I sit in with CKTB morning show host Tim Denis to have a look at the handy vigilante in “The Equalizer 3,” the high school comedy “Bottoms,” the coming-of-age story “You Are So Not Invited to My Bat Mitzvah” and the YA horror movie “Zombie Town.”
Listen to the whole thing HERE!
I sit in on the CFRA Ottawa morning show with host Bill Carroll to talk the new movies coming to theatres including the handy vigilante in “The Equalizer 3,” the high school comedy “Bottoms,” the coming-of-age story “You Are So Not Invited to My Bat Mitzvah” and the YA horror movie “Zombie Town.”
Listen to the whole thing HERE!
Cry nepotism all you like, but “You Are So Not Invited to My Bat Mitzvah,” now streaming on Netflix, transcends its Sandler family affair roots. What was clearly meant to be a showcase for comedian Adam Sandler’s youngest daughter Sunny, is, in fact, strengthened by the alleged nepotism.
A funny and heartwarming look at growing pains and friendship, the movie is made more relatable by its family vibe and a breakout performance from the so-called “nepo-baby.”
Adapted from Fiona Rosenbloom’s 2005 young adult novel of the same name, “You Are So Not Invited to My Bat Mitzvah,” stars Sunny Sandler and Samantha Lorraine as Stacy Friedman and Lydia Rodriguez, 12-year-old best friends navigating school, first crushes and their impending Bat Mitzvahs. Stacy spends her time practicing her Torah readings and prayers, planning her elaborate Bat Mitzvah (she wants a virgin mojito bar) and thinking about her secret, but all-consuming crush, on Hebrew school tween heartthrob Andy (Dylan Hoffman).
“Do you realize that one day he will be mine and you’ll have a cool boyfriend too,” Stacy says to Lydia, “and then we’ll have a joint wedding and move to adjoining lofts in Tribeca?”
“In Taylor Swift’s building!” adds Lydia excitedly.
Their girl-power bond is strained when Lydia’s reaction to Stacy’s failed attempt at impressing Andy only makes the humiliating situation worse. Their lifelong friendship is further tested when Lydia begins hanging out with the cool crowd and is cleaved into pieces when Stacy catches Lydia playing kissyface with Andy at a party. The lip-lock changes everything, including their long-held plans for their Bat Mitzvahs.
“You Are So Not Invited to My Bat Mitzvah” is a charming coming-of-age story that breathes the same air as “Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret.” Like Judy Blume and John Hughes, director Sammi Cohen avoids any hint of nostalgia. This is a timeless, yet of the moment look at the all-or-nothing anxiety of adolescence, a time of heightened emotions, tight-yet-tenuous friendships and hard life lessons.
The film’s biggest strength are the leads, Sandler and Lorraine. Both hand in natural, effortless performances that capture the depth of their character’s friendship and fall-out. It’s often very funny and sometimes over-the-top, but every eye-roll and heartfelt moment feels authentic. It’s a breakout role for Sandler, who, after some small roles in her father’s films, proves she is capable of carrying a movie. Stacy changes over the course of the story, morphing from selfish preteen, to selfless friend. It’s not a new arc in young adult film, but Sandler pulls it off with humor and relatability.
The movie doesn’t break much new ground, the break-up-and-make-up story beats are somewhat predictable, but the sweet and sassy performances (including great supporting work by Sarah Sherman as the rambunctious Rabbi Rebecca) and genuine family vibe make “You Are So Not Invited to My Bat Mitzvah” a welcome addition to the Sandler Family catalogue.
I join the host of NewsTalk 1010’s “The Rush” for a segment called “Entertainment Court.” Each week I serve as the judge, Reshmi as the juror, and we render a verdict on the week’s biggest pop culture stories.
This week we ask, Is “Avatar: The Way of Water” a drama with lots of animation, or an animated movie with dramatic elements, like “Guillermo Del Toro’s Pinocchio,” which was only nominated in the animation category? Did the pandemic kill off movies for adults, or are adults to blame for the lack of success of recent movies aimed at mature audiences? Does Adam Sandler deserve the Mark Twain Prize for Humour?
Listen to the whole thing HERE!
Richard appears on “CTV News at 6” with anchor Andria Case to talk about the best movies and television to watch this weekend. This week he has a look at the brontoborus “Jurassic World Dominion,” Adam Sandler in dramatic mode in “Hustle” (Netflix) and, just in time for Pride Month, “Fire Island” (Disney+).
Watch the whole thing HERE! (Starts at 36:32)
Richard joins CP24 to have a look at new movies coming to VOD, streaming services and theatres. Today we talk about the brontoborus “Jurassic World Dominion,” Adam Sandler in dramatic mode in “Hustle” (Netflix) and, just in time for Pride Month, “Fire Island” (Disney+).
Watch the whole thing HERE!
Richard joins CTV NewsChannel anchor Marcia MacMillan to talk about the tyrannosaurus wreck of “Jurassic World Dominion” and Adam Sandler in dramatic mode in “Hustle” (Netflix).
Watch the whole thing HERE!
Richard sits in on the CKTB Niagara in the Morning morning show with host Tim Denis to talk the new movies coming to theatres including the tyrannosaurus wreck of “Jurassic World Dominion,” Adam Sandler in dramatic mode in “Hustle” (Netflix) and, just in time for Pride Month, “Fire Island” (Disney+).
Listen to the whole thing HERE!
Richard sits in on the CFRA Ottawa morning show with host Bill Carroll to talk the new movies coming to theatres including the tyrannosaurus wreck of “Jurassic World Dominion,” Adam Sandler in dramatic mode in “Hustle” (Netflix) and, just in time for Pride Month, “Fire Island” (Disney+).
Listen to the whole thing HERE!
