The Next Big Thing..."Sandy Wexler"

Sandy Wexler (2017)

TV-14

Starring Adam Sandler, Jennifer Hudson, Kevin James, Colin Quinn, Nick Swardson, Terry Crews

Directed by Steven Brill

The Story:

Sandy Wexler (Sandler) is a talent manager, not an agent! Back in the 90s, he discovered Courtney Clarke (Hudson) and wanted to make her the next Whitney or Mariah. Can the small-time manager succeed in hitting the big time?  This is their story.

For those of you that hate Adam Sandler, there's no doubt that you've likely quit reading this review already.

For those that love Adam Sandler, apparently we are the quiet minority in movies. Don't say it, because it will cause outrage and scorn.

However, it seems that Netflix has come up with the perfect solution and signed Adam Sandler to an original 4 picture deal that has just been extended to 4 more.

Why?

Because apparently between the Adam Sandler lovers and Adam Sandler haters is everyone else.

They watch Adam Sandler movies and then probably play dumb about it?

What? No, haven't seen anything by him since Happy Gilmore or The Wedding Singer.

Uh-huh.

We're on to you.

:)

Continually heralded as Netflix's most watched movies when they hit, Sandler offers up his 3rd Netflix Original, and it is easily the best of the 3.

You could argue it's also one of Sandler's best films in some time as well, period.

Wexler is based on Sandler's own manager, Sandy Wernick.

It's a loving tribute/roast and Sandler brings in many of his friends to play themselves as the story is told in flashback and they reminisce about Sandy's attempts in the 90s to be a big player in Hollywood with his eclectic band of talent (James, Quinn, Swardson & Crews).

It's when he finds Clarke that things seemingly take off for him.

Or at the very least, for her, and the rest of the movie concentrates on their relationship as she begins to become very popular and seemingly outgrows the need for a small-time manager.

But there is a very sweet center to this movie, and it's mentioned in the trailer:

An agent is business, but a manager is family.

And that heart shines through this film throughout as Wexler only wants the very best for his family.

It's not a laugh out loud comedy, though there are 2 or 3 genuine belly laughs to be had.

Instead, it's one you will smile along to, and be happy to enjoy, and by the time the credits roll, you'll be glad you came along for the ride.

Final Grade: B-

A Work Of Fiction...Or Is It? "True Memoirs Of An International Assassin"

True Memoirs of an International Assassin (2016)

TV-14

Starring Kevin James, Zulay Henao, Ron Rifkin, Kim Coates, Maurice Compte, Andrew Howard, Yul Vazquez, Andy Garcia, Rob Riggle, Leonard Earl Howze, Katie Couric

Directed by Jeff Wadlow

The Story:

When Sam Larson (James) has his first book published, one minor change leads his tale of assassin Mason Carver from the works of fiction to an autobiographical triumph. The problem? People assume he is indeed "The Ghost" and he is suddenly thrust into a web of international intrigue where he is expected to be the assassin he has written about.

The latest Netflix Original, Jeff Wadlow brings a humorous touch to an action film... or an action touch to a comedy and adds his own fun spin to the "fake spy" genre.

He's aided with a wonderful cast that is led by James as the writer turned assassin who calls upon his knowledge to get him out of the sticky situations that he finds himself in once he's been kidnapped.

It doesn't hurt that he gets some help from an undercover DEA agent (Henao) to try and keep him out of trouble.

There's also a great CIA duo (Riggle & Howze) who watch Larson at work and can't decide if he's a real assassin or really going to die, and they spend most of the movie wagering on his survival.

So, if you've enjoyed Kevin James films in the past, you're going to like this one.

He's well received around these parts and while it didn't measure up with Here Comes the Boom or the first Paul Blart movie, it was definitely worth a watch.

Final Grade: C+ / B- range

Not Quite The Bite Of The First One..."Hotel Transylvania 2"

Hotel Transylvania 2 (2015)

Rated PG

Starring Adam Sandler, Andy Samberg, Selena Gomez, Kevin James, Steve Buscemi, David Spade, Keegan-Michael Key, Asher Blinkoff, Mel Brooks

Directed by Genndy Tartakovsky

The Story:

Now that Mavis (Gomez) and Johnathan (Samberg) are married and have a little boy (Blinkoff), Dracula (Sandler) is hoping that he will turn into a vampire before he's 5 so that they will continue to live at the castle with him. It's looking unlikely though, and Mavis is beginning to ponder a life outside of the castle walls.

If you saw the trailer where Dracula lets his grandson fall from the very tall tower, then you know exactly what you're getting from this movie. Dracula wants to make sure his grandson is partially vampire, though everyone else has written him off as just another human.

So part 2 is essentially two road trip movies rolled into one as Dracula and the gang take the boy out on adventures while the happy couple look to see if Mavis can handle life out among the normals.

I really enjoyed the first one.

I also enjoyed the second one, maybe just a little less.

The jokes and characterizations for the first film were all new, so it was all a great new sense of fun.

This time around, you already know roughly what's going to happen, and there isn't a whole lot of surprise.

But don't take that as a negative.  Most sequels don't live up to the original.

The best bits are The Invisible Man (Spade) finding true love, and the genius casting of Vlad (Brooks) for the finale.

If you enjoyed the first film with your family, then this will be a cozy family reunion for you.

Final Grade: B-

It's An Entire World Against Adam Sandler. He's Used To It. "Pixels"

Pixels (2015)

Rated PG-13

Starring Adam Sandler, Kevin James, Josh Gad, Peter Dinklage, Michelle Monaghan

Directed by Chris Columbus

The Story:

In the 1980s during an arcade championship, the action is recorded and sent into space as part of a time capsule of life in America should any alien life wonder what's going on down there. Now, they've come, and they took the recordings as an act of war! So it's up to Brenner (Sandler), Ludlow (Gad) and Eddie (Dinklage) to try and save the day at the request of the President of the United States (James) The stakes are high, because they will be battling the aliens and the first team to lose 3 lives, it's Game Over for real.

I've grown really tired over the years about people who complain an awful lot about Adam Sandler movies.

They aren't funny.
He's not funny.
He can't act.
They're stupid.

Give. Me. A. Break.

Or better yet, do better.

It's a free country, let's see what you've got.

If you don't find Adam Sandler to be funny, that's your right as a citizen of Planet Earth.  But to say his movies aren't funny or aren't any good is an absolute lie.

Some of the best times I've had watching movies with my family have featured Adam Sandler in them.

The Wedding Singer.

Billy Madison.

Bedtime Stories.

Mr. Deeds.

That's 4 off the top of my head.

While Pixels doesn't quite hit the level of those films, it was still a fun ride.

Watching the video games that we all played and loved as kids (and still do) come to life as an actual life-threatening device was pretty darn amusing in the grand scheme of things.

So really, Adam Sandler movie reviews are rather pointless in the grand scheme of things.

Either you're going to see it, or you're not.

Nothing will ever change your opinion, and I can't help it if more than half of America is wrong.

Seems like we already prove that every 4 years when we vote already.

:)

Final Grade: C+

Never Doubt The Persistence Of A "Little Boy"

Little Boy (2015)

Rated PG-13

Starring Jakob Salvati, Emily Watson, Kevin James, Michael Rapaport, Tom Wilkinson, Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa,

Written and Directed by Alejandro Monteverde

The Story:

Pepper (Salvati) loves his dad (Rappaport) so very much. The two are inseparable, which helps Pepper because the poor kid is kind of not really growing, thus earning him the "Little Boy" nickname. When his dad gets drafted into the war, Little Boy is alone and wants nothing more than his dad to come home. He consults the local priest (Wilkinson) on what he should do to bring his dad home safely, and he gives him a "to-do" list which centers around a local Japanese-American (Tagawa) who is facing the brunt of racism from the locals.  Naturally, all of these stories are going to converge before the movie comes to a close.

Handkerchiefs are optional.

Based, somewhat, on a true story, those of you that remember your history will know what is and isn't true.

For the non-history buff, watch the willingness of a boy believe that if he does the right thing, God will bring his daddy home safe from WWII.

And watch the worry in Wilkinson's eyes when he realizes that this boy has more than the faith of a mustard seed, but what if even that is not enough?

The only thing that seems slightly off in the movie is the Doctor (Kevin James) who is all kinds of creepy.  It's hard to see James in a serious role as you almost expect to see him say or do something funny, but he's trying to branch out into a serious role, and that's fine.  But with the moustache and creepy overtures towards the mom (Watson), like I said... :: shudder :: stranger danger alert time!

:)

Still, a pretty decent flick that's worth a viewing.

Final Grade: B

The Sequel Nobody Demanded: "Paul Blart: Mall Cop 2"

Paul Blart: Mall Cop 2 (2015)

Rated PG

Starring Kevin James, Raini Rodriguez, Neal McDonough

Directed by Andy Fickman

The Story:

Years since his Black Friday heroics, Paul Blart (James) never imagined his life would be so lonely. Left by his bride, his mother hit by a bus, he only has his daughter (Rodriguez) and his job, both of which he loves so very much. When he receives an invitation to the Mall Security Convention in Vegas, he takes his daughter on a trip. Naturally, a high roller (McDonough) comes to towns with an elaborate heist plan, which only Paul Blart: Mall Cop can stop.

First, I will be perfectly honest and say that I quite enjoyed Paul Blart: Mall Cop.
The original movie.

It was a cute concept, and had a lot of fun offering a "Die Hard in a Mall" concept with comedic execution.

However, 6 years later, a sequel rolls out for a film that frankly didn't require one.

Which is a lesson that many movies should accept: Not every film is a franchise.

Mall Cop 2 suffers from wanting to do too much, at least that's how it appeared from where I was sitting.

Relationship angle: check.
Father/daughter angle: check.
Defiant teenager angle: check.
Blart out of Water angle: check.
Paul not quite accepted by his peers angle: check.

And on, and on, and on.

Losing focus on what made Paul Blart an engaging film was concentrate on Paul, mistakes and all, foiling a crime because he loves what he does, and security is his business.

When Paul Blart 2 focuses on that, the movie picks back up. Unfortunately, it lasts for a fleeting few moments before the focus shifts to one of the other myriad of subplots.

Plus, no offense, but you don't hire McDonough to play the bad guy, and then barely give him any screen time!

It's a shame I didn't enjoy it more.

Thankfully, I can still go back and enjoy the first one again.

Memo to Kevin James: Please don't make Here Comes the Boom 2.  Thanks!

Final Grade: C

There Are Worse Times To Be Had... "Grown Ups 2"

Grown Ups 2 (2013)

PG-13 for language

Starring Adam Sandler, Kevin James, Chris Rock, David Spade, Salma Hayek, Maya Rudolph, Maria Bello

Directed by Dennis Dugan

The Story:

Lenny (Sandler) decided that he enjoyed visiting home so much a few years back, that's the place to move the wife (Hayek) and kids.  They can grow up around friends and family and maybe have a bit of normalcy.  However, with a small town full of friends and former rivals, how normal can things really be?

Okay, let's be fair.

The first Grown Ups was a pretty cute movie overall.  Nothing ground-breaking or earth-shattering, but it was funny enough and I had a good time watching it, and so did most of the family.

Picked it up when Blockbuster was going out of business, and I have no regrets.

I'm a fan of Adam Sandler, and for the most part, I enjoy more of his movies than I dislike.

Now, with Grown Ups 2, that family-friendly aspect, which was questionable at best before, gets pushed slightly beyond acceptable this time around.

Blame the inclusion of Nick Swardson.

Or Dan Patrick's skimpy shorts.

: /

Swardson has his moments...in other movies... but lately whatever I've seen him in, he's becoming more cringeworthy with every performance.

However this film does not deserve the label of "worst movie ever" or "worst" anything label.

It's simply another typical effort from Sandler that aims for the lowest common denominator for the jokes.

And yes, for every groan-inducing cringe, there are some justifiably funny moments throughout the film.

Why, there's even a bit of a heart-felt message in the final act as old rivalries are ended and some relationships are rekindled.

So again, while not great, it's also not an abomination of film.

Final Grade: C

Rewatchability/Purchase Factor: I don't see this one joining the original in the library.

Another Romantic Comedy That Comes Off Without a "Hitch"

Love hurts.

The Story:

Hitch (Will Smith) is a "date doctor".  What's that  you ask?  He gives guys advice on how to present themselves to the ladies to woo them.  It's honest, it's sincere, and it works.  It gets the guy to calm down and provides them a chance they might otherwise screw up on their own.  His latest client, Albert (Kevin James) an accountant who is smitten by the lovely Allegra (Amber Valletta), a socialite who likely would never give him the light of day.  Meanwhile, Sara (Eva Mendes) a gossip columnist begins an investigation into the urban legend of the Date Doctor.  Things are about to get ugly.

Back to back Andy Tennant movies?!  Looking over his feature films, I think I've seen almost all of them, and I like all that I've seen, and own almost all of them.  Talk about under the radar!

This is a fun romantic comedy, thanks in no small part to the entire cast who are easily believable in their parts, and play to their strengths.

Hitch is Will Smith, or at least he seems to basically be playing himself.  The same charisma and assurance that made him a star on the Fresh Prince of Bel-Air oozes off the screen in this outing as the self-assured consultant who wants to make sure nobody ever gets hurt the way he was.

Sadly, this was the last "fun" Will Smith movie he has done over the last decade.  Minus anything that was a sequel, it was also his last good movie to boot.

Kevin James makes the perfect project for him.  His first feature as a co-star, he easily holds his own in every scene with Smith, and carries the film in his segments without him.  He is instantly charming, just simply nervous. 


Since that time, he's gone on to make many movies which meet with mixed critical and box office reviews, but keep finding a happy home with us.  Two stars going in different directions on their movie career path.  Hopefully James continues on his path, and Will Smith can regain that spark that's been disappearing over the last decade.

There's a few messages underlying this otherwise breezy comedy.  They don't hit you over the head with them, but they raise good points.

Would a supermodel ever notice, let alone fall for a chubby nerd, without him doing something that demanded attention?

Shouldn't reporters, even gossip columnists, put forth a  little more journalistic endeavors into their work?

I'm just saying...

Either way, love the film and enjoy it every time I see it.

Final Grade: A-

Rewatchability/Purchase Factor: Own it. Watch it. Love it. : )

Too Rainy For the Real Thing...Watch "The Zookeeper" Instead

They say it's all happening at the zoo...

The Story:

Griffin (Kevin James) is a zookeeper.  He has been moping over his girlfriend (Leslie Bibb) turning his marriage proposal down for the last 5 years.  Suddenly she is back in his life, and that's when the animals at the zoo decide they've had enough, and decide to help Griffin win his lady love.  So naturally they start talking to Griffin and giving him pointers.  Will they succeed in reuniting the pair, or will love work in mysterious ways and Griffin realize that the woman (Rosario Dawson) he really deserves is right under his nose?

Should I start off by saying that I thought this movie was funny?

Did I disappoint too  many people?

:)

Well too bad, because I did, and it is.

I am always a fan of movies that I can watch with all of my kids, and this is one of them.

Sure, talking animals can get old, but the voice work from the movie is really good, and the animatronics and CGI aren't too far-fetched or annoying to watch.  You've got Adam Sandler, Cher, Sylvester Stallone and Nick Nolte as the main vocal talents who work to teach Griffin to be a better man to win the love of his lady.

The antics that James puts himself through are great, especially for a guy of his size.  He's the next version of Belushi or Farley as a bigger comedian  who enjoys physical comedy.  However, thankfully, he's also not burning himself out on drugs, so hopefully we can enjoy a much longer career from him.

So yes, add this to Paul Blart and Here Comes the Boom and you have a winning Kevin James film marathon to enjoy.

Final Grade: B

Rewatchability/Purchase Factor: High on both counts, as I already own it and it's been seen several times at my house already.

The Movie of the Week? "Here Comes the Boom"!!

Top 10 Movie of the Year Contender.

No, I am not joking.


It is still just February, so we'll see...

The Story:

A Biology teacher (Kevin James) who really doesn't care anymore suddenly decides to help the music teacher (Henry Winkler) save his job due to school budget cuts.  If he can raise $38,000 by the end of the school year, the principal agrees that the teacher can stay.  It's an uphill battle to make the money until he comes across Mixed Martial Arts and realizes he can make money, even if he loses.  So about 30 fights of getting his butt whipped, and it should be a done deal.

What could possibly go wrong?



Okay, so back to the opening, yes, we all quite enjoyed this film last night.  It was well written, the actors did a great job, and along the way, as in many Happy Madison Productions, there is an underlying heart and message in the film that is hidden from the marketing.


This is Mr. Holland's Opus...in a cage match!

And if you've never seen Mr. Holland's Opus, shame on you!

So you have a music teacher, the first to always get cuts when budgets go out the window, who works hard to inspire his students.  The biology teacher used to be that way, but lost his mojo over the years as the system just grinds the teachers down.

They recharge each other, and soon you have a teacher that cares for his friend, for his students, for his job, and for a whole lot of things that were passing him by.

Yes, you see the ending coming about 3 miles away, but it doesn't matter.  That's the way the movie had to end.

And it works, perfectly.

Kevin James should be commended for the training he accomplished for the film.  He worked his butt off (literally and figuratively) and looked great.  The way the film looks, it appears he is getting pounded all film long.  Impressive.


We had a great time, and would be happy to revisit this film in the future.


Final Grade: A-

Worth Adding to the "We Own It" Vault: Yes Indeed!

Welcome to the "Hotel Transylvania"

How far would you go to keep your child safe from harm?


The Story:

Count Dracula (Adam Sandler) is raising his baby girl all alone.  He wants to make sure that the humans can never harm his precious little girl.  He goes to great lengths to build the safest, most secure castle of all time to keep his sweetheart safe.  But on the eve of her 118th birthday, all of the monsters have come to the castle to attend the annual party that he throws.  The Invisible Man (David Spade) the Wolfman (Steve Buscemi) and his family as well as Frankenstein (Kevin James) and many others drop by to pay their best wishes to Mavis (Selena Gomez).  Her biggest wish is to go out and see the world and see what life is really like out there.  Can humans be as awful as her dad makes them out to be?  Her mom did fall in love with Dracula after all.  So when a human (Andy Samberg) stumbles onto the castle, his very existence threatens the very fabric of all that Dracula has held dear for the last century.


The fact that it's an animated film will scare off most people unless they have kids, then they will wonder, "is it safe for kids?"

The answer to that is: Yes, unless your kid is scared of cartoon monsters.

That Adam Sandler is in it will likely scare off the rest.

Fair enough, he's not everyone's cup of tea.

However, as my loyal audience of readers and my family know, I love Adam Sandler.  I will give just about every movie he does a fair chance, and more often than not, I've enjoyed the films in question.

This one is one of the more enjoyable ones.


Remember the review for "That's My Boy" where I said that Sandler was trying to prove that he could still do R Rated material with the best of them, but that he really tried to hard?

This is the opposite.  He confines himself to PG family humor, and the effect is a heart-warming crowd-pleaser that works.

Why?

It's a love story.

Forget that, it's actually several love stories, rolled into one.

You have the love of a father for his daughter.
You have the love of a husband for his wife.
You have the love of a daughter for her father, yet wanting to grow up and be seen as an adult.
Then you have a love story of boy meeting girl...

And finding out the girl of your dreams is a vampire.

But it works.  It's fun, filled with sight gags and verbal puns galore.

Enjoyed the film, and combine this one with ParaNorman, and I've got a good Halloween double feature of kids films to enjoy this upcoming Halloween season.


Final Grade: B+
Worth Adding to the DVD Collection: Absolutely