MR. HOLLAND’S OPUS (Released to Theaters USA 1995)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 4.0|5.0 Starsìììì

Mr. Holland’s Opus—superbly done—shows, without preaching, that our real ‘opus’ becomes the lives we affect along the way when we put our heart into our work. This film, completely worth watching, becomes one of the best musically themed films we’ve seen for awhile. Outstanding work by actor Richard Dreyfuss.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

Glenn Holland (Richard Dreyfuss), a musical performer and composer, aspires to be a well-remembered musical composer; but finds those aspirations down-sized to a regular suburbia lifestyle while earning his living as a high school music teacher. The film follows his disappointments and temptations, endeavors to create meaning in an occupation not well appreciated by peers and superiors, and succeeds in weaving the small threads of a life that have a good impact over the span of a lifetime.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director Stephen Herek for directing efforts. Thank you to Executive Producers Patrick Sheane Duncan and Scott Kroopf for making the film possible.  thank you to Script Writer Patrick Sheane Duncan. Cast include: Glenne Headly, William H. Macy, Terrence Howard, and Damon Whitaker.

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. The movie is thought provoking, easy on the mind, and drives a theme of how to live life well.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

OPERATION DUMBO DROP (Released to Theaters USA 1995)

 

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 3.9|5.0 Starsììì  Operation Dumbo Drop—Danny Glover, Ray Liotta, and Dennis Leary—has a likeableness that permeates its core. The movie deserves a watch.  Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images Storyline  A Vietnamese village is going to celebrate a festival, but the Viet Cong find that the villagers are possibly cooperating with the USA. So the Viet Cong kill the one thing that makes the festival work, their prize elephant. A Green Beret, who works with the village and his replacement, organize a team to replace the elephant.  Additional Thanks Thank you to Director Simon Wincer for directing effort. Thank you to Producers Diane Nabatoff and David Madden for making the film possible. Cast includes Danny Glover, Ray Liotta, Denis Leary, Doug E. Doug, and Corin Nemec. Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?  Yes. This is an unusual story backed with a great cast. Video Critique Available Here: Ben Meyers

IN PURSUIT OF HONOR (Released to Television USA 1995)

 

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 4.1|5.0 Starsìììì  In the Pursuit of Honor—quality, bittersweet watch— is a very informative film and tells the story of men who showed honor in two instances of great compassion and kindness. WOW! What a concept for an HBO TV movie! The portrayal and presentation are good. There may be some pacing challenges in some parts of the film but that is so minor that it is not significant. It is good to see Rod Steiger cast in the movie. The movie is exceptionally well-written.  Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images Storyline  A group of USA Cavalry soldiers are ordered to take the remainder of cavalry horses to Mexico and dispose of them. But a group of soldiers decide to evade army orders and make a run for the Canadian border with the majority of them.   Additional Thanks Thank you to Director Ken Olin doe directing the film. Thank you to Executive Producer Jeffrey M. Hayes for making the film possible. Cast includes Don Johnson, Craig Sheffer, Gabrielle Anwar, Bob Gunton, and Rod Steiger. Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?  Yes. This is a good watch and tells a story of doing the honorable thing so that one does not have regrettable memories that will need to be resolved throughout one's lifetime. Video Critique Available Here: Ben Meyers

OUTBREAK (Released to Theaters USA 1995)

 

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 4.2|5.0 Starsìììì  Outbreak—outperforms many pandemic movies—is believable due to very good acting and pacing. It builds to a climax that is well orchestrated and has a welcome conclusion. The makeup department deserves kudos for the facial makeup of infected persons. This is a good watch for audiences looking for  pandemic-styled entertainment. Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images  Storyline   A man, working in a laboratory, takes a female Capuchin monkey and tries to get a profit for her at a pet store in the USA, but the owner needs a male Capuchin monkey. So, the lab man releases the monkey into the wild within the USA not knowing that it carries a serious disease that easily transfers to humans.   Additional Thanks  Thank you to Director Wolfgang Petersen for directing effort. Thank you to Producers Gail Katz, Arnold Kopelson, and Wolfgang Petersen for making the film possible. Cast includes Dustin Hoffman, Rene Russo, Morgan Freeman, Cuba Gooding, Jr., Patrick Dempsey, Donald Sutherland, and Kevin Spacey. Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?  Yes. It is good to see this film in full and it may be rewatchable.  Video Critique Available Here: Ben Meyers

THE BIG GREEN (Released to Theaters USA 1995)

 

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 3.8|5.0 Starsììì  The Big Green—formula story—provides suitable, clean family entertainment. Expect a linear, shallow story that runs on the concept that starting a small town sports team can save the day when everything is going quite wrong. Most of the actors are little to not known. The movie is similarly written to Angels in the Outfield where a miracle is needed but this time the miracle is formed through hard work and effort rather than divine intervention.  Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images  Storyline  A British exchange teacher brings life to a small Texas town by starting a soccer team.  Additional Thanks  Thank you to  Holly Goldberg Sloan for directing effort. Thank you to Executive Producer Roger Birnbaum, and Producer Dennis Bishop for making the film possible. Cast includes Steve Guttenberg, Olivia d'Abo, Jay O. Sanders, John Terry, Chauncey Lapardi, Patrick Renna, Billy L. Sullivan, Yareli Arizmendi, Bug Hall, Jessica Robertson, and Anthony Esquivel.  Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?  Maybe. It re-tells an old story with a different stage setting and characters. It's a simple, suitable watch that can be a good family share  movie. Video Critique Available Here: Ben Meyers

MAN OF THE HOUSE (Released to Theaters USA 1995)

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 3.9|5.0 Starsììì  Man of the House— is an interesting film and the acting is good to suitable. The story is rather ho-hum but don't pass this one up. The conclusion delivers a hard punch to the gut to remind audiences of the importance of loyalty and imbuing value to the quality of steadfastness. Interesting cast mix adds to the value of the film. It is basically a suitable film in presentation, portrayal, and camera work. It is the concluding scenes that make this film memorable.  Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images Storyline  Sandy Archer wants to get married again after her husband leaves her and her son many years before. When she begins dating again, she finally settles on lawyer Jack Sturges. But her son is not convinced that Jack will stay and believes he will leave like his father did.   Additional Thanks  Thank you to Director James Orr for directing effort. Thank you to Producers Bonnie Bruckheimer and Marty Katz for making the film possible. Cast includes Chevy Chase, Farrah Fawcett, Jonathan Taylor Thomas, George Wendt, David Shiner, and Art LaFluer. Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?  Maybe. It is a suitable watch overall but has some suggestive themes. Watch for an exceptionally well done closure that delivers a whale of 'the moral of the story is'. Terrific story about the most important thing a step-parent or any parent needs to do for children and spouses. Watch for Art LaFleur and George Wendt as guest stars. Video Critique Available Here: Ben Meyers

FREE WILLY 2: THE ADVENTURE HOME (Released to Theaters USA 1995)

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 3.8|5.0 Starsììì

Free Willy 2: The Adventure Home is a suitable watch with a predictable conclusion. The acting is okay to suitable. The presentation is good. But the film seems almost thrown together toward the middle and the conclusion as if writers are unsure about what would work and what would not work. The movie works best for the teen audience.  

Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images

Storyline

Jesse tries to save Willy and Willy's sister from an oil spill.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director Dwight H. Little for directing effort. Thank you to Executive Producer Richard Donner, Arnon Milchan and Jim Van Wyck for making the film possible. Cast includes: Jason James Richter, Francis Capra, Mary Kate Schellhardt, August Schellenberg, Michael Madsen, Jayne Atkinson, Mykelti Williamson, Elisabeth Peña, Jon Tenney, Paul Tuerpe, M. Emmet Walsh, John Considine, Steve Kahan, and Neal Matarazzo,

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Maybe. It is an easy-on-the-mind afternoon watch that works at the 'okay' level.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

THE RANGER, THE COOK, AND THE HOLE IN THE SKY (ABC Television Release USA 1995)

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 4.1|5.0 Starsìììì

The Ranger, the Cook, and the Hole in the Sky—charming—may be predictable but also is clean, honest, decent and has strong resemblance to Little House on the Prairie stories. The movie satisfies and serves as a non-loud piece of entertainment with no unpleasant surprises. Nice view of some of Sam Elliott’s earlier works. Watch for Jerry O’Connell and Ricky Jay who give sturdy performances. Good work overall. 

Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images 

Storyline

A teenage boy learns a few life lessons while working for a Forest Service crew during the summer of 1919. 

Additional Thanks 

Thank you to Director John Kent Harrison for directing effort. Thank you to Producer Richard Welsh for making the film possible. Cast includes: Sam Elliott, Jerry O’Connell, Ricky Jay, Molly Parker, Don Davis, Robert Wisden, Michael Tayles, Tom Butler, Jay Brazeau, Callum Keith Rennie, A.C. Peterson, Campbell Lane, and Frank Cassini. 

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? 

Yes. The movie serves as a low-key, peaceful afternoon watch—gentle, soft entertainment. 

Video Critique Available Here: 

Ben Meyers

DETONATOR II: NIGHT WATCH (Television Release USA 1995)

 Ben Meyers’ Rating: 3.9|5.0 Starsììì 

Detonator II: Night Watch—much improved writing over the first film—delivers a more solid presentation and higher level of acting than the first movie because of the stronger story. Pierce Brosnan shows well in both action movies. Interesting and enjoyable, the movie deserves its watch. 

Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images 

Storyline 

A Rembrandt painting returns to its home. An investigation shows it to be forged. 

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director David Jackson for directing effort. Thank you to Producer Peter Snell for making the film possible.  Cast includes: Pierce Brosnan, Alexandra Paul, William Devane, Michael J. Shannon, Lim Kay Siu, Irene Ng, Hidde Maas, Tom Jansen, Tomislav Ralis, Harold Bone, Rolf Saxon, Natalie Roles, Kate Harper, Mark King, Terry Diab, Ron Berglas, Suncana Zelenika, and Ron Li-Paz. 

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? 

Yes. This action film deserves its watch. 

Video Critique Available Here: 

Ben Meyers

FIRST KNIGHT (Theatrical Release USA 1995)

 Ben Meyers’ rating: 4.1|5.0 Starsìììì

 

 First Knight—good story throughout—engages Richard Gere and Sean Connery in a British action drama. Even though Gere’s British accent could use improvement, the action and drama drown that small failure out. The script requires more emotion from Sean Connery than he normally allows, but he pulls a suitable interpretation of his character. Julia Ormond is a good addition to the movie. The rest of the casting, scenery, and details are good throughout the film.  This performs as a King Arthur story from a different perspective. 

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia 

Storyline 

King Arthur proves his mettle in legendary Camelot. 

Additional Thanks 

Thank you to Jerry Zucker for directing effort. Thank you to Executive Producers Gil Netter, Eric Rattray, and Janet Zucker for making the film possible. Characters/cast include: King Arthur (Sean Connery), Lancelot (Richard Gere), Guinevere (Julia Ormond), Prince Malagant (Ben Cross), Agravaine (Liam Cunningham), Sir Kay (Christopher Villiers), Sir Patrise (Valentine Pelka), Sir Mador (Colin McCormack), Ralf (Ralph Ineson), Oswald (John Gielgud), Peter (Stuart Bunce). 

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? 

Yes. This is a very well put together movie built for a night out. Not outstanding, but a good watch.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers 

CONGO (Theatrical Release USA 1995)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 2.5|5.0 Starsìì

Congo is a bona fide C-grade movie that works on flaws. The storyline is simple, completely uncomplicated and very predictable. Ernie Hudson is too confident for his part as Captain Munro Kelly. Tim Curry is awkward as character Herkermer Homolka (i.e., when he starts to insist that he wants to find diamonds). Joe Don Baker as character R. B. Travis, while interacting with Laura Linney as character Dr. Karen Ross, completely botches the proper reaction to the massacre of part of their team by unknown gorillas. The introduction of a talking gorilla is awkward.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

When a testing team does not return from the jungle, Dr. Karen Ross (Laura Linney) activates their remote camera, finds the camp ravaged, and loses camera contact after something knocks over the camera.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director Frank Marshall for directing efforts Thank you to Executive Producers  for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Dr. Peter Elliot (Dylan Walsh), Captain Munro Kelly (Ernie Hudson), Herkermer Homolka (Tim Curry), Richard (Grant Heslov), R.B. Travis (Joe Don Baker), Amy (Lola Noh), Moira (Mary Ellen Trainor), and Amy the Gorilla (Misty Rosas).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Maybe. Interesting concept, not fully developed.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers