COMPANY BUSINESS (Released to Theaters USA 1991)

 

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 4.0|5.0 Starsìììì  Company Business—complicated espionage movie—needs a plotline review before viewing. Watch for Gene Hackman, Kurtwood Smith, Daniel Von Bargen, and Mikail Baryshnikov.  Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images Storyline  A recalled espionage agent has a difficult time completing his task without help from a Russian agent he is transporting.   Additional Thanks  Thank you to Director Nicholas Meyer for directing effort. Thank you to Producer Steven-Charles Jaffe for making the film possible. Cast includes Gene Hackman and Mikhail Baryshnikov.  Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. This is a good movie to show how technological skills affect usability at the espionage level.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

FLIGHT OF THE INTRUDER (Released to Theaters USA 1991)

 

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 4.2|5.0 Starsìììì  Flight of the Intruder—really good film—is easy-to-miss partly because of its blasé title, partly due to scheduling its release at the same time as Operation Desert Storm, and releasing it in January, one of the worst months to release a film. The acting team of Danny Glover and Brad Johnson are good. Willem DaFoe is a very good addition to the film. Watch for the cameo of David Schwimmer.   Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images Storyline  A Navy ship makes multiple rounds with airplanes to destroy key spots ordered by high command during the Vietnam War. One airplane goes rogue.  Additional Thanks  Thank you to Director John Milius for directing effort. Thank you to Producer Mace Neufeld for making the film possible. Cast includes Danny Glover, Willem Dafoe, Brad Johnson, Rosanna Marquett, and Tom Sizemore.  Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?  Yes. It's a cohesive film that works from a solid foundation.  Video Critique Available Here: Ben Meyers

REGARDING HENRY (Released to Theaters USA 1991)

 

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 4.1|5.0 Starsìììì  Regarding Henry—sophisticated writing by J.J. Abrams—investigates the marriage of a professional couple whose life is disrupted and has to be rebuilt from its foundation. Harrison Ford and Annette Bening catch even the slight nuances of the story with extreme skill.  Poignant and well done entertainment for the adult audience.   Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images Storyline  A power hungry, corrupt lawyer is gunned down in a convenience store. He has to rebuild his life from its foundation.   Additional Thanks Thank you to Director Mike Nichols for directing effort. Thank you to Producer Scott Rudin for making the film possible. Cast includes Harrison Ford and Annette Bening.  Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?  Yes. This is a 'do not miss' movie. With Harrison Ford at the helm, it deserves its watch. Video Critique Available Here: Ben Meyers

ALL I WANT FOR CHRISTMAS (Released to Theaters 1991)

 

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 3.9|5.0 Starsììì  All I Want for Christmas—great stage settings—is a somewhat sweet story. This is an odd film; it is interesting to watch but by the end of film the movie lacks a Christmas feeling. Its mixing of several romances creates confusion. Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images Storyline  A little girl wants her parents to  get back together. She asks a mall  Santa for help.   Additional Thanks  Thank you to Director Robert Lieberman for directing effort. Thank you to Producer Marykay Powell for making the film possible. Cast includes Harley Jane Kozak,  Jamey Sheridan, Ethan Randall, Kevin Nealon, Thora Birch, Leslie Nielsen, and Lauren Bacall.  Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?  Yes. Overall, the basic idea is good. But it lacks a Christmas feeling and becomes convoluted in switching back and forth between several romances.  Video Critique Available Here: Ben Meyers

MRS. LAMBERT REMEMBERS LOVE (Released to Television USA 1991)

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 3.8|5.0 Starsììì  Mrs. Lambert Remembers Love—originally aired on CBS (1991), plays like a Hallmark movie—has human heart and a bittersweet  conclusion.  Watch for terrific acting by the laconic Walter Matthau, the lovely Ellen Burstyn, and Ryan Todd. It’s a low-key afternoon watch that serves families well. With Walter Matthau's son, Charles Matthau, directing the film there is an energy present that draws its audience into caring about the outcome of its main characters.  Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images Storyline  A grandmother, who is a little forgetful, finds that social services may take her grandson away. She takes her grandson and goes in search of distant and close relatives who will take care of her young grandson.   Additional Thanks Thank you to Director Charles Matthau for directing and producing effort. Thank you to Executive Producer Robert Halmi Sr. and Producers Alan Jacobs and Charles Matthau for making the film possible. Cast includes Ellen Burstyn, Ryan Todd, Walter Matthau, William Schallert, Kathleen Garrett, Sherry Hursey, Richard Zobel, Jeanne Reynolds, Tom McGraw, Victoria Richardson, and  Dustin Werner.   Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?  Yes. This is a simple, good story with a bittersweet conclusion. Video Critique Available Here: Ben Meyers

 

WHITE FANG (Theatrical Release USA 1991)

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 3.9|5.0 Starsììì 

White Fang—good movie—has adventure, moves along well, and easily becomes a good watch. The writing is solid and the actors chosen well. This movie shows Ethan Hawke in one of his early works and his potential to build a career in acting is visible. The story runs on a Disney format that ends on a good note and tells a good story. 

Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images 

Storyline 

A teenage boy befriends a wolf/dog and finds a steady friend. 

Additional Thanks 

Thank you to Director Randal Kleiser for directing effort. Thank you to Producer Markay Powell for making the film possible. Cast includes: Klaus Maria Brandauer, Ethan Hawke, Seymour Cassel, James Remar, and Susan Hogan. 

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? 

Yes. The movie is simple and easy to follow with a good presentation. This movie is excellent for a family share night and makes a wonderful addition to the family home video library. 

Video Critique Available Here:

 

Ben Meyers

CURLY SUE (Theatrical Release USA 1991)

 Ben Meyers’ Rating: 4.3|5.0 Starsìììì 

Curly Sue—cute—presents the best of James Belushi and introduces a sweetheart, Alisan Porter, into one of its two main roles. The movie, although written in a ‘highly unlikely’ format still manages to touch the heart and provide its own magic with its theme. It’s sweet and easy to watch. 

Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images 

Storyline 

A homeless man and a street orphan team to survive the worst of life conditions. 

Additional Thanks 

Thank you to Director John Hughes for directing effort. Thank you to Producer John Hughes for making the film possible. Cast includes: James Belushi, Kelly Lynch, and Alisan Porter. 

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? 

Yes. This is a sweet, easy-on-the-mind watch. 

Video Critique Available Here:

 

Ben Meyers

ALLIGATOR II: THE MUTATION (Theatrical Release USA 1991)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 3.8|5.0 Starsììì 

Alligator II: the Mutation—first movie is better—is entertaining to some extent. The presentation and acting are okay to good. Watch for Joseph Bologna on screen.

Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images 

Storyline 

An alligator, with a taste for humans, continues to mutate. 

Additional Thanks 

Thank you to Director Jon Hess for directing effort. Thank you to Producers Brandon Chase and Cary Glieberman for making the film possible. Casting includes: Joseph Bologna, Dee Wallace, Woody Brown, Harlan Arnold, Nicolas Cowan, and Brock Peters. 

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? 

Maybe. This film is suitable but could be so much more. 

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers 

ERNEST SCARED STUPID (Theatrical Release USA 1991)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 3.8|5.0 Starsììì 

Ernest Scared Stupid—one of Jim Varney’s better films—once again relies on the tremendous versatility of Varney. Simple story, that a family (10-years old and up) can enjoy as a Halloween share-watch, contains great special effects and has terrific makeup. Cute, fun, and perfect for Ernest movie fans…the movie earns its watch. 

Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images 

Storyline 

Ernest releases forces of evil and must find a way to appease them. 

Additional Thanks 

Thank you to Director John Cherry for directing effort. Thank you to Producers Stacy Williams and Martin Erlichman for making the film possible. Cast: Jim Varney 

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? 

Yes. This is the perfect Jim Varney movie that should completely satisfy his fandom. The make-up of the troll is great; the storyline is fresh and creative. It serves as a ‘not too scary' Halloween watch. The movie entertains, provides humor, and has the typical happy ending of Varney movies. 

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers