Get Smart
Dir: Peter Segal
2008
***
I don't remember seeing the original series of Get Smart so I can't compare it to that but it has the same producer so I'm guessing it was made with a level of authenticity. personally, I thought it was just okay, harmless and inoffensive and funny in places, nothing special but not bad and fine of an evenings entertainment. I think had it not have had Steve Carell it may have been much worse although that said, the supporting cast are all on form.

Grudge Match
Dir: Peter Segal
2013
***
Grudge Match is the story of a re-match between two aged boxers with a 30 year grudge against each other. An okay premise, but when the two boxers in question are Rocky Balboa and Jake La Motta (Sylvester Stallone's Rocky and Robert De Niro's Raging Bull) it becomes a seriously exciting premise. Not only is it an interesting thing to see the two fictional versions of Rocky and La Motta fight it out, it is also interesting to see the two actors fight it out. Both Rocky and Raging Bull are recognised as the best boxing films of all time, I personally can't pick a favorate of the two and I'm sure I'm not alone, so the film plays on this premise perfectly. Rocky also beat Taxi Driver in the 1977 Oscars, although neither man won best actor that year, De Niro did win best actor for Raging Bull 4 years later. It's been an even fight ever since and although there are similarities to Rocky's last outing, Rocky Balboa, it is good natured and very tongue in cheek. It's not all good though. The script lets the story down and Kevin Heart's character became a little tedious towards the end. All in all though, the back story and the out of the ring scenes were pretty well thought out with the cliches forgivable and at a minimum. It's wry, likable and good clean fun.

50 First Dates
Dir: Peter Segal
2004
***
If you Ignore Rob Schneider's over the top character and Sean Astin's rather weak acting, 50 First Dates is actually a very sweet and well written romantic comedy. For me to say I actually enjoyed an Adam Sandler film is rare indeed but with the right script and direction I think he can be good. There is a genuine tenderness to the wacky idea and the romance never comes second to the comedy or vice versa.