KING KONG (Theatrical Release USA 2005)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 4.7|5.0 Starsìììì

King Kong—second live action remake of the story since 1976 with a third upcoming 2017 remake: Kong: Skull Island—this 2005 film has Director Peter Jackson interpreting Kong through the efforts of Jack Black, Adrien Brody, and Naomi Watts. Combining terrific footage of natives dressed in outstandingly realistic costuming and makeup artistry with very good background scenery set this movie up to far surpass audience expectations for a King Kong movie. The only small criticism that can be made concerns the special effects of the brontosauruses and their pileup scene. There needs to be a tad more work put into the special effects to push those scenes over the top, but the creativity of the dinosaur pileup pushes that concern to the sidelines. Kudos to Peter Jackson for producing a good Kong movie.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

King Kong (Andy Serkis) falls in love with the girl, Ann Darrow (Naomi Watts), and makes his journey to the United States to terrorize an entire city.

Additional Thanks

Thank You to Director Peter Jackson for directing efforts. Thank you to Producers Jan Blenkin, Carolynne Cunningham, Peter Jackson, and Fran Walsh for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Carl Denham (Jack Black), Jack Driscoll (Adrien Brody), Captain Englehorn (Thomas Kretschmann), Preston (Colin Hanks), Lumpy (Andy Serkis), Hayes (Evan Parke), Jimmy (Jamie Bell), Choy (Lobo Chan), Herb (John Sumner), and Mike (Craig Hall).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

  

Yes. The story’s well done and makes one highly anticipate what Peter Jackson has in store for audiences with his 2006 production of Lovely Bones. Special thanks to Peter Jackson for all his effort and hard work in productions like Lord of the Rings and the vast improvement on the Kong stories.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

HOME AT LAST (Released World-Wide 1988)

 

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 3.8|5.0 Starsììì Home at Last—short film (less than an hour)—is a suitable to okay watch built somewhat like the innocent Michael Landon Little House on the Prairie television series. The film illustrates the early acting talent of Adrien Brody and uses drama rather than high-paced action scenes to drive its story. It is simply written and runs slower than many modern films due to its earth/human rural setting.  Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images Storyline In the 1800s a group of New York street orphans are assigned transport to a Swedish-American town to be integrated into families who are willing to take them into their homes. A Swedish farmer, Nils Anderson, takes pity on the last orphan not chosen by anyone, a 12-year-old boy, named Billy, and brings him home to his wife and young son.  Additional Thanks Thank you to Director David Devries for directing effort. Thank you to Producer Chris Brigham for making the film possible. Cast includes Adrien Brody, Joel Savani, Tom Wees, Rod McCullough, William Duff-Griffin, Lanny Flaherty, Kenneth Freese, and Ray Stevens.  Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?  Maybe. The story is innocent, clean, and honest. The writing needs some polishing but it is solid and well-paced. The movie ends unfinished for the complete outcome but that is okay as the way the orphan's life turns out will be determined by the life choices he makes daily. It is clearly stated that his new home will support him again and again and again until he is mature enough to make his adult choices. Video Critique Available Here. Ben Meyers

PREDATORS (Released to Theaters USA 2010)

 

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 3.9|5.0 Starsììì

Predators—this movie 'kind of' works as a part 3 of the Predator series—references part one (with Arnold Schwarzenegger who acted in the Predators movie made in the late 1980s).This film is interesting, not spectacular, but suitable for watching. Be aware that the violence is cringeworthy and the dialogue uses much language. This is not a family share movie and limits its audience to adults due to the violence and language.

Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images/Wikipedia

Storyline

A Caucasian man is in freefall. He endeavors to deploy his parachute and succeeds shortly before he falls through trees and hits the ground hard. He finds an Hispanic man and soon a Russian all in the same place and state of mind. None of them know why they are there.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director Nimrod Antal for directing effort. Thank you to Producers Robert Rodriguez, John Davis, and Elizabeth Avellan for making the film possible. Cast includes Adrien Brody, Topher Grace, Alice Braga, Walton Goggins, and Lawrence Fishburne.

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. This is a suitable watch. The acting is a bit weak in certain scenes, but overall the film is watchable.

Video Critique Available Here:  

Ben Meyers

THE PIANIST (Theatrical Release USA 2003)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 4.5|5.0 Starsìììì

The Pianist transforms a piece of history into a gripping, living, on-screen story thanks to the efforts of Director Roman Polanski. This film is an example of why people go to the movies—an outstanding story coupled with great acting. It is not often that actors succeed so well in accurate portrayal of a storyline. The storyline is fantastic. It depicts war’s realism with unflinching staunchness.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

Wladyslaw Szpilman (Adrien Brody), a Polish Jewish pianist, barely survives World War II atrocities while his entire family is destroyed.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director Roman Polanski for directing efforts. Thank you to Executive Producer Timothy Burrill, Henning Molfenter, and Lew Rywin for making the film possible. Additional character/cast include: Wladyslaw Szpilman (Adrien Brody), Dorota (Emilia Fox), Jurek (Michal Zebrowski), Henryk (Ed Stoppard), Mother (Maureen Lipman), Father (Frank Finlay), Halina (Jessica Kate Meyer), Regina Julia Rayner), and SS Slapping Father (Wanja Mues).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. For anyone looking for a movie about courageous survival against all odds, this is that story.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers