Tag: halloween

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

Zombieland: Double Tap Film Review

Directed by Ruben Fleischer

Starring: Woody Harrelson, Jesse Eisenberg, Emma Stone

Rated R for bloody violence, language throughout, some drug and sexual content

In 2009, “Zombieland” was released at a time the zombie craze was beginning to emerge. “The Walking Dead” was a year away from becoming the hit it was. And while the original “Zombieland” was a fun success at the box office, a sequel was made ten years later, years after the zombie craze has died down. Yet, as “Zombieland: Double Tap” is a sequel that is years late, it is still a fun comedy like its predecessor beforehand.

“Zombieland: Double Tap” is a sequel to 2009’s “Zombieland” in which a group of survivors try to stay alive in the zombie apocalypse. Tallahassee (played by Woody Harrelson), Columbus (played by Jesse Eisenberg), and Wichita (played by Emma Stone) go in search of Wichita’s younger sister, Little Rock (played by Abigail Breslin), who has run off with with a musician to a peace loving community.

The best thing about “Zombieland: Double Tap” is Woody Harrelson, who is hilarious as the role of Tallahassee. Tallahassee is a no nonsense guy who is there to kick ass and does a good job doing so. Every line that Tallahassee quips is funny and it shows that he is having a good time in the apocalypse. If there were a spin off film with just Tallahassee, I would watch it in a heartbeat. This just goes to show that Woody Harrelson is great doing drama and comedy.

Zoey Deutch joins the cast as Madison, a not so smart person who somehow has survived the apocalypse for this long. Her personality is vastly different from the trio she interacts with, but it somehow works because it is so different. Deutch plays Madison as a clumsy and clueless person who is actually a joy when she is on screen. The fact that Tallaheesee and Madison on the different spectrum, they are fun to watch to when they are on screen. Rosario Dawson also joining the cast as the love interest of Tallahassee. She’s not as funny as the mentioned Madison and Tallahassee, but still works in the film as Tallahassee’s counterpart. Finally, Luke Wilson and Thomas Middleditch are joining the cast, but unfortunately they do not leave a mark on the film as they are not in the film for too long.

“Zombieland: Double Tap” is a funny and enjoyable sequel to the original “Zombieland”. The original cast still has their comedy chops that they had ten years ago and brings their comedy to a fun, gory zombie film. “Zombieland: Double Tap” is a great film to watch this Halloween season as it’s hilarious and gory fun.

3/4