The Times of Israel Daily Briefing ToI movie maven Jordan Hoffman reviews Rob Reiner's 'The Sure Thing'
Dec 27, 2025
Jordan Hoffman, a film critic known for his insightful reviews, joins Amanda Borschel-Dan to discuss the 1985 romantic comedy 'The Sure Thing' by Rob Reiner. They explore the film's coming-of-age theme and the charm of its characters, sharing varied opinions on its portrayal of women. Jordan reveals entertaining anecdotes about Jack Black's impressive mother and previews upcoming productions like 'Marty Supreme'. The duo reflects on how 80s films resonate differently today, emphasizing the impact of personal context.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Who By Fire Multimedia Performance
- Amanda describes attending Who By Fire, a multimedia Leonard Cohen stage piece combining English songs and Hebrew narration.
- She praises the Hebrew translation and gives the show a top mark of "not bad."
Jack Black's Rocket-Scientist Mom
- Jordan recounts Jack Black's mother, Judith Love Cohen, as a pioneering NASA engineer who helped save Apollo 13.
- He contrasts the rocket-scientist family background with Jack Black's comedic film career.
Reiner's Uncommon Early Run
- Jordan outlines Rob Reiner's early 1980s run from This Is Spinal Tap to A Few Good Men as unusually prolific and varied.
- He frames The Sure Thing as Reiner's second film inside that remarkable creative streak.