Holy shit. The part discussing how Sandler's characters all went against toxic masculine traits in a time before that was something people were really discussing broadly is pretty impressive. Really gives his work a different feel than his contemporaries.
Anyone who can get Kathy Bates (on the heels of two award-worthy Stephen King performances) to play their ignorant, Cajun mother in a comedy about defeating ablist football players with the power of rage-strength and magic water from Alaska, and get the okay to punch out Bob Barker AND Colonel Sanders...is REALLY THAT GOOD.
I was a little too young to get into Adam Sandler during his prime, so my appraisal of his early work only came retroactively. There's definitely something to be said about a comedian who knows how to connect well with kids. It's kind of an oddity these days where the funny people a lot of kids are growing up with are also their superheroes. Speaking of which, I remember Bob once suggesting that Sandler could be a good fit to play The Thing in a Marvel production.
The point about Sandler being so often the good guy fighting against avatars of toxic masculinity is kind of amazing. It's a wonder that doesn't come up more often.
Yeah, i never thought why i liked big daddy when i was a small bogger. Now it makes sense. A weirdly rare form of kindness in blockbuster movies, appreciating existence of kids.
Especially true when contrasted with family films well into the 00s where the ostensible idea for Baby Boomer protagonists is that they need to spend more time with their family, but never once show why that's a good thing outside of "They're supposed to" and the protagonists themselves rarely seem to truly come around to enjoying the actual banal company of their children. It's just a fulcrum to hinge plot beats on.
For the record, I think Little Nicky is super underrated for how bizarre it is. Very hit and miss, but the funny stuff holds up and the supernatural stuff is weird enough to be funny too
I watched Little Nicky so many times as a kid, I could literally quote the movie word for word. Rewatched it recently because I'm going through movies I haven't seen since I was a kid, and it still managed to make me laugh. I may not know it word for word anymore since it's been almost 20 years since I last watched it, but I still remember a lot from the movie. Jesus, weird saying I haven't seen Little Nicky in almost 20 years.
The number of times I laughed out loud at clips of jokes from these movies in this vid has made me think I should probably revisit them for the first time in like 15 years.
Christ...I totally forgot how the two gay characters were portrayed in Big Daddy and how refreshing that was in mainstream comedy! Point to Sandler there.
Honest question, have you ever seen a gay couple do that kind of open-mouthed, jaw-working, face-devouring kiss in public? I'm a small-town guy, so I can't tell if the level of discretion I see in my daily life is the norm or if it's just my local community, but I was shocked to see that kiss.
@Jim Ballard, that's not common for any group. Small towns are definitely different from cities, but there are some universal standards. Face devouring is generally confined to a private space.
I will admit that it is rather nice to know that he is apparently very good to the people he hires and does a lot of help to the locals where he films. I admit that this is actually giving me some perspective on him.
@@beeaggro2593 a friend of mine was a PA on uncut gems and apparently Sandler was just the nicest dude. Even brought donuts for like the college kids who are doing internships
There’s something fascinating about the fact that your opening statement- the Pixels review made you notorious, but was a pretty mediocre review by your standards- is being met with “I loved your Pixels review!” in the comments section. For all that Really That Good hopes to achieve in shifting the discourse around “negativity is what makes money in film analysis,” it’s hard to argue that being overly negative, foul-mouthed and juvenile is still some people’s preferred way of learning about movies. Especially movies that they don’t like.
That sort of thing is highly entertaining. It’s what Yahtzee built his entire platform on. I’m not aware of many people taking zero punctuation as a serious reference point for whether to play games or not, but it’s still quite popular.
Bob has touched on this principle in some of the essays he's done on Rick and Morty. Too many people think that being smart is about being smarter than other people, which makes you better than other people, which gives you a rush (albeit not a rush of anything positive) because you can pat yourself on the back for being "smarter" than the people involved in a movie.
Now you're freshly independent again, I really, REALLY hope Really That Good doesn't take a back seat for as long again. Like... we still need those ones on the Lord of the Rings and The Godfather.
@FNGLHR Blade Runner Empire Strikes Back Alien/s The Dark Knight trilogy Rocky Toy Story Predator Men in Black Akira Se7en The Shinning Pulp fiction Clerks(?) The Exorcist The Princess Bride Anything by Studio Ghibli Etc...
I definitely think he should do LOTR I mean this year *IS* it's 20th anniversary. No I'm not sorry for reminding you how old we all are and how long ago it came out.
You’re laughing. Adam Sandler made that joke where he stuffed a newspaper in front of his face a decade before you were even born, and you’re laughing.
Hahah yeah those are some pretty solid burns. I love how open Bob is about his preferred work and old shames - a critic who isn't upfront about their values or who doesn't admit to the occasional clumsy review is a shitty critic IMO - but Pixels was garbage and that review is what it deserved.
@Michael Prymula He doesn't, but at the end of this video he tells you to like what you like. Bob is also the reviewer who taught me if you want to save time and only see movies you like you should seek out a reviewer whose tastes align with yours. I think this was back before Rotten Tomatoes but it is a pretty solid argument against review aggregation. Screw aggregation Find someone in your niche and see what else they like.
I always respected that despite that review being Bob's most successful video of all time, he didn't try to replicate it by becoming another performatively angry, constantly yelling movie reviewer.
About to dive into the video itself, but I really needed to say that I have missed REALLY THAT GOOD so, so much. I'm overjoyed to see it come back. Thanks, Bob. 💚
I don’t agree with you on everything Bob, but you continuously produce content that reminds me as to why I think you are by far the best Internet movie reviewer working today. You know movies and you know why people like them and you know how to explain the intersection of people and entertainment with clarity and humor. You really are that good.
You aren’t the only one who felt that about Sandler’s tribute to Chris. Chris was pretty much an icon to me ever since I was a kid and I cried so hard after that I didn’t finish the special until the following night.
To say Ace Ventura: Pet Detective didn't age well is an understatement. This was a comedy that drank from the wrong cup of Christ. In all seriousness, thanks for posting this latest RTG video, Bob.
I think this might be your best work yet Bob. I always enjoy hearing people explain why they enjoy/appreciate a narrative; be it movie, book, song, or any other way of telling a story.
1:06:48 Same Bob. I've been a fan my whole life, with all the ups and downs that came with it, but watching that special was something else. It was like watching a master get back on the field, but where their youth or enthusiasm may have faded, the age and experience more than made up for it. And the ending absolutely wrecked me. It was the feeling of validation that my humor grew with the films and comedians, because they were just lucky guys who were doing the thing they loved, no matter what life threw at them, or whom it took. Thanks for putting this together. It's been a tough year.
In the bit on 80s humor, the combination of brash humor and topical humor reminds me a lot of the rise of hip hop in the late 90s to now-ish too. Remember that Ludacris song all about Austin Powers?
Speaking as one of those 90's kids who grew up watching Sandler and listening to his albums (god knows what my parents were thinking), I loved this episode. I cannot wait for the next one!
The Superman one in particular is exceptional. There are also parts of his BvS Really That Bad, particularly his bit about the Martha scene, that really stand out as top tier work.
Even though I never was a big fan of Sandler, despite being the right age - I don't know why his stuff never got to me - this does a fantastic job of bringing home why so many were. And, more importantly, it helps me to more deeply understand the enduring appeal of some of the gags, character voices, and jokes in the films that live on as cultural shorthand and mutually shared heuristics among friends for their youth. Nicely done, Bob.
Speaking as someone who's always been an Adam Sandler apologist (though Little Nicky is a guilty pleasure of mine and I make no excuses for THAT), I appreciate this video. Well done.
Another thing I'd say is almost a subversion in the Waterboy is Bobby's handicap doesn't effect his intellect. He's portrayed as a chemistry expert, being that his life has revolved around being a waterboy, water being the base of chemistry. Hell, once he frees himself from his overbearing mother, he flourishes in his school-work.
Underrated thing: His comedy is also just wildly accessible. My Mom who like, had just recently moved to the country and barely understood English LOVED the Waterboy. There's just something weirdly universal about his type of comedy (hell, it's its own brand in Latin America) that it just works
I have been waiting for someone to do an intelligent look at what made Adam Sandler's early films so enjoyable for a long time now. This was outstanding.
Bravo Bob, this is the first analysis you made that made me tear up more than a few times. You're not just garnering sympathies for Sandler's work, you're reminding all of us that why we may be judged for the body of our work, but it is those moments of emotion and genuine feelings that we truly hope defines our Legacy.
@@scottchaison1001 yeah, in all this time, Adam Sandler has a good reputation (and looks to be a genuinely decent person) and that what's rare. Or at least what it looks to be
I was in the same boat. I was in the age range that Sandler could've clicked with me, and he kinda didn't in some respects while a lot of my peers were thinking he was the shit. But this video definitely made me appreciate him more as a person and a performer than I thought I would.
Thanks for the episode and the insights! While I think my enjoyment of Sandler leveled off not long after Big Daddy, I have enjoyed his more serious work and agree his has more range than he is given credit for. Looking forward to the next Really That Good. I recommend this series to all of my film buff friends.
The underlying truth of Adam Sandler is this: when he’s not writing the script or when he’s told how to act by someone else, Sandler can be genuinely fantastic. See Uncut Gems, Punch Drunk Love or Hotel Transylvania for further examples.
While that felt like the case in the past this retrospective makes me think if Sandler ever found a partner that could really help him strengthen his script writing his movies would all be respectable with the themes he pushes.
What an interesting video! I've enjoyed every RTG before but this was one of the most thought provoking for me. I grew up as a kid in the 90s hating Adam Sandler films because they always felt condescending to me but it was really cool to hear this perspective and get them contextualized. Thanks Bob!
To me your channel is defined by the classic RTGs like die hard and Ghostbusters. I cant even estimate how many times ive linked your videos rather than having an argument because you covered it so well. He's had some really bad movies but also a lot of good ones, this was a good idea. I just watched Hubie on your recommendation and it was pretty good.
Thanks for making me realize I don't need to feel guilting for still loving Happy Gilmore, man I had forgotten how big a piece of my childhood his movies were. Maybe these deserve a guilt-free rewatch. Also in retrospect, Pixels was garbage, but not THAT bad. It was no Jack and Jill.... ugh. I just threw up in my mouth.
Sincerity is what keeps me coming back Bob, honesty is too rare a thing these days. If you change in character or opinion you admit it, rather than double down on previous prejudices out of some stubborn idea that being wrong is somehow the worst thing to be. I watched uncut gems off the back of your review. It was probably the most anxiety riddled film experience of my life but brilliant.
I think the longest yard kind of goes unappreciated in Sandler's catalog. It's got some surprisingly woke takes about race, prison, and police brutality. Although there's still the gay/trans jokes that even then fell a little flat.
The Wedding Singer is still one of those movies that if it's playing on TV then that's what I'm watching. Doesn't matter if it's just started or half over.
Sandler always struck me as a man who took a lot of risks. And a lot of times those gambles didn't pay off. But every now and then, we get a Waterboy, or a Happy Gilmore, or a Fifty First Dates.
Love this, Bob! Admittedly, those were some of my favorite movies of the '90s. Love the respect you have paid to Sandler's career during that time! Keep making content we all love! Can't wait for the Lord of the Rings REALLY THAT GOOD ;)
One thing that I might have added: part of what makes "Uncut Gems" such a mesmerizing film is that it manages to be one of the most triumphantly successful examples of "playing against type" in recent memory, even though Sandler's character in that film (Howard Ratner) can be easily interpreted as the same kind of immature, oblivious man-child that he became famous for playing back in the '90s. It just demonstrates how truly destructive and detestable that kind of character can be when their immaturity and obliviousness is combined with greed, hedonism, and an addictive personality. So not only does Sandler show off his range in that film, he also manages to adapt an iconic comedic persona to a gritty crime thriller - and he does it in a way that comes off as 100% believable and authentic. It's really fascinating to watch.
When I think of you I primarily think of the old school Game Overthinker episodes. not that I don't love the rest of your work, but that type of video was also a new concept to me when I found it which makes it extra memorable and nostalgic to me.
I also like Waterboy, but I am also deeply uncomfortable watching it. Not because of any societal stuff, but because the Mother character pretty much WAS my own mom. And that's deeply uncomfortable for me to revisit
I didn't realize the Pixels review was so popular. That's kind of bizarre to me since I don't remember that one particularly well. I think the one that really caught my attention was the RTG for Ghostbusters.
This was a great video and brought a lot of perspectives on the appeal of early Adam Sandler I never considered, though I was a little sad there wasn’t a teaser for the next RTG like he had been doing. I hope this doesn’t mean he is retiring the show.There are still so many episodes I would love to see him cover.
I really love the Really That Good videos, this one is no exception. I wish you'd have hit on some of the things in between Big Daddy and Jack and Jill, notably Punch Drunk Love, Reign Over Me, and Click, as that was where I feel like I saw the true depth he could go to with a character.
I think what makes adam sandler really that good (when he is) is that he puts heart into it so even the medicore stuff or the stuff that doesn't land as well still is really enjoyable because it feels like he's trying
You know, watchmen might be a good candidate for this series. The way you talk about it (and review of it) makes it seem like some sort of masterpiece. With how polarizing that movie is, it might be a good thing to see it, and the director get some positive attention.
Another great episode! Was rewatching the batman v superman episode, and got to the part where you try to head off people asking you to do Lord of the Rings. I couldn't help but notice your "not the next one" and "not the one after that" lines..... It's been 2 revieeeews.... 😉😉😉 Whatcha say? Time to return....TO MIDDLE EARTH?!?!?!? And of course, Happy New Year (and all kidding aside, tackle it if and whenever you choose. Your content is always awesome)
"I don't already love this, but I'm willing to listen to what Bob says" episodes of Really That Good are honestly the best episodes of Really That Good. At least as far as I'm concerned.
@@oddtail_tiger Yes, as much as I consider Sandler a vile hack outside of collaborating with an occasional good director, I was willing to hear Bob out. As it is, I am not convinced, but it was an interesting argument from him.
Big Daddy had extra resonance with me at that time as I had a step dad and it kind of demonstrated how there is nothing stopping a non-relative being an awesome Dad/Daddy.
Respect to Sandler for being a good man who takes care of his people. For me though most of his productions make me ashamed to be a human. And I'm only saying most to pretend I can think of one I actually like. Maybe Happy Gilmore.
The only one of those five that I've seen all the way through is Waterboy, and I saw it around when it came out. I would have been 10 or 11 at the time, and I remember liking it. I think I oughta take a look at a few of the others sometime.
14:12 WTF that's the second time I've seen the penguin guy scene in a video today, the other being the Dead Meat podcast because he plays a doctor in Possessor. That's serendipitous.
Around 14:30 he mentions 80s character tropes "rake and bore", did I hear that right? Can anyone please tell me what he meant by the second one? I'm not sure I heard correctly and google isn't helping.
I’ve followed your work since well before the Pixels review, and I cannot express how glad I am that you went the Really That Good route instead of chasing the vitriol train. This whole being angry makes money trend is pretty awful, imo. There is real joy in seeing the incoherent screaming rage we all occasionally feel focused down into a laser beam of cleverly-worded pissitivity, but it needs to be come by honestly. Sandler’s films never have been and likely never will be something I personally enjoy, but hearing what people like about the things they like is a valuable and horizon-broadening thing.
Oh, God, I'm a small-time movie reviewer, and I just published my first review of a movie that was created by one of my few "insider" contacts, and talking about the Pixels review and possible reactions ... I got that. (Luckily I got to write a positive review.)
Hi Bob! I wanted to take the time to say thank you. I've been a fan of your work for some time and I have been wanting to a career/filmography reivew on your channel for a while now. Great work as always! 😃 Any chance you might do Robin Williams?
This is literally the only time anyone was been able to explain the appeal of Sandler. I didn’t think it was possible.
It's always kind of cool, if not slightly jarring, to see one person I follow show up in the comments of someone else I follow
@@TheTakerFoxx Yep I agree.
Nathaniel good to see ya. The council is adjourned.
He was normal and funny. Now he isn't.
I still disagree with the premise: Adam Sandler is funny, but an informative video
Holy shit. The part discussing how Sandler's characters all went against toxic masculine traits in a time before that was something people were really discussing broadly is pretty impressive. Really gives his work a different feel than his contemporaries.
Except Happy Gilmore's answer for everything being immediate violence.
@@ECL28E In Happy Gilmore though, they at least ACKNOWLEDGE that his temper is a problem that he needs to work on.
call it toxic masculinity if you want i just call them stock standard bully caricatures.
@@SENATORPAIN1 There is a lot of overlap in that Vin diagram.
Anyone who can get Kathy Bates (on the heels of two award-worthy Stephen King performances) to play their ignorant, Cajun mother in a comedy about defeating ablist football players with the power of rage-strength and magic water from Alaska, and get the okay to punch out Bob Barker AND Colonel Sanders...is REALLY THAT GOOD.
Well, Bob Barker agreed to it only because he'd gotten the last punch and won in the end
I was a little too young to get into Adam Sandler during his prime, so my appraisal of his early work only came retroactively. There's definitely something to be said about a comedian who knows how to connect well with kids. It's kind of an oddity these days where the funny people a lot of kids are growing up with are also their superheroes.
Speaking of which, I remember Bob once suggesting that Sandler could be a good fit to play The Thing in a Marvel production.
I’d watch that for sure!
I mean, Ben Grimm IS Jewish.
The point about Sandler being so often the good guy fighting against avatars of toxic masculinity is kind of amazing. It's a wonder that doesn't come up more often.
Yeah, i never thought why i liked big daddy when i was a small bogger. Now it makes sense. A weirdly rare form of kindness in blockbuster movies, appreciating existence of kids.
Especially true when contrasted with family films well into the 00s where the ostensible idea for Baby Boomer protagonists is that they need to spend more time with their family, but never once show why that's a good thing outside of "They're supposed to" and the protagonists themselves rarely seem to truly come around to enjoying the actual banal company of their children. It's just a fulcrum to hinge plot beats on.
For the record, I think Little Nicky is super underrated for how bizarre it is. Very hit and miss, but the funny stuff holds up and the supernatural stuff is weird enough to be funny too
Yeah, when I hear people say it's worse than bedtime stories or jack and jill, I'm like, what're you on?
I watched Little Nicky so many times as a kid, I could literally quote the movie word for word. Rewatched it recently because I'm going through movies I haven't seen since I was a kid, and it still managed to make me laugh. I may not know it word for word anymore since it's been almost 20 years since I last watched it, but I still remember a lot from the movie.
Jesus, weird saying I haven't seen Little Nicky in almost 20 years.
The number of times I laughed out loud at clips of jokes from these movies in this vid has made me think I should probably revisit them for the first time in like 15 years.
Christ...I totally forgot how the two gay characters were portrayed in Big Daddy and how refreshing that was in mainstream comedy! Point to Sandler there.
Honest question, have you ever seen a gay couple do that kind of open-mouthed, jaw-working, face-devouring kiss in public? I'm a small-town guy, so I can't tell if the level of discretion I see in my daily life is the norm or if it's just my local community, but I was shocked to see that kiss.
@@jimballard1186 Twice at a mall. But it was years ago. Otherwise it's extremely reserved (i.e. hand holding or sitting really close)
@@synchronizedelbow5702 Okay, thanks. But yeah, Sandler's lines about his gay friends are really good.
@@jimballard1186 About as often as I see straight couples go for it that openly in public, which is to say not often, but it happens.
@Jim Ballard, that's not common for any group. Small towns are definitely different from cities, but there are some universal standards. Face devouring is generally confined to a private space.
I will admit that it is rather nice to know that he is apparently very good to the people he hires and does a lot of help to the locals where he films. I admit that this is actually giving me some perspective on him.
I worked in Salem for a while while he was shooting that Halloween movie. He was all over and giving folks jobs. Good dude
People should apprecciate him more.
@@beeaggro2593 a friend of mine was a PA on uncut gems and apparently Sandler was just the nicest dude. Even brought donuts for like the college kids who are doing internships
@@photofreak56 Honestly a lot of the New England born people just tend to be really really nice
There’s something fascinating about the fact that your opening statement- the Pixels review made you notorious, but was a pretty mediocre review by your standards- is being met with “I loved your Pixels review!” in the comments section.
For all that Really That Good hopes to achieve in shifting the discourse around “negativity is what makes money in film analysis,” it’s hard to argue that being overly negative, foul-mouthed and juvenile is still some people’s preferred way of learning about movies. Especially movies that they don’t like.
Because sometimes you need catharsis, not analysis to something offensive 🤷🏾♂️
But, don’t forget, his second most popular video is Really That Good: Spiderman I and II.
That sort of thing is highly entertaining. It’s what Yahtzee built his entire platform on. I’m not aware of many people taking zero punctuation as a serious reference point for whether to play games or not, but it’s still quite popular.
Bob has touched on this principle in some of the essays he's done on Rick and Morty. Too many people think that being smart is about being smarter than other people, which makes you better than other people, which gives you a rush (albeit not a rush of anything positive) because you can pat yourself on the back for being "smarter" than the people involved in a movie.
"Foul-mouthed and juvenile", just like Adam Sandler! IT'S ALL CONNECTED
Now you're freshly independent again, I really, REALLY hope Really That Good doesn't take a back seat for as long again.
Like... we still need those ones on the Lord of the Rings and The Godfather.
I'm hoping for either a Back to the Future or Gremlins one myself. Jurassic Park would also be nice. Maybe the Godzilla franchise, just for kicks?
I have to believe he's planning an RTG on Robocop.
@FNGLHR
Blade Runner
Empire Strikes Back
Alien/s
The Dark Knight trilogy
Rocky
Toy Story
Predator
Men in Black
Akira
Se7en
The Shinning
Pulp fiction
Clerks(?)
The Exorcist
The Princess Bride
Anything by Studio Ghibli
Etc...
I definitely think he should do LOTR
I mean this year *IS* it's 20th anniversary.
No I'm not sorry for reminding you how old we all are and how long ago it came out.
I hope he's not doing the obvious ones that everyone mentioned.
You’re laughing. Adam Sandler made that joke where he stuffed a newspaper in front of his face a decade before you were even born, and you’re laughing.
I was in my 20s when he made that joke. I was laughing then and I was laughing now.
I mean, I was TRYING not to laugh, but yeah, somehow that's still funny.
It's intensely funny in a way I can't fully articulate especially when he starts moving like Frankenstein
I didn't laugh, but that could be due to it being a reference that I don't get.
I'm rather fond of Crazy Tea Bag Mouth.
Credit where credit is due your Pixels review is still hilarious all these years later
Hahah yeah those are some pretty solid burns. I love how open Bob is about his preferred work and old shames - a critic who isn't upfront about their values or who doesn't admit to the occasional clumsy review is a shitty critic IMO - but Pixels was garbage and that review is what it deserved.
@Michael Prymula all power to you, but you're in a pretty sharp minority, hence the success of the review.
@Michael Prymula He doesn't, but at the end of this video he tells you to like what you like. Bob is also the reviewer who taught me if you want to save time and only see movies you like you should seek out a reviewer whose tastes align with yours. I think this was back before Rotten Tomatoes but it is a pretty solid argument against review aggregation. Screw aggregation Find someone in your niche and see what else they like.
@Michael Prymula Dont know him, I'll look him up
I always respected that despite that review being Bob's most successful video of all time, he didn't try to replicate it by becoming another performatively angry, constantly yelling movie reviewer.
Critics: "Frankly, you are poor comedians."
Sandler: "But the kids love us"
That truly felt like the shortest hour of my life. Informative, analytical, and thought-provoking. Really can not WAIT for the next one!
About to dive into the video itself, but I really needed to say that I have missed REALLY THAT GOOD so, so much. I'm overjoyed to see it come back. Thanks, Bob. 💚
I don’t agree with you on everything Bob, but you continuously produce content that reminds me as to why I think you are by far the best Internet movie reviewer working today. You know movies and you know why people like them and you know how to explain the intersection of people and entertainment with clarity and humor. You really are that good.
"I never said she was the devil..."
"oh please don't hurt me!"
lmao
Your Really That Good series was a major determining factor in me becoming a Patron subscriber, and they are consistently dollars well-spent.
You aren’t the only one who felt that about Sandler’s tribute to Chris. Chris was pretty much an icon to me ever since I was a kid and I cried so hard after that I didn’t finish the special until the following night.
Click is one of his best IMO.
I'm here for this hot take and say what you will, but The Wedding Singer was a genuine classic.
Yeah, i've always liked that one and Happy Gilmorr
It's one of my favorite rom coms.
Was, or is? Your use of was implies you do not think it is a classic.
Wait, 70 minutes is a hot take? Maybe you are fresh off of a Russian-Lit double credit class? Congrats anyway
To say Ace Ventura: Pet Detective didn't age well is an understatement. This was a comedy that drank from the wrong cup of Christ.
In all seriousness, thanks for posting this latest RTG video, Bob.
Yeah, the scenes toward the end really destroy all good will that may have been generated before them.
Wasn't he only posing as a woman, as that was the gender of the real Lieutenant he murdered and identity he assumed to get revenge.
@@CornishCreamtea07 Pretty much,yeah.
@@CornishCreamtea07 all that really does though is replace the transphobia with homophobia which isn't any better
@@elboob1921 ¿?
I paused after the 7 1/2 minute INTRO to come down here and comment that I'm so excited to watch the next hour.
Hot damn, I love your stuff.
I think this might be your best work yet Bob. I always enjoy hearing people explain why they enjoy/appreciate a narrative; be it movie, book, song, or any other way of telling a story.
Moviebob finally throwing down the gauntlet of nuclear takes.
1:06:48 Same Bob. I've been a fan my whole life, with all the ups and downs that came with it, but watching that special was something else. It was like watching a master get back on the field, but where their youth or enthusiasm may have faded, the age and experience more than made up for it. And the ending absolutely wrecked me. It was the feeling of validation that my humor grew with the films and comedians, because they were just lucky guys who were doing the thing they loved, no matter what life threw at them, or whom it took. Thanks for putting this together. It's been a tough year.
In the bit on 80s humor, the combination of brash humor and topical humor reminds me a lot of the rise of hip hop in the late 90s to now-ish too. Remember that Ludacris song all about Austin Powers?
Speaking as one of those 90's kids who grew up watching Sandler and listening to his albums (god knows what my parents were thinking), I loved this episode. I cannot wait for the next one!
Hell yeah bob ... RTG is really that good.
¿?
Agreed
If somebody asked me what I thought was Bob at the height of his powers, I'd suggest they watch the Really That Good videos.
The Superman one in particular is exceptional. There are also parts of his BvS Really That Bad, particularly his bit about the Martha scene, that really stand out as top tier work.
Even though I never was a big fan of Sandler, despite being the right age - I don't know why his stuff never got to me - this does a fantastic job of bringing home why so many were. And, more importantly, it helps me to more deeply understand the enduring appeal of some of the gags, character voices, and jokes in the films that live on as cultural shorthand and mutually shared heuristics among friends for their youth. Nicely done, Bob.
Right after the clip of South Park “ Adam Sandler shit in your eyes, ears and mouth”, there was an ad Break for Charmin. Just thought I’d say that.
Speaking as someone who's always been an Adam Sandler apologist (though Little Nicky is a guilty pleasure of mine and I make no excuses for THAT), I appreciate this video. Well done.
Another thing I'd say is almost a subversion in the Waterboy is Bobby's handicap doesn't effect his intellect. He's portrayed as a chemistry expert, being that his life has revolved around being a waterboy, water being the base of chemistry. Hell, once he frees himself from his overbearing mother, he flourishes in his school-work.
00:51
Damn, that's some good ballet
Everything Michelle Yeoh does qualifies as ballet
You had my curiosity, but now you have my attention.
Deffinetly glad to have stuck around for this.
I'll always remember you for your furious review of Pixels. Gold.
Underrated thing: His comedy is also just wildly accessible. My Mom who like, had just recently moved to the country and barely understood English LOVED the Waterboy. There's just something weirdly universal about his type of comedy (hell, it's its own brand in Latin America) that it just works
She still loves it too. And Little Nicky and the Wedding Singer
I have been waiting for someone to do an intelligent look at what made Adam Sandler's early films so enjoyable for a long time now. This was outstanding.
A new Really That Good about Adam Sandler. Suddenly 2020 doesn’t feel so bad
Bravo Bob, this is the first analysis you made that made me tear up more than a few times. You're not just garnering sympathies for Sandler's work, you're reminding all of us that why we may be judged for the body of our work, but it is those moments of emotion and genuine feelings that we truly hope defines our Legacy.
5:38 yeah, the more we learn about Hollywood, the rarer Adam Sandler seems to be.
Why?
@@scottchaison1001 it's an over exaggeration, but someone in Hollywood revealed to be a not good person and/or have a bad reputation? Pretty common.
@@katherinealvarez9216 But Adam is a good person.
@@scottchaison1001 yeah, in all this time, Adam Sandler has a good reputation (and looks to be a genuinely decent person) and that what's rare. Or at least what it looks to be
I've been down in the dumps all week and this perked me right back up. Happy Holidays Bob! Stay safe, stay cool, and keep doing what you do.
I'm not gonna lie, I was skeptical of this as a topic when it was first announced. But it was better than I ever expected. Really good work.
I was in the same boat. I was in the age range that Sandler could've clicked with me, and he kinda didn't in some respects while a lot of my peers were thinking he was the shit. But this video definitely made me appreciate him more as a person and a performer than I thought I would.
@@KevinTheTimeGeek86 He's a great person.
Great work! As a person who was in middle school while theses movies were coming out you nailed it.
Thanks for the episode and the insights! While I think my enjoyment of Sandler leveled off not long after Big Daddy, I have enjoyed his more serious work and agree his has more range than he is given credit for. Looking forward to the next Really That Good. I recommend this series to all of my film buff friends.
This was a great watch. Would love to see more of these!
Thank you! RTG is my favorite, keep them coming.
The underlying truth of Adam Sandler is this: when he’s not writing the script or when he’s told how to act by someone else, Sandler can be genuinely fantastic. See Uncut Gems, Punch Drunk Love or Hotel Transylvania for further examples.
While that felt like the case in the past this retrospective makes me think if Sandler ever found a partner that could really help him strengthen his script writing his movies would all be respectable with the themes he pushes.
What an interesting video! I've enjoyed every RTG before but this was one of the most thought provoking for me.
I grew up as a kid in the 90s hating Adam Sandler films because they always felt condescending to me but it was really cool to hear this perspective and get them contextualized.
Thanks Bob!
To me your channel is defined by the classic RTGs like die hard and Ghostbusters. I cant even estimate how many times ive linked your videos rather than having an argument because you covered it so well. He's had some really bad movies but also a lot of good ones, this was a good idea. I just watched Hubie on your recommendation and it was pretty good.
The Wedding Singer, "Somebody Kill Me Please!" bit, is probably my favourute Sandler moment.
Thanks for making me realize I don't need to feel guilting for still loving Happy Gilmore, man I had forgotten how big a piece of my childhood his movies were. Maybe these deserve a guilt-free rewatch. Also in retrospect, Pixels was garbage, but not THAT bad. It was no Jack and Jill.... ugh. I just threw up in my mouth.
I've been waiting for this one! Thanks, Bob, another great video
Sincerity is what keeps me coming back Bob, honesty is too rare a thing these days. If you change in character or opinion you admit it, rather than double down on previous prejudices out of some stubborn idea that being wrong is somehow the worst thing to be.
I watched uncut gems off the back of your review. It was probably the most anxiety riddled film experience of my life but brilliant.
I think the longest yard kind of goes unappreciated in Sandler's catalog. It's got some surprisingly woke takes about race, prison, and police brutality. Although there's still the gay/trans jokes that even then fell a little flat.
The Wedding Singer is still one of those movies that if it's playing on TV then that's what I'm watching. Doesn't matter if it's just started or half over.
Thank you Bob for dropping this one!! This series (RTG) is definitely my favorite
Sandler always struck me as a man who took a lot of risks. And a lot of times those gambles didn't pay off. But every now and then, we get a Waterboy, or a Happy Gilmore, or a Fifty First Dates.
Fantastic work yet again. Worth every second!
Nice one Bob you really tap-tap-tap it in with this one.
A lot of great editing and cuts Bob. Must have taken a lot of work, thanks for all you do.
Fuck. I cried at least twice during this. Once just from seeing the courtroom scene in Big Daddy and again during the Chris Farley song
Love this, Bob! Admittedly, those were some of my favorite movies of the '90s. Love the respect you have paid to Sandler's career during that time! Keep making content we all love! Can't wait for the Lord of the Rings REALLY THAT GOOD ;)
One thing that I might have added: part of what makes "Uncut Gems" such a mesmerizing film is that it manages to be one of the most triumphantly successful examples of "playing against type" in recent memory, even though Sandler's character in that film (Howard Ratner) can be easily interpreted as the same kind of immature, oblivious man-child that he became famous for playing back in the '90s. It just demonstrates how truly destructive and detestable that kind of character can be when their immaturity and obliviousness is combined with greed, hedonism, and an addictive personality. So not only does Sandler show off his range in that film, he also manages to adapt an iconic comedic persona to a gritty crime thriller - and he does it in a way that comes off as 100% believable and authentic. It's really fascinating to watch.
I can't beleive I'm actually watching a video defending Adam Sandler. This truly is a bizarre timeline we live in.
What's bad in it? Adam is great.
1:03:08 wow...I uh never expected to see something that postitive in a film from the 90's
Great video though Bob, I always love when these videos come out and I am looking forward to the next one!
When I think of you I primarily think of the old school Game Overthinker episodes. not that I don't love the rest of your work, but that type of video was also a new concept to me when I found it which makes it extra memorable and nostalgic to me.
Hearing "Broken Adam" made me jump to Matt Hardy.
"Brother Keviiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiin! I knew you'd come!"
I like Waterboy, it's not as bad and not as mean spirited as it could have been.
It's fun.
I also like Waterboy, but I am also deeply uncomfortable watching it. Not because of any societal stuff, but because the Mother character pretty much WAS my own mom. And that's deeply uncomfortable for me to revisit
Been looking forward to this, thanks Bob! Happy Holidays
I didn't realize the Pixels review was so popular. That's kind of bizarre to me since I don't remember that one particularly well. I think the one that really caught my attention was the RTG for Ghostbusters.
Chris Farley as the bus driver on the verge of exploding still gets me. His face changes colors in 10 seconds!
This was a great video and brought a lot of perspectives on the appeal of early Adam Sandler I never considered, though I was a little sad there wasn’t a teaser for the next RTG like he had been doing. I hope this doesn’t mean he is retiring the show.There are still so many episodes I would love to see him cover.
So much effort, well done.
I really love the Really That Good videos, this one is no exception. I wish you'd have hit on some of the things in between Big Daddy and Jack and Jill, notably Punch Drunk Love, Reign Over Me, and Click, as that was where I feel like I saw the true depth he could go to with a character.
I've missed a lot of his movies. I need to go back and rewatch them
its a good day when I get to listen to a long-form deconstruction done by moviebob
This show is what brings me back. Good to see you. 💕
Great video and great shift of the series to talk about actors/directors/etc. Would love to see a video like this on Nicolas Cage.
+1
I think what makes adam sandler really that good (when he is) is that he puts heart into it so even the medicore stuff or the stuff that doesn't land as well still is really enjoyable because it feels like he's trying
You know, watchmen might be a good candidate for this series. The way you talk about it (and review of it) makes it seem like some sort of masterpiece. With how polarizing that movie is, it might be a good thing to see it, and the director get some positive attention.
Another great episode!
Was rewatching the batman v superman episode, and got to the part where you try to head off people asking you to do Lord of the Rings.
I couldn't help but notice your "not the next one" and "not the one after that" lines.....
It's been 2 revieeeews.... 😉😉😉
Whatcha say? Time to return....TO MIDDLE EARTH?!?!?!?
And of course, Happy New Year (and all kidding aside, tackle it if and whenever you choose. Your content is always awesome)
Wait, holy shit which Michelle Yeoh film was that amazing sequence from?
I have no strong feelings about Adam Sandler. I doubt this will change that, but maybe I’ll gain an appreciation of his filmography.
"I don't already love this, but I'm willing to listen to what Bob says" episodes of Really That Good are honestly the best episodes of Really That Good. At least as far as I'm concerned.
@@oddtail_tiger Yes, as much as I consider Sandler a vile hack outside of collaborating with an occasional good director, I was willing to hear Bob out.
As it is, I am not convinced, but it was an interesting argument from him.
Big Daddy had extra resonance with me at that time as I had a step dad and it kind of demonstrated how there is nothing stopping a non-relative being an awesome Dad/Daddy.
Respect to Sandler for being a good man who takes care of his people. For me though most of his productions make me ashamed to be a human. And I'm only saying most to pretend I can think of one I actually like. Maybe Happy Gilmore.
The only one of those five that I've seen all the way through is Waterboy, and I saw it around when it came out. I would have been 10 or 11 at the time, and I remember liking it. I think I oughta take a look at a few of the others sometime.
He didn’t do a teaser for the next one...lol watch how 3 years go by and he drops three 2 hour videos about the Lord of the Rings.
"Ernest P Worrell" - Speaking of unfairly maligned movies that are actually pretty good.
Ernest is a GEM I think but yeah he was awesome too
I'm so glad you included that Opera Man/Eddie Vedder clip...
14:12 WTF that's the second time I've seen the penguin guy scene in a video today, the other being the Dead Meat podcast because he plays a doctor in Possessor. That's serendipitous.
you seem way less angry; I like this
The Waterboy is probably the best of all his comedies. I know like every line.
Around 14:30 he mentions 80s character tropes "rake and bore", did I hear that right?
Can anyone please tell me what he meant by the second one? I'm not sure I heard correctly and google isn't helping.
That second one is spelled "boor"
That should help you google it 😊👍
@@Jesse__H Ah, yeah. Spelling fail. Thanks.
So apparently that character trope was identified in ancient greece.
Mildly interesting :P
I’ve followed your work since well before the Pixels review, and I cannot express how glad I am that you went the Really That Good route instead of chasing the vitriol train. This whole being angry makes money trend is pretty awful, imo. There is real joy in seeing the incoherent screaming rage we all occasionally feel focused down into a laser beam of cleverly-worded pissitivity, but it needs to be come by honestly.
Sandler’s films never have been and likely never will be something I personally enjoy, but hearing what people like about the things they like is a valuable and horizon-broadening thing.
Oh, God, I'm a small-time movie reviewer, and I just published my first review of a movie that was created by one of my few "insider" contacts, and talking about the Pixels review and possible reactions ... I got that. (Luckily I got to write a positive review.)
Hi Bob!
I wanted to take the time to say thank you. I've been a fan of your work for some time and I have been wanting to a career/filmography reivew on your channel for a while now. Great work as always! 😃
Any chance you might do Robin Williams?