Brian's Thoughts on Movies

Adam Sandler has the most successful film career of any Saturday Night Live performer.  Adam Sandler comedies are often savagely attacked by critics who can be a little high-minded and dismissive of them.  I think it is important to look a little deeper as to why something works or does not.  Sandler created a production company called "Happy Madison" which is named after his first two films "Billy Madison" and "Happy Gilmore", neither of which I have seen yet.  Happy Maidson produces most of Sandler's comedies (and some which star other SNL veterans like David Spade) and it has allowed him to give a lot of opportunities to friends both in front of and behind the camera.  This can be both an asset and a hindrance.  For example, Sandler has made several films with director Dennis Dugan who often does broad comedy well but whose films struggle balancing those with the more dramatic scenes, which can make the films seem like a collection of gags.  But it ...

"We're all put to the test, but it never comes in the form or at the point we might prefer, does it?"  Charles Morse in The Edge On New Years' morning this year I opened my phone and saw a headline that said "Anthony Hopkins' Life in Photos.  I momentarily felt a sense of grief.  Had Anthony Hopkins passed away and more selfishly, would there be no more Anthony Hopkins' performances? I have not seen all of his work but a Hopkins performance can make a great film even better (Remains of the Day, Shadowlands), a good film great (Nixon, Mask of Zorro), and a bad film watchable (Human Stain, Instinct).  The Welsh voice which can be powerful yet soft and, the blue eyes which can indicate deep thought or an intimidating stare, and the stature which is short but imposing, all make Hopkins (who has an obvious adoration of the craft) one of my favorite actors of all time and I believe the best living male actor.  For all of his success Anthony Hopkins will probabl...