Adam Sandler’s performances range from very funny, funny, and perplexing. Little Nicky was perplexing; Water Boy, very funny. The remake of the Longest Yard – funny.

It is a loose interpretation of the original flick starring Burt Reynolds, though Burt has a solid part this go round as well. Sandler plays a once great football player who violates his parole terms and gets a free ride to the Big House. The warden loves football and arranges for Sandler’s transfer to coach his personal team, all guards in the prison system. Unfortunately, the guards make it clear they want nothing to do with the new inmate. As a compromise, Sandler offers to coach a team of prisoners for a dress game so the guards can get in extra practice. The problem: finding enough prisoners willing to risk retribution from the guards and play under Sandler.

In short: this is a football film, targeted at guys, set in a prison.

What works about the film:

1) The jokes and gags work.

2) Burt Reynolds can act, even if his latest face lift that makes him appear Asian.

3) Good pacing

Verdict: DVD purchase. It’s worth a look see, but nothing will be lost on the jump to the smaller screen.

Not very fantastic. Too bad it wasn’t only four minutes.

What works:

1) Cameras all in focus.

2) The Thing looks pretty good.

What needed improvement:

1) Cast – bigger names or less goofy looking actors.

2) Story – less design by committee, more unified writing voice.

3) Ending – See point 2.

Verdict: Basic Cable.

The Wedding Crashers rules. Let’s get that out in the open. Start to finish, this movie delivers.

Owen Wilson and Vince Vaughan take the concept of matrimonial partier to the highest level, posing as guests every wedding season. They work as a team crashing party after party, meeting insecure women. Everything is a smashing good time until one meets the girl of his dreams, and the other meets a girl who won’t go away.

Will Ferrell provides some last minute texture.

A riot!

What works about this movie:

1) Cast: Owen and Vince deliver the goods. Excellent adversarial buddy chemistry.

2) Story – tight, tight, tight. Never a dull moment, or flubbed joke.

3) Ending – Credible and fitting.

4) Direction – Good comic pacing.

5) Humor – For adults.

Verdict: Theater full price with a date who has a wicked sense of humor. Good for the over 17 set. Do not take children, this picture has adult siutations.

Dark, disturbing, and creepy, Johnny Depp not only proves his mettle as a great actor, he channels the spirit of Michael Jackson in a way that makes me laugh instead of triple-checking my zipper.

I liked this movie, but a review in a conventional context is impossible. When in doubt reach for a list.

What works about Willy Wonka:

1) Use of subtext – as in the original, plenty of plays on words, and innuendos. I leave those to interpreation.

2) Characters – good caricatures with strong ties to the book.

3) Story – clean, mean and lean. Wonka’s motivations and background are much clearer this time around. That balances out his father issues and predilection for children.

4) Johnny Depp – the man!

5) Effects – top notch!

Verdict: Movie theater, matinee. Since the film is almost a “family� piece, expect children and teenagers who think they are in their living room.

Caveats: Please don’t let your children hang out with Willy Wonka, or the other guy.