As a father of three rowdy boys who have seen their fair share of Adam Sandler movies, I must say that his films hold a special place in our household. While some may argue that his comedies lack depth or sophistication, they provide us with an hour and a half escape from the chaos of everyday life.
Look, I love Adam Sandler. You love Adam Sandler. We all love Adam Sandler!
It came as quite a surprise to me, given that my pupils, mostly 12-years old, share a fondness for Adam Sandler. This revelation unfolded when some of them interrupted my lesson to inquire if I was aware he had been at their neighborhood park recently.
It’s uncertain whether the sighting was true (if it happened near my school, it might have been a reconnaissance for an upcoming film). Nevertheless, I was taken aback that they recognized Sandler, and even claimed to adore him. When I enquired about their favorite movies of his, these were the ones they mentioned.
Leo
Back in 2014 when Sandler signed the $250 million deal with Netflix, I wouldn’t have thought that figure would increase substantially ten years down the line.
As a gamer, I wouldn’t have thought that among the movies Netflix would produce, there’d be an animated masterpiece like the 2023 release, “Leo“.
The tale called “Leo” left TopMob’s Philip Sledge astonished by its appeal, is about a classroom pet who unexpectedly realizes that his life could be nearing its end prematurely. In an attempt to break free from his enclosure, he finds out that perhaps he was better off where he initially belonged.
Some of my pupils mentioned that this movie marked their initial encounter with Adam Sandler, and they adored the storyline first and were curious about who provided the lizard’s voice second. It’s not surprising that these middle school students appreciated this film, as it offers a perfect blend of humor and heartwarming moments, making it suitable for families.
Moreover, our adversary behaves like an irascible temporary instructor on occasion, which likely strikes a chord with many of the pupils, considering they may have experienced similar figures while I was away.
Hotel Transylvania
Indeed, it struck me as somewhat unexpected that Leo, who is probably known to many of your students through the Sandler animated series, Hotel Transylvania, was their introduction to him. However, upon reflection, it seems entirely plausible given the character’s connection to the world of animation.
As a gaming enthusiast, I can’t get enough of the Hotel Transylvania series! Starring the ever-entertaining Adam Sandler, it boasts an impressive four movies that take us on a rollercoaster ride with some of Hollywood’s most iconic monsters in hilarious predicaments. Can you ask for anything better?
In every movie of the series, there’s a unique twist, yet they all revolve around the idea that Dracula runs a hotel catering to monsters. The status quo is disrupted when his daughter, who lives in seclusion, develops feelings for a human. A lot of funny and unexpected events take place as a result. It’s understandable that my students find this series appealing, as I enjoy it just as much!
Pixels
In the 2015 film directed by Chris Columbus, Sandler and other characters battle against aliens disguised as classic video game characters such as Pac-Man and Donkey Kong. Towards the end of the movie, there’s a hint that Josh Gad’s character might have offspring with Q*Bert. It’s… unconventional, to say the least.
It’s astonishing to me that not only have some of my students watched Pixels, but they also list it as their favorite Adam Sandler movie. Our review was quite favorable, but many critics harshly criticized the film. Despite this, a few of my students are big fans of it, so there’s definitely something appealing about it for them.
Hubie Halloween
In the contemporary Halloween favorite, the actor convincingly portrays a character often perceived as an underdog, a role Sandler has mastered both effectively and less successfully throughout his extensive film career. Despite his deep affection for his hometown, he’s not particularly popular there. On the contrary, many townsfolk deride him, which is why they doubt his claims of a werewolf roaming around. However, things take a turn in Hubie’s favor by the end of this amusing horror-comedy flick.
To put it simply, while not everything about Hubie Halloween is top-notch, when it shines, it truly does so. Interestingly enough, the one student who chose this as her favorite Adam Sandler film watches it annually during Halloween. She describes it as “creepy yet not overly scary,” which, in my opinion, is a perfect blend for any horror-comedy flick.
Happy Gilmore
If you’re old enough, you might have watched this 1996 film. In it, Sandler portrays a hockey player who excels at golf too. This irritates the snobbish traditional golfers because he brings his bold and unconventional style to their sport. The movie also features Carl Weathers. Farewell, Derick “Chubbs” Peterson. (Rest in peace)
It struck me as unexpected that my students were fond of Sandler, but I was even more taken aback when a few of them admitted to enjoying Happy Gilmore, considering it predates their generation. Upon inquiry, they all shared the same response: They had watched it because their fathers enjoyed the movie.
Not a problem at all! Given that I’m a father too, I can envision sharing the film “Happy Gilmore” with my children someday. However, I’d wait until they’re a bit older before doing so.
Grown Ups
As a gamer speaking up, it’s not just me who’s noticed this, but “Grown Ups” feels like a production where celebrities let loose, making a film on their own terms, choosing to work with their buddies instead.
As a gaming enthusiast, I’d put it like this: “What more can I say about that 2010 flick? It’s almost as if they wrapped a flimsy plot around a dead coach and had his childhood pals gather for a long, laughter-filled reunion, stretching the fun to a bit over an hour and a half.
One of my students adores the movie “Grown Ups” (which had a 2013 sequel), and it’s not so much Adam Sandler that he appreciates, but rather Kevin James, whom he finds incredibly funny. In fact, he enjoys “Here Comes the Boom” as well. So, it seems this student is more of a fan of Sandler due to his association with Kevin James, which is interesting, I suppose.
Click
In a league of its own, even among Adam Sandler’s films, “Click” stands out. It tells the tale of a man consumed by work who purchases a mystical remote control at Bed Bath & Beyond, which allows him to manipulate reality. Imagine one of Thanos’ Infinity Stones, but far less grandiose. This tool enables him to skip over things he dislikes, leading him to understand that life, even when it seems unbearable, is still worth cherishing.
A substantial number of students found Click to be their preferred choice, and much like the animated movie Hotel Transylvania, there’s little mystery as to why. The film’s magical aspect certainly adds intrigue, but it also carries a heartwarming message encouraging us not to rush through life and instead appreciate each moment. All in all, it’s a worthwhile watch.
Big Daddy
In conclusion, among all Sandler films, my top pick (excluding Uncut Gems) is Big Daddy. This movie revolves around a man who tries to prove his maturity to his girlfriend by adopting a child, but surprisingly ends up growing and maturing himself throughout the story.
In today’s context, “Big Daddy” might not seem as appealing or progressive compared to its reception in the late ’90s, given that it could come across as somewhat sexist. However, my fondness for this movie remains rooted in nostalgia.
It struck me as peculiar that one of my pupils enjoyed it too, despite struggling to articulate why, aside from finding it amusing. Indeed, I concur with that assessment!
Despite its flaws, “Big Daddy” remains a genuinely humorous film, and I believe it makes a fine choice for anyone’s preferred Adam Sandler movie.
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2024-09-22 03:07