AMISTAD (Relelased to Theaters USA 1997)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 4.5|5.0 Stars ìììì

Amistad, based loosely on the true story of a slave mutiny aboard the 1839 slave ship, Amistad, takes us into the courtroom as 50 captured African slaves fight for their freedom and right to return to Africa. The incident involves the United States Supreme Court as well as President Martin Van Buren (Nigel Hawthorne). It’s a true-to-form Stephen Spielberg classic about greed, power, and evil being thwarted by the few just individuals who fight for right. The tale is told through the eyes of Cinque (Djimon Hounsou), the leader of the African ship revolt.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Additional Thanks

Great work for Director Steven Spielberg. Thank you to Executive Producers Laurie McDonald and Walter Parkes for making the film possible. Cast include: Djimon Hounsou, Morgan Freeman, Stellen Skarsgård, Anthony Hopkins, David Paymer, Pete Postlethwaite, and Razaaq Adoti.

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. This watch works well for Steven Spielberg fans. 

Video Available Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

WILD AMERICA (Released To Theaters USA 1997)

 

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 3.9|5.0 Starsìììì  Wild America—outdoor adventure—provides a 'low-noise' production that is incredibly suited for the family share movie. It has a welcome conclusion. Watch for the end credits that tell how each boy's adult career unfolded. Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images Storyline Three brothers travel across the USA to gather film footage on wildlife and experience more than they planned.    Additional Thanks Thank you to Director William Dear for directing effort. Thank you to Producers James G. Robinson, Irby Smith, and Mark Stouffer for making the film possible. Cast includes Jonathan Taylor Thomas, Devan Sawa, and Scott Bairstow.  Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?  Yes. This is a suitable to good watch. It has a relatable story and provides good entertainment for the whole family. Easy-on-the mind film involves nature and three boys who explore nature. Video Critique Available Here: Ben Meyers

DANTE'S PEAK (Released to Theaters USA 1997)

 

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 3.9|5.0 Starsììì  Dante’s Peak—low-key, easy-on-the-mind film—has its own tone that makes it a good watch for persons who enjoy disaster movies. Pierce Brosnan and Linda Hamilton play realistic roles and work quite well as a team. A better volcano movie is the 1997 Volcano,  maybe because it has more lava than smoke and ashes.   Film Poster Courtesy of IMDb Storyline  Harry Dalton, who specializes in volcano activity, is sent to Dante's Peak to investigate new activity from the local 'dormant' volcano.  Additional Thanks Thank you to Director Roger Donaldson for directing effort. Thank you to Producer Gale Anne Hurd and Joseph Singer for making the film possible. Cast includes Pierce Brosnan, Linda Hamilton, and Charles Hallahan.  Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?  Yes. This film is surprisingly involving partially due to some good casting choices, good staging, and low-key presentation. Video Critique Available Here: Ben Meyers

THE POSTMAN (Released to Theaters USA 1997)

 

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 4.0|5.0 Starsìììì  The Postman—Kevin Costner—examines how a country can rebuild itself after a disruptive war event that has cut all communication ties that may be left. Inspirational. The progression of events in this story are an inspired-type of writing  rarely seen in film. This film is nearly 3 hours long so one needs to settle in for a long sit down view time or plan a 2 night or day entertainment scheduling for those audiences on tight time schedules. Know that every minute of view time is critical as every moment of the story ties to the conclusion and will not be understood if missed. It's a sit and watch that examines the first type of government that arises from chaotic crises. Do NOT miss this film. Film Poster Courtesy of IMDb  Storyline   A wanderer in a post apocalyptical USA stays one night with the skeleton of a former postman, salvages the postman's clothing, travels to the remains of Pineview, Oregon posing as a legitimate postman with a bag of mail. Over time, he continues his charade and eventually his work establishes hope, inspires society reform, and rebuilds a fallen USA on the northwest coast. Additional Thanks Thank you to Director and Producer Kevin Costner for directing and producing effort. Thank you to Producer Steve Tisch, Jim Wilson, and Line Producer Lester Berman, for making the film possible. Casting includes Kevin Costner, Will Patton, Larenz Tate, Olivia Williams, James Russo, Daniel Von Bargen, Tom Petty, Scott Bairstow, Giovanni Ribisi, Roberta Maxwell, and Joe Santos. Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?  Yes. This is a good film overall. There is some adult content. The movie establishes itself as a classic from its beginning to its conclusion. Video Critique Available Here: Ben Meyers

THE BRAVE LITTLE TOASTER TO THE RESCUE (Released to Television UK 1997)

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 3.2|5.0 Starsììì  The Brave Little Toaster to the Rescue—save the animal tropes—works with weak scripting and music themes that seem misplaced. While the animation is suitable, some audiences may not relate well to animated household appliances. This film is part two of The Brave Little Toaster series and does not encourage watching the third movie, The Brave Little Toaster Goes to Mars.   Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images Storyline  The brave little toaster and his appliance friends with newly formed animal friends, try to save  Rob's college thesis and in the process save animals from an evil lab.   Additional Thanks  Thank you to Director Robert C. Ramirez and Patrick A. Ventura for directing effort. Thank you to Executive Producers Willard Carroll, and Peter Locke for making the film possible. Voice casting includes Jessica Tuck, Chris Young, Roger Cabler, Deana Oliver, Eric Lloyd, Thurl Ravenscroft,  and Timothy Stack. Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?  No. This is a low grade film and does not help its target audience as intended. Audiences may feel  creepy and 'weirded out' by animated household appliances even though this is not the intention of the movie. Writers seem to approach the story wrongly. It does not work with the innocence of The Little Engine That Could. Video Critique Available Here: Ben Meyers

ANGELS IN THE ENDZONE (Released to ABC USA 1997)

 

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 3.6|5.0 Starsììì  Angels in the Endzone—rehash of the first Angels movie—lacks the vibrancy and originality of the story built on baseball rather than football. Look for Christopher Lloyd as the Head Angel...he's good in this film. The rest of the cast seem uninvolved as if they are going through the motions without real involvement with the story.  Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia Storyline   A young boy prays for the high school football team to win so that his older brother will play football again.  Additional Thanks Thank you to Director Gary Nadeau for directing effort. Thank you to  Executive Producer Roger Birnbaum for making the film possible. Cast includes Paul Dooley, Matthew Lawrence, David Gallagher, Jack Coleman, Lynda Boyd, and Christopher Lloyd. Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?  Maybe. It is not a high-quality film, but is the second film in the series. It gets a little boring at times. And the characters are uninteresting at times. Hopefully, the third film will help this series end well. Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

FREE WILLY 3: THE RESCUE (Released to Theaters USA 1997)

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 3.8|5.0 Starsììì

Free Willy 3: The Rescue—better written than the last film. Although the acting is suitable and the presentation is good, the story itself needs a reality check toward the latter part of the film.  The movie is not great, but serves as an okay, easy-on-the-mind afternoon watch.

Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images

Storyline

 Jesse and Randolph work to save Willy and Willy's relatives from an illegal whaling boat.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director Sam Pillsbury for directing effort. Thank you to Executive Producer Richard Donner, Arnon Milchan, Lauren Shuler Donner, for making the film possible. Cast includes: Jason James Richter, August Schellenberg, Annie Corley, Vincent Berry, Patrick Kilpatrick, Tasha Simms, Peter LaCroix, Steven E. Miller, Ian Tracey, Matthew Walker, Roger Cross, Rick Bergess, Roman Danylo, and Michael Dobson.

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

 Maybe. The movie can easily be followed and is a suitable/okay watch.

Ben Meyers

LAST STAND AT SABER RIVER (Released to TNT Television channel USA 1997)

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 3.9|5.0 Starsììì

 Last Stand at Saber River—Tom Selleck—works at the suitable to good level of western films. Watch for a cast that includes Harry Carey Jr., David Carradine and his brother, Keith Carradine. Hayley Joel Osment  shows his strong acting potential as he acts as Selleck’s son. It presents the difficult challenges involved when reputation precedes an attempt to resettle and begin a new life. While the theme of the movie is not new, it is still watchable. 

Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images 

Storyline 

A Civil War warrior moves further west to establish a home with his family and a new beginning. 

Additional Thanks

 Thank you to Director Dick Lowry for directing effort. Thank you to Executive Producers Michael Brandman and Tom Selleck for making the film possible. Cast includes Tom Selleck, Suzy Amis, Rachel Duncan, Haley Joel Osment, Keith Carradine, David Carradine, Tracy Needham, Chris Stacy, Harry Carey Jr. Patrick Kilpatrick, Eugene Osment, Denis Forest, David Dukes, Lumi Cavazos.

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? 

Yes. The movie will satisfy both Tom Selleck and western movie fans quite well. 

Video Critique Available Here: 

Ben Meyers

HOME ALONE 3 (Theatrical Release USA 1997)

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 4.0|5.0 Starsìììì 

Home Alone 3—cute—does not have the vibrancy of the first two movies in this series. The reason for lack of parental presence is not as viable as the first movie’s reason. The film is what it is and serves as a good afternoon flick but does not have that re-watch status of the first film. Acting, presentation are good, and slapstick humor comes in at the okay level. 

Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images 

Storyline 

This family comedy film is about: A young boy is given a remote-controlled car that contains a highly valuable microchip. Thieves make a plan to retrieve it and the boy makes a plan to return it to authorities. 

Additional Thanks 

Thank you to Director Raja Gosnell for directing efforts. Thank you to Producers John Hughes and Hilton Green for making the film possible. Cast includes: Alex D. Linz and Haviland Morris. 

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? 

Yes. While the first two Home Alone films are better watches than this one, the movie can be enjoyed as a family watch. It lacks the vibrancy of the previous two movies. 

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

VOLCANO (Theatrical Release USA 1997)

 

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 4.0|5.0 Starsìììì 

Volcano—believable, realistic—works with good special effects and a casting mix that seems comfortable and at ease in their assigned roles and with each other. Tommy Lee Jones and Don Cheadle drive the story. This movie is a very good example of a lower grade, good to fair script that the cast takes and makes the end product better than it had the potential to be. That is called movie making and it has been done well here. The cast made a substantial presentation that is not only worth watching but deserves its place in the home video library when one is desiring a good disaster movie. This movie works its theme well.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia 

Storyline 

A volcano erupts in Los Angeles and creates mayhem and destruction. 

Additional Thanks 

Thank you to Director Mick Jackson for directing effort. Thank you to Producers Neal Moritz and Andrew Davis for making the film possible. Cast includes: Tommy Lee Jones, Anne Heche, Gaby Hoffmann, Don Cheadle, and Keith David. 

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? 

Yes. This disaster movie stands above its genre and becomes a terrific, worth-watching film. It would make a good movie to add to the home video library. It is so well presented that it somehow works almost all the way around.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

THAT DARN CAT (Theatrical Release USA 1997)

 Ben Meyers’ Rating: 3.7|5.0 Starsììì 

That Darn Cat—remake of the 1965 film of the same name—begins at the okay/good level and begins to quickly dissolve into a disorganized mess. The characters have no strength of personality, the actors do not become their characters, and the storyline is weakly written. The conclusion completely lets its audience down. The ‘bad guys’ come off as just ordinary people living life throughout the film until the very end and the switch comes as such a surprise. Watch the 1965 movie instead of this one. The 1965 version is honestly good entertainment for the whole family. 

Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images 

Storyline 

A kidnapped woman places her watch on a cat’s neck in hopes of getting help. The cat’s owner sees the watch and goes to the FBI for help. 

Additional Thanks 

Thank you to Director Bob Spiers for directing effort. Thank you to Producer Robert Simonds for making the film possible. Cast includes: Christina Ricci, Doug E. Doug, George Dzundza, Peter Boyle, Michael McKean, and Bess Armstrong.

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? 

Maybe. If one wants to see the remake of the same name, this is it. But the film does not even begin to compare to the original 1965 release of this story. This movie has weak characterization, poor and disorganized presentation, and a conclusion that ruins the film. 

Video Critique Available Here:

 

Ben Meyers

BUDDY (Theatrical Release USA 1997)

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 4.0|5.0 Starsìììì

Buddy—terrific, rich, and fully complete stage settings—presents an unusual story based partially on truth. The movie may not be for everyone. But, its solidly built foundation, good writing and exceptional acting, make it worth a watch. It’s good to see Robbie Coltrane in one of his earlier films along with Alan Cummings and Rene Russo. 

Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images 

Storyline 

A woman raises and trains undomesticated animals in her home. 

Additional Thanks 

Thank you to Director Caroline Thompson for directing effort. Thank you to Executive Producers Stephanie Allain, Francis Ford Coppola, Fred Fuchs, and Brian Henson for making the film possible. Cast includes: Rene Russo, Robbie Coltrane, Alan Cumming, Irma P. Hall, Peter Elliott, Mak Wilson, Lynn Robertson Bruce, Mark Sealey, Robert Tygner, Michelan Sisti, Peter Hurst, Leif Tilden, and Star Townsend. 

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? 

Yes. Animal lovers, who appreciate animal training, will enjoy this movie. A good child/adult share film.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

WALKING THUNDER (Video Premier Release USA 1997)

 Ben Meyers’ Rating: 3.8|5.0 Starsììì 

Walking Thunder—simple adventure film—can be watched superficially or it can be watched as an almost supernatural set of events that takes place to allow survival of a family left in the least likely circumstances to survive. The movie is clean enough for children and interesting enough for adults if adults take it to the higher interpretation. This is a strongly C-grade film that offers suitable presentation and does serve the entire family’s entertainment needs. 

Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images 

Storyline 

The storyline is about a boy who is given a family journal to read that details how his ancestors prepared for and survived a winter in the Rocky Mountains after being isolated from their wagon train traveling west.  

Additional Thanks 

Thank you to Director Craig Clyde for directing effort. Thank you to Executive Producer Joe Brady for making the film possible. Cast includes: John Denver, David Tom, Brian Keith, Irene Miracle, Christopher Neame, Ted Thin Elk, Kevin Conners, Billy Oscar, Don Shanks, Robert DoQui, K. C, Clyde, David Kirk Chambers, Carolyn Hurlburt, and Bart the Bear. 

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? 

Maybe. It is a simple bedtime story that can be chosen as a family watch. While this film will not achieve classic status, it is interesting as it explores the protection of a family that by all ‘normal’ circumstances would not have survived. 

Video Critique Available Here: 

Ben Meyers