HARD TIME (Released to Television USA 1998)

 

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 3.9|5.0 Stars ììì  Hard Time—simple, solid story—makes a surprisingly fun watch. Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images Storyline  An innocent detective, Logan McQueen, is be tried for the alleged killing of a criminal who was unarmed. While the police and the lawyers are working on the trial, McQueen goes to the streets to find the real killer and some missing money from a stolen suitcase. Additional Thanks Thank you to Director Burt Reynolds for directing effort. Cast includes Burt Reynolds, Charles Durning, and Robert Loggia.  Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?  Yes. It's simple, but effective and has a surprise twist at its conclusion.  Video Critique Available Here: Ben Meyers

OWD BOB (Released to VHS Argentina 1998)

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 3.8|5.0 Starsììì  Owd Bob—James Cromwell—runs slower as British entertainment often does. But, even though it is not the best of films it tells an honest story that makes a suitable family share piece and serves as an education into shepherding dogs and their value to the farming/stock raising life. The story is based on an 1898 novel and has been remade into the film format several times.   Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images Storyline  A boy's parents die in a car accident and he is sent to his grandfather by Social Services.   Additional Thanks  Thank you to Director Rodney Gibbons for directing effort. Thank you to Executive Producers Steve Christian and Harry Alan Towers for making the film possible. Cast includes James Cromwell, Colm Meaney, Jemima Rooper, John Benfield, Anthony Booth, Dermot Keaney, and Moira Brooker.  Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?  Maybe. Beautiful Isle of Man scenery serves as the backdrop for the movie. The film accurately portrays the slower pace of country life due to its revolution around animals' needs and schedules. If the audience looks for the lighter, no razzle dazzle or bright lights, this is a suitable pick for entertainment. Video Critique Available Here: Ben Meyers

MIGHTY JOE YOUNG (Released to Theaters USA 1998)

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 4.0|5.0 Starsìììì Mighty Joe Young—Charlize Theron—is different from other interpretations of this story. Watch for the late Bill Paxton. The movie is worth a watch, if for nothing else, the twist in interpreting the original story.   Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images  Storyline A small girl grows up in an African village and makes 'friends' with a baby gorilla. The gorilla grows to an immense size and becomes the target of poachers. She fears for the gorilla's life and makes a decision to move him to a 'safe' place.  Additional Thanks  Thank you to Director Ron Underwood for directing effort. Thank you to Producers Ted Hartley, Tom Jacobson for making the film possible. Cast includes Bill Paxton,Charlize Theron, Rade Serbedzija, Naveen Andrews, Peter Firth, Regina King, and David Paymer.  Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?  Yes. This movie is a pleasant surprise from the usual stories that have been produced along this story's line.  Video Critique Available Here: Ben Meyers

I'LL BE HOME FOR CHRISTMAS (Released to Theaters USA 1998)

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 4.0|5.0 Starsìììì  I’ll be Home for Christmas—Jonathan Taylor Thomas—works on two well-known story themes: 1) Displacing interest on self desire for spending holiday time 2) Difficulties encountered when deciding to go home for the holidays. It's a good reminder about importance of family time. Overall, it's a sweet story. Good work for all involved.  Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images Storyline   A California teenager is told by his father that he will get the 1957 Porsche 356 that is stored in the family's garage if he makes it home for Christmas Eve by 6:00 PM.  Additional Thanks  Thank you to Director Arlene Sanford for directing effort. Thank you to Executive Producer Robin French, Producers David Hoberman, Tracy Trench, and Co-Producer Justis Greene, for making the film possible. Cast includes Jonathan Taylor Thomas, Jessica Biel, Adam LaVorgna, Gary Cole, Eve Gordon, Lauren Maltby, Andy Lauer, Sean O'Bryan, and Lesley Boone. Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?  Yes. This is a good show and tells a good story. Video Critique Available Here: Ben Meyers

THE LION KING II: SIMBA'S PRIDE (Released to VHS USA 1998)

 

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 3.8|5.0 Starsììì 

The Lion King II: Simba's Pride—okay, not terrific—works more for the child audience than the adult audience. The story runs on an 'I've seen this too many times before' theme. The script seems almost thrown together and one thinks: ‘REALLY! Is this what this story is about?’ The animation is drawn. The theme is not clear. It is a sequel running off the steam of its prequel engine and it cannot quite make it to the end of the tracks where the station house is located.

Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images

Additional Thanks

 Thank you to Director Darrell Rooney and Co-Director Rob Deluca for directing effort. Thank you to Producer Jeannine Roussel for making the film possible. Cast includes: Matthew Broderick, Neve Campbell, Andy Dick, Robert Guillaume, James Earl Jones, Moira Kelly, and Nathan Lane. 

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? 

Maybe. It may work for children but for adults this film can be skipped.

 Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

PATCH ADAMS (Theatrical Release USA 1998)

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 4.3|5.0 Starsìììì 

Patch Adams—Robin Williams—sells the idea of a way for medical doctors to act in a more compassionate way with hospital staff and patients. This movie may not be an A-grade film, but it tells a need-to-be-told story.  Well-written and presented, the movie more than deserves its watch. 

Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images 

Storyline 

A young man develops a desire to become a doctor and introduces unorthodox ways of treating patients. 

Additional Thanks 

Thank you to Director Tom Shadyac for directing effort. Thank you to Producers Mike Farrell, Barry Kemp, Marvin Minoff, Charles Newirth, and Marsha Garces Williams. Cast includes Robin Williams, Daniel London, Monica Potter, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Bob Gunton, Josef Sommer, Irma P. Hall, Frances Lee McCain, Harve Presnell, Daniella Kuhn, Peter Coyote, James Greene, Michael Jeter, and Harold Gould. 

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. This is a wonderful film to watch, has heart, and makes the audience think about the medical profession in a different way. 

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

DIGGING TO CHINA (Theatrical Release USA 1998)

 Ben Meyers’ Rating: 4.0|5.0 Starsìììì 

Digging to China—simple story—can be a depressing watch due to long-term life choices of a mother and her daughter that impact the youngest girl’s ability to deal with reality. Evan Rachel Wood shows youthful acting talent as she interprets the running away from her life role. Kevin Bacon has some difficulty holding a continuous physical enactment of his role with complete consistency and continuity.  The movie cannot begin to compete with movies like Rain Man, One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest or Awakenings. 

Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images 

Storyline 

A young girl attempts to help a man who suffers from birth trauma. 

Additional Thanks 

Thank you to Director Timothy Hutton for directing effort. Thank you to Producers Marilyn Vance, Alan Mruvka, J. Todd Harris, John Davis, David Friendly, Stephen Nemeth, Ernst Stroh, Ladd Vance, and Cathy Goodman for making the film possible. Cast includes: Kevin Bacon, Mary Stuart Masterson, Cathy Moriarty, and Evan Rachel Wood. 

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? 

Yes. The movie earns a watch.

Video Critique Available Here: 

Ben Meyers 

ANTZ (Theatrical Release USA 1998)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 3.8|5.0 Starsììì

Antz does not play down its storyline to children. While some language moves it into the adult world, this animated movie performs for everyone. Antz, inspiring, funny, heartfelt, and just plain fun, starts well and holds its good start throughout the movie.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

Z (voice of Woody Allen), a worker ant, falls in love with Bala (voice of Sharon Stone), a princess ant. He joins the army in hopes of seeing her again.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Directors Eric Darnell and Tim Johnson for directing efforts. Thank you to Executive Producers Penney Finkelman Cox, Sandra Rabins, and Carl Rosendahl for making the film possible. Additional character/cast include: Chip (voice of Dan Aykroyd), Queen (voice of Anne Bancroft), Muffy (voice of Jane Curtin), Barbatus (voice of Danny Glover), General Mandible (voice of Gene Hackman), Azteca (voice of Jennifer Lopez), Grebs (voice of John Mahoney), and Psychologist (voice of Paul Mazursky).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. Antz is a great pick for an engaging evening’s entertainment.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers