PEARL HARBOR (Released to Theaters USA 2001)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 4.0|5.0 Starsìììì

Pearl Harbor—a tribute to the 60^th anniversary of the World War II Pearl Harbor Attack—received nine Golden Raspberry nominations; however, it was nominated for the Academy Award’s Best Visual Effects and won the MTV Award for its action sequences. While the movie received deplorably negative reviews, it made money at box office. The strength of this film lies in its superb visual effects and action sequences and succeeds as a Ben Meyers recommended watch based on those two factors.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

The film opens in Tennessee 1923 with a crop duster working the fields. The camera focuses on a barn where two boys, Rafe McCawley (Jesse James) and Danny Walker (Reily McClendon), are playing inside a plane. They accidently power the plane and it takes off with a series of risings and landings until it finally stalls in the middle of a field. When Danny Walker’s father finds what the boys have done, he is not happy and tries to take it out on Danny Walker, but Rafe defends his best friend. These childhood scenes move to World War II where both boys (as men) are enlisted United States Army Air Force pilots and the story is off and running.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director Michael Bay for directing efforts. Thank you to Executive Producers Baja, Bruce Hendricks, Chad Oman, Mike Stenson, Barry Waldman, and Randall Wallace for making the film possible. Cast include: Ben Affleck, Josh Hartnett, Kate Beckinsale, Ewen Bremner, and Alec Baldwin.

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. It’s true to the action that viewers have come to expect from Michael Bay films (Transformers, Armageddon). It doesn’t disappoint.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

SURVIVING CHRISTMAS (Released to Theaters USA 2004)

 

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 3.8|5.0 Starsììì  Surviving Christmas—off beat comedy—that, despite its very good cast, does not 'pull its weight' to produce real comedy.   Film Poster Courtesy of IMDb  Storyline A man, at odds with his girlfriend, has a recommendation given him to remove past regrets. Getting rid of past regrets 'gets out of hand' when he hires the family living in his childhood home to be his temporary family over the holidays.  Additional Thanks  Thank you to Director Mike Mitchell for directing effort. Thank you to Producers Jenno Topping and Betty Thomas for making the film possible. Cast includes Ben Affleck, James Gandolfini, Christina Applegate, and Catherine O'Hara.   Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?  Maybe. It is a Ben Affleck film, but not one of his best films. Be aware there are scenes or references that are not family friendly. Video Critique Available Here: Ben Meyers

THE ACCOUNTANT (Released to Theaters USA 2016)

 

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 3.8|5.0 Starsììì The Accountant is a film that has multiple plot holes. If the viewer doesn't think too deeply about the storyline, especially about the relationship between the two brothers and John Lithgow's character, and watches it superficially, then it is a fun watch. Read a Wikipedia plotline before watching to keep the brothers' roles defined and how they develop from childhood to working adults and become involved in criminal activity. Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia   Storyline   A super smart autistic boy, grows into adulthood with assassin skills and becomes an analyst for a big corporate company.  Additional Thanks  Thank you to Director and Executive Producer Gavin O'Connor for directing effort. Thank you to Executive Producers Marty P. Ewing, Steven Mnuchin, Jamie Patricof, Producers Lynette Howell Taylor and Mark Williams for making the film possible. Cast includes Ben Affleck, Anna Kendrick, J. K. Simmons,  Jon Bernthal, Jeffrey Tambor, and John Lithgow. Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? Yes. Superficially, it is a suitable and fun watch overall. Read a plotline before going to enhance enjoyment of the movie. Video Critique Available Here:  Ben Meyers

AIR (Theatrical Release USA 2023)

 

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 4.3|5.0 Starsìììì 

Air—stand up and cheer movie—deserves its place in the home video library. A quality watch that makes an audience feel glad becomes an instructive story about entrepreneurship and what goes on behind the scenes before a terrific outcome can be realized. This is a learning/educational movie. WOW! It’s the perfect movie about creating win/win solutions to sticky challenges. Particularly note the concern Nike executives display for the future of their employees who are depending on them to make good decisions that make jobs secure and long-lasting. 

Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images 

Storyline 

This documentary is about the Nike shoe company’s decision to pursue Michael Jordan to represent their sports shoe. 

Additional Thanks 

Thank you to Director Ben Affleck for directing effort. Thank you to Producers David Ellison, Jesse Sisgold, Jon Weinbach, Ben Affleck, Matt Damon, Madison Ainley, Jeff Robinove, Peter Guber, and Jason Michael Berman for making the film possible. Cast includes: Matt Damon, Ben Affleck, Jason Bateman, Marlon Wayans, Chris Messina, Chris Tucker, and Viola Davis. 

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? 

Yes. This film has lots of spunk. It’s a must watch for entrepreneurs. It has great writing, presentation, and acting. Don’t miss it. 

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

JUSTICE LEAGUE (Theatrical Release USA 2017)

 Ben Meyers’ Rating: 4.1|5.0 Starsìììì 

Justice League is a better entertainment piece than Man of Steel and Batman Vs. Superman: Dawn of Justice. It’s a treat to see the team form between Batman, Wonder Woman, Cyborg, Aquaman, and Flash and to see them performing as live action heroes rather than the animated format. This piece serves as a good action movie watch and works especially well for DC Comic fans. 

Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images 

Storyline 

Batman and Wonder Woman team with Cyborg, Aquaman, and Flash to stop evil in its tracks. 

Additional Thanks 

Thank you to Director Zack Snyder for directing efforts. Thank you to Producers Charles Roven, Deborah Snyder, Jon Berg, and Geoff Johns for making the film possible. Cast includes: Ben Affleck, Henry Cavill, Amy Adams, Gal Gadot, Ezra Miller, Jason Momoa, Ray Fisher, Jeremy Irons, Diane Lane, Connie Nielsen, and J. K. Simmons. 

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. This movie surpasses the quality of the previous two films and earns its watch. 

Video Critique Available Here:

 

Ben Meyers

BATMAN VS. SUPERMAN: DAWN OF JUSTICE (Theatrical Release USA 2016)

 Ben Meyers’ Rating: 3.9|5.0 Starsììì 

Batman Vs. Superman: Dawn of Justice rates in the same quality range as the first movie, Man of Steel. It easily sets the stage for the sequel Justice League. Jesse Eisenberg seems an odd pick for the role of Lex Luthor. The menacing aspect for Luthor seems to be difficult for him to pull out of his basic personality; but special effects, animation, and presentation override this small consideration. The story itself does not have the quality of other DC movies like Dark Knight but superhero fans will not be disappointed in this watch. Watch for Gal Gadot as Wonder Woman. 

Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images 

Storyline 

Batman engages battle with Superman while the real enemy Luthor pursues his own evil agenda. 

Additional Thanks 

Thank you to Director Zack Snyder for directing effort. Thank you to Producers Charles Roven and Deborah Snyder for making the film possible. Cast includes: Ben Affleck, Henry Cavill, Amy Adams, Jesse Eisenberg, Diane Lane, Laurence Fishburne, Jeremy Irons, Holly Hunter, and Gal Gadot. 

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? 

Yes. The movie is a suitable choice for entertainment and meets superhero movie fans’ needs well. 

Video Critique Available Here:

 

Ben Meyers

THE COMPANY MEN (Theatrical Release USA 2010)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 3.8|5.0 Starsììì

The Company Men—is a well written, suitable story. The first ¾ of the film is not high quality in portrayal or acting. But the last 30 to 40 minutes pick up pace and quality. The presentation is suitable/okay.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

Bobby Walker (Ben Affleck) loses his corporate position, can’t find another comparable position, and downsizes to a manual labor job working for brother-in-law, Jack Dolan (Kevin Costner), who builds houses for a living. After losing home, cars, and credit standing, Bobby’s wife returns to work to supplement family income. The reduced lifestyle requires the Walker family to return to the parental home.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director John Wells for directing efforts. Thank you to Executive Producer Barbara A. Hall for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Bobby Walker (Ben Affleck), Gene McClary (Tommy Lee Jones), Phil Woodward (Chris Cooper), Gail (Suzanne Rico), Rittenour (Kent Shocknek), Carol (Adrianne Krstansky), Ken (Lewis D. Wheeler), ane (Celeste Oliva), and Conal (Tom Kemp).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. Even though it is a bit slow, it is worth watching.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers