OLIVER TWIST Released to Theaters USA 2005)

 

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 3.9|5.0 Starsììì  Oliver Twist— remake of the 1968 Oliver!—is a part of many  remakes of the Charles Dickens' 1838 novel, Oliver Twist. The years of remakes include 1909 through 1948, 1968, 1982, 1997, and 2003.  There is also a modernized film after Oliver Twist (2005) named Twist (2021). This 2005 movie, Oliver Twist, is about the same quality as the 1968 Oliver!, but it is not as likeable or believable as the 1968 Oliver!  However, this movie, Oliver Twist (2005) is not a musical like Oliver! (1968). So, if an audience does not care for  musicals this remake may be a preferable watch.   Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images Storyline  Oliver Twist gets sent to another home away from the orphanage because he wants more food.  Additional Thanks  Thank you to Director Roman Polanski for directing effort. Thank you to Producers Roman Polanski, Robert  Benmussa, and Alain Sarde for making the film possible. Cast includes Barney Clark, Ben Kingsley, Jamie Foreman, Leanne Rowe, Mark Strong, and Edward Hardwicke.  Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?  Maybe. Oliver Twist (2005) is an okay/suitable film  in story and acting.  Video Critique Available Here: Ben Meyers

RULES OF ENGAGEMENT (Released to Theaters USA 2000)

 

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 3.9|5.0 Starsììì Rules of Engagement—inspired by true events— is about a military engagement and moves into a military courtroom for court examination of that engagement. This movie provides suitable entertainment and a look into military law. It's worth a watch; serves a mellow, interesting, and suitable story.  Watch for some of our best actors as they play the roles of protagonist and antagonist while resolving this court case: Samuel L. Jackson, Tommy Lee Jones, Bruce Greenwood, Guy Pearce and Ben Kingsley.  Film Poster Courtesy of IMDb Storyline  An American commander orders his soldiers to open fire on protesters who are firing at his troops. Afterward, military court opens to investigate and possibly prosecute him for misconduct.  Additional Thanks  Thank you to Director William F. Friedkin for directing effort. Thank you to Executive Producers Adam Schroeder and Jim Webb for making the film possible. Casting includes Tommy Lee Jones, Samuel L. Jackson, Guy Pearce, Ben Kingsley, Bruce Greenwood, Anne Archer, Blair Underwood, Philip Baker Hall, and Dale Dye.  Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?  Yes. This military trial case provides a nicely done view into the proceedings of a military court case and its final resolution. It's a good pairing of Samuel L. Jackson and Tommy Lee Jones.  Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

SHANG-CHI AND THE LEGEND OF THE TEN RINGS (Theatrical Release USA 2021)

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 3.9|5.0Starsììì

Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings has some terrific special effects such as the race through the bamboo forest. This movie serves up a novel story that relies heavily on its actors. Watch for appearances of Ben Kingsley near the end of the movie. The movie uniquely serves fans of the Shang Chi comic series and does a good job of bringing those comics to the big screen. 

Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images 

Storyline

This Chinese fantasy film is about a young man who finds that his sister might be in danger, so he travels to China to find her.  

Additional Thanks 

Thank you to Director Destin Daniel Cretton for directing effort. Thank you to Producers Kevin Feige and Jonathan Schwartz for making the film possible. Cast includes: Simu Liu, Awkwafina, Meng’er Zhang, Fala Chen, Florian Munteanu, Benedict Wong, Yuen Wah, Michelle Yeoh, Ben Kingsley, and Tony Leung.    

 Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. The film shows a great deal of creativity both in storyline and in stage settings. This movie is very watchable for Marvel comic fans who are attracted to the Shang Chi comic book series. 

Video Critique Available Here:

 

Ben Meyers

IRON MAN 3 (Theatrical Release USA 2013)

 Ben Meyers’ Rating: 4.3|5.0 Starsìììì 

Iron Man 3—concludes the Iron Man series—wisely reprises Robert Downey Jr. in his role as Iron Man. Downey Jr. does not miss one opportunity to continue to develop the personality of Iron Man to its maximum. The villains are well-chosen with Ben Kingsley and Guy Pearce. Watch for William Sadler and Don Cheadle. This Iron Man works at an eclectic level that requires mental attention and a quick ear to follow the plotline. The movie lacks nothing and provides good entertainment.

 Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images

Storyline 

Iron Man fights against a force intent on destroying him. 

Additional Thanks 

Thank you to Director Shane Black for directing effort. Thank you to Producer Kevin Feige for making the film possible. Cast includes: Robert Downey Jr., Gwyneth Paltrow, Don Cheadle, Guy Pearce, Rebecca Hall, Stephanie Szostak, James Badge Dale, William Sadler, Miguel Ferrer, Jon Favreau, and Ben Kingsley 

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? 

Yes. Robert Downey Jr., as usual, is superb. This is another great Iron Man watch.

 Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

SECURITY (Theatrical Release United States 2017)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 3.7|5.0 Starsììì

Security needs script rework for flow. The storyline is jerky and falls flat at several critical junctures in its story. While it places Lillian Blankenship in a favorable light that shows her talent, it does not do the same for Ben Kingsley due to his sophistication that is far beyond what this role requires. Kingsley’s character requires a Jean Reno, Robert Knepper, or Don Johnson casting. Kingsley operates more on the level of an Al Pacino, Robert DeNiro, or Joe Pesci. This film has potential not fully realized; it doesn’t have everything in place that makes it a box office hit.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

United States Marine Captain Eduardo ‘Eddie’ Deacon (Antonio Banderas) needs a job, any job, to provide for his family. He finally lands a security position at a local mall. The adventure is on after he permits after-hour mall access to a young girl pleading for haven from unknown assailants.

Additional Thanks

Thank You to Director Alain Desrochers for directing efforts. Thank you to Executive Producers Shi Jianxiang, Avi Lerner, and Steven Paul for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Charlie (Ben Kingsley), Vance (Liam McIntyre), Dead Eyes (Cung Le), Jamie (Katherine de la Rocha), Mason (Chad Li), Johnny Wei (Jiro Wang), Ruby (Gabriella Wright), Administrator (Shari Watson), Lead Official (John Strong), Uncle Will (Andrew De La Rocha), SUV Agrent #1 (Mark Basnight), SUV Agent #2 (Atanas Srebrev), SUV Agent #3 (Steven Baduske), Patrol Car Cop (Ivailo Dimitrov), and Agent Rodriguez (Anurag Biswas).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Maybe. An Antonio Banderas fan will get an eyeful of Banderas, but it is not his best film.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers