"NJ Sucks;Philly Smokes"

This guy sure thinks so,. Also it appears the Philly smoking ban may not be done deal after all. Of course by the time you read this it might be a moot point.

"Summer Movie File 202: The Longest Yard"

It's fitting that Adam Sandler's movies usually are released in the summer. Because, they generally have the same feeling of just chilling out on a lazy summer afternoon. Sandler's latest effort is a remake of the 1970's flick the Longest Yard. The film tells the tale of football showdown between the prisoners and prison guards. Sandler, plays an ex-quarter back NFL star. One has to get past the absurdity of casting Sandler in such a role, and just accept it for a comic vehicle the better. The film seems closer to 50 first dates or Anger Mangement( the same director as both ) in its slightly darker tone than his earlier films like BIlly Madison.

The film actually uses violence in a more realistic way than most Sandler films. The film also deals with racial slurs and tensions which give it an unexpected edge. The actual screenplay isn't anything new. Basic under dog story, but in these kinds of comedies its the journey not the destination. Sitting back watching the actors zing one another, and cringing at the bone crushing hits and major hurts put on each other during games and practices.

The movie also co-stars fellow SNL alumni Chris Rock. Rock has yet to have a run away hit with a leading role. Fresh off the god-awful Head of State which he also wrote and directed. Rock does what he does best, walks around and tells jokes. In fact his character is likely purposely uninvolved in any of the football scenes, so he can spew off his new material. He basically walks around during stand up comedy in the movie. Just playing himself, as if he took a wrong turn the stage at one of his performances and wondered on to the movie set. Rock hasn't played an actual character since New Jack City.


Regardless, the movie exists to make you route for people and the everyman Sandler. I guess it worked since people were cheering during "the big game" at the showing I went to. Lots of the Sandler regulars are MIA, but the guy who looks like col. sanders and cloris leachman who stared with Sandler in Spanglish provide the "random Sandler" humor. Burt Reynolds also appears who was in the original one. It's more a less a throw away role which might disappoint fans of the original.

Sandler's career is certainly at interesting point. Almost as if he is playing the field after getting rave reviews playing parts in deeper films such as Punch Drunk Love and Spanglish. Showing off a better range. Regardless, Sandler is one of the few comic actors that is almost always worth spending your time with.

"Bad Joke of The Week"

It's that time of the week boys and girls.




What do snake charmers do in the rain?
Turn on their windshield vipers.

"Devil of a Time in Newark"

So if the NHL ever rises from it's ashses the New Jersey Devils will head a tad south. To Newark, leaving the swamps of the medow lands behind. An assemblymen in NJ, would like them to leave their "Demonic" name there too. He would like them to change it, the owners of the hockey team are saying fat chance.

Judging by his quote the politican is getting the Jersey Devil confused with the fallen angel from the bible. The Devils aren't named after satan himself, but after the Jersey Devil. Of course imagine people across the country who likely never heard fo the demonic creature that roams the pine barrens might be a bit confused. Perhaps they think its just named after the people who run the state.

Anyway, hopefully they keep their name. I always thought the Carolina Hurricanes was a much more morbid name. Think about it, lets name our team after the weather elimate that casues constant death and destuction to our state! At least the Jersey Devil hasn't been confirmed to kill anyone. Would anyone like me to blog about the legend?

Anyway go read this at ESPN.