Review of Bedtime Stories (2008) by Kyle F — 15 Feb 2010

Bedtime Stories is a American family-fantasy-comedy film directed by Adam Shankman that stars Adam Sandler in his first appearance in a family-oriented film. Sandler's production company Happy Madison and Andrew Gunn's company Gunn Films have produced the film, and Walt Disney Pictures distributing it. The film stars Adam Sandler, Keri Russell, Russell Brand, Lucy Lawless, and Courteney Cox.

The Plot: Skeeter Bronson is a hotel handyman who was promised by his father to be the manager of the family hotel. The promise was agreed to by Barry Nottingham when the Bronson family sold their hotel to him. When Nottingham announces plans to build a new hotel he instead appoints another man, Kendall, to become the manager.

Skeeter's sister Wendy asks him to watch her kids, Bobbi and Patrick, because the school she works at is being closed and she is looking for employment elsewhere. Skeeter does not know his niece and nephew very well, but agrees. After the day shift babysitter Jill leaves, he settles them into bed as they ask him to read a story. He makes up his own story, modeling it around his own life as a medieval story about a squire named "Sir Fixalot" and his rival "Sir Buttkiss". Throughout the story the kids make their own additions, such as the king giving Sir Fixalot a chance to prove himself. During the celebration, Patrick announces that it starts raining gumballs, and the story ends. The following day, Skeeter is called to fix Nottingham's television and during the visit, he tells Skeeter the "secret" theme that he had announced for the hotel-a rock and roll theme much like that of the Hard Rock Hotel. When Skeeter points this out he is offered the opportunity to compete with Kendall for a better theme. While driving, Skeeter is suddenly greeted with a shower of gumballs raining down from above, which he does not see is caused by a crashed delivery truck. Skeeter concludes that the story had come true and quickly develops a plan to use it to his advantage.

The movie was pretty good......it was great for children, but bad for the adults. Though it do have some chuckles, the kid-friendly Adam Sandler comedy is uneven. Its not one of Adam Sandlers best's but it's not as horrible as the critics make out it out be either. The plus side to the film is we got to see Adam Sandler and Russell Brand work together and I hope they make another film together, just not kid friendly this time........because they could make a great comedy.