WHO FRAMED ROGER RABBIT (Released to Theaters USA 1988)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 4.3|5.0 Stars ìììì

Who Framed Roger Rabbit follows a classic, complicated ‘whodunit’ plot line making it the perfect entertainment for adults. Its brilliant interweaving of animation with live action is flawlessly seamless, highly imaginative, and believable.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

There’s trouble in Toontown and Detective Eddie Valiant is the man for the job.

Additional Thanks

Great work for Director Robert Zemeckis. Thank you to Executive Producers Kathleen Kennedy and Steven Spielberg for making the film possible. Great work by Music Composer Alan Silvestri. Cast include: Bob Hoskins, Joanna Cassidy, Charles Fleischer, Stubby Kaye, Alan Tilvern, Richard LeParmentier, Lou Hirsch, Betsy Brantley, Joel Silver, Mae Questel, Mel Blanc, and Tony Anselmo.

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. Terrific character development of animated and live characters ensures full audience engagement.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

ERNEST SAVES CHRISTMAS (Theatrical Release USA 1988)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 3.5|5.0 Starsììì

Ernest Saves Christmas—okay—relies on that unique comedic style of Jim Varney that drives all his movies. not first class and not a front row piece of entertainment, an afternoon, easy-on-the-mind entertainment style with a little comedy thrown in here and there...it is a style that is average...but charming, watchable, suitable, clean, and as refreshing as a child's innocent laughter.   

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

Santa Claus (Douglas Seale) comes out of an airport complaining about failure to remember what everyone wants for Christmas. Santa retrieves his toy bag from baggage, hails a taxi, and draws Ernest P. Worrell (Jim Varney) as his taxi driver.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director John R. Cherry III for directing efforts. Thank you to Executive Producers Joseph Akerman and Martin Erlichman for making the film possible. Cast include: Jim Varney, Oliver Clark, Noelle Parker, Gailard Sartain, Billie Bird, Bill Byrge, Robert Lesser, and Key Howard.

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Maybe. This is an average movie that has a creative charm of its own...a sweet holiday watch that works for Jim Varney fans.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

THE BEAR (Released to Theaters France 1988)

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 3.7|5.0 Starsììì

The Bear—average—starts a slow decline from its opening scenes. The focus is not on human character development but on a small bear's attempt to survive. It's a feel good movie not based in reality as in the scene with a cougar's attempt to eat the small bear and then leaving due to a large bear's threat behind the small bear. In reality this would be a show between two predators over the prey, the small bear. But, it is shown as a large bear protecting the small bear which would not be the case in nature. When an audience might think the film is hopelessly over, a few more scenes are thrown in as if to fill a time limit. The presentation and acting work at the okay to suitable level. There are some animal sex scenes in the movie.  

Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images/Wikipedia

Storyline

A baby bear loses its Mother to an avalanche. He eventually goes on an adventure to find food and makes friends with a larger bear.  

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director  Jean-Jacques Annaud for directing effort. Thank you to Producer Claude Berri and Associate Producer Pierre Grunstein for making the film possible. Cast includes: Bart the Bear, Youk the Bear, Tchéky Karyo, Jack Wallace, and André Lacombe.

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Maybe. The camerawork for the animal scenes is interesting; but on the whole, the movie is average.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

RAMBO III (Theatrical Release USA 1988)

 

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 4.2|5.0 Starsìììì 

Rambo III—Sylvester Stallone, Sylvester Stallone, and more Sylvester Stallone—has a camera crew who would make incredible male model photographers for high-end magazines. The audience will not miss one of Sylvester Stallone’s sultry facial features as fans travel with him through dangerous terrain to rescue Trautman (Richard Crenna). The movie has as many explosive action scenes as it has of very good mug shots of Sylvester Stallone. While the movie takes a while to wind down to its final concluding scenes, fans will not be disappointed in Rambo’s self-assigned impossible mission.  Overall, this is a great watch with good story and presentation. Watch for Kurtwood Smith from the television series That 70’s Show. This film is Part 3 of the Rambo series of movies. 

Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images 

Storyline 

Rambo’s friend Colonel Trautman is captured by Russians and Rambo goes on a solo mission to free him. 

Additional Thanks 

Thank you to Director Peter MacDonald for directing effort. Thank you to Producer Buzz Feitshans for making the film possible. Casting includes: Sylvester Stallone and Richard Crenna. 

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? 

Yes. This is great to see, more than worth watching, and deserves a Part 4 sequel. 

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

TUCKER: THE MAN AND HIS DREAM (Theatrical Release USA 1988)

 Ben Meyers’ Rating: 4.2|5.0 Starsìììì 

Tucker: The Man and his Dream assembles an outstanding cast—Jeff Bridges, Joan Allen, Martin Landau and Mako to tell its story. It’s a well-made biopic that educates and entertains.

 Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images

Storyline 

A man develops a car during 1948 that has safety features on it that would not be added to more conventional automobiles until years later. 

Additional Thanks 

Thank you to Director Francis Ford Coppola for directing effort. Thank you to Fred Fuchs and Fred Roos for making the film possible. Cast includes: Jeff Bridges, Joan Allen, Martin Landau, Frederic Forrest, Mako, Bob Safford, and Dean Stockwell. 

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? 

Yes. The movie is relevant and a good study for anyone involved in making a dream come true. This is a down-to-earth movie that earns its watch.

 Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers