ERASED (Theatrical Release USA 2013)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 3.8|5.0 Starsììì

Erased—nothing new here—fills its 95 minutes with bits and pieces of everything we’ve already seen in a hundred other action flicks. Aaron Eckhart seems a bit weak at times while in dialogue, but does well in most of action scenes. Young Lianna Liberato and Olga Kurylenko distinguish themselves in their roles.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

Ben Logan (Aaron Eckhart) and his daughter (Lianna Liberato) become the target of the Belgium police, CIA agents, and assassins.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director Philipp Stölzl for directing efforts. Thank you to Executive Producers Peter Bevan, Eric Brenner, Jeremy Burdek, Judy Cairo, James Gibb, David Harfield, Leo Joseph, Nadia Khamlichi, Mark Kress, Howard Meltzer, Jason Rimokh, Michael A. Simpson, Gilles Waterkeyn, and Harry Winer for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Anna Brandt (Olga Kurylenko), James Halgate (Garrick Hagon), Maitland (Eric Godon), Nabil (Yassine Fadel), Derek Kohler (Neil Napier), Marty Braymer (David Bark-Jones), Floyd (Alexander Fehling), Walter (Nick Alachiotis), Karl Van Doorn (Ronnie Commissaris), and Karim (Fabrice Boutique).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. For a fill-in-some-spare-time afternoon action flick, it works; but, if you’re looking for a fresh, good, action flick revolving around a father and daughter theme choose Taken instead.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

MY ALL AMERICAN (Theatrical Release USA 2015)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 3.7|5.0 Starsììì

My All American has all the elements of an extremely sad, but inspiring sports story—someone with tremendous desire to play professional football makes the university team, plays really well against all odds, gets bone cancer, and dies. This story should have blown itself into classic status and completely fails. It ends as just another sports film that, sadly, does not say much when it has a need to say a lot about the value of losing life to serious disease. Aaron Eckhart seems miscast in this film. This may be, in part, to over direction. The movie tries to interpret the character for its audience without allowing the audience the freedom to find itself within the character, to relate to the character. It is good to see Freddie Steinmark, the hero of this film, has no plans of backing down despite his disability; but the inspiration of ‘fighter to the end’ is unfortunately not realized as this story is portrayed.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

Freddie Steinmark (Finn Wittrock) realizes his desire to play professional football, but succumbs to bone cancer.

Additional Thanks

Thank You to Director Angelo Pizzo and to Executive Producers Michael Beugg, Ben Brigham, Tony Jones, Carl Mazzocone, Paula Walter, and Rusty Walter for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Coach Royal (Aaron Eckhart), Bobby Mitchell (Rett Terrell), Fred Steinmark (Michael Reilly Burke), Gloria Steinmark (Robin Tunney), Linda Wheeler (Sarah Bolger), James Street (Juston Street), Bill Bradley (Donny Boaz), Cotton Speyrer (Jordan Shipley), Mike Campbell (Alex MacNicoll), Tom Campbell (Richard Kohnke), Randy Peschel (Eddie Davenport), and Steve Worster (Austin Willis).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

No. This tragic tale tragically fails to hit its mark.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers