Jeff's Reviews

Thoughts on every movie I've ever seen.

recent product reviews

The Man Who Wasn’t There (2001)

Reviewed on Apr 4, 2005

A slow-moving but beautifully shot Coen film, replete with a whimsical invention (dry cleaning, in thie case) and omnipresent death. Thorton is pretty good.

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Chocolat (2000)

Reviewed on Apr 2, 2005

Similar to the sensual food drama Like Water for Chocolate. It’s OK, but the story is just not interesting enough to move this slowly. I had a hard time figuring out when it takes place. Molina is good, Depp is obviously good. His first turn as an accented pirate is…

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North By Northwest (1959)

Reviewed on Apr 1, 2005

One of Hitchcock’s best. Interesting story, and Grant has got the lines. Saint was the old Christina Applegate. Hitchcock’s penchant for English talent means that too many of the characters in this American film have accents. The most interesting thing about this movie, I think, is that it bridges the…

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Closer (2004)

Reviewed on Mar 30, 2005

A simple movie about the complexity of human nature; a harrowing, unflinching look at how disgusting people can be. A meandering walk down the fine line between passion and jealousy. Like Unfaithful, this film conveys very personal, very real, very dramatic emotions without sugar-coating them or dissolving them in a…

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Total Recall (1990)

Reviewed on Mar 26, 2005

This is an important science fiction movie. This original (though based on a book) story which introduced many groundbreaking sci-fi elements: the pill (Matrix), brain implants (Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind), mutants as good guys (X-Men), and stomach creatures (Aliens). Some effects are better than others, but it holds…

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Iceman (1984)

Reviewed on Mar 23, 2005

I saw this as a kid, and I remember being enthralled. Today, it’s not bad. Story is interesting, but I feel like it needed something, maybe one more act? He’s discovered, thawed, lives in a bear enclosure, makes a friend, bangs his head on a helicopter, and goes for a…

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Mystic River (2003)

Reviewed on Mar 19, 2005

Good cast. Everyone pulls off the Jersey thing quite well. A lot of characters, alsmot too many. Some new angles: Penn plays a guy who is good, Bacon plays a guy who is tough. OK story, but it takes a while to unfold. Surprised Eastwood is directing movies like this.

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The Village (2004)

Reviewed on Mar 18, 2005

Shyamalan knows what he’s doing. He builds suspense better than anyone, combines it with a story that makes you think, high-quality production (super fluid camera movements, great photography, perfect timing), and a well-used and beautiful score. You end up with a movie that can really get inside of you. Borrows…

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Catch Me If You Can (2002)

Reviewed on Mar 15, 2005

The story doesn’t really explain why he became such a delinquent, but it’s still fun to watch. DiCaprio likes to play sketchy characters who have breakdowns. Hanks is good in a supporting role.

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Napoleon Dynamite (2004)

Reviewed on Mar 13, 2005

Funny stuff. Hess knows comedy, and Heder is a character. Not sure about his name, though. The understatement by all the cast members makes it work. Very similar to Election, another offbeat MTV high school movie.

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