REEL CRITICS

‘Chuck and Larry’ is nothing more than a contrived sitcom

The Adam Sandler Empire has produced another low brow comedy that’s sporadically funny and consistently stupid.

It’s directed by Dennis Dugan who also did “Happy Gilmore” and “The Benchwarmers.” This time around the targets of the old tired jokes are all things homosexual. “I Now Pronounce You Chuck & Larry” drags out every gay stereotype ever seen in an awkward search for laughs.

Adam Sandler and Kevin James are Chuck and Larry — two New York firemen who are best buddies. Larry’s wife dies and he needs a new domestic partner to continue benefits for his kids. This leads to Larry asking Chuck to pretend they are a gay couple to solve the problem. What follows from this premise is a story as confused and silly as its main characters.

Nonstop gay bashing is mixed in with pious lectures about tolerance and understanding. The humor includes many sexual references that challenge the PG-13 rating. This film wants to be cutting edge. But in spite of its touchy subject, it really plays like a contrived TV sitcom. And you can see plenty of those at home for free.

‘Hairspray’ holds its bounce and shine with upbeat songs

“Hairspray” the movie musical is just as exuberant as the original 1988 John Waters cult fave, and is perhaps even better than the 2002 Broadway show.

Set in 1962, Tracy Turnblad is a bubbly Baltimore teenager who lives for the hour when she can dance in her living room to the “Corny Collins Show” on TV. The show is run by Velma Von Tussle (Michelle Pfeiffer), a former Miss Baltimore Crab who enforces an all-white policy for dancers except for the once-a-month “Negro Days.”

Tracy desperately wants to try out as a show regular, but zaftig mother Edna worries that her petite, plus-sized daughter will be rejected based on her looks.

“Hairspray” is all about love and acceptance, and some fairly serious issues are cleverly tucked into the joyously upbeat songs and the dazzling choreography (by Adam Shankman).

The cast is terrific, especially Nikki Blonsky as Tracy, a girl who’s not afraid to throw her weight around. Following the gimmick of the original film, Edna Turnblad is played by a man — and although you never forget you’re watching John Travolta in a fat suit, he brings a sweetness to the role and can still strut his stuff.

Pfeiffer is deliciously bad, especially when she tries to seduce Christopher Walken, who plays Wilbur Turnblad. But he only has eyes for Edna — as the movie says, why settle for a twig when you can get the whole tree?