Eight Crazy Nights (PG-13)
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This came out in 2002, but I didn't see it until 2023, during Hanukkah. (The movie isn't really about Hanukkah, but it does take place during the eight days and nights of the holiday.) It's unclear to me whether or not the title should include "Adam Sandler's" at the start, but I'm not including it just because I don't feel like it. (I could say it's because he didn't direct it or whatever, but really it's just because I don't feel like it.) However, he was one of the movie's writers, as well as voicing several characters. (The whole time I was watching it I thought he was also the narrator, but that was actually Rob Schneider. Can't believe I didn't catch that.) Anyway, the movie is problematic in any number of ways, which I found pretty cringe-worthy. And it's not nearly as funny as it thinks it is. And the songs aren't very good. And for awhile early on I was thinking I might just stop watching it. But I managed to get through the whole thing, and... eh, the story was kind of... almost okay.

So... what can I actually say about the plot? Adam Sandler plays Davey Stone, a drunkard who hates holidays, and gets into all sorts of trouble. The local judge has let him off easy countless times before, but after his latest criminal acts, he's ready to finally give Davey a serious sentence. However, the local basketball coach, Whitey Duvall (also voiced by Sandler), speaks up on his behalf. He wants Davey to become an assistant coach, and the judge agrees... with the stipulation that if he breaks any more laws, he'll go to prison for ten years. Meanwhile, Whitey is obsessed with winning a local award. And um, he lives with his sister, Eleanore (also voiced by Sandler, which I couldn't tell by listening). And there's a woman named Jennifer who was a childhood friend of Davey's, but doesn't like him now. She has a son named Benjamin, with whom Davey forms a bond. We eventually learn through flashbacks why Davey is so miserable. And he slowly comes to care about Whitey. And... you know, lots of other stuff happens, which I don't feel the need to get into. But there's a happy ending, though I have no idea whether or not Davey will end up going to prison. (He probably should, despite his last minute reformation that leads to the happy ending, but it isn't really addressed.) And I don't know what else to tell you. It's a weird and in many ways distasteful movie, but I guess it kind of has a heart, as well.