On the lookout for an entertaining, risible yet over-the-top Horror-comedy in typical Adam Sandler style?
Dun dun dun…
Well look no further cause Netflix is out with another Happy Madison Production!
That’s right, this Halloween special horror-comedy fest is another one of Sandler’s ridiculous, slapstick and somewhat farcical comedies.
So put your feet up, get all cozy and snuggled up under a blanket, get something to munch on and don’t bother taking your brains along!
Hubie Halloween has its story set in the tiny town of Salem. Yes, you read it right! Salem! What better place to set a Halloween-themed movie than the Witch capital of America! (An obvious allusion to the infamous Salem Witch Trials of 1692.)
The movie revolves around the extremely eccentric, self-proclaimed vigilante, Hubie Dubois who lives with his mother, is the butt of all jokes, constantly bullied by the neighbourhood kids and mocked by nearly everyone in Salem, save for his mother and his childhood crush and mother of three foster kids- Violet Valentine.
In true Sandler style, he makes sure to reprise some of his previous movies through character cameos in the opening scene of the movie, like Ben Stiller’s crazy psychiatric facility male nurse, Hal L from Sandler’s 1996 comedy, ‘Happy Gilmore’. (Something only true Fandlers would have noticed!)
Other constant cameos are played by his close friends and family- comedians Maya Rudolph, Kevin James, Rob Schneider, Steve Buscemi, Kenan Thompson, Shaquille O’Neal and of course his wife, Jackie Sandler and his own daughters, Sunny and Sadie Sandler as Cooky and Danielle respectively (Guess it isn’t just Bollywood that likes to keep things within the family! *wink wink ;)
Hubie, also nicknamed ‘Pubie’ by his bullies, is known for being easily spooked at any kind of jump scares and pranks, Quite ironic, as he seems to be quite obsessed with celebrating Halloween (by the look of his front lawn) and making sure the people of Salem are safe on 31st October night!
A short detour before I continue with the movie review- The tradition of Halloween originates from the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain (pronounce sow-in), when it was believed that the ghosts of the dead returned to Earth. People would light bonfires and wear costumes, typically those of animal heads and skins to ward off ghosts, ghouls and all evil spirits. Interestingly enough, the current holiday of Halloween is an amalgamation of the traditions of the Pagan festival (Samhain) and the Christian feast (All Saints Day). The evening before All Saints Day was known as All Hallows Eve, and later came to be known as Halloween. Over time, Halloween evolved into a day of activities like trick-or-treating, carving jack-o-lanterns, apple bobbing competitions and more.
All of these traditions are perfectly embedded in scenes throughout the movie, so do watch it to get a clearer understanding of the festival and a brief historical mention of Witch hunting in America.
Moving back to where we left off, the name Hubie Dubois is synonymous with the typical ‘Village Idiot’ who no one believes or pays heed to, not even the large police force (two officers)! It is now up to him to solve the mystery of the disappearing town citizens, his oddly-behaving neighbour and a criminal (Mr. Loon E. Tunes- slow clap for the name choice) who has escaped from the psychiatric facility in town.
Not to leave out another character, Mrs. Dubois, Hubie’s mother, who is seemingly hidden in the shadows. Though she makes her occasional, awkward presence felt with her absolutely hilarious and inappropriate T-shirts (bought with the help of typically Indian Mrs. Banerjee. Trust an Indian to help you shop cheap!) and her weird, almost senile behaviour throughout the movie.
Overall, the movie though at times comes across as absolutely ludicrous, senseless and somewhat droll in nature, it moves at quite a comfortable pace, definitely doesn’t bore you with the details and is worth every minute of the watch provided you’re willing to turn your brain off all the while!
That’s all for now…Hubie Dubie careful though on Fright Night! And have yourselves a very Hubie Halloween!
P.S- Do read up on the Salem Witch Trials and wait up for my next blog on Arthur Miller’s play ‘The Crucible’.
- Carolann Carassco
Full-time Faculty, ELTIS