Hubie Halloween

Director: Steven Brill

Writer: Tim Herlihy and Adam Sandler

Starring: Adam Sandler, Kevin James, Julie Bowen, Ray Liotta, Steve Buscemi, Rob Schneider, Maya Rudolph, June Squibb, and Noah Schnapp

Reason for watching: New Halloween-themed release in October

Number of times I’ve watched it: Once

***

Adam Sandler truly is the everyman comedic actor nowadays. But it’s not because he really embodies what everyday people go through, it’s because he does what a lot of our society does. Shows up to a job, project, or school, and gives enough effort to get by. And for the most part that work is satisfying. We can enjoy his Netflix comedies and his occasional theatrical releases. He’s still funny. But it’s not the best that he can do. He has so much more to offer than this. If you watch Uncut Gems, you’ll see what he can do.

But let’s cut back to the actual move we’re talking about. Quick plot summary: weird small-town recluse has to save Halloween when townsfolk start to go missing. The townsfolk don’t exactly trust him. Something about Steve Buscemi becoming a werewolf. There’s a lot thrown in there. It’s more a sketch comedy with some costumes mixed in.

Can’t deny the outstanding comedic cast here. This is a murder’s row of funny people. And they all get their moment in the sun (or full moon if you’d like a crappy pun). Personally, June Squibb steals every scene she is in in my opinion. And even though we’ve seen and heard Sandler’s Bobby Boucher performance before, it’s still funny from time to time, and it is here. Plus watching someone fall off a bike or run into a wall or a tree limb still gets a snicker from me.

Yes, it’s a little lazy with the jokes and the plot is overloaded with too many characters. It’s hard to remember what’s going on from time to time, and that keeps any character from getting a lot of screen time or chances to go for big laughs. The cruelty that some of the townspeople get away with when they’re bullying Sandler is crazy. Not entirely sure how anyone gets away with it when a good majority of it could be considered assault, but I’m taking it too seriously. There’s a romance plot in there too that isn’t memorable.

I had that “Monster Mash” song stuck in my head the entire time I watched. “He did the MONSTER Mash!!” That describes this movie. It is fun nonsense.

Not too long ago Adam Sandler made a promise. He said that if he didn’t get nominated for his role in Uncut Jems, he would make an incredibly awful move just to spite Hollywood and the awards givers. I don’t think this is it. But knowing Sandler, it’s coming. And I cannot wait.

5/10

Until I see another one.