OKJA (Cannes Film Festival Cannes France 2017)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 4.3|5.0 Starsìììì

Okja—innovative with very good, realistic animation—strives to present itself as a heart-tugging action flick and accomplishes that well. The script is great; the storyline is fantastic. This is a terrific family share movie for the teen and adult audience.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

Lucy Mirando, a third descendant of the two generation Mirando Corporation, starts breeding a new breed of superpig. The new pigs are distributed across the world for families to raise. Okja is received by South Korean teenager Mija and her grandfather to raise.

Additional Thanks

Thank You to Director Joon-ho Bong for directing efforts. Thank you to Executive Producers Collin Creighton, Sarah Esberg, Pauline Fischer, Woosang Kim, Christina Oh, Brad Pitt, and Stan Wlodkowski for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Lucy Mirando/Nancy Mirando (Tilda Swinton), Stylist 2007/2017 (Sheena Kamal), Make-up Artist 2007 (Michael Mitton), Sarcastic British Reporter (Colm Hill), Epicurean Reporter (Kathrun Kirkpatrick), Señor Villacorta (Jose Carias), Frank Dawson (Giancarlo Esposito), Johnny Wilcox (Jake Gyllenhaal), and Elderly Reporter (Nancy Amelia Bell).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. It’s fresh, exciting, and appealing to both the adult and teen audience—imaginative and adventurous.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

THE ASTRONAUT FARMER (Theatrical Release USA 2007)

Ben Meyers’ rating—4.6|5.0 Starsìììì

The Astronaut Farmer—inspirational—is all about the importance of having a dream and never giving up. Despite losing money at box office, this film is a sleeper that will make dollars over time. It details the process that all dreamers go through including the humbling experience of complete and total failure. This is a great family show. Kudos to a film well done.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

Farmer Charles Farmer (Billy Bob Thornton) has used his fortune to build a spaceship capable of carrying a single person into outer space. His entire family helps him on the project and they develop significant mathematical muscles as well as specialized knowledge about space travel.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director Michael Polish for his directing efforts. Thank you to Executive Producer Geyer Kosinski for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Charles Farmer (Billy Bob Thornton), Audrey ‘Audie’ Farmer (Virginia Madsen), Shepard Farmer (Max Theiriot), FBI Agent Mathis (Mark Polish), FBI Agent Kilbourne (Jon Gries), and Kevin Munchak (Tim Blake Nelson).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. One of the best Billy Bob Thornton films on the market. A great evening watch.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

FULL METAL JACKET (Theatrical Release USA 1987)

Ben Meyers’ rating—4.8|5.0 Starsìììì

Full Metal Jacket—emotionally impacting, insightful, and realistic—first approaches the Vietnam War through the perils of United States Marine Corp boot camp and then through actual field warfare. While some of the soldier interviews need a little tweaking and the Hollywood ‘flare’ added to the sniper scene, the overall effect of this Stanley Kubrick film makes it a favorite and an excellent choice for the war flick fan.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

The film tracks several individuals during boot camp training and follows their execution of duty after receiving their diverse individual field assignments during the Vietnam War.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director Stanley Kubrick for his directing efforts. Thank you to Executive Producer Jan Harlan for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Private J.T. ‘Joker’ Davis (Matthew Modine), Animal Mother (Adam Baldwin), Private Leonard ‘Gomer’ Pyle Lawrence (Vincent D’Onofrio), Gunnery Sergeant Hartman (R. Lee Ermey), Eightball (Dorian Harewood), Rafterman (Kevyn Major Howard), Private Cowboy (Arliss Howard), Lieutenant Touchdown (Ed O’Ross), and Lieutenant Lockhart (John Terry).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. It’s an excellent tribute to the talents of Stanley Kubrick.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

NINE LIVES * (Theatrical Release USA 2016)

Ben Meyers’ rating—4.2|5.0 Starsìììì

Nine Lives—a solid Kevin Spacey film—backs its storyline with the talents of Christopher Walken and Jennifer Garner. Watch for Robbie Amell and Mark Consuelos; they have good screen presence. The acting is well done; the portrayal is really well done, but the consciousness transfer from a human into an animal has been a little overdone, feels like old-hat, and gives the unsettling feeling that this is nothing more than a run-off of Disney’s 1959 Shaggy Dog (remade again in 1976, 1987, 1994, 2006) with nothing really new except an exchange of the dog with a cat to make us think it is a new story. However, despite that, it’s a good afternoon watch—a family friendly movie.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

Tom Brand (Kevin Spacey) is a hard hitting, competitive business man, determined to be ‘first’ in all things including the height of buildings he constructs. But, the more competitive he gets, the more he alienates himself from being ‘first’ with his family. He buys a cat for his daughter’s, Rebecca Brand (Malina Weissman), birthday and in an accident finds his consciousness traded from his body to the inside of the cat’s body. The only way to extract himself is to make his family first priority and his business second priority.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director Barry Sonnenfeld for his directing efforts. Thank you to Executive Producers Mark Gao, Claude Léger, Eric Mathis, Gregory Ouanhon, Michele Petternella, and Jonathan Vanger for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Tom Brand (Kevin Spacey), Lara Brand (Jennifer Garner), David Brand (Robbie Amell), Madison Camden (Cheryl Hines), Ian Cox (Mark Consuelos), Felix Perkins (Christopher Walken), Nicole Camden (Talitha Bateman), Josh Myers (Teddy Sears), and Benson (Jay Patterson).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. However, due to the many movies made on this film's idea, the movie begs the question, ‘Are Hollywood writers running out of fresh ideas for stories?’

* Also known as: Mr. Fuzzypants

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

DAD (Theatrical Release USA 1989)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 4.2|5.0 Starsìììì

Dad—heartfelt—walks into the world of elder caretaking while taking the viewer on a journey that enhances appreciation for the preciousness of life at every stage. The film reminds us of the importance of building good memories—memories we’ll be glad to own. Dad has a terrific story line and provides significant entertainment value for the whole family.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

John Tremont’s (Ted Danson) mother suffers a heart attack and becomes incapacitated to the point where she can no longer continue her caretaking duties for John’s father, Jake Tremont (Jack Lemmon). John takes absence from work and returns home to help his father become more independent and to help him establish better health.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director Gary David Goldberg for his directing efforts. Thank you to Executive Producers Kathleen Kennedy, Frank Marshall, and Steven Spielberg for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Jake Tremont (Jack Lemmon), John Tremont (Ted Danson), Bette Tremont (Olympia Dukakis), Annie (Kathy Baker), Mario (Kevin Spacey), Billy (Ethan Hawke), Dr. Chad (Zakes Mokae), Dr. Santana (J.T. Walsh), Dr. Ethridge (Peter Michael Goetz), Dr. Delibro (John Apicella), and Victor Walton (Richard McGonagle).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. Definitely. It’s a treat to see Jack Lemmon performing in one of his later films and to see Kevin Spacey performing in some of his early films.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

THE GREAT BUCK HOWARD (Sundance Film Festival Park City, Salt Lake City, Ogden City, Provo City, Sundance Resort North East of Provo City, Utah USA 2008)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 4.4|5.0 Starsìììì

The Great Buck Howard—loosely based on The Amazing Kreskin’s story—faded in its box office releases and earned just under $1,000,000 sales. This sleeper film is a terrific ‘pick-up’ film with excellent entertainment value. The story is phenomenal and sensationally portrayed by John Malkovich, Colin Hanks, and Emily Blunt. Well done film and definitely worth watching; watch for Tom Hanks, father of Colin Hanks tucked into the story’s lines.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

Troy Gable (Colin Hanks) drops out of law school and takes a position as road manager for magician Buck Howard’s (John Malkovich) The Great Buck Howard Magician Show.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director Sean McGinly for his directing efforts. Thank you to Executive Producers Marvin V. Acuna and Steve Shareshian for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Buck Howard (John Malkovich), Troy Gable (Colin Hanks), Valerie Brennan (Emily Blunt), Gil Bellamy (Ricky Jay), Kenny (Steve Zahn), Mr. Gable (Tom Hanks), Jonathan Finerman (Griffin Dunne), Doreen (Debra Monk), and Alan Berkman (Adam Scott).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. It’s one of the best magician shows out there; a classic understatement that should not be missed.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

HERO (Released to the Palm Springs International Film Festival, Palm Springs, California USA 2003) Movie Critique

Ben Meyers’ rating of Hero is 4.3|5.0 Starsìììì

Hero is a great Chinese culture study film with good special effects. While a few flying scenes need improvement (such as the scenes where Jet Li drops from fighting several men at a shrine to fighting one man); overall, the fight scenes are very good and produce a pronounced entertainment effect. The acting is quite good.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Hero is about:

Nameless (Jet Li), a name he gave himself because his parents were unable to name him, develops a plan to kill Chinese Emperor Qin (Daoming Chen), the first emperor to rule China, who desires unification of states of China.

Additional Thanks to Cast and Crew of Hero

Cast include: Thank you to actor/actresses: Jet Li, Tony Chiu-Wai Leung, Maggie Cheung, Ziyi Zhang, Daoming Chen, Donnie Yen, Zhongyuan Liu, Tianyong Zheng, and Yan Qin for making this film possible. Crew include: Thank you to Director Yimou Zhang for directing efforts. Thank you to Executive Producers Shoufang Dou and Weiping Zhang for making the film possible.

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. Terrific Chinese film. Can’t beat this for good entertainment.

Video critique available here:

Ben Meyers

ENEMY OF THE STATE (Theatrical Release USA 1998)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 4.4|5.0 Starsìììì

Enemy of the State easily turns itself into a ‘must see’ movie of 1998. It’s executed in an unflinching classic, spy-thriller style that has Director Tony Scott’s stamp of excellence written all over every scene. It stands among Will Smith’s best films with raw tension in full presence from its beginning to its end. Watch for Jack Black and Seth Green.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

Labor Lawyer Robert Dean (Will Smith) unknowing receives a video detailing the murder of Congressman Hammersley. He becomes the target of National Security Agency personnel.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director Tony Scott for his directing efforts. Thank you to Executive Producers Andrew Z. Davis, Chad Oman, and James W. Skotchdopole for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Robert Clayton Dean (Will Smith), Edward Lyle (Gene Hackman), Thomas Brian Reynolds (Jon Voight), Rachel F. Banks (Lisa Bonet), Carla Dean (Regina King), Congressman Sam Albert(Stuart Wilson), Christa Hawkins (Laura Cayouette), Hicks (Loren Dean), David Pratt (Barry Pepper), Bingham (Ian Hart), Krug (Jake Busey), Jones (Scott Caan), Daniel Zavitz (Jason Lee), Brill (Gabriel Byrne), Jerry Miller (James Le Gros), Shaffer (Dan Butler), and Fiedler (Jack Black).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. This film is worth both your time and your money.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

VICTOR (Released to Theaters USA 2015)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 4.0|5.0 Starsìììì

Victor becomes one of the better Christian films on the market as it works through the importance of family and a workable faith in breaking and leaving the drug addiction cycle.

Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images

Storyline

Victor (Patrick Davis Alarcón), an emigrant from Puerto Rico, in a desperate effort to help his financially struggling family enters the drug trafficking business and soon finds himself enslaved to the drugs he sells.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director Brandon Dickerson for directing efforts. Thank you to Executive Producer Greg Wilkerson for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Patrick Davis Alarcón, Lisa Vidal, Josh Pence, J. Michael Trautman, José Zúñiga, Mike Wade, Rick Gonzalez, Matt Angel, Haley Ramm, Mason Davis, Nick Eversman, Matt Marquez,

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. It’s worthy.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

NO ESCAPE (Theatrical Release USA 2015)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 4.7|5.0 Starsìììì

No Escape turns edge of the seat excitement into some of Owen Wilson’s best work. While Owen Wilson seems to lend himself well to the comedic experience, sometimes with a little romance thrown in, he turns into an outstanding casting choice for this thriller/action movie. His talent lies, partially, in the wisdom of finding his own action style. It absolutely works. This film is among some of 2015s best thriller/action movies. Kudos to every actor in this film; the acting is some of the best on today’s market. The script is well done. No fault found in this film.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

American Jack Dwyer (Owen Wilson), his wife, Annie (Lake Bell), and their two daughters, Lucy Dwyer (Sterling Jerins) and Beeze Dwyer (Claire Geare), get caught in a Laotian rebel war.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director John Erick Dowdle for directing efforts. Thank you to Executive Producers Steve Alexander, Andrew Pfeffer, Jeffrey Stott, and Gary Michael Walters for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Owen Wilson, Pierce Brosnan, Thanawut Ketsaro, Chatchawai Kamonsaknitak, Sahajak Boonthanakit, and Tanapol Chuksrida.

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. The film is so well done that it is a re-watch just to see Owen Wilson in the fatherly, rescue role within the thriller genre.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

BEING ELMO: A PUPPETEER’S JOURNEY (Theatrical Release USA 2011)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 4.6|5.0 Starsìììì

Being Elmo: A Puppeteer's Journey features terrific interviews to gain multiple insightful viewpoints into the life and talent of Kevin Clash, the mind and man behind the famous puppet, Elmo. It’s fun for the entire family to examine the mechanisms behind making Elmo work. The documentary is exceptionally well done and should not be missed.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

The documentary covers Kevin Clash’s early ventures into puppeteering to meeting with Sesame Street’s Jim Henson to his creation of the lovable Elmo character.

Additional Thanks

Thank You to Director Constance Marks for directing efforts. Thank you to Executive Producers Corinne LaPook, Constance Marks, and James J. Miller for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Himself (Bill Barretta), Herself (Fran Brill), Guy Eating Cake #2 (Carson Carr), Herself (Gladys Clash), Himself (Kevin Clash), Herself (Joan Ganz Cooney), Himself (Arsenio Hall), Herself (Cheryl Henson), and Himself (Jim Henson).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. This documentary is well worth the ticket. It’s art serving real human needs and inspires individual pursuit of dreams, especially in the world of artistic, creative endeavor.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

THE BIG SHORT (Theatrical Release USA 2015)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 4.7|5.0 Stars ìììì

The Big Short—based on true events of the late 2000s decade—manages a surprisingly intense, suspense filled, pulse-pounding effect throughout its story. The premise can be a bit hard to follow and to understand what is at stake if one is not schooled in finance and economics; but all of us, who are still living in the aftermath and reaping the consequences of real estate related banking decisions, made before the global economic collapse, and who are looking for a brighter future, will understand enough to appreciate this film. There is some nudity.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

Michael Burry (Christian Bale) figures out that the real estate loan market is going to collapse around the year 2007. He benefits from this knowledge by creating a Credit Default Swap Market and allows banks and other revenue sources to help him in this situation. Other people get wind of this investment maneuver and duplicate the strategy with their own band wagon and the show is ‘on’.

Additional Thanks

Best Work for Director Adam McKay. Thank you to Executive Producers Kevin J. Messick and Louise Rosner for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Jared Vennett (Ryan Gosling), Lewis Ranieri (Rudy Eisenzopf), Mark Baum (Steve Carell),  Fund Manager (Casey Groves), Lewis Bond Traders (Charlie Talbert and Harold Gervais), and Goldman Sachs Sales Representative (Vanessa Cloke).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Maybe. Excellently acted, timing perfectly orchestrated, intense drama…worth your dollar on every count, but definitely written for an audience with specialized investment knowledge.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

DÉJÀ VU * (Released to Theaters USA 2006)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 4.6|5.0 Starsìììì

Déjà Vu—WOW entertainment—features Denzel Washington and Val Kilmer in a terrific futuristic film. The concept is fresh, the acting great, script well-written, portrayal and timing perfect. No fault found here. This is a sit back and enjoy movie from its start to its finish.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

A.T.F Agent Douglas Carlin (Denzel Washington) investigates a ferry explosion that kills 543 persons, meets FBI agent Paul Pryzwarra (Val Kilmer) who asks him to solve the crime via a project called Snow White, and finds himself involved in the ability to view past events.

Additional Thanks

Thank You to Director Tony Scott for directing efforts. Thank you to Executive Producers Ted Elliott, Chad Oman, Terry Rossio, Mike Stenson, and Barry H. Waldman for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Claire Kuchever (Paula Patton), Carroll Oerstadt (Jim Caviezel), Denny (Adam Goldberg), Gunnars (Elden Henson), Shanti (Erika Alexander), Jack McCready (Bruce Greenwood), Agent Stalhuth (Rich Hutchman), and Minuti (Matt Craven).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. The movie uses terrific action coupled with high intensity to keep interest peaked at the edge of your seat level.

* Also known as Deja Vu

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

THE FINEST HOURS (Theatrical Release USA 2016)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 3.2|5.0 Stars ììì

The Finest Hours—boring, slow—requires stronger acting in nearly every character. The secondary love story weaving under the primary drama doesn’t have the ‘pop’ necessary to support the drama.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

Bernard ‘Bernie’ Webber (Chris Pine), who works for the United States Coast Guard, wants to marry Miriam Webber (Holliday Grainger), but first he has to get affirmation from his commanding officer Daniel Cluff (Eric Bana). Before he can consolidate his plans, he is called to duty to rescue the men on the SS Pendleton, a ship that has sheared in half during a terrifically deadly winter ocean storm.

Additional Thanks

Good Work for Director Craig Gillespie. Thank you to Executive Producer Douglas C. Merrifield for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Ray Sybert (Casey Affleck), Richard Livesey (Ben Foster), and Wallace Quirey (John Ortiz).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Maybe. There are stronger love stories out there and definitely stronger action stories. The primary value in watching this movie is to create awareness of the difficulty of ocean rescue efforts and as an educational watch. Excellent discussion after movie to help children understand the United States Coast Guard, another entity we have put into place to preserve human life and that shows our value of human life.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

BEE MOVIE (Released to Theaters USA 2007)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 4.2|5.0 Starsìììì Bee Movie—animated, light hearted—is easy to watch, comical, and fun. Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia Storyline Barry B. Benson (voice of Jerry Seinfeld) grows up, goes to college, and tours Honex Industries for a working position. But, when he finds that he can never change his position once he chooses it, Barry B. Benson looks a little deeper for a more challenging position. He finds that the soldier bees go outside the hive to bring in pollen for the processing of new jars of honey and talks to his friend, Adam Flayman (voice of Matthew Broderick), about joining the soldier bees. Adam warns Barry B. Benson that he does not seem to be ideally suited for soldier life, but Barry goes outside with the soldier bees to examine their work. He becomes lost and meets a human woman, Vanessa Bloome (voice of Reneé Zellweger). Bee law states that bees are not to talk to humans. Barry breaks the rule and not only talks with Vanessa; but develops a close relationship with her. On a trip to a grocery store, Barry discovers that bees work hard to supply humans with honey. He decides this is unfair and pursues a lawsuit to dissolve this seemingly unfair situation.

Additional Thanks

Great Work for Director Steve Hickner and Simon J. Smith. Thank you to Producers Jerry Seinfeld and Christina Steinberg for their efforts in making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Layton T. Montgomery (voice of John Goodman), Ken (voice of Patrick Warburton), Mooseblood (voice of Chris Rock), Janet Benson (voice of Kathy Bates), Martin Benson (voice of Barry Levinson), Bee Larry King (voice of Larry King), Ray Liotta (voice of Ray Liotta), Sting (voice of Sting), Judge Bumbleton (Oprah Winfrey), Buzzwell (Larry Miller), and Trudy (voice of Megan Mullally).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. This is a good watch. Expect a sweet conclusion.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

HARRY & SNOWMAN (Provincetown International Film Festival, Provincetown, Massachusetts USA 2015)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 4.3|5.0 Stars ìììì

Harry & Snowman—great documentary for horse lovers—tells the story of Long Islander Harry DeLeyer’s 1950s rescue of a horse bound for the slaughterhouse.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

Harry DeLeyer, a Long Island riding instructor, buys an 8-year-old horse on its way to the slaughterhouse, finds that it can jump, and within two years has the horse jumping and winning some of the most prestigious show horse competitions.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director Ron Davis for his directing efforts in making this film. Thank you to Executive Producers Paul Blavin and Karin Reid Offield for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Harriet DeLeyer (Herself), Andre DeLeyer (Himself), Marty DeLeyer (Himself), Willy DeLeyer (Himself), George H. Morris (Himself), Jackie Bitner (Herself), Rodney Jenkins (Himself), Lolly Clarke (Herself), and Peter Doubleday (Himself).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. Great work for Director Ron Davis for his presentation of this film. 

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers