The Fantastic 4: First Steps2025
Great cast, visually stunning, and well-crafted story but I cannot help but feel like something essential is missing even if I cannot put my finger on what it is exactly.
← Jake Shear 
Jake Shear’s reviews
Published public reviews
Caught Stealing2025
Nothing particularly original about the story but it was well-crafted and an enjoyable ride with a loaded cast. It’s reminiscent of early Guy Ritchie. I thoroughly enjoyed it.
(500) Days of Summer2009
A fantastic film… the chemistry between Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Zoey Deschanel is palpable. I was really pulling for them but I suppose it’s more realistic this way.
The Long Walk2025
Stephen King can make anything entertaining. This movie was an emotional rollercoaster from start to finish; even if the internal logic leaves something to be desired.
Ballad of a Small Player2025
I was pleasantly surprised after reading so many rotten reviews. Colin Farrell was excellent as always. The whole cast performed extremely well. The film was visually stunning. The story wasn’t terribly original and I saw the twist coming from a mile away but I still found it to be a very enjoyable film.
Midnight Run1988
*Midnight Run *is an action-packed frenemy road trip comedy in the vein of *Planes, Trains, & Automobiles only *with the Mafia, the FBI, and guns. It is a very fun film like cinematic chicken soup. Charles Grodin (who I can’t say I have seen in anything else) as the Duke absolutely steals the film. His performance is masterful and endearing, and his chemistry with De Niro is off the charts. If I had to nitpick anything it’s that it feels like a few story threads were left unresolved, particularly involving Walsh’s backstory. I feel as though the movie could have benefited from an additional 10-15 minutes to better wrap these threads up.
Bugonia2025
A psychological thrill ride that is thematically appropriate in the age of disinformation, echo chambers, and unabated rage.
Together2025
Alison Brie and Dave Franco are fantastic but the film never really makes any attempt to explain what’s going on besides a reference to Plato and a cult…
F12025
There’s nothing particularly original about the story. It’s just very well-told.
Frankenstein2025
Fantastic movie. Well paced. The only thing that didn’t really work for me is the relationship between the Creature and Elizabeth, there just wasn’t enough there.
Rushmore1998
No one creates a world and a visual aesthetic quite like Wes Anderson. He’s the kind of filmmaker you either love or you don’t and I love him.