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

RISE OF THE PLANET OF THE APES (Theatrical Release USA 2011)

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 4.2|5.0 Starsìììì 

Rise of the Planet of the Apes—stands the test of time—works due to some terrific rewriting of the script. WOW! This movie plays with the third and fourth films of the original series and combines them into a more plausible story than the original series did. The upgrade completely works because it plays with current time for a launch into future events. Watch for terrific computer generated, realistic apes. The movie deserves its watch. 

Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images 

Storyline 

This science fiction film is about: An intelligent ape who leads a group of apes into a rebellion against humans. 

Additional Thanks 

Thank you to Director Rupert Wyatt for directing effort. Thank you to Producers Peter Chernin, Dylan Clark, Rick Jaffa, and Amanda Silver for making the film possible. Cast includes: James Franco, Freida Pinto, John Lithgow, Brian Cox, Tom Felton, David Oyelowo, and Andy Serkis. 

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? 

Yes. What a concept! The movie completely satisfies Planet of the Ape movie fans. Watch for John Lithgow, James Franco, David Oyelowo as well as listening for the voicing of Andy Serkis for the character Caesar. One of the best remakes on par with the original series. Wow! Good job on turning the story inside/out. 

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

 

FLUSHED AWAY (Theatrical Release USA 2006)

 Ben Meyers’ Rating: 3.7|5.0 Starsììì 

Flushed Away—while other films like An American Tail or Teenage Mutant Turtles can get away with settings resting in the sewer, somehow this movie cannot manage that setting. The animation is good, but the setting of the entire movie keeps getting in the way of the story itself. The characters cannot establish lovability or likeableness and that lack hampers the story’s appeal. 

Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images 

Storyline 

A pet rat gets a taste of living on the rougher side of town that includes not only rats but a toad with plans of its own. 

Additional Thanks 

Thank you to Directors Sam Fell and David Bowers for directing effort. Thank you to Producers Cecil Kramer, David Sproxton, and Peter Lord for making the film possible. Cast includes:   Hugh Jackman, Kate Winslet, Jean Reno, Bill Nighy, Andy Serkis, Shane Richie, and Ian McKellen. 

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? 

Maybe. The film lacks charm and basic appeal. 

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

THE BATMAN (Theatrical Release USA 2022)

 Ben Meyers’ Rating: 4.2|5.0 Starsìììì 

The Batman accesses the talents of Robert Pattinson for interpreting Batman. The cast is well-chosen. Very good acting. It is interesting to see Colin Farrell playing Penguin. The makeup department has made him unrecognizable as Colin Farrell. The presentation is enticing and well done. The story is well-written. Paul Dano plays an interesting  Riddler with a slightly more sinister crazy than Heath Ledger  played in the Dark Knight. There will most likely be a sequel and hopefully Robert Pattison will return as the Batman. 

Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images 

Storyline 

The Batman resists the Penguin and the Riddler. 

Additional Thanks 

Thank you to Director Matt Reeves for directing effort. Thank you to Producers Dylan Clark and Matt Reeves for making the film possible. Cast includes: Robert Pattinson, Zoe Kravitz, Paul Dano, Jeffrey Wright, John Turturro, Peter Sarsgaard, Andy Serkis, and Colin Farrell. 

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? 

Yes. This is a well-written story and Robert Pattison plays a good Batman. 

Video Critique Available Here: 

Ben Meyers