SEPTEMBER 5 (Released to Theaters USA 2024)

 

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 4.2|5.0 Starsìììì  September 5—complicated—is constructed well. This quality watch enhances the information provided in Spielberg's 2005 film, Munich, from the perspective of ABC News, catching the event as it unfolds. Great watch. Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia  Storyline  A retelling of the Munich September 5, 1972 Olympic Games terrorist attack from the perspective of ABC News.  Additional Thanks Thank you to Director Tim Fehlbaum for directing effort.  Thank you to Executive Producer Christoph Muller and Martin Moszkowicz for making the film possible. Cast includes Peter Sarsgaard, John Magaro, Ben Chaplin, and Leonie Benesch. Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?  Yes.  The movie retells Spielberg's Munich story from the perspective of ABC News. WOW. What a concept and a great storytelling move. Video Critique Available Here: Ben Meyers

BOBBY (Released to Theaters USA 2006)

 

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 4.3|5.0 Starsìììì  Bobby—high quality movie—works with an ensemble (all-star) cast. The primary focus is exploring lives of persons who were present at his final speech. This technique makes the watch exceptionally interesting and intriguing. WOW! What a storyline. This is more than worth watching and tells an important story well. Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images  Storyline  The final hours of Robert F. Kennedy's life and the lives of persons who were present during his final speech are intertwined into one story. Additional Thanks Thank you to Emilio Estevez for directing effort. Thank you to Producers Edward Bass, Holly Wiersma, and Michel Litvak for making the film possible. Cast includes Harry Belafonte, Joe Bryant, Nick Cannon, Emilio Estevez, Laurence Fishburne, Dave Fraunces, Jeridan Frye, Spencer Garrett, Brian Geraghty, Heather Graham, Anthony Hopkins, and Helen Hunt.  Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?  Yes. This is an important, educational watch and tells its story well by telling several stories as one. It has an ensemble cast that enhances the value of the movie. This movie is a good addition to the home video library. Director Emilio Estevez's large vision for this movie is completely realized. Video Critique Available Here: Ben Meyers

COLLATERAL DAMAGE (Released to Theaters USA 2002)

 

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 4.1|5.0 Starsìììì  Collateral Damage—Arnold Schwarzenegger—gets off to a bit of a rough start as he seems miscast for this film at first but that assumption is quickly dispelled as he enters Columbia and begins executing a dangerous mission to avenge the death of his wife and child.  Watch for John Turturro and John Leguizamo. Poster Courtesy Google Images Storyline An American fireman goes to Colombia to fight terrorists. Additional Thanks Thank you to Director Andrew Davis for directing effort. Thank you to Producers Steven Reuther and David Foster for making the film possible. Cast includes Arnold Schwarzenegger, John Turturro, John Leguizamo, Elias Koleas, Francesca Neri, and Cliff Curtis. Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?  Yes. Although the theme is commonly told, the movie has its own flavor that makes it worth its watch. The presence of Arnold Schwarzenegger enhances its watchability. Video Critique Available Here: Ben Meyers

LARA CROFT: TOMB RAIDER-THE CRADLE OF LIFE (Theatrical Release USA 2003)

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 3.8|5.0 Starsììì  Lara Croft Tomb Raider: The Cradle of Life—notable special effects—works at nearly the same level of the first film with a bit more 'corny'. Angelina Jolie reprises her role and teams with Gerard Butler. The fight scenes are more amateurish than the last movie. Overall, it's a fair to middling piece of entertainment.  Film Poster Courtesy of IMDb Storyline Lara Croft’s (Angelina Jolie) assignment is to find Pandora’s Box before bioterrorists find it.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director Jan De Bont for directing efforts. Thank you to Executive Producer Jeremy Heath-Smith for making the film possible. Cast include Gerard Butler, Jonathan Reiss, Ciarán Hinds, Chris Barrie, Noah Taylor, Djimon Hounsou, Til Schweiger, Simon Yam, and Terence Yin.

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Maybe. This film, a bit amateurish, does have a good story. It's watchable and will suit Angelina Jolie fans. Video Critique Available Here: Ben Meyers

THE GREAT DEBATERS (Released to Theaters USA 2007)

 

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 4.3|5.0 Starsìììì  The Great Debaters—Denzel Washington—is a quality watch from its beginning to its conclusion. It takes a bit of time to get into its story, but do not give up on this one. It's a winner from the get-go and turns into a  'must see' that is a perfect addition to the home video library while giving terrific opportunity for before and after viewing family discussion...a good family share movie that emphasizes the importance of handling dialogue well and standing up for rights in a dignified manner. This is a true story...inspirational and very worthy.  Film Poster Courtesy of IMDb Storyline A true story of Mr. Melvin Tolson, a teacher at a college in Texas, who teaches students how to debate other students effectively and well.  Additional Thank Thank you to Director Denzel Washington for directing effort. Thank you to Producers Todd Black, Kate Forte, Joe Roth, and Oprah Winfrey for making the film possible. Cast includes Denzel Washington, Forest Whitaker, Nate Parker, Jurnee Smollett, Denzel Whitaker, John Heard, and Kimberly Elise.  Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?  Yes. It's difficult to understand where this film is going at first until the students are given the green light to debate other students at other colleges and universities, then the brilliance and clarity of points very well made, make it shine. Great work for all involved. Thank you for a great watch. Video Critique Available Here: Ben Meyers

THE ILLUSIONIST (Released to Theaters USA 2006)

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 4.2|5.0 Starsìììì  The Illusionist—very interesting story—has been ordered well and delivers a good mystery. Look for Edward Norton and Paul Giamatti as casting mates. Their acting and storyline made this film work. Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia  Storyline  A boy, who is learning magic, meets a girl and falls in love. Their marriage is forbidden because she comes from royalty and he comes from low status.   Additional Thanks  Thank you to Director Neil Burger for directing effort. Thank you to Producers Brian Koppelman, David Levien, Michael London, Cathy Schulman, and Bob Yari for making the film possible. Cast includes Edward Norton, Paul Giamati, Jessica Biel, Rufus Sewell, and Eddie Marsan.   Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?  Yes. This is a good watch. Video Critique Available Here: Ben Meyers

 

THE WISHGRANTER (Released to the Internet UK 2016)

 

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 4.2|5.0 Starsìììì  The Wishgranter—cute and original short, animated film—tells a wonderful story about a bored wish granter who suddenly has no boredom due to the need to fix two wishes going horribly wrong. Very good, sentimental, short film. Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images Storyline  A man and a woman toss coins into a wishing fountain, not seeing each other from across the fountain. The bored wish granter for that fountain, presses the button for their wishes to materialize but his button fails and he is no longer bored as he works diligently, against time, to make two wishes come true. Additional Thanks Thank you to CGI, YouTube, The Ringling College of Art and Design, Kal Athannassoy, John McDonald, and Echo Wu  for making the film possible. Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?  Yes. This is a good, animated, 'feel good' short film that is backed by a sweet, sentimental story. The movie is solid from its foundation to its conclusion. Video Critique Available Here: Ben Meyers

GOD'S NOT DEAD 2 (Released to Theaters USA 2016)

 

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 3.8|5.0 Starsììì  God's Not Dead 2 has a predictable beginning and does not increase interest until the court scene, which is 'kind of' a worthy watch. Overall, the movie does not provide a high level of entertainment.  Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images Storyline  A high school student asks about the similarity of Gandhi, MLK Jr. and Jesus' teachings on peace. The teacher answers and then quotes a Bible verse about peace to relate to the teachings of these three men. After class, the teacher is accused of crossing the line between church and state. Additional Thanks Thank you to Director Harold Cronk for directing effort. Thank you to Producers Elizabeth Hatcher-Travis, Brittany Lefebvre, Michael Scott, David A. R. White, Russell Wolfe, Matt Shapira, and Nathan Wenban for making the film possible. Cast includes Melissa Joan Hart, Jesse Metcalfe, David A. R. White, Ernie Hudson, Hayley Orrantia, Robin Givens, Fred Dalton Thompson, Maria Canals-Barrera, Sadie Robertson, Pat Boone, and Ray Wise.   Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?  Maybe. The best part of the film is the court hearing. The acting and writing are not up to par.   Video Critique Available Here: Ben Meyers

LARA CROFT: TOMB RAIDER (Theatrical Release USA 2001)

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 3.8|5.0 Starsììì  Lara Croft: Tomb Raider—not a high quality watch—still works because of the fabulous stage settings and the unexpected fighting spirit of the female lead. Some of the dialogue lines can reflect a bit of 'cheesiness' but all together the movie, oddly, works as a fresh, entertaining adventure thriller. The action is over-the-top so that action is the foundation that supplants everything else that usually 'make' a movie Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia Storyline The Illuminati search for the key to rejoin two ancient triangles. Additional Thanks Thank you to Director Simon West for directing efforts. Thank you to Executive Producers Stuart Baird and Jeremy Heath-Smith for making the film possible. Cast includes Angelina Jolie, Jon Voight, Iain Glen, Bryce Noah Taylor, Daniel Craig, Richard Johnson, Chris Barrie, Julian Rhind-Tutt, and Leslie Phillips.

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Maybe. This could almost be a cult classic. It's worth a one-time watch just for the stage settings.  Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

HARDBALL (Reased to Theaters USA 2001)

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 4.0|5.0 Starsìììì  Hardball—language and a rough, harsh theme—educates about life in the projects, gang fighting, and the hardships of achieving and keeping dreams alive.  It's above the level of most movies that attempt to tell this story. Keanu Reeves more than carries his weight in this film. This is a mid-career movie performance for Keanu Reeves. Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images  Storyline  A young man takes a coaching job working with a group of children who live in the projects.    Additional Thanks  Thank you to Director Brian Robbins for directing effort. Thank you to Executive Producers Herbert W. Gains, Kevin McCormick, Erwin Stoff. Cast includes: Keanu Reeves, Diane Lane, John Hawkes, Bryan Hearne, Julian Griffith, Michael B. Jordan, Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?  Yes. This is a very good watch that addresses an important subject. Video Critique Available Here: Ben Meyers

 

DROP ZONE (Released to Theaters USA 1994)

 

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 3.8|5.0 Starsììì  Drop Zone—run-of-the-mill—uses sky diving to drive the movie's story. The film seems to be promoting the sport of sky diving rather than purposing to entertain. It's a suitable to okay watch. Nothing new or particularly inspiring about this movie.  Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images Storyline United States marshals are transporting a criminally convicted  computer hacker to another prison. The plane is hijacked by terrorists who take the computer hacker to use in high level computer theft crimes. Additional Thanks  Thank you to Director John Badham for directing effort. Thank you to Producers D. J. Caruso, Wallis Nicita, and Lauren Lloyd for making the film possible. Casting includes Wesley Snipes, Gary Busey, Yancy Butler, and Michael Jeter. Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Maybe. The sky diving is a treat to see, but the film is not a high quality production. 

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers