jeffgintz Reviews

Hitting the Cycle (2012)

Started strong, faded to a boring predictable slog

[4/10 · 16 March 2024]

The minor league baseball scenes at the start hold potential. The main character, Ripley, has some decent baseball skills for an indie film. There seems to be a chance this could lead somewhere interesting. Then, it fades to my most disliked cliche... guy returns to small town hometown... everything has stayed perfectly frozen in time for our hero who doesn't want to return to the small town... the heavens open and everything perfectly aligns for our hero like can only happen in a small town in the movies... our hero resolves everything perfectly by the end, the entire town bends over backwards to accommodate our hero, and our hero rides off into the perfect small town sunset with no problems. Complete garbage, lazy film making.

Spaceman (I) (2024)

Terrible and I'm a Sandler fan

[2/10 · 4 March 2024]

I wanted so much to like this. I respect Sandler stretching recently and think the old school stuff is hilarious.

Ar least with Sandler movies such as Grown Ups we know it's all a goof. Spaceman isn't fun or funny or interesting.

I think Sandler was trying to punk us with Spaceman as he and the makers of this drivel couldn't have released this movie with a straight face. I've stopped and started this movie three times now and still can't complete it since it's total nonsense and an utter snoozefest. Again, these guys cannot be serious. I am left scratching my head and shrugging my shoulders.

Everything Everywhere All at Once (2022)

Has potential, too ridiculous and offensive

[3/10 · 27 February 2024]

I was caught up in the hype of this being an amazing, groundbreaking movie so went in with sky high expectations. Which is bad for me because I almost always end up disappointed and tougher on the movie than need be. The same thing happened here as I left my viewing of this movie so let down.

It definitely had potential except it was too scatterbrained to fulfill that potential. It was needlessly violent, vulgar, and offensive. It could have accomplished its mission without these elements, which I understand is not realistic in today's pop culture world. Oh well.

I will admit I didn't "get" much of this film. Maybe it will connect with you and you will enjoy more than I did.

Greater (2016)

A for effort and intentions, F for execution

[5/10 · 20 February 2024]

Brandon Bulsworth appears to have made quite an impact on this world in his (sadly) short time on this earth. That seems undisputed.

The issue is that the movie itself is brutally terrible. They have taken a compelling and amazing story and turned it into a snoozefest. Poor acting and awkward plot construction make this a boring watch. I left feeling this movie about an amazing angel should have been so much more.

Apparently this was an independent effort so I'm willing to cut them some slack. If a major Hollywood studio produced it, the entertainment results would have been better. I'm guessing they would have loss much or most of the Christian element, though.

The movie isn't without redeeming qualities. Even though they give away the ending immediately, I still teared up at the end.

Everybody Loves Raymond (1996–2005)

Didn't age well

[6/10 · 18 August 2023]

Looking at Raymond 25 years after the fact and it did not age well. It's odd that things seem so simplistic just 20 years. The world has changed so much, leaving the Raymond show looking like a boring dinosaur.

The plots are so basic, cliched, and simplistic as to seem unbelievable most of the time when looked at through a current day lens. Still, the comedy does hit the mark occasionally causing riotous laughter. Unfortunately, those moments are not frequent enough. Back in the day , I would have said 19. Now, it's just a 6. King of Queens has aged better and should be your nostalgia binge watching choice for this time era and genre.

MTV Floribama Shore (2017–2021)

I'm ashamed to admit that I've watched (and enjoyed) some episodes of this show

[3/10 · 21 May 2023]

It's bottom of the barrel television. You will lose IQ points if you watch and will need a shower after. In my defense, I search streaming services for hours and just can't find anything that interests me, so I just give up and watch trash like Floribama Shore. It's entertaining in a perverse sort of way.

Negatives: the in your face Christianity of convenience constantly on display. These folks act like amoral heathens then pray to relieve their guilt or when their behavior has placed them in a bad spot. It isn't repentance if you have no real intent or desire to change your immoral behavior. And, the guilt heaped down upon these poor people due to their non Christian behavior is offensive. Is this really how southern Christianity works? I honestly don't think so and hope not.

The women in the house are annoying and so unattractive. Candace is alright, the rest are so gross and offensive. Nilsa at least has a kind heart.

The guys are dudes I would have hung with in my partying days because they at least have a little tiny sense of morality at their core. Kirk is an awesome guy, Codi is solid. Jeremiah is a bit annoying yet seems like an ok buddy. Gus has issues yet is super likeable. That being said, I wouldn't allow any of these guys within 100 yards of any woman that I cared about as they are not dating material for good women.

There isn't much to the show. Petty drama and a lot of partying. If you can get over the obvious moral conundrum of whether you should watch, you will like the guilty pleasure of watching the cast do their thing and their crazy partying hijinks.

Seinfeld: The Fix Up (1992) Season 3, Episode 16

Kept me laughing throughout the entire episode

[10/10 · 15 January 2023]

When Seinfeld was on the air, I was all in on the series. I used to discuss episodes with my friend group and we would use some of the sayings. I remember gathering together with dozens at a food establishment to watch the final episode of the series. We won't go down that path of criticizing the final episode. I actually thought it was alright. Anyhow, no television series since and almost none in the future will unite so many, the popular culture is too fractured with so many options via streaming, etc.

For this particular episode, I couldn't remember it so many years later. I watched it this morning and was thoroughly entertained from start to finish. The subject matter was still timely and relevant 30+ years later. The dialogue fresh and on point. Pure comedy genius. Of course, Janice from Friends was the icing on the cake of this masterpiece.

Love & Basketball (2000)

Always surprised at how this movie resonates

[10/10 · 6 January 2023]

Everytime I watch this movie, I am so pleasantly surprised. It's a nice mixture of basketball and a love story. The love story isn't too emotional or over the top so the men should still like it. There is just enough sports action so that the ladies don't check out. It's a great date night movie. It really packs a wallop with so many great and memorable scenes. The chemistry between the two lead characters is really believable and really captures your attention. The female lead, Sanaa Lathan, outshines the more famous male lead, Omar Epps. She gives a great performance and it is easy to identify with her character. The supporting cast is all competent, though the focus is on the leads and both leads do an amazing job. This movie is easy for everyone to enjoy. Whenever it is showing, I try to at least catch a few minutes and always get drawn in.

Beavis and Butt-Head (1993–2011)

The boys are back in town

[10/10 · 19 September 2022]

In today's post pandemic, dark and dreary world, the heavens have blessed us with a ray of light and hope - new Beavis and Butt-Head episodes. The boys are as stupid - and as funny - as ever. The jokes are still as silly, ridiculous, and immature as they were before yet still make me laugh. The key is to not take this too seriously and just enjoy. Some of the new episodes have "old" Beavis and Butt-Head skits, which I presume is a flash forward to today and provide a peek at Beavis and Butt-Head now in their late forties. It's a fun, new, and interesting perspective. The boys have not matured, still saying and doing outlandish and funny things. Enjoy this blast from the past, with slight updates for today.

The Space Between Us (I) (2017)

Flawed yet charming

[6/10 · 5 June 2022]

Yes, there are plot and scientific holes aplenty. If you can get into the mindset that it's just a movie and not necessarily scientifically accurate, then you might be able to buckle in and enjoy. The teen love story was touching and I was able to connect with both characters. The overall entertainment value was decent if you can live with the flaws.

Mars Attacks! (1996)

Silly, silly, silly.

[2/10 · 1 March 2022]

This movie isn't funny or entertaining - it's silly and 'stoopid'. It's quite an all-star cast. The actors try to make lemonade out of lemons, they just can't overcome the terrible script. This movie might entertain a six year old if they could scrub the (somewhat cartoonish) violence. I guess this genre just isn't my thing, it probably deserves more stars. There's just no connection for me to this ridiculous and silly movie. It's just lame.

The Woman in the Window (2021)

Boring and predictable

[3/10 · 10 February 2022]

Not even the great and wonderful Amy Adams can save this hot mess. They tried to rip off five or so different classics and wind up with a predictable snooze fest. So disappointing.

Level 16 (2018)

Surprisingly entertaining

[9/10 · 6 February 2022]

I didn't know anything about this movie heading into the viewing and was pleasantly surprised. Nice acting efforts from the girls and the doctor. It wasn't a super surprising twist at the end, yet just good enough. I enjoyed the female empowerment message, the girls really showed some moxie.

Going in Style (2017)

I had to take a shower after watching this movie.

[1/10 · 18 January 2022]

Robbing a bank is not okay, no matter what reasons the movie beat up over the head with trying to justify the crime. It's just wrong, no matter if they give some of the money away after the heist. Further, the bank robbery scene was so far beyond belief it was ridiculous. They would have been found guilty, too, as there was more than enough for a conviction.

The three lead actors are legendary talents and it was fun to watch them work together. I just couldn't get past the moral failings and justification of robbing a bank.

Spectral (2016)

They had the best of intentions.

[2/10 · 15 December 2021]

It simply appears that the actors can't act, the writers can't write, the directors can't direct, the producers can't produce, etc. This movie is painfully boring. It just isn't good at anything. I think their intentions were sincere, so two stars instead of one. I can't tell you anything about the movie as I sat there for an hour and a half wondering why I cared. It's just a bunch of cliches thrown together.

Stargate (1994)

Mediocre attempt at something interesting

[3/10 · 5 December 2021]

Stargate has a new and interesting concept at the core of the movie. Too bad it is boring and too silly to be interesting beyond a superficial level. The characters are ridiculously one dimensional and it's difficult to care about them. Apparently, this movie lead to television series, which is somewhat surprising considering how lame the movie is.

Replicas (2018)

Not believable

[3/10 · 2 December 2021]

There wasn't much redeeming, interesting, or believable in this clunker. The plot is beyond ridiculous, even for the genre. The whole mess is just silliness and couldn't keep my attention. The only memorable aspect is Keanu Reeves doing Keanu Reeves things - I'm a fan of the guy, hence the three stars.

Blade Runner (1982)

I don't get what all the fuss is about.

[4/10 · 28 November 2021]

This is a slow moving, boring movie. I saw it in the 1980s and was bored then. I thought maybe I was too you (11 or 12) at the time to understand it. Well, I watched it again nearly 40 years later and was still bored nearly to tears. There are some redeeming aspects - Harrison Ford is all Harrison Fordy in a good way and a young Daryl Hannah gives a nice performance.

My Best Friend's Wedding (1997)

Absolute garbage

[1/10 · 17 October 2021]

This "film" {air quotes} is the bottom of the barrel. Simply a train wreck on top of a car crash of a script - it is intensely boring, unbelievable, and you end up rooting against all of the three main characters. These characters are people I would not spend one minute of my time with in real life. Everything about this movie is wrong - stay away from it.

Pretty in Pink (1986)

Better than I remember

[9/10 · 18 June 2021]

I watched it the other day for the first time since I saw it in the theaters in the 1980s. It better than what I remember as the 15 year old me thought it was just okay. Watching it all these years later, I really appreciated the simplicity of the wrong side of town message in the film and the honest way it was portrayed. Molly Ringwald and Andrew McCarthy give brilliant performances as the leads. Annie Potts and Jon Cryer as Duckie are marvelous in supporting roles. James Spader plays his part to perfection as Blane's rich snob friend. His character Steff oozes sleeze and is reprehensible - exactly what was needed and a masterful 80s performance. Even Andrew Dice Clay makes an appearance and manages not to mess up things. It's a quick, easy film that has aged gracefully.

The Mighty Ducks: Game Changers (2021–2022)

It got stoopider as the season dragged along.

[2/10 · 12 June 2021]

It showed some promise at the start of the season. Unfortunately, it just became too unbelievable, ridiculous, and clichéd by the end of the season. It was just too silly and improbable to be taken seriously. Too bad as I had high hopes. It was just unfathomable that the Don't Bothers would beat the Ducks. Absolutely fake. There were so many other ways to go with this, why choose the most ridiculous conclusion?

2 Broke Girls (2011–2017)

Surprisingly awesome

[10/10 · 16 March 2021]

The jokes are low class, trashy, offensive... and funny. I don't want to like it. I don't want to laugh. I just like it and laugh every episode. Some things in life you can't explain. You just sit back and enjoy the ride.

Coming 2 America (2021)

Boring and predictable

[3/10 · 6 March 2021]

The worst case scenario plays out and the long awaited and anticipated sequel falls flat. There is nothing interesting about the plot and you know every second of the movie what is going to happen next. They really mailed it in on the writing. I kept thinking they had 30 years and this was the best they could do? It looks like they scratched everything together the night before filming. At least it's satisfying to see almost everyone return from the original. It was a real gut punch to be so disappointed. Oh well, maybe the third movie will come sooner and be much more entertaining.

The Crew (II) (2021)

It would have to improve to be mediocre.

[4/10 · 19 February 2021]

I'm halfway through season 1. Poor Kevin James, he has fallen from grace and this sad sack of a show confirms he has lost his magic touch. King of Queens is possibly my favorite TV show of all time so it pains me to talk so negatively of Kevin... He is out of ideas, dependent on the laugh track, and is tarnishing his legacy with the drivel of The Crew off the heels of the train wreck on top of a car crash that was Kevin Can Wait. The Crew is 100% clichéd (and not funny) tripe. Everything is forced and ridiculously stupid. I think I have chuckled twice so far through six episodes. I'm trying to be positive about The Crew. It just isn't happening since the plot, characters, and jokes are so bland. I don't know, maybe it's me since I think NASCAR is ridiculously inane so I don't get those jokes.

Sweet Home Alabama (2002)

This movie is boring.

[3/10 · 28 November 2020]

I never laughed or chuckled once, so I don't know what the comedy part of this movie would be. Even looking at it logically after seeing the movie, I still don't see one second of comedy here. Unless you laugh at stereotypes of southern small town folks and New York city residents. There is no romance, either. The entire premise of the movie is ludicrous. Why does Reese's character suddenly love the soon to be ex-husband after seven years of hate and wanting a divorce? They present no plausible reason other than Reese spending a few days in her magical (completely unbelievable and only in Hollywood) small town/hometown. The script is so terrible, it seems like a 6th grader in remedial English class is the author. The only redeeming aspect of this movie is getting to watch the enchanting Reese Witherspoon for two hours, thus the 3 stars.