The
Cobbler (2014/Image Blu-ray w/DVD)
Picture:
B+/B- Sound: B+/B- Extras: C Film: C
Don't
expect a 'Happy Madison' production, when watching Tom McCarthy's The
Cobbler. Meaning this isn't your typical Sandler production with
insane over the top humor and cameos from his childhood friends. The
Cobbler falls somewhere in the middle of a comedy and a drama and
never quite makes it up its mind on what it wants to be. With a
unique premise almost ruined by a third act with two many loose ends,
the film is at times charming and at other times predicable. The
film was panned by critics and didn't receive a wide theatrical
release but that doesn't necessarily make it un-watchable like other
recent Sandler efforts (Jack and Jill, anyone?).
The
Cobbler stars Adam Sandler, Steve Buscemi, Method Man, Ellen
Barkin, Dan Stevens, and Melonie Diaz.
Max
Simkin (Adam Sandler) repairs shoes in the same New York shop that
has been in his family for generations. Disenchanted with the grind
of daily life with the exception of his charming Mother and unusual
business neighbor played by Steve Buscemi, Max stumbles upon a
magical heirloom that allows him to step into the lives of his
customers and see the world in a new way. Basically, by putting on
another person's shoes, he appears and looks like that person.
Getting himself in all sorts of trouble and having a little fun while
he is at it, Max finds himself in posing as others.
This
set includes both the Blu-ray and DVD editions of the film, which
prove time and time again how superior the Blu-ray format has become.
Presented in high definition 1080p and a lesser anamorphic
widescreen DVD in 1.85:1 and boasting a DTS-MA 5.1 audio track, the
film looks and sounds great on your home entertainment system. The
DVD is presented in that standard definition noted above with a lossy
Dolby Digital 5.1 track that is fine for the format but loses a lot
of the detail evident in the Blu-ray.
Extras
include a Making of Featurette and a Trailer.
All
in all, if you are a fan of Adam Sandler and have been disappointed
by his recent films, I would say to give this one a watch. It means
well but ultimately trades in its promising buildup for a bit of a
quick climax.
-
James Harland Lockhart V
www.facebook.com/jhl5films
