THE COBBLER
The concept: Adam Sandler steps away from lowbrow comedies for an indie dramedy about a cobbler who can become anyone whose shoes he puts on.
The reaction: Critics have been even less kind than they are to Sandler’s typical fare. Rolling Stone called it “beyond awful” and LA Weekly said it “invented a new category of terrible.”
ZOMBEAVERS
The concept: Zombie. Beavers. Yep.
The reaction: Surprisingly positive! It debuted at last year’s Tribeca Film Festival, where the LA Times said it had “fun moments” and “some clever awareness,” although Variety called it “an inspired idea in search of better gags and actors.”
THE VOICES
The concept: Cheerful, friendly Jerry (Ryan Reynolds) is actually a serial killer whose dog and cat talk to him (the cat tells him to kill, the dog tells him not to).
The reaction: Although not as acclaimed as director Marjane Satrapi’s Oscar-nominated debut film Persepolis, it does hold a 77 percent fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes.