|
Why Adam Sandler is the Man of the 80s
Let's face it: You either love Adam Sandler or you don't. Here's my argument ... if you don't love Sandler, you don't love the 80s. Because Sandler is the King of the 80s.
Every one of his movies is neck-deep in classic 80s tunes (Styx, The Cars, Lionel Ritchie, Kansas, Rush). And he starred in the best non-80s movie about the 80s: The Wedding Singer. So good, I own it on video and DVD. (And for some reason, watch it on both formats still.) So good that my love of the soundtrack led indirectly to the end of one relationship back in the heartless 90s. (Long story there. Suffice to say, she didn't enjoy me singing "Video Killed the Radio Star" at 2 a.m. at home one night with my work buddies during the final credit role of the movie.)
Sandler's latest flick -- "Click" -- just cleaned up at the box office this weekend. Me? Yeah, I saw the very first local showing of it on Friday at noon. I nearly jumped out of my seat when I heard The Cars' "Magic" playing under the opening credits. (Wait until you hear next week's Stuck in the 80s podcast about The Cars and hear Sean Daly's childhood memory of the song. Very stimulating.) Movie critics around the country are less than enthusiastic about the film's merit, but I loved it. Will you enjoy it? Consider Kurt Loder's review on MTV.com: "The pleasure of the movie is in watching it work out pretty much the way you'd hope it would."
Loder, you big stud. I wish I could write reviews like that.
I'm sticking to lists. Top 5 Adam Sandler movies:
5. Mr. Deeds: "Yeah I bet you know what it's like to get all riled up, Johnny Mac."
4. Billy Madison: "Sometimes I feel like an idiot. But I am an idiot, so it kinda works out."
3. Click: "Your father's stereo blows?"
2. Happy Gilmore: "You're gonna die, clown."
1. The Wedding Singer: "Now let's cut the stupid cake because I know the fat guy's gonna have a heart attack if we don't eat again soon."
Most Recent Blog Posts
About the blogger
Relive the '80s music, movies and culture with Tampa Bay Times entertainment news editor Steve Spears. A teen during the greatest decade ever, Steve is obsessed with everything from Duran Duran to Journey, John Hughes to John Cusack, and parachute pants to Reaganomics.
E-mail Steve Spears:
stuckinthe80s@tampabay.com
Visit the Stuck in the 80s Facebook page
Follow Steve on Facebook
Get '80s updates via Twitter
Advertisement
Most Popular Categories
Follow us on Facebook
Comment Policy
| Please be sure your comments are appropriate before submitting them. Inappropriate comments include content that: |
| Is libelous |
| Is abusive, harassing, or threatening |
| Is obscene, vulgar, or profane |
| Is racially, ethnically or religiously offensive |
| Is illegal or encourages criminal acts |
| Is known to be inaccurate or contains a false attribution |
| Infringes copyrights, trademarks, publicity or any other rights of others |
| Impersonates anyone (actual or fictitious) |
| Solicits funds, goods or services, or advertises |
| The Tampa Bay Times does not edit posts but reserves the right to delete comments that violate our policy. |
Registration FAQ
| Read our Frequently Asked Questions on how to register to comment on the site. |