ELLA ENCHANTED (Theatrical Release USA 2004)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 4.0|5.0 Starsìììì

Ella Enchanted—live action fairy tale—presents a great creative story for ages 10 and up. Anne Hathaway completely captures the movie’s concept with excellent support from Hugh Dancy, Cary Elwes, Aidan McArdle, Minnie Driver, and the voice of Steve Coogan. This Miramax film has a strong Disney-like family friendly approach that serves all audiences.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

At birth a fairy gives Ella (Anne Hathaway) the gift of obedience which becomes a challenge as she progresses into adulthood.

Additional Thanks

Thank You to Director Tommy O’Haver for directing efforts. Thank you to Executive Producers Su Armstrong, Julie Goldstein, Bob Weinstein, and Harvey Weinstein for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Char (Hugh Dancy), Edgar (Cary Elwes), Slannen (Aidan McArdle), Dame Olga (Joanna Lumley), Hattie (Lucy Punch), Olive (Jennifer Higham), Mandy (Minnie Driver), Narrator (Eric Idle), Heston (voice of Steve Coogan), Benny (Jimi Mistry), and Lucinda (Vivica A. Fox).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. Director Tommy O’Haver did a great job in directing a fun adventure, worth watching.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

NICHOLAS NICKLEBY (Theatrical Release USA 2002)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 4.4|5.0 Starsìììì

Nicholas Nickleby, a story revisited by both British and American studios since 1903, need not bow its head in shame to any of its multiple predecessors. The film relies on the excellence of Christopher Plummer, Jim Broadbent, Nathan Lane, Jamie Bell, Anne Hathaway, Timothy Spall, and Alan Cummings to portray its story. Kudos to Director Douglas McGrath for another outstandingly directed film. Everything works in this Charles Dickens’ classic.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

Good faith and justice win over evil scheming and greed as youthful Nicholas Nickleby (Charlie Hunnam) finds his way in the world.

Additional Thanks

Thank You to Director Douglas McGrath for directing effort. Thank you to Executive Producers Gail Egan, Michael Hogan, and Robert Kessel for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Mrs. Nickleby (Stella Gonet), Mr. Nickleby (Andrew Havill), Child Nicholas Nickleby (Henry McGrath), Boy Nicholas Nickleby (Hugh Mitchell), Child Kate Nickleby (Poppy Rogers), Young Kate Nickleby (Jessie Lou Roberts), Kate Nickleby (Romola Garai), Newman Noggs (Tom Courtenay), Ralph Nickleby (Christopher Plummer), Madeline Bray (Anne Hathaway), Mr. Wackford Squeers (Jim Broadbent), Mr. Wackford Squeers (Jim Broadbent), Parent (Angela Curran), Smike (Jamie Bell), and Mrs. Squeers (Juliet Stevenson).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. The storyline does not lose on the kindness level and runs on a perfectly executed script. Bravo to all involved in the film’s release.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

OCEAN'S EIGHT (Released to Theaters USA 2018)

 

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 3.7|5.0 Starsììì  Ocean's Eight—wanna-be Ocean's film—showcases Sandra Bullock and Cate Blanchette. The movie has no organization. It is not funny nor is it witty. The objective is unclear. Messy in every way.   Poster Courtesy of IMDb Storyline  Debbie Ocean (sister of Danny Ocean) gets out of prison with a statement that she wants to live simple, but in reality she plans to steal a high priced necklace.  Additional Thanks  Thank you to Director Gary Ross for directing effort. Thank you to Producers Steven Soderbergh and Susan Ekins for making the film possible. Cast includes Sandra Bullock, Cate Blanchett, Anne Hathaway, Mindy Kaling, Sarah Paulson, Awkwafina, Rihanna, and Helena Bonham Carter.  Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?  Maybe.  This movie is messy and disorganized. Money and time will not be well-spent here. Video Critique Available Here: Ben Meyers

DARK WATERS (Released to Theaters USA 2019)

 

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 4.3|5.0 Starsìììì

Dark Waters—good exploration of big money versus small money—easily becomes one of the better films on the market because of story and the way the story is presented. WOW! It doesn't run like the Erin Brockovich movie but it does move along well, has good characterization, and makes its point without preaching.

Film Poster Courtesy of IMDb

Storyline

A farmer approaches Lawyer Rob Bilott and claims that his cows are dying unexpectedly. He claims that the creek near his house is contaminated by a nearby industrial plant runoff. 

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director Todd Haynes for directing effort. Thank you to Producers Mark Ruffalo, Christine Vachon, and Pamela Koffler for making the film possible. Cast includes Mark Ruffalo, Anne Hathaway, Tim Robbins, Bill Camp, Victor Garber, Mare Winningham, and Bill Pullman.

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. This is a great watch. The scenes move along well. Although it is environmentally-themed, it uses scenes in the story to make its point rather than argumentation.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

INTERSTELLAR (Theatrical Release USA 2014)

 Ben Meyers’ Rating: 4.3|5.0 Starsìììì 

Interstellar—fabulously written—has an exceptionally creative and interesting storyline. The movie accesses the talents of Matthew McConaughey, Anne Hathaway, John Lithgow, Michael Cain, Timothée Chalamet, Matt Damon, Makenzie Foy, Casey Affleck, and Jessica Chastain. Watch for short cameos of David Oyelowo, William Devane, and Ellen Berstyne. Director Christopher Nolan (The Dark Knight Trilogy, Inception, and The Prestige) works magic with a story that, under different direction, would have been lost in the realm of unintelligible. Instead, he worked the very good writing and good cast into a highly watchable movie that provides a welcomed stretch to the imagination. 

Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images 

Storyline 

A little girl encounters a ghost in the family library and finally discovers who it is.

 

Additional Thanks 

Thank you to Director Christopher Nolan for directing effort. Thank you to Producers Emma Thomas, Christopher Nolan, and Lynda Obst for making the film possible. Cast includes: Matthew McConaughey, Anne Hathaway, Jessica Chastain, Bill Irwin, Ellen Burstyn, Michael Caine, and Matt Damon. 

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? 

Yes. This is a wonderfully written story and supports itself on great acting. 

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Ben Meyers

ALICE IN WONDERLAND (Theatrical Release USA 2010)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 3.9|5.0 Starsììì

Alice in Wonderland—very well written and creative—is not a remake of the 1951 Alice in Wonderland. This seems to be a sequel to the 1951 movie. Alice is much older here and the film has flashbacks and references to an earlier time. Overall, it is very well done. This movie takes time to understand but by the end of the film viewers will be able to decipher where it was going from the original story.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

Alice Kingsleigh (Mia Wasikowska) follows a white rabbit and falls into a rabbit hole again.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director Tim Burton for directing efforts. Thank you to Executive Producers Chris Lebenzon and Peter M. Tobyansen for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Mad Hatter (Johnny Depp), Alice Kingsleigh (Mia Wasikowska), Red Queen (Helena Bonham Carter), White Queen (Anne Hathaway), Stayne/Knave of Hearts (Crispin Glover), Tweedledee/Tweedledum (Matt Lucas), and White Rabbit (voice of Michael Sheen).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. Very creative and imaginative movie built around Alice in Wonderland characters serves well for involving entertainment.

Video Critique Available Here: 

Ben Meyers

LES MISÉRABLES (Theatrical Release USA 2012)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 3.9|5.0 Starsììì

Les Misérables starts well—almost with the majestic feel of Lord of the Rings. This musical is not the ‘typical’ musical—much of the dialogue is sung without the benefit of rhyming lyrics and musical score. Now that the format is understood, the story can be settled into. The first big surprise is that Russell Crowe and Anne Hathaway can sing—well. We already know Hugh Jackman can sing (Oklahoma!). The acting is—good. The story is—unsettling, darkly written. It’s no Cinderella story—the working-class, single mother does not rise to a place of plenty, but is lowered into a life of prostitution, disease, and poverty. This story is a dive into reality where revolutionaries do not live to celebrate the day, but are massacred as they stand and deserted by those for whom they fight. Good deeds are not rewarded and injustices are madly pursued until the critical question is finally asked, “If we live in a world of grace and forgiveness, what happens to law and order?” Irreconcilable worlds clash, neither one forgiving of the other, until it seems that only on the other side of death shall all be made right. The climatic ending scenes send this movie through the roof for kudos. Les Misérables takes a while to tell its story, but don’t miss it.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

Jean Valjean (Hugh Jackman) is released on parole, but cannot find a job. Bishop of Digne (Colm Wilkinson) gives him a place to stay, but Jean Valjean steals his silver. When the police catch Jean Valjean, the Bishop tells them he gave the silver to Jean Valjean and then tells Jean to go make a life for himself.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director Tom Hooper for directing efforts. Thank you to Executive Producers Nicholas Allott, Liza Chasin, Angela Morrison, F. Richard Pappas, and Thomas Schönberg for making the film possible. Additional character/cast include: Jean Valjean (Hugh Jackman), Javert (Russell Crowe), Fantine (Anne Hathaway), Cosette (Amanda Seyfried), Thénardier (Sacha Baron Cohen), Madame Thénardier (Helena Bonham Carter), Marius (Eddie Redmayne), and Enjolras (Aaron Tveit).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. The film’s message is unmistakable and needs to be retold again and again.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers