PANDORUM (Theatrical Release USA 2009)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 2.1|5.0 Starsìì

Pandorum begins well and creates high expectation. Then the acting takes a nosedive to fair rather than rising to great. The story seems lost as unending numbers of people, all with their own resurrection potential and absorbed philosophies begin to surface. The suspenseful scenes and the drama as well as the fight scenes are the only thing that keep interest. Final conclusion: the film serves an audience of hardcore Sci-Fi film buffs who do not mind poor story lines accompanied with poor acting.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

Sixty thousand humans are sent to Planet Tanis. They are sleep-induced for the journey, but some awaken unscheduled and due to the influence of Pandorum, a deep space challenge that disturbs mental processing capabilities, develop curious survival methods including cannibalism and violence against those of their own species.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director Christian Alvart for directing efforts. Thank you to Executive Producers for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Payton (Dennis Quaid), Bower (Ben Foster), Gallo (Cam Gigandet), Nadia (Antje Traue), Manh (Cung Le), Leland (Eddie Rouse), Shepard (Norman Reedus), Hunter Leader (André Hennicke), and Evalon (Friederike Kempter).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Maybe. Multiple main characters drive this film from multiple time frames and multiple philosophies to the point that the film becomes difficult to follow so that it seems to have no story line.

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Ben Meyers

HONEY I BLEW UP THE KID (Theatrical Release USA 1992)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 3.6|5.0 Starsììì

Honey I Blew Up The Kid is a suitable family movie with Rick Moranis standing as the good choice for the film’s main character, Wayne Szalinski, inventor. Who doesn’t like Rick Moranis? He becomes the definition of a successful inventor who makes serious mistakes at times. This film is an okay child/adult share film. The conclusion of the film does not have the impact that the beginning scenes had and needs a quick reality check.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

Inventor Wayne Szalinski (Rick Moranis) enlarges toddler Adam Szalinski (Daniel Shalikar) to fourteen feet.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director Randal Kleiser for directing efforts. Thank you to Executive Producers Albert Band and Stuart Gordon for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Diane Szalinski (Marcia Strassman), Nick Szalinski (Robert Oliveri), Clifford Sterling (Lloyd Bridges), Dr. Charles Hendrickson (John Shea), Mandy Park (Keri Russell), and Marshall Brooks (Ron Canada).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. It’s a suitable family watch;  it is not a high-quality film, but provides a sweet, cute watch for the whole family.

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Ben Meyers

DELGO (Theatrical Release USA 2008)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 1.1|5.0 Starsì

Delgo vies with Battle for Terra for lowest star rating achievement on Ben Meyers' International Movie Critics' critiques. Delgo has no strong storyline. Character development waivers. Cameramen cut scenes before they’re complete (i.e., the opening of the chest scene) and leaves the viewer with no expectation, no bridge for the next scenes. Delgo’s best friend is a ‘goofy jerk,’ but the ‘jerk’ makes too many mistakes so that the comedic element is lost. Those scenes need serious editing for ultimate effect. It’s obvious that much time, care, and money went into the making of this movie; but, unfortunately, the end result is poor.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

The Lokni permit the Nohrin to settle in Jhamora, but the Nohrin become land greedy. Their greed causes conflict that results in war. Delgo, a Nohrin, experiences the death of his father and mother and becomes vengeful.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Directors Marc F. Adler and Jason Maurer for directing efforts. Thank you to Producer Marc F. Adler for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Delgo (voice of Freddie Prinze, Jr.), Filo (voice of Chris Kattan), Princess Kyla (voice of Jennifer Love Hewitt), Sedessa (voice of Anne Bancroft), Bogardus (voice of Val Kilmer), Raius (voice of Malcolm McDowell), Elder Marley (voice of Michael Clarke Duncan), King Zahn (voice of Louis Gossett, Jr.), and Spig (voice of Eric Idle).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

No. Despite the well-chosen and well-known character voices, Delgo is pretty much a waste of time.

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Ben Meyers

CLOUDY WITH A CHANCE OF MEATBALLS (Theatrical Release USA 2009)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 2.5|5.0 Starsìì

Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs is a good C-grade animated movie for kids and adults. The story starts slowly; but, about the time an audience wants to walk out, it picks up pace and increases its interest value. Casting voices include James Caan, Bill Hader, Anna Faris, Will Forte, Neil Flynn, the special guest voice of Mr. T, and Al Roker from the Today Show. While these excellent voices add personality to the story's characters, the characters’ dialogue lines lack believability. The concept and the story line are creative, but fail to capture necessary ingredients that make this movie worth viewing a second time.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

Young inventor Flint Lockwood (voice of Bill Hader) wants to help economically depressed Swallow Falls, his hometown. He invents a machine that takes two parts of hydrogen and one part of oxygen and turns it into food that rains from heaven.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director Phil Lord and Christopher Miller for directing efforts. Thank you to Executive Producers Yair Landau for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Sam Sparks (voice of Anna Faris), Tim Lockwood (voice of James Caan), Baby Brent (voice of Andy Samberg), Mayor Shelbourne (voice of Bruce Campbell), Earl Devereaux (voice of Mr. T), Cal Devereaux (voice of Bobb’e J. Thompson), Manny (voice of Benjamin Bratt), and Steve (voice of Neil Patrick Harris).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Maybe. The idea behind the movie is highly creative; its orchestration could have been better.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

FLAGS OF OUR FATHERS (Theatrical Release USA 2006)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 3.6|5.0 Starsììì Flags of Our Fathers—odd presentation—lacks cohesion with its 'all- over-the-place' story, little to no character development, and suitable but not great acting. Despite the hard-to-follow story, expect good fight scenes and highly graphic portrayal of war wounds.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

Three men receive praise for raising a USA flag during World War II as a symbol of a great victory.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director Clint Eastwood for his directing effort. Thank you to Executive Producers Clint Eastwood, Steven Spielberg, and Robert Lorenz for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: John Bradley (Ryan Phillippe), Rene Gagnon (Jesse Bradford), Ira Hayes (Adam Beach), Keyes Beech (John Benjamin Hickey), Bud Gerber (John Slattery), Mike Strank (Barry Pepper), Ralph Ignatowski (Jamie Bell), Hank Hansen (Paul Walker), and Colonel Chandler Johnson (Robert Patrick).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Maybe. It is an okay watch but hard to follow with a 'messy' storyline. This Clint Eastwood film has a counterpart made by Clint Eastwood called Letters from Iwo Jima about the Japanese side of the story that is a much better made film than this film.

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Ben Meyers

BATTLE FOR TERRA (Theatrical Release USA 2007)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 1.1|5.0 Starsì

Battle for Terra graphics are great. But, the movie script and plot are ridiculous with little reason for the situations presented throughout the storyline. The story is trite—aliens take over a planet by attempting to kill all the planet’s inhabitants. But, General Hemmer uses fallacious reasoning to pursue a military strategy that takes the viewer from the movie to focus on the writer—an unusual situation that is a result of poor writing. It’s surprising that actors like Danny Glover and James Garner signed for this movie.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

The planet Terra’s sun is blocked out. Mala (Evan Rachel Wood) goes to investigate and finds that a space ship is abducting the inhabitants of Terra.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director Aristomenis Tsirbas for directing efforts. Thank you to Producers Jessica Calder, Keith Calder, Ryan Colucci, and Dane Allan Smith for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Terrian Scientist (voice of Chad Allen), Professor Lina (voice of Rosanna Arquette), Terrian 2 (voice of Bill Birch), Technician Quinn (voice of Brooke Bloom), Technician Williams (voice of Tom Connolly), General Hemmer (voice of Brian Cox), Giddy (voice of David Cross), Interrogator Wright (voice of Beverly D’Angelo), Colonel Wheeler (voice of James Devoti), Elder Vorin (voice of Ron Perlman), Terrian 1 (voice of Timi Prulhiere), Roven (voice of Dennis Quaid), Lieutenant Evans (voice of Michael Scovotti), Kima (voice of Zoe Bleu), Elder Barum (voice of Danny Trejo), Jim Stanton (voice of Luke Wilson), and Stewart Stanton (voice of Chris Evans).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

No. Battle for Terra is a painful waste of time.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

SPY GAME (Theatrical Release USA 2001)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 3.9|5.0 Starsììì

Spy Game starts with high intrigue, suspense, and action and keeps its intensity throughout the film. It’s an excellent entertainment pick with Brad Pitt and Robert Redford as the main actors. The movie plays well from beginning to end. The writers, Michael Frost Beckner and David Arata, display outstanding skill in weaving a complex story line based on CIA and intelligence life styles.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

American CIA Tom Bishop (Brad Pitt) has been captured near a Shanghai prison camp and will be executed if the United States does not ask for him. The United States plans on letting him go, but Bishop’s recruiter Nathan Muir (Robert Redford) has other plans.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director Tony Scott for directing efforts. Thank you to Executive Producers Armyan Bernstein, Thomas A. Bliss, James W. Skotchdopole, and Iain Smith for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Elizabeth Hadley (Catherine McCormack), Charles Harker (Stephen Dillane), Troy Folger (Larry Bryggman), Gladys Jennip (Marianne Jean-Baptiste), Dr. William Byars (Matthew Marsh), and Robert Aiken (Todd Boyce).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. This is a high class spy thriller.

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Ben Meyers

GLORY (Theatrical Release USA 1990)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 2.1|5.0 Starsìì

Glory starts slowly, but picks up pace toward the middle of the script. It is at this point that the actors become more believable and begin to develop identifiable personalities. When the purpose of the story is revealed, the viewer finally understands that this story is one of those ‘needed to be told’ stories, but the story is not told well.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

Civil War Colonel Robert Shaw takes charge of an all volunteer, all black infantry who have chosen to fight on the Union side.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director Edward Zwick for directing efforts. Thank you to Producer Freddie Fields for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Colonel Robert Gould Shaw (Matthew Broderick), Private Trip (Denzel Washington), Major Cabot Forbes (Cary Elwes), Sergeant Major John Rawlins (Morgan Freeman), Private Jupiter Sharts (Jihmi Kennedy), Corporal Thomas Searles (Andre Braugher), Sergeant Major Mulcahy (John Finn), Captain Charles Fessenden Morse (Donovan Leitch, Jr.), and Henry Sturgis Russell (JD Cullum).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Maybe. It seems Director Edward Zwick may have been more effective producing this information as an historical documentary rather than a fictional entertainment piece. If you’re looking for a history lesson presented below par, then get Glory today.

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Ben Meyers

DISTRICT 9 (Theatrical Release USA 2009)

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 3.8|5.0 Starsììì  District 9—creative film—uses 'found footage' for its formatting. That choice creates a certain likableness for the movie as well as establishing a realism to the story. This is a suitable to okay watch that does not consistently follow movie protocol which hampers its logical and clear presentation. Watch for the performance of Sharlto Copley, some realistic action scenes, and interesting alien activity. The animation technology of the aliens is very realistic.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

Aliens land in Africa. African government confines the aliens to a government compound. As tension grows between African citizens and the compound, the government decides to relocate the aliens.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director Neill Blomkamp for directing efforts. Thank you to Executive Producers Bill Block, Mark Brooke, and Ken Kamins, for making the film possible. Cast include Sharlto Copley, Jason Cope, David James, Vanessa Hayward, Mandla Gaduka, Kenneth Nkosi, Eugene Khumbanyiwa, Louis Minnaar, and William Allen Young.

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. The movie can easily serve the cult classic genre and provides an interesting view of relocation and treatment of refugees.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

DEATH SENTENCE (Theatrical Release USA 2007)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 3.7|5.0 Stars ììì

Death Sentence is driven by graphic and gory violence, but couples that with outstanding acting. Director James Wan performs excellently within this genre. John Goodman is memorable as an underground gun salesman for gangs. Kevin Bacon performs really well as the father of a murdered favorite son. This film is a cold-blooded look at how gang members think, execute plans, and react when a close gang member gets killed. The movie provides a good thrill ride that gives the viewer roller coaster movement through emotions ranging from sorrow to justified revenge.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

Brendan Hume (Stuart Lafferty) is killed by gang members when his dad, Nick Hume (Kevin Bacon), pulls into a gas station in a bad part of town.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director James Wan for directing efforts. Thank you to Executive Producers for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Billy Darley (Garrett Hedlund), Helen Hume (Kelly Preston), Lucas Hume (Jordan Garrett), Detective Wallis (Aisha Tyler), Bones Darley (John Goodman), Joe Darley (Matt O’Leary), and Bodie (Edi Gathegi).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. It’s a rough story about revenge that is presented in a new, unique manner.

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Ben Meyers

BOLT (Theatrical Release USA 2008)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 4.8|5.0 Starsìììì

Bolt is one of the best Disney computer animation movies ever made. It would make Walt Disney proud to see that his successors can still make a movie that is inspiring and heart-catching. Everyone—young and old—will enjoy Disney’s Bolt. It’s one of those lovable movies you can take your whole family to see and come away with those Disney good feelings.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

Penny (voice of Miley Cyrus) and Bolt (voice of John Travolta) star in a Hollywood superhero show. Penny’s dog, Bolt, believes he truly has the superhero powers that his show character possesses. Then he ends up on the street.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Directors Byron Howard and Chris Williams for directing efforts. Thank you to Executive Producer John Lasseter for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Mittens (voice of Susie Essman), Rhino (voice of Mark Walton), Dr. Calico (voice of Malcolm McDowell), The Director (voice of James Lipton), The Agent (voice of Greg Germann), Veteran Cat (voice of Diedrich Bader), and Blake (voice of Nick Swardson).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. Directors Byron Howard and Chris Williams make one of the best animated movies of 2008.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

AUSTRALIA (Theatrical Release USA 2008)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 1.8|5.0 Starsì

Australia’s overall storyline is poor. There is no specific plot; the broken storyline drags on and on and ON. The movie should have been produced as a documentary about 1930s Australia with a series of narrators rather than actors. The movie almost recoups itself with the Japanese invasion of Australia. But, even these redemptive scenes fail and leave the overall effect of a lagging movie. The movie is ineffectively directed by Baz Luhrmann.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

During World War II Lady Sarah needs to get 1,500 head of cattle from her cattle station to Darwin.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director Baz Luhrman for directing efforts. Thank you to Executive Producers G. Mac Brown, Catherine Knapman, and Baz Luhrman for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Carney Boy #3 (Shea Adams), Bull (Eddie Baroo), Ramsden (Ray Barrett), Sergeant Callahan (Tony Barry), Misson Boy (Jamal Sydney Bednarz), Constable #1 (Damian Bradford), King Carney (Bryan Brown), Carney Boy #1 (Nathin Butler), Essential Services Woman (Tara Carpenter), and Magarri’s Niece (Rebecca Chatfield).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

No. The film tries so hard to be an epic via the 165 minutes of running time, but it doesn’t fill that running time with good story.

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Ben Meyers

ERAGON (Theatrical Release USA 2006)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 1.7|5.0 Starsì

Eragon, based on the first book of four written by Christopher Paolini, seems to start like the Dragonheart movies and plays along fairly well until Eragon becomes involved with Arya. Instant mediocrity sets in. From that point, it’s a downhill slide to its concluding credits.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

Eragon (Ed Speleers) sees a blue dragon egg and about ninety days later finds a real dragon hatching from the egg. After his home is destroyed, he seeks revenge with his dragon.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director Stefan Fangmeier for directing efforts. Thank you to Executive Producers Gil Netter and Chris Symes for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Brom (Jeremy Irons), Arya (Sienna Guillory), Durza (Robert Carlyle), Galbatorix (John Malkovich), Murtagh (Garrett Hedlund), Uncle Garrow (Alun Armstrong), Roran (Christopher Egan), and Hrothgar (Gary Lewis).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

No. It’s a serious waste of time.

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Ben Meyers

THE WOLFMAN (Theatrical Release USA 2010)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 2.1|5.0 Starsìì

The Wolfman—nothing new about this movie. It is like any other werewolf movie ever made, a cookie-cutter movie at best. While the special effects perk interest and the movie casts great actors like Anthony Hopkins, Benicio Del Toro, and Hugo Weaving, the acting is poorly executed under Director Joe Johnston.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

Lawrence Talbot (Benicio Del Toro) returns home after notification that his brother Ben Talbot (Simon Merrells) is missing.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director Joe Johnston for directing efforts. Thank you to Executive Producers Jon Mone, Ryan Kavanaugh, and Bill Carraro for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Gwen’s Maid (Gemma Whelan), Gwen Conliffe (Emily Blunt), Young Lawrence (Mario Marin-Borquez), Young Ben (Asa Butterfield), Solana (Cristina Contes), Sir John Talbot (Anthony Hopkins), Singh (Art Malik), and Butcher (Malcolm Scates).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

No. If you’re looking for a good werewolf-vampire movie, see Underworld. It beats The Wolfman at every level.

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Ben Meyers

THE QUICK AND THE DEAD (Theatrical Movie Release USA 1995)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 1.8|5.0 Starsì

The Quick and the Dead starts strongly, but the movie viewer is soon left asking ‘what the heck is interesting or plausible in a storyline where town people are shooting each other to see who wins shooting matches?’ Even with the acting skills of Gene Hackman and Pat Hingle, the movie falls flat in storyline. The viewer is left with one thing—viewing endless shooting matches until the last of the characters is eliminated with Actress Sharon Stone shooting the last man standing. While not a great movie, The Quick and the Dead, lays some of the framework for females to play strong, male-type roles which Sharon Stone does well. One is immediately reminded of the actresses who follow—Uma Thurman, Milla Jovovich, and Kate Beckinsale.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

The Lady (Sharon Stone) comes to town and enters a gunfighting contest.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director Sam Raimi for directing efforts. Thank you to Executive Producers Toby Jaffe and Rob Tapert for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Ellen (Sharon Stone), Herod (Gene Hackman), Cort (Russell Crowe), Kid (Leonardo DiCaprio), Dog Kelly (Tobin Bell), Doc Wallace (Roberts Blossom), Eugene Dred (Kevinn Conway), Sergeant Cantrell (Keith David), and Ace Hanlon (Lance Henriksen).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

No. It comes off as an experimental movie. It’s a gory story of endless blood-letting with no storyline.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

THE PIANIST (Theatrical Release USA 2003)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 4.5|5.0 Starsìììì

The Pianist transforms a piece of history into a gripping, living, on-screen story thanks to the efforts of Director Roman Polanski. This film is an example of why people go to the movies—an outstanding story coupled with great acting. It is not often that actors succeed so well in accurate portrayal of a storyline. The storyline is fantastic. It depicts war’s realism with unflinching staunchness.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

Wladyslaw Szpilman (Adrien Brody), a Polish Jewish pianist, barely survives World War II atrocities while his entire family is destroyed.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director Roman Polanski for directing efforts. Thank you to Executive Producer Timothy Burrill, Henning Molfenter, and Lew Rywin for making the film possible. Additional character/cast include: Wladyslaw Szpilman (Adrien Brody), Dorota (Emilia Fox), Jurek (Michal Zebrowski), Henryk (Ed Stoppard), Mother (Maureen Lipman), Father (Frank Finlay), Halina (Jessica Kate Meyer), Regina Julia Rayner), and SS Slapping Father (Wanja Mues).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. For anyone looking for a movie about courageous survival against all odds, this is that story.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

BEAN: THE MOVIE (Theatrical Release USA 1997)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 3.8|5.0 Starsììì

Bean: the Movie is a mildly funny movie. It provides an easy-on-the-mind, 90 minutes of simple comedy. The film’s budget was $18,000,000. Box office sales topped off at $251.2 million dollars. The presentation, portrayal, and acting are suitable to good. 

It's Rowan Atkinson comedy that uses an unusual setting to present its story.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

Bean (Rowan Atkinson) becomes responsible for transportation of Whistler’s Mother from Britain’s National Gallery to the Grierson Gallery in Los Angeles.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director Mel Smith for directing efforts. Thank you to Executive Producers Rowan Atkinson and Richard Curtis for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Mr. Bean (Rowan Atkinson), David Langley (Peter MacNicol), Chairman (John Mills), Alison Langley (Pamela Reed), George Grierson (Harris Yulin), General Newton (Burt Reynolds), Elmer (Larry Drake), Security Buck (Danny Goldring), Stingo Wheelie and (Johnny Galecki).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. Rowan Atkinson provides good, light comedy for the audience. This movie makes a light, easy-to-follow,  afternoon watch.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers