Jeff's Reviews

Thoughts on every movie I've ever seen.

recent product reviews

Seabiscuit (2003)

Reviewed on Dec 28, 2003

All over the place, almost a touching story. Who was it about? The horse? The jockey? The owner? The trainer? Cars? America? Georgie has got to be the most redeeming character in the history of film. Some neat photography, and the thundering charge when Seabiscuit really takes off is awesome.

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The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (2003)

Reviewed on Dec 24, 2003

Probably the best of the three, but like the others, too literary. Too many strange character names and place names to keep up with. A clearer idea of what’s going on would have made things a lot more dramatic. Finally, there’s closure, and it’s as refreshing as it was in…

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Cleopatra (1963)

Reviewed on Dec 19, 2003

Not interesting enough to support its length. Not sure if it’s even possible to be interesting enough. Lavish costumes and sets, but an unfortunate victim of 60’s mainstream filmmaking: long and boring takes, wall-to-wall dialogue, everyone has English accents, too many strings in the score. Taylor doesn’t do it for…

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The Out of Towners (1970)

Reviewed on Nov 29, 2003

Pretty funny for an older movie. There aren’t too many older movies with such sarcasm. A good road comedy, very much like Planes, Trains, & Automobiles. Great writing by Simon, and except for a few especially theatrical moments, Lemmon delivers perfectly. He’s a master at combining voice, expression, and situation…

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Dr. Seuss’ The Cat in the Hat (2003)

Reviewed on Nov 29, 2003

The animated intro graphics are probably the most faithful to Seuss’ vision and the most interesting few seconds of the film. Loud sound effects and Myers laughing at himself get old. Sprinkling what is mostly a silly kids film with inappropriate toilet humor doesn’t work. And the whole movie is…

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Elf (2003)

Reviewed on Nov 25, 2003

Surprisingly touching. A story about the Christmas spirit that may last the ages. Ferrell’s good, with a few decent laughs, but he’s capable of funnier stuff. Deschanel’s a cutie and a great singer.

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The Matrix Revolutions (2003)

Reviewed on Nov 19, 2003

The plot’s a bit convoluted. Not sure it needed to be this complicated. The dialogue continues to be enigmatic, almost laughable at times. Interesting to see that Keanu, who clearly cannot act, did not have the use of his eyes (an actor’s most emotive tool) in the film’s most dramatic…

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The Office (2001–2003)

Reviewed on Nov 10, 2003

One of the funniest things ever on television. Don’t think humor this subtle would ever catch on in America.

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Life Is Beautiful (1997)

Reviewed on Nov 5, 2003

Nice story. Mixes comedy with drama quite effectively, like Signs. The most fascinating thing to see, I think, is watching someone who is always funny trying to deal with a serious situation. I would have liked to see Benigni get even more serious, and to see things get even more…

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The Scorpion King (2002)

Reviewed on Oct 26, 2003

Paint-by-numbers story and action and effects, but they really lost me with the electric guitars. Rock was kinda funny, but I know he could have been a lot funnier. I know he’s capable of it. That arm-wrestling chick was incredible.

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