Tag: adam sandler

Hubie Halloween Film Review


Directed by Steven Brill

Starring: Adam Sandler, Kevin James, Julie Bowen

Rated PG-13 for crude and suggestive content, language and brief teen partying

In Hubie Halloween, Hubie Dubois (played by Adam Sandler) is a social outcast who gets picked on by everyone in town. On Halloween night, Hubie is a self proclaimed safety monitor, for the town of Salem, who watches over the kids treat or treating. But this Halloween night, people start disappearing mysteriously. Now its up to Hubie to find the missing townspeople and save Halloween.

Since Hubie Halloween is a Happy Madison/Adam Sandler film, you can tell what type of film this will be. While this film is by no means excellent or well crafted, it also is not the horrendous Sandler film we are all used to. However, there are some glaring issues. First, the plot is all over the place. I understand Sandler films are not well known for their plot and I am not expecting a complex plot. I actually support the simple plot the film has here. But did we really need all these side plots? For example, Hubie’s neighbor, Walter (played by Steve Buscemi) may or may not be a an actual monster. This side plot did not have to occur, it adds nothing to the story. The film has too much going on in the background and too many side characters. It’s nice to see Sandler offer film roles to his friends, but there’s a point where too much in the background can distract from the main story. If the film had condensed all these side plots, it would have made for a more cohesive story.

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If Hubie Halloween would have been more cohesive, the film still would have failed due to it being unfunny. It’s a shame to say that a film filled with a great cast who have been known to be funny are just not. It took about twenty minutes before the film could get a chuckle out of me. However, the film does bring a few decent jokes. There is a brief Shaq cameo, which was the funniest bit in the film. It was very unexpected and the man actually knows how to bring a laugh. Also, I would say Mrs. Hennessy (played by Maya Rudolph) did bring a few chuckles as well. The film certainly has its moments, but not enough to turn the tide on the unfunny moments.

While I had many issues with the film, I would be lying if I said Hubie Halloween wasn’t fun. This is a type of film that is meant to be a good and enjoyable time and the film does succeed in that aspect. While I wouldn’t recommend watching this film for the humor, I would recommend watching it to get in the Halloween spirit. The film is lighthearted, isn’t a total trainwreck, and it does have a few decent moments. Hubie Halloween isn’t the best Sandler or Halloween themed film, but it does get the job done as it is does keep the audience entertained.

2/4

Uncut Gems Film Review

Directors: Benny Safdie and Josh Safdie

Stars: Adam Sandler, Julia Fox, Kevin Garnett

Rated R for pervasive strong language, violence, some sexual content and brief drug use

“Uncut Gems” is a crime drama directed by the Safdie Brothers and starring Adam Sandler, as Howard, as a New York jeweler who is trying to sell off a precious gem in order to pay off his outstanding debts. The film showcase how things can spiral out of control of a man who is way over his head and does his best to keep order of the situation at hand.

With that in mind, “Uncut Gems” is a character study on Howard and how he tried to maintain his debts. He pawns off items that are not his and uses that money to pay off one debt. He also gambles away money he doesn’t own and we feel a bit sympathetic for the character. Howard is clearly over his head and will do anything to clear off one debt and somehow collect another. It can be compared to someone using a credit card to pay off another credit.

The reason why we sympathize with this character is because somehow Adam Sandler plays the character as a likable idiot. Sandler gives a strong performance in which the likes we haven’t seen before. Adam Sandler has been in so many duds over the years, its refreshing to see Sandler in a serious role as he has done have years ago. Sandler is great when given the right material and this is a role that fits Sandler perfectly.

“Uncut Gems” also features a rather bizarre, yet fitting score. Daniel Lopatin incorporates synths into his score to give the film an as 80’s feel to it. In any other other film, it would not have worked, but it works perfectly in multiple scenes to create tension and awe for the opening and closing of the film.

Overall, “Uncut Gems” is an enjoyable time due to the acting, score, and tension that is in the film.Yeah, the film is a bit too long and there are some things I didn’t like as much, but there is still enjoyment to be had.

3/4