IP MAN: THE FINAL FIGHT (Theatrical Release Hong Kong, China 2013)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 4.0|5.0 Stars ìììì

IP Man: the Final Fight is not part of the IP Man series; but still a movie not to be missed. This film shows IP Man in his later life. Great character development of IP Man by Anthony Chau-Sang Wong and of Ng Chung by Eric Tsang.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

IP Man immigrates to Hong Kong where life becomes incredibly difficult.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director Herman Yau for directing efforts. Thank you to Executive Producers Albert Yeung and Kwok Lam Sin for making the film possible. Erica Lee writes a great script. The music by Jan Hung Mak (credited as Brother Hung) is outstanding. Additional characters/cast include: Yip Man (Anthony Chau-Sang Wong), Chan Sei-mui (Gillian Chung), Tang Shing (Jordan Chan), Ng Chung (Eric Tsang), Wang Dong (Marvel Chow), Jenny (Chuchu Zhou), Leung Sheung (Timmy Hung), Le King (Luxia Jiang), Local Dragon (Xin Xin Xiong), and Stall Owner (Chun Ip).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. This film is a great interpretation of a certain exceptionally difficult segment of IP Man’s life.

Video Critique available here:

Ben Meyers

MULAN (Theatrical Release USA 1998)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 3.8|5.0 Stars ììì

Mulan—starts well, worth seeing, great music—serves its audience a quality story. The film has terrific animation.

Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images

Storyline

The movie starts with a Chinese guardsman guarding on the great wall of China. A falcon swoops down, takes the guard’s hat, caws, and flies away. The Chinese guardsman wonders what has just happened when a rope hurls over the wall and hitches to the wall. Curious, the guardsman walks to the edge of the wall to see what is going on and several more ropes hurl over the wall and hitch. The guard ‘freaks’ and runs to light the warning fires in the lookout tower. The General of the Huns climbs over the lookout tower wall and stands, glaring fiercely. The guard lights the fire to signal danger. The Hun general looks and sees the other lookout towers lighting up. The guardsman says, “Now all of China knows you’re here.” The General of the Huns grabs the Chinese battle flag out of its receptacle, burns it in the basin, and says, “Perfect.” The movie is off and running as the Chinese gather forces to fight this enemy.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Directors Tony Bancroft and Barry Cook for directing efforts. Thank you to Producer Pam Coats for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Mulan (voice of Ming-Na Wen), Shang (voice of BD Wong), Mushu (voice of Eddie Murphy), and Grandmother Fa (voice of June Foray). Singing voices include: Donny Osmond, Lea Salonga, and Marni Nixon for the Shang, Mulan, and Grandmother Fa characters.

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. While there is a primary story of love for family, self-sacrifice and courage that this film marches within, there is also a story of the ability of women to accomplish remarkable tasks within a military setting. The film turns into a great opening for a family discussion on Chinese history to include the Han Dynasty and the Huns. Quality story with great animation.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

THE HUNGER GAMES (Theatrical Release USA 2012)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 3.2|5.0 Starsììì

The Hunger Games—a bit unrealistic, a little boring, too much drama—tries. But it’s, unfortunately, not a ‘best artistic effort’ by any means. The book is better than the movie. The character Katniss Everdeen played by Jennifer Lawrence seems a bit annoying in parts of the film. Josh Hutcherson, Liam Hemsworth, Stanley Tucci, and Donald Sutherland, however, add their talent to the film and give it stability.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

Every year two children are chosen from each of 12 districts to fight to the death.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director Gary Ross for directing efforts. Thank you to Executive Producers Robin Bissell, Suzanne Collins, and Louise Rosner-Meyer for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Caesar Flickerman (Stanley Tucci), Seneca Crane (Wes Bentley), Katniss Everdeen (Jennifer Lawrence), Primrose Everdeen (Willow Shields), Gale Hawthorne (Liam Hemsworth), Effie Trinket (Elizabeth Banks), Hob Vendor (Sandra Lafferty), Katniss Mother (Paula Malcomson), and Registration Woman (Rhoda Griffis).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. The storyline, while complicated, occupies its own place in original story telling.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

