ELLA ENCHANTED (Theatrical Release USA 2004)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 4.0|5.0 Starsìììì

Ella Enchanted—live action fairy tale—presents a great creative story for ages 10 and up. Anne Hathaway completely captures the movie’s concept with excellent support from Hugh Dancy, Cary Elwes, Aidan McArdle, Minnie Driver, and the voice of Steve Coogan. This Miramax film has a strong Disney-like family friendly approach that serves all audiences.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

At birth a fairy gives Ella (Anne Hathaway) the gift of obedience which becomes a challenge as she progresses into adulthood.

Additional Thanks

Thank You to Director Tommy O’Haver for directing efforts. Thank you to Executive Producers Su Armstrong, Julie Goldstein, Bob Weinstein, and Harvey Weinstein for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Char (Hugh Dancy), Edgar (Cary Elwes), Slannen (Aidan McArdle), Dame Olga (Joanna Lumley), Hattie (Lucy Punch), Olive (Jennifer Higham), Mandy (Minnie Driver), Narrator (Eric Idle), Heston (voice of Steve Coogan), Benny (Jimi Mistry), and Lucinda (Vivica A. Fox).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. Director Tommy O’Haver did a great job in directing a fun adventure, worth watching.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

KILL BILL: VOLUME 1 (Theatrical Release USA 2003)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 4.7|5.0 Starsìììì

Kill Bill: Volume 1—Uma Thurman and Lucy Liu at their best—introduces its audience to the formidable blood and gore directing and writing skills of Quentin Tarantino. This movie, not for the faint of heart or children, launches the female actress into the martial arts arena with a vengeance. The timing, choreography, cinematography? Excellent on every level. A good watch for the very mature audience desiring a movie that exploits violence to the nearly unwatchable level.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

Bill (David Carradine) shoots the bride (Uma Thurman) who carries his child. Unfortunately, for him, this bride lives.

Additional Thanks

Thank You to Director Quentin Tarantino for directing effort. Thank you to Executive Producers Mitsuhisa Ishikawa, Erica Steinberg, E. Bennett Walsh, Bob Weinstein, and Harvey Weinstein for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: O-Ren Ishii (Lucy Liu), Vernita Green (Vivica A. Fox), Elle Driver (Daryl Hannah), Budd (Michael Madsen), Sofie Fatale (Julie Dreyfus), Gogo Yubari (Chiaki Kuriyama), Hattori Hanzo (Shin’ichi Chiba), Johnny Mo (Chia-Hui Liu), Earl McGraw (Michael Parks), Buck (Michael Bowen), and Boss Tanaka (Jun Kunimura).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. The movie targets a specific audience and provides a perfect fit for that audience.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

KILL BILL: VOLUME 2 (Theatrical Release USA 2004)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 4.7|5.0 Starsìììì

Kill Bill: Volume 2—Uma Thurman continues to deliver blood and gore to a most profound level—follows the release of Kill Bill: Volume 1 without apology for even one of its plasma-loaded scenes. For the mature audience, this film does not fail to ‘fill the bill’ with violence.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

Beatrix Kiddo (Uma Thurman) eliminates more members of the Deadly Vipers.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director Quentin Tarantino for directing effort. Thank you to Executive Producers Erica Steinberg, E. Bennett Walsh, Bob Weinstein, and Harvey for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Vernita Green (Vivica A. Fox), Nikki (Ambrosia Kelley), Earl McGraw/Esteban Vihajo (Michael Parks), Edgar McGraw (James Parks), Trucker (Jonathan Loughran), Buck (Michael Bowen), Bald Guy (Kenji Ohba), Tokyo Businessman (Yoshiyuki Morishita), Boss Tanaka (Jun Kunimura), Boss Honda (Goro Daimon), and Boss Koji/Crazy 88 (Kazuki Kitamura).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. For the audience who fell in love with Kill Bill: Volume I, this film does not disappoint or fail to stay true to the original vision of Director Quentin Tarantino.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers