There’s something quietly remarkable about The Muppet Christmas Carol. Released in 1992, it shouldn’t work — a Dickens adaptation filtered through felt, vaudeville humor, and a cast of puppets. And yet, by taking the story seriously and trusting Michael Caine to play Scrooge without a hint of irony, the film becomes one of the most sincere and enduring holiday movies of its era.
Just in time for Halloween, Moviehouse Mystics dives broom-first into Hocus Pocus — the spooky, campy, and heartfelt ’90s nostalgic gem that still enchants every October.
Kevin and Koda explore what makes the Sanderson sisters timeless and take a haunting detour through Salem’s real history and the Witch Trials of 1692.
If you enjoyed this episode of Moviehouse Mystics, we’d love it if you gave us a like and left a comment — it really helps the algorithm and keeps the show visible for fellow movie lovers. Maybe we’ll even read your comments on a future episode!
This week on Moviehouse Mystics, Kevin and Koda take a swing at Happy Gilmore, Adam Sandler’s beloved golf comedy that’s louder, weirder, and a lot more heartfelt than you remember.
From Shooter McGavin’s smug grin to Chubbs’ missing hand (and even Hal the Orderly’s chaos), they unpack why this ’90s classic still hits the sweet spot between rage and redemption.
If you’ve ever shouted “The price is wrong!” at your TV, you’ll want to hear this one.
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Nobody 2 continues the action-packed thrills of the original Nobody. But, like most sequels, comes up just short its predecessor.
Imagine ten years ago a fortune-teller saying that beloved comedian Bob Odenkirk would someday play a dangerous government assassin trying to pursue the straight and narrow path of life? And that his family of assassins included Christopher Lloyd as his father and WuTang Clan’s RZA as his brother? And, above all, the movie was actually pretty good? You’d probably think this was just another smooth-talking con artist.
Turns out this fortune-teller was the real deal.
The original Nobody is a rare movie with crossover appeal. It appeals to fans of all varieties of movies. Its runtime is just a lean 90 minutes, and its clear storytelling includes character depth and exhilarating action sequences. It unites fans of Michael Bay with subscribers to the Criterion Channel.
What is it about action movies that makes them so appealing? Why do we like watching people beat each other up? Why do we like watching explosions? What is this catharsis of destruction? Is it something that appeals to our anthropomorphic origins? Is it a vessel to channel our stress and imagine ourselves solving similar problems with our own fists? Is this why video games like Grand Theft Auto are so addictive? It’s one thing to make a movie with great stunts and choreographed fights, but to include great writing and direction is a special treat.
There is also our appreciation for the acting range of comedians. We love people who can make us laugh hysterically, but when they can prove their acting range- like Robin Williams or John Candy- we admire them even more. Bob Odenkirk isn’t giving an emotional performance that will win him an Oscar (yet). But his character, Hutch Mansell, is badass, mysterious, and relatable. Unlike the action gods of days past, Nobody’s fights are visceral and realistic. Hutch doesn’t just win the fight, we feel the injuries he endures.
Nobody 2 is intentionally similar to the first movie- familiar arcs and beats- but that’s part of the appeal. It excites the audience as we anticipate how this installment will be familiar, but will push our favorite characters forward. It is a craft of storytelling that dates to the origin of movies. Think of the “Bond, James Bond” line or Star Wars’ iconic “I have a bad feeling about this”.
While not quite the knockout the original movie is, this sequel is a worthy follow-up (similar to Happy Gilmore 2and Freakier Friday). Anybody can tell Nobody 3 is on the horizon and I can only hope pick up on this Nobody 2’s (minor) shortcomings. One thing is for sure: I’ll be first in line once it’s released.
Freakier Friday is a sequel worth the twenty-two-year delay. Everyone is back and the comedy of errors is as unpredictable as the original.
