THE DIARY OF A MAD BLACK WOMAN (Theatrical Release USA 2005)

 Ben Meyers’ Rating: 4.2|5.0 Starsìììì 

Diary of a Mad Black Woman—cute, funny, good story—shows Tyler Perry at his best. It has some sexual references, but is exceptionally watchable and highly entertaining. 

Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images 

Storyline 

A good wife gets thrown out of her home by her husband 

Additional Thanks 

Thank you to Director Darren Grant for directing effort. Thank you to Producers Reuben Cannon and Tyler Perry for making the film possible. Cast includes: Kimberly Elise, Steve Harris, Shemar Moore, Cicely Tyson, and Tyler Perry. 


Buy a ticket
? Yes? No? Maybe? 

Yes. This movie is watchable and funny.

 Video Critique Available Here:



Ben Meyers 

THE REDEEM TEAM (Video on Demand (VOD) Release USA 2022)

 Ben Meyers’ Rating: 4.5|5.0 Starsìììì 

The Redeem Team—documentary—shows dedication and the meaning of winning. This film is wonderfully put together. It is more than worth watching and educates as well as it entertains. The interviews are far above average and just add to the wonderfulness of this film. 

Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images 

Storyline 

A basketball team returns to the Olympics to regain their title. 

Additional Thanks 

Thank you to Director Jon Weinbach for directing effort. Thank you to Executive Producers Mary Byrne, Philip Byron, Maverick Carter, Yiannis Exarchos, Jamal Henderson, LeBron James, Frank Marshall, Mark Parkman, Christina Roldan, Michael Tollan, Dwayne Wade, and Jon Weinbach for making the film possible. Cast includes: LeBron James, Dwayne Wade, Kobe Bryant, Carmelo Anthony, Carlos Boozer, Chris Paul, Chris Bosh, Jason Kidd, Dwight Howard, Jerry Colangelo, and Mike Krzyzewsky.


Buy a ticket
? Yes? No? Maybe? 

Yes. This is the real thing. It’s an example of  what documentaries should be,,,information giving and entertaining. This is Executive Produced by Frank Marshall and LeBron James. 

Video Critique Available Here:



Ben Meyers 

TREVOR NOAH: I WISH YOU WOULD (Internet Release USA 2022)

 Ben Meyers’ Rating: 4.2|5.0 Starsìììì 

Trevor Noah: I Wish You Would—is funny and worth watching. It has some suggestive themes, but for the most part runs on an honest and clean schedule. Fresh, well done and put together well. A good teen/adult watch. 

Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images 

Storyline 

Trevor Noah delivers a fully packed comedy routine. 

Additional Thanks 

Thank you to Director David Paul Meyer for directing effort. Thank you to Trevor Noah for this stand up comedy routine. 


Buy a ticket
? Yes? No? Maybe? 

Yes. This is very interesting and funny. 

Video Critique Available Here:



Ben Meyers

CAHILL: U.S. MARSHALL (Theatrical Release USA 1973)

 Ben Meyers’ Rating: 3.8|5.0 Starsììì 

Cahill: U. S. Marshall—good show—is worth the investment of time and money. It’s a good addition to the family home video library. 

Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images 

Storyline 

A seasoned U.S. Marshall finds his two children are involved in a bank robbery. 

Additional Thanks 

Thank you to Director Andrew McLaglen for directing effort. Thank you to Producer Michael Wayne for making the film possible. Cast includes: John Wayne, Gary Grimes, Neville Brand, and George Kennedy. 


Buy a ticket
? Yes? No? Maybe? 

Yes. This is an interesting storyline and has realistic acting. It serves the western movie fan well. 

Video Critique Available Here:






Ben Meyers

THE SOCCER FOOTBALL MOVIE (Video Release World-Wide 2022)

 Ben Meyers’ Rating: 3.8|5.0 Starsììì 

The Soccer Football Movie—animated movie—serves the children audience. It is not an outstanding watch. It is what it is. 

Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images 

Storyline 

An evil scientist removes the sport talent from 4 soccer players. 

Additional Thanks 

Thank you to Director Mitch Schauer for directing effort. Thank you to Executive Producers Deeki Deke, Megan Rapinoe for making the film possible. Cast includes: Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Megan Rapinoe, Weird Al Yankovic, Rob Stone, Kieran Walton, Madison Zamor, Tania Gunadi, Arnie Pantoja, and Ian James Corlett. 


Buy a ticket
? Yes? No? Maybe? 

Yes. Know that the film serves the children audience more than an adult audience.

 Video Critique Available Here:



Ben Meyers

THE GRAPES OF WRATH (Theatrical Release USA 1940)

 Ben Meyers’ Rating: 4.5|5.0 Starsìììì 

The Grapes of Wrath—Henry Fonda, John Carridine, John Qualan, and Jane Darwell—is an example of high-quality writing and presentation. Thanks to Director John Ford for his finesse. 

Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images 

Storyline 

A family travels from Oklahoma to California during the Great Depression. 

Additional Thanks 

Thank you to Director John Ford for directing effort. Thank you to Producers Darryl Zanuck and Nunnally Johnson for making the film possible. Cast includes: Henry Fonda, Jane Darwell, John Carradine, Shirley Mills, John Qualen, and Eddie Quillan. 


Buy a ticket
? Yes? No? Maybe? 

Yes. This is what a film should be in all respects. A beautiful classic that can be watched many times through the years. 

Video Critique Available Here: 



Ben Meyers

THE JOHNSTOWN FLOOD (Television Release USA 1992)

 Ben Meyers’ Rating: 4.1|5.0 Starsìììì 

The Johnstown Flood—documentaryis graphic especially in the voiceovers of the people dying off screen as Richard Dreyfuss narrates the film. The movie relies on good organization of story. Actors reiterate parts of actual persons who survived the flood. Scenes run on a black and white format with painted pictures depicting what Dreyfuss is talking about. The movie ends on a solemn note. This film was pulled from a television series, American Experience, and presented as a standalone film. 

Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images 

Storyline 

A unique presentation of the events surrounding the first collapsed dam at Johnstown. 

Additional Thanks 

Thank you to Director Mark Bussler for directing effort. Thank you to Producers Mark Bussler, Michael Bussler, and Charles Guggenheim for making the film possible. Cast includes: Richard Dreyfuss, Patrick Jordan, Jennifer Lee Dake, and Charles King. 


Buy a ticket
? Yes? No? Maybe? 

Yes. The film is graphic but watchable and well put together.  Richard Dreyfuss narrates the film.

 Video Critique Available Here:



Ben Meyers

TRAVELIN' BAND: CREEDENCE AND CLEARWATER REVIVAL AT THE ROYAL ALBERT HALL (Television Release USA 2022)

 Ben Meyers’ Rating: 4.2|5.0 Starsìììì 

Travelin’ Band: Creedence and Clearwater Revival at the Royal Albert Hall is not reliant on the band’s personal story as much as the concert they were privileged to play at England’s Royal Albert Hall. 

Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images 

Storyline 

Documentary that proposes an examination of the band, Creedence and Clearwater Revival. 

Additional Thanks 

Thank you to Director Bob Smeaton for directing effort. Thank you to Producers John Beug, Jonathan Clyde, Sophia Dilley, Michael Schatz, Sig Sigworth, and Martin Smith for making the film possible. Cast includes: Doug Clifford, Stu Cook, John Fogerty, Tom Fogerty, and Jeff Bridges. 


Buy a ticket
? Yes? No? Maybe? 

Yes. For fans of the rock band Creedence and Clearwater Revival it works. This is narrated by Jeff Bridges. 

Video Critique Available Here:



Ben Meyers

HEAVEN CAN WAIT (Theatrical Release USA 1943)

 Ben Meyers’ Rating: 3.8|5.0 Starsììì 

Heaven Can Wait—starts with intrigue—has a story that is slow in presentation. Even though the casting relies on good actors and actresses it quickly loses its momentum and becomes an okay watch.

 Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images                                                                                                      

Storyline 

 A rake believes he will go to hell and presents himself there for entrance. The gatekeeper asks for his story before allowing him admittance. 

Additional Thanks 

Thank you to Ernst Lubitsch for directing effort. Thank you to Producer Ernst Lubitsch for making the film possible. Cast includes: Gene Tierney, Don Ameche, and Charles Coburn. 


Buy a ticket
? Yes? No? Maybe?

Maybe. There are better films, such as High Society, that have similar storyline but provide higher entertainment value. 

Video Critique Available Here: 



Ben Meyers

NIGGUN (Israel Origin 2017)

 Ben Meyers’ Rating: 3.8|5.0 Starsììì 

Niggun—a short film that is a bit mysterious—has quirky and cute animation but the story's symbolism is a bit hard to understand if one does not know where to find it. The animation is good and the storyline okay. 

Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images 

Storyline 

This short film is about an astronaut and a Rabbi who take a space journey together. 

Additional Thanks 

Thank you to Director Yoni Solom for directing effort. Thank you to Executive Producer Alon Rothem for making the film possible. Cast includes: Amitai Kedar and Yuval Rappaport.


Buy a ticket
? Yes? No? Maybe? 

Maybe. This film is not a simple story and a bit difficult to find meaning throughout if one does not know where to find its meaning and interpret its symbols and metaphors. 

Video Critique Available Here:

 


Ben Meyers

THE CHRONICLES OF NARNIA: THE LION, THE WITCH, AND THE WARDROBE (Theatrical Release UK and America 2005)

 Ben Meyers’ Rating: 4.1|5.0 Starsìììì 

The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe—magical and intriguing movie for the family audience—is easily worth watching for its storyline and great presentationsimple for children yet complicated enough to serve the adult audience…the voiceovers are well-done…worth an addition to the family home video library. Has a satisfying conclusion. Well-written…the animation for the early 2000s still stands as quality work that involves much talent.  

Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images 

Storyline 

Children enter a fantasy world and are given magical weapons to change a world of cold and ice into a paradise of warmth and love. 

Additional Thanks 

Thank you to Director Andrew Adamson for directing effort. Thank you to Producers Mark Johnson and Phillip Steuer for making the film possible. Cast includes: William Moseley, Anna Popplewell, Skandar Keynes, Georgie Henley, Tilda Swinton, James McAvoy, Jim Broadbent, and Liam Neeson. 


Buy a ticket
? Yes? No? Maybe? 

Yes. Good storyline and very good acting by everyone. 

Video Critique Available Here: 



Ben Meyers

DUNE (Theatrical Release USA 1984)

 Ben Meyers’ Rating: 4.1|5.0 Starsìììì 

Dune—intriguing, high fantasy, science fiction movie—has exceptionally high quality actors. Be prepared for an exceptionally well-written story. The desert scenes completely work. This is a classic that deserves its place in the home video library. 

Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images 

Storyline 

A power struggle results in a war that takes much courage to enter and to attempt to win. 

Additional Thanks 

Thank you to Director David Lynch for directing effort. Thank you to Raffaella De Laurentiis for making the film possible. Cast includes: Francesca Annis, Leonardo Cimino, Brad Dourif, Jose Ferrer, Linda Hunt, Freddie Jones, Richard Jordan, Kyle MacLachlan, Virginia Madsen, Silvana Mangano, Everett McGill, Kenneth McMillan, Jack Nance, Sian Phillips, Jurgen Prochnow, Paul Smith, Patrick Stewart, Sting, Dean Stockwell, Max von Sydow, Alicia Witt, and Sean Young. 


Buy a ticket
? Yes? No? Maybe? 

Yes. Intriguing, inspirational, well-made entertainment piece. This is a keeper and earns its watch.                     

Video Critique Available Here: 



Ben Meyers

THE BATMAN (Theatrical Release USA 2022)

 Ben Meyers’ Rating: 4.2|5.0 Starsìììì 

The Batman accesses the talents of Robert Pattinson for interpreting Batman. The cast is well-chosen. Very good acting. It is interesting to see Colin Farrell playing Penguin. The makeup department has made him unrecognizable as Colin Farrell. The presentation is enticing and well done. The story is well-written. Paul Dano plays an interesting  Riddler with a slightly more sinister crazy than Heath Ledger  played in the Dark Knight. There will most likely be a sequel and hopefully Robert Pattison will return as the Batman. 

Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images 

Storyline 

The Batman resists the Penguin and the Riddler. 

Additional Thanks 

Thank you to Director Matt Reeves for directing effort. Thank you to Producers Dylan Clark and Matt Reeves for making the film possible. Cast includes: Robert Pattinson, Zoe Kravitz, Paul Dano, Jeffrey Wright, John Turturro, Peter Sarsgaard, Andy Serkis, and Colin Farrell. 


Buy a ticket
? Yes? No? Maybe? 

Yes. This is a well-written story and Robert Pattison plays a good Batman. 

Video Critique Available Here: 



Ben Meyers

THE POOR LITTLE RICH GIRL (Theatrical Release American 1936)

 Ben Meyers’ Rating: 4.0|5.0 Starsìììì

The Poor Little Rich Girl—simple Shirley Temple film—sports a well-written story. Great supporting cast shows the talent of Shirley Temple well. Entertaining. Good movie for children and a good addition to the family home video library. 

Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images 

Storyline 

The daughter of a soap baron becomes separated from her caretaker and needs to find a way home. 

Additional Thanks 

Thank you to Director Irving Cummings for directing effort. Thank you to Producer Darryl Zanuck for making the film possible. Cast includes: Shirley Temple, Alice Faye, Jack Haley, Gloria Stuart, Michael Whalen, and Claude Gillingwater. 


Buy a ticket
? Yes? No? Maybe? 

Yes. It is nice to see a simple movie that is well presented and well-written. 

Video Critique Available Here: 



Ben Meyers

AD ASTRA (Theatrical Release USA 2019)

 Ben Meyers’ Rating: 3.8|5.0 Starsììì 

Ad Astra—excellent casting with Brad Pitt, Tommy Lee Jones, and Donald Sutherland—runs slowly to the point that the good presentation seems squandered. The conclusion ends on a solemn note which is unexpected, but it ends well. The special effects for the space scenes are not as good as the 2013 movie Gravity with Sandra Bullock and George Clooney but the depth of space is enjoyable to see…spectacular. 

Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images 

Storyline 

An astronaut goes to rescue his father and finish his father’s mission. 

Additional Thanks 

Thank you to Director James Gray for directing effort. Thank you to Producers Brad Pitt, Dede Gardner, Jeremy Kleiner, James Gray, Anthony Katagas, Rodrigo Teixeira, and Arnon Milcan. Cast includes: Brad Pitt, Tommy Lee Jones, Ruth Negga, Liv Tyler, and Donald Sutherland. 


Buy a ticket
? Yes? No? Maybe? 

Maybe. Brad Pitt’s acting is good, and the story is well-written. The presentation is good. The movie runs slowly. 

Video Critique Available Here: 



Ben Meyers

FACING NOLAN (Theatrical Release USA 2022)

 Ben Meyers’ Rating: 4.5|5.0 Starsìììì 

Facing Nolan—great interviews—is a documentary about a baseball pitcher Nolan Ryan. This documentary is well-written and exceptionally well put together. It creates respect for the sport and for strong, familial support. It builds the importance of good marriages. 

Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images 

Storyline 

A documentary about Nolan Ryan, award winning pitcher, and his career moves that built his legendary reputation. 

Additional Thanks 

Thank you to Director Bradley Jackson for directing effort. Thank you to Executive Producers David Check, Nolan Ryan, Reese Ryan, Reid Ryan, Ricky Stuart II, and Don Sanders for making the film possible. Cast includes: Alan Ashby, Buzzie Bavasi, Craig Biggio, Lela Bivins, Wendy Bivins, John Blake, David Breitschopf, and George Brett. 


Buy a ticket
? Yes? No? Maybe? 

Yes. This is a good documentary. 

Video Critique Available Here: 



Ben Meyers

THE FOUNTAIN (Theatrical Release USA 2006)

 Ben Meyers’ Rating: 3.7|5.0 Starsììì 

The Fountain—difficult to understand due to the introduction of high spirituality ideas—can seem convoluted to the uninitiated audience. The acting is excellent with the team of Hugh Jackman and Rachel Weisz. 

Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images 

Storyline 

A medical researcher endeavors to save his dying wife. 

Additional Thanks 

Thank you to Director Aaron Aronofsky for directing efforts. Thank you to Producers Arnon Milchan, Iain Smith, and Eric Watson for making the film possible. Cast includes: Hugh Jackman, Rachel Weisz, and Ellen Burstyn. 


Buy a ticket
? Yes? No? Maybe? 

Maybe. It is a story that is something wonderful shrouded in mystery. 

Video Critique Available Here: 



Ben Meyers

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