CASTLE IN THE SKY (Theatrical Release Japan 1986)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 3.8|5.0 Starsììì

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Castle in the Sky is a very creative film, tells a great story that is almost re-watchable,  and works the 'shrouded in mystery' theme quite well. The film works at a highly imaginative level. It is a wonderful watch overall.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

The young girl, Sheeta’s (voice of Anna Paquin) airship is under attack by Dola (voice of Cloris Leachman). Sheeta crawls out a ship window, tries to scale a beam, trips, and falls. But, a necklace around her neck gently floats her to a town where Pazu (voice of James Van Der Beek) lives. Sheeta learns that the necklace is made of a stone that keeps cities afloat in the upper atmosphere. Through a series of adventures, Sheeta arrives in Laputa, one of these floating sky cities.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director Hayao Miyazaki for directing efforts. Thank you to Planners Hideo Ogata, and Tatsumi, Thank you to Executive Producer Yasuyoshi Tokuma, Producer Isao Takahata,  Animation Producer Tôru Hara, for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Anna Paquin, James Van Der Beek, Cloris Leachman, Mark Hamill, Richard Dysart, Jim Cummings, John Hosetter,Michael McShane, Mandy Patinkin, Andy Dick, Corey Burton, Tress McNeille,

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. This movie's meaning develops throughout its watch.

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

X-MEN: THE LAST STAND (Theatrical Release USA 2006)

 Ben Meyers’ Rating: 4.0|5.0 Starsìììì 

X-Men: The Last Stand—good concept, story quality fluctuates throughout the movie—reprises most of the actors and actresses for this final film in the series. The quality of entertainment is on par with the first two movies. The next movie about X-Men begins with prequel stories to the series and starts with X-Men Origins: Wolverine. 

Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images 

Storyline 

This superhero film is about a time when mutants are offered an inoculation to cure mutantism. 

Additional Thanks 

Thank you to Director Brett Ratner for directing efforts. Thank you to Producers Lauren Shuler Donner, Ralph Winter, and Ave Arad for making the film possible. Cast includes: Hugh Jackman, Halle Berry, Ian McKellen, Famke Janssen, Anna Paquin, Kelsey Grammer, James Marsden, Rebecca Romin, Shawn Ashmore, Aaron Stanford, Patrick Stewart, and Vinnie Jones.

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? 

Yes. This is a good/suitable watch and is comparable in entertainment quality to the first two X-Men movies. 

Video Critique Available Here: 

Ben Meyers 

X2: X-MEN UNITED (Theatrical Release USA 2003)

 Ben Meyers’ Rating: 4.0|5.0 Starsìììì 

X2: X-Men United—elaborates on the X-Men story—reprises the roles of Hugh Jackman, James Marsden, Famke Janssen, Halle Berry, Patrick Stewart, and Ian McKellen. It adds Brian Cox and Alan Cumming. The  presentation needs more crafting but the movie is an enjoyable watch and quite entertaining…a good afternoon watch. 

Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images 

Storyline 

This superhero film is about a machine that is developed to wipe out all Earth’s mutants. 

Additional Thanks 

Thank you to Director Bryan Singer for directing effort. Thank you to Producers Lauren Shuler Donner and Ralph Winter for making the film possible. Cast includes: Patrick Stewart, Hugh Jackman, Ian McKellen, Halle Berry, Famke Janssen, James Marsden, Rebecca Romijn-Stamos, Brian Cox, Alan Cumming, Bruce Davison, and Anna Paquin. 

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? 

Yes. This movie is not as good as the first movie in the series, but it still earns a recommendation as watchable and entertaining.

 Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

X-MEN (Theatrical Release USA 2000)

 Ben Meyers’ Rating: 4.1|5.0 Starsìììì 

X-Men—great concept—entertains and has great casting: Patrick Stewart, James Marsden, Ian McKellan, Famke Janssen, Halle Berry, Anna Paquin, Tyler Mane, and Ray Park (Darth Maul character in Star Wars: Episode I-The Phantom Menace and Toad in the X-Men).  Watch for Hugh Jackman in his first role as Wolverine. The movie is not the high quality one would expect, but it is suitable and particularly serves the superhero fan.  

Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images 

Storyline 

This superhero film is about a time when it becomes increasingly apparent that not all humans are the same…some are mutants with superhuman abilities…the government intervenes…mutants divide in opinion of how to integrate with humans so they can occupy the same environmental space safely. 

Additional Thanks 

Thank you to Bryan Singer for directing efforts. Thank you to Lauren Shuler Donner and Ralph Winter for making the film possible. Cast includes: Patrick Stewart, Hugh Jackman, Ian McKellen, Halle Berry, Famke Janssen, James Marsden, Bruce Davison, Rebecca Romin, Ray Park, and Anna Paquin. 

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? 

Yes. This is the first live-action X-Men film. It is watchable and will suit superhero fans well.

Video Critique Available Here:

 

Ben Meyers