BLACK RAIN (Released to Theaters USA 1989)

 

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 4.2|5.0 Starsìììì  Black Rain—really good Ridley Scott film—may not be a Black Hawk Down or American Gangster but successfully merges two cultures so well that it deserves its watch on that basis alone. The offset personalities of a very 'rough around the edges' American cop with the more self-contained Japanese police staff is very well done. Stage setting the mass of the story in Japan has been handled with finesse and smoothness. Engagingly good watch.    Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images Storyline Two cops from New York, who catch a Japanese gang leader, are charged with transport of the gang member to Japan.    Additional Thanks  Thank you to Director Ridley Scott for directing effort. Thank you to Producers Stanley Jaffe and Sherry Lansing for making the film possible. Cast includes Michael Douglas, Andy Garcia, Ken Takakura, Kate Capshaw, and Yusaku Matsuda.  Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?  Yes. This film works as  good film choice for a night out with friends. Video Critique Available Here: Ben Meyers

IN THE HEAT OF THE NIGHT (Released to Theaters USA 1967)

 

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 4.2|5.0 Starsìììì  In the Heat of the Night—great writing—stretches high-wire tension from its beginning scene to its concluding scene. Don't miss this movie. It earns classic status and completely entertains with its exceptional portrayal of life in a small Mississippi town. It deserves its place in the home video library.  Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images Storyline  A Mississippi town policeman, Sam Wood (Warren Oates), unknowingly arrests a Philadelphia homicide detective and then, accuses him of committing homicide in a small Mississippi town during the night. Additional Thanks  Thank you to Director Norman Jewison for directing effort. Thank you to Producer Walter Mirisch for making the film possible. Cast includes Sidney Poitier, Rod Steiger, Warren Oates, and Lee Grant. Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?  Yes. This is a really good watch. Read a Wikipedia plotline if the last scenes are not quite clear for connection. The Sidney Poitier and Rod Steiger casting choice is perfect. Video Critique Available Here: Ben Meyers

THE BOAT BUILDER (Released to the Fort Lauderdale International Film Festival, Fort Lauderdale, Florida USA 2017)

 

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 3.9|5.0 Starsììì  The Boat Builder—simple movie with impact—has a sense of likeableness due to its slower pacing. It's a pleasure to see Christopher Lloyd on screen offset with a very personable Tekola Cornetet, who plays the foster child, Rick. It ends well and the presentation is suitable/good. Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images Storyline  A foster child makes a friend with an elderly man who is trying to make a boat so that he can sail off into the sunset.   Additional Thanks  Thank you to Director Arnold Grossman for directing effort. Thank you to Producer Richard Bosner for making the film possible. Cast includes Christopher Lloyd, Takola Cornetet, Jane Kaczmarek, David Lascher, and Joseph John Schirle Buy a Ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? Maybe. It is likeable overall and Christopher Lloyd does well, pulling the whole movie along for the most part. It has a suitable portrayal. Video Critique Available Here: Ben Meyers

THE NIGHT THEY SAVED CHRISTMAS (Released Television USA 1984)

 

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 3.5|5.0 Starsììì  The Night They Saved Christmas—bland, low-grade television movie—shows Art Carney in a latter career work. While cute, the sweet theme of Christmas and the very good stage settings do not allow this movie to rise to classic Christmas entertainment  fare. But, if a  family has run out of Christmas movies to watch, this film will serve well to fill a family holiday night on days leading up to the 'big day'.  Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images Storyline  A team of oil drillers are drilling for oil near the North Pole, but when at first they do not find oil, they want to drill on site B but that is going to unknowingly destroy Santa's Village.  Additional Thanks Thank you to Director Jackie Cooper for directing effort. Thank you to Executive Producers Jack Haley Jr., David Niven Jr., and Robert A. Halmi for making the film possible. Cast includes Art Carney, Paul Le Mat, Mason Adams, June Lockhart, Paul Williams, Scott Grimes, Laura Jacoby, R.J. Williams, and James Staley. Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?  No. It's flat. Not a quality watch. Video Critique Available Here: Ben Meyers

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