HERE COMES MR. JORDAN (Released to Theaters USA 1941)

 

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 3.9|5.0 Starsììì  Here Comes Mr. Jordan—not the usual story—is complicated in storyline. It' s a movie that requires careful watching and consistent mental involvement. The title of the film does not describe the film well.  Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images Storyline An angel pulls a  man out of a crashing plane and brings him to heaven prematurely. Now, a supervising angel must rectify the challenges presented. Additional Thanks Thank you to Director Alexander Hall for directing effort. Thank you to Producer Everett Riskin for making the film possible. Cast includes Robert Montgomery, Claude Rains, Evelyn Keyes, James Gleason, Edward Everett Horton, Rita Johnson, and John Emory. Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?  Yes. It performs at the exceptionally creative and unique level. The movie may appeal highly to audiences who like movies that entangle the spiritual world with the material world.  Video Critique Available Here: Ben Meyers

PENNY SERENADE (Released to Theaters USA 1941)

 

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 3.6|5.0 Starsììì  Penny Serenade—uncommon storyline—plays like any other romance, but this one is weak in portrayal, presentation, and acting. The movie lacks believability and strong writing skill. Big name critics raved about this movie, but it does not live up to the hype 'by a long shot.' Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images  Storyline A man finds a woman in a record shop and falls in love. He eventually gets a job in Japan. By this time, they have been dating for a while and he tells her that he wants to get married. Additional Thanks Thank you to Director  George Stevens for directing effort. Thank you to Producer George Stevens for making the film possible. Cast includes  Irene Dunne, Cary Grant, and Beulah Bondi.  Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?   Maybe. This is an okay watch. For the person who might want to try this film, know there is a color version and a black and white version. This critique was done on the black and white version. Video Critique Available Here: Ben Meyers

THE GRASS IS GREENER (Released to Theaters USA 1960)

 

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 3.8|5.0 Starsììì The Grass is Greener—sophisticated writing—presents an interesting solution to an age-old marital challenge. Not the typical storyline. It's unique.  Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images Storyline An oil magnate meets another man's wife.  Additional Thanks Thank you to Director Stanley Donen for directing effort. Thank you to Producer Stanley Donen for making the film possible. Cast includes Cary Grant, Deborah Kerr, Robert Mitchum, and Jean Simmons. Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?  Maybe. Look for terrific, eye-candy, in-house stage settings. This movie is for a very sophisticated audience. The solution to marital challenges work at a high level of thought. Suggestive scenes are not graphic.  Video Critique Available Here: Ben Meyers

ROYAL WEDDING (Released to Theaters USA 1951)

 

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 4.2|5.0 Starsìììì  Royal Wedding—perfect family watch—has a misleading title. Watch for terrific Fred Astaire dance routines. The pacing is well done in this film. The presentation and portrayal are very well done.  Film poster courtesy of Google Images Storyline A stage performing duo, a man and his sister, travel the world to perform song/dance routines.  Additional Thanks Thank you to Director Stanley Donen for directing effort. Thank you to Producer Arthur Freed for making the film possible. Cast includes Fred Astaire, Jane Powell, Peter Lawford, Sarah Churchill, Keenan Wynn, and Albert Sharpe Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? Yes. A great watch for families that accesses the talents of Fred Astaire, Jane Powell, and Peter Lawford to tell a great story that is both clean and conducted well. Video Critique Available Here: Ben Meyers

COMPANY BUSINESS (Released to Theaters USA 1991)

 

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 4.0|5.0 Starsìììì  Company Business—complicated espionage movie—needs a plotline review before viewing. Watch for Gene Hackman, Kurtwood Smith, Daniel Von Bargen, and Mikail Baryshnikov.  Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images Storyline  A recalled espionage agent has a difficult time completing his task without help from a Russian agent he is transporting.   Additional Thanks  Thank you to Director Nicholas Meyer for directing effort. Thank you to Producer Steven-Charles Jaffe for making the film possible. Cast includes Gene Hackman and Mikhail Baryshnikov.  Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. This is a good movie to show how technological skills affect usability at the espionage level.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

THE EGG AND I (Released to Theaters USA 1947)

 

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 3.9|5.0 Starsììì  The Egg and I—cute, uncomplicated—is likeable. It's a small slice of the human story. Even if it's not a high quality film, Fred MacMurray shows well with Claudette Colbert. This movie provides the launching pad for the Ma and Pa Kettle movies and TV series as well as providing inspiration for the Green Acres (1965) television series.   Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images Storyline A woman moves with her husband to a remote area to build a chicken farm.  Additional Thanks  Thank you to Director Chester Erskine for his directing efforts. Thank you to Producers Chester Erskine, Fred Finkelhoffe, and Leonard Goldstein for making the film possible. Cast includes Claudette Colbert, Fred MacMurray, Marjorie Main, and Percy Kilbride.  Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?  Yes. Sweet and family friendly film works as a fun-filled movie that is worth one watch. Video Critique Available Here: Ben Meyers

THE GREAT DICTATOR (Released to Theaters USA 1940)

 

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 4.1|5.0 Starsìììì  The Great Dictator—interesting, creative, innovative—is Charles Chaplin's first 'talkie'. It uses satire for the comedic element.   Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images Storyline  A  Jewish soldier of a previous war is recovering in a military hospital while a new ruler takes the soldier's country over,  becomes a dictator of that country, and starts an anti-semitic suppression of all Jews in that country.    Additional Thanks  Thank you to Director Charles Chaplin for directing effort. Thank you to Producer Charlie Chaplin for making the film possible. Cast includes Charles Chaplin, Paulette Goddard, Jack Oakie, Henry Danielle, Reginald Gardiner, Billy Gilbert, and Maurice Moscovich. Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?  Yes. This is, overall, a very good film that tells a story that is undeniably original.  Video Critique Available Here: Ben Meyers

DEATH WISH 5: THE FACE OF DEATH (Released to Theaters 1994)

 

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 3.6|5.0 Starsììì  Death Wish 5: The Face of Death—collage of action scenes from previous Death Wish movies—makes the audience feel like they are watching a 'cash grab' film. This movie is the last in the series. Everything works at the suitable  level. Know there is nudity and inappropriate scenes that render the movie unsuitable for a family share movie. The violence is on par with previous movies in the series.  Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images Storyline  High fashion, romance, and mobsters entangle in a story that leads to the need for Paul Kersey to take law into his own hands.   Additional Thanks  Thank you to Director Allan A. Goldstein for directing effort. Thank you to Producer Damien Lee for making the film possible. Cast includes Charles Bronson, Lesley-Anne Down, Michael Parks, Saul Rubinek, and Ken Welsh.   Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?  Maybe. It is a cliched collage of action movie scenes. But, for Death Wish fans, it should work at a suitable/okay level. Video Critique Available Here: Ben Meyer

BOY ON A DOLPHIN (Released to Theaters USA 1957)

 

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 3.7|5.0 Starsììì  Boy on a Dolphin—suitable—works best in the era it was made mostly because the storyline is no longer unique as it would have been in the 1950s. Look for Clifton Webb, Alan Ladd, and Sophia Loren, and some terrific, authentic scenes of Greek's ocean waters and Grecian architecture from that time period.  Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images Storyline  One man wants to make money for himself; the other man wants to benefit Greece with an artifact from a sunken ship.   Additional Thanks  Thank you to Director Jean Negulesco for directing effort. Thank you to Producer Samuel G. Engel for making the film possible. Cast includes Alan Ladd, Clifton Webb, Piero Giagnoni, Sophia Loren, Alexis Minotis, Jorge Mistral, and Laurence Naismith. Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? Maybe. It is a bit difficult to see the relevance of the film. It is what it is.  Video Critique Available Here: Ben Meyers

ONG BAK 2* (Released to Theaters Germany 2008)

 

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 4.1|5.0 Starsìììì  Ong Bak 2—Thailand movie—is violent in some places but the violence has been stylized to make it less impactful. Tony Jaa acts in this prequel movie. There is no lack in the makeup department; each scene is incredibly realistic mostly due to the unbelievably good makeup artistry. The film is tailored for the adult audience.  Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images Storyline  A wealthy family's son is relegated to the care of a wise man due to political unrest.    Additional Thanks  Thank you to Directors Tony Jaa and Panna Rittikrai  for directing effort. Thank you to Producers Prachya Pinkaew, Tony Jaa, Panna Rittikrai, and Akarapol Techaratanaprasert for making the film possible. Cast includes Tony Jaa, Nirut Sirijanya, Sorapong Chatree, Sarunyoo Wongkrachang, and Primorata Dejudom.   Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?  Yes. For the adult audience it works; but know this movie is not for the 'faint of heart'.  Also Known As: Ong Bak 2: The Beginning Video Critique Available Here: Ben Meyers