Just Like Old Times..."Back In The Day"

Back in the Day (2014)

Rated R

Starring Michael Rosenbaum, Morena Baccarin, Nick Swardson, Harland Williams, Isaiah Mustafa, Kristoffer Polaha, Jay R. Ferguson,

Written and Directed by Michael Rosenbaum

The Story:

Jim (Rosenbaum) is an actor who left home to become successful out in California. He's doing okay, but not getting the roles he wants. Depressed, he heads back home to Michigan for their upcoming class reunion. He reunites with his best friends (Mustafa, Williams & Polaha) and finds the one that got away (Baccarin). He finds out she's finally engaged after all these years... to his arch nemesis (Ferguson). Cue the hijinks...

Rosenbaum crafts a film that is equal parts raunchy R rated comedy mixed with a romantic comedy.

It's a tough act to balance, but he does balance it fairly well, and the cast is game for everything he throws at them.

Naturally, the story behind the story is a chance for him to reunite with his former love, and the girl that he's never gotten over.

And it appears he might be in luck because she has not moved on after all these years, but with an impending marriage just days away, Jim's got a very limited window of opportunity to win her back.

Meanwhile, his friends are all married now, and Jim isn't the best influence on them.

Jim's got some decisions to make.  Clearly you can go home again, but then what?

Final Grade: C+

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 Better Second Outing..."The Do-Over"

The Do-Over (2016)

Rated R

Starring Adam Sandler, David Spade, Paula Patton, Heather Hahn, Nick Swardson, Luis Guzman

Directed by Steven Brill

The Story:

Charlie (Spade) is not living the life he envisioned for himself. When he runs into Max (Sandler) his best friend from high school at their reunion, the two reconnect and spend a weekend catching up. That weekend ends with Max faking their deaths in a boating accident and assuming the identities of two recently deceased people that nobody knows are dead. Which is great, because they suddenly have a great house and a ton of money at their disposal. However, when assassins come calling to kill the duo, they begin to realize that maybe they are in over their heads!

Okay, that's much better.

Still, a lot of room for improvement and humor to the films, but this is a drastic upgrade from The Ridiculous 6.

For starters, there was actually more than one funny moment in the film, so like I said, much better.

This is a return to the crude, R-rated Sandler pictures, which he gravitates between these and the family-friendly version of himself, so keep the kids away.

He and Spade, and everyone else for that matter, seem to be having a pretty good time making this one, so that's a plus as well.

The framework of the story is actually a really good one and had they taken out some of the crude jokes and just gone for funny, or even tried to make it an action-comedy, I think the results would be even better.

I don't want to spoil why the 2 other individuals get killed, but if the same storyline were starring anyone else, it could be a drama or thriller.

I would say that Netflix is probably much happier with this film than the first one that brings Sandler directly to the streaming service, except Netflix proudly proclaimed that The Ridiculous 6 was the most watched movie... ever.

And people say they don't like Adam Sandler films.

Netflix knows better.

:)

Let's hope the improvements keep coming, by the 4th film, we could have a best of the year contender.

Final Grade: C

Sunday's Screamer...I Mean Streamer..."A Haunted House"

Some weird things are going on in this house!

And there's a ghost, too!

The Story:

Malcolm (Marlon Wayans) has his girlfriend Kisha (Essence Atkins) move into his house with him.  Malcolm didn't ask for the demon to come along with her.

Ah yes, a parody of the "found footage" horror movies that are box office hits.

And, they do some of the same stunts, which actually generate some suspense and chills, but they are buried deep and wide amongst the throw it at the wall and see if it sticks comedy.

Now, for those that have seen the Scary Movie franchise, you probably know exactly what kind of comedy you're going to get.

When Marlon Wayans is your most grounded character in the film, you know there's going to be issues. :)

You've got Nick Swardson playing Chip the gay psychic who is infatuated with Malcolm, and is more concerned with getting with Malcolm than getting rid of the demon.

Then you have Cedric the Entertainer at the end of the film as the exorcist.  Small part, but he has a good time with it.

Whether or not they are successful ridding the house of the demon...

Well, I just saw that a sequel is in the works, so that should give you a clue.

Available to stream instantly as of this writing on Netflix.

Final Grade: C

Rewatchability/Purchase Factor: Nope, I'm good on this one.  There were some amusing gags in the film, but not enough to warrant subsequent viewings.  Yes, I will likely watch the sequel though.  :)