AEON FLUX (Theatrical Release USA 2005)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 2.4|5.0 Starsìì

Æon Flux—good concept, great actors, innovative stunts and action scenes—fails in depth, warmth, and reason for telling its story.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

Æon Flux (Charlize Theron), ordered by an underground group to rid the city of its corrupt government, finds her city of Bregna’s entire population has an unbelievable secret.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director Karyn Kusama for directing efforts. Thank you to Executive Producers Tom Rosenberg and Van Toffler for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Oren Goodchild (Jonny Lee Miller), Sithandra (Sophie Okonedo),Trevor Goodchild (Marton Csokas), Handler (Frances McDormand), Keeper (Pete Postlethwaite), Una Flux (Amelia Warner), Freya (Caroline Chikezie), and Claudius (Nikolai Kinski). 

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

No. Better choices for female-driven sci-fi films are Resident Evil or Underworld.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

BATMAN & ROBIN (Theatrical Release USA 1997)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 3.5|5.0 Starsììì

Batman & Robin—one of the best in the Batman movie remake series—adds George Clooney to the stable of actors who interpret the Batman/Bruce Wayne character. Clooney renders the Bruce Wayne half of Batman with a sophistication and solidness that differs entirely from Val Kilmer's more youthful, brash and rash vision of Bruce Wayne in his Batman Forever film. While the movie fails in the scenes detailing petty arguments between Batman and Robin over Poison Ivy (Uma Thurman) as they are in transit to fight the evil Mr. Freeze (Arnold Schwarzenegger), the evil laughs of Arnold Schwarzenegger spill ‘chill’ more than all the evil laughs of Two Face and the Riddler combined in previous versions of Batman. The acting? More realistic than previous Batman movies. The script has more strength than the previous three Batman films combined. While Batman and Robin ‘suiting up’ for action works on the comically lame side, Uma Thurman, considering her scripted dialogue, plays an interesting Poison Ivy.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

Batman (George Clooney) and Robin (Chris O’Donnell) fight the evil Mr. Freeze (Arnold Schwarzenegger) with some interesting interaction with Poison Ivy (Uma Thurman).

Additional Thanks

Thank You to Director Joel Schumacher for directing efforts. Thank you to Executive Producers Benjamin Melniker and Michael E. Uslan for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Dr. Victor Fries (Arnold Schwarzenegger), Bruce Wayne (George Clooney), Dick Grayson (Chris O’Donnell), Dr. Pamela Isley (Uma Thurman), Batgirl/Barbara Wilson (Alicia Silverstone), Alfred Pennyworth (Michael Gough), Commissioner James Gordon (Pat Hingle), Dr. Jason Woodrue (John Glover), Julie Madison (Elle Macpherson), Ms. B. Haven (Vivica A. Fox), and Nora Fries (Vendela Kirsebom Thomessen).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. The provocative casting mix of Arnold Schwarzenegger, George Clooney, Chris O’Donnell, and Uma Thurman creates a worthy watch.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

BATMAN RETURNS (Theatrical Release USA 1992)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 3.5|5.0 Starsììì

Batman Returns—slightly better than the Batman movie—starts with a bang that creates high expectations and then settles out to a mediocre level. The film casts Danny DeVito as The Penguin and adds Michelle Pfeiffer, Christopher Walken, and Pat Hingle to the cast. The costuming and makeup are quite good. The special effects perform at about the same level as the movie’s prequel.  Because the script consistently places Batman precisely at scenes of danger, the movie quickly positions itself within the ‘corny/comedic’ category. Whereas Director Christopher Nolan in Batman Begins elevates Batman's character to a realistic fighter of crime, the director of this film, Tim Burton, uses some of the old Adam West techniques when eradicating ‘bad guys’ except it does the audience the favor of disposing of the zap and bang power words splattered across action scenes to describe what a punch sounds like. This film has Michael Keaton reprising his role as Batman with Michael Gough serving as character Alfred Pennyworth.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

Batman (Michael Keaton) fights The Penguin (Danny DeVito) and Catwoman (Michelle Pfeiffer).

Additional Thanks

Thank You to Director Tim Burton for directing efforts. Thank you to Executive Producers Peter Guber, Benjamin Melniker, Jon Peters, and Michael E. Uslan for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Bruce Wayne (Michael Keaton), Oswald Cobblepot (Danny DeVito), Selina Kyle (Michelle Pfeiffer), Max Shreck (Christopher Walken), Alfred Pennyworth (Michael Gough), The Mayor (Michael Murphy), Ice Princess (Cristi Conaway), Charles ‘Chip’ Shreck (Andrew Bryniarski), Commissioner James Gordon (Pat Hingle), Organ Grinder (Vincent Schiavelli), and Josh (Steve Witting).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Maybe. It is worth watching Danny DeVito’s outstanding performance as the Penguin, but an overall better watch is The Dark Knight.

Video Critique Available Here

Ben Meyers

FURRY VENGEANCE (Theatrical Release USA 2010)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 2.7|5.0 Starsìì

Furry Vengeance—fails at the script level—endeavors to say something good about animal safety and forest protection but does it in a way that disables the cause. The strongest actors/actresses in this film become Brooke Shield and Alice Drummond who both carry their parts well.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

Animals fight back for their piece of the forest and target Dan Sanders (Brendan Fraser).

Additional Thanks

Thank You to Director Roger Kumble for directing efforts. Thank you to Executive Producers Mohamed Khalaf Al-Mazrouel, Brendan Fraser, Jonathan King, Ira Shuman, and Jeff Skoll for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Frank (Ricky Garcia), Cheese (Eugene Cordero), Gus (Patrice O’Neal), Hank (Jim Norton), Tammy Sanders (Brooke Shields), Tyler Sanders (Matt Prokop), Drill Sergeant (Billy Bush), Neal Lyman (Ken Jeong), Felder (Angela Kinsey), and Principal Baker (Samantha Bee).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

No. Mouse Hunt is a better movie if one is looking for a story with human/animal interaction.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

BATMAN FOREVER (Theatrical Release USA 1995)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 3.1|5.0 Starsììì

Batman Forever features Tommy Lee Jones, Jim Carrey, and Val Kilmer to tell its story. Despite its great cast, the story is difficult to get through due to poor timing and meager reliance on good transitioning between scenes. This creates a distinct ‘jittery, mixed-up feeling’ that steadily builds a desire to stop the film and watch something else. Director Joel Schumacher’s choice of Tommy Lee Jones for the Harvey Dent/Two Face character proves less effective in this movie than Director Christopher Nolan’s use of Aaron Eckhart as Harvey Dent/Two Face in The Dark Knight film. Interestingly, this lack of effect seems to revolve, not just in the acting, but around the makeup department. Batman Forever retains the original half green face for Two Face while The Dark Knight’s makeup department tosses the half green face in favor of a phenomenal use of rotting flesh that reveals teeth and bone, an amazing improvement over the traditional face. The Riddler, in this film, seems to dominate the scenes which becomes a natural outcome of choosing Jim Carrey to portray this character. It will be interesting to see what Christopher Nolan or Zack Snyder can do with that character in future films.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

Batman (Val Kilmer) has opportunity to battle the Riddler (Jim Carrey) and the criminal Two Face (Tommy Lee Jones).

Additional Thanks

Thank You to Director Joel Schumacher for directing efforts. Thank you to Executive Producers Benjamin Melniker and Michael E. Uslan for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Bruce Wayne (Val Kilmer), Harvey Dent (Tommy Lee Jones), Dr. Edward Nygma (Jim Carrey), Dr. Chase Meridian (Nicole Kidman), Robin/Dick Grayson (Chris O’Donnell), Alfred Pennyworth (Michael Gough), Commissioner James Gordon (Pat Hingle), Sugar (Drew Barrymore), Spice (Debi Mazar), and Gossip Gerty (Elizabeth Sanders).

 Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Maybe. The movie enlarges Robin’s personality as he relates to Batman, which is a rather interesting enhancement of the ongoing Batman story. The film narrowly serves the ‘I love Batman club’ more than the overall movie audience seeking action entertainment.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

WILD HOGS (Theatrical Release USA 2007)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 3.4|5.0 Starsììì

Wild Hogs promises lots of laughs from its bylines and trailers, but ironically fails to deliver the expected product despite a story concept that should have provided non-stop belly laughs. The biggest laugh one takes from this film becomes ‘how in the world did it get produced?’ Part of the challenge is the onscreen charisma existing between Tim Allen, John Travolta, Martin Lawrence, and William H. Macy. It’s completely lacking. Couple that with a poor script and the movie immediately becomes a low C-grade film.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

Four men—a lawyer, computer programmer, dentist, and plumber—find their gentleman’s weekend motorcycle club, The Wildhogs, needs to ‘prove up’ when challenged by another ‘real’ bike club, the Del Fuegos.

Additional Thanks

Thank You to Director Walt Becker for directing efforts. Thank you to Executive Producers Amy Sayres and Sharla Sumpter Bridgett for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Doug Madsen (Tim Allen), Woody Stevens (John Travolta), Bobby Davis (Martin Lawrence), Dudley Frank (William H. Macy), Jack (Ray Liotta), Maggie (Marisa Tomei), Red (Kevin Durand), Murdock (M.C. Gainey), Kelly Madsen (Jill Hennessy), and Billy Madsen (Dominic Janes).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

No. There are better movies about ‘proving up’—such as Drillbit Taylor and Waterboy.

Ben Meyers

BATMAN (Theatrical Release USA 1989)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 3.4|5.0 Starsììì

Batman—‘cool’ in 1989—uses a milder comic book feel than previous Batman stories to depict its storyline, but classifies itself as ‘corny’ with its dialogue and poor special effects when compared to the 2005 production of Batman Begins. Jack Nicholson does not do justice to the Joker as well as Heath Ledger did in The Dark Knight. The film becomes a good study for collegiate studies on Michael Keaton as an actor and films by Tim Burton. Michael Gough as Alfred Pennyworth performs that character from 1989 to the 1997 Batman and Robin with consistency of portrayal.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

Mayor Borg (Lee Wallace) demands a safer Gotham City and Batman (Michael Keaton) assists.

Additional Thanks

Thank You to Director Tim Burton for directing effort. Thank you to Executive Producers Benjamin Melniker and Michael E. Uslan for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Bruce Wayne (Michael Keaton), Joker/Jack Napier (Jack Nicholson), Vicki Vale (Kim Basinger), Alexander Knox (Robert Wuhl), Commissioner James Gordon (Pat Hingle), Harvey Dent (Billy Dee Williams), Alfred Pennyworth (Michael Gough), Carl Grissom (Jack Palance), Alicia Hunt (Jerry Hall), and Bob the Goon (Tracey Walter).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Maybe. It’s a dated look at early Batman films.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

10,000 BC (Theatrical Release USA 2008)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 3.2|5.0 Starsììì

10,000 BC does not seem to have the special effects to justify its $105-million-dollar budget. It does have great cinematography, very good concept, and fresh characters to support its story. Actors Cliff Curtis and Marco Khan along with Narrator Omar Sharif help put the film into a box office monetary success category; but, like Thom Moore’s Secret of the Kells, the film begs the question of ‘why is this important’ and ‘how does the content relate to generally known concepts’? Several challenges revolve around lack of realism in the Medicine Woman vision scenes, the flying back as a bolt of lightning scenes, the generation of the wooly mammoths, and the natives’ hunt to kill the mammoths. Scenes where birds attack men in overgrown grass are highly reminiscent of Jurassic Park: Lost World where raptors kill men in vegetal overgrowth. On the other side of this small criticism, the scenes of the saber-toothed cat trying to keep above water and the wooly mammoth pulling huge stones up steep grades are fresh and well done.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

When the Yagahl tribe find their supply of wooly mammoths decreasing, they go through a series of events that lead to a changed way of life.

Additional Thanks

Thank You to Director Roland Emmerich for directing efforts. Thank you to Executive Producers Sarah Bradshaw, William Fay, Tom Karnowski, Harald Kloser, Scott Mednick, and Thomas Tull for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: D’Leh (Steven Strait), Evolet (Camilla Belle), Tic’Tic (Cliff Curtis), Nakudu (Joel Virgel), Warlord (Affif Ben Badra), Ka’Ren (Mo Zinal), Baku (Nathanael Baring), Old Mother (Mona Hammond), One-Eye (Marco Khan), Moha (Reece Ritchie), and Lu’kibu (Joel Fry).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Maybe. The film’s basic concept is good.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

OUR SOULS AT NIGHT (Theatrical Release USA 2017)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 3.8|5.0 Starsììì

Our Souls at Night, when critiqued strictly on acting and portrayal, performs at a high level of competence due to the two lead performers’—Robert Redford and Jane Fonda—acting abilities. However, when examining the premise upon which the story unfolds, much discussion can be raised about the value of the storyline itself. While the overall story flows smoothly and ends happily, questions arise over the story’s basic premise and the movie thereby becomes a great 'after movie discussion' film. For example, does the choice of the two main actors promote moral behavior? Does it help to establish clean thinking within the community at large? Do personal image and moral reputation matter? Does a contractual marriage arrangement have value in advanced age groups? Does placing two seasoned persons in close proximity and in a setting conducive to sexual contact, without the benefit of marriage, matter? Is this a viable solution to loneliness in advanced age? Are seasoned citizens beyond responsibility to set moral example to younger generations? Depending upon the audiences’ viewpoints and answers to any one of these questions, the movie will ultimately be rated as a winning piece of entertainment or as a distorted rationalization of adult choices. At the least, the movie plants a seed in the audience mind. One question is: What is the desired fruitage from this planted seed?

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

Widow (Jane Fonda) asks widower (Robert Redford) to help combat loneliness by establishing a long-term platonic ‘sleep over’ relationship.

Additional Thanks

Thank You to Director Ritesh Batra for directing efforts. Thank you to Executive Producers Pauline Fischer and Ben Ormand for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Holly (Judy Greer), Addie Moore (Jane Fonda), Louis Waters (Robert Redford), Jamie (Iain Armitage), Dorlan (Bruce Dern), Gene (Matthias Schoenaerts), Ruth (Phyllis Somerville), Actress (Leana Lewis), Realtor (Audrey Walters), Café Teenager (Hawley Penfold), and Actor (Michael Love Toliver). 

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Maybe. It is an interesting mature adult romance, but not Ben Meyers’ first pick for a love/friendship story.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers 

MEEK’S CUTOFF (Theatrical Release Canada 2011)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 3.8|5.0 Starsììì

Meek’s Cutoff experimentally uses a writing technique where the audience, unfamiliar with the history behind Oregon scout and wagon train leader Stephen Meek’s decision to blaze a new wagon train trail, can interpret and debate the meaning of the final scene. For those familiar with the history, however, the final scene is known and understood. The film uses seasoned actors Bruce Greenwood and Will Patton along with some newer actors, Paul Dano and Michelle Williams, to complete its story. The cast works well together. This film does not follow a strong western ‘shoot ‘em up, ride it hard’ format.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

Native American challenges lead to the blazing of a new trail by Oregon pioneers.

Additional Thanks

Thank You to Director Kelly Reichardt for directing effort. Thank you to Executive Producers Todd Haynes, Phil Morrison, Andrew Pope, Laura Rosenthal, Mike S. Ryan, Rajen Savjani, and Steven Tuttleman for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Emily Tetherow (Michelle Williams), Stephen Meek (Bruce Greenwood), Soloman Tetherow (Will Patton), Millie Gately (Zoe Kazan), Thomas Gately (Paul Dano), Glory White (Shirley Henderson), William White (Neal Huff), Jimmy White (Tommy Nelson), and The Indian (Rod Rondeaux).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. The film relies on good acting despite its ambiguously blunt ending.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

ODD THOMAS (Theatrical Release USA 2014)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 3.4|5.0 Starsììì

Odd Thomas—a wannabe supernatural thriller—needs a complete reboot from its title to its slow and redundant script. The upside to the story becomes the use of Willem Dafoe and the late Anton Yelchin who play the characters of Chief Wyatt Porter and Odd Thomas respectively.

Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images

Storyline

After Odd Thomas (Anton Yelchin) sees dead people, he attempts to right the wrong that caused their death. Finally, he has opportunity to prevent the death of a large group of individuals due to a futuristic dream detailed by Viola (Gugu Mbatha-Raw).

Additional Thanks

Thank You to Director Stephen Sommers for directing effort. Thank you to Executive Producers Michael Arata, Alastair Burlingham, John Calhoun, Des Carey, Michael Cioni, Jerry Daigle, James Gibb, Pavan Grover, Jason Hewitt, Carsten H.W. Lorenz, Bruce MacInnes, Stephen Margolis, Martin McCourt, and Steve Robbins for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Penny Kalisto (Ashley Sommers), Odd’s Mother (Leonor Varela), Harlo Landerson (Matthew Page), Pool Man (Casey Messer), Stevie (Barney Lanning), Officer Simon Varner (Nico Tortorella), Officer Bern Eckles (Kyle McKeever), Levanna (Carmen Corley), and Nicolina (Maisha Diatta).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Maybe. It’s got good concept and most likely, over time, will work itself into cult movie status.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers