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-

Third Time's The...Yawn... "The Expendables 3"

The Expendables 3 (2014)

Rated PG-13

Starring Sylvester Stallone, Jason Statham, Wesley Snipes, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Mel Gibson, Jet Li, Terry Crews, Dolph Lundgren, Harrison Ford, Antonio Banderas

Directed by Patrick Hughes

The Story:

Barney (Stallone) is on a mission with the team when he runs across his old partner-in-crime, Stonebanks (Gibson). They founded the Expendables together, and Barney thought he was dead. Instead, it's Stonebanks who is going to try and kill Barney and his all new team that he has assembled. So naturally it's up to the old gang to help save the day and stop the bad guy.

Piece of cake!

I'm not sure how I feel about this entry in the franchise.

One, everything changes.

Gone is Bruce Willis, replaced by Harrison Ford. Meh... I guess that works.

Mel Gibson is given prime crazy time to chew scenery and play the bad guy, and he does that well. You know there will be a straight up fight at the end that will leave someone dead.

Only this time, Gibson plays the Gary Busey role!

:)

Then there is Wesley Snipes who gets out of prison, and winds up right back on the big screen. He seems to get quite a bit of screen time which throws off the chemistry of the main characters a bit, in my opinion.

In fact, that's the biggest problem with the film, look at that poster. There isn't enough time to have much character interaction because there are just too many characters.

Don't even get me started on how shortchanged Banderas' part is. : /

So naturally, of the 3, this is my least favorite of the franchise.

If it was the end, so be it. It was a fun ride. The first one was good, the second one was a hoot.

This one was a suitable bookmark.

Audiences seemed to have finally had enough, but really, it was more of the same.

I guess in reality though, we've gone through just about every action start out there.

Except Steven Seagal.

Or Michael Dudikoff.

There's hope for 4 yet!

Final Grade: C+

Rewatchability/Purchase Factor: Maybe...no hurry though.

Third Times Isn't Quite As Charming..."Blended"

Blended (2014)

Rated PG-13

Starring Adam Sandler, Drew Barrymore, Kevin Nealon, Terry Crews, Joel McHale

Directed by Frank Coraci

The Story:

Jim (Sandler) and Lauren (Barrymore) go out on a blind date, and it ends horribly. However, fate keeps intervening and thrusting these two into each other. They wind up on an African safari together. Jim helps out Lauren's boys with some fatherly advice. Lauren tackles Jim's girls with some womanly know-how. It's inevitable, no matter how much either side fights at this point.

In 1994, it was movie magic when Sandler and Barrymore teamed up for The Wedding Singer.
In 2004, it was silly, but sweet, when they reunited for 50 First Dates.
In 2014, it's simply nostalgia to remind me to go watch The Wedding Singer again.

:)

That's not to say that Blended is bad. No, far from it.
It's safe.
It's comfortable.
It's... well, you know how to use a thesaurus. Pick something.

Barrymore and Sandler still share a warm chemistry with one another.

At this point however, you almost have to inject kids into the storyline to allow something new for these decades-spanning lovebirds to do.

So, nothing as great as their first pairing, but still enough warm smiles, fond memories and a chuckle or three, many thanks to the always manic Terry Crews.

Hopefully they have something magical in 2024 when they reunite again.
 
Final Grade: C

Rewatchability/Purchase Factor: Maybe I'll pick it up someday, but no hurry. Maybe when they team up again in a decade?

It's Not All Fun And Games In "The Single Moms Club"

The Single Moms Club (2014)

Rated PG-13

Starring Nia Long, Wendi McLendon-Covey, Amy Smart, Zulay Henao, Cocoa Brown, Tyler Perry, Terry Crews

Written and Directed by Tyler Perry

The Story:

5 single mothers (Long/Covey/Smart/Henao/Brown) are forced to work together when their children all misbehave at school.  Initially resistant due to their conflicting personalities and social statuses, as time goes on, they begin realizing that they could help each other out.  They form a Single Moms Club to allow for babysitting and some time out away from the kids.

Well, I actually preferred this one to the last Tyler Perry offering.

Getting away from heavy drama (though there is a bit of drama in this one) and going for more humourous, but not over-the-top Madea comedy, Perry instead gives us a slice of life dramedy.

The ladies all have their issues with their exes, each other, their jobs and the men that are trying to be in their life.

Some characters are more sympathetic than others.

I will give Perry credit for a bit of dialogue that is lost in the middle of the movie.

When Lytia (Brown) is late picking up her kid from her sister (sister!) and is berated for trying to make a better life for her and her son by having a job when she could make so much more on welfare...

Yeah, let that logic sink in for a moment, and realize that a great deal of the population probably thinks that way.

Adding in some love interests for most of the ladies that are a significant step-up over their previous paramours is a smart move.

Hiring Terry Crews as one of those is genius.

:)

While not as crazy as he normally gets to play in movies, he does have some fun in the film and is always fun to watch.

Final Grade: C+/B- range

Rewatchability/Purchase Factor: No need to own it, but I could have it playing again in the future. Mostly harmless and a few pretty funny spots.