JERSEY BOYS (Released to the Sydney Film Festival, Sydney, Australia 2014)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 4.9|5.0 Stars ìììì

Jersey Boys—a Clint Eastwood-directed biopic about Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons—can be watched again and again for its perfect and abundant placement of music and terrific storyline. Well-written, well-cast, and just...well, it's just perfect.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons tell their story through music and words.

Additional Thanks

Best work for Director Clint Eastwood. Thank you to Executive Producers James Packer, Bob Gaudio, Tim Moore, Brett Ratner, and Frankie Valli for making the film possible. Cast include: Vincent Piazza, John Lloyd Young, Steve Schirripa, Christopher Walken, Kathrine Narducci, Michael Lomenda, and Erich Bergen.

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. It’s a great look at the value of persevering in the face of trials, following life’s passion, and bending into difficult situations with honesty and grace.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

JUNIOR BONNER (Released to Theaters USA 1972)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 4.6|5.0 Stars ìììì

Junior Bonner—a classic rodeo movie—excels in realism, presentation, and outstanding acting. 

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

Junior Bonner (Steve McQueen), whose specialty is riding broncs and bulls, is in the last days of his rodeo career. He has just failed riding a tough bull named Sunshine. He moves on to Prescott, Arizona, his familial home, to get ready for the Prescott rodeo. His arrogant brother, Curly Bonner (Joe Don Baker), is in mobile home real estate. Junior Bonner’s father, Ace Bonner (Robert Preston), is in the hospital for drunk driving. His mother, Elvira Bonner (Ida Lupino), is separated from her husband. Junior Bonner finds that his father wants to go to Australia. Junior Bonner bribes his manager, Buck Roan (Ben Johnson), to allow him to ride the bull, Sunshine, one more time.

Additional Thanks

Best work for Director Sam Peckinpah. Thank you to Producer Joe Wizan and Associate Producer Mickey Borofsky for making the film possible. Cast include: Steve McQueen, Robert Preston, Ida Lupino, Joe Don Baker, Barbara Leigh, Ben Johnson,

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. Be aware that this film works on a rather depressing storyline, but completely works as an exceptionally realistic portrayal of rodeo life without the support of a family and children. Excellent drama.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

AMADEUS (Released to Theaters USA 1984/Critique of Director’s Cut Released 2002)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 4.8|5.0 Stars ìììì

Amadeus loosely bases itself on the life of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart while simultaneously becoming the crowning jewel of morality plays. Intricate writing superbly examines the differences between ability and genius, duplicity and innocence, creative constraint and freedom of expression, jealousy and guilelessness.  This Director’s Cut is ‘R’ rated and contains some nudity.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

The story is told through the eyes of Antonio Salieri (F. Murray Abraham), a contemporary to Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (Tom Hulce). It begins with Salieri loudly pleading penitence for killing Mozart. The next scenes show Salieri’s servants breaking into his room where they find him on the floor with his throat cut. He survives and spends the rest of his life in an insane asylum. The story shoots ahead to scenes where Father Vogler (Richard Frank) comes to see an elderly man in the asylum. The elderly man is Salieri. Salieri tells his story as it involves Mozart.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director Milos Forman. Thank you to Executive Producers Michael Hausman, Saul Zaentz, and Bertil Ohlsson for making the film possible. Cast include: F. Murray Abraham, Tom Hulce, Elizabeth Berridge, Roy Dotrice, Simon Callow, Christine Ebersole, Jeffrey Jones, Charles Kay, Kenneth McMillan featured in the 2002 Directors Cut, Kenny Baker, Lisbeth Bartlett, and Barbara Bryne.

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. This is a ‘must see film’. It’s a compelling masterpiece of intricate story telling.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

THE SHORT GAME (South by Southwest Film Festival Austin Texas USA 2013)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 4.6|5.0 Stars ìììì

The Short Game—a classic golf documentary—has inspiration, heart, and ambition  all rolled into one as it tells the tale of young children professionally schooled in the art of golf.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

Young male and female golfers, 7 to 8 years of age, train for the 2012 U. S. Kids Golf World Championship.

Additional Thanks

Best Work for Director Josh Greenbaum. Thank you to Executive Producers John Battsek, Jessica Biel, and David Frankel for making the film possible. Cast include: Amari Avery, Jed Dy , Allan Kournikova, Zamokuhle Nxasana, Alexa Pano , Sky Sudberry, Augustin Valery, Yang Kuang, Jack Nicklaus, Gary Player, Annika Sorenstam, Chi Chi Rodriguez, and Don Law.

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. Definitely. Surprisingly ambitious young golfers show extreme positivism as they shoot for the winning cup. They won’t take ‘no’ for an answer.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

JULIA (Theatrical Release USA 1977)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 4.4|5.0 Stars ìììì

Julia—full and complete—is one of those World War II films easily missed. The movie explores the depth of lifelong female friendship, loyalty, and love’s capacity to walk through life-threatening doors in order to fulfill the requirements of such a friendship.  The film increases its complexity by not only examining the relationship between Jane Fonda and Vanessa Redgrave but also the professional working and physical romance between best friends Jane Fonda and Jason Robards. The story is wonderful and clean other than a suggestive scene between Fonda and Robards.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

Julia (Vanessa Redgrave) and Lillian (Jane Fonda) are lifelong friends who maintain close contact until they become involved in developing separate careers—Julia studies medicine and Lillian studies writing. When Julia becomes deeply involved in the European anti-Nazi movement, she eventually enlists the aid of her friend Lillian to smuggle valuables into Germany.  

Additional Thanks 

Thank You to Director Fred Zinnemann. Thank you to Executive Producer Julien Derode for making the film possible. Additional Cast include: Jason Robards, Maximilian Schell, Hal Holbrook, Rosemary Murphy, Meryl Streep, Dora Doll, Elisabeth Mortensen, John Glover, Lisa Pelikan, and Susan Jones.

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. The film is surprisingly powerful. Worth watching

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

UNDERCLASSMAN (Released to Theaters USA 2005)

 

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 3.8|5.0 Starsììì  Underclassman—run of the mill—plays within the suitable to okay range without anything to make it stand out. Watch for Cheech Marin in the role of police chief. Nick Cannon plays a suitable  to okay part. Nothing outstanding here.   Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images Storyline  A youth detective goes to school to investigate car theft.   Additional Thanks  Thank you to Director Marcos Siega for directing efforts. Thank you to Producers Peter Abrams, Robert L. Levy, and Andrew Panay for making the film possible. Cast includes Nick Cannon, Shawn Ashmore, Roselyn Sanchez, Kelly Hu, Hugh Bonneville, and Cheech Marin.  Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?  Maybe. The movie has no distinguishing features. It's a theme story that Hollywood has made many times. It runs as a  'fill in some time' movie. It is what it is. Video Critique Available Here: Ben Meyers

HOODWINKED (Released to Theaters USA 2005)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 4.3|5.0 Starsìììì

Hoodwinked—Red Riding Hood as it should have been told in the first place—turns into a terrific entertainment choice for both child and adult. It’s a high quality entertainment ride all the way. Terrific voicing, terrific dialogue, terrific animation, an absolute winner. Don’t miss it.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

Granny’s (voice of Glenn Close) terrific recipes are at risk and it’s up to Red Puckett (voice of Anne Hathaway) to save the family’s fabulous secret recipes from commercialization.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director Cory Edwards for directing efforts. Thank you to Producers Maurice Kanbar, David K. Lovegren, Sue Bea Montgomery, and Preston Stutzman for making the film possible. Cast include: James Belushi, Patrick Warburton, David Ogden Stiers, Xzibit, Cory Edwards, and Andy Dick.

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. It’s a great child/adult share that provides equal entertainment value for both audiences.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

FOR GREATER GLORY: THE TRUE STORY OF CRISTIADA (Released to Theaters USA 2012)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 4.0|5.0 Starsìììì

For Greater Glory: The True Story of Cristiada—based on true events—recounts the Mexican government’s atrocities against Catholics in its violent 1920s persecution. Mexican President Calles’ (Ruben Blades) historical attempt to eliminate all Catholic religion, deport all foreign-born priests, burn Catholic churches, and kill Catholic parishioners brutally comes to life in this reality-based Mexican civil war film. Good historical rendering of what came to be known as the Cristero War. The only fault in this movie is that it does not properly show the magnitude or the impact of this war. The viewer sees this event through a small group of impacted people and does not really understand that this was a war that reduced Catholic priests from 4,500 strong to about 334 individuals, now licensed by the government, to ‘practice’ in a civil population of more than 15 million persons. The viewer does not understand that over five percent of Mexico’s population fled to the areas around Los Angeles (United States) to escape murder nor does the viewer comprehend how well the United States has functioned as a bastion against religious intolerance as it maintains quite necessary refugee cities for such persons fleeing their own governments. The viewer is not given any appreciation for the fact that the Los Angeles Mexican population is greatly founded from a population with a need to practice their faith in freedom and security without persecution from any political authority. This film is excellent, except for its reduction of a horrific, widespread political persecution to what seems a small scale challenge.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

The Mexican government ruthlessly attempts to eliminate the dominant religious class into subservience to the political authority.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director Dean Wright for directing efforts. Thank you to Producer Pablo Jose Barroso for making the film possible. Additional Cast include: Andy Garcia, Oscar Isaac, Catalina Sandino Moreno, Santiago Cabrera, Rubén Blades, Bruce McGill, Adrien Alonso, Eva Longoria, and Peter O’Toole.

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. This is a terrific film that tells its story well.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

THE END OF THE STORM (Released World-Wide 2020)

 

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 4.1|5.0 Starsìììì The End of the Storm—not a perfect documentary—has a certain likableness that will be appreciated by soccer fans. Listen and watch for the bleacher fans as they sing the soccer team anthem. The female voice at end credits who re-sings the anthem is outstanding. The interviews are good and the story is well documented.   Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images Storyline  A German coach leads a British soccer team to multiple victories.   Additional Thanks Thank you to Director James Erskine for directing effort. Thank you to Executive Producers Adam Bull, Will Clarke, Raimon Masllorens, Jaime Morris, Danny Cohen, and Will Clarke. Cast includes Jurgen Klopp, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Alisson Becker, Kenny Dalglish, Roberto Firmino, Jordan Henderson, Naby Keita, and Caoimhin Kelleher. Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?  Yes. This is a likeable, suitable watch. Video Critique Available Here: Ben Meyers

J. EDGAR (Released to Theaters USA 2011)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 4.3|5.0 Stars ìììì

J. Edgar—a Clint Eastwood-directed film—focuses on the rise to power of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) under the direction of J. Edgar Hoover. While the film gives a loose, fictional account of J. Edgar Hoover’s life, the movie provides an interesting interpretation of J. Edgar Hoover’s relationship with both his mother, Annie Hoover, and his friend, Clyde Tolson. Kudos to the Makeup Department for outstanding artistry in the transition from youth to old age for J. Edgar Hoover and Clyde Tolson. This film moves well and provides good adult entertainment value.

Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images

Storyline

J. Edgar Hoover’s (Leonardo DiCaprio) life and times as he works through events such as the Lindbergh baby’s kidnapping and several presidential administrations are punctuated with views into his private life and his life before the FBI.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director Clint Eastwood for directing efforts. Thank you to Executive Producers Erica Huggins and Tim Moore for making the film possible. Additional Cast include: Leonardo DiCaprio, Judi Dench, Armie Hammer, Josh Hamilton, Geoff Pierson, Cheryl Lawson, Kaitlyn Dever, Gunner Wright, David A. Cooper, Ed Westwick, Naomi Watts, and Jeffrey Donovan.

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. The film is completely entertaining.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

THE LIZZIE MCGUIRE MOVIE (Theatrical Release USA 2003)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 3.9|5.0 Stars ììì

The Lizzie McGuire Movie—teen entertainment—compliments and carries forward the TV series’ storylines and character development for both Lizzie McGuire (Hilary Duff) and her evil-genius brother, Matthew “Matt” McGuire (Jake Thomas). The movie can be appreciated for its comical and straight-forward story lines. The ending music well displays Hilary Duff’s singing talents and places her on par with Miley Cyrus and Demi Lovato. It’s a clean, decent watch for young teens.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

Lizzie McGuire and her graduating junior high school class travel to Rome, Italy for an educational tour. She meets an Italian junior pop star, Paolo Valisari (Yani Gellman), falls in love, and travels Rome largely un-chaperoned while her friend, David ‘Gordo’ Gordon (Adam Lamberg), covers for her absences from the scheduled school tours. Unfortunately, the Italian junior pop star is using Lizzie McGuire to ruin another junior pop star’s reputation. All ends well in this teen-age flick.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director Jim Fall. Thank you to Producer Stan Rogow for making the film possible. Cast include: Hilary Duff, Adam Lambert, Hallie Todd, Robert Carradine Hallie Todd, Jake Thomas.

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. Lizzie McGuire fans are going to be more than satisfied with the film.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

FOCUS (Released to Theaters USA 2001)

 

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 4.2|5.0 Starsìììì  Focus—highly intriguing—gives away no clues to the events that take place. William H. Macy and Laura Dern act well together. David Paymer is a great addition to the story. The acting, presentation and portrayal are good. This is a rough story, but watchable.  Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images Storyline  Lawrence Newman is a simple, single, well-employed  man taking care of his mother. His neighborhood becomes antisemitic during WWII. Lawrence does not claim to be Jewish and is not antisemitic.  Additional Thanks  Thank you to Director Neal Slavin for directing efforts. Thank you Robert A. Miller and Michael R. Bloomberg for making the film possible. Cast includes William H. Macy,  Laura Dern, David Paymer, and Meat Loaf. Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? Yes. This is a very good film to understand what people have to deal with when becoming the 'out' group. Great writing and tells a good story. Video Critique Available Here: Ben Meyers

THE CADDY (Released to Theaters USA 1953)

 

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 3.8|5.0 Starsììì  The Caddy—cleanly refreshing black and white movie—shows the team of Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis in a suitable to okay watch. It's good to see a movie where men treat women with respect and courtesy.  Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images Storyline A golfer with fear of audiences becomes the caddy for a man who can golf in front of audiences.    Additional Thanks  Thank you to Director Norman Taurog for directing effort. Thank you to Producer Paul Jones for making the film possible. Cast includes Dean Martin, Jerry Lewis, Donna Reed, and Barbara Bates. Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?  Maybe. It's not a high quality movie and runs a simple, predictable story in black and white. But, it is completely clean and sweet.  Video Critique Available Here: Ben Meyers