d_penn

Alright, folks, buckle up your golf carts and grab a cold one from the cooler, 'cause this corny American dad just watched *Happy Gilmore 2* on Netflix, and I'm ready to tee off with a review that's par for the course! This sequel's got more swing than a backyard barbecue in a thunderstorm, and I'm here to dish out the pun-tastic praise like I'm flipping burgers in my flip-flops!

First off, let's talk about Adam Sandler's performance-holy hole-in-one, he's still got it! Sandler slides back into Happy's hockey jersey like it's a comfy pair of dad jeans, delivering laughs faster than I mow the lawn on a Saturday. His slapstick shenanigans and heartwarming dad moments with his kids (including real-life daughter Sunny!) are a fairway to my heart. It's like watching a perfectly grilled steak: juicy, familiar, and oh-so-satisfying.

The cameos are a total birdie! From Bad Bunny as Happy's caddie to Travis Kelce getting bear-hugged by comedy, this flick's packed with more stars than a Fourth of July sky. Each guest star pops up like a sprinkler on a summer morning, keeping the laughs rolling smoother than my minivan on a road trip. It's fan service that lands right in the sweet spot!

The nostalgia is a hole-in-one for us '90s kids. Callbacks to the original, like Shooter McGavin's smug grin and clips from the first film, are like finding your old Walkman in the garage-pure gold! The plot's a bit like my lawn: a little patchy but still green and fun. It's a riotous romp that's as comforting as a pair of socks with sandals.

Picture me, sipping a brew, chuckling so hard I nearly chipped my coffee table like Happy's golf swing! My kid caught me quoting "You're gonna need a bigger putt!" and groaned louder than my old grill creaking in the rain.

In reference to Destination Wedding.. Pros: The current movie has a few laughs. Perry stays true to the original formula, so you really feel like you know the characters. Each installment of the franchise is an opportunity to see how their lives have progressed. Like it or not, Perry is going to give audiences a message surrounding either faith, family, or life in general. I've come to appreciate this aspect of his work which despite the over the top comedy, sends a larger message both to and about the Black community. Cons: There's a lot of predictability which is great if you are looking for classic Madea but if you are looking for a storyline that renews the franchise with fresh themes, depth, or surprising turns, you may find it falls short. I would love to see the character "evolve" as they are very much static. Even some of the jokes appear to be recycled but the "Did Trump build a wall and passport photo shoot" was not lost on me. Overall, this movie is for those who want to see classic Madea with no expectations. But there so many ways I would have rewritten this film because the potential was there.

John and the Hole (2021) - A Film That Falls into Its Own Pit of Meaninglessness Some movies leave you with deep existential questions. Others leave you with a headache from trying to figure out what you just watched. John and the Hole (2021) is firmly in the latter category-a psychological thriller that mistakes ambiguity for depth and silence for storytelling.

At its core, the film follows a disturbingly emotionless 13-year-old who drugs his entire family and traps them in an underground hole for no apparent reason. Sounds like the setup for a gripping psychological study, right? Wrong. Instead of offering insight into John's psyche, the film drifts aimlessly, presenting a protagonist who barely speaks and a plot that refuses to explain itself. We get long, drawn-out scenes of John wandering around the house, playing video games, and eating pudding while his family slowly starves in a pit. The audience is left begging for answers that never come.

Is John a sociopath? A misunderstood child? A symbol of modern youth's detachment? Who knows. The film certainly doesn't care to tell us. Instead of crafting a meaningful exploration of power, isolation, or adolescent psychology, they give us a cold, emotionless void masquerading as art.

Adding insult to injury, the film introduces a random subplot about a different girl and her mother, which seems to have no connection to the main story whatsoever. It's as if the movie itself got bored and decided to take a detour. You're left not with shock or introspection, but pure frustration.

If you enjoy psychological thrillers with depth and purpose, steer clear of John and the Hole. If, however, you enjoy movies that provide zero emotional payoff, no character development, and a frustrating lack of resolution, then this might be your new favorite film.

Final Verdict: 1/10 - A hollow experience in every sense.