Sex Tape is a romantic comedy film directed by Jake Kasdan. The plot follows a couple whose sex life has become quite stale, so in an effort to spice things up they decide to make a sex tape. In what might be the most cliché and uninspired twist of all time, the tape makes its way to the cloud and the couple have to race around town to try and get their family and friends to not look at the video.

So I genuinely believe this film is why Cameron Diaz quietly retired from acting, it is just embarrassing for all involved.

So firstly it is not funny in any way, it is the safest, studio friendly comedy that I have seen in a long time. It is almost afraid to say anything of note or to tell an edgy joke, it is just bland. A lot of the jokes not only fall short, but make you cringe.

Secondly, Both Diaz and Jason Segal, who plays her on-screen husband, don’t seem like they want to be there, and they have as much chemistry as a cat and a dog. I could honestly believe it if someone told me they were forced into it. Though there is no nudity in this film, there is a strange amount of almost or close nudity from Diaz, the reason I mention this is because it is odd isn’t it that her character has these little bits, but Segal’s character never does. It feels very one sided, this is not just a problem with this film, but with the medium in general.

Overall, this is creepy trash that even a cameo from Jack Black can’t save it.

Pros.

The Jack Black cameo

Cons.

The unequal semi nudity

It is too safe

It is cringey

It is dull

1/5

Reviewed by Luke

Grown Ups 2 is a comedy film directed by Dennis Dugan. The plot sees Sandler and Pals get together again, this time they’re facing off against a group of college frat guys and there is a sub plot about Sandler’s character being conflicted about having a fourth kid.

So, this film has been widely criticised by a lot of people as one of Sandler’s worst films up there with Jack and Jill naturally when I heard this I thought ‘how bad can it be’ and I have to say though it is not offensively bad, it is by no means needed.

So the biggest crime of this film is that it is a sequel that in no way justifies its existence. The drama feels artificial and doesn’t work, the idea of Sandler’s character being upset to have a fourth kid when he already has three doesn’t ring true at all. The conflict with the college kids does not work either, it feels incredibly predicatable and forced.

The humour is less there than it was in the first film, there is still some laughs to be had, but they’re few and far between. This sequel doubles down on the slapstick elements of the first film that didn’t work for me; humour is subjective, however. The best performance in this film is easily Alexander Ludwig, him being David Spades character’s long lost angry son is hilarious.

Overall, there is still some laughs to be had here, but there is no need for this film at all and the whole thing feels forced and inauthentic.

Pros.

Alexander Ludwig

There are still some laughs

Cons.

Doubling down on the slapstick

The drama feels forced

The heart doesn’t land

2.5/5

Reviewed by Luke

Grown Ups is a comedy film directed by Dennis Dugan. The plot follows five childhood best friends who reunite after the death of their high school sports coach.

So, yes I know this is a trash comedy, but hey I am a big Adam Sandler fan; if you can’t tell. This is one of the few Sandler flicks that I haven’t seen; so I decided to right that wrong.

I have to say even though I feign a mature persona, there is nothing I like more than a few good poo jokes: I think a lot of people feel the same way.

The humour in this film works for me, it made me laugh several times throughout. I found the free style back and forth comedy to work a lot better than the slapstick, if anything I thought this film relied on the slapstick a bit too much and it often did nothing for me.

My issue with this film is the way it treats the characters that aren’t Sandler and his friends, the jokes to these characters are usually quite mean spirited and in poor taste. However, what really sticks out is the way the film treats women. To say is objectifies them is an understatement. Yes, you can make an argument for the wife doing the same thing to other men, but that is always handled as a joke, when Sandler and co do it, it is creepy and pervy. There is a long sequence of Sandler and co checking out a girl’s arse and it goes on for way to long and soon becomes uncomfortable.

Overall, if you like Sandler and his pals you will probably like this, the humour often worked for me, but it is subjective. The film certainly ages very poorly and feels out of place in the era of Me Too.

Pros.

The humour

It feels like hanging out with your friends

Very easy to watch

Cons.

The slapstick doesn’t work

Some of the jokes feel creepy and predatory

3/5

Reviewed by Luke