FOR GREATER GLORY: THE TRUE STORY OF CRISTIADA (Released to Theaters USA 2012)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 4.0|5.0 Starsìììì

For Greater Glory: The True Story of Cristiada—based on true events—recounts the Mexican government’s atrocities against Catholics in its violent 1920s persecution. Mexican President Calles’ (Ruben Blades) historical attempt to eliminate all Catholic religion, deport all foreign-born priests, burn Catholic churches, and kill Catholic parishioners brutally comes to life in this reality-based Mexican civil war film. Good historical rendering of what came to be known as the Cristero War. The only fault in this movie is that it does not properly show the magnitude or the impact of this war. The viewer sees this event through a small group of impacted people and does not really understand that this was a war that reduced Catholic priests from 4,500 strong to about 334 individuals, now licensed by the government, to ‘practice’ in a civil population of more than 15 million persons. The viewer does not understand that over five percent of Mexico’s population fled to the areas around Los Angeles (United States) to escape murder nor does the viewer comprehend how well the United States has functioned as a bastion against religious intolerance as it maintains quite necessary refugee cities for such persons fleeing their own governments. The viewer is not given any appreciation for the fact that the Los Angeles Mexican population is greatly founded from a population with a need to practice their faith in freedom and security without persecution from any political authority. This film is excellent, except for its reduction of a horrific, widespread political persecution to what seems a small scale challenge.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

The Mexican government ruthlessly attempts to eliminate the dominant religious class into subservience to the political authority.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director Dean Wright for directing efforts. Thank you to Producer Pablo Jose Barroso for making the film possible. Additional Cast include: Andy Garcia, Oscar Isaac, Catalina Sandino Moreno, Santiago Cabrera, Rubén Blades, Bruce McGill, Adrien Alonso, Eva Longoria, and Peter O’Toole.

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. This is a terrific film that tells its story well.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

DJANGO UNCHAINED (Released to Theaters USA 2012)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 4.3|5.0 Starsìììì

Django Unchained—a type of spaghetti western a la Quentin Tarantino flick—delivers blood, blood, and more blood. It’s a rough, rowdy story for the adult audience that relies on an unlikely storyline filled with gore and revenge.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

Django (Jamie Foxx) and Dr. King Schultz (Christoph Waltz) team together as bounty hunters when Dr. Schultz, disguised as a traveling dentist, asks to buy Django. When the traders refuse to sell, Dr. King Schultz kills two of the traders and injures another. The slaves kill the remaining injured trader. Dr. King Schultz then asks Django what he knows about the Brittle Brothers. Django can identify the Brittle Brothers. Dr. Schultz has a warrant for their arrest and offers Django freedom in exchange for help with hunting/identifying the brothers. After capturing the Brittle Brothers, Django becomes an apprentice to Dr. King Schultz to learn the bounty hunting trade. Django has talent for the business and soon earns money. He desires to find his slave wife and buy her freedom. Dr. King Schultz agrees to help Django find his wife and the real story begins.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director Quentin Tarantino for directing efforts. Thank you to Executive Producers Shannon McIntosh, Michael Shamberg, James W. Skotchdopole, Bob Weinstein, and Harvey Weinstein for making the film possible. Cast include: Jamie Foxx, Christoph Waltz, Kerry Washington, Leonardo DiCaprio, Samuel L. Jackson, Walton Goggins, Dennis Christopher, James Remar, David Steen, and Dana Gourrier.

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. All the expected Quentin Tarantino story telling techniques are present in this flick. It will not disappoint Tarantino fans.

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Ben Meyers

NO PLACE ON EARTH (Released to the Toronto Film Festival Toronto, Ontario, Canada 2012)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 4.1|5.0 Starsìììì

No Place on Earth—another enthralling World War II survival story—tells firsthand how several Jewish families survive World War II hidden inside Ukrainian caves. This story utilizes actual survivors of that event: Saul Stermer, Sam Stermer, Cliff Stermer, Yetta Stermer, Sonia Dodyk, Sima Dodyk, Erin Grunstein Halpern, Chris Nicola, and Sol Wexler as well as actors standing in for those who have since passed. Terrific work for Director Janet Tobias.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

An exploration of Ukrainian caves reveals they have been recently inhabited by humans.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director Janet Tobias for directing efforts. Thank you to Musical Composer John Piscitello for musical scores. Thank you to Esther Stermer for writing the memoirs entitled, “We Fight to Survive,” on which the film is based. Thank you to Executive Producers J. Flint Davis, Timm Oberwelland, Steven Ruchefsky, Jeff Field, David McKillop, Molly Thompson, Susan Werbe, Katja Zink, and Andrew O’Connell for making the film possible. Cast include: Saul Stermer, Sam Stermer, Sonia Dodyk, Sima Dodyk, Yetta Stermer, Sol Wexler, Chris Nicola, Erin Grunstein Halpern, and Cliff Stermer.

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. This is a ‘How to Survive 101’ film.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

BEVERLY HILLS CHIHUAHUA 3: VIVA LA FIESTA! (Released to DVD USA 2012)

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 3.6|5.0 Starsììì  Beverly Hills Chihuahua 3: Viva La Fiesta! uses anthropomorphism  to the point where the movie loses much of its entertainment value. The movie works at the boring level due to its lack of inspiration. This is not a quality watch.   Film Poster Courtesy of Google Storyline Sam and Rachel want to start a new life. Sam finds that if they work in a hotel, they can stay in one of the rooms. Additional Thanks Thank you to Director Lev L. Spiro for directing effort. Thank you to Producers David Hoberman and Sara E. White for making the film possible. Cast includes George Lopez, Odette Annable, Logan Grove, and Emily Osment.  Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?  Maybe. If a person is a diehard fan of this series, then this film will suit. But, for the average film audience, the movie is uninspiring and boring.  Video Critique Available Here: Ben Meyers

DIARY OF A WIMPY KID: DOG DAYS (Released to Theaters USA 2012)

 Ben Meyers’ Rating: 4.2|5.0 Starsìììì

Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Dog Days is actually a good and worth watching film that enlarges on the Heffley family interrelationships, especially  Greg Heffley. The acting and story are good and the presentation is really good.   Zachary Gordon reprises his role for a third time as Greg Heffley, along with Robert Capron, Devon Bostick, Steve Zahn,  Rachael Harris, and others. This film is worth the one time watch and the three movies would be a good addition to the family home video library. WOW! This movie really improves over the second film in the series and provides good comedy.    

Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images

Storyline

 Greg Heffley and Rowley endeavor to survive summer vacation. 

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director David Bowers for directing effort. Thank you to Executive Producers Jeff Kinney, Jeramiah Samuels, for making the film possible. Cast includes: Zachary Gordon, Steve Zahn, Robert Capron, Devon Bostick, Rachael Harris, Peyton List, Greyson Russell, Karan Brar, Laine MacNeil, Connor Fielding, Owen Fielding, Melissa Roxburgh, Philip Maurice Hayes, and Terence Kelly, 

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. This good watch reprises the roles of major cast members and improves over the second film in the series. Thank you to everyone who helped produce the movie.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

THE SCORPION KING 3: BATTLE FOR REDEMPTION (Blu-Ray/DVD Release USA 2012)

 

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 3.7|5.0 Starsììì 

The Scorpion King 3: Battle for Redemption—better story than Scorpion King 2: Rise of  a Warrior—has Victor Webster standing in for Dwayne Johnson. Watch for Ron Perlman and Dave Bautista in the cast. The movie is a suitable watch but does come close to the original Scorpion movie. The late Kimbo Slice is an integral part of the story and adds a level of ‘cool’ to the movie. 

Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images 

Storyline 

This action film is about: Mathayus loses his kingdom, becomes a mercenary soldier, and is given the opportunity to have a kingdom if he performs a task. 

Additional Thanks 

Thank you to Director Roel Reiné for directing effort. Thank you to Executive Producer Sean Daniel, James Jacks, Kevin Misher, and Stephen Sommers, for making the film possible. Cast includes: Dave Bautista ,Bostin Christopher, Tanapol Chuksrida, Kevin 'Kimbo Slice' Ferguson, Geoffrey Giuliano, and J.D. Hall,

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? 

Maybe. It is better than Part 2 of this series but has a long way to go to match the first classic film, The Scorpion King. This movie has a fairly good story and is okay to watch overall. It would serve as a good background movie to run during a party.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

TAKEN 2 (Theatrical Release USA 2012)

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 4.2|5.0 Starsìììì 

Taken 2—cool action—can be a bit cliched compared to the first film, but its organized presentation cannot be faulted. The scenes involving how to find someone with sound are exceptionally interesting. Liam Neeson is such a good casting choice for this story. The movie is worth watching and does not serve a single boring scene to the audience. 

Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images 

Storyline 

An Albanian mafia lord seeks revenge for the death of his son. 

Additional Thanks 

Thank you to Director Olivier Megaton for directing effort. Thank you to Producer Luc Besson for making the film possible. Cast includes: Liam Neeson, Maggie Grace, Famke Janssen, Rade Šerbedžija, Leland Orser, Jon Gries, D.B. Sweeney, and Luke Grimes. 

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? 

Yes. The movie serves needs of the action film fan and is an overall good watch. 

Video Critique Available Here:

 Ben Meyers

BOURNE LEGACY (Theatrical Release USA 2012)

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 4.2|5.0 Starsìììì 

Bourne Legacy—spinoff from the original Bourne series—is not as good as the first three Bourne movies but still serves as a good thriller film.  Watch for terrific acting by Jeremy Renner and Rachel Weisz and some very nice background scenery with good camerawork. The movie is more than worth watching and it is a treat to see another character that can run alongside the original Bourne stories. 

Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images 

Storyline 

This espionage action film is about: An espionage agency decides to close down an operation and eliminate all operatives. 

Additional Thanks 

Thank you to Director Tony Gilroy for directing effort. Thank you to Producers Frank Marshall, Patrick Crowley, Jeffrey Weiner, and Ben Smith for making the film possible. Cast includes: Jeremy Renner, Rachel Weisz, Edward Norton, Stacy Keach, Oscar Isaac, Joan Allen, Albert Finney, David Strathairn, and Scott Glenn. 

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? 

Yes. This espionage film relies on terrific stage settings, good presentation, and a well-written script. It completely serves the espionage movie fan as a good watch.

Video Critique Available Here:

 

Ben Meyers

WRATH OF THE TITANS (Theatrical Release USA 2012)

 Ben Meyers’ Rating: 3.6|5.0 Starsììì

Wrath of the Titans has the same difficulty most movies about Greek and Roman mythology have: There is not enough time or a big enough screen to allow the impact. This movie relies on a good cast, realistic spectacularism, great animation of monsters such as Cyclopes and creatures like the flying Pegasus. More time needs to be invested in fleshing out the main characters’ personalities. The movie is not good enough to make it worth audience time to watch unless one is involved in the series and wants to finish the stories or is a hardcore Greek mythology fan. 

Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images 

Storyline 

Zeus is losing his power and asks Perseus to help him. 

Additional Thanks 

Thank you to Director Jonathan Liebesman for directing effort. Thank you to Producers Basil Iwanyk and Polly Cohen Johnsen for making the film possible. Cast includes: Sam Worthington, Rosamund Pike, Bill Nighy, Édgar Ramirez, Toby Kebbell, Danny Huston, Ralph Fiennes, and Liam Neeson. 

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? 

Maybe. The general audience may enjoy this movie for its animation effects and its basic storyline. For the hardcore lovers of the gods and their interactions on earth, then the outcome of Perseus’ interaction with his father, Zeus, will be interesting.

 Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

ICE AGE: CONTINENTAL DRIFT (Theatrical Release USA 2012)

 Ben Meyers’ Rating: 4.3|5.0 Starsìììì 

Ice age: Continental Drift—animated comedy—introduces new, well-drawn personalities and voice actors into its ongoing story: Keke Palmer as Peaches, Peter Dinklage as Captain Gutt, Josh Gad as Louis, Jennifer Lopez as Shira. This film provides interest as it works on a multi-threaded storyline to follow the stories of several characters who each are having their own adventures. The story is light, moves along well, and has a nice conclusion. It provides welcome continuity by recasting known characters played/voiced by Ray Romano, John Leguizamo, Denis Leary, and other voice actors and actresses into its basic storyline. This is a ‘no shab’ piece of entertainment for a wide-ranged audience and serves family entertainment needs well. Realize that this is movie 4 in a series and will be appreciated more by audiences who are following the series. It can stand alone, but has not been designed for that type of viewng. Audiences new to the series will appreciate this film far more if they begin as the beginning of the series with film 1: Ice Age, a 2002 movie. 

Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images 

Storyline 

A land shift provokes movement and new adventure among the friends fleeing from ongoing environmental changes. 

Additional Thanks 

Thank you to Directors Steve Martino and Michael Thurmeier for directing effort. Thank you to Producers Lori Forte and John C. Donkin for making the film possible. Cast includes: Ray Romano, Denis Leary, John Leguizamo, Drake, Jennifer Lopez, Nicki Minaj, and Queen Latifah. 

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? 

Yes. The movie provides interest with a great storyline that follows several characters' involvement with life and unites the stories with the common thread of change as they encounter earth’s changes. The movie deserves its watch, is a very good child/adult share, and makes a high-quality addition to the family home entertainment video library. 

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

HALO 4: FORWARD UNTO DAWN (Video Release USA 2012)

 Ben Meyers’ rating: 4.0|5.0 Starsìììì 

Halo 4: Forward Unto Dawn—short mini-series segments made into a movie—does not have a rich tapestry to make a movie storyline. It obviously works on a sci-fi game format which often produces a movie that ‘peters out’ into a situation of running out of storyline and then frantically attempts to just ‘connect all the dots.’ Gamers, however, will most likely find the film worth watching, but not as entertaining as playing the game itself. 

Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images 

Storyline 

High ranking military officers’ children come under attack while they are training at a military academy. 

Additional Thanks 

Thank you to Director Stewart Hendler for directing effort. Cast includes: Thom Green, Anna Popplewell, Enisha Brewster, Osric Chau, Kat de Lieva, Daniel Cudmore, Mike Dopud, and Masam Holden. 

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? 

Yes. Fans of the game series may like this movie better than the general movie audience.

 Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

VENUS AND SERENA (Toronto International Film Festival Release, Toronto, Ontario, Canada 2012)

 Ben Meyers’ rating: 4.6|5.0 Starsìììì

Venus and Serena—documentary—does not waste time on the reality of their childhood; but, focuses on the drivers that create a different reality than they would experience outside those drivers. Many positive thinking books touch on how lives can modify. This movie follows the actual process and shows the hard work necessary to change life ‘facts’ into something new. It allows the focus to move from the wishing state to devotion to the dream, to the day-by-day work necessary to materialize the dream, the realization of the dream. Wonderful watch, especially for those who desire change but may be uncertain how that change accomplishes in real life. The movie places small snippets of the girls’ life events in an order that becomes very easy to understand. Excellent watch that does not dumb down the process of making the dream into the reality. 

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia 

Storyline 

The movie investigates the lives of professional tennis players, Serena and Vanessa Williams, from early youth to adulthood. 

Additional Thanks 

Thank you to Directors Maiken Baird and Michelle Major for directing effort. Thank you to Producers Maiken Baird and Michelle Major for making the film possible. Characters/cast include: Venus Williams, Serena Williams, Richard Williams, Oracene Price, and Billie Jean King. 

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? 

Yes. The movie allows an inside look at how a family can reshape its pre-defined future into something much different. Good watch for everyone. 

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

LES MISÉRABLES (Theatrical Release USA 2012)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 3.9|5.0 Starsììì

Les Misérables starts well—almost with the majestic feel of Lord of the Rings. This musical is not the ‘typical’ musical—much of the dialogue is sung without the benefit of rhyming lyrics and musical score. Now that the format is understood, the story can be settled into. The first big surprise is that Russell Crowe and Anne Hathaway can sing—well. We already know Hugh Jackman can sing (Oklahoma!). The acting is—good. The story is—unsettling, darkly written. It’s no Cinderella story—the working-class, single mother does not rise to a place of plenty, but is lowered into a life of prostitution, disease, and poverty. This story is a dive into reality where revolutionaries do not live to celebrate the day, but are massacred as they stand and deserted by those for whom they fight. Good deeds are not rewarded and injustices are madly pursued until the critical question is finally asked, “If we live in a world of grace and forgiveness, what happens to law and order?” Irreconcilable worlds clash, neither one forgiving of the other, until it seems that only on the other side of death shall all be made right. The climatic ending scenes send this movie through the roof for kudos. Les Misérables takes a while to tell its story, but don’t miss it.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

Jean Valjean (Hugh Jackman) is released on parole, but cannot find a job. Bishop of Digne (Colm Wilkinson) gives him a place to stay, but Jean Valjean steals his silver. When the police catch Jean Valjean, the Bishop tells them he gave the silver to Jean Valjean and then tells Jean to go make a life for himself.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director Tom Hooper for directing efforts. Thank you to Executive Producers Nicholas Allott, Liza Chasin, Angela Morrison, F. Richard Pappas, and Thomas Schönberg for making the film possible. Additional character/cast include: Jean Valjean (Hugh Jackman), Javert (Russell Crowe), Fantine (Anne Hathaway), Cosette (Amanda Seyfried), Thénardier (Sacha Baron Cohen), Madame Thénardier (Helena Bonham Carter), Marius (Eddie Redmayne), and Enjolras (Aaron Tveit).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. The film’s message is unmistakable and needs to be retold again and again.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

ROBOT & FRANK (Theatrical Release USA 2012)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 3.4|5.0 Starsììì

Robot & Frank, an easy-on-the-mind, fill-in-some-spare-time movie, shows Frank Langella's skill in depicting the role of an elderly, bored, and retired burglar. James Marsden superbly plays his concerned son while Liv Tyler plays his daughter. The movie follows a simple outline and leaves its viewers with the feeling of enjoying a good dessert.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

Aging Frank Weld’s (Frank Langella) son Hunter (James Marsden) purchases his father a companion robot. When Frank discovers he can program the robot to do what he wants, he programs the robot to help pick locks and do heists.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director Jake Schreier for directing efforts. Thank you to Executive Producers Jeremy Bailer, Bob Kelman, Bill Perry, Ann Porter, Danny Rifkin, Delaney Schultz, Jenna Schultz, Stefan Sonnenfeld, and Tom Valerio for making the film possible. Additional cast/characters include: Madison (Liv Tyler), Robot (voice of Peter Sarsgaard), Jennifer (Susan Sarandon), Jake (Jeremy Strong), Sheriff Rowlings (Jeremy Sisto), and Robot Performer (Rachael Ma).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. The movie flows to a sweet and nice conclusion.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers