Bedtime Stories

I don't expect anyone over the age of 12 to like this movie much. It is clearly a movie for kids. But it should be fun for the 6 to 12 year-olds in the family. Watch it with them, make sure the get more than the funny bits.

Adam Sandler plays his usual loser-makes-good character with the usual aplomb. If you are paying attention you will see one-liners delivered by bit players from previous Sandler movies. And in one very obvious case, a one-liner is delivered by the same actor who did the line many movies ago.

Keri Russell and Courteney Cox make worthy appearances but won't win any acclaim for their work here. Nor will any of the other cast.

The story is pure Disney formula and it works one one level. Sandler does his best to keep the story moving, and no scenes are overly long or over done.

Watch this movie with the little ones in the family. They'll thank you for it.

You Don't Mess With The Zohan

This movie was not supposed to be any good. This movie was supposed to be one predictable gag or prat fall after another. In fact, in my opinion, it was much better than that. The salon scene alone is worth the watch all by itself. But, if you can handle the heavy-handed satire and tongue-in-cheek racism it's a pretty fun ride.

Also well worth the watch is all the surprise appearances from people you know but may not recognize. Adam Sandler of course plays the title role, and goes so far over the top with it he actually makes it work.

Other names you may recognize with out catching their faces include: John Turturro, Rob Schneider, even the musician Dave Matthews. Other SNL alums you may know are Kevin Nealon and Robert Smigel the cartoon guy. Mariah Carey, John McEnroe, and George Takei of Star Trek fame, and Paul "Mitchell" of the hair products fame, all play themselves believe it or not, and one of them takes their top off. Chris Rock and Kevin James also have scenes. Way too much fun.

If you are a fan of James Bond, please don't let this movie offend you. If you are Israeli or Palestinian, gay or old, the same goes for you too. And if you are still very much into disco I'm pretty sure you should be offended.

Watch this movie with someone who has a strong stomach.

Spanglish

If you are not ordinarily an Adam Sandler fan, and skipped this movie for that reason, I suggest you reconsider. This story is not about a goofy every-man getting away with the absurd, and accomplishing the improbable. That alone takes it out of the realm of the typical Sandler movie.

Written and Directed by James L. Brooks, who also wrote and directed Terms of Endearment, Broadcast News, and As Good as it Gets. He has written a ton of stuff, and produced tons more. But, when he directs his own writing, awards are given. He has 3 Oscars himself, and directed 9 actors who have won for their roles. His work has attracted over 46 nominations for big trophies. That gets my attention.

Paz Vega (10 Items or Less) is the real star of this story. She is smart, she is funny, she is adorable. In this specific case, she is a immigrant in LA struggling to grab the brass ring. I'm sure there are at least a few thousand who can identify with this situation.

In fact, Sandler is really down the list, in my opinion, of the features in this project. Tea Leoni (The Family Man and Fun With Dick And Jane) is outrageous in her portrayal of our typical stressed out, insecure, housewife.

But, she is outshone however, by Cloris Leachman who has played more crazy people than most actors have played roles. Brava Ms. Leachman. More. More. More.

Watch this movie with someone who pulled themselves up by their bootstraps.