MAGELLAN (Boston Sci-Fi Film Festival Boston, Massachusetts USA 2017)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 1.8|5.0 Starsì

Magellan offers nothing new; it's completely predictable. The movie comes off as a school project production. It wants to be great, but it fails to deliver. Director Rob York shows potential for the future and deserves encouragement, but this film doesn’t actualize that potential.

Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images

Storyline

NASA astronaut Roger Nelson searches for the source of incoming outer space signals.

Additional Thanks

Thank You to Director Rob York for directing effort. Thank you to Executive Producers Kevin Carvell, Jason Faller, and Kynan Griffin for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Commander Roger Nelson (Brandon Ray Olive), Becker (K. Danor Gerald), Abigail Nelson (Whitney Palmer), A.I. Ferdinand (voice of Matthew Mercer), A.I. Neil (voice of Nicola Posener), Secretary Stewart (D.L. Walker), John (Demetrius Daniels), Navigation Engineer (voice of Jim Horning), and Matthew (Davey Morrison).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

No. Try Arrival or Earth to Echo (for younger watchers) instead.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

ERNEST RIDES AGAIN (Theatrical Release USA 1993)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 3.1|5.0 Starsììì

Ernest Rides Again—Jim Varney’s last theatrical release film—does not perform as well as Ernest Saves Christmas, but compares well to his Ernest Goes to School (a direct-to-video release) produced after this film. It’s funky and fun for kids, but doesn’t serve the adult audience as well as some Ernest P. Worrell movies. There is no lack of comical and it runs on a fair and predictable script typical of Jim Varney. Good work for all involved.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

Ernest (Jim Varney) shows a piece of metal to Professor Melon who thinks it comes from a Revolutionary War cannon named Goliath, in which Britain’s crown jewels are rumored to be hidden.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director John R. Cherry III for directing effort. Thank you to Executive Producer Coke Sams for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Abner (Ron James), Dr. Glencliff (Tom Butler), Nan (Linda Kash), Frank (Duke Ernsberger), Joe (Jeffrey Pillars), Construction Worker 1 (Dave ‘Squatch’ Ward), Construction Worker 2 (Dee Jay Jackson), Chancellor (Charles Siegel), Surgeon (Alf Humphreys), Receptionist (Lillian Carlson), and Thug 1 (Mitchell Kosterman).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. It completely works for children. It’s clean, decent and doesn’t require adult supervision for the watch. Good work for all involved.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

xXx: STATE OF THE UNION (Theatrical Release USA 2005)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 3.8|5.0 Starsììì

xXx: State of the Union lacks the ‘bang’ of xXx despite more than enough action and good acting. It may have been better to cast Terry Crews in this particular movie and move Ice Cube to a softer script. The same for Samuel L. Jackson…he’s outstanding in nearly anything, but this film seems to require a different choice for his role. Overall, the film is just a little plain without that over-the-top thrill that we’ve come to expect from movies within this genre.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

After a National Security Agency (NSA) bunker is attacked, NSA agents look for a good replacement for Agent Xander Cage and choose Navy Seals Lieutenant Darius Stone (Ice Cube).

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director Lee Tamahori for directing effort. Thank you to Executive Producers Rob Cohen, Derek Dauchy, and Todd Garner for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: General George Decker (Willem Dafoe), XXX (Ice Cube), Agent Augustus Eugene Gibbons (Samuel L. Jackson), Agent Kyle Christopher Steele (Scott Speedman), Zeke (Xzibit), President James Sanford (Peter Strauss), Agent Toby Lee Shavers (Michael Roof), Charlie Mayweather (Sunny Mabrey), Lola Jackson (Nona Gaye), Lieutenant Alabama Cobb (John Gleeson Connolly), Agent Meadows (Ramon De Ocampo), and Bull (Barry Sigismondi).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Maybe. It’s one of those sequel films that didn’t live up to the parent film.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

