SINATRA BEING FRANK (Video Release USA 2015)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 4.0|5.0 Starsìììì

Sinatra Being Frank—Frank Sinatra’s life lightly re-examined—does little justice to this legendary musician and his deep contribution to the music industry. The interviews seem ‘thrown together’ without coordination and lack that formal presentation that mark the good documentary. It almost seems that no one had deep interest in re-visiting Sinatra’s life and the documentary is treated as if assigned as a school project without respect or care to the professional presentation. This creates a certain darkness to this documentary that is irretrievable.

Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images

Storyline

Frank Sinatra’s life, from childhood through late life, receives another documentary-style examination through archival footage.

Additional Thanks

Thank You to A. Simon Napier for directing effort. Thank you to Producers Andrew Crossley, Duncan Napier-Bell, Terry Stone, and Richard Turner for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Himself (Alice Cooper), Himself (Tony DeSare), Himself (Paul Gambaccini), Himself (Roger Moore), Narrator (Tony Oppedisano), Himself (Tim Rice), Himself (Louis Walsh), and Himself (Frank Warren).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. For an afternoon fill-in-some-spare-time-81-minute-watch, it’s a quick revisit through the superficial highlights of this legendary musical performer’s life.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

WONDERSTRUCK (Theatrical Release USA 2017)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 4.8|5.0 Starsìììì

Wonderstruck—terrific story—shows the talent of Director Todd Haynes. It wins at the emotional level, involves its audience, shows terrific attention to detail, deserves both kudos and bravos, and absolutely earns your time and money.

Film Poster Courtesy of  Wikipedia

Storyline

In 1927 Rose (Millicent Simmonds) runs away from home to find her mother. Fifty years later Ben (Oakes Fegley) searches for his father.

Additional Thanks

Thank You to Director Todd Haynes for directing efforts. Thank you to Executive Producers Brian Bell and Sandy Powell for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Lillian Mayhew/Rose (Julianne Moore), Walter (Cory Michael Smith), Dr. Kincaid/Rose’s Father (James Urbaniak), Otto/Museum Guard (Damian Young), Workman (Patrick Murney), Pearl/The Maid (Lauren Ridloff), Dr. Gill/Teacher of the Deaf (Anthony Natale), Miss Conrad at the Museum (Carole Addabbo), Remy Rubin/Theater Director (Howard Seago), Stage Manager (Brian Berrebbi), and Valentin (John P. McGinty).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. The script, well-written, earns its right to classify as high-quality family entertainment.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

IRON MAN (Theatrical Release USA 2008)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 3.9|5.0 Starsììì

Iron Man distinguishes itself with good concept and excellent casting. Robert Downing, Jr. once again stamps his excellence on a film and receives good backup from Jeff Bridges. Marvel Comic fans will love this film.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

Billionaire Tony Starks (Robert Downey, Jr.) becomes injured in Afghanistan, captured by terrorists, and forced to work on developing a special missile for the terrorists. He builds himself an Ironman suit instead and becomes a superhero.

Additional Thanks

Thank You to Director Jon Favreau for directing efforts. Thank you to Executive Producers Ari Arad, Peter Billingsley, Louis D’Esposito, Ross Fanger, Jon Favreau, Stan Lee, and David Maisel for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr.), Rhodey (Terrence Howard), Obadiah Stane (Jeff Bridges), Pepper Potts (Gwyneth Paltrow), Christine Everhart (Leslie Bibb), Yinsen (Shaun Toub), Raza (Faran Tahir), Agent Coulson (Clark Gregg), General Gabriel (Bill Smitrovich), Abu Bakaar (Sayed Badreya), and JARVIS (voice of Paul Bettany).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. If you’ve got to see an Iron Man movie, it doesn’t get any better than this one.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

WHERE THE RED FERN GROWS (Theatrical Release USA 1974)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 4.9|5.0 Starsìììì

Where the Red Fern Grows—faultless jewel that needs no polishing—does not falter in natural, simple, and realistic presentation of Wilson Rawls’ classic novel. Bravo! Special thank you to Director Norman Tokar for outstanding direction.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

Billy (Stewart Petersen) desperately desires two purebred coon hounds and develops a plan to acquire and train them.

Additional Thanks

Thank You to Director Norman Tokar for directing efforts. Thank you to Executive Producers George Ellis Doty for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Grandpa (James Whitmore), Mother (Beverly Garland), Father (Jack Ging), Sheriff (Lonny Chapman), Alice (Jill Clark), Sara (Jeanna Wilson), Sam Bellington (Bill Thurman), Ben Kyle (Bill Dunbar), Rubin Pritchard (Rex Corley), Rainie Pritchard (John Lindsey), and Mr. Pritchard (Garland McKinney).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. The movie commands a permanent place in the family's home film library  collection.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

SAINTS AND SOLDIERS (Temucola Valley International Film Festival Temecula California USA 2003)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 4.2|5.0 Starsìììì

Saints and Soldiers serves up A-grade entertainment for the war movie fan. It sports a very good script and delivers an excellent story, well told. The film results in two sequels. It’s flare and unique style make it a good watch.

Film Poster Courtesy Wikipedia

Storyline

During World War II Allied soldiers, who just escaped from the Malmedy Massacre, attempt a twenty-mile trek through bitter winter weather to deliver intelligence information.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director Ryan Little for directing efforts. Thank you to Executive Producers Charlie Chan and Sunny Chen for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Corporal Nathan ‘Deacon’ Greer (Corbin Allred), Medic Steven Gould (Alexander Polinsky), Flight Sergeant Oberon Winley (Kirby Heyborne), Private Shirley ‘Shirl’ Kendrick (Larry Bagby), Staff Sergeant Gordon Gunderson (Peter Holden), Rudolph ‘Rudi’ Gertz (Ethan Vincent), Catherine Theary (Melinda Renee), Sophie Theary (Ruby Chase), and Radio Announcer (Jeff Birk), and Private McKinley (Benjamin Gourley).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. The movie details an important piece of history while presenting entertainment for the war movie fan as well.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

RAIDERS OF THE LOST ARK (Theatrical Release USA 1981)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 4.8|5.0 Starsìììì

Raiders of the Lost Ark has mesmerized audiences, as of this 2018 writing, for 37 years and continues to be the definition of action/adventure films based on its unique storyline, well-written script, perfectly timed sequencing, exotic stage settings, casting choices, ‘fresh’ action scenes, and satisfying breaks of unforgettable comedy. Kudos to Director Steven Spielberg and Producer George Lucas for creation of an entirely satisfying saga.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

Nazis search for the Ark of the Covenant, Indiana Jones (Harrison Ford) finds it, and the fight is on to establish control of the priceless archaeological find.

Additional Thanks

Thank You to Director Steven Spielberg for directing effort. Thank you to Executive Producers Howard G. Kazanjian and George Lucas for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Marion (Karen Allen), Bellog (Paul Freeman), Toht (Ronald Lacey), Sallah (John Rhys-Davies), Brody (Denholm Elliott), Sapito (Alfred Molina), Dietrich (Wolf Kahler), Gobler (Anthony Higgins), Barranca/Monkey Man (Vic Tablian), and Colonel Musgrove (Don Fellows).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. This film serves the whole family well.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers