Movie Reviews

Netflix’s Hubie Halloween Is Our Punishment For Adam Sandler Not Winning for Uncut Gems

As we inch closer to possibly the best holiday of the year – Halloween – there’s plenty of films to put on to get into the spirit of the season. Especially since this year’s Halloween looks a little different than other years and trick or treating can’t really be a thing, Halloween [for many] will be in doors. So, what to watch? Some favorites of mine are The Nightmare Before Christmas, The Rocky Horror Picture Show, and It’s The Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown!

If you’re looking for scarier films, you have A Nightmare On Elm Street, Halloween, Friday the 13th, and so many more. One film you may want to skip this year is Netflix’s Hubie Halloween. I had previously reviewed this film with our good friend Shawn Ventura, but I never wrote my thoughts down about this movie. Adam Sandler had once said if he wasn’t nominated for Uncut Gems he’d just make another terrible Netflix film. He delivered on his promise.

Hubie Halloween Isn’t the Worst…Just Not Close to Medium

Hubie Halloween certainly isn’t Sandler’s worst film. There’s plenty others that take that crown. Hubie Halloween was more so unnecessary. It was like…why? Just a throwaway film to capitalize on the holiday season and get a few clicks because it has Halloween in the title and because it’s a Sandler film.

As Sandler does in virtually all of his films, he has a quirky pinpoint. This film’s little quirk was that Sandler’s character talks funny and has a thermos that can do anything. Why? Because. Sandler’s character Hubie lives with his mom in Salem and takes his job of protecting the neighborhood seriously. Even though both adults and children alike make fun of him and throw things at them. It’s a little pathetic honestly, on the adults’ part; because…how old are you to still be picking on someone you picked on in high school?

Dispute the jeers and sneers from others, Hubie keeps on trucking on. And it catches some positive attention. Sandler is reunited with his The Wedding Singer beau Julie Bowen. Bowen’s Violet Valentine is so painfully obvious in love with Hubie that it’s a bit awkward how…desperate her character is to the very oblivious Hubie. Almost all of Sandler’s usual suspects are around – Kevin James, Steve Buscemi, Rob Schneider. There’s a really weird appearance by Ray Liotta. Buscemi plays another weird character with really no payoff. Oh and that kid from Stranger Things is in it. That means the kids will want to watch this, right?

I will admit there were some moments that made me laugh. Specifically Shaq’s cameo in this movie. And it did kind of do a good job in promoting the idea that it isn’t nice to bully others. And that if you are being bullied, your mom was right about your bully being jealous of you – even if you wonder why they would be jealous of someone like you. Clearly, something is missing in their life to try to bring you down.

Rating: 2.5/5

But, Sandler’s movies really lack the magic that films like Happy Gilmore, Billy Madison, The Wedding Singer, Mr. Deeds, and 50 First Dates possessed. I did really love Uncut Gems and I’m ready for an era where Sandler leaves his silly comedies behind and shows people he can actually act. Unfortunately, I’d say skip Hubie Halloween unless you just want to see a “who’s who” of Sandler productions.

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