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3/5
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Renfield
(2023)
|
Jeff Beck
|
The story itself ends up leaving something to be desired, feeling like an intriguing concept in search of a better narrative, ultimately turning a semi-fun flick into something mostly forgettable.
Posted Jun 05, 2023
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2.5/5
|
Shazam! Fury of the Gods
(2023)
|
Jeff Beck
|
It may boast a few impressive cast members, but with its toned-down levity & unengaging storyline, it becomes just another flat, forgettable entry that fits right in with the other bland DC films of the past decade.
Posted May 22, 2023
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3/5
|
Wings of Desire
(1987)
|
Jeff Beck
|
It's a fine work of art, though one that leaves you wishing for a little more substance, ultimately making this a film that's very easy to admire, but a little difficult to truly love.
Posted May 16, 2023
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4/5
|
The Seventh Seal
(1957)
|
Jeff Beck
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Ingmar Bergman's The Seventh Seal stands as one of the writer/director's greatest triumphs thanks to its exploration of intriguing themes that are woven into a tapestry of fascinating & compelling characters
Posted Apr 17, 2023
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3.5/5
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Rebel Without a Cause
(1955)
|
Jeff Beck
|
Rebel Without a Cause remains an entertaining classic even after nearly 70 years thanks to its intriguing themes and stunning performances.
Posted Apr 05, 2023
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3.5/5
|
Training Day
(2001)
|
Jeff Beck
|
Training Day may have a somewhat basic storyline, but it still offers up a mostly-engaging look at its subject, with a pair of outstanding & compelling performances from its stars that give the film the extra oomph it needs.
Posted Feb 27, 2023
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3.5/5
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The Fabelmans
(2022)
|
Jeff Beck
|
The Fabelmans may be a light, average film that's not particularly memorable, but thanks to an exceptional ensemble and an intriguing story of how a cinematic genius got his start, it becomes well-worth the somewhat lengthy two and a half hour investment.
Posted Feb 13, 2023
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3.5/5
|
Bones and All
(2022)
|
Jeff Beck
|
Bones and All is a rather odd little road film, and can be a little slow as its characters go on their journey, but thanks to its intriguing premise and a pair of captivating performances, this becomes a trip ultimately worth taking.
Posted Jan 30, 2023
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2/5
|
Black Adam
(2022)
|
Jeff Beck
|
With its uninspired narrative, paper-thin characters, and an uncharacteristically uncharismatic Dwayne Johnson, Black Adam merely presents yet another DC dud that fails to excite, entertain, or even remotely engage.
Posted Jan 02, 2023
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4.5/5
|
The Banshees of Inisherin
(2022)
|
Jeff Beck
|
Taken all together, McDonagh and co. have crafted an exceptional film, one that's strange, quirky, and maybe even a little unsettling to some, but also one that easily stands as one of the very best of the year.
Posted Dec 19, 2022
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2.5/5
|
Don't Worry Darling
(2022)
|
Jeff Beck
|
Don't Worry Darling is a pretty film to look at, and has a partly intriguing mystery on its outset, but it ultimately succumbs to a lack of development and a predictable, half-baked ending that just isn't worth the two-hour wait to get there.
Posted Nov 28, 2022
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3/5
|
Malcolm X
(1992)
|
Jeff Beck
|
Spike Lee's Malcolm X is a curiously conventional biopic of an extraordinary individual, dutifully laying out his life story, but ultimately saying little about the man himself.
Posted Nov 21, 2022
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3.5/5
|
Bullet Train
(2022)
|
Jeff Beck
|
With unpredictable intersecting storylines, innovative fight sequences, and a memorable cast of characters, Bullet Train is that rare action flick that doesn't skimp when it comes to delivering in the important areas that are often neglected in the genre.
Posted Oct 18, 2022
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2.5/5
|
Jurassic World Dominion
(2022)
|
Jeff Beck
|
It has an intriguing crisis at its core, but ultimately succumbs to the same problems its predecessors did in that the screenplay is extremely weak, once more padding the film out to an absurd runtime with monotonous action sequences.
Posted Aug 18, 2022
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|
3.5/5
|
The Virgin Suicides
(1999)
|
Jeff Beck
|
Sofia Coppola's The Virgin Suicides may not have much of a plot to speak of, but thanks to a talented cast and intriguing subject matter, it remains a hypnotic and compelling experience that keeps you engaged for its brief 90-minute runtime.
Posted Jul 08, 2022
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3/5
|
Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore
(2022)
|
Jeff Beck
|
It may have been somewhat amusing to spend more time with some of the more intriguing characters of this world, but it's hard not to come away indifferent to the film's stretched-out plot, which, like the previous entries, is rather forgettable.
Posted Jun 27, 2022
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2/5
|
Morbius
(2022)
|
Jeff Beck
|
Sadly just about every element of the film ends up dragging it down, including a screenplay in search of a more compelling plot, a multitude of bland characters, cheap-looking special effects, and a very subdued lead performance from Jared Leto.
Posted Jun 12, 2022
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2.5/5
|
Ambulance
(2022)
|
Jeff Beck
|
Despite many attempts to liven it up with large doses of spectacle, it just can't compensate for a story on a fast track to nowhere, resulting in a rather forgettable action extravaganza.
Posted Jun 12, 2022
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|
2.5/5
|
The Tales of Hoffmann
(1951)
|
Jeff Beck
|
[The film] boasts extraordinary visuals in terms of its costumes, sets, and cinematography, but sadly falls short when it comes to its narrative, which features three curiously insubstantial tales that don't present much for the audience to engage with.
Posted Jun 06, 2022
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2.5/5
|
The Batman
(2022)
|
Jeff Beck
|
Matt Reeves' The Batman features skillful cinematography, an epic score, and a memorable turn or two from the cast, but it's all undone by a remarkably weak screenplay that ultimately turns the film into a repetitive, unengaging, and over-long slog.
Posted May 23, 2022
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4/5
|
Belfast
(2021)
|
Jeff Beck
|
The narrative may lean towards being a bit simplistic, but Branagh more than makes up for it by going above and beyond in creating deeply-felt and unforgettable characters that grab you from the start and never let go.
Posted Feb 28, 2022
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4.5/5
|
The Red Shoes
(1948)
|
Jeff Beck
|
The Red Shoes stands out as a remarkable artistic experience, made even more memorable by the layers of art that went into telling this portrait of artists in pursuit of their passions.
Posted Dec 13, 2021
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|
3.5/5
|
The Suicide Squad
(2021)
|
Jeff Beck
|
James Gunn's The Suicide Squad represents a considerable improvement over David Ayer's disastrous 2016 film, infusing exciting action, great characters, and lots of humor into a highly entertaining flick.
Posted Nov 01, 2021
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|
2.5/4
|
Dune
(2021)
|
Jeff Beck
|
While the visuals are certainly top-notch, and brilliantly brought to the screen, the adaptation of the material itself is sadly lacking.
Posted Oct 20, 2021
|
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2/5
|
Old
(2021)
|
Jeff Beck
|
With its sub-par storytelling, lapses in logic, and generally dull plotting, Old represents another failed outing for struggling writer/director M. Night Shyamalan.
Posted Oct 18, 2021
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3/4
|
No Time to Die
(2021)
|
Jeff Beck
|
It's hardly the best Bond film, but what screenwriters Purvis, Wade, Fukunaga, and Waller-Bridge have given us here is an emotionally-satisfying, exciting, and solidly-entertaining entry in the franchise that delivers exactly where it needs to.
Posted Oct 06, 2021
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5/5
|
A Clockwork Orange
(1971)
|
Jeff Beck
|
With Kubrick's brilliant direction & screenplay (from the novel by Anthony Burgess), astounding visuals, and intriguing themes, the film is an unforgettable cinematic experience that continues to elicit much discussion and analysis.
Posted Sep 20, 2021
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5/5
|
Shrek
(2001)
|
Jeff Beck
|
20 years later, Shrek remains a timeless animated classic thanks to its exceptional, highly-entertaining story, which comes packed with a multitude of amusing moments, and marvelous, fleshed-out characters that have you engaged every step of the way.
Posted May 10, 2021
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3.5/5
|
Secrets & Lies
(1996)
|
Jeff Beck
|
There may not be a whole lot of plot to it, but what's there is emotionally engaging, and performed by a remarkable ensemble.
Posted Mar 29, 2021
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3/5
|
The Parallax View
(1974)
|
Jeff Beck
|
It's impeccably made, featuring sharp direction, incredible camerawork, and a remarkable turn from Beatty, but thanks to a somewhat lackluster script, this political thriller ultimately becomes a slow burn to a disappointing and unsatisfactory conclusion.
Posted Feb 09, 2021
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3/4
|
Soul
(2020)
|
Jeff Beck
|
Looking at the film as a whole, it teeters between being good and great, with the great portions being of typical excellent Pixar quality and the good portions being surprisingly average.
Posted Dec 14, 2020
|
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3.5/4
|
News of the World
(2020)
|
Jeff Beck
|
Greengrass and co. have crafted a marvelous film, one that will dazzle your eyes with all of the hard work that went into creating its period setting and play on your heartstrings with its fleshed-out characters and its exciting, gripping story.
Posted Dec 11, 2020
|
|
2.5/4
|
Mank
(2020)
|
Jeff Beck
|
David Fincher's Mank ends up being something of a beautiful mess, replete with visual splendor and solid performances, but lacking in a strong enough foundation to make it all worthwhile.
Posted Dec 03, 2020
|
|
2.5/4
|
The Croods: A New Age
(2020)
|
Jeff Beck
|
The Croods: A New Age is hardly a terrible sequel, but with the somewhat weaker storyline, it does end up having the feeling of something that perhaps should've been a direct-to-Blu-ray release.
Posted Nov 23, 2020
|
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4/5
|
Moonstruck
(1987)
|
Jeff Beck
|
With a sharply-written, Oscar-winning screenplay populated with compelling characters and an outstanding ensemble, Moonstruck goes beyond the typical rom-com trappings to deliver something a little more substantial than your standard entries in the genre.
Posted Nov 17, 2020
|
|
2.5/4
|
Tenet
(2020)
|
Jeff Beck
|
On the whole, while Tenet does have some things to like about it, it does ultimately prove to be one of Nolan's weaker efforts, at least from a narrative standpoint.
Posted Sep 04, 2020
|
|
3.5/5
|
The Hunt
(2020)
|
Jeff Beck
|
The Hunt may turn some viewers off with its thinly-veiled political leanings and somewhat extreme moments of violence, but for those able to accept it as the wild, over-the-top ride that it is, it can be a highly-entertaining and amusing thriller.
Posted Jun 11, 2020
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|
3.5/5
|
The Invisible Man
(2020)
|
Jeff Beck
|
The Invisible Man is an effective horror thriller that utilizes outstanding special effects, a chilling storyline, and a strong performance from Elisabeth Moss.
Posted May 25, 2020
|
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3/5
|
Just Mercy
(2019)
|
Jeff Beck
|
Just Mercy features a trio of fine performances from its excellent cast, but thanks to a very by-the-numbers approach to its overly-familiar story, it ends up being a rather standard and forgettable procedural.
Posted Apr 13, 2020
|
|
4.5/5
|
1917
(2019)
|
Jeff Beck
|
Sam Mendes' 1917 is a remarkable technical achievement, utilizing brilliant direction, cinematography, editing, visual effects, production design, and sound design, to tell a spellbinding tale that easily ranks as one of the very best films of 2019.
Posted Mar 24, 2020
|
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4/5
|
Richard Jewell
(2019)
|
Jeff Beck
|
With a thrilling and captivating story, as well as a fantastic ensemble topped with a powerful performance from Paul Walter Hauser, Richard Jewell is Clint Eastwood's long-awaited return to filmmaking greatness.
Posted Mar 16, 2020
|
|
3/5
|
Doctor Sleep
(2019)
|
Jeff Beck
|
Mike Flanagan's cinematic adaptation of Stephen King's Doctor Sleep is visually-striking and beautifully made, but an insubstantial narrative stretched out to three hours sadly make it a film that fades from memory pretty quickly.
Posted Feb 03, 2020
|
|
2/4
|
Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker
(2019)
|
Jeff Beck
|
Whereas Johnson's The Last Jedi had been daring, exciting, and encapsulated everything that makes Star Wars great, The Rise of Skywalker brings the trilogy to an end with a bland, dull, and very forgettable final entry.
Posted Dec 20, 2019
|
|
3/5
|
Ready or Not
(2019)
|
Jeff Beck
|
It presents a fascinating setup with a childhood game that turns into a deadly hunt, giving you a few good thrills and darkly-humorous moments along the way, but unfortunately Busick and Murphy's screenplay doesn't do quite enough with the premise.
Posted Dec 10, 2019
|
|
2.5/4
|
Terminator: Dark Fate
(2019)
|
Jeff Beck
|
Terminator: Dark Fate ends up being so close to what we should have for a sequel, but in the end it just falls a little too short.
Posted Oct 31, 2019
|
|
3/4
|
Harriet
(2019)
|
Jeff Beck
|
Harriet works as a reverent biopic about the famed freedom fighter, telling Tubman's story with beauty and grace, while never fully losing sight of its power and importance.
Posted Oct 31, 2019
|
|
3/4
|
Joker
(2019)
|
Jeff Beck
|
As an origin story it's rather compelling to see what drove the man down the path we know he has to eventually tread, and as a character study it's equally captivating to see the effects it has on the man himself.
Posted Oct 04, 2019
|
|
2/4
|
It: Chapter Two
(2019)
|
Jeff Beck
|
This second part is simply far less captivating, is in no rush to get anywhere, takes an incredibly long time to get to the point, and ultimately doesn't really do much of anything on its way there.
Posted Sep 10, 2019
|
|
3.5/5
|
All Is True
(2018)
|
Jeff Beck
|
Sir Kenneth Branagh's All is True is a splendid little treat for Shakespeare fans, especially for those who've always wanted to know a little more about the man himself.
Posted Aug 27, 2019
|
|
1/5
|
Godzilla: King of the Monsters
(2019)
|
Jeff Beck
|
With its mind-numbingly dull action, flat characters, and nonsensical plot, it's rather difficult to find a single redeeming quality in the entirety of the two-hour tedious mess that is Godzilla: King of the Monsters.
Posted Aug 27, 2019
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