TRAINING DAY (Theatrical Release USA 2001)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 4.7|5.0 Starsìììì

Training Day—one of Denzel Washington’s best performances—allows him to show great skill in portraying the character of Alonzo Harris, a corrupt Los Angeles Narcotics Police Officer. Perfectly supported by Actor Ethan Hawke, the film does not flinch in its portrayal of corruption within a law enforcement’s narcotics department. The film’s violence, language, and overall toughness place it in the mature adult category; but its level of realism puts it in a class of its own.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

Los Angeles Narcotics Officer Alonzo (Denzel Washington) introduces fellow officer Jake (Ethan Hawke) to murder and theft during duty.

Additional Thanks

Thank You to Director Antoine Fuqua for directing efforts. Thank you to Executive Producers Bruce Berman and Davis Guggenheim for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Roger (Scott Glenn), Stan Gursky (Tom Berenger), Doug Rosselli (Harris Yulin), Lou Jacobs (Raymond J. Barry), Smiley (Cliff Curtis), Paul (Dr. Dre), Blue (Snoop Dog), and Sandman’s Wife (Macy Gray).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Maybe. While this adult film shows enough violence to place it in the ‘no desire to see it twice’ class, it deserves its rating due to its realism and refusal to step down from Director Antoine Fuqua’s vision and skill in directing a tough story to tell. The movie’s overall perfection in flow and acting cannot be ignored.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

SHOOTER (Released to Theaters USA 2007)

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 3.8|5.0 Starsììì Shooter—Mark Wahlberg—is a good, low-grade watch that employs enough action to generate enough excitement to continue watching to its conclusion. It works in the good to suitable range and will satisfy Mark Wahlberg fans. The movie employs an eclectic array of some of our best actors.  Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images Storyline   An Ethiopian covert mission is abandoned by the CIA. One agent survives and retires. He is later approached for protection of the President. Additional Thanks  Thank you to Antoine Fuqua for directing effort. Thank you to Producers Lorenzo Bonaventura and Ric Kidney for making the movie possible. Cast includes Mark Wahlberg, Michael Peña, Danny Glover, Kate Mara, Elias Koleas, Rhona Mitra, and Ned Beatty. Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?  Yes. Even though it is not in the 3.9+ star range, it is still worth watching. Video Critique Available Here: Ben Meyers

THE EQUALIZER 2 (Released to Theaters USA 2018)

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 4.1|5.0 Starsìììì 

The Equalizer 2—a bit slower pacing than the original movie—bases its story on strong writing and an important story to tell. Be aware that the violence can be cringeworthy at times. The movie is worth watching for the information. Denzel Washington defines the role of a believable vigilante.

Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images

Storyline 

 Robert McCall is back to clean up the streets of Boston. Instead of working at a home retail store, he works for Lyft Taxi.

 Additional Thanks

 Thank you to Director Antoine Fuqua for directing effort. Thank you to Executive Producer  Molly Allen, David J. Bloomfield for making the film possible. Cast includes: Denzel Washington ,Pedro Pascal, Ashton Sanders, Orson Bean, Bill Pullman, Melissa Leo, Jonathan Scarfe, Sakina Jaffrey, Kazy Tauginas, and Garret Golden.

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? 

Yes. This is a good watch overall and tells a great story. Bill Pullman and Melissa Leo reprise their roles. Vigilante Robert McCall (Denzel Washington) has new villains to fight.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

THE EQUALIZER (Released to Theaters Canada 2014)

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 4.1|5.0 Starsìììì 

The Equalizer—this is part 1 of 3 films released through the 2010s decade with part 3 released  in 2023. This film is actually really well made. The story itself has interest even though the main driver of its story is cringe-worthy violence.  Denzel Washington is very believable for this type of  film. Watch for his interesting technique of approach to engage action. This is a Director Antoine Fuqua movie. Fuqua and Washington also worked together in the film Training Day which is even better than this movie. The Equalizer tells it the way it is and has no apologies. It is good to see David Harbour and Bill Pullman in the movie. Overall, it is a quality entertainment piece that is more than worth the adult's time and money. 

Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images 

Storyline 

 A home retail store worker and former military man goes to a diner at night to have tea and read a good book and finds that a young woman, who he befriends, is in hospital badly beaten by a prostitute ring owner. He goes on a vigilante spree to clean shop. 

Additional Thanks 

 Thank you to Director Antoine Fuqua for directing effort. Thank you to Executive Producer, David J. Bloomfield, Ezra Swerdlow, and Ben Waisbren, for making the film possible. Cast includes Denzel Washington, Marton Csokas, Chloë Grace Moretz, David Harbour, Haley Bennett, Bill Pullman, Melissa Leo, David Meunier, and Johnny Skourtis.   

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. The movie has not been crafted for the faint of heart. It is well made for the adult audience. This film tells it the way it is. 

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers