NAVAJO (Released to Theaters USA 1952)

 

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 4.0|5.0 Starsìììì  Navajo—represents the Navajo nation well—uses a very good, semi-drama technique to tell a welcome story for the early 1950s and current movie audiences. It's an important, original watch that is not usually seen in cinema. The acting is good to great. The presentation is very good. The portrayal is great. The actors have been well chosen. The narrator, Sammy Ogg, is outstanding. This docu-drama does not have interviews but interviews would undermine the strength of story. Know that the film works with a black and white format that adds terrifically to its heavily-laced, cinematic views of Navajo lands. WOW! What a concept for a film! The movie can be rented currently for $1.99 from Amazon.  Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images Storyline   A Navajo boy tries to live on the land with his mother, sisters, and adoptive grandfather, but this aspiration soon changes.  Additional Thanks Thank you to Director Norman Foster for directing effort. Thank you to Producer Hall Bartlett for making the film possible. Voice casting includes Francis Kee Teller, John Mitchell, Mrs. Kee Teller, Hall Bartlett, Virgil Miller, Cozy McSparron, Sammy Ogg, Eloise Teller, and Linda Teller. Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?  Yes. This original content movie bases on what it means to be a good human being. The movie tells a good story, emphasizes valuing life, and caring for the needs of others. Good work for all involved. This is a good integrity watch that provides good after viewing discussion for the entire family. Video Critique Available Here: Ben Meyers

SNAKES ON A PLANE

 

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 3.9|5.0 Starsììì  Snakes on a Plane—suitable—relies highly on the screen presence of Samuel L. Jackson. Some adult content, nudity, and the variety of snakes striking people precludes its ability to be a family share movie.   Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia Storyline  An FBI agent transfers a witness to a crime from Hawaii to Los Angeles to testify. Henchmen load the world's most venomous snakes on the plane to end that flight. with the intention of disrupting the successful completion of that flight and the story is on.    Additional Thanks  Thank you to Director David R. Ellis for directing effort. Thank you to Executive Producers Stokely Chaffin, Toby Emmerich, Penney Finkelman Cox, Justis Greene, Sandra Rabins, and George Waud for making the film possible. Cast includes Samuel L. Jackson, Julianna Margulies, Nathan Phillips, Rachel Blanchard, Flex Alexander, Kenan Thompson, Keith Dallas, Lin Shaye, Bruce James, and Sunny Mabrey.  Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?  Maybe, The movie does provide its moments of horror as snakes are invading compartments loaded with people. Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

KUNG FU PANDA 4 (Released to Theaters USA 2024)

 

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 3.9|5.0 Starsììì Kung Fu Panda 4—fourth film in this DreamWorks' series—tries to keep the quality of the third film in place, but this movie lacks the spirit of the third series' film. While it is much more fun than DreamWorks 2023 release of Ruby Gillman, the Teenage Kracken, it still borders on the edge of its final acid test. Voice actors reprise their roles and the animation maintains its quality. Overall, the movie earns its money and time for viewing.  Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images Storyline   Po fights a shape shifting, villainous chameleon who wants all power. Additional Thanks Thank you to Director and Executive Producer Mike Mitchell and Co-Director Stephanie Stine for directing effort. Thank you to Producer Rebecca Huntley for making the film possible. Cast includes Jack Black, Awkwafina, Viola Davis, Dustin Hoffman, Bryan Cranston, James Hong, Ian McShane, Ke Huy Quan, Ronny Chieng, and Seth Rogen. Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?  Yes. Overall, this is a good child/adult share movie. Video Critique Available Here: Ben Meyers

THE POSTMAN (Released to Theaters USA 1997)

 

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 4.0|5.0 Starsìììì  The Postman—Kevin Costner—examines how a country can rebuild itself after a disruptive war event that has cut all communication ties that may be left. Inspirational. The progression of events in this story are an inspired-type of writing  rarely seen in film. This film is nearly 3 hours long so one needs to settle in for a long sit down view time or plan a 2 night or day entertainment scheduling for those audiences on tight time schedules. Know that every minute of view time is critical as every minute of the story ties to the conclusion and will not be understood if missed. It's a sit and watch that examines the first type of government that arises from chaotic crises. Do NOT miss this film. Film Poster Courtesy of IMDb  Storyline   A wanderer in a post apocalyptical USA stays one night with the skeleton of a former postman, salvages the postman's clothing, travels to the remains of Pineview, Oregon posing as a legitimate postman with a bag of mail. Over time, his work establishes hope, inspires society reform, and rebuilds a fallen USA on the northwest coast. Additional Thanks Thank you to Director and Producer Kevin Costner for directing and producing effort. Thank you to Producer Steve Tisch, Jim Wilson, and Line Producer Lester Berman, for making the film possible. Casting includes Kevin Costner, Will Patton, Larenz Tate, Olivia Williams, James Russo, Daniel Von Bargen, Tom Petty, Scott Bairstow, Giovanni Ribisi, Roberta Maxwell, and Joe Santos. Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?  Yes. This is a good film overall. There is some adult content. The movie establishes itself as a classic from its beginning to its conclusion. Video Critique Available Here: Ben Meyers

DEEPSTAR SIX (Released to Theaters USA 1989)

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 3.7|5.0 Starsììì  DeepStar Six—suitable beginning, fair acting—gets 'whacky' when the sea monster starts attacking. It's messy. Nothing new to add to this general film storyline.  Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images Storyline   A group of scientists, in a deep sea dive, encounter an aggressive sea monster and the story is on. Additional Thanks Thank you to Director and Producer Sean S. Cunningham for directing effort. Thank you Executive Producer Mario Kassar and Andrew G. Vajna, and Producer Patrick Markey for making the film possible. Cast includes Taurean Blacque, Nancy Everhard, Greg Evigan, Nia Peeples, Matt McCoy, Cindy Pickett, Marius Weyers, Elya Baskin, Thom Bray, Ronn Carroll, and Chris Walas.   Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?  Maybe. It's weak in portrayal and acting because it's a generic, formula story that does not work as well as other films may work with a formula story.  Video Critique Available Here: Ben Meyers

 

RULES OF ENGAGEMENT (Released to Theaters USA 2000)

 

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 3.9|5.0 Starsììì Rules of Engagement—inspired by true events— is about a military engagement and moves into a military courtroom for court examination of that engagement. This movie provides suitable entertainment and a look into military law. It's worth a watch; serves a mellow, interesting, and suitable story.  Watch for some of our best actors as they play the roles of protagonist and antagonist while resolving this court case: Samuel L. Jackson, Tommy Lee Jones, Bruce Greenwood, Guy Pearce and Ben Kingsley.  Film Poster Courtesy of IMDb Storyline  An American commander orders his soldiers to open fire on protesters who are firing at his troops. Afterward, military court opens to investigate and possibly prosecute him for misconduct.  Additional Thanks  Thank you to Director William F. Friedkin for directing effort. Thank you to Executive Producers Adam Schroeder and Jim Webb for making the film possible. Casting includes Tommy Lee Jones, Samuel L. Jackson, Guy Pearce, Ben Kingsley, Bruce Greenwood, Anne Archer, Blair Underwood, Philip Baker Hall, and Dale Dye.  Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?  Yes. This military trial case provides a nicely done view into the proceedings of a military court case and its final resolution. It's a good pairing of Samuel L. Jackson and Tommy Lee Jones.  Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

THE HAUNTED MANSION (Released to Theaters USA 2004)

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 4.0|5.0 Starsìììì  The Haunted Mansion—Disney film with a pleasing mix of mystery, comedy, and 'scary'—becomes a good family share movie for a 'just right' scare movie. Eddie Murphy plays very well in this movie and is backed with a very believable cast. Watch for Wallace Shawn in a later career performance and Terrence Stamp. The story is creative, the stage settings phenomenal, and the story told well. Audiences will not want to go make popcorn unless the movie is paused so as not to miss the quick flow of this tale. It's a fun watch.  Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images Storyline  Realtors Mr. and Mrs. Evers and their children decide to go on a much needed weekend vacation, but receive a last minute call to investigate a dilapidated mansion for sale and the story is on.     Additional Thanks  Thank you to Director and Executive Producer Rob Minkoff for directing and executive producing effort. Thank you to Executive Producer Barry Bernardi for making this film possible. Cast includes Eddie Murphy, Terrence Stamp, Nathaniel Parker, Marsha Thomason, Jennifer Tilly, Wallace Shawn, Dina Spybey-Waters, Marc John Jeffries, and Aree Davis.  Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?  Yes.  The movie moves along well and mixes all elements well for a fresh movie worth watching for the whole family.  The acting is well done.  Video Critique Available Here: Ben Meyers

ABOMINABLE (Released to Theaters USA 2019)

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 3.9|5.0 Starsììì  Abominable—rehash of all stories based on human-animal interaction with a little animal superpower thrown in to save the day at critical junctures—has great animation and a few 'tear-jerking' moments deliberately placed to evoke that emotion. The story is well written but there is something that is missing...that indefinable spark that moves a story from feeling like an emotional manipulation to spontaneity of response...no feeling of 'real'. An almost mediocre film with a few inspired moments placed randomly in unexpected places, it's an E.T. story with a big furry mammal found on top of a roof who needs to get home and the children who help it. Listen for some terrific violin music played by Yi.   Film Poster Courtesy of IMDb Storyline  A young Abominable Snowman (Yeti) escapes a research laboratory and looks for a way back to its family. A Chinese girl and her friends tag along on its adventure to go home.   Additional Thanks Thank you to Director Jill Coulton and Co-Director Todd Wilderman for directing effort. Thank you to Executive Producers Tim Johnson, Ruigang Li, Christopher Meledandri, Jana Spotts, Frank Zhu, for making the film possible. Cast includes Chloe Bennet, Albert Tsai, Tensing Norgay Trainor, Joseph Izzo, Sarah Paulson, Eddie Izzard, Tsai Chin, Michelle Wong, Rich Dietl, and James Hong.    Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?  Yes. It is a more-than-suitable entertainment piece for the new generation of children unfamiliar with E.T. No 'surprises' here. Can be watched by the unsupervised child and is interesting enough to be shared by the adult.

 

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers 

BATTLE OF THE LITTLE BIGHORN (Released to Television USA 2020)

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 3.7|5.0 Starsììì  Battle of the Little Bighorn—rehash of the battle—does not provide anything new other than drawings made of the battle and a few small things not generally known. Initial presumption is to stick by History Channel  rather than Smithsonian documentaries. There is a huge quality difference between the two companies. The reenactment scenes do not rely on sufficient detail and the acting is suitable but fails excellence. This short film did not find the full range and depth of its story and did not allow enough time to tell its story. A mini-series or longer film would allow the time necessary to present the story.   Film Poster Courtesy of IMDb  Storyline The Battle of the Little Bighorn gets another investigation.   Additional Thanks  Thank you to Director and Executive Producer Molly Hermann for directing effort. Thank you to Assistant Producer Rob Lyall for making the film possible. Cast includes Steve Alexander, Kirk Chapman, Marshall Dancing Elk Lucas, Bill Rini, Neill Skeggs, and Gary Stewart. Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?  Maybe. For audiences not familiar with this battle, the documentary provides a shallow overview. Otherwise, reading a book about the battle may be more informative.  Video Critique Available Here: Ben Meyers

THE BRAVE LITTLE TOASTER TO THE RESCUE (Released to Television UK 1997)

 

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 3.2|5.0 Starsììì  The Brave Little Toaster to the Rescue—save the animal tropes—works with weak scripting and music themes that seem misplaced. While the animation is suitable, some audiences may not relate well to animated household appliances. This film is part two of The Brave Little Toaster series and does not encourage watching the third movie, The Brave Little Toaster Goes to Mars.   Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images Storyline  The brave little toaster and his appliance friends with newly formed animal friends, try to save  Rob's college thesis and in the process save animals from an evil lab.   Additional Thanks  Thank you to Director Robert C. Ramirez and Patrick A. Ventura for directing effort. Thank you to Executive Producers Willard Carroll, and Peter Locke for making the film possible. Voice casting includes Jessica Tuck, Chris Young, Roger Cabler, Deana Oliver, Eric Lloyd, Thurl Ravenscroft,  and Timothy Stack. Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?  No. This is a low grade film and does not help its target audience as intended. Audiences may feel  creepy and 'weirded out' by animated household appliances even though this is not the intention of the movie. Writers seem to approach the story wrongly. It does not work with the innocence of The Little Engine That Could. Video Critique Available Here: Ben Meyers

THE GOLD RUSH (Released to Theaters USA 1925)

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 4.0|5.0 Starsìììì  The Gold Rush—full-length (1 hour, 35 minute) Charles Chaplin film—is a black and white silent film that provides full comedy based on very good writing. Even though the film released 99 years ago, there is no lack of talent here for entertainment. Watch for the spectacular special effect of a cabin getting ready to fall over a snow cliff with residents inside. It's a cliff hanger well worth watching. Expect a sweet story about the Alaskan Gold Rush. Film Poster Courtesy of IMDb Storyline   The Lone Prospector is a gold miner caught in a blizzard and has to stay in a nearby cabin with a another gold miner and the story is on.  Additional Thanks  Thank you to Director and Producer Charles Chaplin for directing effort. Cast includes: Charles Chaplin, Mack Swain, Tom Murray, Henry Bergman, Malcolm Waite, and Georgia Hale.  Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?  Yes. This is a very good film and tells a good story with full character development and good presentation and portrayal. Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers