In the future, I’ll try to redouble my efforts to not take such a long break in the future. Let me know if there’s something you want me to watch. I really do appreciate you reading this ❤️

This movie has grown on me the more I’ve sat with over last month. I’ll leave you with important trivia I learned from IMDb: Bugonia is not an intentional misspelling of the flower Begonia. Bugonia is Ancient Greek for “progeny from an ox.” Google this ritual after you watch the movie. Thank me l8r.

I must say that the acting in this film is superb. Emma Stone and Yorgos Lanthimos have been on a legendary run of movies (The Favorite (2018), Poor Things (2023), and Kinds of Kindness (2024) with Plemons). In almost every scene she is in, there is double layer of the victimhood theme she embodies.

This invites the need for two viewings, one from the victim and again from the perpetrator. The most creative aspect director Yorgos Lanthimos plays with is this theme of victimhood. At its core is an interesting case study of two terrifyingly normal people in an other worldly situation.

The Hook: Is Emma Stone’s aristocratic CEO character an alien? Jesse Plemons and unprofessional actor Aidan Delvin plays a duo of conspiracy theorists. They kidnap the CEO because they know the answer is YES. We all know someone who went to deep into the rabbit hole, why should we be on their side?

I think this a good place for Mario Galaxy. It is maybe not the most influential 3D platformer, but is it the most delightful? I think so.

Overall, I had a fun time catching up on some Adam Sandler films. Now I get why he’s a generational touchstone. #moviesky #filmsky

While the concept of extreme golf is a little beyond my personal tastes, this sequel does try to walk the line between being overly self referential and trailblazing new territory. While not a strong standalone film, the original’s foundation allows its legacy sequel to accomplish something novel.

While I don’t think the sequel is as consistently funny as the original, the sequel does do cameos better than the standard Hollywood fair. Cameos at their worst feel like the director awkwardly winking at the audience. The idea of making every speaking role a cameo is low key unhinged and works.

My favorite Full Moon crossover. Should out to Gingerdead Man vs Evil Bong.

For me, I would say that this movie was funny for me consistently around 50-60% of the time. Funnier than a lot of comedies I’ve seen, but sometimes a little to silly for my taste. Somehow, I feel that I slightly understand both the merits and criticisms of Sandler better now.

The most important part of a comedy is the funny joke to bad joke ratio. Comedies ride an oscillating wave between these extremes. Humor is subjective, but nothing is worse than watching a movie try to be funny. Yet, nothing is better when a movie can crack you up with consistent humor.

Happy Gilmore (1996) finds a surprisingly open niche of a Golf Comedy, a space it only has to share with Caddyshack (1980). The story features the simple genius of a bad hockey player becoming golfer, the character development of the entire cast is a bit lax and almost entirely devoid of themes.

A person’s comedy preference is almost as personal as one’s inner thoughts. My preference definitely leans more to the absurdist or physical comedy spectrum. I’m glad to report that Happy Gilmore (1996) features multiple punchlines that Adam Sandler simply and randomly beats the shit out of people.

One of my most desired machines.

It tells two interconnected stories across two worlds in a very streamlined way. Ultimately, I don’t know if I can say I prefer this to the 1946 original film or the iconic Disney version, I will say that this is something I will return to. Despite adaption, its strength is disassociation.

Unexpectedly, what stuck with me the most is its depiction of teenagers’ relationship with technology. To steal a Hasan Minhaj term, our “rectangle of sadness” completely distorts how people view relationships, identity, material possessions, and so on. Belle (2021) safely explores this topic.

Thematically, there isn’t real depth beyond the third act virtue monologues in both films. Cinematographically, the first film struggles maintaining the camera’s focus while panning. These criticisms cannot discredit its winsome humor. Something that “better” made films have struggled and failed at.