ALVIN AND THE CHIPMUNKS: CHIPWRECKED (Released to Theaters USA 2011)

 

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 3.8|5.0 Starsììì  Alvin and the Chipmunks: Chipwrecked—okay, suitable watch—has a cliched, stale storyline that borrows significantly from other marooned on an island films. Despite that, it still manages to keep its cute chipmunk charm.   Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images Storyline  Dave and the chipmunks go on vacation.  Additional Thanks  Thank you to Director Mike Mitchell for directing effort. Thank you to Producers Janice Karman and Ross Bagdasarian Jr. for making the film possible. Cast includes Jason Lee, David Cross, Jenny Slate, Justin Long, Matthew Gray Gubler, Jesse McCartney, Amy Poehler, Anna Faris, and Christina Applegate.  Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?  Maybe. It may work well for hard core Alvin and the Chipmunks fans. It runs on a stale, cliched storyline. Video Critique Available Here: Ben Meyers

FROM UP ON POPPY HILL* (Released to the Toronto International Film Festival Toronto Canada 2011)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 4.7|5.0 Stars ìììì

From Up on Poppy Hill—another classic from Studio Ghibli, a real treat in animation and storyline—shows the talents of Director Gorô Miyazaki, Director Hayao Miyazaki’s son. It’s a sweet story about teen-aged Umi Matsuzaki (voice of Sarah Bolger), a young girl who manages a Japanese boarding house, takes care of younger siblings, does all the cooking and household chores, cares for her grandmother, and goes to school full time. Every morning, before school, she raises three flags in the manner her sea-faring father, Yūichirō Sawamura taught her. The colorful flags send the message, “I Pray for Safe Voyages.” Umi meets a boy named Shun Kazama (voice of Anton Yelchin) at school. He writes the school newspaper and she soon is involved not only with writing the newspaper but also in trying to save a study house that provides a place for many of the school clubs. Umi and Shun begin to care for each other romantically, but Shun finds that it is possible they are relatives. The film takes an unusual twist as the two seek the truth of their heritage that has been lost during World War II and the Korean War. The award winning Japanese movie pleasantly resolves itself into a happy ending, making it a very good choice for adult and child entertainment.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director Gorô Miyazaki for directing efforts, Thank you to Executive Producers Kathleen Kennedy, Nobuo Kawakami, and Frank Marshall for making the film possible. Cast include: Anton Yelchin, Sarah Bolger, Alex Wolff, Bridget Hoffman, Elisa Gabrielli, Jeff Dunham, Ronan Farrow, and Beau Bridges.

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. This sweet story goes sky high in quality.
 

*Also known as Kokuriko-zaka kara

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

THE CONSPIRATOR (Released to Theaters USA 2011)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 4.5|5.0 Stars ìììì

The Conspirator—superbly directed by Robert Redford—is an American Civil War flick about the story of the persons who conspired to assassinate Abraham Lincoln. Wow! What a winner!

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia  

Storyline

Wounded Civil War soldier Frederick Aiken (James McAvoy) tries to keep his fellow soldier, Nicholas Baker (Justin Long) alive by shaking him every few moments and telling him a story about two men at the Pearly Gates. Frederick Aiken hears a noise, calls for aid, and men come to help Nicholas Baker first, at Frederick Aiken’s request. The camera goes to black screen and states, ‘Two Years Later’. The film is off and running about the story behind Lincoln’s assassination.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director Robert Redford for directing efforts. Thank you to Executive Producers Joe Ricketts, Jeremiah Samuels, and Webster Stone for making the film possible. Cast include: James McAvoy, Robin Wright, Kevin Kline, Evan Rachel Wood, Tom Wilkinson, Justin Long, Danny Huston, James Badge Dale, and Colm Meaney.

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. It’s very well done.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

CHICKEN WITH PLUMS * (Released to Theaters France 2011)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 4.4|5.0 Stars ìììì

Chicken With Plums—has imagination, heart. It's just a wonderful story, a French film written by an Iranian author who writes with perfect universal appeal. The acting is superb. The story plays out well. It’s one of 2012’s better 4-star films.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

Violinist Nasser Ali Khan (Mathieu Amalric) loses his desire to play violin and decides to go to bed to die. The process takes exactly 8 days. In those days he reviews the future of his children, why he married his wife, the power of prayer, the angel of death, a long-lost love, and how he became a wonderful violinist.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Directors Vincent Paronnaud and Marjane Satrapi for directing efforts. Thank you to Executive Producers Jeremy Burdek and Nadia Khamlichi for making the film possible. Cast include: Edouard Baer, Maria de Medeiros, Golshifteh Farahani, Éric Caravaca, Chiara Mastroianni, Mathis Bour, Enna Balland, Didier Flamand, Serge Avedikian, Rona Hartner, and Jamel Debbouze.

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. It’s a piece of allegorical art that relies on its own uniquely rhythmic poetry.

* Also known as: Poulet aux Prunes

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

MACHINE GUN PREACHER (Released to Theaters USA 2011)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 4.0|5.0 Starsìììì

Machine Gun Preacher asks questions about our role as human beings and just how far we are willing to go to establish justice and security in our world. The movie begins edgily and takes a very surprising twist as main character Sam Childers (Gerard Butler) ‘gets’ religion. The storyline is definitely not preachy, creates conscience dilemmas, and shows one man’s solution to those dilemmas. The film’s story needs to be told and this one is told well. While it lost money in the box office, the film is exceptionally well cast with an unpredictable solution to grave human problems that make it an excellent choice.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

Sam Childers (Gerard Butler) ‘gets’ religion and becomes involved in endeavors to save African orphans.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director Marc Forster for directing efforts. Thank you to Executive Producers Gerard Butler, Michael Corso, Kyle Dean Jackson, Myles Nestel, Bill O’Kane, Louise Rosner-Meyer, Adi Shankar, Alan Siegel, Spencer Silna, and Brad Simpson for making the film possible. Cast include: Gerard Butler, Michelle Monaghan, Kathy Baker, Michael Shannon, Ryann Campos, Madeline Carroll, Souleymane Sy Savane, Grant R. Krause,  Reavis Graham, and Peter Carey.

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. Overall, a wonderful movie that inspires one to get involved with helping others.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

BEVERLY HILLS CHIHUAHUA 2 (Released to DVD USA 2011)

 

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 3.8|5.0 Starsììì Beverly Hill Chihuahua 2—run-of-the-mill story—has chihuahuas to bolster the film. The movie, as a whole, is a suitable to okay watch.   Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images Storyline Sam Cortez's parents are going to lose the family house to the bank unless they can come up with the money to pay for the debt that his parents are in.   Additional Thanks  Thank you to Director Alex Zamm for directing effort. Thank you to Producers David Hoberman and Brad Kevoy for making the film possible. Cast includes George Lopez, Odette Yustman, Zachary Gordon, Emily Osment, Bridgit Mendler, and Tom Kenny. Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?  Maybe. If there is nothing else to watch, then it might work as an afternoon adventure. But it has a ways to go to make it work like the first film. Video Critique Available Here: Ben Meyers

SCRAT'S CONTINENTAL CRACK-UP (Released to the United States 2010)

 

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 4.0|5.0 Starsìììì

Scrat's Continental Crack-Up—cute short film—has a comical, original story that follows the previous Scrat characterization well. Look for great animation, presentation, and portrayal. This short film has been released on YouTube. 

Film Poster Courtesy of IMDb

Storyline

Scrat's acorn falls to the Earth's iron core and Scrat follows it for retrieval. 

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Directors Steve Martino and Michael Thurmeter for directing effort. Thank you to Producers Lori Forte and Chris Wedge for making the film possible. Cast includes Chris Wedge, Simon Pegg, and Jason Fricchione.

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. This short film has great animation and stays true to the story of Scrat and his search for acorns. 

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

COLUMBIANA (Released to Theaters USA 2011)

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 4.2|5.0 Starsìììì  Columbiana—really good film—has a greatly written story with a surprising beginning and conclusion. Zoe Saldana, gritty, adds new flavor to the tough girl actress lineup. This film, not too violent, adds caliber to the thriller, action movie. It's a fun watch. Look for good acting by Cliff Curtis.  Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images Storyline  A young girl living in Columbia loses her father to drug henchmen. She travels to America to find an old friend of her father who raises her and gives her strong covert action skills.      Additional Thanks  Thank you to Director Olivier Megaton for directing effort. Thank you to Producer Luc Besson and Ariel Zeitoun for making the film possible. Cast includes Zoe Saldana, Jordi Molla, Lennie James, Michael Vartan, and Cliff Curtis.  Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?  Yes. This film is more than worth watching and a fun watch. Video Critique Available Here: Ben Meyers

 

GREEN LANTERN: EMERALD KNIGHTS (Released to DVD USA 2011)

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 3.9|5.0 Starsììì  Green Lantern: Emerald Knights—relates a series of back stories about Green Lanterns—does not follow the usual path of identifying the enemy and then making a movie out of disabling the enemy. Each story is told well.  Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images  Storyline  A female newbie to the Green Lanterns is just learning the ropes and unsure that she can perform well. Hal Jordan tells her several tales about the Green Lanterns to boost her confidence.   Additional Thanks Thank you to Directors Donald Christopher Berkeley, Lauren Montgomery, and Jay Olivia for directing effort. Thank you to Producers Donald De Line, Greg Berlanti, and Lauren Montgomery for making the film possible. Cast includes Nathan Fillion, Jason Isaacs, Elizabeth Moss, Henry Rollins, and Arnold Vosloo. Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?  Yes. The stories keep interest and end well. Animation effort relies on the lighter touch of drawn techniques. Video Critique Available Here: Ben Meyers

THE TREE OF LIFE (Released to Theaters USA 2011)

 

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 3.7|5.0 Starsììì  The Tree of Life—odd and difficult to follow—needs a good, thorough plotline read (see Wikipedia) and some research into the original intent to produce. It's completely intellectual, relies heavily on metaphors and similes, has really good cinematography, and quickly polarizes audiences into 'loved it', 'hated it' opinions.  It's difficult to find its overarching principle.  It definitely invites after viewing discussion. Director Terrence Malick understands something in this artistic production that will completely "blow right over the heads' of most audiences. Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images   Storyline   Its the story of life in metaphors and similes as experienced through the O'Brien family.  Additional Thanks  Thank you to Director Terrence Malick for directing effort. Thank you to Executive Producer Donald Rosenfeld for making the film possible. Cast includes Brad Pitt, Sean Penn, Jessica Chastain, Hunter McCracken, Laramie Eppler, Tye Sheridan, Fiona Shaw, Jessica Fuselier, Nicholas Gonda, and Will Wallace.  Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Maybe. It is highly intellectualized, artistic production that may 'blow right over the heads' of most audiences.  Nothing lacking in portrayal, presentation, and acting.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers 

IN THE NAME OF THE KING 2: TWO WORLDS (Released to Blu-Ray/DVD USA 2011)

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 3.5|5.0 Starsììì  In the Name of the King 2: Two Worlds—long way to go to be a quality or suitable watch—has little relative status to the original movie: In the Name of the King: A Dungeon Siege Tale. This film ends bluntly but has a cliff hanger for the entrance of part 3. The movie seems to be produced like a television film.  Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia Storyline  A former special ops who currently serves as a martial art teacher is taken to save an ancient world.     Additional Thanks Thank you to Director and Executive Producer Uwe Boll for directing effort. Thank you to Executive Producer Dale A. Andrews, Karyn Edwards, Jonathan Shore, Shawn Williamson, Producer Dan Clark, and Assistant Producer Bob Van Ronkel for making the film possible. Cast includes Dolph Lundgren, Natassia Malthe, and Lochlyn Munro.  Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?  Maybe. The acting is weak. The story has some intrigue. Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

THE MECHANIC (Released to Theaters USA 2011)

 

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 3.8|5.0 Starsììì  The Mechanic—Jason Statham—has good interpretation of the original movie, 1972's The Mechanic with Charles Bronson. This film works for its watch, but know that the original Bronson film is better.  Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images  Storyline  A mechanic (assassin) takes an old friend's son as a student in training.  Additional Thanks Thank you to Director Simon West for directing effort. Thank you to Executive Producers Robert Chartoff, Boaz Davidson, Danny Dimbort, Marcy Drogin, Avi Lerner, Trevor Short, John Thompson, and Irwin Winkler for making the film possible. Cast includes Jason Statham, Ben Foster, Tony Goldwyn, Donald Sutherland, Jeff Chase, Mini Anden, James Logan, Eddie J. Fernandez, Joshua Bridgewater, and John McConnell.   Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?  Maybe. It's adult content seems to hamper the quality of film. The violence can be shocking at times. Jason Statham and Ben Foster serve as a suitable team for the two mechanics working together. Know that the original Charles Bronson film, of the same name, is much better. Video Critique Available Here: Ben Meyers