Don't expect much with 'Zohan'
By Bruce R. Miller | Posted: Sunday, October 05, 2008
It's a big week for horror films on DVD. Yup, "Don't Mess with the Zohan" is here.
While Adam Sandler is good in certain roles, he's really not the lothario he thinks he is. Still, that doesn't stop him from playing one in this mediocre comedy. Just as short-sighted as "I Now Pronounce You Chuck and Larry," it tries to address politics in the Middle East but can't quite get past the introductions.
Sandler plays an Israeli counter-terrorist who decides he'd rather bob hair than lob grenades. He stows away to America and, after getting rebuffed by Paul Mitchell, decides to hire on at a Palestinian's shop. There, he gives women dated 'dos and, um, a little bit of the Zohan. In no time at all, women are lining up to mess with him.
Arabs, meanwhile, sense the former terrorist wasn't killed by a guy named The Phantom (John Turturro). They put out the call and attempt to learn the truth.
When director Dennis Dugan gets to his point, it's a particularly good one. But so much of "Zohan" is repetitive. There are way too many hummus and crotch jokes, a running gag about karate kicks and Sandler's skewed image as a love god. The "Shampoo" references work initially, then die.
A parade of second bananas (from Shelley Berman to Charlotte Rae) adds to the fruit salad feeling, but it's never quite tasty enough.
Even a romance with Emmanuelle Chriqui and a guest appearance by Dave Matthews (as a redneck, no less) don't add zip.
Like "Chuck and Larry," "Zohan" wants to reposition its star as a romantic lead. That's possible ("Click" had its moments). But Sandler isn't hunky enough to make the transition. Considering his strengths, he shouldn't, either. When he's so good as the counter-culture lead (think: "Water Boy," "Happy Madison," "The Wedding Singer"), this is a bit like trying to take on Brad Pitt in "Fight Club." Why bother?
Also: 'The Happening'
After "The Sixth Sense," director M. Night Shyamalan has gotten so many free passes he should spend eternity in detention for stringing us along.
Like "The Village," "Signs" and "Unbreakable," "The Happening" starts out well enough, then dissolves.
A mysterious killer has been unleashed and, instantly, people on the East Coast start dropping. Is a terrorist responsible? What about toxins?
Before the spree gets too far, those city dwellers (including Wahlberg, wife Zooey Deschanel, their friend and his daughter) start moving west. Before long, the only safe place seems to be in small towns or farms.
But why?
Shyamalan doesn't drop clues (like he did in "Sixth Sense") but he does upset the masses. As the refugees exit, they get these strained looks on their faces.
Wahlberg tightens, too.
When he reaches a farm (run by a gruff, Mrs. Bates-like Betty Buckley), he's convinced it's the answer.
"The Happening," though, never does. Even "Cloverfield," which had some upsetting photography, had a specific villain. This one's gone with the wind.
Also:
TV: "30 Rock," season two; "A Charlie Brown Christmas"; "A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving"; "Backyardigans"; "The Berenstain Bears: Christmas Tree"; "The Beverly Hillbillies," season two; "Dora Celebrates"; "Go Diego Go!: It's a Bug's World"; "Jack Frost"; "Martin," season five; "Max & Ruby: A Very Merry Christmas Collection"; "Mission: Impossible: Season Five"; "The Munsters," the complete series; "The Naked Brothers Band," season two; "The Note"; "Robot Chicken," season three; "The Sarah Jane Adventures," season one; "The Simpsons," season 11; "The Smurfs," season one; "South Park: The Cult of Cartman"; "Speed Racer," complete series; "The Wiggles"; "Wonder Pets!"; "You're Not Elected, Charlie Brown"
Film: "The Seventh Voyage of Sinbad"; "The Devil's Chair"; "Halloween"; "The Picture of Dorian Gray"; "Psycho"; "Rear Window"; "Touch of Evil"; "Vertigo"; "Watership Down"
While Adam Sandler is good in certain roles, he's really not the lothario he thinks he is. Still, that doesn't stop him from playing one in this mediocre comedy. Just as short-sighted as "I Now Pronounce You Chuck and Larry," it tries to address politics in the Middle East but can't quite get past the introductions.
Sandler plays an Israeli counter-terrorist who decides he'd rather bob hair than lob grenades. He stows away to America and, after getting rebuffed by Paul Mitchell, decides to hire on at a Palestinian's shop. There, he gives women dated 'dos and, um, a little bit of the Zohan. In no time at all, women are lining up to mess with him.
Arabs, meanwhile, sense the former terrorist wasn't killed by a guy named The Phantom (John Turturro). They put out the call and attempt to learn the truth.
When director Dennis Dugan gets to his point, it's a particularly good one. But so much of "Zohan" is repetitive. There are way too many hummus and crotch jokes, a running gag about karate kicks and Sandler's skewed image as a love god. The "Shampoo" references work initially, then die.
A parade of second bananas (from Shelley Berman to Charlotte Rae) adds to the fruit salad feeling, but it's never quite tasty enough.
Even a romance with Emmanuelle Chriqui and a guest appearance by Dave Matthews (as a redneck, no less) don't add zip.
Like "Chuck and Larry," "Zohan" wants to reposition its star as a romantic lead. That's possible ("Click" had its moments). But Sandler isn't hunky enough to make the transition. Considering his strengths, he shouldn't, either. When he's so good as the counter-culture lead (think: "Water Boy," "Happy Madison," "The Wedding Singer"), this is a bit like trying to take on Brad Pitt in "Fight Club." Why bother?
Also: 'The Happening'
After "The Sixth Sense," director M. Night Shyamalan has gotten so many free passes he should spend eternity in detention for stringing us along.
Like "The Village," "Signs" and "Unbreakable," "The Happening" starts out well enough, then dissolves.
A mysterious killer has been unleashed and, instantly, people on the East Coast start dropping. Is a terrorist responsible? What about toxins?
Before the spree gets too far, those city dwellers (including Wahlberg, wife Zooey Deschanel, their friend and his daughter) start moving west. Before long, the only safe place seems to be in small towns or farms.
But why?
Shyamalan doesn't drop clues (like he did in "Sixth Sense") but he does upset the masses. As the refugees exit, they get these strained looks on their faces.
Wahlberg tightens, too.
When he reaches a farm (run by a gruff, Mrs. Bates-like Betty Buckley), he's convinced it's the answer.
"The Happening," though, never does. Even "Cloverfield," which had some upsetting photography, had a specific villain. This one's gone with the wind.
Also:
TV: "30 Rock," season two; "A Charlie Brown Christmas"; "A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving"; "Backyardigans"; "The Berenstain Bears: Christmas Tree"; "The Beverly Hillbillies," season two; "Dora Celebrates"; "Go Diego Go!: It's a Bug's World"; "Jack Frost"; "Martin," season five; "Max & Ruby: A Very Merry Christmas Collection"; "Mission: Impossible: Season Five"; "The Munsters," the complete series; "The Naked Brothers Band," season two; "The Note"; "Robot Chicken," season three; "The Sarah Jane Adventures," season one; "The Simpsons," season 11; "The Smurfs," season one; "South Park: The Cult of Cartman"; "Speed Racer," complete series; "The Wiggles"; "Wonder Pets!"; "You're Not Elected, Charlie Brown"
Film: "The Seventh Voyage of Sinbad"; "The Devil's Chair"; "Halloween"; "The Picture of Dorian Gray"; "Psycho"; "Rear Window"; "Touch of Evil"; "Vertigo"; "Watership Down"
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