Linda Thomas: at the movies

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Rating: PG -13

Overall rating: 3 1/2 out of 5 stars
Best for Ages: 16+

Ages 3 - 7: Red
Ages 8 - 12: Red
Ages 13 - 17: Yellow
Violence Amount: Yellow
Violence Portrayal: Yellow
Fear: Green
Illegal / Harmful: Green
Language: Yellow
Nudity: Yellow
Sex:Yellow

Review:
Michael (Adam Sandler) is an ambitious architect who spends all his time at work, instead of with his family. His wife, Donna (Kate Beckinsale), is tired of making excuses to their two children for their father. Michael does not even know which remote to use at home for the TV, DVD, garage door or the stereo. One night, he leaves home to buy a universal remote that will control all his machines. He goes to a store and meets Morty (Christopher Walken). Morty gives Michael a very special remote that will change his life. The new remote can be used to fast forward through fights with his wife, dinner with the family and meetings with his boss, Ammer (David Hasselhoff). The remote develops a memory for what Michael likes and what he does not want to live through. Soon, Michael is missing all the important moments with his family. All he does is work for that better life where he will have time for his family. When he finally becomes a partner at his firm, his family is in ruins and he has missed it. He wants more than anything to win his family back. He finally realizes what is really important in life. There are the usual Sandler jokes full of crude and sex related humor (the family dog repeatedly humping a stuffed animal, fart jokes). There is also more than usual language for a PG-13 movie (children swearing is supposed to be funny). The second half of the movie turns more serious as Sandler is learning life lessons. If you enjoy Sandler, this movie can be entertaining for older teens and adults. I would recommend it for teens 16 and older. What would you do with a universal remote to run your life? What would you want to speed-up or slow down?