JOSEPH: KING OF DREAMS (Video Release USA 2000)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 3.8|5.0 Starsììì

Joseph: King of Dreams—animated version of the Joseph story—covers the basic Biblical Joseph story adequately, but is not the best in its class. It serves as a child’s fill-in-some-spare-time movie. 

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia 

Storyline

Joseph is sold into Egypt and the family soon follows.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Directors Rob LaDuca and Robert C. Ramirez for directing efforts. Thank you to Executive Producers Penney Finkelman Cox, Jeffrey Katzenberg, and Steve Hickner for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Joseph (voice of Ben Affleck), Judah (voice of Mark Hamill), Jacob (Richard Herd), Rachel (voice of Maureen McGovern), Asenath (voice of Jodi Benson), Zuleika (voice of Judith Light), Potiphar (voice of James Eckhouse), Pharoah (voice of Richard McGonagle), Joseph (singing voice of David Campbell), Simeon/Slave Trader (voice of Steven Weber), Auctioneer/Horse Trader (voice of Dan Castellaneta), and Butler (voice of Rene Auberjonois).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. It’s a good review of the life events of the Biblical Joseph, but a better view is Prince of Egypt.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

MIRACLE (Theatrical Release USA 2004)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 3.8|5.0 Starsììì

Miracle needs to replace Kurt Russell with a more forceful character like Kris Kristofferson or move the assistant coach, Noah Emmerich, into the head coach position. That single casting move would greatly improve the entire presentation into higher rating and quality viewing. This film works for the teen/adult audience and survives due to its tenacious desire to replicate events at the 1980 Winter Olympics.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

Ice hockey Coach Herb Brooks (Kurt Russell) takes a personally selected hockey team and wins the gold medal at the 1980 Winter Olympics.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director Gavin O’ Connor for directing effort. Thank you to Executive Producers Ross Greenburg and Justis Greene for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Patti Brooks (Patricia Clarkson), Craig Patrick (Noah Emmerich), Walter Bush (Sean McCann), Doc Nagobads (Kenneth Welsh), Jim Craig (Eddie Cahill), Mike Eruzione (Patrick O’Brien Demsey), Jack O’Callahan (Michael Mantenuto), Rob McClanahan (Nathan West), Ralph Cox (Kenneth Mitchell), Mark Johnson (Eric Peter-Kaiser), Dave Silk (Bobby Hanson), Mike Ramsey (Joseph Cure), and Buzz Schneider (Billy Schneider).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. The movie serves hockey fans well with inspirational scenes and good hockey plays.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

POWER RANGERS (Theatrical Release USA 2017)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 3.5|5.0 Starsììì

Power Rangers features young actors who possibly will be the next big names in action flicks, but at this point in time are still developing acting skills. Average performance and mediocre action scenes place this film in the teen flick entertainment range. Perhaps Director Dean Israelite, in future Power Ranger films, will be able to morph presentation of Power Rangers into quality entertainment just as Director Christopher Nolan took the hokey Batman stories and morphed them into the outstanding Batman Begins movie. When that morphing happens, these superheroes will shoot over the top in entertainment value. Watch for Bryan Cranston in the movie.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

Six superheroes, purposed to safeguard earth, experience derailment of purpose when one superhero becomes power hungry and forsakes its original purpose.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director Dean Israelite for directing effort. Thank you to Executive Producers Joel Andryc, John Gatins, Qiuyun Long, Brent O’Connor, Allison Shearmur, and Takeyuki Suzuki for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Jason/Red Ranger (Dacre Montgomery), Kimberly/Pink Ranger (Naomi Scott), Billy/Blue Ranger (RJ Cyler), Zack/Black Ranger (Ludi Lin), Trini/Yellow Ranger (Becky G), Rita Repulsa (Elizabeth Banks), Zordon (Bryan Cranston), Alpha 5 (voice of Bill Hader) Damo (Matt Shively), Hawkeye (Cody Kearsley), Sam Scott (David Denman), Ted Hart (Robert Moloney), and Maddy Hart (Anjali Jay).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Maybe. The movie works as a teen flick. It does not perform as a top-of-the-game superhero movie.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

THE DESCENT (Theatrical Release USA 2006)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 3.6|5.0 Starsììì

The Descent beginning scenes introduce, independent, over-the-top, ‘I don’t make an apology for my life', ego-driven, masculine-oriented, testosterone-popping, young women who, by the end of the movie, are crying for help like the best of any dependent, ‘damsel in distress’, estrogen-loaded female ever depicted on big screen. This dramatic change in character makes the film wobble and creates instability for the viewing audience. It’s almost as if these six men-type women had sex change operations while spelunking. Less masculinity at the beginning of the film and less femininity at the end of the film will create realistic balance that contributes to understanding the basic character of the six protagonists. The film also troubles itself with a very late introduction of horror via alien-type creatures, surprisingly like the gollum in the Lord of the Rings series, that comes as a complete shock as, up to this point, one is led to believe this movie follows an ordinary caving story that works on the level of Sanctum, a superb spelunking movie.  This ill-timed twist in the storyline creates derailment, surprise, and strong need to reconcile the thought, ‘Oh, this isn’t a spelunking movie highlighting the thrills of caving.’ This not-for-children movie serves the late teen/adult audience and serves up its share of gore and language.

Film Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

Six girls enter a cave and find an unexpected surprise at the exit.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director Neil Marshall for directing effort. Thank you to Executive Producer Paul Smith for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Sarah (Shauna Macdonald), Juno (Natalie Mendoza), Beth (Alex Reid), Rebecca (Saskia Mulder), Sam (MyAnna Buring), Holly (Nora Jane Noone), Paul (Oliver Milburn), Jessica (Molly Kayll), Crawler (Craig Conway), Crawler (Leslie Simpson), Crawler (Mark Cronfield), Crawler (Steven Lamb), and Crawler (Catherine Dyson).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Maybe. The film fails in timing, performs on the amateur level in characterization, and borrows horror from a classic film so that audience anticipation experiences sharp let-down into the ‘we’ve seen that before’ mode. It’s a chick-flick horror film, not the best in its class.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

A VERY BRADY SEQUEL (Theatrical Release USA 1996)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 3.0|5.0 Starsììì

A Very Brady Sequel adds Zsa Zsa Gabor, John Hillerman, Rosie O’Donnell, Barbara Eden, and David Spade to its cast. However, despite terrific actors and actresses, this film comes off as if determined to dispose of the best of the Brady stories, enhance the worst of the series, put that on the big screen, and call it a movie. There’s no ‘cool’ in this sequel.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

Carol Brady’s (Shelley Long) first husband shows up after a long absence.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director Arlene Sanford for directing effort. Thank you to Producers Alan Ladd Jr., Lloyd J. Schwartz, and Sherwood Schwartz for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Mike Brady (Gary Cole), Greg Brady (Christopher Daniel Barnes), Marcia Brady (Christine Taylor), Peter Brady (Paul Sutera), Jan Brady (Jennifer Elise Cox), Bobby Brady (Jesse Lee Soffer), Cindy Brady (Olivia Hack), Alice Nelson (Henriette Mantel), Roy Martin/Trevor Thomas (Tim Matheson), Explorer/Dead Husband (Whip Hubley), Auctioneer (Whitney Rydbeck), Art Patron #1 (Sue Casey), and Art Patron #2 (Gregory White).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Maybe. If one is determined to finish the series, then this is part of the package; but, it is not the best of the Brady stories.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

LADYBUGS (Theatrical Release USA 1992)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 3.3|5.0 Starsììì

Ladybugs—features Rodney Dangerfield—comes as a simple, good story that revolves around a soccer theme. It’s not outstanding in any way, but leaves audiences with a good feeling that there’s a happy ending to stories where the characters try to do the right thing.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

Chester Lee (Rodney Dangerfield) finds that a move-up in lifestyle sometimes requires involvement in other activities like working with an all-girl soccer team.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director Sidney J. Furie for directing effort. Thank you to Executive Producer Gray Frederickson for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Julie Benson (Jackée Harry), Matthew/Martha (Jonathan Brandis), Bess (Ilene Graff), Kimberly Mullen (Vinessa Shaw), Dave Mullen (Tom Parks), Glynnis Mullen (Jeannetta Arnette), Nancy Larimer (Crystal Cooke), Carmelita Chu (Jennifer Frances Lee), Tina Velez (Vanessa Monique Rossel), Sally Anne Welfelt (Johna Stewart Bowden), Penny Pester (Jandi Swanson), and Coach Annie (Nancy Parsons).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Maybe. The movie is a little ‘edgy’, but Rodney Dangerfield fans should enjoy the film.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

KICKBOXER (Theatrical Release USA 1989)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 3.3|5.0 Starsììì

Kickboxer lacks the punch of other martial arts movies like the Ip Man series, but highlights the skills of kickboxing as well as the training involved when Van Damme makes the decision to kickbox professionally. Tremendous appreciation for the sport ensues as Van Damme shows the limberness needed for kickboxing. His ability to twist and move limbs reminds one of an action figure in the hands of a three-year-old who can manipulate action figure limbs into unbelievable positions.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

Kurt Sloane (Jean-Claude Van Damme) vows to avenge his brother who is brutally assaulted in a Thai professional kick boxing arena.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Directors Mark DiSalle and David Worth for directing efforts. Thank you to Producer Mark DiSalle for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Eric Sloane (Dennis Alexio), Xian Chow (Dennis Chan), Tong Po (Michel Oissi), Winston Taylor (Haskell V. Anderson III), Mylee (Rochelle Ashana), Freddy Li (Ka Ting Lee), Tao Liu (Richard Foo), Big Thai Man (Ricky Liu), Huge Village Man #1 (Ho-Ying Sin), Huge Village Man #2 (Tony Chan), U.S. Announcer (Brad Kerner), and U.S. Announcer (Dean Harrington).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. This is a good watch for Jean-Claude Van Damme fans. 

 Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

THE DOGS OF WAR (Theatrical Release USA 1981)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 3.2|5.0 Starsììì

The Dogs of War has potential, but the potential is unrealized. Christopher Walken seems uncomfortable with the script and the rest of the cast seems to have difficulty realizing the script.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

Mercenaries enter an African country to eliminate its president.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director John Irvin for directing effort. Thank you to Executive Producers Patrick J. Palmer and Norman Jewison for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Jamie Shannon (Christopher Walken), Drew (Tom Berenger), North (Colin Blakely), Endean (Hugh Millais), Derek (Paul Freeman), Michel (Jean-François Stévenin), Jessie JoBeth Williams, Captain Lockhart (Robert Urquhart), Dr. Okoye (Winston Ntshona), The Captain (Pedro Armendáriz Jr.), Richard (Harlan Cary Poe), Terry (Ed O’Neill), Evelyn (Isabel Grandin), and Warner (Ernest Graves).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

No. It’s value lies primarily in observing the earlier acting skills of Christopher Walken.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

THE ALL NEW ADVENTURES OF LAUREL & HARDY IN: ‘FOR LOVE OR MUMMY’ (Video Release USA 1999)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 3.7|5.0 Starsììì

The All New Adventures of Laurel and Hardy in ‘For Love or Mummy’ sports an average script, but the acting team of Bronson Pinchot and Gailard Sartain perform so well as Laurel and Hardy that the team deserves another adventure.

Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images

Storyline

Laurel and Hardy face an Egyptian mummy’s anger.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Directors John R. Cherry III and Larry Harmon for directing effort. Thank you to Producers Kenneth M. Badish, John R. Cherry III, Larry Harmon, and Susan Harmon for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Stanley Thinnius Laurel (Bronson Pinchot), Oliver Fattius Hardy (Gailard Sartain), Professor Henry Covington (F. Murray Abraham), Farouk Bin Abdullah (Philip Godawa), Leslie Covington (Susan Danford), Biker (Jeffrey Pillars), Lieutenant Kowalski (Rick Rogers), Habib (Farouk Valley-Omar), Bozoworld owner (Larry Harmon), Ms. Burkum (Christine Weir), High Priest (Zane Meas), and Party Man (Gordon van Rooyen).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. It’s good entertainment for both Laurel and Hardy fans as well as for someone looking for decent comedy.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

FLIGHT WORLD WAR II (Atlanta Horror Film Festival, Atlanta, Georgia USA 2015)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 2.8|5.0 Starsìì

Flight World War II cannot decide what emotion it wishes to evoke from its audience and therefore, conveys confusion over its identity. Is it a horror, action, thriller, sci fi, or drama flick? The movie’s content seems like a patchwork quilt of many movies already produced and loses its power in that lack of originality and lack of unique creativity.

Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images

Storyline

Flight 42 begins flying through an electromagnetic storm and finds itself transported to another time and place.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director Emile Edwin Smith for directing effort. Thank you to Executive Producer David Rimawi for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: William Strong (Faran Tahir), Corporal Nigel Sheffield (Robbie Kay), Cameron Hicks (Aqueela Zoll), Daniel Prentice (Matias Ponce), Older Nigel (Howard Gordon), Hector (Alberto Barros Jr.), Adam Kruger (Adam Blake), Nathan (David Campfield), Briana (Angie Teodora Dick), and Jackson (Daniel Fieber).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Maybe. The conclusion has an interesting twist.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

NOT SAFE FOR WORK (DVD Release Only USA 2000)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 3.7|5.0 Starsììì

Not Safe For Work—simple thrills, nothing new here—focuses on a single office building as its stage setting. The movie would be a good afternoon watch for the teen/adult audience.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

A professional killer enters a high-profile business building and methodically begins to eliminate personnel.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director Joe Johnston for directing effort. Thank you to Executive Producer Couper Samuelson for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Whistle Blower (Michael Gladis), Random Denning Employee (Dan Bakkedahl), Thomas Miller (Max Minghella), Barney the Security Guard (Frankie J. Allison), Janine (Molly Hagan), Fernando the Janitor (Alejandro Patiño), Alan Z. Emmerich

(Christian Clemenson), Roger Crawford (Tom Gallop), Anna Newton (Eloise Mumford), and Moyers (Brandon Keener).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. It’s a fair to middling show with a few thriller scenes.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

SPECTRAL (Video Release USA 2016)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 3.2|5.0 Starsììì

Spectral—great concept—performs as a low-budget action movie. Not thrilling enough and not exciting enough to watch despite using Bruce Greenwood as one of the cast members.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

Strange apparitions wreak havoc on military personnel.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director Nic Mathieu for directing effort. Thank you to Executive Producer Guy Riedel for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Clyne (James Badge Dale), Fran Madison (Emily Mortimer), General Orland (Bruce Greenwood), Captain Sessions (Max Martini), Alessio (Cory Hardrict), Sergeant Toll (Clayne Crawford), Captain Marco Cabrera (Gonzalo Menendez), Sari (Ursula Parker), and Bogdan (Aaron Serban).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

No.  The action and portrayal need improvement.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

EDWARD (Internet Release USA 2014)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 3.8|5.0 Starsììì

Edward—stop-motion animated 8-minute short film—shows the talents of Director Sooyung Byung. The animation, storyline, and script are good.

Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images

Storyline

Edward collects things that drop into his ‘home’ located in a manhole. He doesn’t know what to do with a new collectible—a blind boy who has fallen into Edward’s manhole.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director Sooyoung Byun for directing effort. Additional characters/cast include: Boramee Lee.

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. It’s an eight-minute, thought-provoking short film.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

ERNEST GOES TO SCHOOL (Video Release USA 1994)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 3.1|5.0 Starsììì

Ernest Goes to School—almost as good as Ernest Saves Christmas—does not perform at the level of other Ernest P. Worrell movies, but will still serve the Ernest-loving film fan. It’s typical Ernest P. Worrell fare from its beginning to its ending.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

Janitor Ernest P. Worrell (Jim Varney) lacks a high school diploma and faces loss of job. He goes back to finish 12^th grade.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director Coke Sams for directing effort. Thank you to Executive Producer John R. Cherry for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Ernest (Jim Varney), Gerta (Linda Kash), Bobby (Bill Byrge), Donald (Jason Michas), Maisy (Sarah Chalke), Rodney (Gabe Khouth), Miss Flugal (Corrine Koslo), Brad (Russell Porter), Russell (Will Sasso), and Coach Decker (Duncan Fraser).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Maybe. The Ernest P. Worrell comedy style—unique, original, and always family-friendly—serves a specific audience. If one is not an Ernest P. Worrell fan, but is looking for easy-on-the-mind comedy, then George of the Jungle, Paul Blart Mall Cop, or Paul Blart Mall Cop 2 may serve simple, clean comic needs for the whole family.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

BENJI (Theatrical Release China 2018)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 3.1|5.0 Starsììì

Benji—reboot of the 1974 Benji—lacks a type of innocence and feeling of the good ‘ol days that mark the original release of this story. The film may work for children, but a better watch for them would be the original Benji. Increased entertainment value can be found in these movies that also center around dogs and humans: Air Bud, the animated Bolt, or for adults Megan Leavey.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

Two children, Carter (Gabriel Bateman) and Frankie (Darby Camp), are kidnapped and find significant help from the street dog, Benji.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director Brandon Camp for directing effort. Thank you to Executive Producers Joe Camp, Charles S. Cohen, Jennifer Dong, Charles Layton, Ben Ross, Couper Samuelson, James Schamus, and Jeanette Volturno for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Whitney (Kiele Sanchez), Sam King (Gralen Bryant Banks), Syd (Will Rothhaar), Titus (Angus Sampson), Lyle (Jerod Haynes), Officer (Lacy Camp), Captain Newsome (Jim Gleason), and Brute (Brady Permenter).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Maybe. The original Benji, while not a great flick, performs at a higher level than this remake.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers