OCEAN’S ELEVEN (Theatrical Release USA 2001)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 4.2|5.0 Starsìììì

Ocean’s Eleven is a little slow getting started, but doesn’t flag after that. George Clooney and cast pull this story off magnificently. This movie is a remake of the 1960s Ocean’s Eleven with more flash and dash. There is no lack in quality, dialogue, timing, action, or scripting. Every piece of the film works for entertainment.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

Danny Ocean (George Clooney) develops a plan to rob The Bellagio, The Mirage, and the MGM Grand casinos all at the same time.

Additional Thanks

Thank You to Director Steven Soderbergh for directing efforts. Thank you to Executive Producers Bruce Berman, Susan Ekins, and John Hardy for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Rusty Ryan (Brad Pitt), Linus Caldwell (Matt Damon), Basher Tarr (Don Cheadle), Frank Catton (Bernie Mac), Turk Malloy (Scott Caan), Virgil Malloy (Casey Affleck), Saul Bloom (Carl Reiner), Reuben Tishkoff (Elliott Gould), Livingston Dell (Eddie Jemison), "The Amazing" Yen (Shaobo Qin), Terry Benedict (Andy Garcia), and Tess Ocean (Julia Roberts).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. It’s worth your time and your dollar.

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Ben Meyers

OCEAN’S TWELVE (Theatrical Release USA 2004)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 4.2|5.0 Stars ìììì

Ocean’s Twelve—sassy, smart, and fun—uses an all-star cast to tell its story. It follows the Ocean’s series format and doesn’t fail to deliver its usual action-packed formula.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

Terry Benedict (Andy Garcia) demands the return of the $150,000,000 stolen from him. Ocean’s gang travels to Europe to steal a Faberge Egg for payback. But this story does not follow a predictably straight path as doublecross follows doublecross between professional thieves and liars.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director Steven Soderbergh for his directing efforts. Thank you to Executive Producers Bruce Berman, Susan Ekins, and John Hardy for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Frank Catton (Bernie Mac), Rusty Ryan (Brad Pitt), Linus Caldwell (Matt Damon), Reuben Tishkoff (Elliott Gould), Virgil Malloy (Casey Affleck), Turk Malloy (Scott Caan), Livingston Dell (Eddie Jemison), Basher Tarr (Don Cheadle), and Tess Ocean (Julia Roberts).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? 

Yes. The film is a great continuation story to Ocean’s Eleven.

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Ben Meyers

OCEAN’S THIRTEEN (Theatrical Release USA 2007)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 4.2|5.0 Starsìììì

Ocean’s Thirteen serves up another classic Ocean’s movie with no decrease in entertainment value. The film requires closer attention to plotline as this movie’s series of cons increase in their complication from previous Ocean films. The great all-star cast continue to deliver unbeatable, on-the-spot professionalism in every scene and dialogue line. Unfortunately, this appears to be the last Ocean’s movie after the passing of Bernie Mac, but there appears to be an upcoming 2018 all-girl spinoff—Ocean’s Eight—starring Sandra Bullock.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

Casino owner Willy Bank (Al Pacino) cons his partner, Reuben Tishkoff (Elliott Gould), out of his part of the casino ownership. Danny Ocean (George Clooney) sets out to right the wrong with a complicated series of events meant to bankrupt Willy Bank’s reputation and casino.

Additional Thanks

Thank You to Director Steven Soderbergh for directing effort. Thank you to Executive Producers Bruce Berman, Frederic W. Brost, and Susan Ekins for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Rusty Ryan (Brad Pitt), Linus Caldwell/Lenny Pepperidge (Matt Damon), Dr. Stan (Michael Mantell), Reuben’s Butler (Ray Xifo), Bank’s Junior Executive (Adam Lazarre-White), Livingston Dell (Eddie Jemison), Basher Tarr (Don Cheadle), Yen (Shaobo Qin), Virgil Malloy (Casey Affleck), and Turk Malloy (Scott Caan).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? 

Yes. The movie serves as good brain exercise while delivering the usual excellence expected from the Ocean’s series.

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Ben Meyers

TROY (Released to Theaters USA 2004)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 3.7|5.0 Stars ììì

Troy, interesting, does a much better job of telling the classic, god-related story than many other films within this genre. The acting is suitable to good and the presentation/portrayal work at the same level. The writing department writes from an angle that greatly enhances previous attempts to portray this story with some very good dialogue lines about who should fight wars between kings. There are unnecessary nudity and sexual scenes in the movie. But, overall, the movie makes some valid points about war and makes way for good, after viewing discussion.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

The movie tracks the events that led to the Grecian attack on Troy over Helen. 

 Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director and Producer Wolfgang Petersen. Thank you to Producers Diana Rathbun and Colin Wilson for making the film possible. Cast include: Julian Glover, Brian Cox, Nathan Jones, Adoni Maropis, Jacob Smith, Brad Pitt, John Shrapnel, Brendon Gleeson, Diane Kruger, Eric Bana, Orlando Bloom, and Siri Svegler.

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Maybe. This is a suitable watch and tells a fairly good story. Watch for Actor Peter O’Toole in his later life professional work and the support of Orlando Bloom, Eric Bana, Brian Cox, Brenden Gleeson, Brad Pitt, Sean Bean, and Diane Kruger.

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Ben Meyers

A MIGHTY HEART (Released to Theaters USA 2007)

 

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 3.8|5.0 Starsììì  A Mighty Heart—disorganized and bluntly presented—has a suitable to okay presentation. It has a good story and once started, audiences will want to finish it.   Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia Storyline A pregnant journalist sees her journalist husband off where he expects to get a scoop on the war on terror in Pakistan.    Additional Thanks  Thank you to Director Michael Winterbottom for directing effort. Thank you to Producers Brad Pitt, Dede Gardner, and Andrew Eaton for making the film possible. Cast includes Angelina Jolie, Dan Futterman, Irrfan Khan, Archie Panjabi, and Will Patton.  Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?  Maybe. It has a lot to fix to increase flow. But the story is interesting to some extent and tells its story suitably well. Video Critique Available Here: Ben Meyers

WORLD WAR Z (Theatrical Release USA 2013)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 4.3|5.0 Stars ìììì

World War Z, when all is said and done, is the classic zombie movie. Based on the novel by Max Brooks, its realism and aggressive action make it the ultimate zombie movie. Brad Pitt plays the character Gerry Lane excellently. Casting Agent Kate Dowd made fantastic choices with Mireille Enos, Daniella Kertesz, James Badge Dale, and Pierfrancesco Favino. Director Marc Forster had a terrific script to work with thanks to the efforts of Screen Writers Matthew Michael Carnahan, Drew Goddard, and Damon Lindelof.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

It begins with a ‘normal’ American family morning. Two girls run into the parent’s room and wake them. Gerry Lane (Brad Pitt) watches the news while making breakfast. Girls eat their breakfast. Dad gets stuck in rush hour traffic and plays a guessing game with his wife and girls while waiting for traffic to move. Moments later the normal morning turns abnormal as a motorcycle whizzes by and knocks the driver’s side mirror off Gerry’s car. This zombie story is off and running.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director Marc Forster for directing efforts. Thank you to Executive Producers Graham King, Brad Simpson, David Elliston, Tim Headington, Marc Forster, Paul Schwake, and Dana Goldberg for making the film possible. Cast include: Mireille Enos, Daniella Kertesz, James Badge Dale, Ludi Boeken, Matthew Fox, Fana Mokoena, David Morse, Elyes Gabel, and Peter Capaldi.

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. It’s an action packed thriller for all zombie movie fans and non-zombie movie fans. It’s the one to watch if you are getting ready to explore zombie movies.

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Ben Meyers

THE TREE OF LIFE (Released to Theaters USA 2011)

 

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 3.7|5.0 Starsììì  The Tree of Life—odd and difficult to follow—needs a good, thorough plotline read (see Wikipedia) and some research into the original intent to produce. It's completely intellectual, relies heavily on metaphors and similes, has really good cinematography, and quickly polarizes audiences into 'loved it', 'hated it' opinions.  It's difficult to find its overarching principle.  It definitely invites after viewing discussion. Director Terrence Malick understands something in this artistic production that will completely "blow right over the heads' of most audiences. Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images   Storyline   Its the story of life in metaphors and similes as experienced through the O'Brien family.  Additional Thanks  Thank you to Director Terrence Malick for directing effort. Thank you to Executive Producer Donald Rosenfeld for making the film possible. Cast includes Brad Pitt, Sean Penn, Jessica Chastain, Hunter McCracken, Laramie Eppler, Tye Sheridan, Fiona Shaw, Jessica Fuselier, Nicholas Gonda, and Will Wallace.  Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Maybe. It is highly intellectualized, artistic production that may 'blow right over the heads' of most audiences.  Nothing lacking in portrayal, presentation, and acting.

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Ben Meyers 

FIGHT CLUB (Released to Theaters USA 1999)

 

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 3.8|5.0 Starsììì 

Fight Club—Edward Norton and Brad Pitt—has a very different story to tell. Creative, completely unique, with a surprise at every turn of a scene, it turns life inside out and asks tough questions about our humanity. Be aware this is an adult film with sex scenes that intersperse a tough story. 

 Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images

Storyline 

A businessman, who works in a dead end job and can’t sleep at night, goes to every group therapy he can find (where they talk about problematic lives and how to break through emotional trauma and get well). He tries to find meaning in life. 

Additional Thanks 

Thank you to Director David Fincher for directing effort. Thank you to Executive Producer Arnon Milchan, Producers Ross Grayson Bell, Ceán Chaffin, Art Linson, and Associate Producer John S. Dorsey, for making the film possible. Cast include Edward Norton, Brad Pitt, Meat Loaf, Zach Grenier, Richmond Arquette, David Andrews, George Maguire, Eugenie Bondurant, Christina Cabot, and Helena Bonham Carter.

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Maybe. It's a tough story to watch, but moves along well and has a convoluted, inside out approach to understanding life. 

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Ben Meyers

AD ASTRA (Theatrical Release USA 2019)

 Ben Meyers’ Rating: 3.8|5.0 Starsììì 

Ad Astra—excellent casting with Brad Pitt, Tommy Lee Jones, and Donald Sutherland—runs slowly to the point that the good presentation seems squandered. The conclusion ends on a solemn note which is unexpected, but it ends well. The special effects for the space scenes are not as good as the 2013 movie Gravity with Sandra Bullock and George Clooney but the depth of space is enjoyable to see…spectacular. 

Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images 

Storyline 

An astronaut goes to rescue his father and finish his father’s mission. 

Additional Thanks 

Thank you to Director James Gray for directing effort. Thank you to Producers Brad Pitt, Dede Gardner, Jeremy Kleiner, James Gray, Anthony Katagas, Rodrigo Teixeira, and Arnon Milcan. Cast includes: Brad Pitt, Tommy Lee Jones, Ruth Negga, Liv Tyler, and Donald Sutherland. 

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? 

Maybe. Brad Pitt’s acting is good, and the story is well-written. The presentation is good. The movie runs slowly. 

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Ben Meyers

HAPPY FEET TWO (Theatrical Release USA 2011)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 4.2|5.0 Starsìììì

Happy Feet Two, despite the fact that its music does not seem to fit its scenes, has phenomenal musical scoring. This becomes most evident when Gloria (Voice of Pink) starts to sing to sooth her son Eric (Voice of Ava Acres) toward the middle of the film. Pink performs a wonderful rendition of the song, ”Bridge of Light,” which enhances the emotion of the moment, but the song itself seems almost out of place with the events at that point in the movie. The story timing seems confusing as when the tidal wave begins at the early part of the first act but does not progress as expected until the half-way mark of the film. The comical elements with the Krill are creative and strengthen themselves with the voices of Brad Pitt and Matt Damon. While the script does not seem as straight forwardly written as its prequel, the movie earns its watch and delivers a take-home, ‘feel good’ emotion.

 Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline 

Erik becomes enthralled with the concept of the power of the mind and once again must help save the penguins. 

Additional Thanks 

Thank you to Director George Miller for directing effort. Thank you to Executive Producers Bruce Berman, Graham Burke, Christopher DeFaria, and Philip Hearnshaw for making the film possible. Character/cast include: Ramon/Lovelace (Voice of Robin Williams), Mumble (Voice of Elijah Wood), Gloria (Voice of Pink), Nestor (Voice of Carlos Alazraqui), Raul (Voice of Lombardo Boyar), Rinaldo (Voice of Jeffery Garcia), Lombardo, (Voice of Johnny A. Sanchez), Carmen (Voice of Sofia Vergara), Erik (Voice of Ava Acres), Atticas (Voice of Benjamin Flores Jr.), Bo (Voice of Meibh Campbell), Seymour (Voice of Common), Miss Viola (Voice of Magda Szubanski), Noah the Elder (Voice of Hugo Weaving),Will the Krill (Voice of Brad Pitt), Bill the Krill (Voice of Matt Damon)

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Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?  

Yes. This movie has fabulous animation, great character development, and entertains both the child and adult audience. Clean and upscale entertainment that deserves addition to the family home video library.

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Ben Meyers

A RIVER RUNS THROUGH IT (Theatrical Release USA 1992)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 4.2|5.0 Starsìììì 

A River Run Through It— well written and greatly acted—deeply engages its audience from opening to concluding scenes. Down-to-earth, the movie catches the human element perfectly without preaching, judging, or depreciating any single lifestyle within this community. This film, directed by Robert Redford, can easily be missed. Don’t miss the opportunity to see it. The fly fishing scenes, small town life, interaction with Native reservations perfectly integrate and synchronize into one harmonious visually symphonic production.

Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images

Storyline 

A family completely devoted to fly fishing, as a recreation, live out their lives in a small town. 

Additional Thanks 

Thank you to Director Robert Redford for directing the film. Thank you to Earl Benjamin, Robert Benjamin, Bruce Davey, Bruce Davey, Tom Engelman, Mel Gibson, Scott Kroopf, Neil Meron, and Craig Zadan for making the film possible. Characters/cast include: Norman MacLean (Craig Sheffer), Paul Maclean (Brad Pitt) Rev. Mclean (Tom Skerritt), Mrs. Maclean (Brenda Blethyn), Jessie Burns (Emily Lloyd), Mrs. Burns (Edie McClurg), Neal Burns (Stephen Shellen), Young Paul (Vann Gravage), Mabel (Nicole Burdette), Rawhide (Susan Traylor), Chub (Michael Cudlitz), Conroy (Rob Cox), Humph (Buck Simmonds), and Mr. Burns (Fred Oakland). 

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? 

Yes. This movie easily earns classic status.

Movie Review Available Here: 

Ben Meyers

THE LOST CITY OF Z (Theatrical Release USA 2017)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 3.8|5.0 Starsììì

The Lost City of Z—based on the true story of jungle explorer Percy Fawcett—becomes worth watching for its interesting dip into little known history of this archaeologist and jungle explorer. There are some good scenes portraying action during World War I, Robert Pattinson looks good made up with a beard; but the film seems disconnected between its story and its actors.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

Percy Fawcett (Charlie Hunnam) searches for the lost city of Z in the jungles of Brazil.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director James Gray for directing effort. Thank you to Executive Producers Felipe Aljure, Marc Butan, Lew Horwitz, Mark Huffam, Michael Ilitch Jr., Julie B. May, Glenn Murray, and Brad Pitt for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Henry Costin (Robert Pattinson), Nina Fawcett (Sienna Miller), Jack Fawcett (Tom Holland), Arthur Manley (Edward Ashley), James Murray (Angus Macfadyen), Sir George Goldie (Ian McDiarmid), and Sir John Scott Keltie (Clive Francis).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. Overall, the film lacks realism, but serves to establish the persona and basic skills of explorers.

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Ben Meyers

SPY GAME (Theatrical Release USA 2001)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 3.9|5.0 Starsììì

Spy Game starts with high intrigue, suspense, and action and keeps its intensity throughout the film. It’s an excellent entertainment pick with Brad Pitt and Robert Redford as the main actors. The movie plays well from beginning to end. The writers, Michael Frost Beckner and David Arata, display outstanding skill in weaving a complex story line based on CIA and intelligence life styles.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

American CIA Tom Bishop (Brad Pitt) has been captured near a Shanghai prison camp and will be executed if the United States does not ask for him. The United States plans on letting him go, but Bishop’s recruiter Nathan Muir (Robert Redford) has other plans.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director Tony Scott for directing efforts. Thank you to Executive Producers Armyan Bernstein, Thomas A. Bliss, James W. Skotchdopole, and Iain Smith for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Elizabeth Hadley (Catherine McCormack), Charles Harker (Stephen Dillane), Troy Folger (Larry Bryggman), Gladys Jennip (Marianne Jean-Baptiste), Dr. William Byars (Matthew Marsh), and Robert Aiken (Todd Boyce).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. This is a high class spy thriller.

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Ben Meyers