ROBIN HOOD (Theatrical Release USA 1973)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 3.9|5.0 Starsììì

Robin Hood—a ‘good ole’ movie—worth watching. There’s a ‘kindness’, a certain ‘laid-back, simpler times’ feeling to this animated movie. Think relaxed, natural, a let-things-roll-type’ of movie and the story does roll well until suddenly about the time you’re thinking ‘I could really get used to this method of story-telling,’ the ending credits appear and it’s over. No language—which is nice for a change—gives it a fresh appeal that other movies lack due to overworking this ‘modern necessity.’ What a pleasure to see Peter Ustinov in the credits voicing for Prince John and King Richard.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

The movie begins with a book and tells a little history about King Richard and Robin Hood, then it goes to a rooster who says, ‘We folks of the animal kingdom have our own version of the story.’

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director Wolfgang Reitherman for directing efforts. Thank you to Executive Producer Wolfgang Reitherman for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Allan-a-Dale (voice of Roger Miller), Prince John/King Richard (voice of Peter Ustinov), Sir Hiss (voice of Terry Thomas), Robin Hood (voice of Brian Bedford), Maid Marian (voice of Monica Evans), Little John (voice of Phil Harris), Friar Tuck (voice of Andy Devine), Lady Kluck (voice of Carole Shelley), Sheriff of Nottingham (voice of Pat Buttram), and Trigger (voice of George Lindsey).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. An old tale is well told by the animal kingdom.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

ESCAPE FROM PLANET EARTH (Theatrical Release USA 2013)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 3.7|5.0 Starsììì

Escape From Planet Earth—it’s funny, has a good story line, and it has been unfairly under-rated by critics. It has a ‘different take’ on an alien story and generates a general, light hearted approach to human-type dilemmas.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

The script begins with Scorch Supernova (voiced By Brendan Fraser) trying to save kidnapped alien babies from baby-eating Gnarlachs while his brother Gary Supernova (voiced by Rob Corddry) directs the mission back at mission control.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director Callan Brunker for directing efforts. Thank you to Executive Producers Tony Leech, Bob and Harvey Weinstein, Radenko Milakovic, and Marvin Peart for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Scorch Supernova (voice of Brendan Fraser), Gary Supernova (voice of Rob Corddry), Mr. James Bing (voice of Ricky Gervais), Kip Supernova (voice of Jonathan Morgan-Heit), Lena Thackleman (voice of Jessica Alba), Gabby Babblebrock (voice of Sofia Vergara), Cameraman (voice of Paul Scheer), Barry/Hazmat/Pilot (voice of Jason Simpson), and Kira Supernova (voice of Sarah Jessica Parker).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. It’s a fairly good alien animation film.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

RED DAWN (Theatrical Release USA 1984)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 3.5|5.0 Starsììì

Red Dawn—a strong, worth-watching war movie about the Soviet Union occupying America.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

Jed (Patrick Swayze) drives his brother Matt (Charlie Sheen) and a friend to high school. Later, a teacher, Mr. Teasdale (Frank McRae), notices paratroopers parachuting to the ground and starts to question the action. The paratroopers kill him. Students flee from the school building amid heavy gunfire. Jed rescues his brother, Matt, as well as some other boys and they make a successful getaway in his truck. The rest of the movie follows these young boys as they organize and use guerrilla warfare tactics against the Russian invasion.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director John Milius for directing efforts. Thank you to Executive Producer Sidney Buckerman for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Jed (Patrick Swayze), Robert (C. Thomas Howell), Erica (Lea Thompson), Matt (Charlie Sheen), Daryl (Darren Dalton), Toni (Jennifer Grey), Danny (Brad Savage), Aardvark (Doug Toby), Mr. Mason (Ben Johnson), and Mr. Eckert (Harry Dean Stanton).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. This is a very good, action-packed film for teen/adult audiences.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

THE NUT JOB (Theatrical Release USA 2014)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 4.8|5.0 Starsìììì

The Nut Job—one of the greatest animated films of 2014. It’s funny and fun, a good choice for the child/adult combo looking for good entertainment that suits both age groups. Brendan Fraser, Jeff Dunham, and Katherine Heigl add their talented voices to this film. The movie’s strength lies in an incredible script written by Lorne Cameron and Peter Lepeniotis. Don’t miss the end credits. There’s a particularly entertaining adaptation of Psy’s “Gangnam Style” that plays during those credits.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

Surly, the squirrel (voice by Will Arnett), steals nuts from a nut cart and then the camera changes focus to the local park where Raccoon (voice by Liam Neeson) throws food down a tree hole as it is handed to him by animals in the park. Through a series of mishaps the tree burns down leaving the animals without sufficient food for the winter and the story is on as good guys and ‘bad’ guys show their true colors.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director Peter Lepeniotis for directing efforts. Thank you to Executive Producers Hangjoo Ahn, William Bradley, and Hoe Jin Ha for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Surly (voice of Will Arnett), Grayson (voice of Brendan Fraser), Raccoon (voice of Liam Neeson), Andie (voice of Katherine Heigl), King (voice of Stephen Lang), Precious (voice of Maya Rudolph), Mole (voice of Jeff Dunham), Jimmy (voice of Gabriel Iglesias), and Lana (voice of Sarah Gadon).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. It’s playful entertainment that doesn’t lose its timing from its opening scene to its last scene and into its closing credits.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

CORIOLANUS (Theatrical Release USA 2011)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 2.9|5.0 Starsìì

Coriolanus is a movie that circulated in film festivals around the world before attempting limited theatre releases. It didn’t make budget costs. Coriolanus attempts to bring into a current time frame Shakespeare’s tragedy play of the same name. While the attempt is good, the movie’s script needs a re-write and casting needs some tweaking. The script adapts Old English and is hard to follow. Gaius Marcius Coriolanus as portrayed by Ralph Fiennes is not believable. The best thing that can be said about this film is it cast Gerard Butler for the part of Tullus Aufidius.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

Riots are the order of the day as a government restricts food and citizen liberties.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director Ralph Fiennes for directing efforts. Thank you to Executive Producers Anthony Buckner, Christopher Figg, Christine Langan, Norman Merry, Marko Miskovic, Robert Whitehouse, and Will Young for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Tullus Aufidius (Gerard Butler), Caius Martius Coriolanus (Ralph Fiennes), First Citizen (Lubna Azabel), Second Citizen (Ashraf Barhom), Tribune Brutus (Paul Jesson), Tribune Sicinius (James Nesbitt), Virgilia (Jessica Chastain), Volumnia (Vanessa Redgrave), General Cominius (John Kani), and Menenius (Brian Cox).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

No. The film lacks good deployment.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

SPECIAL FORCES (Theatrical Release France 2011)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 4.3|5.0 Starsìììì

Special Forces—a great, worth watching French action film that goes on the Ben Meyers’ favorites list.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

Kovax (Djimon Hounsou) and Lucas (Denis Menochet) ride in a helicopter over the ocean on a misson where they will raid a terrorist’s country house to rescue hostages, one of which is French journalist Elsa Casanova (Diane Kruger).

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director Stéphane Rybojad for directing efforts. Thank you to Executive Producer Benoit Ponsaille for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Tic-Tac (Benoît Magimel), Elias (Raphael Personnaz), Jacques Beauregard (Dedier Flamend), Victor (Alain Figlarz), Marius (Alain Alivon), Amen (Mehdi Nebbou), and Ahmed Zaief (Raz Degan).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. Terrific movie.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

JAMES AND THE GIANT PEACH (Theatrical Review USA 1996)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 2.7|5.0 Starsìì

James and the Giant Peach—a great concept; but it didn’t quite get there—definitely a ‘children only’ film. The voices done by Richard Dreyfuss, Susan Surandon, and Paul Terry are well selected. The two Aunts, Joanna Lumley and Miriam Margolyes, could have been better selected; but in the whole of the movie they worked. The script is difficult and seems to have presented problems in portrayal for Director Henry Selick.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

An orphan, who is not emotionally supported by two aunts, finds comfort in a giant peach.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director Henry Selick for directing efforts. Thank you to Executive Producer Jake Eberts for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Grasshopper (voice of Simon Callow), Centipede (voice of Richard Dreyfuss), Ladybug (voice of Jane Leeves), Aunt Spiker (Joanna Lumley), Aunt Sponge/Glowworm (voice of Miriam Margolyes), Old Man (Pete Postlethwaite), Spider (voice of Susan Sarandon), James (Paul Terry), Earthworm (voice of David Thewlis), and Reporter #2 (J. Stephen Coyle).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Maybe. It may serve a young children audience.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

CLOUDY WITH A CHANCE OF MEATBALLS 2 (Theatrical Release USA 2013)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 3.7|5.0 Starsììì

Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs 2—a good animated film—improves on Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs 1.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

Young Flint Lockwood (voice of Bridget Hoffman) watches a show about Chester V (voice of Will Forte), a scientist and inventor of food bars for people to eat. An older Flint Lockwood (voice of Bill Hader) tells how he wants to be like Chester V. Then, the screen switches to Flint Lockwood as a young man working on his next invention with Sam Sparks (voice of Ana Faris) and the movie is off and running with its exploration of good versus evil.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Directors Cody Cameron and Kris Pearn for directing efforts. Thank you to Executive Producers Phil Lord and Christopher Miller for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Tim Lockwood (voice of James Caan), Brent McHale (voice of Andy Samberg), Manny (voice of Benjamin Bratt), Steve (voice of Neil Patrick Harris), Earl Devereaux (voice of Terry Crews), and Barb (voice of Kristen Schaal).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. Cloudy With A Chance of Meatballs 2 is much improved over the first movie in the series.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

PUMPING IRON (Theatrical Release USA 1977)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 4.2|5.0 Starsìììì

Pumping Iron—a documentary film—shows the close-knit camaraderie within the body building community. Arnold Schwarzenegger, Lou Ferrigno, and Franco Columbu inspire respect for body building. The movie is a definite ‘must see’ for those who aspire to body building for professional competitions.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

The one hundred days leading up to competition for Mr. Olympia becomes the primary storyline in this documentary.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Directors George Butler and Robert Fiore for directing efforts. Thank you to Producers Jerome Gary and George Butler for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Arnold Schwarzenegger (Himself), Lou Ferrigno (Himself), Matty Ferrigno (Himself), Victoria Ferrigno (Herself), Mike Katz (Himself), Franco Columbu (Himself), Ed Corney (Himself), Ken Waller (Himself), Serge Nubret (Himself), Robbie Robinson (Himself), Marianne Claire (Herself), Frank Zane (Himself), David DuPress (Himself), Eddie Giuliani (Himself), Danny Padilla (Himself), Denny Gable (Himself), Roger Callard (Himself), Paul Grant (Himself), Bill Grant (Himself), John Isaacs (Himself), and Narrator (voice of Charles Gaines).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. The documentary gets down to the heart of the discipline, what makes it work, and how to work it.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

OLYMPUS HAS FALLEN (Theatrical Release USA 2013)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 3.7|5.0 Starsììì

Olympus Has Fallen—a satisfying action flick—includes Gerard Butler (Mike Banning), Aaron Eckhart (President Benjamin Asher), Morgan Freeman (Speaker Trumbell), and Ashley Judd (Margarat Asher) as cast members. Director Antoine Fuqua seems to perform in the class of Director Michael Bay (Transformers and Armaggedon) in his presentation of this film.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

North Korean terrorists attack and occupy the United States White House.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director Antoine Fuqua for directing efforts. Thank you to Executive Producers Boaz Davidson, Danny Dimbort, and Mark Gill for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Mike Banning (Gerard Butler), President Benjamin Asher (Aaron Eckhart), Connor (Finley Jacobsen), Forbes (Dylan McDermott), Kang (Rick Yune), Speaker Trumbull (Morgan Freeman), Secret Service Director Lynn Jacobs (Angela Bassett), Secretary of Defense Ruth McMillan (Melissa Leo), and Leah (Radha Mitchell).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. It’s on par with some of the better terrorist films produced.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

TURBO (Theatrical Release USA 2013)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 3.5|5.0 Starsììì

Turbo—a wannabe fast snail—has a slow start. The first of the movie encourages a quick walk-out to look for a better movie to watch. Wait a little longer and you’ll be glad you didn’t miss the rest of the story and its ‘big bang’ ending.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

Theo the Snail (voice of Ryan Reynolds) watches reruns of famous races. Theo, a big dreamer who wants to be a racer, lives in a pack of snails that just want to be able to eat tomatoes every day. The film follows his progress to realize his dreams.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director David Soren for directing efforts. Thank you to Producer Lisa Stewart for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Chet (voice of Paul Giamatti), Tito (voice of Michael Peña), Whiplash (voice of Samuel L. Jackson), Angelo (voice of Luis Guzmán), Guy Gagné (voice of Bill Hader), Smoove Move (voice of Snoop Dogg), Burn (voice of Maya Rudolph), and Skidmark (voice of Ben Schwartz).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. Sometimes slow starts yield long term results in good entertainment. This film is a good example of that.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

FREE BIRDS (Theatrical Release USA 2013)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 3.2|5.0 Stars ììì

Free Birds—a great story that adults and children can share together. 

Storyline

Two turkeys attempt to change the traditional Thanksgiving dinner menu.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director Jimmy Hayward for directing efforts. Thanks to Executive Producers David I. Stern, John J. Strauss, and Aron Warner for making the film possible.

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. Director Jimmy Hayward does an outstanding job in bridging that tough area that comes in directing an animated movie so that it appeals to a broad age range.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

SANCTUM (Theatrical Release USA 2011)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 3.8|5.0 Starsììì

Sanctum—the film defines suspense drama with its non-stop unpredictability. Director Alister Grierson does an outstanding job exploring and portraying the dangerous world of spelunking, the importance of timing, and how a sequential series of small judgment errors can significantly impact routine caving activities. Richard Roxburg, Ioan Gruffudd, Rhys Wakefield, and Dan Wyllie act their part as if one is watching a home video of the entire real-life experience.

Film Poster Courtesy of  Wikipedia

Storyline

Spelunkers get caught in an underwater cave exploration in Papua New Guinea when a large rainstorm hits.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director Alister Grierson for directing efforts. Thank you to Executive Producers Ben Browning, James Cameron, Ryan Kavanaugh, Michael Maher, and Peter Rawlinson for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Frank (Richard Roxburgh), Carl (Ioan Gruffudd), Josh (Rhys Wakefield), Victoria (Alice Parkinson), Crazy George (Dan Wyllie), J.D. (Christopher James Baker), Liz (Nicole Downs), Judes (Allison Cratchley), and Luko (Cramer Cain).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. It is a highly informative film on spelunking and the many dangers involved in this sport.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

SWITCHMAS * (Video Release USA 2012)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 2.8|5.0 Starsìì

Switchmas—a movie, first released at film festivals, DVD, and then to Netflix—tells an appealing story about two children who switch places over the holidays to experience two different cultures’ holiday traditions. The movie has its own merits and maintains a Hallmark Channel-type appeal. It’s a nice holiday weeknight watch for the whole family, but doesn’t have that classic holiday appeal.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

Jewish Ira J. Finkelstein (Elijah Nelson) wants to celebrate Christmas instead of Hanukkah. On a plane layover, Ira meets Mikey Amato (Justin Thomas Howell) who thinks Hanukkah would be more fun to celebrate because there are 8 nights of presents instead of one night of presents. The two boys switch clothes and IDs, board the plane, and Ira is off to Washington state while Mikey is off to Florida state.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director Sue Corcoran for directing efforts. Thank you to Executive Producers Sally Bany, Elizabeth Rudolf, and Gary Allen Tucci for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Sam Finkelstein (Elliott Gould), Max Finkelstein (David DeLuise), Ira J. Finkelstein (Elijah Nelson), Mikey Amato (Justin Thomas Howell), Libby Wilson (Cynthia Geary), Rosie Finkelstein (Angela DiMarco), Clare Wilson (Shaye Hodgins), Jennifer Cameo (Julianne Christie), and Jessica Wilson (Jenna Levin).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Maybe. The film is cute and moves along fairly well; but waivers in its credibility due to the many conditions that are introduced into the story in order to make it happen and move it along to its next chapter.

* Also known as "All I Want Is Christmas" or "Ira Finkelstein's Christmas"

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers