Top Five

Rock channels Woody making One Day in New York one of the top five Allen films not made by Allen.  Amusing jokes and characteristic racial quips pepper an otherwise aimless story of career dissatisfaction that certainly seems a tad auto-biographical.  Great set pieces fall short, dropping ones instead of hundreds.

Funny People

Funny people does not equal funny performances. Sandler does well with quasi-serious part of role, but becomes too douchy to empathize with. Rogen and rest of cast do stand up but don’t stand out. Bana revitalizes film in eighth act, but by the three hour mark it loses laughs again.

Reign Over Me

Sandler delivers an incredible portrayal of grief and distress. Cheadle is good but can’t compare to Sandler and Burrows as they step far outside their comfort zones. One of the only films without a number in its title (93, 25) to handle this subject matter appropriately. Sandler should stay serious.