DIAMONDS ARE FOREVER (Theatrical Release Britain 1971)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 4.1|5.0 Stars ìììì

Diamonds Are Forever, while not on par with Goldfinger, still shows well as it follows the usual James Bond (Sean Connery) plotline—action, violence, and sex. Comedy relief comes in the form of matter-of-fact henchmen, Mr. Wint (Bruce Glover) and Mr. Kidd (Putter Smith), who deliver trite lines such as, “If God wanted man to fly, he would had given them wings,” with laughable, poker-faced sobriety.


Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

Arch villain Ernst Stavro Blofeld (Charles Grey) decides a satellite can be used to blow up military bases. James Bond’s protocol becomes: take out Blofeld, save the world, restore peace.

Additional Thanks

Great work for Director Guy Hamilton. Thank you to Producers Albert R. Broccoli and Harry Saltzman for making the film possible. Great music by Composer John Barry. Additional characters/cast include: Tiffany Case (Jill St. John), Plenty O’Toole (Lana Wood), Willard Whyte (Jimmy Dean), Saxby (Bruce Cabot), Leiter (Norman Burton), Dr. Metz (Joseph Fürst), ‘M’ (Bernard Lee), ‘Q’ (Desmond Llewelyn), Shady Tree (Leonard Barr), and Moneypenny (Lois Maxwell).


Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. A good film for James Bond fans.

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Ben Meyers

WHO FRAMED ROGER RABBIT (Theatrical Release USA 1988)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 4.3|5.0 Stars ìììì

Who Framed Roger Rabbit
follows a classic, complicated ‘whodunit’ plot line making it the perfect entertainment for adults. Its brilliant interweaving of animation with live action is flawlessly seamless, highly imaginative, and believable.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

There’s trouble in Toontown and Detective Eddie Valiant is the man for the job.

Additional Thanks

Great work for Director Robert Zemeckis. Thank you to Executive Producers Kathleen Kennedy and Steven Spielberg for making the film possible. Great work by Music Composer Alan Silvestri. Additional characters/cast include: Eddie Valiant (Bob Hoskins), Dolores (Joanna Cassidy), Roger Rabbit/Benny the Cab/Greasy/Psycho (voice of Charles Fleischer), Marvin Acme (Stubby Kaye), R.K. Maroon (Alan Tilvern), Lieutenant Santino (Richard LeParmentier), Baby Herman (voice of Lou Hirsch), Jessica’s Performance Model (Betsy Brantley), Raoul (Joel Silver), Betty Boop (voice of Mae Questel), Daffy Duck/Tweety Bird/Bugs Bunny/Sylvester/Porky Pig (voice of Mel Blanc), and Donald Duck (voice of Tony Anselmo).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. Terrific character development of animated and live characters ensures full audience engagement.

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Ben Meyers

THE FAST AND THE FURIOUS: TOKYO DRIFT (Theatrical Release USA 2006)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 3.7|5.0 Stars ììì

The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift
replaces Actor Paul Walker with Actor Lucas Black, moves the action to Tokyo, and uses the talents of Director Justin Lin to introduce audiences to ‘drifting,’ a type of racing popular in Japan. The storyline revolves around rebellious American teen-ager, Sean Boswell (Lucas Black), whose Mother sends him to Tokyo to live with his dad, U.S. Navy officer, Major Boswell (Brian Goodman), to keep him from trouble with United States law officials. The ‘family’ working to get their son on a better course in life isn’t quite what one would expect from a Fast and Furious movie; but, the racing is pretty good and the scenes revolving around Tokyo culture make a unique story worth watching. The movie is not the best in the series, The story needs a boost in reality and the story seems more serious at times than the other films. That serious tone as well as deeper involvement with mafia hampers the quality of this film.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Executive Producers Ryan Kavanaugh, Lynwood Spinks, and Clayton Townsend for making the film possible. Additional character/cast include: High School Security Guard (Damien Marzette), American Math Teacher (Trula M. Marcus), Morimoto (Leonardo Nam), Han (Sung Kang), Clay (Zachery Ty Bryan), Neela (Nathalie Kelley), Drift King (Brian Tee), Twinkie (Shad Moss also known as the musical rapper Bow Wow), Ms. Boswell (Lynda Boyd), and Cindy (Nikki Griffin).


Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. This movie, the third release in the Fast and the Furious franchise, is an interesting watch. But the plotline needs work to make it in character with the previous films.

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Ben Meyers

AMISTAD (Theatrical Release USA 1997)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 4.5|5.0 Stars ìììì

Amistad
, based loosely on the true story of a slave mutiny aboard the 1839 slave ship, Amistad, takes us into the courtroom as 50 captured African slaves fight for their freedom and right to return to Africa. The incident involves the United States Supreme Court as well as President Martin Van Buren (Nigel Hawthorne). It’s a true-to-form Stephen Spielberg classic about greed, power, and evil being thwarted by the few just individuals who fight for right. The tale is told through the eyes of Cinque (Djimon Hounsou), the leader of the African ship revolt.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Additional Thanks

Great work for Director Steven Spielberg. Thank you to Executive Producers Laurie McDonald and Walter Parkes for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Theodore Joadson (Morgan Freeman), Mr. Tappan (Stellen Skarsgård), John Quincy Adams (Anthony Hopkins), Secretary John Forsyth (David Paymer), Holabird (Pete Postlethwaite), and Yamba (Razaaq Adoti).


Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. This watch works well for Steven Spielberg fans. 

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Ben Meyers

HARRY POTTER AND THE SORCERER’S STONE (Theatrical Release USA 2001)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 4.6|5.0 Stars ìììì

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone
—the best supernatural film ever made—teams location, special effects, pure imagination, and outstanding cast to create a classic that finally bypasses Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer’s 1939 film release of The Wizard of Oz. Adventurous, powerful, surprising, and new, the film’s youthful cast Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, and Emma Watson are supported by some of the best seasoned actors in the business—Richard Harris, Maggie Smith, and Robbie Coltrane. While the movie closely follows the J.K. Rowling novel, Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone, the visual effect and the impetus that Director Chris Columbus effortlessly thrusts into each and every scene make it enthrallingly absorbing.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

Harry Potter continues his education toward mastery of the magical arts.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Executive Producers Michael Barnathan, Chris Columbus, Duncan Henderson, and Mark Radcliffe for making the film possible. Characters/cast include: Harry (Daniel Radcliffe), Tom-Bartender in Leaky Cauldron (Derek Deadman), Uncle Vernon Dursley (Richard Griffiths), Professor Albus Dumbledore (Richard Harris), Professor Quirinus Quirrell (Ian Hart), Aunt Petunia Dursley (Fiona Shaw), Diagon Alley Boy (Ben Borowiecki), Professor Minerva McGonagall (Maggie Smith), Molly Weasley (Julie Walters), Hermione Granger (Emma Watson), Ron Weasley (Rupert Grint), Rubeus Hagrid (Robbie Coltrane), Goblin Bank Teller/Professor Flitwick (Warwick Davis), Cousin Dudley Dursley (Harry Melling), and Griphook the Goblin (Verne Troyer).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. WOW! This works for all ages. A great watch! 

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Ben Meyers

JERSEY BOYS (Sydney Film Festival, Sydney, Australia 2014)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 4.9|5.0 Stars ìììì

Jersey Boys—
a Clint Eastwood-directed biopic about Frankie Valli and The Four Seasonscan be watched again and again for its perfect and abundant placement of music and terrific storyline. Well-written, well-cast, and just...well, it's just perfect.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons tell their story through music and words.

Additional Thanks

Best work for Director Clint Eastwood. Thank you to Executive Producers James Packer, Bob Gaudio, Tim Moore, Brett Ratner, and Frankie Valli for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Tommy DeVito (Vincent Piazza), Frankie Valli (John Lloyd Young), Vito (Steve Schirripa), Gyp DeCarlo (Christopher Walken), Frankie’s Mother, (Kathrine Narducci), Nick Massi (Michael Lomenda), and Bob Gaudio (Erich Bergen).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. It’s a great look at the value of persevering in the face of trials, following life’s passion, and bending into difficult situations with honesty and grace.

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Ben Meyers

THE TERMINATOR (Theatrical Release USA 1984)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 4.8|5.0 Stars ìììì

The Terminator—
another top-of-the-line Arnold Schwarzenegger action filmdelivers the message that if you rid yourself of things that are harmful to you, you will have a better life. All humor aside, the story is the quintessence of superlative and matchless tension laced with special effects.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

Kyle Reese (Michael Biehn) is sent from the future to protect Sarah Conner (Linda Hamilton), a woman destined to produce a child who will lead people against a self-aware defense network bent on destroying the human race. At the same time Kyle Reese is sent back, the defense network has sent back a cyborg terminator (Arnold Schwarzenegger) to exterminate Sarah Conner before she gives birth to this child. 

Additional Thanks

Best work for Writer and Director James Cameron. Thank you to Executive Producers John Daly and Derek Gibson for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Lieutenant Ed Traxler (Paul Winfield), Detective Hal Vukovich (Lance Henricksen), Matt Buchanan (Rick Rossovich), Ginger Ventura (Bess Motta), and Dr Peter Silberman (Earl Boen).



Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. Above average action entertainment with a terrific futuristic storyline.

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Ben Meyers

A CAT IN PARIS (San Francisco International Film Festival, San Francisco, California USA 2010)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 4.6|5.0 Stars ìììì

A Cat in Paris—
good storyline, simply animated French featuremay be a little complicated to follow for the younger crowd, but will still please. The story, about a jewel thief named Nico (voice of Steve Blum), a black cat, and a little girl named Zoé (voice of Lauren Weintraub), involves a treacherous nanny, Claudine (voice of Anjelica Huston), and an evil gangin a superb tale about stealing, kidnapping, and justice. The film contains some exciting chase scenes across French rooftops, just the right amount of danger, a small mystery, and a satisfying resolution for all audiences.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Additional Thanks

Best Work for Director Jean-Loup Felicioli and Alain Gagnol. Thank you to Executive Producer Emmanuel Bernard for making the film possible. Additional character/cast include: Jeanne (voice of Marcia Gay Harden), Lucas (voice of Matthew Modine), Mister Baby/Zookeeper (voice of Mike Pollack), Victor Costa (voice of J.B. Blanc), Mr. Hulot (voice of Philippe Hartmann), Mr. Frog (voice of Gregory Cupoli), and Mr. Potato/Frank (voice of Marc Thompson).


Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. A great film, appealing and likeable.  

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Ben Meyers

JOHNNY ENGLISH REBORN (Theatrical Release USA 2011)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 4.3|5.0 Stars ìììì

Johnny English Reborn p
lays hilarious. Rowan Atkinson's comedic performance supports itself on Gillian Anderson (known for her award winning performance in The X-Files) as his new boss and Daniel Kaluuya as his new junior agent, Colin Tucker.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline 

Johnny English’s assignment: Stop the assassination of the Chinese Premier. 


Additional Thanks

Great Work for Director Oliver Parker. Thank you to Executive Producers Liza Chasin, William Davies, and Deborah Hayward for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Agent 1 (Eric Carte), Agent 2 (Roger Barclay), and Ting Wang (Togo Igawa).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. This movie works for Johnny English movie fans. 

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Ben Meyers

SPANGLISH (Theatrical Release USA 2004)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 4.3|5.0 Stars ìììì

Spanglish—
probably one of the best, well-written scripts of 2004explores familial relationships in a state of flux. It makes no apologies for its complications and effortlessly introduces the audience to better choices when family situations begin to go sour. It’s a forgiving movie as told through the eyes of Hispanic housemaid Flor's (Paz Vega) daughter, Christina (Victoria Luna/Shelbie Bruce). This film becomes an excellent study in choices and how to take a higher road.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

Hispanic housemaid Flor (Paz Vega) finds herself in the predicament of mutual attraction between herself and her employer.

Additional Thanks

Great Work for Director James L. Brooks. Thank you to Executive Producers Joan Bradshaw and Christy Haubegger for making the film possible. Additional character/cast include: John Clasky (Adam Sandler), Deborah Clasky (Téa Leoni), Evelyn (Cloris Leachman), Bernice (Sarah Steele), and Georgie (Ian Hyland).


Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. Excellent adult watch for choosing higher moral paths when the heart pulls another way.

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Ben Meyers

REIGN OVER ME (Theatrical Release USA 2007)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 4.5|5.0 Stars ìììì

Reign Over Me
—one of the best 2007 films—tells the story of a friend who helps a friend. This is a terrific drama story, well acted, and well cast. Completely worth a watch.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

Dentist Charlie Fineman (Adam Sandler) loses his family in the 9/11 disaster. Charlie fails to move on and begins a gradual downhill slide over a five-year period. When his friend, Dentist Alan Johnson (Don Cheadle), sees him, he is shocked at his friend’s condition. He tries to help him at the risk of his own marriage. 

Additional Thanks

Great work for Director Mike Binder. Thank you to Executive Producers Jack Giarraputo and Lynwood Spinks for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Janeane Johnson (Jada Pinkett Smith), Angela Oakhurst (Liv Tyler), Donna Remar (Saffron Burrows), Judge Rains (Donald Sutherland), JonathanTimpleman (Robert Klein), and Ginger Timpleman (Melinda Dillon).



Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. Do not miss this movie.

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Ben Meyers

JUNIOR BONNER (Theatrical Release USA 1972)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 4.6|5.0 Stars ìììì

Junior Bonner—
a classic rodeo movieexcels in realism, presentation, and outstanding acting. 

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

Junior Bonner (Steve McQueen), whose specialty is riding broncs and bulls, is in the last days of his rodeo career. He has just failed riding a tough bull named Sunshine. He moves on to Prescott, Arizona, his familial home, to get ready for the Prescott rodeo. His arrogant brother, Curly Bonner (Joe Don Baker), is in mobile home real estate. Junior Bonner’s father, Ace Bonner (Robert Preston), is in the hospital for drunk driving. His mother, Elvira Bonner (Ida Lupino), is separated from her husband. Junior Bonner finds that his father wants to go to Australia. Junior Bonner bribes his manager, Buck Roan (Ben Johnson), to allow him to ride the bull, Sunshine, one more time.

Additional Thanks

Best work for Director Sam Peckinpah. Thank you to Producer Joe Wizan and Associate Producer Mickey Borofsky for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Charmagne (Barbara Leigh) and Ruth Bonner (Mary Murphy).


Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. Be aware that this film works on a rather depressing storyline, but completely works as an exceptionally realistic portrayal of rodeo life without the support of a family and children. Excellent drama.

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Ben Meyers

CURIOUS GEORGE (Theatrical Release USA 2006)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 4.7|5.0 Stars ìììì

Curious George—
lovable, with superb traditional animation—gently reminds us that circuitous paths can often lead to happy endings.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia 

Storyline

Ted, the man with the yellow hat (voice of Will Ferrell), loses his post at the Bloomsberry Museum because there are not enough interesting exhibits to create floor traffic. The junior Bloomsberry (voice of David Cross) wants to replace the museum with a parking lot, but the elder Bloomsbury (voice of Dick Van Dyke) wants to preserve it. Ted finds a picture of a stone monkey that has never been found and encourages the elder Bloomsbury to find the African artifact and rejuvenate interest in the museum. The elder Bloomsbury grabs at the idea and enthusiastically propels a reluctant Ted to take the trip to Africa. 

Additional Thanks

Best Work for Director Matthew O’Callaghan. Thank you to Executive Producers David Bernardi, Bonne Radford, Ken Tsumura, and James Whitaker for making the film possible. Additional characters/voice cast include: George (voice of Frank Welker), Kid (voice of Shane Baumel), Kid (voice of Timyra-Joi Beatty), Clovis (voice of Eugene Levy), and Maggie (voice of Drew Barrymore).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. High quality effort deserves the family watch.

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Ben Meyers

NIGHT AT THE MUSEUM: BATTLE OF THE SMITHSONIAN (Theatrical Release USA 2009)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 3.9|5.0 Stars ììì

Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian
continues the Night at the Museum’s story with Larry Daley (Ben Stiller) now a wealthy entrepreneur. The addition of Darth Vader (Thomas Morley), Abraham Lincoln Monument (voice of Hank Azaria), Oscar the Grouch (voice of Caroll Spinney), and Albert Einstein bobbleheads (voice of Eugene Levy) as well as the introduction of antagonist Pharoah Kahmunrah (Hank Azaria) add zest to the story; but, it’s a rather ho-hum sequel which children will enjoy while leaving adults twiddling their thumbs and waiting to go home.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

Larry Daley's museum adventures become a little more complicated. 

Additional Thanks

Really good work for Director Shawn Levy. Thank you to Executive Producers Thomas M. Hammel, Josh McLaglen, and Mark Radcliffe for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Nicky (Jake Cherry), Amelia Earhart (Amy Adams), The Thinker (voice of Hank Azaria), Jedidiah Smith (Owen Wilson), Ahkmenrah (Rami Malek), Ivan the Terrible (Christopher Guest), Napoleon Bonaparte (Alain Chabat), Octavius (Steve Coogan), and Dr. McPhee (Ricky Gervais).


Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes.  Overall, a good watch that needs presentation improvement to keep adult interest.

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Ben Meyers

POSEIDON (Theatrical Release USA 2006)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 3.4|5.0 Stars ììì

Poseidon
—ocean disaster filmseems determined to capitalize on some of the faults in the original film, The Poseidon Adventure, while adding a few faults of its own. The love drama scenes are heavily loaded as are the scenes with women overreacting to the point of 'enough already!' Acting is under par throughout the movie. The scene where Robert Ramsey (Kurt Russell) and his daughter’s boyfriend Christian (Mike Vogel) are working out the details of who will take the death plunge seem almost comedic. The moral of this story is that: if you can make it out of a sinking ship, you need to rescue as many people as you can, unless you operate on a different ethics level as when Architect Richard Nelson (Richard Dreyfuss) sacrifices pleading man, Waiter Marco Valentin (Freddy Rodriguez). Of course, in the non-thinking moment when more panic presents itself than rational thinking, anything may be possible and that is definitely one of the scriptwriter’s many options for resolving tough situations.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

A ship begins to sink and people desperately endeavor to survive.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director Wolfgang Petersen for directing effort. Thank you to Executive Producers Sheila Allen, Jon Jashni, Ben Waisbren, and Kevin Burns for making the movie possible. Additional characters/cast include: Dylan Johns (Josh Lucas), Maggie James (Jacinda Barrett), Jennifer Ramsey (Emmy Rossum), Elena Morales (Mia Maestro), and Lucky Larry (Kevin Dillon).



Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Maybe. While the computer graphics are terrific, between two story choices, see the original film, The Poseidon Adventure, for greater entertainment satisfaction coupled with realistic human cooperation for survival.

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Ben Meyers

PUNCH-DRUNK LOVE (Cannes Film Festival, Cannes, France 2002)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 4.0|5.0 Stars ìììì

Punch-Drunk Love—
unique love storyflavors itself with sweet, innocent scenes that invoke small smiles and gentle chuckles. There are scenes with graphic sexual dialog; but, for the most part, the film flows smoothly and provides satisfying entertainment.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

Bachelor Barry Egan needs to marry, but lacks the courage. A series of unrelated events dovetail to introduce the love of his life and to enable him to find his courage. 

Additional Thanks

Great Work for Director Paul Thomas Anderson. Thank you to Producers Paul Thomas Anderson, Daniel Lupi, and JoAnne Sellar for making the film possible. Additional character/cast include: Lance (Luis Guzmán), Kathleen (Julie Hermelin), Customer #1 (David Schrempf), Customer #2 (Seann Conway), Rico (Rico Bueno), Rhonda (Hazel Mailloux), Steve (Larry Ring), Richard (Kerry Gelbard), and Dean Trumbell (Philip Seymour Hoffman).


Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. The film delivers well-timed dialogue and serves as a wonderful watch.

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Ben Meyers

THE FAST AND THE FURIOUS (Theatrical Release USA 2001)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 4.3|5.0 Stars ìììì

The Fast and the Furious—
an adrenaline pulsing, fast, engine pounding filmintroduces itself in such a manner that we forgive its raunchiness, its nudity, and sexual references much in the same way that we forgive a James Bond classic for its lack of morality. The camera angles and dare devil stunts coupled with fast, pumped cars places it in the top-of-its-class for racing films. The story begins with LA Policeman Brian O’Conner’s (Paul Walker) recruitment to take down Dom Toretto (Vin Diesel), a street racer and professional thief. Brian O’Conner infiltrates the gang; falls for Dom Toretto’s sister, Mia Torreto (Jordana Brewster); challenges Dom Toretto’s Modified 1993 Mazda RX-7 for a race against Brian O’Conner’s modified 1995 Mitsubishi Eclipse GSX; and the show is on as the two men warily assess each other’s strengths and weaknesses.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Additional Thanks

Great Work for Director Rob Cohen. Thank you to Executive Producers Doug Claybourne and John Pogue for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Letty (Michelle Rodriguez), Johnny Tran (Rick Yune), Jesse (Chad Lindberg), Vince (Matt Schulz), and Hector (Noel Gugliemi).



Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. Good movie for racing fans. This is part 1 of the Fast and Furious movie series and is worth watching. 

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Ben Meyers

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