Discuss: Can Adam Sandler Make Another Funny Movie?
Filed under: Comedy, Casting, Deals, Fandom, DIY/Filmmaking, Newsstand
I was watching Happy Gilmore the other day and I thought to myself, "Where did this guy go?" Adam Sandler comedies aren't for everyone -- they're silly and stupid and one step above an hour and a half of Yo Mama jokes (which isn't necessarily a bad thing -- remember how well it worked out for that scene in White Men Can't Jump ...). These days, however, amidst the Apatow and the Rogen and the Rudd, I'm finding it hard to locate those random Sandler die-hards. I know it's sad to say, but I don't think I've laughed during an Adam Sandler movie since Punch Drunk Love in 2002 ... and that wasn't even an "Adam Sandler movie", but more of a movie that starred Adam Sandler.
Which brings us to today, and an announcement in Variety that Sandler is reteaming with pretty much all the guys who've made crappy films with him in the past: Kevin James, Chris Rock, Rob Schneider, David Spade and director Dennis Dugan (Zohan). The film, which will begin shooting this summer, doesn't have a title but is described as a high-concept story about five best friends from high school who reunite 30 years later on Fourth of July weekend. Not sure what's high-concept about that (do they all turn into superheroes?), but we'll see where they take it. With all these guys, it'll either turn out to be the biggest piece of cow dung to ever hit the screen ... or maybe, just maybe, there's some funny to be had.
What do you folks think? Can Adam Sandler make another funny movie? And can he do it with this all-star Sandler cast?
Robert Pattinson Talks 'Breaking Dawn' & 'Unbound Captives'
Gwyneth Paltrow Joins Nicole Kidman in 'The Danish Girl'
Discuss: The Movies That Haunt You_thumbnail.jpg)
'Yogi Bear' Will Cry Me A River With Its Cast
Watch This: Movie Titles That Slip Into the Dialogue
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
2-11-2009 @ 10:56AM
David Musto said...
I'm not going to completely count him out but it does seem unlikely that he will make another funny movie. Certainly, he will never make anything approaching the hilarity of Happy Gilmore again. However, I can't blame Sandler for this. Look at the crap that people flock to see. Paul Blart: Mall Cop was #1 at the box office at the height of Oscar fever. This is more a sad commentary about the general movie watching public.
The message? Why put forth any effort into making anything funny when you can just make it lowest common denominator and still guarantee big box office numbers. Nothing is going to change until the Judd Apatows and Kevin Smiths of the world ask a little more of their audiences...and themselves
Reply
3-15-2009 @ 9:22PM
fiona said...
You need to wise up his one of the funniest person ever born
i love him soo much i would love to meet him
and im only 14
2-11-2009 @ 11:14AM
Matthew Mac said...
I don't know your feelings on it, but there were parts of Zohan that were really, really funny. Like a return to form funny. Unfortunately, most of it was crap.
As such, I think Sandler has it in him, so we'll just have to see if he pulls it off this time.
Reply
2-11-2009 @ 12:35PM
Saya said...
given that the only two Adam Sandler movies I will watch are The Wedding Singer and 50 First Dates, because the rest that I've seen any parts of are horrendous (I haven't seen the ones mentioned as funny on here, so I'll acknowledge that fact), I don't think so... (Its really strange though - I SOOO can not stand Adam Sandler, yet Wedding Singer and 50 First Dates both rank as some of my most favorite movies of all times - so obviously the man is talented, I just don't like his brand of humor)
Reply
2-11-2009 @ 12:03PM
Chris said...
after reading the Funny People script i think that that movie will be the one that makes him funny agian. You can tell Judd wrote it for him and I think it will be a very funny and good movie for adam to come across as funny
Reply
2-11-2009 @ 5:54PM
Jim Rob Jones said...
WOW! OMFG! You are so COOL! YOU GOT TO READ THE JUDD APATOW SCRIPT FUNNY PEOPLE?!? How do I get to be you? You must be one cool guy. And not only did you get to read it, you could tell it was written for Adam by Judd?!? Holy crap! Not just cool but smart too! Wow I wish I was you.
2-11-2009 @ 6:03PM
Chris said...
i was saying my opinion thats all mr. funny sarcasm man, but despite the sarcasm yes i am one cool guy. i revel in the fact how cool i am. i feels good being cool, i love it. i...love...it! so cool
2-11-2009 @ 6:27PM
Jim Rob Jones said...
Who was being sarcastic? You are my idol. You are truly amazing. Reading scripts by His Juddness Apatow and having the brilliance to realize that His Juddness purposely wrote the script for Mr. Sandler. There is no sarcasm here kind sir. I am in awe of you. How can such a lowly man as myself ever think to cross someone as astonishingly cool and clever as Mr. Chris? Next you'll tell us that you had the chance to read the Steve Koren/Brian Robbins epic A Thousand Words starring Eddie Murphy. If this is the case please refrain because I don't think I could handle it.
2-11-2009 @ 6:47PM
Chris said...
Glad to know someone loves me
2-11-2009 @ 12:15PM
Brian Sheridan said...
What do mean "another one?"
Reply
2-11-2009 @ 12:40PM
DylanG said...
Adam Sandler never stopped making funny movies. Humor goes through stages. In the late 90's, everyone loved Sandler's comedies. Now, I get the feeling that people have grown tired of it, hence liking these Apatow films. In ten years, Apatow comedies will also become unfunny and something new will take the reins.
Nonetheless, I think most of the people that dislike Sandler are "internet" people. The general public still loves his movies (hence why they cross the $100 million mark every time). I know that I still love his movies, as does most of my family and a lot of my friends. You Don't Mess With the Zohan was one of my favourite comedies of last year. It was hilarious, on par with Happy Gilmore in my books.
Reply
2-11-2009 @ 12:40PM
Jeff said...
Maybe Sandler will learn from Apatow and make this R-rated and not attempt a lot of slapstick humor at the cost of realism.
Reply
2-11-2009 @ 12:57PM
Mike said...
I had high hopes for the dude after Punch Drunk Love, which were unfortunately all kind of smashed shit flat. That movie and the ones he made before were all funny because he was somewhat of an original - this insanely angry, violent dude that's constantly struggling to mask the retarded fury he's got boiling up inside with a veneer of inane humour (I've, uh, thought about this a lot).
Its what made Happy Gilmore trying to beat the crap out of Bob Barker funny, and made the moment in PDL when Sandler's character breaks the patio doors so affecting. Unfortunately, that anger is gone from a lot of his recent work, and as I think its what made him compelling, if a bit stupid. Now all that's left is the stupid.
Reply
2-11-2009 @ 1:38PM
Jeff said...
#4
I think what he means is that can he make another funny movie after Funny People, which should be really funny.
Reply
2-11-2009 @ 2:17PM
Kim said...
Haven't seen "Bedtime Story" then have you. Actually I do not care for Adam Sandler, mostly I find him uncouth at best. I like the Wedding Singer, Big Daddy and 50 First Dates. But from the moment I saw the ads for "Bedtime Story" I knew it would be good and that he would be funny. He is at his best with kids because he is not so raunchy. He is really funny and does great physical comedy, like unto Jerry Lewis if it weren't for his mouth.
Reply
2-11-2009 @ 2:56PM
potion lords said...
Rob Schneider??? Not gonna be good if hes in it. Duece Bigalo was the most offensive piece of shit ever made.
Reply
2-11-2009 @ 3:27PM
killer_twinkie said...
I think the problem isn't that the movies aren't funny, it's that he's not Judd Apatow and he's not trying to be. You can't really relate them together IMO because they are two completely different styles. Apatow is all just kinda racy, rude, offensive stuff while Sandlers are more slapstick like was mentioned above. But I for one don't want that kind of an Adam Sandler movie because that's not what I expect from him. Since Punch Drunk Love his movies have been a little deeper than just an angry guy playing football or golf or whatever. I liked Click, Spanglish, and wrote an analysis paper on Reign Over Me and am still waiting to see Bedtime Stories. There is more to his movies now usually and they have a more redeeming quality to them and can be dramatic and funny at the same time.
Reply
2-11-2009 @ 3:40PM
Clayton said...
I don't know about you, but I always look forward to my yearly Adam Sandler crapfest.
Reply
2-11-2009 @ 5:23PM
Dan said...
I admit, Sandler has made some duds (Mostly Chuck and Larry comes to mind) but I loved all his flicks from the 90's when I was a kid and they're still funny as hell. And yeah, some of them like Mr. Deeds and 50 First Dates were by the numbers, but they were pretty funny, and I've watched them again on television. Anger Management was funny, The Longest Yard was underrated, Click was awesome in every way. I actually thought Zohan was hilarious, and I was really surprised to see all the hate. Yeah, it was dumb as hell, but when hasn't he been? I appreciated it for what it was. Bedtime Stories was also surprisingly good. So, I dunno if I'd call myself a "die-hard" fan, but I'll stick by him. I think they will make something funny, like he always has.
Reply
2-11-2009 @ 5:53PM
No Love for the "SANDMAN" said...
I think the more appropriate question is: Can Jerry Lewis make another funny movie? Why can't these guys go into the sunset gracefully. Why do we need to see them kicking and screaming with their last whimpering breath to stay in the spotlight. I must admit an obesely fat and deformed from steroids "SANDMAN" would be hilarious to me. Not in a movie but in real life. He should totally pull a Jerry Lewis. Seriously, a guy that refers to himself as "SANDMAN" is no longer funny and needs to disappear. Lights out Sandman you had a good ride.
Reply