James Patterson – Movie Reviews – J

MOVIE REVIEWS – J’S


J. Edgar movie poster

J. Edgar

I loved Gran Torino and Million Dollar Baby. However, I’m not really sure Clint Eastwood should be the most celebrated and followed historian of our era. I have a few issues with Letters from Iwo JimaInvictus, and J. Edgar, if only because for a lot of people, that’s how they’ll view some pretty key events and figures in our history.

On DVD: Amazon
On Demand: Amazon | iTunes
Posters: Amazon


Jack Reacher movie poster

Jack Reacher

When I was a kid my mother would make these clean-up stews. And my father would say helpful things like, “You like green beans, you like eggs, you like chicken hash, you like shrimp—so how can you say you don’t like this stew?” Well I like Tom Cruise movies, and I like most of the Jack Reacher novels—but I didn’t particularly like this stew. The dialog is kind of flat, the shooting isn’t very good, and Tom ain’t Jack.

On DVD: Amazon
On Demand: Amazon | iTunes
Posters: Amazon


Jack Reacher: Never Go Back movie poster

Jack Reacher: Never Go Back

Lee Child is his name—thrillers are his game. Jack Reacher novels are always exciting and intelligent from beginning to end. This movie is fast-paced, but gets Hollywood-stupid in the final third. B

On DVD: Amazon | Barnes & Noble
On Demand: Amazon | iTunes
Posters: Amazon


Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit movie poster

Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit

This is not a Tom Clancy film, this is not a Jack Ryan film. This is not, in my opinion, a very well directed film. But it’s still fun to watch.

On DVD: Amazon
On Demand: Amazon | iTunes
Posters: Amazon | Movie Poster Shop


The Jane Austen Book Club movie poster

The Jane Austen Book Club

Pick of the Week

I’m such a girl sometimes, but Sue and I love this one.

On DVD: Amazon
On Demand: Amazon | iTunes
Posters: Amazon


Jason Bourne movie poster

Jason Bourne

Pick of the Week

Matt Damon is back, which means that Jason Bourne is back. Lots of people get shot, lots of stuff blows up, but with some style. A-

On DVD: Amazon | Barnes & Noble
On Demand: Amazon | iTunes
Posters: Amazon | Movie Poster Shop


Jeff, Who Lives at home movie poster

Jeff, Who Lives at Home

Terrific actors, two of my favorites—Jason Segel and Ed Helms—but I didn’t find the concept for the movie particularly compelling.

On DVD: Amazon
On Demand: Amazon | iTunes
Posters: Amazon


Jennifer's Body movie poster

Jennifer’s Body

I was expecting to really enjoy this because I absolutely adored Juno—but it felt like an unfocused and incoherent Heathers to me. Or Saw for girls—without the subtlety. I’m amazed that fans seem to have sniffed this one out, and didn’t flock to theaters. The trailer seemed somewhat promising to me.

On DVD: Amazon
On Demand: Amazon | iTunes
Posters: Amazon


Jersey Boys movie poster

Jersey Boys

I think that Clint Eastwood had an interesting take on how to make this something more than just a Broadway production. The result was kind of uneven for me. This is one of those movies that caricatures just about everybody who ever lived in Jersey.

On DVD: Amazon
On Demand: Amazon | iTunes
Posters: Amazon | Movie Poster Shop


John Carter movie poster

John Carter

Pretty bad casting, directing, acting, and a very bad script. Other than that, I loved it. The critics seemed somewhat mystified about how one of the principle players at Pixar—John Lasseter—could have created this mess. My theory—John Lasseter was missing from the process (according to everyone I’ve ever spoken to, Lasseter is the genius of geniuses at Pixar. It sure looks that way.)

On DVD: Amazon
On Demand: Amazon | iTunes
Posters: Amazon


John Wick movie poster

John Wick

Keanu Reeves is definitely a movie star, but I don’t entirely get his choice of roles. C

On DVD: Amazon
On Demand: Amazon | iTunes
Posters: Amazon | Movie Poster Shop


John Wick: Chapter 2 movie poster

John Wick: Chapter 2

Eliminate a couple hundred murders (I’m not exaggerating) and this would be a fun thriller. Kind of wicked and witty. B

On DVD: Amazon | Barnes & Noble
On Demand: Amazon | iTunes
Posters: Amazon


Johnny English Reborn movie poster

Johnny English Reborn

Pick of the Week

You need to have a British sense of humor but this James Bond spoof is pretty good. It ‘s hugely popular in England, of course, and also around the world. Not here, however. Shame on you, Yanks!

On DVD: Amazon
On Demand: Amazon | iTunes
Posters: Amazon


Jonah Hex movie poster

Jonah Hex

I’d have to check my records, but I think this is the worst movie of the year so far (and I like Josh Brolin). Terrible direction, or editing, or both.

On DVD: Amazon
On Demand: Amazon | iTunes
Posters: Amazon


Joy movie poster

Joy

A bit disappointing. Jennifer Lawrence is wonderful, and the story has a lot of potential, but it kind of dragged for me. B-

On DVD: AmazonBarnes & Noble
On Demand: Amazon | iTunes
Posters: Amazon | Movie Poster Shop


Joyful Noise movie poster

Joyful Noise

The title pretty much says it all.

On DVD: Amazon
On Demand: Amazon | iTunes
Posters: Amazon


Julie and Julia movie poster

Julie & Julia

Julie & Julia is a delight that will have you leaving the theater and searching for a good French restaurant. Meryl Streep, as always, is fabulous as Julia Child—especially the touches and nuances she adds to the script. The ending disappoints, but not enough to spoil the meal.

On DVD: Amazon
On Demand: iTunes
Posters: Amazon


Jumanji: Welcome to the Jingle movie poster

Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle

I liked Dwayne Johnson and Kevin Hart, but the onslaught of dumb movies like this is depressing. C+


Jumper movie poster

Jumper

You’ll love it or hate it. I definitely liked the idea of leaving out all the boring parts, which is a main idea in the flick. But the story needed more fabric and the dialogue needed well, a writer?

On DVD: Amazon
On Demand: Amazon | iTunes
Posters: Amazon


Juno movie poster

Juno

Pick of the Week

Juno has some of the best dialog I’ve heard in a long time. It looked terrific in the trailer and for once the movie is even better. All the actors do a fantastic job, but especially Ellen Page. This and Once are my favorites of the year.

On DVD: Amazon
On Demand: Amazon | iTunes
Posters: Amazon


Jurassic World movie poster

Jurassic World

Corporate America creates a Frankenstein-style dinosaur. No, that’s not right. Corporate America creates a Frankenstein-style dinosaur movie. I would rather have watched the Steven Spielberg sequel to Saving Private Ryan or Schindler’s ListB

On DVD: Amazon
On Demand: Amazon | iTunes
Posters: Amazon | Movie Poster Shop


Jurassic World Fallen Kingdom movie poster

Jurassic World Fallen Kingdom

I don’t know why I keep getting sucked into sequel upon sequel upon sequel of movie franchises. This one maintains interest from beginning to end. B


Just Go With It movie poster

Just Go With It

Pick of the Week

Adam Sandler and Jennifer Aniston are actually pretty terrific together. They appear to get along very well and it shows on the screen. My quibble would be that this is pitched as an all-family film and it’s a bit rough for little kids.

On DVD: Amazon
On Demand: Amazon | iTunes
Posters: Amazon