BROTHER BEAR (Released to Theaters USA 2003)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 3.9|5.0 Starsììì

Brother Bear runs on a ‘protect and save wildlife/plant life’ theme. It’s a fair to middling animated film for children.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

Kenai (voice Joaquin Phoenix), the youngest of three brothers, Sitka (voice D.B. Sweeney), the oldest, and Denahi (voice Jason Raize), the middle brother, play, ride canoes, and catch fish together. The two eldest brothers catch a basket full of salmon and then leave to go to a ceremony. Kenai ties the basket to a tree and hurries to go to the ceremony, too. He notices that the basket has fallen to the ground, but follows after his older brothers anyway. At the ceremony Kenai, the youngest brother, is nominated as the Bear of Love. When the brothers come back to the salmon basket, it is missing. Kenai goes after the basket and gets into a duel with a bear. His brothers come to help, but in the process the oldest brother attempts to save the two youngest brothers by taking his spear and breaking the mountain ice around himself and the bear. The bear and older brother cascade to the river below. The bear makes it out of the freezing water, but the oldest brother does not surface. When the two younger brothers only find their older brother’s skin coat, Kenai wants revenge and, against his middle brother’s advice, goes after the bear. He provokes the bear into another duel and the story is off and running.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Directors Aaron Blaise and Robert Walker for directing efforts. Thank you to Executive Producer Chuck Williams for making the film possible. Cast include: Jeremy Suarez, Harold Gould, Joan Copeland, Rick Moranis, and Dave Thomas.

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. It works for a young audience. It is a message feature, not made for pure entertainment.

Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

THE LIZZIE MCGUIRE MOVIE (Theatrical Release USA 2003)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 3.9|5.0 Stars ììì

The Lizzie McGuire Movie—teen entertainment—compliments and carries forward the TV series’ storylines and character development for both Lizzie McGuire (Hilary Duff) and her evil-genius brother, Matthew “Matt” McGuire (Jake Thomas). The movie can be appreciated for its comical and straight-forward story lines. The ending music well displays Hilary Duff’s singing talents and places her on par with Miley Cyrus and Demi Lovato. It’s a clean, decent watch for young teens.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

Lizzie McGuire and her graduating junior high school class travel to Rome, Italy for an educational tour. She meets an Italian junior pop star, Paolo Valisari (Yani Gellman), falls in love, and travels Rome largely un-chaperoned while her friend, David ‘Gordo’ Gordon (Adam Lamberg), covers for her absences from the scheduled school tours. Unfortunately, the Italian junior pop star is using Lizzie McGuire to ruin another junior pop star’s reputation. All ends well in this teen-age flick.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director Jim Fall. Thank you to Producer Stan Rogow for making the film possible. Cast include: Hilary Duff, Adam Lambert, Hallie Todd, Robert Carradine Hallie Todd, Jake Thomas.

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. Lizzie McGuire fans are going to be more than satisfied with the film.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

SCHOOL OF ROCK (Released to Theaters USA 2003)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 4.0|5.0 Starsìììì

School of Rock—offbeat and entertaining—allows Jack Black plenty of opportunity to show the audience his full comedic range. His supporting cast creates the perfect venue to allow him to explode to higher entertainment levels as he leads and they follow a most unlikely path to become full-fledged rock musicians. Rocking is what Jack Black (as character Dewey Finn) does. As he leads a music class to explore this part of the music world, a great story is born that is both unique and engaging.

Film Poster  Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

Dewey Finn (Jack Black) doesn’t have a job. Desperate, he pretends to be a fifth grade teacher, is accepted, and trains the class to win a musical contest called Battle of the Bands.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director Richard Linklater for directing efforts. Thank you to Executive Producers Scott Aversano and Steve Nicolaides for making the film possible. Additional recognition needs to go to Composer Craig Wedren and Writer Mike White. Cast include: Jack Black, Adam Pascal, Lucas Papaelias, Sarah Silverman, Mike White, Joan Cusack, Miranda Cosgrove, Kevin Alexander Clark, Robert Tsai, Maryam Hassan, and Zackary Infante.

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. It’s Jack Black at his best in a terrific, upbeat piece of entertainment. No lack found in this film.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

LARA CROFT: TOMB RAIDER-THE CRADLE OF LIFE (Theatrical Release USA 2003)

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 3.8|5.0 Starsììì  Lara Croft Tomb Raider: The Cradle of Life—notable special effects—works at nearly the same level of the first film with a bit more 'corny'. Angelina Jolie reprises her role and teams with Gerard Butler. The fight scenes are more amateurish than the last movie. Overall, it's a fair to middling piece of entertainment.  Film Poster Courtesy of IMDb Storyline Lara Croft’s (Angelina Jolie) assignment is to find Pandora’s Box before bioterrorists find it.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director Jan De Bont for directing efforts. Thank you to Executive Producer Jeremy Heath-Smith for making the film possible. Cast include Gerard Butler, Jonathan Reiss, Ciarán Hinds, Chris Barrie, Noah Taylor, Djimon Hounsou, Til Schweiger, Simon Yam, and Terence Yin.

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Maybe. This film, a bit amateurish, does have a good story. It's watchable and will suit Angelina Jolie fans. Video Critique Available Here: Ben Meyers

BONHOEFFER (Released to Theaters USA 2003)

 

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 4.3|5.0 Starsìììì  Bonhoeffer—documentary about Dietrich Bonhoeffer—uses archival footage to support its story. WOW! What an informative and involving film. The presentation and the portrayal are really good. It details the real story of Bonhoeffer and what he did to help Christians and Jews alike during the German reformist dictator Adolf Hitler’s regime.  Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images Storyline  A biographical 'take' on the life and times of Dietrich Bonhoeffer.  Additional Thanks   Thank you to Director Todd Komarnicki for directing effort. Thank you to Producers Emmanuel Kampouris, Camille Kampouris, Ralph Winter, Mark O'Sullivan, Chloe Kassis-Crowe, John Bennett Scanlon, Todd Komarnicki for making the film possible. Cast includes Jonas Dassler, August Diehl, David Jonsson, Flula Borg,  Moritz Bleibtreu, Nadine Heidenreich, Patrick Mölleken, and Clarke Peters. Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?  Yes. This is an informative, original, and involving movie. It is a great documentary and gets into a deeper understanding of what Germany was like during the Hitler administration. Video Critique Available Here: Ben Meyers

OUT FOR A KILL (Released to DVD/VHS USA 2003)

 

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 3.4|5.0 Starsììì  Out for a Kill—the usual action film—suffers from atrocious transitions. The script is cliched to a fault. Fight scenes are either under-choreographed or over-choreographed with no easy rhythm for their reason for being and not realistic enough to matter either way. Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images Storyline An archeology professor is hunted down by an Asian drug ring.  Additional Thanks Thank you to Director Michael Oblowitz for directing effort. Thank you to Executive Producers Boaz Davidson, Danny Dimbort, Avi Lerner, Trevor Short, and Co-Executive Producer Phillip B. Goldfine for making the film possible. Cast includes Michelle Goh, Steven Seagal, Corey Johnson, Tom Wu, Ozzie Yu, Bruce Wang, Chike Chan, Hong Ping Tang, Dave Wong, Chooye Bay, Elaine Tan, Michael J. Reynold, and Kata Dubό.  Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?  No. The film does not earn its time or money to watch. The transitions from scene to scene are poorly done and the movie adds nothing new to the action film genre. Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

THE MUSIC MAN (Released to DVD 2003)

 

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 4.1|5.0 Starsìììì  The Music Man—television remake—bases its story on the 1962 theatrical motion picture which originally appeared as a Broadway play in the late 1950s. The Wonderful World of Disney released this Matthew Broderick film in Season 47 Episode 11 and then it was taken as a stand alone movie. This Matthew Broderick film is a musical and a good one at that. This is filmed like a television release, almost like a sitcom in some places. Watch for a very good performance by Matthew Broderick and the rest of the cast.  Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia Storyline  A conman unifies a small town through promises of a town band.  Additional Thanks Thank you to Director and Co-Executive Producer Jeff Bleckner for directing effort. Thank you to Executive Producer Neil Meron and Craig Zadan and Producer John M. Ekert, for making the film possible. cast includes: Matthew Broderick, Kristen Chenoweth, Victor Garber, Debra Monk, Molly Shannon, David Aaron Baker, Clyde Alves, Cameron Adams, Cameron Monaghan, Linda Kash, and Patrick McKenna,  Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?  Yes. Good character development and a fresh, creatively written story make this a good watch. Good work by all involved in production.  Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

THE LEGEND OF JOHNNY LINGO (Released to Theaters 2003)

 

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 3.7|5.0 Starsììì 

The Legend of Johnny Lingo—okay/suitable watch—has a story that is neither fresh or particularly innovative, but is solid. The actors have not built their careers in the United States yet. The story improves at the point where Tama sets foot on the new island. It's a fair watch for children.

Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images

Storyline

 After a hard storm a baby is retrieved from a boat and made heir to the throne by the current ruling authority who sees the child as a gift of the gods.

 Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director Steven Ramirez for directing effort. Thank you to Executive Producer Tim Coddington and Brad Pelo, and Producers John Garbett and Gerald R. Molen for making the film possible. Cast includes: George Henare, Rawiri Paratene, Joe Folau, Alvin Fitisemanu, Kayte Ferguson, Peter Sa'ena-Brown, Hori Ahipene, Jim Perry, and Sima Urale 

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? 

Yes. This movie works at the suitable to okay level. It's light, easy-to-follow entertainment for children.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

GOOD BOY! (Released to Video USA 2004)

 

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 3.8|5.0 Starsììì

Good Boy! —okay film— the portrayal is weak and the presentation is okay. The story needs a rewrite, to make up for some inconsistencies. And the acting is okay/suitable. It is good to see Kevin Nealon.

Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images 

Storyline

 A boy wants a dog and finds one at the pound but when he brings it home the dog is more than he bargains for.  

Additional Thanks

 Thank you to Director John Hoffman for directing effort. Thank you to Executive Producer Stephanie Alain, Producer Kristine Belson, and Lisa Henson for making the film possible. Cast includes: Molly Shannon, Liam Aiken, Kevin Nealon, Brittany Moldowan, George Touliatos, Patty Allan, Hunter Elliott, Mikhael Speidel, Ben Immanuel, and Peter Flemming. 

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? 

Maybe. It might work for children but adults will find the film lower in quality.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

BEETHOVEN'S 5TH (DVD Release USA 2003)

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 3.5|5.0 Starsììì 

Beethoven's 5th is the odd story within the Beethoven franchise. It does not follow the usual Beethoven story format and seems quite amateurish in its presentation. Everything is okay, not good, but low budget. There are some great actors in the movie, but this film does not allow them a gold standard performance.   

Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images 

Storyline 

Beethoven travels to Quicksilver, a town known for its old mercury mine, ghosts, the death of two robbers, and lost stolen goods. 

Additional Thanks 

Thank you to Director Mark Griffiths for directing effort. Thank you to Executive Producer/Producer Mike Elliot  and Line Producer Joseph P. Genier, for making the film possible. Cast includes: Dave Thomas, Faith Ford, Daveigh Chase, Tom Poston, Katherine Helmond, Sammy Kahn, Richard Riehle, Clint Howard, Kathy Griffin, John Larroquette, Rodman Flender, Tina Illman Tom Musgrave and Joel Hurt Jones. 

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? 

Maybe. The story is much different than the usual Beethoven stories. At the end of the movie, the audience may feel they have watched something with little substance to it. 

Video Critique Available Here: 

Ben Meyers

MONTE WALSH (Television Release USA 2003)

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 4.0|5.0 Starsìììì 

Monte Walsh—good story that features Tom Selleck—does not have anything in it that other western movies have not already included in a variety of storylines…like the effect barbed wire had on the demise of the cowboy or the rise of machines that would later be used to herd and track animals. The presentation and storyline, however, are quite good and the acting is outstanding. There are some sexual scenes in the movie, but not as graphic as other movies often portray. This movie will satisfy the western movie fan. 

Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images 

Storyline 

This western film is about: the last of the cowboys as corporations begin assuming control of larger ranches, the motor car begins assuming the role of main method of travel, and herding cows on open range is curbed with the establishment of property boundaries defined with barbed wire. 

Additional Thanks 

Thank you to Director Simon Wincer for directing effort. Thank you to Executive Producer Michael Brandman, and Tom Selleck, Co-Executive Producer Bobby Roberts and Producer Steven J. Brandman, for making the film possible. Cast includes: Tom Selleck, Isabella Rossellini, Keith Carradine, George Eads, Robert Carradine, Barry Corbin, James Gammon, Rex Linn, John Michael-Higgins, William Sanderson, Wallace Shawn, Marshall R. Teague, and Rick Ravenello. 

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. This is an afternoon watch and a good one at that. It satisfies the western movie fan. 

Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images

Ben Meyers

THE MEDALLION (Theatrical Release USA 2003)

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 3.8|5.0 Starsììì 

The Medallion—cool concept and great to see Jackie Chan—does not show Jackie Chan at his best. The fight scenes need better editing. The movie performs at the okay level and does not match to the usual quality of Chan’s movies. 

Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images 

Storyline 

A Chinese boy is given the power to unite or break a medallion that has the power over death and life. 

Additional Thanks 

Thank you to Director Gordon Chan for directing effort. Thank you to Producer Alfred Cheung for making the film possible. Cast includes: Jackie Chan, Lee Evans, Claire Forlani, Julian Sands, and John Rhys-Davies. 

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? 

Maybe. This movie is somewhat fun to watch and its ‘campiness’ may  help the movie’s watch-ableness. 

Video Critique Available Here: 

Ben Meyers

X2: X-MEN UNITED (Theatrical Release USA 2003)

 Ben Meyers’ Rating: 4.0|5.0 Starsìììì 

X2: X-Men United—elaborates on the X-Men story—reprises the roles of Hugh Jackman, James Marsden, Famke Janssen, Halle Berry, Patrick Stewart, and Ian McKellen. It adds Brian Cox and Alan Cumming. The  presentation needs more crafting but the movie is an enjoyable watch and quite entertaining…a good afternoon watch. 

Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images 

Storyline 

This superhero film is about a machine that is developed to wipe out all Earth’s mutants. 

Additional Thanks 

Thank you to Director Bryan Singer for directing effort. Thank you to Producers Lauren Shuler Donner and Ralph Winter for making the film possible. Cast includes: Patrick Stewart, Hugh Jackman, Ian McKellen, Halle Berry, Famke Janssen, James Marsden, Rebecca Romijn-Stamos, Brian Cox, Alan Cumming, Bruce Davison, and Anna Paquin. 

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? 

Yes. This movie is not as good as the first movie in the series, but it still earns a recommendation as watchable and entertaining.

 Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

THE PIANIST (Theatrical Release USA 2003)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 4.5|5.0 Starsìììì

The Pianist transforms a piece of history into a gripping, living, on-screen story thanks to the efforts of Director Roman Polanski. This film is an example of why people go to the movies—an outstanding story coupled with great acting. It is not often that actors succeed so well in accurate portrayal of a storyline. The storyline is fantastic. It depicts war’s realism with unflinching staunchness.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

Wladyslaw Szpilman (Adrien Brody), a Polish Jewish pianist, barely survives World War II atrocities while his entire family is destroyed.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director Roman Polanski for directing efforts. Thank you to Executive Producer Timothy Burrill, Henning Molfenter, and Lew Rywin for making the film possible. Additional character/cast include: Wladyslaw Szpilman (Adrien Brody), Dorota (Emilia Fox), Jurek (Michal Zebrowski), Henryk (Ed Stoppard), Mother (Maureen Lipman), Father (Frank Finlay), Halina (Jessica Kate Meyer), Regina Julia Rayner), and SS Slapping Father (Wanja Mues).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. For anyone looking for a movie about courageous survival against all odds, this is that story.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers