Jeff's Reviews

Thoughts on every movie I've ever seen.

recent product reviews

Robin Hood: Men in Tights (1993)

Reviewed on Aug 2, 2026

Mel Brooks is all about silly, but at least it used to come with risk, satire, and social commentary. Now it’s just dumb. References to other movies, especially his own, are cheap. Elwes reprises the wisecracking medieval hero he played so perfectly in The Princess Bride, but he’s nowhere near…

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The Odyssey (2026)

Reviewed on Jul 27, 2026

Truly epic in every sense, from the scope of the story to the practical effects, cinematography, and large-format presentation. What Christopher Nolan has accomplished with IMAX cameras, mirrors, and in-camera photography is a true technical achievement (even if the focus-pulling occasionally misses in some close-ups). This is an enormous undertaking,…

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The Invite (2026)

Reviewed on Jul 17, 2026

Something different. Strange sense of nostalgia here, perhaps because of the emphasis on writing, long takes, minimal editing, and a single set. It feels simple, intimate, and theatrical. It takes good writing to sustain interest on the story on such a small set, and this film’s got it. This easily…

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Tummy Trouble (1989)

Reviewed on Jun 26, 2026

If you’re a huge fan of Roger Rabbit, then maybe this is fun. But it’s not very clever, and the animation is a small tick down from the film.

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Honey, I Shrunk the Kids (1989)

Reviewed on Jun 26, 2026

Writing and acting are garbage. Visual effects are pretty good for their time, but the situations that exist to showcase them seem forced. It’s as if the movie was made the advertise an upcoming Disney theme park ride. The punchy line delivered by the kid at the end of the…

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Killers of the Flower Moon (2023)

Reviewed on Jun 5, 2026

A welcome departure for Scorsese, not from his fascination with crime and violence, but from the urban settings that usually frame them. Proves that it isn’t the streets that draw him, it’s relationships that exist on the knife-edge of violence and the threat of brutality at any moment. Clearly a…

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Pee-wee’s Big Adventure (1985)

Reviewed on May 11, 2026

Quirky style, quirky characters, quirky jokes. Burton’s revelry at intersection of quirk and absurd and brutes and macabre, all wrapped in a cartoonish dream world, is apparent even in this, his first film. You can see the acting, hear the script, and the humor is completely flat.

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One Battle After Another (2025)

Reviewed on Apr 27, 2026

A flurry of characters and arcs, and it takes a minute to figure out which ones to follow. Quirky personalities, careful color grading, an atonal piano score, and confident pacing make each scene engaging on its own, and the final chase scene is a highlight. Simple, classic, and beautifully shot.…

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Homecoming: The Tokyo Series (2026)

Reviewed on Apr 16, 2026

Wonderfully subtle title graphics and a gentle, contemplative opening set the stage nicely. But what follows is a film with structural issues that ultimately dilute its impact and prevent a cohesive story from emerging. The bulk of the film focuses on Japan’s cultural connection to baseball. We meet a female…

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My Mom Jayne (2025)

Reviewed on Mar 30, 2026

A story of tragic loss and love. Mansfield’s story is deeply tragic, and Mariska Hargitay is remarkably vulnerable, honest, and courageous. Her personal journey is deeply compelling, and the support of her siblings and extended family makes it even more meaningful. I was profoundly touched by how much love and…

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