Eight Crazy Nights (2002)

"...Sandler at his most free-wheeling and uninhibited.  Kevin Thomas, L.A. Times
"...the musical numbers are left-field...  Desson Howe, Washington Post

Editor's Note Adam Sandler and director Seth Kearsley present an animated Hanukkah tale with ADAM SANDLER'S EIGHT CRAZY NIGHTS. Davey Stone (Sandler) is lurching down a wayward path. He's a drunk and aging delinquent, infamous in Dukesberry for spreading misery as deftly as he belches full sentences. He's facing prison when Whitey Duvall (Sandler again), a lovable, physically challenged man, proposes that Stone work with him at the community center as a referee for the local basketball league. The surly Stone accepts the job, and moves in with Whitey and his twin sister, Eleanore (also voiced by Sandler). But the true test is whether Stone can rise above his self-destructive habits in order to reunite with his former girlfriend, Jennifer (Jackie Titone), and act as a role model for her young son, Benjamin (Austin Stout). The snow-covered landscapes in EIGHT CRAZY NIGHTS have a pleasing, three-dimensional realism that's as cheerful as a Hallmark holiday card. Sandler, with his wide range of inane, high-pitched voices, is as funny as ever, punctuating the innocent world of EIGHT CRAZY NIGHTS with the refreshingly irreverent brand of humor he displayed in HAPPY GILMORE, THE WEDDING SINGER, and BIG DADDY. Though the film isn't really for kids, Sandler and Kearsley manage to make even the more daring animated characters--like one with three breasts--seem harmless. EIGHT CRAZY NIGHTS also features the voices of Jon Lovitz, Kevin Nealon, Rob Schneider, and Tyra Banks.

	Seth Kearsley - Director
	Amy Budden - Editor
	Ken Tsumura - Executive Producer
	Teddy Castellucci - Musical Score
	Allen Covert - Producer
	Perry Andelin Blake - Production Designer
	Kevin Nealon - Voice Of
	Austin Stout - Voice Of
	Jackie Titone - Voice Of
	Jon Lovitz - Voice Of
	Adam Sandler - Voice Of
	Brooks Arthur - Writer

Sight and Sound
"...As in Sandler's breakthrough film, THE WEDDING SINGER there's a certain nostalgia here for 1980s popular culture..." 01/01/2003 p.44

Los Angeles Times
"...Lively, bittersweet....[The film] works well and is sure to connect strongly with fans of Sandler at his most free-wheeling and uninhibited..." 11/27/2002 p.C12

Hollywood Reporter
"...Director Seth Kearsley makes the movie's raggedness almost ingratiating..." 11/27/2002 p.5-11

James Berardinelli's ReelViews 4 of 10
The only time 8 Crazy Nights comes close to hitting a comedic or satirical target is during the offbeat musical numbers. At their worst, they sound like rejected songs from one of Disney's direct-to-video sequels. At their best, they recall something from South Park. Ultimately, however, the song-and-dance productions do not represent a reason to see 8 Crazy Nights. Maybe those Sandler fans who were deeply disappointed by their hero's foray into real acting in Punch Drunk Love will be satisfied by this animated offering. I doubt anyone else will be. This is as dreadful a holiday offering as you're likely to find this year. A lump of coal would be more welcome. - James Berardinelli

Chicago Sun-Times 4 of 10
Sandler has painted himself into a corner. His comedies have included generous amounts of antisocial hostility, sudden violence, dodgy material about urination, defecation and flatulence, and a general air of defiance. A lot of people like that. But they are not the people likely to understand the Hanukkah message in Eight Crazy Nights. And those who appreciate the message are likely to be horrified by a lot of the other material in the film. What Sandler has made here is a movie for neither audience. - Roger Ebert