11. Shakes the Clown 1991
IMDB Rating: 5.6，Douban Rating: ，ID: tt0102898
Shakes the Clown is a dark comedy film written, directed by and starring Bobcat Goldthwait as an alcoholic clown who is framed for murder. The film is considered a cult classic and has been praised for its satire of the entertainment industry and its subversion of the clown genre.
I decided to watch Shakes the Clown as part of my blog series on every single Adam Sandler movie, ranked from worst to best. Sandler plays Dink, one of Shakes’ clown friends who helps him clear his name and find the real killer. This is one of Sandler’s earliest roles and he does not have much screen time or dialogue, but he shows some of his trademark goofiness and energy.
The film is not for everyone, as it is very dark, crude, and violent. It depicts clowns as depressed, drug-addicted, and abusive losers who hate their jobs and their lives. It also mocks the rivalry between clowns and mimes, who are portrayed as snobbish and elitist. The film has some funny moments, especially when it parodies other genres like film noir, westerns, and musicals. However, it also has some scenes that are disturbing, such as when Shakes beats up his girlfriend or when he hallucinates a talking TV.
I appreciate the film’s originality and courage to tackle a taboo subject like clowns in a twisted way. I also admire Goldthwait’s performance and direction, which create a unique tone and style. However, I did not enjoy the film as much as I hoped, as I found it too bleak and depressing for my taste. I think the film could have balanced its humor and drama better, and given more depth and sympathy to its characters.
Shakes the Clown is a daring and inventive film that challenges the conventions of comedy and clowning. It is not a typical Adam Sandler movie, but it is an interesting one to watch for his fans and for those who like dark humor. I would rank it somewhere in the middle of Sandler’s filmography, as it has some merit but also some flaws.
12. Grown Ups 2 2013
IMDB Rating: 5.4，Douban Rating: 6.4，ID: tt2191701
Grown Ups 2 is a lazy and unfunny sequel that wastes the talents of its cast and the potential of its premise. It ranks among the worst Adam Sandler movies ever made, according to critics and fans alike.
Despite having a star-studded ensemble of comedy veterans, Grown Ups 2 fails to deliver any laughs or charm. It is a pointless and cringe-worthy follow-up to a mediocre original, and one of the lowest points in Adam Sandler’s career.
Grown Ups 2 is a comedy disaster that proves that more is not always better. With a nonsensical plot, juvenile humor, and offensive stereotypes, it is an insult to the audience and the genre. It deserves to be at the bottom of any list of Adam Sandler movies.
13. The Animal 2001
IMDB Rating: 4.8，Douban Rating: 6.4，ID: tt0255798
The Animal is a comedy film starring Rob Schneider as Marvin Mange, a hapless police officer who is critically injured in a car accident and is saved by a mad scientist who implants animal organs into him. As a result, Marvin develops animal-like abilities and instincts, such as enhanced senses, speed, strength, and mating urges. He also attracts the attention of Rianna (Colleen Haskell), an animal rights activist who falls in love with him.
The Animal is one of the worst Adam Sandler movies, according to various rankings based on critics’ reviews and audience ratings. It has a 30% score on Rotten Tomatoes, a 43% score on Metacritic, and a 4.8/10 rating on IMDb. It is also ranked as the 40th worst Adam Sandler movie by Screen Rant, the 41st worst by Ranker, and the 42nd worst by IMDb users.
The main criticisms of the film are that it is unfunny, crude, offensive, and nonsensical. The jokes rely on cheap gags, stereotypes, and gross-out humor that are not clever or original. The plot is thin and absurd, with many logical inconsistencies and plot holes. The characters are shallow and unlikable, especially Marvin, who is portrayed as a pathetic loser who becomes a sex-crazed maniac after his surgery. The film also wastes the talents of its supporting cast, such as John C. McGinley, Edward Asner, and Michael Caton.
The Animal is not a film that I would recommend to anyone who is looking for a good comedy or a good Adam Sandler movie. It is a waste of time and money that does not deliver any laughs or entertainment. It is a film that should be avoided at all costs.
14. Punch-Drunk Love 2002
IMDB Rating: 7.3，Douban Rating: 7.9，ID: tt0272338
Punch-Drunk Love is a 2002 film by Paul Thomas Anderson that stars Adam Sandler as Barry Egan, a lonely and troubled novelty item seller who suffers from social anxiety and rage issues. He falls in love with Lena Leonard (Emily Watson), a co-worker of his sister Elizabeth (Mary Lynn Rajskub), who sees past his quirks and flaws. However, their relationship is threatened by a phone sex scam run by Dean Trumbell (Philip Seymour Hoffman), who extorts money from Barry and sends his goons to harass him. Barry also discovers a loophole in a Healthy Choice promotion that allows him to accumulate millions of frequent flyer miles by buying pudding cups, which he plans to use to travel with Lena.
The film is an absurdist romantic comedy-drama that explores themes of loneliness, love, identity, and redemption. It is also a departure from Sandler’s usual mainstream comedies, as he delivers a nuanced and vulnerable performance that showcases his dramatic range. The film received positive reviews from critics, who praised Sandler’s acting, Anderson’s direction, Jon Brion’s music, and Robert Elswit’s cinematography. The film also won several awards, including the Best Director prize for Anderson at the 2002 Cannes Film Festival.
Punch-Drunk Love is a unique and unconventional film that challenges the expectations of both Sandler’s fans and critics. It is a film that celebrates the power of love to transform and heal damaged souls, and the courage to pursue one’s dreams despite the obstacles and dangers. It is a film that deserves to be seen and appreciated for its originality, humor, and emotion.
15. Billy Madison 1995
IMDB Rating: 6.4，Douban Rating: 6.3，ID: tt0112508
Billy Madison is a comedy film that stars Adam Sandler as a 27-year-old heir to a hotel empire who must repeat all 12 grades of school in order to prove himself worthy of taking over the business from his father. Along the way, he faces various challenges from his rival Eric Gordon, who wants to sabotage his education and take over the company, and falls in love with his third grade teacher Veronica Vaughn. The film is one of Sandler’s earliest and most popular movies, and it showcases his trademark humor and style. The film is also notable for featuring several actors who would later become regular collaborators with Sandler, such as Norm Macdonald, Steve Buscemi, and Chris Farley.
The film is related to the topic of ranking every Adam Sandler movie from worst to best, which is a common theme among critics and fans of his work. Sandler has made over 50 movies in his career, ranging from comedy to drama to animation, and has received mixed reviews for his performances and choices. Some of his movies are considered classics of the genre, while others are widely panned and ridiculed. Billy Madison is often ranked among the best Adam Sandler movies, as it established him as a leading man in comedy and introduced many of his recurring characters and jokes. The film has a cult following and is frequently quoted by fans. However, some critics have also criticized the film for being immature, crude, and nonsensical.
My personal opinion of the film is that it is a hilarious and entertaining movie that showcases Sandler’s comedic talent and charisma. I think the film has a simple but effective plot that allows for many funny situations and gags. I also like the chemistry between Sandler and Wilson, and the supporting cast of quirky characters. I think the film has a good balance of absurdity and heart, and it delivers a positive message about learning and growing up. I would recommend this film to anyone who enjoys comedy and Adam Sandler movies.
16. Happy Gilmore 1996
IMDB Rating: 7.0，Douban Rating: 6.7，ID: tt0116483
Happy Gilmore is a comedy sport movie from 1996 starring Adam Sandler as a failed hockey player who discovers his talent for golf and joins the PGA tour to save his grandmother’s house from foreclosure. Along the way, he faces the rivalry of Shooter McGavin, a snobbish and arrogant golfer who wants to stop Happy from winning the tour championship. The movie is a hilarious and heartwarming story of an underdog who overcomes his anger issues and learns to love golf with the help of his friends, his love interest, and a former golf pro with a wooden hand. The movie is also famous for its memorable scenes, such as Happy’s fight with Bob Barker, his encounter with an alligator, and his showdown with Shooter on the final hole. The movie received mixed reviews from critics, but was a commercial success and has become a cult classic among fans of Adam Sandler and comedy movies.
17. The Wedding Singer 1998
IMDB Rating: 6.8，Douban Rating: 7.2，ID: tt0120888
The Wedding Singer is a charming and hilarious romantic comedy that showcases Adam Sandler’s comedic and musical talents. Set in the 1980s, the movie follows Robbie Hart (Sandler), a wedding singer who falls in love with Julia Sullivan (Drew Barrymore), a waitress who is engaged to a cheating jerk. Robbie and Julia bond over their love of music and their dissatisfaction with their lives, but they face many obstacles before they can admit their true feelings for each other.
The movie is a tribute to the pop culture and music of the 80s, with many references, jokes, and cameos that will delight fans of that era. The soundtrack is full of catchy and nostalgic songs, some of which are performed by Sandler himself. The movie also has a lot of heart and emotion, as it explores the themes of love, friendship, loyalty, and happiness.
The Wedding Singer is one of Adam Sandler’s best movies, as it showcases his versatility as an actor and a singer. He has great chemistry with Barrymore, who is equally charming and sweet as Julia. The supporting cast is also excellent, especially Steve Buscemi as Robbie’s drunk brother-in-law and Jon Lovitz as Robbie’s rival singer. The movie is a feel-good and fun experience that will make you laugh, cry, and sing along.
