Why Adam Sandler is the Man of the 80s
Let's face it: You either love Adam Sandler or you don't. Here's my argument ... if you don't love Sandler, you don't love the 80s. Because Sandler is the King of the 80s.
Every one of his movies is neck-deep in classic 80s tunes (Styx, The Cars, Lionel Ritchie, Kansas, Rush). And he starred in the best non-80s movie about the 80s: The Wedding Singer. So good, I own it on video and DVD. (And for some reason, watch it on both formats still.) So good that my love of the soundtrack led indirectly to the end of one relationship back in the heartless 90s. (Long story there. Suffice to say, she didn't enjoy me singing "Video Killed the Radio Star" at 2 a.m. at home one night with my work buddies during the final credit role of the movie.)
Sandler's latest flick -- "Click" -- just cleaned up at the box office this weekend. Me? Yeah, I saw the very first local showing of it on Friday at noon. I nearly jumped out of my seat when I heard The Cars' "Magic" playing under the opening credits. (Wait until you hear next week's Stuck in the 80s podcast about The Cars and hear Sean Daly's childhood memory of the song. Very stimulating.) Movie critics around the country are less than enthusiastic about the film's merit, but I loved it. Will you enjoy it? Consider Kurt Loder's review on MTV.com: "The pleasure of the movie is in watching it work out pretty much the way you'd hope it would."
Loder, you big stud. I wish I could write reviews like that.
I'm sticking to lists. Top 5 Adam Sandler movies:
5. Mr. Deeds: "Yeah I bet you know what it's like to get all riled up, Johnny Mac."
4. Billy Madison: "Sometimes I feel like an idiot. But I am an idiot, so it kinda works out."
3. Click: "Your father's stereo blows?"
2. Happy Gilmore: "You're gonna die, clown."
1. The Wedding Singer: "Now let's cut the stupid cake because I know the fat guy's gonna have a heart attack if we don't eat again soon."
Relive the music, movies and culture of the greatest decade ever with Times online editor Steve Spears. A teen during the decade, Steve is obsessed with everything from Duran Duran to Journey, John Hughes to John Cusack, and parachute pants to Reaganomics.
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I think my two favorites are The Wedding Singer and 50 First Dates. I really enjoy both soundtracks, too. The covers on the 50 First Dates soundtrack are all phenomenal.-Shelly
Posted by: Anonymous | July 07, 2006 at 12:48 AM
One of my favorite Sandler movies is 'Punch-Drunk Love'. It really shows a depth to Adam that we don't ordinarily see in his acting. It's a dark comedic love story that keeps you rooting for the underdog (Sandler). The symbolism thru out the film is so dense thatit's fun to pick out pertinent quirks.
Posted by: Anonymous | July 05, 2006 at 03:31 AM
I was watching The Cosby Show the other day and who shows up as one of Theo's friends? You got it, Adam Sandler.
Posted by: lillapoyka | June 30, 2006 at 08:35 AM
I'm not sure what it is, but I wasn't a big fan of the Waterboy. I'd put it (and every other movie on the planet) above Little Nicky though. And god knows there are a bunch of great quotes from Waterboy. Happy Gilmore remains the movie I can probably watch more than other other. (And I'll admit I'm somewhat ashamed that I enjoy Billy Madison. ... "Stop looking at me, Swan!")
Posted by: Steve Spears | June 28, 2006 at 10:52 AM
Happy Gilmore remains comic genius. Wedding Singer was damn fine entertainment, too, but Happy's my prizewinner.That said, suffering through Little Nicky damn near negates everything else Sandler's ever done. God that was awful.Not as bad as anything directed by Uwe Boll, tho. Whose face I will pummel in a boxing ring. (Into the shape of a boxing ring, that is.) Details here.
Posted by: Rick Gershman | June 27, 2006 at 05:51 PM
Yeah, leaving the Waterboy off was a mistake. Must be a Louisiana thing. My wife is from La, I have been to places like that, so I found it hilarious. Plus most of it was filmed over here in Orlando.But the best lines of the move are not even from Sandler, they are from Rob Schneider:"Oh no, we suck again!""Well wake her ass up, we got a game tomorrow!"But love Wedding Singer as well..."WHOOOPIDEEEEDO"
Posted by: Hamptune | June 26, 2006 at 10:22 PM
Can't forget about Big Daddy.
Posted by: powerage | June 26, 2006 at 09:17 PM
"Hey, psycho- we're not going to discuss this, okay? Please get out of my Van Halen shirt before you jinx the band and they break up."
Posted by: Tonka | June 26, 2006 at 09:15 PM
Gotta admit, I got charged up hearing "MAGIC" during the opening credits, too. I also caught the late 70's hit "Hold The Line" by ToTo. That was cool..
Posted by: DC | June 26, 2006 at 08:55 PM
The soundtracks may be 80s, but the movies scream sucky 90s all over. There are not enough good Sandler movies to make a Top 5. Anything below Wedding Singer is a stretch.
Posted by: yellojkt | June 26, 2006 at 01:30 PM
What about the Waterboy? I don't think I have ever laughed so hard in a movie theatre. 50 First Dates was really great too. I think he also really showed his acting chops in Spanglish.
Posted by: Bassnote | June 26, 2006 at 10:20 AM
Geez, Steve. "If you don't love Sandler, you don't love the 80s"? There is a HUGE difference between loving his movies' soundtracks (sigh, yes, I own "The Wedding Singer" CD) and watching his pale, pasty mug ham it up to cover his complete absence of comedic talent.To quote AS himself: Oy.
Posted by: PencilSharp | June 26, 2006 at 10:12 AM