RECENTLY VIEWED: HUBIE HALLOWEEN

In the heart of Salem, Massachusetts—where Halloween spirit runs as deep as the town’s spooky legends—lives Hubie Dubois, a man-child with a thermos full of gadgets and a heart full of good intentions. Played by Adam Sandler in one of his most eccentric roles to date, Hubie is the self-appointed guardian of Halloween, though the townspeople treat him more like a punchline than a protector.

Hubie Halloween is a film that doesn’t pretend to be anything other than what it is: a silly, slapstick comedy wrapped in orange and black. Directed by Steven Brill, the movie leans into the absurd with gusto. Sandler’s Hubie speaks in a mumbly voice reminiscent of his earlier characters, and the plot—if you can call it that—follows a series of strange disappearances on Halloween night that only Hubie seems to take seriously.

The film is packed with familiar faces from the Happy Madison universe. Kevin James plays a mullet-wearing cop, Julie Bowen is the sweet love interest who inexplicably adores Hubie, and Steve Buscemi and Rob Schneider bring their usual offbeat energy. There’s even a cameo from Shaquille O’Neal that’s as bizarre as it is hilarious.

What Hubie Halloween lacks in narrative depth, it makes up for in festive charm. The town is decked out in Halloween decor, the costumes are colorful and creative, and the soundtrack is filled with spooky-season staples. It’s a movie that feels like a Halloween party—chaotic, loud, and not particularly meaningful, but fun if you’re in the right mood.

That said, the humor is hit-or-miss. Much of it relies on juvenile gags—fart jokes, food fights, and people screaming in exaggerated terror. If you’re not a fan of Sandler’s brand of comedy, this movie won’t change your mind. But beneath the silliness, there’s a surprisingly sweet message about kindness, bullying, and the importance of being true to yourself, even when the world laughs at you.

Hubie Halloween isn’t a great film, but it’s not trying to be. It’s a seasonal treat—like candy corn or a plastic pumpkin full of cheap chocolate. You might not crave it year-round, but when October rolls around, it hits the spot...

MY RATING: 5 out of 10

RECENTLY VIEWED: HAPPY GILMORE 2

 Last night I turned on Netflix for some pure nostalgia and watched Happy Gilmore 2. Watching this sequel is like spending time with an old friend that you haven't seen since 1995. Happy Gilmore 2 is a 2025 American sports comedy film directed by Kyle Newacheck, and written by Tim Herlihy and Adam Sandler. It is a sequel to Happy Gilmore (1996). Sandler, Julie Bowen, Christopher McDonald, Ben Stiller, and Dennis Dugan reprise their roles from the original film while Benny Safdie and Bad Bunny join the film as new cast members.

In September 2022, Adam Sandler stated that he hoped to eventually make a sequel to Happy Gilmore, saying he had been creating ideas for what a follow-up film would be, while stating the character would be involved in a senior golf tour. In March 2024, Christopher McDonald revealed that a sequel was in development, and that Sandler had shown him a draft of the script to read.

In May 2024, it was announced that Netflix had greenlit the film, taking over for the first film's distributor Universal Pictures. Kyle Newacheck was hired to direct the film, with Tim Herlihy co-writing the screenplay with Sandler. In July, Nick Swardson announced he would star in the film. In August, Sandler revealed Benny Safdie would have a role in the film, with football player Travis Kelce set to make a cameo. In September, McDonald and Julie Bowen were confirmed to be reprising their roles, with Bad Bunny, Margaret Qualley, and Maxwell Jacob Friedman also added to the cast. John Daly would reveal he had filmed scenes for the film. Happy Gilmore 2 premiered at the Lincoln Center in New York City on July 21, 2025. The film was released on Netflix on July 25, 2025.

In order to get the movie at all, you need to see the original movie. This sequel is LOADED with callbacks, and for fans of the original film it is a treasure trove of memories. Some of the high points in the movie are the appearances of Christopher McDonald and Ben Stiller. I love how they brought their characters up to present time. Like I said the movie is a fun romp, full of nostalgia. As a comedy sequel it is definitely no Caddyshack 2, but it is no 1995 Happy Gilmore. The movie has some really serious moments, that I don't want to spoil for you. Also, I think Adam Sandler is using his wife and children too much in his movies, and they are not really good actors. That being said, I recommend this movie. It was a fun 2-hour nostalgic golf comedy movie...

MY RATING: 8 out of 10

RECENTLY VIEWED: MURDER MYSTERY

My son called a family movie night, and so we watched the Adam Sandler Netflix movie Murder Mystery. The comedy starred  Adam Sandler, Jennifer Aniston, and Luke Evans, and follows a married couple who are caught up in a murder investigation on a billionaire's yacht. It was released on June 14, 2019, by Netflix. It received mixed reviews from critics. A sequel was released by Netflix on March 31, 2023.

In June 2012, it was reported that Charlize Theron had signed on to star in Murder Mystery, a mystery-comedy then set to be directed by John Madden, from James Vanderbilt's screenplay. Before the announcement, the project had been set up at Walt Disney Studios with Kevin McDonald set to direct. In April 2013, it was reported that Colin Firth, Adam Sandler and Emily Blunt had joined the cast - although, representatives for Firth and Blunt denied that they were boarding the film. In September 2013, it was reported that both Theron and Madden had left the project and that Anne Fletcher was now set to direct for TWC-Dimension; Theron eventually received an executive producer credit on the film, along with her studio, Denver and Delilah Productions, listed in the film.

In March 2018, it was announced that Sandler and Jennifer Aniston had signed to star, reuniting them after Just Go with It, their 2011 film. Kyle Newacheck directed, still with Vanderbilt's script, and the film premiered on Netflix as part of Sandler's distribution deal. In June 2018, it was announced that Luke Evans, Gemma Arterton, David Walliams, Erik Griffin, John Kani, Shioli Kutsuna, Luis Gerardo Méndez, Adeel Akhtar, Ólafur Darri Ólafsson, Dany Boon and Terence Stamp had joined the cast.

Principal photography on the film began on June 14, 2018 in Montréal. In late July 2018, filming began in Italy at locations including Santa Margherita Ligure, Lake Como, and Milan (where most of the scenes set in Monaco were actually shot) also using vehicles and uniforms of the Carabinieri.

I am not a huge fan of Adam Sandler, but his usual schtick is not present in this film. His character lies a lot to his wife and family in the film so not a fan of that, but he has good chemistry with Jennifer Aniston. Aniston is good in everything she does. I would have had a harsher review if I had paid for the movie, but this was a great Netflix movie. I'm sure my son will want to watch the sequel which is also on Netflix. If you are looking for fun entertainment to escape from the world, then you will like this movie mystery...

MY RATING: 7 out of 10

RECENTLY VIEWED: HOTEL TRANSYLVANIA 3 - SUMMER VACATION

I am a big movie fan so I like old and new movies. I think some of what is coming out of Hollywood is trash these days but some recent movies are quite good. One actor I never liked was Adam Sandler. Some of his early work was mildy amusing, but I'm not a big fan of a 50 year old acting like he is 20. With that being said, I took my daughter to see Hotel Translyvania 3 for a daddy/daughter day. I loved the movie, and even though Dracula is voiced by Adam Sandler, I forgot it was him!

Hotel Transylvania 3: Summer Vacation (known internationally as Hotel Transylvania 3: A Monster Vacation) is a 2018 American 3D computer-animated comedy film produced by Sony Pictures Animation and distributed by Sony Pictures Releasing. The third installment in the Hotel Transylvania franchise, it is directed by Genndy Tartakovsky and written by Tartakovsky and Michael McCullers, and features Adam Sandler, Andy Samberg, Selena Gomez, Kevin James, David Spade, Steve Buscemi, Keegan-Michael Key, Molly Shannon, Fran Drescher, and Mel Brooks reprising their roles as well as new additions to the cast like Kathryn Hahn and Jim Gaffigan.

Taking place a few months after the events of the previous film, the story centers on Dracula, Mavis, Johnny, and the rest of their family, both human and monster, and friends as they take a vacation on a luxury Monster Cruise Ship. Dracula becomes attracted to the ship's mysterious captain Ericka, the great-granddaughter of Abraham Van Helsing, the notorious monster slayer and Dracula's ancient archenemy.

The night before I went to see this movie with my daughter, I watched 2017's IT on HBO, so I think I was in the mood for a mindless and innocent film. The movie is very family friendly, and it was released on Friday July 13th to an audience that obviously wants to see more from this franchise since the movie had the second biggest opening of the three films.

The plot is simple: Dracula (Sandler) is looking for love. Frankenstein (Kevin James) is trying not to lose an arm and a leg (literally) at the casino, and Mel Brooks is back as Dracula's elderly father. I wish there was more Mel Brooks in the film. All in all, it's a great movie, and my daughter loved the movie. With popcorn and fruit punch, our daddy-daughter Sunday was a great success! Thanks Adam Sandler...

MY RATING: 10 OUT OF 10