RACE FOR YOUR LIFE CHARLIE BROWN (Released to Theaters 1977)

 

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 4.2|5.0 Starsìììì  Race for Your Life Charlie Brown—light and innocent—tells a wonderful story. The animation still relies on that simple Charlie Brown style. It's a classic animated film that everyone will fall in love with. The voice casting is wonderfully chosen. Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images Storyline  Charlie Brown and the gang go to summer camp.     Additional Thanks  Thank you to Director Bill Melendez for directing effort.  Thank you to Bill Melendez and Lee Mendelson for making the film possible. Cast includes Duncan Watson, Stuart Brotman, Gail Davis, Liam Martin, Melanie Kohn, Jimmy Ahrens, Kirk Jue, Jordan Warren, Tom Muller, Greg Felton, and Bill Melendez.  Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? Yes. This is a great film and tells a great story. It is the classic film for everyone young and old. Video Critique Available Here: Ben Meyers

101 DALMATIANS (Released to Theatrical USA 1996)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 3.9|5.0 Starsììì

101 Dalmatians is a little short in time length, but makes up for that in its Wow! factor. This movie is a great, live-action remake of the animated movie of the same name. The terrific acting of Glenn Close as Cruella De Vil makes this movie work beyond expectations. She creates an unforgettable character. Her henchmen, acted by Mark Williams and Hugh Laurie, are perfectly rendered. Watch for some of the best costuming of any film from 2009. Kudos to the Rosemary Burrows and Anthony Powell costuming department.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

Cruella De Vil (Glenn Close) desires the spotted fur from Dalmatian puppies to make clothing.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director Stephen Herek for directing efforts. Thank you to Executive Producers Edward S. Feldman and Bill Ryan for making the film possible. Cast include: Jeff Daniels, Joely Richardson, Joan Plowright, Hugh Laurie, Mark Williams, John Shrapnel, and Alonzo Tim McInnerny.

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. The script by John Hughes is well-written and makes a good, solid foundation for Director Stephen Herek to perform the magic that makes this film one that can be watched over and over by the child and adult. It’s a good home library addition.

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Ben Meyers

COYOTE FALLS (Released to Theaters USA 2010)

 

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 3.9|5.0 Starsììì  Coyote Falls—not as good as the original Wile E. Coyote/Roadrunner short film classics from the 1949 era and forward—retains the tropes of Coyote and Roadrunner and that inclusion of well-known identifiers makes this story work. The portrayal and presentation work at the suitable to good range. The animation uses computer generation and is 'awesome'. It's an interesting and fun watch. Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia  Storyline  Wile E. Coyote goes after Roadrunner from a bridge and uses a rope as a jumping aid.    Additional Thanks  Thank you to Director Matthew O'Callaghan for directing effort. Thank you to Producers Spike Brandt and Tony Cervone for making the film possible.   Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?  Yes. It's a suitable, fun watch that has very good computer animation compatible with current computer animation effort.  Video Critique Available Here: Ben Meyers

SUPER FUZZ (Released World-Wide 1980)*

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 3.9|5.0 Starsììì Super Fuzz—not a quality watch but cutely comical—entertains even though it relies on a predictable storyline. It completely satisfies Terence Hill fans.   Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia Storyline A policeman gets superpowers from a plutonium bomb.  Additional Thanks Thank you to Director Sergio Corbucci for directing effort. Thank you to Producers Vittorio Galiano and Josi W. Konsi for making the film possible. Cast includes Terrence Hill, Ernest Borgnine, Joanne Dru, and Marc Lawrence. Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?  Yes. Ernest Borgnine and Terence Hill make a good casting choice for this Italian film.

 

*Also Known as Super Snooper

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Ben Meyers

ITHACA (Middleburg Film Festival Middleburg Virginia USA 2015)

Ben Meyers’ rating—4.4|5.0 Starsìììì

Ithaca explores the occupation of telegram delivery through periods of war. While it seems to contain bits and pieces and whole yards of storyline from films like the 2002 We Were Soldiers, the 1943 The Human Comedy, and the 2011 Telegram Man, it is well enough written to deserve its own special watch. Sam Shepard’s acting is superbly natural and completely complimented by the acting skills of Hamish Linklater and Alex Neustaedter. Meg Ryan performs at her usual professional pace and it is a treat to see her son, Jack Quaid, playing in the movie with her. It seems that movies have a deeper emotional feel when family members team to depict story lines. An example is the 2010 The Way that teamed Emilio Estevez with his father, Martin Sheen.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

Homer Macauley (Alex Neusteadter) gets a position at the telegraph office and finds the position requires delivery of telegrams informing Mothers and family members that their sons have died in World War 2.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director Meg Ryan for her directing efforts. Thank you to Executive Producers Jason Cloth, Aaron L. Gilbert, Gary Goetzman, Tom Hanks, Robert Immerman, Steven R. Palmisano, Scott Setrakian, Alan Simpson, and Allan J. Stitt for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Willie Grogan (Sam Shepard), Mr. Macauley (Tom Hanks), Mrs. Macauley (Meg Ryan), Marcus Macauley (Jack Quaid), Mary Arena (Molly Gordon), Tom Spangler (Hamish Linklater), Tobey George (Gabriel Basso), Home Macauley (Alex Neustaedter), and Corbett (Scott Shepherd).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. It is worth watching. Although there is not a large storyline here, the acting is very good and the story is well portrayed.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

WHEN JEWS WERE FUNNY (Released to The Toronto International Film Festival, Toronto, Ontario, Canada 2013)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 4.0|5.0 Starsìììì

When Jews were Funny—a significant and well-done documentary film—contains terrific interviews with 37 of the best of our standup comedians including Gilbert Gottfried, Howie Mandel, Eugene Mirman, Bob Einstein, Andy Kindler, Shelley Berman, and David Steinberg. This is a good, informative watch, a winner of the 2013 Toronto International Film Festival.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

Alan Zweig believes Jews are not as funny now as in the past and attempts to prove his point with archival footage and live interviews with Jewish comedians.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director Alan Zweig for directing efforts. Kudos to Musical Composer Michael Zweig for outstanding musical accompaniment Thank you to Executive Producer Perry Rosemond for making the film possible. Cast include: Marc Maron, Shelley Berman, Rodney Dangerfield, Howie Mandel, Gilbert Gottfried, Bob Einstein, Eugene Mirman, Jack Carter, Judy Gold, Norm Crosby, Andy Kindler, Alan King, Shecky Greene, Jackie Mason, David Steinberg, Elon Gold, Henny Youngman, Aaron Berg), and David Brenner.

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. This documentary is highly entertaining.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

SCHOOL OF ROCK (Released to Theaters USA 2003)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 4.0|5.0 Starsìììì

School of Rock—offbeat and entertaining—allows Jack Black plenty of opportunity to show the audience his full comedic range. His supporting cast creates the perfect venue to allow him to explode to higher entertainment levels as he leads and they follow a most unlikely path to become full-fledged rock musicians. Rocking is what Jack Black (as character Dewey Finn) does. As he leads a music class to explore this part of the music world, a great story is born that is both unique and engaging.

Film Poster  Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

Dewey Finn (Jack Black) doesn’t have a job. Desperate, he pretends to be a fifth grade teacher, is accepted, and trains the class to win a musical contest called Battle of the Bands.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director Richard Linklater for directing efforts. Thank you to Executive Producers Scott Aversano and Steve Nicolaides for making the film possible. Additional recognition needs to go to Composer Craig Wedren and Writer Mike White. Cast include: Jack Black, Adam Pascal, Lucas Papaelias, Sarah Silverman, Mike White, Joan Cusack, Miranda Cosgrove, Kevin Alexander Clark, Robert Tsai, Maryam Hassan, and Zackary Infante.

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. It’s Jack Black at his best in a terrific, upbeat piece of entertainment. No lack found in this film.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

VIRUNGA (Released to the Tribeca Film Festival Manhattan, New York 2014)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 4.5|5.0 Starsìììì

Virunga—an informative Netflix documentary—tells about African men who risk their lives to save the last of the Mountain Gorillas.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

Oil exploration, an endangered specie, and politics create a tenuously ordered structure that is deeply threatened by poachers.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director Orlando Von Einsiedel for directing efforts. Thank you to Executive Producers Leonardo DiCaprio, Howard Buffet, Maxyne Franklin, Lisa Nishimura, Jess Search, Adam Del Deo, and Jon Drever for making the film possible. Special mention to Musical Composer Patrick Jonsson and Writer Orlando Von Einsiedel. Cast include: André Bauma, Emmanuel de Merode, Mélanie Gouby, Rodrigue Mugaruka Katembo, and Vianney Kazarama.

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. It’s an interesting watch because it explores a small portion of the complexities that involve environmental issues when commerce and politics are deeply intertwined with exploration of oil reserves.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

INTO THE WHITE * (Released to the Oslo Film Fest Oslo Norway 2012)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 4.5|5.0 Starsìììì

Into the White—a Norwegian film based on true events—contains some of the best foreign filming for 2012. While this film did not make money in the box office, it’s a good watch that proposes the interesting situation of placing German and British World War II bomber plane crash survivors in an isolated cabin where they must cooperate in order to survive a bitter winter. The acting is of such high quality that one feels one is watching actual real life situations. The terrific British casting choices include: Lachlan Nieboer and Rupert Grint, both superb for their parts. The terrific German casting includes: Florian Lukas, Stig Henrik Hoff, and David Kross, all superb for their parts.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

During a World War II air fight, a German plane is shot down leaving three survivors. The British fighter plane also crash lands leaving two survivors. The five men, despite the uneasy relationship, survive a bitter Norwegian winter by learning to rely on and trust one another.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director Petter Næss for directing efforts. Thank you to Executive Producer Peter Garde for making the film possible. Cast include: Florian Lukas, David Kross, Stig Henrik Hoff, Lachlan Nieboer, Rupert Grint, Kim Haugen, Knut Joner, Morten Faldaas, and Sondre Krogtoft Larsen.

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. It’s a quite good film and well worth watching, one of the best Rupert Grint films since the Harry Potter series.

* Also known as Comrade, Lost in the Snow, or Cross of Honour

Video Critique Available Here :

Ben Meyers

MACHINE GUN PREACHER (Released to Theaters USA 2011)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 4.0|5.0 Starsìììì

Machine Gun Preacher asks questions about our role as human beings and just how far we are willing to go to establish justice and security in our world. The movie begins edgily and takes a very surprising twist as main character Sam Childers (Gerard Butler) ‘gets’ religion. The storyline is definitely not preachy, creates conscience dilemmas, and shows one man’s solution to those dilemmas. The film’s story needs to be told and this one is told well. While it lost money in the box office, the film is exceptionally well cast with an unpredictable solution to grave human problems that make it an excellent choice.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

Sam Childers (Gerard Butler) ‘gets’ religion and becomes involved in endeavors to save African orphans.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director Marc Forster for directing efforts. Thank you to Executive Producers Gerard Butler, Michael Corso, Kyle Dean Jackson, Myles Nestel, Bill O’Kane, Louise Rosner-Meyer, Adi Shankar, Alan Siegel, Spencer Silna, and Brad Simpson for making the film possible. Cast include: Gerard Butler, Michelle Monaghan, Kathy Baker, Michael Shannon, Ryann Campos, Madeline Carroll, Souleymane Sy Savane, Grant R. Krause,  Reavis Graham, and Peter Carey.

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. Overall, a wonderful movie that inspires one to get involved with helping others.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

BABY’S DAY OUT (Theatrical Release USA 1994)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 3.7|5.0 Starsììì

Baby’s Day Out—funny with a few heartfelt scenes and a basic, good storyline—turns into a good film. Story-wise, the presentation is suitable, and the film is cute. The acting is usual for slapstick comedy. The film is a suitable watch. Watch for a terrific, soft introduction and a very nice tie in with that introduction at the conclusion of the movie. Terrific adherence to classic story-telling techniques. The stage settings for the house and nursery are outstanding—eye candy for dreamers.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

Mischievous and wealthy Baby Bink (Adam Robert Worton) is kidnapped and leads his abductors on a wild chase.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director Patrick Read Johnson for directing efforts. Thank you to Executive Producer William Ryan for making the film possible. Cast include: Joe Mantegna, Lara Flynn Boyle, Joe Pantoliano, Brian Haley, Cynthia Nixon, Fred Dalton Thompson, John Neville, and Matthew Glave.

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Maybe. It’s an afternoon flick to watch when nothing else is available, has some reminiscence (parallelism) to the first Home Alone movie except with a substitution of a very cute baby in the place of an older child.

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Ben Meyers

ERNEST SAVES CHRISTMAS (Theatrical Release USA 1988)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 3.5|5.0 Starsììì

Ernest Saves Christmas—okay—relies on that unique comedic style of Jim Varney that drives all his movies. not first class and not a front row piece of entertainment, an afternoon, easy-on-the-mind entertainment style with a little comedy thrown in here and there...it is a style that is average...but charming, watchable, suitable, clean, and as refreshing as a child's innocent laughter.   

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

Santa Claus (Douglas Seale) comes out of an airport complaining about failure to remember what everyone wants for Christmas. Santa retrieves his toy bag from baggage, hails a taxi, and draws Ernest P. Worrell (Jim Varney) as his taxi driver.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director John R. Cherry III for directing efforts. Thank you to Executive Producers Joseph Akerman and Martin Erlichman for making the film possible. Cast include: Jim Varney, Oliver Clark, Noelle Parker, Gailard Sartain, Billie Bird, Bill Byrge, Robert Lesser, and Key Howard.

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Maybe. This is an average movie that has a creative charm of its own...a sweet holiday watch that works for Jim Varney fans.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

FRIGID HARE (Released to Theaters USA 1949)

 

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 3.9|5.0 Starsììì  Frigid Hare—Bugs Bunny—is a creative short film that is also a good watch.   Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images Storyline Bugs Bunny, looking for a warm Florida vacation, ends up at the South Pole.  Additional Thanks  Thank you to Director Charles M. Jones for directing effort. Thank you to Producer Edward Selzer for making the film possible. Cast includes Mel Blanc. Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. This is a suitable watch.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

NO PLACE ON EARTH (Released to the Toronto Film Festival Toronto, Ontario, Canada 2012)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 4.1|5.0 Starsìììì

No Place on Earth—another enthralling World War II survival story—tells firsthand how several Jewish families survive World War II hidden inside Ukrainian caves. This story utilizes actual survivors of that event: Saul Stermer, Sam Stermer, Cliff Stermer, Yetta Stermer, Sonia Dodyk, Sima Dodyk, Erin Grunstein Halpern, Chris Nicola, and Sol Wexler as well as actors standing in for those who have since passed. Terrific work for Director Janet Tobias.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

An exploration of Ukrainian caves reveals they have been recently inhabited by humans.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director Janet Tobias for directing efforts. Thank you to Musical Composer John Piscitello for musical scores. Thank you to Esther Stermer for writing the memoirs entitled, “We Fight to Survive,” on which the film is based. Thank you to Executive Producers J. Flint Davis, Timm Oberwelland, Steven Ruchefsky, Jeff Field, David McKillop, Molly Thompson, Susan Werbe, Katja Zink, and Andrew O’Connell for making the film possible. Cast include: Saul Stermer, Sam Stermer, Sonia Dodyk, Sima Dodyk, Yetta Stermer, Sol Wexler, Chris Nicola, Erin Grunstein Halpern, and Cliff Stermer.

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. This is a ‘How to Survive 101’ film.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

PAUL BLART: MALL COP 2 (Theatrical Release USA 2015)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 4.1|5.0 Stars ìììì

Paul Blart Mall Cop 2 succeeds because someone had the foresight to cast Kevin James as Paul Blart in the first and second films. Despite a few noticeably ‘forced’ scenes deliberately repeated for comedic effect (i.e., Blart skidding across the floor on his side past a planter), the sequel works and becomes an easy afternoon of light entertainment. We get the surprise of our lives when we find Blart in a troubled marriage and follow the movie to see how his life will turn for the better. Along with the drama involved with an only daughter getting ready to leave for college and start her own life, the film blends action with pathos and comedy in, of all places, Las Vegas.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Additional Thanks

Great work for Director Andy Fickman for his directing efforts. Thank you to Executive Producers Marty P. Ewing, Jeff Sussman, and Ben Waisbren for making the film possible. Cast include: Kevin James, Raini Rodriguez, Neal McDonough, David Henrie, Shirley Knight, Daniella Alonso, Eduardo Veràstegui, and Nicholas Turturro.

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes.  A good watch, but not as good as the first film.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers