THE WHALE (Released to Theaters USA 2022)

 

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 3.8|5.0 Starsììì The Whale—odd, but thought-provoking—has great acting by Brendan Fraser. There is no lack in presentation or portrayal of story. And, the single stage setting does not detract from the story. Some questions arise in 'connecting the dots' between some of the scenes (which are inconsistently resolved). This movie has suggestive themes; but, overall, the movie is an off-beat story that is worth exploring.   Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images Storyline A morbidly obese, college, online writing professor saves the majority of his earnings for his alienated daughter.      Additional Thanks Thank you to Director Darren Aronofsky for directing effort. Thank you to Producers  Jeremy Dawson, Ari Handel, and Darren Aronofsky for making the film possible. Cast includes Brendan Fraser, Sadie Sink, Hong Chau, Ty Simpkins, and Samantha Morton.   Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?  Maybe. It is what it is. The film oddly plays to a bittersweet conclusion that leaves the audience wondering about the many ways lives are lived and how difficult it can be to resolve poorer life choices and make better choices. Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

MOTHER'S BABY BOY (Released Theaters USA 1914)

 

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 3.6|5.0 Starsììì  Mother’s Baby Boy—short film—lacks the expected comedy of an Oliver Hardy film.  Expect  blue and white coloration if watching on YouTube.  Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images Storyline  Percival Pilkins' girlfriend has been seen with two bullies who want to be her boyfriend. Percival writes to his mother for help.  Additional Thanks  Thank you to Producer Arthur Hotaling for making the film possible. Cast includes Eva Bell, Oliver Hardy, Nellie French, Don Ferrando, Butt Bucher, and Royal Byron.  Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?  Maybe. It has a small story. It is a silent film and may be a bit hard to follow. Video Critique Available Here: Ben Meyers

THE GARFIELD MOVIE (Released to Theaters USA 2024)

 

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 4.2|5.0 Starsìììì  The Garfield Movie—comical and worth watching—has great animation, portrayal and presentation. It is a different kind of origin story, than what one would expect, but the story plays well and tells a really good story.  Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images Storyline  A cat is left in an open, wooden crate. The cat runs to an Italian restaurant and the man waiting there for service is Jon.  Additional Thanks  Thank you to Director Mark Dindal for directing effort. Thank you to Producers John Cohen, Broderick Johnson, Andrew A. Kosove, Steven P. Wagner, Craig Sost, and Namit Malhotra for making the film possible. Cast includes Chris Pratt, Samuel L. Jackson, Hannah Waddingham, and Ving Rhames.    Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?  Yes. This is a really good film and more than worth watching. Video Critique Available Here: Ben Meyers

HUNTER KILLER (Released to Theaters USA 2018)

 

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 4.1|5.0 Starsìììì  Hunter Killer—quite good— backs itself with good research and a well put together cast that includes Gerard Butler and Gary Oldman.  The story takes a completely different twist than expected and that makes it unique  Film Poster Courtesy of IMDb Storyline  USA  submarine crew investigates a missing American submarine in Russian waters.  Additional Thanks  Thank you to Director Donovan Marsh for directing effort. Thank you to Producers Neal H. Moritz, Toby Jaffe, Gerard Butler, Alan Siegel, Tucker Tooley, Mark Gill, John Thompson, Matt O'Toole, and Les Weldon for making the film possible. Cast includes Gerard Butler, Gary Oldman, Common, Linda Cardellini, and Toby Stephens. Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?  Yes. This Gerard Butler film is easily missed partially due to its title's lack of flair. Do not miss it. It is very watchable and well done. Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

MR. MAGORIUM'S WONDER EMPORIUM (Released to Theaters USA 2007)

 

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 4.0|5.0 Starsìììì  Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium—odd film—this  is not a Disney film but wants to play like one, but this film does not represent the traditional, magical Disney fare. The focus is more on Mr. Magorium's desire to die and has no real explication for that desire nor does it really leave the audience with a way to connect to the store coming to life for the entertainment of children. At times the story is a little despairing and that may be what hampers this film the most. Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia  Storyline  Mr. Magorium has lived over 240 years. He wants to leave his toy store and go to heaven. He hires an accountant to tally his books and turns the store over "verbally" to his employee.  Additional Thanks  Thank you to Director Zach Helm for directing effort. Thank you to Producers Richard N. Gladstein and James Garavente for making the film possible. Cast includes Dustin Hoffman, Natalie Portman,  and Jason Bateman.  Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?  Yes. Overall, the movie works in the suitable/good range. It's an odd story that may not suit a wide audience range. Video Critique Available Here: Ben Meyers

TRANSFORMERS ONE (Released to Theaters USA 2024)

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 4.2|5.0 Starsìììì Transformers One—good story—shows Optimus Prime and Megatron as young adults. The movie includes Bee. The animation is good. No fault found in presentation or portrayal. Good work for all involved in production.  Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images Storyline Orion Pax and D-16 meet in the mines and become best friends and the story is on.   Additional Thanks  Thank you to Director Josh Cooley for directing effort. Thank you to Producers Don Murphy, Lorenzo di Bonaventura, Michael Bay, Mark Vahradian,  and Aaron Dem for making the film possible. Cast includes Chris Hemsworth, Brian Tyree Henry, Scarlett Johansson,  -Keegan-Michael Key, Steve Buscemi, Laurence Fishburne, and Jon Hamm. Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?  Yes. This is a surprisingly good watch. It tells the origin story of the autobots. It's original and completely involves its audience. Video Critique Available Here: Ben Meyers

ALVIN AND THE CHIPMUNKS: THE SQUEAKQUEL (Released to Theaters USA 2009)

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 3.9|5.0 Starsììì  Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel—improves on its prequel—has better writing, story, and acting than the first movie. It adds interest by including female chipmunks which adds appeal to the basic story. This is an enjoyable watch.  Film Poster Courtesy of IMDb Storyline  Dave Seville gets injured and while in the hospital tells the chipmunks that he wants them to go to school and the story is on.      Additional Thanks  Thank you to Director Betty Thomas for directing effort. Thank you to Producers Janice Karman and Ross Bagdasarian Jr. for making the film possible. Cast includes Zachary Levi, David Cross, Jason Lee, Justin Long, Matthew Gray Gubler, Jesse McCartney, Amy Poehler, Anna Faris, and Christina Applegate.  Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?  Yes. This is a suitable family watch that serves all age groups' needs. Video Critique Available Here: Ben Meyers

 

GREMLINS 2: THE NEW BATCH (Released to Theaters USA 1990)

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 3.8|5.0 Starsììì Gremlins 2: the New Batch—suitable, afternoon watch—has a little horror mixed with a little comedy. Be entertained by outstandingly slimy monsters with mouths full of quite sharp teeth. Watch for cameo appearances of movie critic Leonard Maltin and wrestler Hulk Hogan. Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images Storyline Things get out of hand when a janitor accidentally gets gizmo wet.    Additional Thanks  Thank you to Director Joe Dante for directing effort. Thank you to Producer Michael Finnell for making the film possible. Cast includes Zach Galligan, Phoebe Cates, John Glover, Robert J. Prosky,  Robert Picardo, and Christopher Lee.   Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?  Yes. This movie works at the suitable to okay level with a general cult movie styling. Video Critique Available Here: Ben Meyers

THE GREEN BOOK: GUIDE TO FREEDOM (Released to Television USA 2019)

 

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 4.2|5.0 Starsìììì  The Green Book: Guide to Freedom—documentary—provides education and information about a time gone by. The movie uses terrific interviews to tell its story and has wonderful stage settings for added effect. IMDb lists this movie as 60 minutes in length which would be a full length film. Paramount Plus shows it as a Smithsonian Channel film coming in at 51 minutes which would be a short film. Be prepared for a good piece of Americana history. Film Poster Courtesy of IMDb Storyline The history of the Green Book as a guide and how it was used by  African Americans to travel cross country and know where they could safely stop for lodging, food, and refreshment along the way.   Additional Thanks Thank you to Director Yoruba Richen for directing effort. Thank you to Executive Producers Jonathan Drake, Linda Goldman, and Steve Maher for making the film possible. Cast includes Yoruba Richen, Marquette Folley, Karen Allen Baxter, Jennifer Ivey, Henrie Monteith Treadwell, Murray Bishoff, Jack George, and Jamon Jordan.  Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?  Yes. Good, informative film that tells how a small book helped African American motorists navigate when traveling through the USA. Video Critique Available Here: Ben Meyers

USHPIZIN (Released to the Jerusalem Film Festival Jerusalem, Israel 2004)

 

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 4.2|5.0 Starsìììì  Ushpizin—good, comedy/drama film—tells a terrific story about how the worst circumstances can turn out perfectly. The film presents in Hebrew with great English subtitles; plan a little more watch time for reading the dialogue. Ushpizin is the Aramaic word for 'guests'. This movie is really well done.  Film Poster Courtesy of IMDb Storyline  An orthodox Jewish man is broke and needs money for the Sukkot holiday.     Additional Thanks  Thank you to Director Gidi Dar for directing effort. Thank you to Producers Gidi Dar and Rafi Bukai for making the film possible. Cast includes Shuli Rand, Michal Bat-Sheva Rand, Shaul Mizrachi, and Ilan Galani.   Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?  Yes. This is a good movie. Read the Wikipedia plotline and perhaps research the Sukkot holiday before watching to enhance understanding and appreciation as the film is deeply entrenched in Hebrew tradition and does not pass international entertainment borders well. Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

TURTLE POWER: THE DEFINITIVE HISTORY OF THE TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES (Release to the Internet Canada 2014)

 

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 4.1|5.0 Starsìììì  Turtle Power: The Definitive History of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles—documentary—gives a good, inside view of how to build a successful business and the attitude necessary to overcome the inevitable challenges along the way. Sometimes it seems darkly themed as if missing a certain magic to the inside story, but it is interesting and definitely shows how to build an original business to appeal to pop culture. It's an interesting watch and gives a nice overview of how the Ninja Turtles changed over the years.  Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images Storyline  A documentary that tells how the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles originated as an entertainment piece. Additional Thanks Thank you to Director Randall Lobb for directing effort. Thank you to Producer Randall Lobb for making the film possible. Cast includes Peter Laird and Kevin Eastman.    Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?  Yes. This movie has a good story. Good work for all involved in production. Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

MY BIG FAT GREEK WEDDING 2 (Released to Theaters USA 2016)

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 4.1|5.0 Starsìììì  My Big Fat Greek Wedding 2—while not as much of a splash as the first film, it is a good watch for fans of this movie series—sends a good recommendation for the 2023 release of the third movie in the series. There are a few suggestive dialogue scenes in the movie, but presented in a realistic 'female talk' before the wedding. This film is, overall, a great watch, creative and fun. Good work for all involved in production.  Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images Storyline Kostas "Gus" Portokalos finds that his marriage certificate is not valid. When he tells his wife and shows the certificate, she laughs and then the fun begins as she requires a 'real' marriage the second time around.  Additional Thanks Thank you to Director Kirk Jones for directing effort. Thank you to Producers Gary Goetzman,  Tom Hanks,  and Rita Wilson for making the film possible. Cast includes Nia Vardalos, John Corbett, Lainie Kazan, Gia Carides, Joey Fatone, Louis Mandylor, Andrea Martin, and Michael Constantine. Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?  Yes. Fans of the first film will like this movie just as well. It's fresh, creative, and fun to watch. Video Critique Available Here: Ben Meyers