like The Do-Over and The Ridiculous Six. Continue reading “REVIEW: The Meyerowitz Stories (2017)” →

REVIEW: Sandy Wexler (2017)

Release Poster – Netflix

The following is a review of Sandy Wexler – Directed by Steven Brill

Sandy Wexler tells the story about a fictional 1990s talent manager (played by Adam Sandler) with a heart of gold, who constantly kept putting his foot in his mouth. But his luck suddenly changed when he learned of the unique singing ability and talent of Courtney Clarke (played by Jennifer Hudson), who quickly got a record deal because of him.

But his keen eye for talent once again was not matched by his managerial guidance, and soon the one client that had stolen his heart was slipping out of his hands and into a cold industry that didn’t want to recognize Sandy, who had to finally learn that there is more to being a manager than loyalty, love, and support. Continue reading “REVIEW: Sandy Wexler (2017)” →

REVIEW: The Do-Over (2016)

The Do-Over Poster Netflix
Release Poster – Netflix.

The following is a review of The Do-Over, a film by Steven Brill.

The Do-Over is the second of four Netflix original films starring Adam Sandler. The first film in the big Netflix-Sandler deal was The Ridiculous Six, which I think was the worst film of 2015. That said, though, I do think Sandler is a talented comedian, and he has shown his talent in the past. I’m always intrigued by Sandler-films, and I’ve actually been pretty excited for The Do-Over for a while now. Sadly, I have to say that The Do-Over is another disappointing Sandler-film.  Continue reading “REVIEW: The Do-Over (2016)” →

REVIEW: The Ridiculous Six (2015)

Netflix Release Poster

The following is a review of the Netflix Original Film “The Ridiculous Six”, a Frank Coraci & Adam Sandler film.

Netflix has been great at releasing binge- and stream-worthy content for years. House of Cards, Virunga, and Beasts of No Nation are examples of Netflix bringing excellent original content to screens around the world. Netflix has slipped up before, not every season, documentary or stand-up special works, but I believe that The Ridiculous Six might be the worst thing they’ve ever released as original content. Continue reading “REVIEW: The Ridiculous Six (2015)” →