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

IRON WILL (Theatrical Release USA 1994)

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 4.0|5.0 Starsìììì 

Iron Will—all around good watch—almost becomes a classic movie story. It is interesting to see the different racers’ well-defined personalities, the organized system that backs them, as well as how a third page newspaper story can be raised to front page news that inspires readers to track. It’s wonderful to see a good story not ruined by a bad presentation. 

Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images 

Storyline 

A young man enters a sled dog race in hopes of winning enough money to free the family property from repossession. 

Additional Thanks 

Thank you to Director Charles Haid for directing effort. Thank you to Producers Patrick Palmer and Robert Schwartz for making the film possible. Cast includes: Mackenzie Astin, Kevin Spacey, David Ogden Stiers, August Schellenberg, Brian Cox, George Gerdes, John Terry, Penelope Windust, Jeffery Alan Chandler, Michael Laskin, James Cada, Rex Linn, Allan R.J. Joseph, Alvin William 'Dutch' Lunak. 

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? 

Yes. This watch is a good family share movie. It sends a good message about finishing what one starts and deserves its place in the family home video library. It serves at a little higher plane of entertainment than White Fang. It has good presentation, good storyline, and educates about dog races…especially the cooperation needed between animals and humans when work needs to be done. 

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Ben Meyers

RISE OF THE PLANET OF THE APES (Theatrical Release USA 2011)

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 4.2|5.0 Starsìììì 

Rise of the Planet of the Apes—stands the test of time—works due to some terrific rewriting of the script. WOW! This movie plays with the third and fourth films of the original series and combines them into a more plausible story than the original series did. The upgrade completely works because it plays with current time for a launch into future events. Watch for terrific computer generated, realistic apes. The movie deserves its watch. 

Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images 

Storyline 

This science fiction film is about: An intelligent ape who leads a group of apes into a rebellion against humans. 

Additional Thanks 

Thank you to Director Rupert Wyatt for directing effort. Thank you to Producers Peter Chernin, Dylan Clark, Rick Jaffa, and Amanda Silver for making the film possible. Cast includes: James Franco, Freida Pinto, John Lithgow, Brian Cox, Tom Felton, David Oyelowo, and Andy Serkis. 

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? 

Yes. What a concept! The movie completely satisfies Planet of the Ape movie fans. Watch for John Lithgow, James Franco, David Oyelowo as well as listening for the voicing of Andy Serkis for the character Caesar. One of the best remakes on par with the original series. Wow! Good job on turning the story inside/out. 

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

 

THE BOURNE SUPREMACY (Theatrical Release USA 2004)

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 4.3|5.0 Starsìììì 

The Bourne Supremacy—part 2 of the Bourne series—takes its audience on a thrill ride that is more than worth watching. Matt Damon remains the actor of choice for this series. This movie is a Matt Damon classic and should be added to the home video library along with the first film. Thank you to Paul Greengrass for taking the director chair for this second film and making it as good or better than the first Bourne film. It’s a fun watch. 

Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images 

Storyline 

This spy thriller film is about the CIA's continued efforts to tie up all loose threads that connect to the Treadstone project. One of those loose ends is Bourne. 

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director Paul Greengrass for directing effort. Thank you to Producers Frank Marshall, Patrick Crowley, and Paul Sandberg for making the film possible. Cast includes: Matt Damon, Franka Polente, Brian Cox, Julia Stiles, Karl Urban, Gabriel Mann, and Joan Allen. 

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? 

Yes. The movie is more than worth watching. It is a Matt Damon classic. Thank you to all involved in producing the movie. 

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

X2: X-MEN UNITED (Theatrical Release USA 2003)

 Ben Meyers’ Rating: 4.0|5.0 Starsìììì 

X2: X-Men United—elaborates on the X-Men story—reprises the roles of Hugh Jackman, James Marsden, Famke Janssen, Halle Berry, Patrick Stewart, and Ian McKellen. It adds Brian Cox and Alan Cumming. The  presentation needs more crafting but the movie is an enjoyable watch and quite entertaining…a good afternoon watch. 

Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images 

Storyline 

This superhero film is about a machine that is developed to wipe out all Earth’s mutants. 

Additional Thanks 

Thank you to Director Bryan Singer for directing effort. Thank you to Producers Lauren Shuler Donner and Ralph Winter for making the film possible. Cast includes: Patrick Stewart, Hugh Jackman, Ian McKellen, Halle Berry, Famke Janssen, James Marsden, Rebecca Romijn-Stamos, Brian Cox, Alan Cumming, Bruce Davison, and Anna Paquin. 

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? 

Yes. This movie is not as good as the first movie in the series, but it still earns a recommendation as watchable and entertaining.

 Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

THE ROOKIE (Theatrical Release USA 2002)

 Ben Meyers’ Rating: 3.9|5.0 Starsììì 

The Rookie—not a high quality story—becomes more than a worthy watch because of its ability to give that ‘feel-good’ emotion all during the movie and allows an audience to keep that feeling long after watching. Dennis Quaid engages the audience so that one cares about his story and wishes for the success of the character he plays. Good writing makes the film. Baseball fans will enjoy this watch but know that even wider audiences will also enjoy it. Good work for all involved in making the movie. It’s a straight-forward story. It earns its place in the family home video library. 

Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images 

Storyline 

A pitcher/coach gets a second chance to play in major league baseball. 

Additional Thanks 

Thank you to Director John Lee Hancock for directing efforts. Thank you to Producers Mark Ciardi, Gordon Gray, and Mark Johnson for making the film possible. Cast includes: Dennis Quaid, Rachel Griffiths, Jay Hernandez, Brian Cox, and Angus T. Jones. 

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? 

Yes. Terrific feel-good sports story with a good script. The movie suits a wide range audience.

 Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

BATTLE FOR TERRA (Theatrical Release USA 2007)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 1.1|5.0 Starsì

Battle for Terra graphics are great. But, the movie script and plot are ridiculous with little reason for the situations presented throughout the storyline. The story is trite—aliens take over a planet by attempting to kill all the planet’s inhabitants. But, General Hemmer uses fallacious reasoning to pursue a military strategy that takes the viewer from the movie to focus on the writer—an unusual situation that is a result of poor writing. It’s surprising that actors like Danny Glover and James Garner signed for this movie.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

The planet Terra’s sun is blocked out. Mala (Evan Rachel Wood) goes to investigate and finds that a space ship is abducting the inhabitants of Terra.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director Aristomenis Tsirbas for directing efforts. Thank you to Producers Jessica Calder, Keith Calder, Ryan Colucci, and Dane Allan Smith for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Terrian Scientist (voice of Chad Allen), Professor Lina (voice of Rosanna Arquette), Terrian 2 (voice of Bill Birch), Technician Quinn (voice of Brooke Bloom), Technician Williams (voice of Tom Connolly), General Hemmer (voice of Brian Cox), Giddy (voice of David Cross), Interrogator Wright (voice of Beverly D’Angelo), Colonel Wheeler (voice of James Devoti), Elder Vorin (voice of Ron Perlman), Terrian 1 (voice of Timi Prulhiere), Roven (voice of Dennis Quaid), Lieutenant Evans (voice of Michael Scovotti), Kima (voice of Zoe Bleu), Elder Barum (voice of Danny Trejo), Jim Stanton (voice of Luke Wilson), and Stewart Stanton (voice of Chris Evans).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

No. Battle for Terra is a painful waste of time.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers