Episode 5: Happy Gilmore

Maxie, Rexy, and Crystal discuss Frank Coraci’s 1998 romantic comedy The Wedding Singer, which is Adam Sandler’s first earnest performance as a romantic actor. Not only does The Wedding Singer mark the beginning of Sandler’s collaborations with Drew Barrymore and Frank Coraci, but it was also Sandler’s most commercially successful film at the time of release.Is The Wedding Singer a crossover hit that blends Sandlerian comedy with gentle romance, or is it an unimpressive collection of sappy clichés? One thing’s for sure: Sandler plays a broke wedding singer whose belief in love is tested by the cruelties of economic inequality!

Maxie, Rexy, and Crystal discuss a rarely appreciated Adam Sandler role in Ernest Dickinson’s 1996 buddy cop road movie: Bulletproof. This film marks the debut of Adam Sandler sharing the spotlight equally with one other actor, in this case with Damon Wayans.Is Bulletproof a reframing of Adam Sandler’s comedic tendencies for a new genre, or is it a mess of incoherent action and flat characterization? One thing’s for sure: Sandler plays a petty thief that shoots his best friend in the head!

Maxie, Rexy, and Crystal discuss what is perhaps Adam Sandler’s most beloved role in Dennis Dugan’s 1996 sports comedy: Happy Gilmore. This film marks the debut of Adam Sandler as a dramedic actor, as well as the beginning of his long collaboration with Dennis Dugan.Is Happy Gilmore a showcase of Adam Sandler’s nuances as an actor, or is it a by-the-numbers mediocrity? One thing’s for sure: Sandler plays an angry hockey player who learns to golf to save his grandmother’s home!

Maxie, Rexy, and Crystal discuss Adam Sandler’s breakout starring role in Tamra Davis’ 1995 fan favorite: Billy Madison. This film is so influential to Adam Sandler’s career that it contributed half the name of Sandler’s production company Happy Madison.Is Billy Madison an uproariously funny 90s classic, or is it a miserable drudge through Adam Sandler’s worst tendencies as a performer? One thing’s for sure: Sandler plays a spoiled prince who must graduate 12 grades of school!

Crystal forgot to watch the movie, but she still tries to contribute to Rexy and Maxie’s discussion of Nora Ephron’s 1994 Christmas comedy: Mixed Nuts. They are also assisted by film buff Ashley of Totally Reprise! Adam Sandler plays a supporting role once again, in the of the last films of his career before coming a major movie star.Is Mixed Nuts an intelligently written dark farce, or is it an exploitative stain on Nora Ephron’s career? One thing’s for sure: Sandler plays a sensitive musician who falls in love with a trans woman!

Maxie, Rexy, and Crystal are joined by Morgan of Cartoon Buffoons to discuss Rich Wilkes’ 1994 cult classic comedy: Airheads. This is a rare example of Adam Sandler in a third-billed role, where he mostly supports the journey of Brendan Fraser’s character.Is Airheads a soulful celebration of Gen X rock culture, flaws and all, or is it the journal of a man coming to terms with selling out? One thing’s for sure: Sandler plays a socially conscious drummer who’s popular with the ladies!

It’s the inaugural episode of Audio Entropy’s newest podcast: Three Grown Ups! Maxie, Rexy, and Crystal are going to watch every movie starring Adam Sandler, in release order.Our journey begins with Valerie Breiman’s 1989 direct-to-video comedy: Going Overboard. This is Adam Sandler’s very first leading role, before he even worked for Saturday Night Live.Is Going Overboard a Brechtian ode to classic heterosexual television, or is it the worst film ever made? One thing’s for sure: Sandler plays a floundering cruise ship worker who dreams of becoming a comedian!