10 CLOVERFIELD LANE (Theatrical Release USA 2016)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 3.4|5.0 Starsììì

10 Cloverfield Lane—the second installment in a film series beginning with Cloverfield—has good concept. While the script seems to be a high-budget offering, the film fails on the filming and acting levels. Although this movie presents better than its sequel, Cloverfield Paradox, it seems a bit boring and slow due to lack of capturing the excitement factor that the story requires. Actor John Goodman appears weakly fitted for his role and unfortunately, the rest of the cast seem mediocre. While leaving theatre, one may reflect ‘This film is not up to par for entertainment quality’.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

After leaving New Orleans, Michelle (Mary Elizabeth Winstead) gets into a car accident. She wakes up in an underground bunker and learns the world outside the bunker has changed.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director Dan Trachtenberg for directing effort. Thank you to Executive Producers Bryan Burk, Drew Goddard, and Matt Reeves for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Howard (John Goodman), Emmett (John Gallagher Jr.), Driver (Douglas M. Griffin), Woman (Suzanne Cryer), Ben (voice of Bradley Cooper), Voice on Radio (voice of Sumalee Montano), Radio Broadcaster (voice of Frank Mottek), and Paper Girl (Kayla Bechor).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Maybe. If viewers love Cloverfield, this is the second film in the series. Better alien watches, however, are Arrival or the 1951 black and white version of The Day the Earth Stood Still.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

BEN-HUR (Theatrical Release USA 2016)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 3.5|5.0 Starsììì

Ben-Hur—A for effort, B for presentation—just misses classic status. This is a tough story and needs tough male actors to fill the character roles. The film fails to supersede the quality of the 1959 Ben Hur movie due to failure in the casting department or in the directing department. Even all-star Morgan Freeman fails to carry his character well. This seems a direct result of the weakness seen in the interpretation of the script’s characters.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

Conflict between a Jewish Prince (Jack Huston) and a Roman Commander (Toby Kebbell) send the Prince on a difficult and long journey far from his home.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director Timur Bekmambetov for directing effort. Thank you to Executive Producers Jason F. Brown, Mark Burnett, Keith R. Clarke, Roma Downey, Enzo Sisti, and John Ridley for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Judah Ben-Hur (Jack Huston) Messala Severus (Toby Kebbell), Jesus (Rodrigo Santoro), Esther (Nazanin Boniadi), Naomi Ben-Hur (Ayelet Zurer), Pontius Pilate (Pilou Asbæk), Tirzah Ben-Hur (Sofia Black-D’Elia), Ilderim (Morgan Freeman), Druses (Marwan Kenzari), Dismas (Moises Arias), and Quintus (James Cosmo).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Maybe. This film has scope, but a better watch for authenticity and acting is: William Wyler’s 1959 version of Ben Hur starring Charlton Heston.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

FREEDOM (Theatrical Release USA 2014)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 3.6|5.0 Starsììì

Freedom needs a remake. The film lacks force, heart, and effective delivery despite the able talents of Cuba Gooding Jr. Director Peter Cousens does not realize his full potential in this movie.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

Two slave stories intertwine even though separated by nearly 100 years.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director Peter Cousens for directing effort. Thank you to Executive Producers Peter Cousens, Michael Goodin, and Cuba Gooding Jr. for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Samuel (Cuba Gooding Jr.), Vanessa (Sharon Leal), Jefferson Monroe (David Rasche), Barnyard Slave 4 (Kimberly Nichole), Plimpton (William Sadler), John Newton (Bernhard Forcher), Ozias (Jubilant Sykes), Mary (Anna Sims), Jim (Aaron Bantum), Adira (Phyllis Bash), and Garrett (Michael Goodwin).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Maybe. Better watches within this genre are: Lincoln, Amistad, or the fictional story, Django Unchained.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

THE SPY NEXT DOOR (Theatrical Release USA 2010)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 3.3|5.0 Starsììì

The Spy Next Door delivers Jackie Chan as a family man and somehow fails in presentation. The movie quickly turns into a ‘wannabe spy movie with kids’ and further complicates itself with the unholy casting of Billy Ray Cyrus and George Lopez as the other two parts of this trinity. Nothing seems to work in this film.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

CIA Agent Bob Ho (Jackie Chan) finds it is not so easy to retire from the CIA.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director  Bryan Levant for directing effort. Thank you to Executive Producers Ryan Kavanaugh, Ira Shuman, Solon So, and Tucker Tooley for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Gillian (Amber Valletta), Farren (Madeline Carroll), Ian (Will Shadley), Nora (Alina Foley), Anton Poldark (Magnús Scheving), Colton James (Billy Ray Cyrus), Glaze (George Lopez), Creel (Katherine Boecher), and Cute Girl (Mia Stallard).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Maybe. For the hard-core Jackie Chan fan, the film works; but, for the person looking for a film along this same storyline, a better watch is The Pacifier with Vin Diesel.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

300 (Theatrical Release USA 2006)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 3.8|5.0 Starsììì

300—such an overwhelming delivery of terrific special effects that an audience may feel it needs an ‘overload button’ to push for some relief—tells its great story in perfect detail. It leaves nothing behind. The only criticism here is the narrator voice seems annoying due to its dominance in the film. The movie may have been more powerful if the narrator had been evenly sandwiched between storyline scenes. Really good work for Actor Gerard Butler and Director Zack Snyder. The film deserves its 2014 sequel, 300: Rise of an Empire.

Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images

Storyline

Sparta’s warriors face the Persian Empire at the Battle of Thermopylae.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director Zack Snyder for directing effort. Thank you to Executive Producers William Fay, Craig J. Flores, Scott Mednick, Frank Miller, Deborah Snyder, Thomas Tull, and Ben Waisbren for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: King Leonidas (Gerard Butler), Queen Gorgo (Lena Headey), Theron (Dominic West), Dilios (David Wenham), Captain (Vincent Regan), Stelios (Michael Fassbender), Astinos (Tom Wisdom), Daxos (Andrew Pleavin), Ephialtes (Andrew Tiernan), Xerxes (Rodrigo Santoro), and Pleistarchos (Giovanni Cimmino).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. The film contains some of the best special effects in the business and shows the acting skills of Gerard Butler and directing skills of Zack Snyder well.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

THE PRESIDIO (Theatrical Release USA 1988)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 3.7|5.0 Starsììì

The Presidio—not one of Sean Connery’s better films—turns into a run-of-the-mill story that leans more toward drama than action. Nothing new or very exciting here except it is interesting to see Mark Harmon (NCIS television series) in his younger acting years as well as Meg Ryan’s earlier acting efforts. It’s a good afternoon flick to ‘kill some spare time’ film.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

Bad feelings between San Francisco Army Base Provost Marshall Alan Caldwell (Sean Connery) and San Francisco Police Inspector Jay Austin (Mark Harmon) complicate investigation of the slaying of MP Patti Jean Lynch (Jenette Goldstein).

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director Peter Hyams for directing effort. Thank you to Executive Producer Jonathan A. Zimbert for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Lieutenant Colonel Alan Caldwell (Sean Connery), Jay Austin (Mark Harmon), Donna Caldwell (Meg Ryan), Sergeant Major Ross Maclure (Jack Warden), Arthur Peale (Mark Blum), Colonel Paul Lawrence (Dana Gladstone), Patti Jean Lynch (Jenette Goldstein), MP Zeke (Marvin J. McIntyre), Howard Buckely (Don Calfa), Detective Marvin Powell (John DiSanti), and Sergeant Mueller (Robert Lesser).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Maybe. The movie runs more like a television series than a theatrical film release. It’s an afternoon cop drama watch. Better choices are Lethal Weapon 1, Lethal Weapon 2, Lethal Weapon 3, and Lethal Weapon 4.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

PIXIES (Video Release USA 2015)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 1.8|5.0 Starsì

Pixies forgets that people go to movies to be entertained. If there is a message, let the audience gently discover it in reflection, don’t beat them over the head with it. The script needs an overhaul. The animation needs an upgrade to the DreamWorks/Pixar level. Originality needs to be addressed and believe-ability needs to be served (even though the movie is about pixies). Director Sean Patrick O’Reilly’s first directed theatrical release needs serious work, but potential can often be realized in future attempts.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

Encounters with Pixies can be difficult as Eddie Beck (voice of Bill Paxton) discovers.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director Sean Patrick O’Reilly for directing effort. Thank you to Producers Michelle O’Reilly and Sean Patrick O’Reilly for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Pixie King (voice of Christopher Plummer), Michelle Meyers (voice of Alexa PenaVega), William (voice of Carlos PenaVega), Sam (voice of Geoff Gustafson), Gail (voice of Alison Wandzura), Pixie Page (voice of David Milchard), Worker Pixie (voice of Kiefer O’Reilly), Joe Beck (voice of Sean Patrick O’Reilly), Henry Meyers/Old Man Tom/Vincent (voice of Eric Pollins), and Max (voice of Tyler Nicol).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

No. Unfortunately, even though this animated feature has really good voicing, it needs a better script and more dollars put into its animation department. Director Sean Patrick O’Reilly may think about making documentaries if he wants to impress the audience with message films.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

HITMAN * (Theatrical Release Hong Kong 1998)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 3.8|5.0 Starsììì

Hitman—Hong Kong action flick with all the right perks to make it more than worth watching—sports a complicated storyline that can be a bit difficult to follow but still delivers Jet Li at his best. The script, well-written, relies on the direction skills of Wei Tung who does an outstanding job of delivering an entertainment piece that appeals to an international audience. The movie compares well with the best of the Jackie Chan action flicks.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

In the event of a successful assassination attempt, crime boss Tsukamoto (Kenji Sahara) sets up a $100 million bounty hunter and elimination fund. After he is assassinated, multiple persons step up to find his killer.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director Wei Tung for directing effort. Thank you to Producers Gordon Chan and Todd King for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Fu (Jet Li), Ngok Lo (Eric Tsang), Officer Chan Kwan (Simon Yam), Kiki (Gigi Leung), David Wu (Timmy Ho), Martin (Kwong Kim Yip), Kau (John Ching), Eiji Tsukamoto (Keiji Sato), and Sasaki (Hideri Meiken).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. Really good work for actors Jet Li and Eric Tsang. The movie does not disappoint. Captivating.

*This film also known as: Contract Killer

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

THE LOST CITY OF Z (Theatrical Release USA 2017)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 3.8|5.0 Starsììì

The Lost City of Z—based on the true story of jungle explorer Percy Fawcett—becomes worth watching for its interesting dip into little known history of this archaeologist and jungle explorer. There are some good scenes portraying action during World War I, Robert Pattinson looks good made up with a beard; but the film seems disconnected between its story and its actors.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

Percy Fawcett (Charlie Hunnam) searches for the lost city of Z in the jungles of Brazil.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director James Gray for directing effort. Thank you to Executive Producers Felipe Aljure, Marc Butan, Lew Horwitz, Mark Huffam, Michael Ilitch Jr., Julie B. May, Glenn Murray, and Brad Pitt for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Henry Costin (Robert Pattinson), Nina Fawcett (Sienna Miller), Jack Fawcett (Tom Holland), Arthur Manley (Edward Ashley), James Murray (Angus Macfadyen), Sir George Goldie (Ian McDiarmid), and Sir John Scott Keltie (Clive Francis).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. Overall, the film lacks realism, but serves to establish the persona and basic skills of explorers.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

FLUKE (Theatrical Release USA 1995)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 3.5|5.0 Starsììì

Fluke—a ‘feel good’ story, worth watching—has an original, creative concept with great voicing by Samuel L. Jackson and Matthew Modine. Although some of the actors/actresses seem to be prompted a great deal to get through their assigned dialogue and scenes, the movie presents a thoughtful presentation of reincarnation and life cycles. Watch for Ron Perlman and Bill Cobbs.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

Fluke (voice of Matthew Modine), a dog who remembers who he was before being reincarnated, makes the long journey home to find his family.

Additional Thanks

Thank You to Director Carlo Carlei for directing effort. Thank you to Executive Producers Tom Coleman and Jon Turtle for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include:Rumbo (voice of Samuel L. Jackson), Thomas P. Johnson (voice of Matthew Modine), Carol Johnson (voice of Nancy Travis), Jeff Newman (voice of Eric Stoltz), Brian Johnson (Max Pomeranc), Sylvester (Ron Perlman), Boss (Jon Polito), and Bert (Bill Cobbs).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. Except for one suggested ‘sleepover’ scene, the movie is decent, clean, and serves as a good family watch.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers