Jeff's Reviews

Thoughts on every movie I've ever seen.

recent product reviews

The Wonderful, Horrible Life of Leni Riefenstahl (1993)

Reviewed on Oct 28, 2022

What a remarkable connection to history she is. Great to have been able to get these interviews with her, even if this project was conceived by Leni herself. Fiery and pretty sharp for 90. I really appreciated Leni’s very frank and matter-of-fact answers. What I like most is how they…

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On Deadly Ground (1994)

Reviewed on Oct 25, 2022

A festering pile of shit, from story to editing to acting to casting. Seagal is a C-list action star and a D-list actor. Shame seeing respectable actors like Caine and Thornton wasted. Hard to take McGinley seriously. The PSA and associated press footage tacked onto the end is laughable. And…

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A Personal Journey with Martin Scorsese Through American Movies (1995)

Reviewed on Oct 17, 2022

The guy is passionate about movies. I wonder how many of today’s directors have this kind of passion for and familiarity with the classics. Should have been required viewing in film school. I like how personal it is, and I love Scorsese’s unique, fast-talking narration. But a camera fixated on…

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David Attenborough: A Life on Our Planet (2020)

Reviewed on Oct 13, 2022

This is not a biography, but it certainly gives us a lot more insight into the man than we’ve ever gotten before. A true personal statement, and since he’s one of the few experienced enough in this subject, he’s earned the right to make one. Beautiful footage from the documentaries…

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Coda (2021)

Reviewed on Oct 3, 2022

A beautiful film, with magic coming from the sweet and cleanly told story, the heartfelt and authentic characters, and perfect casting. The drama of having a voice in a deaf family is real and marvelously explored in this one. Similar drama plays out in Mr. Holland’s Opus (though perhaps in…

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Soul (2020)

Reviewed on Oct 2, 2022

Interesting exploration of complicated ideas and a real thinker for spiritual adults, but it might be a little too cerebral for kids. The genius of Pixar is that their stories are not about enemies. Instead, the antagonist is always life and its emotional complexities. The hero must find a way…

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The Batman (2022)

Reviewed on Sep 29, 2022

They set out to make something even darker and moodier than the Nolan’s Batman, and they succeeded. The contemplative pace something different for a superhero movie. I like it overall, but it starts to wear a bit in a movie this long. After The Lighthouse and this one, Pattison is…

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Encanto (2021)

Reviewed on Aug 21, 2022

Engaging story full of magic, wonderful animation, and good comedy. It’s clear that Disney has assimilated Pixar without major consequence, as this one feels like an independent Pixar release.

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Nope (2022)

Reviewed on Aug 16, 2022

Beautiful photography, effects are impressive, and Peele is really great at creating tension and suspense for a few moments at a time, but all these little moments don’t support a very good story. Carnivorous alien spaceships? Why are they here and what do they want? Where is the media or…

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Spider-Man: No Way Home (2021)

Reviewed on Aug 2, 2022

Nice to get all the old stars back, I guess, but the story and dialogue is awfully goofy. A spell that has the power to destroy the universe is interrupted by Peter Parker being annoying? And now his motivation is to make all the bad people from the old movies…

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