THE CIRCLE (Theatrical Release USA 2017)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 4.9|5.0 Starsìììì

The Circle examines reasons behind citizens’ choice to allow 100 percent audio/video surveillance in their lives. Emma Watson does a terrific job in her role of a young woman who recommends ‘going completely transparent’ in this sci fi drama about personal monitoring. Her supporting cast—Tom Hanks, Patton Oswald, and Bill Paxton—help to establish how decisions, with far reaching impact, happen in small baby steps that move entire worlds toward inevitable outcomes. Great work for Director James Ponsoldt who gives a solid look into a future that is already here. One sex scene and language move this movie into the late teen/adult category.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

Young Mae Holland (Emma Watson) helps a real-time audio/video company establish dominance nationally and internationally as good choice for humanity’s safety, health, and crime reduction.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director James Ponsoldt for directing effort. Thank you to Executive Producers Stefanie Azpiazu, Peter Cron, Evan Hayes, Russell Levine, Federica Sainte-Rose, Ron Schmidt, Steve Shareshian, Marc Shmuger, and Sally Willcox for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Mae (Emma Watson), Mercer (Ellar Coltrane), Bonnie (Glenne Headly), Vinnie (Bill Paxton), Annie (Karen Gillan), Bailey (Tom Hanks), Beck (Beck), Dan (Nate Corddry), and Jared (Mamoudou Athie).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. The film serves as a reminder of how a single, likable spokesperson can move an entire world through decision-making processes.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

NIGHTCRAWLER (Released to the Toronto International Film Festival Toronto, Ontario, Canada 2014)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 4.5|5.0 Stars ìììì

Nightcrawler—classy, smart, clever, and dangerous—tells its tale well. Jake Gyllenhaal interprets his character with such realism  that it makes the story completely believable. This is an entertaining watch. 

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

Louis Bloom (Jake Gyllenhaal), wants to be ‘somebody,’ no matter the moral cost. He finds that news stations will pay money for crimes caught on film and decides to become a crime scene photographer. He sells some of his collected/stolen items to a pawn shop owner to buy a camera. He starts filming and as greed for power and money increase, his ethics decrease.

Additional Thanks

Great work for Director Dan Gilroy. Thank you to Executive Producers Betsy Danbury and Gary Michael Walters for making the film possible. Cast include: Jake Gyllenhaal, Bill Paxton, Rene Russo, and Ann Cusack.

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. The writer caught all the nuances of character downfall when money comes at the expense of others. Very well-written script. The movie is worth its watch.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

MIGHTY JOE YOUNG (Released to Theaters USA 1998)

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 4.0|5.0 Starsìììì Mighty Joe Young—Charlize Theron—is different from other interpretations of this story. Watch for the late Bill Paxton. The movie is worth a watch, if for nothing else, the twist in interpreting the original story.   Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images  Storyline A small girl grows up in an African village and makes 'friends' with a baby gorilla. The gorilla grows to an immense size and becomes the target of poachers. She fears for the gorilla's life and makes a decision to move him to a 'safe' place.  Additional Thanks  Thank you to Director Ron Underwood for directing effort. Thank you to Producers Ted Hartley, Tom Jacobson for making the film possible. Cast includes Bill Paxton,Charlize Theron, Rade Serbedzija, Naveen Andrews, Peter Firth, Regina King, and David Paymer.  Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?  Yes. This movie is a pleasant surprise from the usual stories that have been produced along this story's line.  Video Critique Available Here: Ben Meyers