Jeff's Reviews

Thoughts on every movie I've ever seen.

recent product reviews

The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou (2004)

Reviewed on Dec 27, 2004

Good characters, good acting, interesting, emotional. Same offbeat comedy and campy 70’s feel as Royal Tenenbaums and Rushmore. Tenenbaums’ Hackman and Paltrow are ably replaced by a wimpy Dafoe and Blanchett. I like the way Anderson’s career is going.

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Shrek 2 (2004)

Reviewed on Dec 20, 2004

Lacks the originality of the first one, but just as smart. The cat is wonderful. Countless amusing references.

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Ocean’s Twelve (2004)

Reviewed on Dec 17, 2004

More than anything, it’s just a bunch of movie stars hanging around and having a good time. Stylish like the original, but there’s just not enough story. The twists keep piling up on each other to the point that I don’t want to get attached to any of the characters…

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Sex, Lies, and Videotape (1989)

Reviewed on Dec 14, 2004

Engaging and personal. The story runs a bit slow at times, with Spader’s bumbling dialogue almost bringing it all to a halt at times. Soderbergh’s directing skills are apparent. The beginning of a successful and productive relationship with Cliff Martinez. Although the acting is imperfect, the characters are great. Very…

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Hero (2002)

Reviewed on Dec 9, 2004

Just not much fun. The Rashomon-inspired story is meager, the characters are uninteresting. The martial arts and swordplay are pretty good, but the wire stunts are artificial and the effects are a few dollars short of Matrix quality. Lots of nice photography and fabulous use of color, but what for?…

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Spider-Man 2 (2004)

Reviewed on Dec 2, 2004

Great action and lots of nice shots. The train scene is pretty amazing. Funny! Maguire is believable and entertaining, Molina is refreshingly real, and Simmons is once again perfect.

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Alexander (2004)

Reviewed on Nov 29, 2004

Obviously a tribute to the historical figure. An epic story, but a bit slow and rolling, making the running length seem much longer than it really is. A few moments of real drama and some gripping action scenes punctuate the storyline. Some of these battles we’ve never seen before. The…

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In America (2002)

Reviewed on Nov 28, 2004

Choked me up. Fabulously made by Sheridan, and the acting is fantastic. The kids were truly magical. Where are the Oscars? Maybe a hair long.

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The Stepford Wives (2004)

Reviewed on Nov 24, 2004

It’s got some stars in it, but it’s not a very moving story, and it’s a bit slow. How were they able to fool Mike at the moment of truth in his complex? Kidman is good in a familiar role as a paranoid woman trying to figure out how the…

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National Treasure (2004)

Reviewed on Nov 22, 2004

Another one off the Hollywood conveyor belt. Not bad, but nothing special. While I like Cage, I think he’s getting a bit old and goofy to be an action star, I think. Kruger is hot.

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