STAR TREK INTO DARKNESS (Released to Theaters USA 2013)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 3.8|5.0 Starsììì Star Trek into Darkness—tries too hard—fails to catch the Star Trek magic. The special effects are probably the best part. The film could almost be skipped.  Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia Storyline Captain James T. Kirk (Chris Pine) is relieved of starship duties due to failure to keep the prime directive; but, is quickly restored to his position after Starfleet headquarters undergoes attack.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director J.J. Abrams for directing efforts. Thank you to Executive Producers Jeffrey Chernov, David Ellison, Dana Goldberg, and Paul Schwake for making the film possible. Cast include: Chris Pine, Zachary Quinto, Zoe Saldana, Karl Urban, Simon Pegg, John Cho, Benedict Cumberbatch, Anton Yelchin, and Bruce Greenwood.

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Maybe. This is a suitable to okay watch. Video Critique Available Here:

 

Ben Meyers

THE CURRENT WAR (Theatrical Release USA 2017)

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 4.2|5.0 Starsìììì 

The Current War—important story—runs on the fuel of originality. It’s a complicated story, but not unintelligible. This movie is a good example of an outstanding script. The movie is a very good, intellectual watch. 

Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images 

Storyline 

The war between using AC or DC power to light up the United States when the electric light bulb was on the tipping point of becoming a reality gets an exploration. 

Additional Thanks 

Thank you to Director Alfonso Gomez-Rejon for directing effort. Thank you to Producers Timur Bekmambetov and Basil Iwanyk for making the film possible. Cast includes: Benedict Cumberbatch, Michael Shannon, Katherine Waterston, Tom Holland, Tuppence Middleton, Matthew Macfadyen, and Nicholas Hoult. 

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. Benedict Cumberbatch and Michael Shannon play off each other well. Great story. Don’t miss it.

 Video Critique Available Here: 

Ben Meyers

SPIDER-MAN: NO WAY HOME (Theatrical Release USA 2021)

 Ben Meyers’ Rating: 4.2|5.0 Starsìììì 

Spider-Man: No Way Home—good concept, the third film of the Tom Holland Spider-Man series—makes a coalition of the three actors who have played the character Spider-Man:  Tobey Maguire, Andrew Garfield, and Tom Holland. It’s fresh, startling, and great to see these three presented together. The storyline works and the movie earns its watch.

Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images 

Storyline 

MIT rejects university applications of Peter Parker, his girlfriend, and best friend due to negative publicity that surrounds Peter Parker. Parker goes to Dr. Strange to cast a spell that will make people forget his ties with Spider-Man. 

Additional Thanks 

Thank you to Director Jon Watts for directing effort. Thank you to Producers Kevin Feige and Amy Pascal for making the film possible. Cast includes: Tom Holland, Zendaya, Benedict Cumberbatch, Jacob Batalon, Jon Favreau, Jamie Foxx, Willem Dafoe, Alfred Molina, Benedict Wong, Tony Revolon, Marisa Tomei, Andrew Garfield, and Tobey Maguire. 

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? 

Yes. Watch for the June 2023 release of Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

AVENGERS: INFINITY WAR (Theatrical Release USA 2018)

 Ben Meyers’ Rating: 4.3|5.0 Starsìììì

Avengers: Infinity War is complicated because of all the A-list actors and actresses playing several of the Marvel characters in the Marvel Universe within the storyline. The exceptions to inclusion in this film are X-Men and Nick Fury and many more. Stan Lee gets his usual cameo. Watch for it as it is exceptionally easy to miss in this movie. Tom Holland is the British actor who takes on the Spiderman suit as was already established in several movies unrelated to Avengers. This movie is epic, takes viewers on a strongly themed good versus evil storyline, and leaves viewers hanging for the sequel, Avengers: End Game. It's a WOW! movie that earns its watch. 

Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images 

Storyline 

The movie is about acquiring the six stones that allow control of infinity. 

Additional Thanks 

Thank you to Directors Anthony and Joe Russo for directing effort. Thank you to Producer Kevin Feige for making the film possible. Cast includes: Robert Downey Jr., Chris Hemsworth, Mark Ruffalo, Chris Evans, Scarlett Johansson, Benedict Cumberbatch, Don Cheadle, Tom Holland, Chadwick Boseman, Paul Bettany, Elizabeth Olsen, Anthony Mackie, Sebastian Stan, Danai Gurira, Letitia Wright, Dave Bautista, Josh Brolin, Chris Pratt, and Zoe Saldaňa. 

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? 

Yes. While the movie complicates itself with a barrage of characters, it is precisely because nearly all the Marvel characters appear in the film and because the storyline is terrific and well executed that make it a WOW! movie. 

Video Critique Available Here: 

Ben Meyers