I planned this review with low expectations. I’ve always said sequels are generally not well-received (especially when they’re released decades after the original). No mass marketing campaign can atone for the desperation to catch lightning in a bottle. I only saw the original Freaky Friday once when it was released in 2003. I knew if I wanted to give this a proper review, I should refresh my memory by watching it again. To my surprise, I enjoyed it. This gave me hope because I watched it as an adult with critical thinking skills, not nostalgia goggles. I even read that Mary Rodgers, the author of the original 1972 novel, hailed it as the best adaptation because of its authenticity.
The storyline is not original, it’s a body-swap movie. But this sequel turns it up a notch. Anna (Lindsay Lohan) prepares to marry Eric (Manny Jacinto), but her teenage daughter, Harper, and her soon-to-be worldly stepsister, Lily, struggle to accept each other. Not only has this tension caused Anna and Tess to experience a second body-swap, but it now includes Harper and Lily. A double-body-swap with double the chaos. They’ll all find that just because it’s the second time around doesn’t mean it can be solved any easier.
It’s the 2003 movie on steroids.
Like any sequel (especially ones that are long delayed) there are Easter Eggs that not only pay tribute to the first movie but go beyond the original material. The wedding is scheduled for October 3rd (a nod to another Lohan movie, Mean Girls). And we can also appreciate all the generational jokes in between both movies. Disney clearly meant business with Freakier Friday, bringing back most characters for the sequel. This includes those who seldom act nowadays, such as Ryan Malgarini (Anna’s little brother, Harry). There are Anna’s friends, Maddie and Peg from their band Pink Slip; and even Anna’s love interest, Jake (still rocking the same hair twenty years later). My favorite reprisal was the spiteful Mr. Bates (played by legendary character actor Stephen Tobolowsky), still working since the school district’s retirement was sunk in crypto.
All the performances are superb. We loved Jamie Lee Curtis’ performance as a teenager back in 2003, but she takes it even further in her second round as a wannabe social media influencer. I particularly loved Manny Jacinto’s performance as the thoughtful and well-spoken Eric, contrasting with his role as Jason, the idiotic Florida-Man on The Good Place.
But above all, I was happiest with Lindsay Lohan’s return as Anna. She stepped away from the spotlight for her well-being, and it appears to have worked. Watching this movie, you would think she never stopped acting. This was clearly made for her comeback. Disney knew that she still has a lot to offer. Why else would they go to great lengths to bring back almost every cast member of the original? Maybe this is a new starting point for Lohan to get back to her craft without the scrutiny of the paparazzi?
If the original Freaky Friday is a family classic, then Freakier Friday belongs there, too. It continues the spirit of authenticity and lessons about family and love. With a theatrical-only release, it’s a perfect family outing that reminds us of one of the best ways to connect with youth is to share the stories that shaped us. This warm, heartful, and funny sequel is worth checking out.
Unless you are a devoted fan of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), The Fantastic Four: First Steps is not worth seeing. Yes, they recruited some of the world’s top actors (Pedro Pascal, Vanessa Kirby, Ebon Moss-Bachrach, and Joseph Quinn). And they delivered again with their signature action-packed scenes. But all that prestige can’t glam over empty writing. I was tempted to leave several times during the screening, only sticking around for the review. I wasn’t interested in sticking around for the two signature credit scenes that preview the next installments of the Marvel movies.
I’m going to be swimming upstream with this review, as the movie generally has been received well. I’m happy to swim upstream this time.
Superhero movies always require a suspension of disbelief. Any real-world knowledge can be put aside if you’re caught up in the moment. We’ve watched Tony Stark and Peter Parker assemble new suits out of thin air. Despite this precedent, I had a hard time “believing” the scientific research of Reed Richards/Mister Fantastic. I came into this movie expecting it to be a proper origin story for one of Marvel’s first families. After all, the MCU has an incredibly vast history. It’s totally reasonable when the costumes, set design, and titles are imitating the aesthetics of the 1960s, right? It turns out this is something called retrofuturism: giving the future the aesthetics of the past.
Another disappointment came through the humor. Marvel movies didn’t win over the world just because of their stunts and flashy special effects. The characters were authentic. That is mostly the result of a sense of humor and great chemistry between the performers. But I didn’t find myself laughing in this Marvel movie. In fact, the jokes were predictable and hackneyed. And it’s more than the jokes; it’s the entire story. There also came a moment when Sue Storm/Invisible Woman attempted to rally and inspire everyone, and it made no sense. The final resolution is straight out of a Deus ex machina playbook. It seems they were following a simplified formula for superhero movies that won’t end up remembered.
But, since it’s a Marvel movie, it does deliver with action sequences that are captivating enough to believe that our heroes are exploiting the gravity of a neutron star to propel themselves back home. And the music certainly amplifies those entertaining sequences.
But I can’t praise it entirely, especially with the antagonist, the Silver Surfer. The effects aren’t bad, they’re good- they’re too good. It felt more like a trip into the Uncanny Valley (when fake human appearances end up more disturbing than endearing).
Die-hard MCU fans will find a way to see this no matter what I write. But for the rest of us movie-goers? We’re not missing anything if we decide to do something else. Simply put: I would not place The Fantastic Four high on a list of prioritized movies of 2025.
In this episode of Moviehouse Mystics, we venture into the offbeat, oddly profound world of The Big Lebowski. What may look like a stoner comedy about a guy who just wants his rug back, but is surreal meditation on identity, absurdity, and the search for meaning in a chaotic world.
We ask: Who is The Dude? Is he a Zen master? A postmodern prophet? Or just a guy who wants his rug back? And why does this seemingly meandering film resonate so deeply with so many?
From absurdism to identity, Vietnam trauma to White Russian-fueled passivity, we’re decoding the layers of Lebowski like never before.
P.S. The Dude doesn’t ask for much. But we’re not The Dude. So we are asking: like, share, subscribe, and help us trick the algorithm into thinking we’re important.
It seems every classic movie gets a sequel or a reboot nowadays. The Naked Gun was bound to step up to the plate. Thankfully, this new installment to the franchise returns with its full absurdist glory.
This installment in the franchise casts Liam Neeson as Detective Frank Drebin Junior, son of the iconic character created by comedy legend Leslie Nielsen, who- appropriately, spends part of the film seeking signs from his father. While investigating a suspicious death, Drebin crosses paths with Beth Davenport—a glamorous mystery novelist and the sister of the deceased—whose clues lead straight to a shady tech billionaire. I never thought I’d be writing this, but Pamela Anderson rocks this role. She proves that her standout performance in The Last Showgirl was no fluke, and we should expect more from her moving forward.
But absurd humor isn’t for everyone. Some argue that comedy should be clever and concise- not cheap, literal, or slapstick. I’d argue that when it lands, absurd humor doesn’t just hold its own- it steals the show. Look to the original Naked Gun movies- or Airplane!, another Nielsen classic- where the most unrealistic scenarios unfold, and everyone plays it straight. That spirit guides this movie, directed by Akiva Schaffer (The Lonely Island), and produced by Seth MacFarlane (Family Guy, American Dad, Ted)- two proven masters of absurd comedy.
In this hybrid era of moviegoing, the constant question is “Where can I stream it?” Paramount is taking the old-fashioned approach by releasing through the theaters first. I laud this decision. We need as many opportunities to sustain the magic of going to the movies. A good old comedy can always rally a crowd for such an occasion.
This will likely land best with longtime fans of the misadventures of the Police Squad. Viewers will find countless Easter Eggs paying tribute to the original trilogy- I particularly loved the stuffed beaver’s cameo and the blunt shade thrown at Detective Nordberg (his own son won’t even pay tribute to him- for obvious reasons). This is a chance to introduce a new generation of comedy fans to a goldmine of laughter. The Naked Gun isn’t just a long-awaited sequel- it’s a revival of a comedic style that embraces in the absurd and doesn’t care if it makes sense. Whether you are in it for the nostalgia or curious for old-school humor, The Naked Gun delivers- and it’s well-worth a trip to the theaters.
