WITNESS (Released to Theaters USA 1985)

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 4.4|5.0 Stars ìììì

Witness gives a look at the Amish lifestyle and thought patterns as the backdrop to the story. It has an exceptionally human and realistic portrayal and presentation. It’s something everyone looks for in entertainment…clean, honest, no unpleasant moral surprises. It’s a movie that begins and ends strongly. WOW! The culture portrayal soars. There is a small nudity scene but the film overall is a high-quality watch. Don’t miss it. 

Film poster courtesy of Google Images 

Storyline 

A young Amish boy witnesses a murder. 

Additional Thanks 

Thank you to Director Peter Weir for directing effort. Thank you to Producer Edward S. Feldman for making the film possible. Cast includes Harrison Ford 

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? 

Yes. This is one film that is very well done. The casting department cast Harrison Ford along with Lucas Haas, Kellie McGillis, and Danny Glover—a move that completely works. Watch for the appearance of Robert Earl Jones who is the father of James Earl Jones (the voice of Darth Vader in Stars Wars series). 

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

 

 

THOR: LOVE AND THUNDER (Released to Theaters USA 2022)

 

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 3.8|5.0 Starsììì 

Thor: Love and Thunder—Thor is back with a mission—contains some moral/ethical issues that may startle the unsuspecting viewer. The presentation, portrayal, and story are good to suitable. There are plot holes in the movie and at times the acting is weak but overall, it is a suitable watch that catches the ancient gods theme a little better than most films in this genre.

 Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images and Wikipedia 

Storyline 

A decision is made to kill all gods. 

Additional Thanks 

Thank you to Director Taika Waititi directing effort. Thank you to Producer Kevin Feige and Brad
Winderbaum for making the film possible. Cast includes Chris Hemsworth, Christian Bale, Tessa Thompson, Jaimie Alexander, Taika Waititi, Russel Crowe, and Natalie Portman 

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? 

Maybe. It’s interesting to see but contains debatable messages. 

Video Critique Available Here: 

Ben Meyers

PAW PATROL: THE MIGHTY MOVIE (Released to Theaters USA 2023)

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 3.8|5.0 Starsììì 

The Paw Patrol: The Mighty Movie—average film that caters to children—uses a simple story with suitable/good animation. The presentation is okay and works. Overall, not a high quality watch but serves the needs of small children. 

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia and Google Images 

Storyline 

The Paw Patrol is called when an electromagnet goes missing. 

Additional Thanks 

Thank you to Cal Brunker for directing effort. Thank you to Producers Jennifer Dodge, Laura Clunie, and Toni Stevens for making the film possible. Cast includes Mckenna Grace, Taraji Henson, Marsai Martin, Christian Convery, Kim Kardashian, Chris Rock, North West, Saint West, Lil Rel Howery, Serena Williams, James Marsden, Kristen Bell, and Finn Lee-Epp. 

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? 

Maybe. Simply made for small children; does not work for adults.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

ANT-MAN AND THE WASP: QUANTUMANIA (Released to Theaters USA 2023)

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 3.8|5.0 Starsììì 

Ant-Man and The Wasp: Quantumania oddly does not follow the mid-credit scene from the last Ant-Man movie but starts a completely different, little related, new story. This film is disjointed and weak. Audiences may wonder, why is this even a film? Good concept that weighs in at the average level. 

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia and Google Image 

Storyline

Daughter of Ant-Man works on a device that enables access to the quantum realm.  

Additional Thanks 

Thank you to Director Peyton Reed for directing effort. Thank you to Producers Kevin Feige and Stephen Broussard for making the film possible. Cast includes Paul Rudd, Evangeline Lilly, Jonathan Majors, Kathryn Newton, David Dastmalchian, Katy O’Brian, William Jackson Harper, Bill Murray, Michelle Pfeiffer, Corey Stoll, and Michael Douglas.

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? 

Maybe. Interesting watch but has a long way to go to reach the quality watch.

Video Critique Available Here:

 

Ben Meyers

THE COUNT OF MONTE CRISTO (Released to Theaters USA 2002)

 

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 3.9|5.0 Starsììì  The Count of Monte Cristo—classic story—increases its interest factor as the movie goes from its start to its finish. As the plot thickens, the audience needs to finish the film. It has an excellent message built into the core that backs itself in intrigue, rich scenery, and a plot that twists and turns enough to satisfy its audience. Although it bases itself on a British classic novel, it is not slowly paced nor is it boring…a suitable watch.  Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images                                                                                Storyline  A wrongfully imprisoned man plots revenge upon those who imprisoned him.  Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director Kevin Reynolds for directing effort. Thank you to Producers Gary Barber, Roger Bimbaum, and Jonathan Glickman for making the film possible. Cast includes Jim Caviezel, Guy Pearce, Richard Harris, James Frain, Dagmara Dominczyk, and Luis Guzman

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?  Yes. Count of Monte Cristo has a good script and flows well but does not improve much over the  1975 televised version of this story.  Video Critique Available Here: Ben Meyers

RED 2 (Released to Theaters USA 2013)

 

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 4.3|5.0 Starsìììì  Red 2—a sequel that improves over its prequel—has increased its portrayal and presentation value. The comedic dialogue perfectly offsets the action scenes and effectively times itself throughout the fabric of the movie. The recasting of John Malkovitch and Bruce Willis continue to work marvelously well. Helen Mirren uses her scenes to greatly enhance the entertainment value of the film.  Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia  Storyline  An ex-CIA agent wants to lead a quiet, normal life but his past continues to be a challenge to that desire.  Additional Thanks  Thank you to Director Dean Parisot for directing effort. Thank you to Producers Lorenzo di Bonaventura and Mark Vahradian for making the film possible. Cast includes Bruce Willis, John Malkovich, Mary-Louise Parker, Anthony Hopkins, Helen Mirren, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Byung Hun Lee, Brian Cox, Neal McDonough, and David Thewlis  Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?  Yes. This film improves over the last film. A good watch that provides comedy with action.  Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers 

CLEOPATRA (Released to Theaters USA 1963)

 

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 4.5|5.0 Starsìììì  Cleopatra—classic epic—works for its watch and does not disappoint. The grandiose stage settings, scenery, and massive display of movie extras remind audiences of what epics were like 60 years ago. It is worth watching just for that, but it follows through with a terrific historical story of high-level political intrigue and how that drives relationships between leaders of nations. It surprisingly becomes an educational watch that delves into the intrigue behind the Ides of March, the ‘Et tu Brutus’ meme, and the dangers of moving against the understanding of the masses as they are manipulated. lt shows how land-trained military perform when asked to fight on water. The movie has an intermission after Rex Harrison’s scenes and although he seems suitable for this film, the second half of the movie has deeper feelings between Richard Burton and Elizabeth Taylor. WOW! What an interesting film to see! Know this film is over 4 hours in length. It serves as a great addition to the home video library.  Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images  Storyline  An Egyptian Queen plots to increase her power through strategic manipulation of Roman leaders.  Additional Thanks  Thank you to Director Joseph Mankiewicz for directing effort. Thank you to Producer Walter Wanger for making the film possible. Cast includes Hume Cronyn, Cesare Danova, Kenneth Haigh, and Roddy McDowall  Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?  Yes. Watch for the interesting casting of a young Roddy McDowall (Planet of the Apes (1968)). The movie works at the grandiose level and well emphasizes the power of emperors and their military.  Video Critique Available Here: Ben Meyers

BARBIE (Released to Theaters USA 2023)

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 4.4|5.0 Starsìììì 

Barbie—terrific storyline that tells itself well—has a surprise message in the latter part of the movie that makes the film soar as a quality watch. The movie starts well and ends well. Watch for that serious upgrade in meaningful content when Barbie returns to her comfort zone, Barbie Land. Great acting and presentation mark the movie. It’s clean, honest, and as real as Barbie Land can be in an adult and child’s imagination. One of the best of 2023, Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling make the perfect team to interpret the script. Watch for the lovely Rhea Perlman’s distinctive appearance. Also, don’t miss the Matrix Reloaded scenes as perfect additions to the film’s story. As long as children play with Barbie and Ken dolls, this is a film that stands the test of time. WOW! Add this movie to the home video library. 

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia 

Storyline 

Barbie decides to make a break for the real world to find her ‘handler’. 

Additional Thanks 

Thank you to Director Greta Gerwig for directing effort. Thank you to Producers David Heyman, Margot Robbie, Tom Ackerly, and Robbie Brenner for making the film possible. Cast includes Margot Robbie, Ryan Gosling, Americq Ferrera, Kate McKinnon, Issa Rae Rhea Perlman, and Will Ferrell 

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? 

Yes. Barbie from the top of its ‘big hair’ to its ‘tippy toes’ is a great watch. Creative, outstanding dialogue, and something to say about life…don’t prejudge this one as a film just for little girls…this is a big audience-range movie. It passes the international movie acid test and makes a terrific addition to the home video library. Easily earns a second watch…a stand up and cheer movie...joyful. 

Video Critique Available Here: 

Ben Meyers

 

RED (Released to Theaters USA 2010)

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 4.2|5.0 Starsìììì 

Red—fun treat—combines John Malkovitch with Morgan Freeman, Helen Mirren, and Bruce Willis to produce a DC Comic movie that more than entertains. The violence in this movie works at a realistic level with the edge relieved a little with its comedic dialogue. Watch for Mary Louise Parker as Willis’ love interest. It earned its 2013 sequel, Red 2. This movie works in the quality movie watch and earns its time and money investment. 

Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images 

Storyline 

A retired agent must come out of retirement and partners with an old team to preserve their lives. 

Additional Thanks 

Thank you to Director Robert Schwentke for directing effort. Thank you to Producers Lorenzo di Bonaventura for and Mark Vahradian for making the film possible. Cast includes Bruce Willis, Morgan Freeman, John Malkovich, Mary-Louise Parker, Helen Mirren, Karl Urban, Rebecca Pidgeon, Brian Cox, Richard Dreyfuss, Julian McMahon, Ernest Borgnine, and James Remar 

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? 

Yes. Fun and unusual DC Comic film may not be the expected DC superhero story, but entertains at an exceptionally high level with excellent flow, timing, and continuity. 

Video Critique Available Here:

 Ben Meyers

 

MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE- DEAD RECKONING PART 1 (Released to Theaters USA 2023)

 Ben Meyers’ Rating: 4.3|5.0 Starsìììì 

Mission: Impossible - Dead Reckoning Part 1—the seventh film of the Mission Impossible series—competes well with film 5. Look for Part 2 to be released May 2025. This series seems to be ‘running out of steam’ for new ideas and despite Tom Cruise’s great action scenes, the great presentation and portrayal, the movie seems almost cliched and based on strong formula writing. The movie completely satisfies the action movie fan and absolutely satisfies the Tom Cruise fan. It’s worth watching and earns its money and time
investment. 

Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images 

Storyline 

A Mission Impossible agent becomes involved with an AI who has obtained control over defense forces. 

Additional Thanks 

Thank you to Director Christopher McQuarrie for directing effort. Thank you to Producers Tom Cruise and Christopher McQuarrie for making the film possible. Cast includes Tom Cruise, Hayley Atwell, Ving Rhames, Simon Pegg, Rebecca Ferguson, Vanessa Kirby, Esai Morales, Pom Klemetieff, Mariela Garriga, and Henry Czerny 

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? 

Yes. Good movie concept generates excitement and thoroughly keeps that excitement going from its beginning  to its ending. 

Video Critique Available Here: 

Ben Meyers

RETURN TO NEVER LAND (Released to Theaters USA 2002)

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 3.9|5.0 Starsììì 

Return to Never land—sequel to the 1953 animated film, Peter Pan—starts strongly, but loses power when Jane, Wendy’s daughter, reaches Peter Pan’s Lair. Watch for the increased evilness of Captain Hook over the 1953 animated release. The movie ends well and overall this is a good watch but lacks the magic present in the 1953 version. 

Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images 

Storyline 

Peter Pan beguiles the daughter of Wendy, Jane, to take the same adventurous journey her mother did when Wendy was a child. 

Additional Thanks 

Thank you to Director Robin Budd for directing effort. Thank you to Producers Christopher Chase, Michelle Pappalardo-Robinson, and Dan Rounds for making the film possible. Cast includes Harriet Owen, Blayne Weaver, Corey Burton, and Jeff Bennett 

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? 

Maybe. The movie starts strongly and the viewer wonders “Where have you been all this long time, Peter Pan?” Then it falters and does not regain the power of its opening scenes. Treat the family to the 1953 version instead for value, innocence, and kindness. 

Video Critique Available Here: 

Ben Meyers

LOVE AND MONSTERS (Released to Premium Video on Demand USA 2020)

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 3.8|5.0 Starsììì

Love and Monsters—okay, but slow—lost money on its original release. It does not serve in the better range of chemically mutated monster-themed movies. But has a certain interest as it portrays a young man who grows courage to make a dangerous journey to find an old girlfriend. This is a light watch that does not take a lot of energy to follow. 

Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images and Wikipedia 

Storyline

After Earth is devastated by meteor/nuclear impact fallout, humans go underground to survive the results of that fallout. 

Additional Thanks 

Thank You to Director Michael Matthews for directing effort. Thank you to Producers Shawn Levy and Dan Cohen for making the film possible. Cast includes Dylan O’Brien, Jessica Henwick, Dan Ewing, and Michael Rooker 

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? 

Maybe. It’s not terrible but it is not fabulous either. Dylan O’Brien performed at a higher level in Maze Runner than in this film.

Video Critique Available Here: 

Ben Meyers

THE GOOD LIE (Released to Theaters USA 2014)

 

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 4.3|5.0 Starsìììì

 The Good Lie—one film that shines all the way to the bank—WOW! This is a great inspirational film! It’s all about the human spirit, good ethics, being patient, survival, adaptability, being open to change…the list goes on and on…making the impossible, possible…never giving up on a dream even if it takes years of a life to accomplish. This is a film to love. The conclusion is perfect and so rightfully done. It’s about love and family and never giving up. The presentation, acting, and portrayal are great. The entire script and storyline are built on ethics and morality and yet an audience does not feel preached to…the message is strong and absolutely meaningful…but not at one moment does one feel coerced or forced by a ‘message’. The message just flows honestly…something we all innately know and in that it is a human film. Reese Witherspoon is wonderful as she makes her transformation. Corey Stoll is a great supporting actor. Arnold Oceng, Ger Duany, Emmauel Jal, and Kuoth Wiel casting are so well done. The children in the early part of the film have been cast exceptionally well. Great work for all involved. Lots of after viewing discussion available. It’s a good addition to the home video library. Be aware there are some violent scenes, but most of the violence is suggested rather than openly acted. 

Film Poster Courtesy of Google/Wikipedia Images 

Storyline 

Five Sudanese children are left as orphans during a Sudanese civil war. 

Additional Thanks 

Thank you to Director Philippe Falardeau for directing effort. Thank you to Producers Ron Howard, Brian Grazer, Karen Kehela Sherwood, Molly Smith, Thad Kuckinbill, and Trent Luckinbill for making the film possible. Cast includes Reese Witherspoon, Arnaold Oceng, Ger Duany, Emmanuel Jal, Corey Stoll, Kuoth Wiel, Femi Oguns, Sarah Baker, and Lindsey Garrett  

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? 

Yes. This is what we look for in movies: films that inspire and have a great script writer and director to bring it to life. Great work for all involved. 

Video Critique Available Here:

 

Ben Meyers

BIRD ON A WIRE (Released to Theaters USA 1990)

 

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 3.8|5.0 Starsììì 

Bird on a Wire—Goldie Hawn and Mel Gibson film—is catchy, comical, and has its own unique style of ‘cool’ due to casting this couple together. The casting department made this movie more than it could have been. The largest fault in the movie is the stage settings chosen for its concluding scenes. Those last vital scenes, about 15 minutes or so, that clinch the audience’s ability to walk out with that sated feeling are missing in this movie. Know there are some unnecessary sex scenes that do not add anything to the story line. 

Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images 

Storyline 

At a gas station, an old girlfriend accidently runs into the man she was going to marry in their past. 

Additional Thanks 

Thank you to Director John Badham for directing effort. Thank you to Producer Rob Cohen for making the film possible. Cast includes Mel Gibson, Goldie Hawn, David Carradine, and Bill Duke for making the film possible. 

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? 

Maybe. The last 15 minutes has not been well-written. The movie teeters between being a good comedy to a bad, cliched watch. Many small things could help this film be of much higher quality. 

Video Critique Available Here: 

Ben Meyers