REDEMPTION DAY (Released to Theaters USA 2021)

 

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 3.7|5.0 Starsììì  Redemption Day—title makes an audience think this is going to be great—performs as a cliched rerun/collage of other films better written and portrayed. Audiences may feel 'put off,' when they see Gary Dourdan (famed actor of CSI: Crime Scene Investigation: TV Series) acting in this film. At first one thinks, well, this might work and then finds it does not work as quality acting. Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images Storyline  Soldier's wife is kidnapped and held for ransom. The soldier and a friend risk their lives to save her.  Additional Thanks Thank you to Director Hicham Hajji for directing effort. Thank you to Producers Hicham Hajji and David Zilberberg for making the film possible. Cast includes Gary Dourdan, Serinda Swan, Andy Garcia, Brice Bexter, Ernie Hudson, Martin Donovan, Robert Knepper, and Samy Naceri.   Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?  Maybe. It seems like it might work and then does not. Weak, okay watch.  Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

OCEAN’S ELEVEN (Theatrical Release USA 2001)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 4.2|5.0 Starsìììì

Ocean’s Eleven is a little slow getting started, but doesn’t flag after that. George Clooney and cast pull this story off magnificently. This movie is a remake of the 1960s Ocean’s Eleven with more flash and dash. There is no lack in quality, dialogue, timing, action, or scripting. Every piece of the film works for entertainment.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

Danny Ocean (George Clooney) develops a plan to rob The Bellagio, The Mirage, and the MGM Grand casinos all at the same time.

Additional Thanks

Thank You to Director Steven Soderbergh for directing efforts. Thank you to Executive Producers Bruce Berman, Susan Ekins, and John Hardy for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Rusty Ryan (Brad Pitt), Linus Caldwell (Matt Damon), Basher Tarr (Don Cheadle), Frank Catton (Bernie Mac), Turk Malloy (Scott Caan), Virgil Malloy (Casey Affleck), Saul Bloom (Carl Reiner), Reuben Tishkoff (Elliott Gould), Livingston Dell (Eddie Jemison), "The Amazing" Yen (Shaobo Qin), Terry Benedict (Andy Garcia), and Tess Ocean (Julia Roberts).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. It’s worth your time and your dollar.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

OCEAN’S TWELVE (Theatrical Release USA 2004)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 4.2|5.0 Stars ìììì

Ocean’s Twelve—sassy, smart, and fun—uses an all-star cast to tell its story. It follows the Ocean’s series format and doesn’t fail to deliver its usual action-packed formula.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

Terry Benedict (Andy Garcia) demands the return of the $150,000,000 stolen from him. Ocean’s gang travels to Europe to steal a Faberge Egg for payback. But this story does not follow a predictably straight path as doublecross follows doublecross between professional thieves and liars.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director Steven Soderbergh for his directing efforts. Thank you to Executive Producers Bruce Berman, Susan Ekins, and John Hardy for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Frank Catton (Bernie Mac), Rusty Ryan (Brad Pitt), Linus Caldwell (Matt Damon), Reuben Tishkoff (Elliott Gould), Virgil Malloy (Casey Affleck), Turk Malloy (Scott Caan), Livingston Dell (Eddie Jemison), Basher Tarr (Don Cheadle), and Tess Ocean (Julia Roberts).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? 

Yes. The film is a great continuation story to Ocean’s Eleven.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

THE GODFATHER: PART III (Theatrical Release USA 1990)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 4.7|5.0 Starsìììì

The Godfather: Part III—the final chapter of the Godfather trilogy saga—goes out with a flare and a bang. Al Pacino is still the Godfather; but picks up all the pieces of the last two films, kills those hurting Corleone interests, and makes the best of the situation as he sees it. This film stands as one of the three greatest mafia movies of the 70s and 90s decades.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

After a lifetime of mafia involvement, Michael Corleone (Al Pacino) desires to clean up his life by tying up loose ends.

Additional Thanks

Thank You to Director Francis Ford Coppola for directing efforts. Thank you to Executive Producers Fred Fuchs and Nicholas Gage for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Kay Adams Michelson (Diane Keaton), Connie Corleone Rizzi (Talia Shire), Vincent Mancini (Andy Garcia), Don Altobello (Eli Wallach), Joey Zasa (Joe Mantegna), B.J. Harrison (George Hamilton), Grace Hamilton (Bridget Fonda), Mary Corleone (Sofia Coppola), Cardinal Lamberto (Raf Vallone), Anthony Vito Corleone (Franc D’Ambrosio), and Archbishop Gilday (Donal Donnelly).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. Another worthy film by Francis Ford Coppola completes the Godfather series with finesse and style. Bravo to all involved in creating three of the best gangster movies ever made.

Video Critique Available Here:

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Ben Meyers

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

WRATH OF MAN (Released to Theaters USA 2021)

 

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 4.0|5.0 Starsìììì  Wrath of Man—holds audience attention—implies violence and uses some sexual innuendos but has good to great acting with good presentation and portrayal. Jason Statham plays a solid, believable role that logically works. The movie depicts strong masculinity and resolution of a problem. It's an interesting watch.  Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia Storyline A crime boss takes revenge on another crime 'family' composed of US military warriors, battle experienced from US encounters with Afghanistan, for killing his son during an armored truck heist.    Additional Thanks  Thank you to Director Guy Ritchie, for directing effort. Thank you to Executive Producers Steven Chasman, Andrew Golov, Louise Killin, Joshua Throne, for making the film possible. Cast includes Jason Statham, Holt McCallany, Rocci Boy Williams, Josh Hartnett, Jeffrey Donovan, Scott Eastwood, Andy Garcia, Deobia Oparei, Laz Alonso, Raúl Castillo.  Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?  Yes. This is a complicated watch that needs a Wikipedia plotline read before movie engagement. Be prepared for very good acting.  Video Critique Available Here: Ben Meyers

GEOSTORM (Theatrical Release USA 2017)

 Ben Meyers’ Rating: 4.0|5.0 Starsìììì 

Geostorm—good concept—needs some improvement in presentation, but is entertaining, has good weather disaster scenes, and an okay storyline. It relies on the acting talents of Gerard Butler, who makes movies better due to his highly likable onscreen presence. It is worth watching as an easy, afternoon watch. 

Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images 

Storyline 

This science fiction film is about satellites that were developed to control weather are now being used as weapons.

Additional Thanks 

Thank you to Director Dean Devlin for directing effort. Thank you to Producers David Ellison, Dean Devlin, and Dana Goldberg for making the film possible. Cast includes: Gerard Butler, Jim Sturgess, Abbie Cornish, Ed Harris, Andy Garcia, Alexandra Maria Lara, and Daniel Wu, and Eugenio Derbez.

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? 

Yes. It deserves a one-time watch because once this concept is absorbed it does not need another introduction. 

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

THE UNTOUCHABLES (Theatrical Release USA 1987)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 2.3|5.0 Starsìì

The Untouchables—a good gangster movie, not a great gangster movie—is a poor casting choice for Kevin Costner. He seems weak and ineffective in nearly every scene while Sean Connery is not fully right for the script. Connery’s sleek, smooth-talking, no-nonsense James Bond manner creates awkwardness for this storyline. The good casting choices are Robert De Niro as Al Capone where he plays a strong part. Unfortunately, this movie does not begin to pick up pace until the end of the movie when Agent Oscar Wallace (played by Charles Martin Smith) is killed. The big shootout toward the end of the movie is well done and probably the best part of the whole movie.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

Al Capone (Robert De Niro) owns Chicago. Eliot Ness (Kevin Costner) is assigned the formidable job of stopping Capone.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director Brian de Palma for directing efforts. Thank you to Producer Art Linson for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Eliot Ness (Kevin Costner), Jim Malone (Sean Connery), Agent Oscar Wallace (Charles Martin Smith), Agent George Stone/Giuseppe Petri (Andy Garcia), Police Chief Mike Dorsett (Richard Bradford), Walter Payne (Jack Kehoe), George (Brad Sullivan), and Frank Nitti (Billy Drago).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Maybe. It’s difficult to sit through 119 minutes for a single, good climatic scene.

Video Critique Available Here::

Ben Meyers