ADAM
SANDLER’S EIGHT CRAZY NIGHTS ($27) is crude, rude and vulgar, with
moments of out right hilarity, which should guarantee a place as an annual
holiday favorite- at least amongst the crude, rude and vulgar set. If you
were amongst those that assumed that the animation process would soften
the tone of an Adam Sandler movie, you were partially right. ADAM
SANDLER’S EIGHT CRAZY NIGHTS definitely has its heart in the right
place, with its holiday themed story brining a bit of redemption to its
central character- through the magic of the season. Long time Sandler fans
will find plenty of off color humor to laugh at- not to mention the
moments of unbridled bad taste, which should have them laughing even
louder (myself included).
The
plot of ADAM SANDLER’S EIGHT CRAZY NIGHTS follows one Davey Stone
(voiced by Sandler), a thirty plus year old screw up, who never grew up.
After a tragic incident in his youth, Davey has spent the last twenty
years emotionally closed off; having frequent run ins with the law for his
continual drunken and disorderly behavior- especially during the Chanukah
season. Appearing one too many times before the local judge, Davey is
spared a trip to prison thanks to the kindness of an elderly man named
Whitey (also voiced by Sandler), who takes Davey under his wing to assist
with the youth basketball league- something that Davey was once part of
during his childhood. At first, Davey doesn’t appreciate Whitey’s
efforts on his behalf, but slowly he starts to warm up to the offbeat old
man, that is, until he is reminded of why he hates the holiday season. ADAM
SANDLER’S EIGHT CRAZY NIGHTS also features the vocal talents of
Jackie Titone, Austin Stout, Kevin Nealon, Rob Schneider, Norm Crosby, Jon
Lovitz and Tyra Banks.
Columbia
TriStar Home Entertainment has made ADAM SANDLER’S EIGHT CRAZY NIGHTS
available on DVD in a 1.85:1 wide screen presentation that features the
anamorphic enhancement for 16:9 displays (a full screen presentation is
also included, but will not be reviewed here). The wide screen
presentation looks great; appearing crisp and as nicely defined as 2-D
animation is likely to look under NTSC. Colors are wonderfully vivid,
without a trace of noise or smearing. Blacks appear totally accurate, as
do the whites. Digital compression artifacts are usually very well
concealed.
The
Dolby Digital 5.1 channel soundtrack is very pleasing. Producing excellent
fidelity during the film’s musical numbers and convincing sound effects
at other times. Voices are nicely recorded and dialogue is always
completely understandable. Channel separation is very good, with a number
of nice effects finding their way into the surround channels. The bass
channel proves to be rather solid, especially for this type of animated
comedic material. A French surround track is also provided on the DVD, as
are English and French subtitles.
Animation
and sound serves to enhance the interactive menus, which allow one access
to the standard scene selection and set up features, as well as the
supplements that have been spread across both discs of this set. Two audio
commentaries are included on disc one- the first is for entertainment
value, while the second covers the technical aspects of the film.
Commentary one features Adam Sandler in character as Whitey and his sister
Eleanor, who talk about the film along with writer Allen Covert.
Commentary two includes director Seth Kearsley, art director Philip A.
Cruden, head of animation Stephan Franck, effects supervisor John
Bermudas, and executive producer Ken Tsumura. Up next is A Day With
Meatball, a cute short featuring Sandler’s dog. The
Chanukah Song: Part 3 is the music video for the latest iteration
of Sandler’s popular holiday song. A theatrical trailer and NBA:
Love it Live TV spot close out disc one.
On
disc two, one will find a twelve minute HBO First Look Special.
Next, we have nine original featurettes (running several minutes each)
that look at various aspect of the film and include the following: Eleanore,
Whitey, Creating Dukesberry, Townspeople
Of Dukesberry, Dukesberry Sings, Jennifer
& Benjamin, Voices Of Dukesberry, Davey
and The Deer. Also included are thirteen deleted/alternate
scenes that feature unfinished animation and optional commentary. Finally,
there is a Multi-Angle Animation Progression, which allows
one to look at various sequences from rough animation to completed form.
I
have a weakness for comedies that push the limits of good taste, and ADAM
SANDLER’S EIGHT CRAZY NIGHTS not only push the limits- it beats them
senseless. There is plenty to laugh at in this off center holiday movie,
which is certain to make it an annual favorite amongst those that love
crude, rude and vulgar humor. Columbia has done a fine job with the DVD,
offering a good-looking presentation and nice supplements. ADAM SANDLER’S
EIGHT CRAZY NIGHTS makes a nice Chanukah gift, as well as a fine
Christmas stocking stuffer.
ADAM
SANDLER’S EIGHT CRAZY NIGHTS ($27) is crude, rude and vulgar, with
moments of out right hilarity, which should guarantee a place as an annual
holiday favorite- at least amongst the crude, rude and vulgar set. If you
were amongst those that assumed that the animation process would soften
the tone of an Adam Sandler movie, you were partially right. ADAM
SANDLER’S EIGHT CRAZY NIGHTS definitely has its heart in the right
place, with its holiday themed story brining a bit of redemption to its
central character- through the magic of the season. Long time Sandler fans
will find plenty of off color humor to laugh at- not to mention the
moments of unbridled bad taste, which should have them laughing even
louder (myself included).
The
plot of ADAM SANDLER’S EIGHT CRAZY NIGHTS follows one Davey Stone
(voiced by Sandler), a thirty plus year old screw up, who never grew up.
After a tragic incident in his youth, Davey has spent the last twenty
years emotionally closed off; having frequent run ins with the law for his
continual drunken and disorderly behavior- especially during the Chanukah
season. Appearing one too many times before the local judge, Davey is
spared a trip to prison thanks to the kindness of an elderly man named
Whitey (also voiced by Sandler), who takes Davey under his wing to assist
with the youth basketball league- something that Davey was once part of
during his childhood. At first, Davey doesn’t appreciate Whitey’s
efforts on his behalf, but slowly he starts to warm up to the offbeat old
man, that is, until he is reminded of why he hates the holiday season. ADAM
SANDLER’S EIGHT CRAZY NIGHTS also features the vocal talents of
Jackie Titone, Austin Stout, Kevin Nealon, Rob Schneider, Norm Crosby, Jon
Lovitz and Tyra Banks.
Columbia
TriStar Home Entertainment has made ADAM SANDLER’S EIGHT CRAZY NIGHTS
available on DVD in a 1.85:1 wide screen presentation that features the
anamorphic enhancement for 16:9 displays (a full screen presentation is
also included, but will not be reviewed here). The wide screen
presentation looks great; appearing crisp and as nicely defined as 2-D
animation is likely to look under NTSC. Colors are wonderfully vivid,
without a trace of noise or smearing. Blacks appear totally accurate, as
do the whites. Digital compression artifacts are usually very well
concealed.
The
Dolby Digital 5.1 channel soundtrack is very pleasing. Producing excellent
fidelity during the film’s musical numbers and convincing sound effects
at other times. Voices are nicely recorded and dialogue is always
completely understandable. Channel separation is very good, with a number
of nice effects finding their way into the surround channels. The bass
channel proves to be rather solid, especially for this type of animated
comedic material. A French surround track is also provided on the DVD, as
are English and French subtitles.
Animation
and sound serves to enhance the interactive menus, which allow one access
to the standard scene selection and set up features, as well as the
supplements that have been spread across both discs of this set. Two audio
commentaries are included on disc one- the first is for entertainment
value, while the second covers the technical aspects of the film.
Commentary one features Adam Sandler in character as Whitey and his sister
Eleanor, who talk about the film along with writer Allen Covert.
Commentary two includes director Seth Kearsley, art director Philip A.
Cruden, head of animation Stephan Franck, effects supervisor John
Bermudas, and executive producer Ken Tsumura. Up next is A Day With
Meatball, a cute short featuring Sandler’s dog. The
Chanukah Song: Part 3 is the music video for the latest iteration
of Sandler’s popular holiday song. A theatrical trailer and NBA:
Love it Live TV spot close out disc one.
On
disc two, one will find a twelve minute HBO First Look Special.
Next, we have nine original featurettes (running several minutes each)
that look at various aspect of the film and include the following: Eleanore,
Whitey, Creating Dukesberry, Townspeople
Of Dukesberry, Dukesberry Sings, Jennifer
& Benjamin, Voices Of Dukesberry, Davey
and The Deer. Also included are thirteen deleted/alternate
scenes that feature unfinished animation and optional commentary. Finally,
there is a Multi-Angle Animation Progression, which allows
one to look at various sequences from rough animation to completed form.
I
have a weakness for comedies that push the limits of good taste, and ADAM
SANDLER’S EIGHT CRAZY NIGHTS not only push the limits- it beats them
senseless. There is plenty to laugh at in this off center holiday movie,
which is certain to make it an annual favorite amongst those that love
crude, rude and vulgar humor. Columbia has done a fine job with the DVD,
offering a good-looking presentation and nice supplements. ADAM SANDLER’S
EIGHT CRAZY NIGHTS makes a nice Chanukah gift, as well as a fine
Christmas stocking stuffer.