Did you grow up with the original Naked Gun movies? Let me know your favorite moment in the comment section. Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and share with your friends.
Adam Sandler’s long-anticipated sequel to the cult-classic Happy Gilmore has been worth the wait as we get another glimpse into the life of the lovable misfit golfer.
Normally I approach long-awaited sequels with apprehension. Star Wars and Indiana Jones taught me that in my formative years. And then there was exploring the franchises whose studio bosses could not take the hint that the world was not interested in films such as Jaws: The Revenge.
But not this time.
If anybody reading this review loved the original Happy Gilmore, I urge you to find a time to watch it as soon as possible. It is a Netflix release, after all. The sequel contains a myriad of Easter Eggs paying homage to the cult classic that can make you laugh and even warm your heart.
Returning stars Julie Bowen, Christopher McDonald, and Ben Stiller deliver; in addition to a litany of cameos ranging from golfers (Rory McIlroy, Scottie Scheffler, and Jack Nicklaus are among them) to current acting phenomenon Margaret Qualley to rapper Bad Bunny. There are also the expected cameos of Sandler’s comedy friends Kevin Nealon, Rob Schneider, Jon Lovitz, and Steve Buscemi.
Much can also be said about tribute that was paid to the original cast members ,who died in the three decades since its 1996 release.
There is no doubt that the critics will not laud this movie. The original Happy Gilmore was not well-received upon its release but became an instant cult classic. And while I do not believe it will leave as large of an impact as the original, I think it’s a sequel worth watching.
I believe it will be on the level of Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues. For perspective, I have memorized every line of The Hangover but never saw any of its sequels. Very rarely does a sequel surpass the original movie, and it’s even scarcer in comedy. But, as I have written before in my review for Hubie Halloween, Adam Sandler has demonstrated his motivation is not to satisfy the critics, but his fans.
In this long-awaited follow-up, we get a more intimate and vulnerable glimpse into the title-character, who has now hit rock-bottom. Having tossed aside the golf clubs and picked up bad drinking habits, Happy is given his incentive to get back in the game: sending his daughter, Vienna (Sandler’s real-life daughter, Sunny), to a prestigious dance academy in France.
It certainly adds to the necessary tension of any sports movie, with many additional moments giving Happy more reasons to come out on top. In addition, there are important pieces of wisdom peppered throughout its runtime.
I have commented extensively about this hybrid era of movie-going where the audience is given the opportunity to watch at home or take a trip to the local cinema. My previous review for James Gunn’s Superman contained a summons to screen it at the theater, particularly an IMAX screening for its special effects. While there are actual moments that include special effects in Happy Gilmore 2, I think that the viewer will be perfectly content watching this from the comfort of their own home. If you wish to make a social occasion of this movie, feel free to search for a theater option.
But you will not be missing anything major by watching this through Netflix. Just don’t watch it on your phone (unless there are no other options). Will there be a Happy Gilmore 3 released in the next 30 years? Who knows? By that time, Sandler’s mobility will be limited, and I cannot see him performing his iconic golf swing without the use of AI.
I would like to take the time to share with my subscribers that Koda Uhl and I will be producing the next episode of our podcast, Moviehouse Mystics. We will be tackling the iconic Adam Sandler movie, Happy Gilmore, as we anticipate the long-awaited release of its sequel this July 25 on Netflix.
In preparation, we are hoping to get as many opinions as possible regarding the original 1996 film. So please feel free to share a comment about what you liked (or even disliked) about Happy Gilmore.
Is it the insertion of hockey culture at the golf clubs?
Is it Shooter McGavin’s poor choices of insults? (“I eat pieces of shit like you for breakfast!”)
Or is it the fist-fight between the title character, Happy, and iconic gameshow host Bob Barker?
If you can, please feel free to comment below. It will be greatly appreciated as we get to work on the next episode.
The witches are back — and so are we!
The City of Cinema 