THE KITE RUNNER (Released to Theaters USA 2007)

 

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 4.0|5.0 Starsìììì The Kite Runner—thoughtfully written—serves its task of crossing international borders to enhance understanding of human loyalty and frailty. This realistic and entrancing story is culturally rich and visually moving. The acting is very good. The stage settings help every part of the movie. There are suggestive themes but not graphic. It is a good film overall. The movie ends on a high note.  Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images Storyline  Two Afghanistan boys are best of friends and do everything together. One lives with his widower father; the others boy's father works for the widower father as a house maintenance and grounds keeper.   Additional Thanks  Thank you to  Director Marc Forster for directing efforts. Thank you to Producers Williamoui Horberg, Walter F. Parkes, Rebecca Yeldham, and E. Bennet Walsh. Cast includes Khalid Abdalla, Homayoun Ershada, Shaun Toub, Alossa Leoni, and Said Taghmaoui.  Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?  Yes. This film is inspiring and life-reinforcing. Video Critique Available Here: Ben Meyers

REIGN OVER ME (Relelased to Theaters USA 2007)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 4.5|5.0 Stars ìììì

Reign Over Me—one of the best 2007 films—tells the story of a friend who helps a friend. This is a terrific drama story, well acted, and well cast. Completely worth a watch.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

Dentist Charlie Fineman (Adam Sandler) loses his family in the 9/11 disaster. Charlie fails to move on and begins a gradual downhill slide over a five-year period. When his friend, Dentist Alan Johnson (Don Cheadle), sees him, he is shocked at his friend’s condition. He tries to help him at the risk of his own marriage. 

Additional Thanks

Great work for Director Mike Binder. Thank you to Executive Producers Jack Giarraputo and Lynwood Spinks for making the film possible. Additional Cast include: Don Cheadle, Adam Sandler, Jada Pinkett Smith, Liv Tyler, Saffron Burrows, Donald Sutherland, Robert Klein, and Melinda Dillon.

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. Do not miss this movie.

Video Critique Available Here:

 Ben Meyers

A MIGHTY HEART (Released to Theaters USA 2007)

 

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 3.8|5.0 Starsììì  A Mighty Heart—disorganized and bluntly presented—has a suitable to okay presentation. It has a good story and once started, audiences will want to finish it.   Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia Storyline A pregnant journalist sees her journalist husband off where he expects to get a scoop on the war on terror in Pakistan.    Additional Thanks  Thank you to Director Michael Winterbottom for directing effort. Thank you to Producers Brad Pitt, Dede Gardner, and Andrew Eaton for making the film possible. Cast includes Angelina Jolie, Dan Futterman, Irrfan Khan, Archie Panjabi, and Will Patton.  Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?  Maybe. It has a lot to fix to increase flow. But the story is interesting to some extent and tells its story suitably well. Video Critique Available Here: Ben Meyers

THE GREAT DEBATERS (Released to Theaters USA 2007)

 

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 4.3|5.0 Starsìììì  The Great Debaters—Denzel Washington—is a quality watch from its beginning to its conclusion. It takes a bit of time to get into its story, but do not give up on this one. It's a winner from the get-go and turns into a  'must see' that is a perfect addition to the home video library while giving terrific opportunity for before and after viewing family discussion...a good family share movie that emphasizes the importance of handling dialogue well and standing up for rights in a dignified manner. This is a true story...inspirational and very worthy.  Film Poster Courtesy of IMDb Storyline A true story of Mr. Melvin Tolson, a teacher at a college in Texas, who teaches students how to debate other students effectively and well.  Additional Thank Thank you to Director Denzel Washington for directing effort. Thank you to Producers Todd Black, Kate Forte, Joe Roth, and Oprah Winfrey for making the film possible. Cast includes Denzel Washington, Forest Whitaker, Nate Parker, Jurnee Smollett, Denzel Whitaker, John Heard, and Kimberly Elise.  Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?  Yes. It's difficult to understand where this film is going at first until the students are given the green light to debate other students at other colleges and universities, then the brilliance and clarity of points very well made, make it shine. Great work for all involved. Thank you for a great watch. Video Critique Available Here: Ben Meyers

SHOOTER (Released to Theaters USA 2007)

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 3.8|5.0 Starsììì Shooter—Mark Wahlberg—is a good, low-grade watch that employs enough action to generate enough excitement to continue watching to its conclusion. It works in the good to suitable range and will satisfy Mark Wahlberg fans. The movie employs an eclectic array of some of our best actors.  Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images Storyline   An Ethiopian covert mission is abandoned by the CIA. One agent survives and retires. He is later approached for protection of the President. Additional Thanks  Thank you to Antoine Fuqua for directing effort. Thank you to Producers Lorenzo Bonaventura and Ric Kidney for making the movie possible. Cast includes Mark Wahlberg, Michael Peña, Danny Glover, Kate Mara, Elias Koleas, Rhona Mitra, and Ned Beatty. Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?  Yes. Even though it is not in the 3.9+ star range, it is still worth watching. Video Critique Available Here: Ben Meyers

INTO THE WILD (Released to Theaters USA 2007)

 

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 4.0|5.0 Starsìììì  Into the Wild—message story with its message deeply hidden—is partially based on a true story of one young man's quest for the meaning of life. This movie is based on a book written by Jon Krakauer, story picked up by Sean Penn who decided to write a movie script and produce the film. This has some nudity and some sexual scenes. But besides that the film is a good watch.  Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images Storyline A young man wants to find the meaning of life and how to achieve more happiness. He leaves his mother, father, sister, and material assets behind and begins hitchhiking across the United States while gradually heading toward the Alaskan wilderness. Additional Thanks Thank you to Director Sean Penn for directing effort. Thank you to Producers Sean Penn, Art Linson, and Bill Pohlad for making the film possible. Cast includes Emile Hirsch, Marcia Gay Harden, William Hurt, Jena Malone, Catherine Keener, Brian H. Dierker, Vince Vaughn, Zach Galifianakis, Kristen Stewart, and Hal Holbrook.  Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?  Yes. There is a strong message at the end of story that has been presented exceptionally well. The answer to both of his questions is given within the movie and allows any person watching the film access to the answer without needing to go on this young man's quest. Video Critique Available Here: Ben Meyers

THE PERFECT HOLIDAY (Released to Theaters USA 2007)

 

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 4.0|5.0 Starsìììì  The Perfect Holiday—simple, romantic Christmas watch—uses the typical Mom is breaking up with Dad and Mom finds a new love interest. The movie is fair/well done holiday fare.  Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images Storyline  A single mother of three children finds a man who might be better than her ex-husband.  Additional Thanks  Thank you to Director Lance Rivera for directing effort. Thank you to Producers Joseph Genier, Leifer Dagfinnsson, Marvin Peart, Mike Elliott, Queen Latifah, and Shakim Compere for making the film possible. Cast includes Morris Chestnut, Gabrielle Union, Charlie Murphy, Katt Williams, Faizon Love, Terrence Howard, and Queen Latifah.   Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? Yes. This movie is a 'feel good' film where, in the end, everything works out well.  Video Critique Available Here: Ben Meyers

FLASH POINT (Released to Theaters Hong Kong 2007)

 

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 3.8|5.0 Starsììì  Flash Point—very violent—manages to highlight the skills of Donnie Yen well. For a martial arts fan, this movie serves those needs.  Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images Storyline A Hong Kong detective goes uncover to infiltrate a gang.  Additional Thanks  Thank you to Director Wilson Yip for directing effort. Thank you to Producers Liu Li-juan, Shan Dong-bing, Nansun Shi, Donnie Yen, and Zhang Zhao for making the film possible. Cast includes Donnie Yen, Louis Koo, Collin Chou, Lui Leung-wai, Fan Bingbing, and Xing Yu.    Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?  Maybe. It is a very violent film; but, besides that, it is a suitable to good watch. Video Critique Available Here: Ben Meyers

MR. MAGORIUM'S WONDER EMPORIUM (Released to Theaters USA 2007)

 

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 4.0|5.0 Starsìììì  Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium—odd film—this  is not a Disney film but wants to play like one, but this film does not represent the traditional, magical Disney fare. The focus is more on Mr. Magorium's desire to die and has no real explication for that desire nor does it really leave the audience with a way to connect to the store coming to life for the entertainment of children. At times the story is a little despairing and that may be what hampers this film the most. Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia  Storyline  Mr. Magorium has lived over 240 years. He wants to leave his toy store and go to heaven. He hires an accountant to tally his books and turns the store over "verbally" to his employee.  Additional Thanks  Thank you to Director Zach Helm for directing effort. Thank you to Producers Richard N. Gladstein and James Garavente for making the film possible. Cast includes Dustin Hoffman, Natalie Portman,  and Jason Bateman.  Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?  Yes. Overall, the movie works in the suitable/good range. It's an odd story that may not suit a wide audience range. Video Critique Available Here: Ben Meyers

ALVIN AND THE CHIPMUNKS (Released to Theaters USA 2007)

 

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 3.8|5.0 Starsììì  Alvin and the Chipmunks—origin story—has Jason Lee as the 'parent' of the three chipmunks.  The movie works as a suitable to okay watch for the entire family. The story is well written. The movie's animation still works very well 17 years after the initial theater release.  Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images Storyline The movie tells the origin story of Alvin and the Chipmunks as a sensational singing group.   Additional Thanks Thank you to Director Tim Hill for directing effort. Thank you to Producers Janice Karman and  Ross Bagdasarian for making the film possible. Cast includes Jason Lee,  David Cross, Cameron Richardson, Justin Long, Matthew Gray Gubler, and Jesse McCartney.  Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?  Yes. It is an origin story, so one has to see it to understand what happens at their beginning; It's clean and makes a suitable family share movie. Video Critique Available Here: Ben Meyers

ENCHANTED (Released to Theaters USA 2007)

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 4.1|5.0 Starsìììì 

Enchanted—rich costuming that does not bespeak stinginess in design or use of fabric—serves sweetness of heart on a very huge platter. Great concept that serves a child/adult share movie's needs very well. James Marsden plays the part of a prince well. Patrick Dempsey is great.  

Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images

Storyline 

 A Fairy Tale Princess gets thrown into the real world by an evil Queen before the princess can marry her prince. 

 Additional Thanks

 Thank you to Director Kevin Lima for directing effort. Thank you to Executive Producer Christopher Chase, Sunil Perkash, and Ezra Swerdlow for making the film possible. Cast includes Amy Adams, Patrick Dempsey, James Marsden, Timothy Spall, Idina Menzel, Rachel Covey, Susan Sarandon, Julie Andrews, Jeff Bennett, Kevin Lima, and Emma Rose Lima. 

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? 

Yes. This movie is a good one-time watch. Good work for all involved in production.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers