NOAH (Released to Theaters USA 2014)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 4.4|5.0 Starsìììì

Noah stands among the best of movies for cinematic themes, wonderfully picturesque camera shots, and good story lines. The script elaborates on the Biblical story of Noah using a combination of longstanding written and oral traditions that intertwine Biblical characters in a provocative way that holds audience interest from beginning to end. 

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

Noah (Russell Crowe), after being informed in a dream that there will be a flood, goes to Grandfather Methuselah (Anthony Hopkins) to ask advice. Methuselah has had the same vision and gives Noah a seed for the lumber that Noah will need to use for building the ark. Noah plants the seed and grows a forest. The building of the ark, as with any endeavor, has its opponents. Tubal-cain (Ray Winstone) wars on Noah, breaches the ark, and enters it as the waters are flooding the land around him. The rest of the story involves Tubal-cain’s attempt to divide Noah’s family, the leaving of the ark, and a resolution for finding a mate for one of Noah’s sons.

Additional Thanks

Great work for Director Darren Aronofsky. Thank you to Executive Producers Chris Brigham and Ari Handel for making the movie possible. Additional character/cast include: Russell Crowe, Jennifer Connelly, Ray Winston, Emma Watson, Logan Lerman, and Anthony Hopkins.

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. This film is a good resource for accessing 'the rest of the story'.

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Ben Meyers

3 DAYS TO KILL (Released to Theaters USA 2014)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 4.4|5.0 Stars ìììì

3 Days to Kill—a quality action flick—melds work and family issues superbly while adding comedic references that take the edge off some of the film’s more intense scenes. Don’t miss this one. It’s received unfair reviews and has been underestimated in nearly every quarter including box office monetary income. The script is solid. The actors very well cast. It allows a refreshingly rational resolution to age-old family challenges. It resolves the way we truly want things to resolve—original family intact and working together to build a future despite severe challenges. The film portrays the message that family comes first, before profession, and it completely works as Ethan Renner (Kevin Costner), on a CIA mission and sick with what sounds like a cold, finishes a mass killing in an apartment room with the assistance of CIA Vivi Delay (Amber Heard) delegated to lead Ethan’s new CIA assignment. Throughout the action a strong second story runs as Ethan endeavors to maintain a relationship with his daughter and estranged wife. CIA action intensifies through the entire movie until the climatic ending that provides a non-disappointing adrenaline rush.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

CIA agent works his profession while dealing with severe family issues.

Additional Thanks

Great work for Director McG. Thank you to Executive Producers Christophe Lambert and Tucker Tooley for making the film possible. Cast include: Kevin Costner, Amber Heard, Hailee Steinfeld, Connie Nielsen, Tómas Lemarquis, Richard Sammel, Marc Andréoni, Bruno Ricci, Jonas Bloquet, and Eriq Ebouaney.

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. Great work for Director McG.

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Ben Meyers

BALLET 422 (Released to the Tribeca Film Festival Manhattan Borough New York, New York USA 2014)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 4.6|5.0 Stars ìììì

Ballet 422—inspirational ballet documentary—details the making of New York City Ballet’s ballet number 422, Paz De La Jolla, by choreographer Justin Peck. It’s worth a watch for anyone who would like to know more about choreography, the work involved, and the lifestyle of ballet performers.

Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images

Storyline

This film details the beginning of Justin Peck's career as a dance choreographer.

Additional Thanks

Best Work for Director Jody Lee Lipes. Thank you to Producers Ellen Bar and Anna Rose Holmer for making the film possible. Cast includes Justin Peck, Tilner Peck, Sterling Hyltin, and Amar Ramasar.

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. This is a professional, quick, intimate documentary that details the work behind outstanding ballet performances.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

VIRUNGA (Released to the Tribeca Film Festival Manhattan, New York 2014)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 4.5|5.0 Starsìììì

Virunga—an informative Netflix documentary—tells about African men who risk their lives to save the last of the Mountain Gorillas.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

Oil exploration, an endangered specie, and politics create a tenuously ordered structure that is deeply threatened by poachers.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director Orlando Von Einsiedel for directing efforts. Thank you to Executive Producers Leonardo DiCaprio, Howard Buffet, Maxyne Franklin, Lisa Nishimura, Jess Search, Adam Del Deo, and Jon Drever for making the film possible. Special mention to Musical Composer Patrick Jonsson and Writer Orlando Von Einsiedel. Cast include: André Bauma, Emmanuel de Merode, Mélanie Gouby, Rodrigue Mugaruka Katembo, and Vianney Kazarama.

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. It’s an interesting watch because it explores a small portion of the complexities that involve environmental issues when commerce and politics are deeply intertwined with exploration of oil reserves.

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Ben Meyers

BEAR STORY (Released to the BFI London Film Festival UK 2014)

 

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 4.3|5.0 Starsìììì  Bear Story—flows with sentimentality and heart—won 14 awards and an Academy award. It is based on a true story about the director's grandfather. The film originates from Chile and can be best described as amazing.   Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia Storyline  A bear is building a box with animatronics inside and the next day goes to a sidewalk in the city with his box and rings a bell to attract customers and the story is on.    Additional Thanks Thank you to Director Gabriel Osorio Vargas for directing effort. Thank you to Producer Pato Escala Pierart for making the film possible.   Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?  Yes and YES. This is a WONDERFUL short film. Great work for all involved. Video Critique Available Here: Ben Meyers

JUSTICE LEAGUE: WAR (Released to Blu-Ray/DVD 2014)

 

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 3.9|5.0 Starsììì  Justice League: War is the first of a three-part DC comic film series. It's interesting to see so many superheroes combine forces to fight evil. The film has enough action to keep interest. This movie works for DC fans.  Film Poster Courtesy of IMDb Storyline Shazam, Batman, Superman, Wonder Woman, Green Lantern, Flash, and Cyborg fight an evil alien.     Additional Thanks  Thank you to Director Jay Oliva for directing effort. Thank you to Producer James Tucker for making the film possible. Cast includes Christopher Gorham, Justin Kirk, Shemar Moore, and Jason O'Mara.   Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?  Yes. Good animation that tells a suitable story. Video Critique Available Here: Ben Meyers

TURTLE POWER: THE DEFINITIVE HISTORY OF THE TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES (Release to the Internet Canada 2014)

 

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 4.1|5.0 Starsìììì  Turtle Power: The Definitive History of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles—documentary—gives a good, inside view of how to build a successful business and the attitude necessary to overcome the inevitable challenges along the way. Sometimes it seems darkly themed as if missing a certain magic to the inside story, but it is interesting and definitely shows how to build an original business to appeal to pop culture. It's an interesting watch and gives a nice overview of how the Ninja Turtles changed over the years.  Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images Storyline  A documentary that tells how the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles originated as an entertainment piece. Additional Thanks Thank you to Director Randall Lobb for directing effort. Thank you to Producer Randall Lobb for making the film possible. Cast includes Peter Laird and Kevin Eastman.    Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?  Yes. This movie has a good story. Good work for all involved in production. Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

THE HOMESMAN (Released to Theaters USA 2014)

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 3.8|5.0 Starsììì

The Homesman—Tommy Lee Jones and Hilary Swank—has a different western story to tell as it focuses on female lives and their ways of coping (or not coping) with the tough life on the frontier. The cast shows outstanding skill in depicting the story. Content contains  explicit sex scenes; nudity; and frank, adult dialogue. The story needs to be told.

Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images

Storyline

Ms. Cuddy agrees to transport three men's wives to a Christian asylum to rehabilitate them to sanity, if possible. 

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director/Executive Producer Tommy Lee Jones for directing effort. Thank you to Executive Producer G. Hughes Abell, Deborah Dobson Bach, Michael Fitzgerald, Richard Romero, for making the film possible. Cast includes: Tommy Lee Jones, Hilary Swank, Grace Gummer, Miranda Otto, Sonja Richter, Jo Harvey Allen, Barry Corbin, David Dencik, William Fichtner, Evan Jones, Caroline Lagerfelt, John Lithgow, Tim Blake Nelson, Jesse Plemons

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

 Maybe. This film looks at the western frontier's development and the toll it takes on females.

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Ben Meyers

THE EQUALIZER (Released to Theaters Canada 2014)

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 4.1|5.0 Starsìììì 

The Equalizer—this is part 1 of 3 films released through the 2010s decade with part 3 released  in 2023. This film is actually really well made. The story itself has interest even though the main driver of its story is cringe-worthy violence.  Denzel Washington is very believable for this type of  film. Watch for his interesting technique of approach to engage action. This is a Director Antoine Fuqua movie. Fuqua and Washington also worked together in the film Training Day which is even better than this movie. The Equalizer tells it the way it is and has no apologies. It is good to see David Harbour and Bill Pullman in the movie. Overall, it is a quality entertainment piece that is more than worth the adult's time and money. 

Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images 

Storyline 

 A home retail store worker and former military man goes to a diner at night to have tea and read a good book and finds that a young woman, who he befriends, is in hospital badly beaten by a prostitute ring owner. He goes on a vigilante spree to clean shop. 

Additional Thanks 

 Thank you to Director Antoine Fuqua for directing effort. Thank you to Executive Producer, David J. Bloomfield, Ezra Swerdlow, and Ben Waisbren, for making the film possible. Cast includes Denzel Washington, Marton Csokas, Chloë Grace Moretz, David Harbour, Haley Bennett, Bill Pullman, Melissa Leo, David Meunier, and Johnny Skourtis.   

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. The movie has not been crafted for the faint of heart. It is well made for the adult audience. This film tells it the way it is. 

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

DAWN OF THE PLANET OF THE APES (Theatrical Release USA 2014)

 

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 4.0|5.0 Starsìììì 

Dawn of the Planet of the Apes—good action film—has a good story and plays well. The presentation is okay, but the film is not as good as Rise of the Planet of the Apes or as likeable as the last film of the old series Battle of the Planet of the Apes. This film, as a whole, is a suitable watch and does serve the Planet of the Apes fan club well. 

Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images 

Storyline 

This science fiction film is about a group of apes who rebel against human dominance.

Additional Thanks 

Thank you to Director Matt Reeves for directing effort. Thank you to Producers Peter Chemin, Dylan Clark, Rick Jaffa, and Amanda Silver for making the film possible. Cast includes: Andy Serkis, Jason Clarke, Gary Oldman, Ken Russell, Toby Kebbell, and Kodi Smit-McPhee. 

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? 

Yes. The animation of the apes is phenomenal with total blending of the interaction from ape to ape as well as from ape to human. The movie particularly serves the audience who loves the Planet of the Apes stories.

 Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

TRANSFORMERS: AGE OF EXTINCTION (Theatrical Release USA 2014)

 

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 4.1|5.0 Starsìììì 

Transformers: Age of Extinction serves up its own brand of ‘cool’. While it is not as good as the first three films in the series with Shia LeBeouf, Mark Wahlberg has a tough variation in his interpretation of the main character that works very well. The film is a little long and could use a bit of editing to cut run time, but it tells its story well. 

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia 

Storyline 

This science fiction film is about: a time when humans believe Transformers, no matter which side they are on, are dangerous and need to be eliminated.

 

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director Michael Bay for directing effort. Thank you to Producers Lorenzo di Bonaventura, Tom DeSanto, Don Murphy, Ian Bryce for making the film possible. Cast includes: Mark Wahlberg and Stanley Tucci.

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? 

Yes. The film serves the Transformers’ movie fan well. It is a good teen/adult share movie. 

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

X-MEN: DAYS OF FUTURE PAST (Theatrical Release USA 2014)

 Ben Meyers’ Rating: 3.5|5.0 Starsììì 

X-Men: Days of Future Past—meaningless—has all the bells and whistles of a great movie but the bells aren’t ringing. The movie falls flat and the audience feels empty after watching it. It’s below par and has no redeeming factors to encourage recommendation to watch it. 

Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images 

Storyline 

Robots have been sent to kill mutants and all humans who could become mutant. 

Additional Thanks 

Thank you to Director Bryan Singer for directing effort. Thank you to Producers Bryan Singer, Lauren Shuler Donner, Simon Kinberg, and Hutch Parker for making the film possible. Cast includes: Hugh Jackman, James McAvoy, Michael Fassbender, Jennifer Lawrence, Halle Berry, Anna Paquin, Fan Bingbing, Elliot Page, Peter Dinklage, Ian McKellen, and Patrick Stewart. 

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? 

No. This film is a ‘wanna be great’ and fails to be great due to weak writing and portrayal. 

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

RIDE ALONG (Theatrical Release USA 2014)

 Ben Meyers’ Rating: 4.1|5.0 Starsìììì 

Ride Along—better than expected—does not have high comedic appeal but it does have its chuckles along the way. Kevin Hart and Ice Cube do not make an outstanding comedic team. One challenge is Kevin Hart’s overworking of his character against the more comfortable screen presence of Ice Cube. Watch for a guest appearance of Laurence Fishburne toward the end of the film. 

Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images 

Storyline 

A young man wants to marry the sister of a detective and wants a recommendation to join the police force. He is invited on a ride-along to prove his worthiness. 

Additional Thanks 

Thank you to Director Tim Story for directing effort. Thank you to Producers Will Packer, Matt Alvarez, Ice Cube, and Larry Brezner for making the film possible. Cast includes: Ice Cube, Kevin Hart, John Leguizamo, Bruce McGill, Tika Sumpter, and Laurence Fishburne. 

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? 

Yes. The film has been designed as a comedy for the adult audience. The film did not ask for its sequel, but there is one available. 

Video Critique Available Here:

 

Ben Meyers 

ALEXANDER AND THE TERRIBLE, HORRIBLE, NO GOOD, VERY BAD DAY (Theatrical release USA 2014)

 Ben Meyers’ Rating: 3.8|5.0 Starsììì 

Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day—nothing new here—leaves its audience with the vague feeling of ‘I’ve seen this before.’ It’s okay and that’s its comfort zone. It is what it is. 

Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images 

Storyline 

Sometimes a horrible day’s events can end on quite a different note. 

Additional Thanks 

Thank you to Miguel Arteta for directing effort. Thank you to Producers Shawn Levy, Dan Levine, and Lisa Henson for making the film possible. Cast includes: Steve Carell, Jennifer Garner, and Ed Oxenbould. 

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? 

Maybe. The premise is good, but the story falls flat with its odd presentation that can be difficult to get past. An audience may find itself wishing to leave when barely into the film. 

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

AMERICAN SNIPER (Theatrical Release USA 2014)

 Ben Meyers’ Rating: 4.4|5.0 Starsìììì 

American Sniper is one of those movies that, from its opening scenes, an audience knows it is going to be a wonderful story. It’s that rare movie that a critic will have to watch again to critique because one just wants to sit back and enjoy it rather than watch it to critique it. The writing is so very good. The dialogue lines are so human. Nothing is lost of the human element in this film. Bradley Cooper has been chosen as the perfect cast for the part of the assassin. WOW! What a film! Director Clint Eastwood has done it again by bringing us a true story and turning an already great story into an incredible piece of entertainment. The movie earns its place in the home video library and is worth a re-watch, its time, and its money investment. 

Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images 

Storyline 

A young man, motivated by news channel coverage of violence against the United States, decides to enlist in the Navy Seals and becomes a sniper. 

Additional Thanks 

Thank you to Director Clint Eastwood for directing effort. Thank you to Producers Clint Eastwood, Robert Lorenz, Andrew Lazar, Bradley Cooper, and Peter Morgan for making the film possible. Cast includes: Bradley Cooper, Sienna Miller, Luke Grimes, Jake McDorman, Cory Hardrict, Kevin Lacz, Navid Negahban, and Keir O’Donell. 

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. Clint Eastwood-directed films are some of the best on the market. This movie is no exception. Wonderful work by all involved in this production.

 Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers