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

RAYA AND THE LAST DRAGON (Theatrical Release USA 2021)

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 3.7|5.0 Starsììì

Raya and the Last Dragon—good concept, no soul—complicates itself in the writing department and as a result makes itself child unfriendly. Animation is the best part of the film.

 Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images

Storyline 

This animated film is about a time when evil spirits turn everything into stone, a dragon who is given the power to stop them, and a young girl. 

Additional Thanks 

Thank you to Directors Don Hall and Carlos Lopez Estrada for directing effort. Thank you to Producers Osnat Shurer and Peter Del Vecho for making the film possible. Cast includes: Kelly Marie Tran, Awkwafina, Izaac Wang, Gemma Chan, Daniel Dae Kim, Benedict Wong, Sandra Oh, Thalia Tran, Lucille Soong, and Alan Tudyk. 

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Maybe. The best of this movie is the animation.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

THE MARTIAN (Theatrical Release USA 2015)

 Ben Meyers’ Rating: 4.4|5.0 Starsìììì

The Martian—WOW!—easily becomes an excellent addition to the home video library. The star-studded, hot-ticket cast (Chiwetel Ejiofor and Donald Glover, Jessica Chastain, Kristen Wiig, and Benedict Wong (from Marvel Comics)) are well-mixed. Jeff Daniels shows his versatility when one thinks of him in this movie versus Dumb and Dumber or State of Play.  The movie earns its watch. 

Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images 

Storyline 

A team works to rescue a man left behind on Mars. 

Additional Thanks 

Thank you to Director Ridley Scott for directing effort. Thank you to Executive Producer Drew Goddard for making the film possible. Cast includes: Matt Damon, Jessica Chastain, Kristen Wiig, Jeff Daniels, Michael Peňa, Sean Bean, Kate Mara, Sebastian Stan, Aksel Hennie, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Benedict Wong, Mackenzie Davis, and Donald Glover. 

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? 

Yes. This is a wonderful sci-fi movie and worth its watch; a well-done film. 

Video Critique Available Here: 

Ben Meyers