DUPLEX (Released to Theaters USA 2003)

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Ben Meyers’ Rating: 4.0|5.0 Starsìììì  Duplex—simple comedy—has a redeeming small twist at the end. The acting is quite good. Watch for a great performance by Eileen Essell as Mrs. Connelly. The stage settings are very well done.   Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images Storyline  A New York man and his wife want to find a new home. The couple are not satisfied with any of the homes they see until they are shown a roomy duplex that they will share with an elderly lady. Additional Thanks  Thank you to Director Danny DeVito for directing effort. Thank you to Producers Stuart Cornfeld, Ben Stiller, Nancy Juvonen, Drew Barrymore, and Jeremy Kramer for making the film possible. Cast includes Ben Stiller, Drew Barrymore, Eileen Essell, Harvey Fierstein, Justin Theroux, and James Remar.  Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?  Yes. Overall, it's a fun watch. Video Critique Available Here: Ben Meyers

THE SECRET LIFE OF WALTER MITTY (Released to Theaters USA 2013)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 4.8|5.0 Stars ìììì

The Secret Life of Walter Mitty—a fabulous remake of the 1947 Danny Kaye movie of the same name—becomes worth your time and money. The film examines Life magazine’s decision to close its doors and the dedication of one underpaid and unrecognized employee, beleaguered Walter Mitty (played by Ben Stiller), to ensure that the final issue is one of its greatest issues. People are what make Life magazine outstanding and Walter Mitty not only finds his person, but finds courage to face danger and adventure across Greenland, Iceland, and the Himalayas while tracking one of Life’s best photographers for Life’s final cover photo. It’s a terrific story across a backdrop of great scenery and gives the viewer a nice ‘pop’ of satisfied happiness at the end.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director Ben Stiller for directing efforts. Thank you to Executive Producers G. Mac Brown, Meyer Gottlieb, and Gore Verbinski for making the film possible. Cast include: Jon Daly, Kristen Wiig, Kathryn Hahn, Sean Penn, Adam Scott, Shirley MacLaine, and Ólafur Darri Ólafsson.

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. This film makes a great watch for whole family.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

ALONG CAME POLLY (Released to Theaters USA 2004)

 

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 3.8|5.0 Starsììì 

Along Came Polly—a different romantic comedy—evaluates the risk of marriage and the difficulty of finding that person who will match well. It's a movie that does not soon leave the memory and causes reflection for several days after viewing. Ben Stiller and Jennifer Aniston work  well together...terrific choice by the casting department. The movie is tailored for the adult audience. There are some sex scenes and sexual references that could have been a little more discreet....but these scenes actually move the story forward rather than having been added as an after-thought. Philip Seymour Hoffman and Alec Baldwin are great additions to the cast. Watch for some cameo appearances of Kevin Hart in his earlier work. 

Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images

Storyline

 After a man leaves his wedded wife on their honeymoon because she cheated on him, he accidentally runs into a former female classmate from high school.  

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director John Hamberg for directing effort. Thank you to Executive Producer Jane Bartelme, Dan Levine for making the film possible. Cast includes: Ben Stiller, Jennifer Aniston, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Debra Messing, and Alec Baldwin. 

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? 

Maybe. After viewing, certain scenes from the movie recur in the mind and the realization that this lightly drawn comedy has a sophisticated approach to the subject of romance and the adjustments people  may make to further harmony in those relationships is well-drawn. It's a suitable watch for the aphorism of  'opposites attract'.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

WHILE WE’RE YOUNG (Theatrical Release USA 2015)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 3.8|5.0 Starsììì

While We’re Young takes its time to get into its story. The viewer repeatedly finds itself sitting on the sidelines waiting for the characters that Ben Stiller and Naomi Watts portray to ‘get it’ and move on. At the same time, the sweet taste of the underlying story theme becomes difficult to ignore and by the middle of the movie gathers its own force as the main characters race toward a seemingly inevitable conclusion. Casting creates an interesting dichotomy with the placement of Ben Stiller with Adam Driver. They work together like salt around the rim of a good Margarita. Adam Driver (J. Edgar, Lincoln, Llewelyn Davis, Tracks) shows exceptional talent and is worth keeping an eye on for future films. Watch for Amanda Seyfried from Les Misérables.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

Josh (Ben Stiller) and his wife Cornelia (Naomi Watts) do not make the approach to middle age and the transition into family life in the usual straight forward fashion. They take a detour that involves returning to youth by developing a relationship with Jamie (Adam Driver) and his wife Darby (Amanda Seyfried), a much younger couple.

Additional Thanks

Thank You to Director Noah Baumbach for directing efforts. Thank you to Producers Noah Baumbach, Scott Rudin, Eli Bush, and Lila Yacoub for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Marina (Maria Dizzia), Fletcher (Adam Horovitz), Tim (Matthew Maher), Ira Mandelstam (Peter Yarrow), Ira’s Wife (Bonnie Kaufman), Frank (Hector Otero), New School Woman (Deborah Eisenberg), Tipper (Dree Hemingway), Benny (Matthew Shear), Elise (Annie Baker), Pepper (Quincy Tyler Bernstine), and Music Class Band (James Manzello).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Maybe. Ben Stiller has an irresistible screen presence that carries every film in which he stars. This film is no exception to that rule. However, the story runs slowly, seems quite boring at times, and lacks the usual Ben Stiller comedic effect. 

Video Review Available Here:

Ben Meyers

TROPIC THUNDER (Theatrical Release USA 2008)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 3.0|5.0 Starsììì

Tropic Thunder—a fun, spoof on Hollywood—turns into an action movie with a twist. Ben Stiller, Jack Black, Robert Downy Jr., and with an introduction of Brandon T. Jackson, starts roughly, but finally mellows out into a fair comedy. Look for Tropic Thunder’s special surprise guest star—Tom Cruise.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

Three, less-than-outstanding, actors believe they are cast in a war flick. Believing they are on a set, they proceed to the best acting of their lives as they unknowingly fight real-life jungle drug lords.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director Ben Stiller for directing efforts. Thank you to Executive Producer Justin Theroux for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Snooty Waiter/Fatties Trailer (Jeff Kahn), Kirk Lazarus (Robert Downey, Jr.), Platoon Sergeant Shot in Head (Anthony Ruivivar), Jeff Portnoy/Hot LZ (Jack Black), Kevin Sandusky/Hot LZ (Jay Baruchel), Alpa Chino/Hot LZ (Brandon T. Jackson), Tugg Speedman/Hot LZ (Ben Stiller), Chopper Pilot/Hot LZ (Eric Winzenried), and Damien Cockburn/Vietnam Crew (Steve Coogan).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. The film is for an adult audience.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers