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Kevin James

Hotel Transylvania: Transformania – Trust and Transformations

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Every Hotel has to close its doors eventually… but hopefully, it gets to do so when the time feels right.

In its fourth film, Hotel Transylvania: Transylvania comes at a time when Drac (Brian Hull, formerly Adam Sandler) is considering stepping away from the hotel game so he can spend more time with his new wife, Ericka (Kathryn Hahn). When word gets to Mavis (Selena Gomez) and Johnny (Andy Samberg), Johnny is thrilled! But Drac still has his concerns about letting Johnny have free reign over his beloved resort and convinces him that only monsters can run it. Determined to win Drac over, Johnny uses Van Helsing’s ‘Monsterfication Ray’ to correct that problem. However, after the ray goes haywire, Drac and his friends get to see what the world looks like through human eyes as they try to find a cure before it’s too late.

Directed by Jennifer Kluska and Derek Dryman, the wild and silly Hotel Transylvania: Transformania is meant to be the final film in the franchise. Written by series creator Genndy Tartakovsky, the script feels like a worthy addition to the series’ legacy as it continues the character development from the previous films. Led by Tartakovsky’s unique voice, the story still offers the same frenetic energy that families expect from the franchise. Returning stars Andy Samberg, Selena Gomez (now with a producer credit), Fran Drescher and David Spade seem as enthusiastic about the series as ever. (In fact, Spade’s role is drastically increased this time around.)

Even so, something feels… off about this Transformania. 

Vibrant animation still pops with colour but somehow doesn’t entirely capture the magic of other entries. The most significant change, however, stems from its cast which has seen significant turnover this time around. Although several of the original cast remain, gone are franchise stalwarts Adam Sandler, Kevin James, and CeeLo Green. While their replacements do an entertaining job of mimicking their original cast members, the mix of old and new cast members is noticeable. (This is especially true in the case of Sandler who has remained the franchise’s focus throughout the previous films.) As a result of these changes, the film feels more like a transition away from its stars as opposed to any sort of wrap-up for the series. (In fact, for a film that’s supposed to be final chapter, the film’s ending doesn’t feel like they’re closing the book on the franchise at all.)

Although the franchise has always leaned heavily into the theme of ‘looking beyond appearances’, Transformania’s body-swap storyline manages to take it to the next level. As Johnny and Drac learn what it is to live in the other person’s [literal] shoes, so too do they also begin to understand the difficulties of each other’s experiences. While Johnny relishes the power of being a monster, so too does it almost drive him to madness. At the same time, Drac’s experience as a middle-aged man is a pain-inducing (and entirely relatable) nightmare but it also helps him to see the world from Johnny’s perspective. As the two men live with the strengths and weaknesses of the other, a deeper bond eventually emerges between them.

Because at the heart of this Transformania is trust. 

For example, in Transformania, trust stems from one’s ability to see their value. Prior to the switcheroo, although Drac has grown fond of Johnny over the years, he still cannot bring himself to entrust him with the responsibility of the hotel. Johnny’s different ideas simply don’t align with Drac’s and so, he concocts an elaborate lie to prevent him from taking over. However, as Drac begins to realize the purity of Johnny’s soul, he understands how important he truly is to him. This reframing allows Drac to celebrate Johnny’s strengths and accept his faults, opening the door for trust to break in between them.

Filled with monster mayhem and madness, Hotel Transylvania: Transformania should entertain both kids and longtime fans of the franchise. Although, this is not a Hotel that feels closed. Just ‘under renovations’. With that being said, even though there definitely pieces missing, one has to hope that there’s a more fitting finale to the franchise.

This Hotel needs one last ‘grand re-opening’ in its future.

To hear our conversation with producer Alice Dewey Goldstone, click here (YouTube) or here (podcast).

Hotel Transylvania: Transformania is available on Amazon Prime on January 14th, 2022.

Becky: There Once Was a Little Girl

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Becky Trailer Stars Kevin James as a Nazi Who Gets What He ...

Directed by Jonathan Milott and Cary Murnion, Becky is a gory thriller centring around a young (and seemingly innocent) 13-year-old girl. Starring Lulu Wilson, Amanda Brugel, Joel McHale, and Kevin James, Becky had me intrigued from the beginning. Best known for their comedic abilities, Joel McHale and Kevin James were impressive in their dramatic roles, especially James as a believable and chilling Nazi fugitive.

Becky (Lulu Wilson) is an angsty teenager who is still reeling from the loss of her mother only a year prior. Showing a low, rebellious mood, Becky keeps to herself. Though encouraged by the fact that her father decides not to sell the lake house, she’s immediately brought back down again when he invites his girlfriend and her son to stay with them for the weekend and surprises her with the news of their engagement.

Kevin James-Starring Home Invasion Thriller 'Becky' is Coming to ...

Meanwhile, a recent escapee from prison, Dominick (Kevin James) is on the hunt for a mysterious key, willing to do anything in his power to retrieve it. Gathering a team of delinquents, Dominick and his team storm the lake house, beginning their night of terror. 

Perhaps representing Becky’s innocence, the key is initially just a trinket that she kept safe with her belongings. She likely thought little about its worth until someone tried to take it from her. When she realizes its importance, Becky does everything in her power to keep it safe.

Becky Movie Review: A Bloody Coming Of Age Must Watch Thriller

With an almost Home Alone inspired array of booby traps, Becky decides to channel her anger into fighting off Dominick and his crew. She refuses to let her family’s safe place be overtaken. Becky was oddly comfortable with violence, especially for a 13-year-old girl. From her animalistic scream, its clear that the violence was almost therapeutic for her. 

During their initial interaction, Dominick discusses purebred dogs, and how you should never cross breed them because you will get the bad traits of both. He says this all while addressing an interracial couple. On top of that, when addressing Kayla (Amanda Brugel), he says ‘your kind’. Though the film initially delves into racial bias, the topic of racism fizzled out and is never really brought up again. Personally, I found myself frustrated that the race aspect of this film took a back seat and there didn’t seem to be any justice in that regard. 

Becky' Review | Hollywood Reporter

The female characters in Becky were strong and able to stand up for themselves in the face of danger. Willing to do everything in their power to protect their loved ones, they were able to impressively outsmart the men that they faced.

With scenes interchanging between the jail yard and school, the twirling of the spoon, and the way Becky and Dominick seemed as if they were face to face while speaking on the Walkie Talkies, the cinematography in Becky is superb. What’s more, by mixing in intense bass kicks, I was drawn in by the ambiance as well. 

Although Becky was a gripping film that kept me entertained, I found myself wanting just a little more from the conclusion of the film. I didn’t want to know all the answers; maybe just a nod in the right direction. 

Becky is available on June 5, 2020 on digital and demand.

To listen to my interview with Amanda Brugel, click here.

Pixels – Video Game Death Match!

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pixels

Alien life forms have interpreted 1980s messages sent into space as a challenge. Now, they have arrived on Earth to ‘play’ through three rounds of attacks to decide whether or not the Earth will be destroyed. Only a group of video game-playing thirty- and forty-year-old slackers can stop them. 

If that sounds wildly entertaining – and you love Adam Sandler movies – then rush out right now to buy Pixels on Blu-ray, DVD, or Digital HD. If it doesn’t – or you hated Happy Gilmore, Billy Madison, and Grownups… well, stop reading.

For me, there’s something endearing about a bunch of lovable losers putting it all on the line to save the world. It’s what I’d hope that I would do if it came down to it.

And yes, I love video games, films like The Last Starfighter, and ’80s icons.

Sandler plays Sam Brenner, one-time arcade champ, while Kevin James plays William Cooper, the President of the United States and Brenner’s best friend. Mix in Peter Dinklage as Brenner’s childhood nemesis, Eddie Plant, Josh Gad as Ludlow Lamonsoff, and Michelle Monaghan as the only real soldier on the team, and you have some seriously funny (and stupid) hijinks about how the fate of the world might come down to a duel over Pac-Man, or Donkey Kong.

Special features here on the DVD include a look at Q’Bert, Dojo Quest, and the “Game On” music video by Waka Flocka Flame featuring Good Charlotte. The Blu-ray actually comes with a look at Pac-Man, Donkey Kong, and Centipede. (For the record, Centipede was my favorite one of the bunch!)

While there might not be much to speak of besides the humor here, I still find myself considering that there’s a parable here about what it means to identify your gifts, and use them for the good of humanity. Sooner of later, one of these movies has to prove my mom wrong: video game skills WILL come in handy!

Hotel Transylvania 2: Can Our Hearts Really Change?

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Dracula (Adam Sandler), Griffin the Invisible Man (David Spade), Murray the Mummy, Frank (Kevin James), Mavis (Selena Gomez), Wayne (Steve Buscemi) and Johnny (Andy Samberg) in Columbia Pictures' HOTEL TRANSYLVANIA 2.

Adam Sandler’s schtick is well-practiced. Whether it’s Grown Ups, 42 or whatever other Happy Madison Productions flick he is pumping out, we haven’t seen much new material over the last decade. Still, periodically, Sandler chooses to show us his depth, whether it’s in a live action film or something like Hotel Transylvania 2.

Yeah, I said it.

Count Dracula’s (Adam Sandler) daughter Mavis (Selena Gomez) weds human Dennis (Andy Samberg) and, a year later, their son is born. As the boy ages, the dialogue between Dracula and Mavis becomes multi-layered by covering topics such as where the couple should live, how the boy should be taught, and whether or not the kid is a monster or a human. All of this is set against the backdrop that includes Frankenstein (Kevin James), Wayne the werewolf (Steve Buscemi), Griffin the Invisible Man (David Spade), and Murray the mummy (Keegan-Michael Key). (For the record: this is several times funnier than the first one.)

When Dracula sends Mavis and Dennis off to vacation at Dennis’ parents’ home, he and his crew take the boy on a trip to all of their old haunts, literally. Dracula is convinced that he can help the boy’s fangs come in and prove that he is actually a vampire, not a human. This is the overall plot of the movie, which will also wrap Dracula’s father, Vlad (Mel Brooks), into the storyline. Humor? Yes, it’s here in graveyard spades, but how about the various issues that Robert Smigel and Sandler’s storyline raises?

Dracula’s desire to keep his daughter close reflects a parental desire to protect, but it’s also that part of growing up that makes parents cringe: change. I’d often propose that people are allergic to change in the first place, no matter what kind, but every parent risks losing their children forever once they leave home. Sandler might not have his finger on the pulse of what makes America laugh, but he certainly understands the heart of a parent.

Heart. That’s another issue that the script plays with. Mavis tells Dracula early in the sequel that he may have changed his mind about humans, but he hasn’t changed his heart. Dracula’s open-mindedness, his ‘conversion’ to equality, has only been intellectual; his internal processes and view of the world has not truly been molded into a new being. This is the crux of the film, and the issue that easily translates spiritually.

It is genuinely hard to change our minds. Whether it’s dealing with a new found affinity or geographic transition that results in rooting for a new team (especially a hated rival) or the burning social issues of homosexuality, religion, abortion, gun control, etc., we struggle to think in a new way. But how often have we been convinced and yet still inwardly, we doubt?

Over and over again, we are told in Scripture that God will give us a new heart (Ezekiel 36:26, Psalm 51:10). In 2 Corinthians 5:17, Paul writes that “if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!” He knew that we could change our minds, but we needed help to change our hearts. It’s true for us as Christians, and it’s true for Dracula, who needs a child to show him what is important.

Isn’t it amazing how a child can change our hearts?