STAR TREK INTO DARKNESS (Released to Theaters USA 2013)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 3.8|5.0 Starsììì Star Trek into Darkness—tries too hard—fails to catch the Star Trek magic. The special effects are probably the best part. The film could almost be skipped.  Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia Storyline Captain James T. Kirk (Chris Pine) is relieved of starship duties due to failure to keep the prime directive; but, is quickly restored to his position after Starfleet headquarters undergoes attack.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director J.J. Abrams for directing efforts. Thank you to Executive Producers Jeffrey Chernov, David Ellison, Dana Goldberg, and Paul Schwake for making the film possible. Cast include: Chris Pine, Zachary Quinto, Zoe Saldana, Karl Urban, Simon Pegg, John Cho, Benedict Cumberbatch, Anton Yelchin, and Bruce Greenwood.

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Maybe. This is a suitable to okay watch. Video Critique Available Here:

 

Ben Meyers

STAR TREK (Theatrical Release USA 2009)

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 3.8|5.0 Starsììì   Star Trek—okay to suitable watch—hides story flaws behind special effects. The special effects, animation, makeup, and choice of cast are outstanding. Chris Pine and Zachary Quinto are great picks for youthful look-alikes of William Shatner and Leonard Nimoy. The movie notably lacks the 'magic' of the first series. But, this movie will suit for 'trekkies' and 'trekkers'.  Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images Storyline James Kirk (Chris Pine) attends Starfleet Academy and meets Doctor McCoy and Captain Pike. During training the cadets are mobilized to answer a distress signal coming from Vulcan. They board the Enterprise and the story is on.  Additional Thanks Thank you to Director J.J. Abrams for directing efforts. Thank you to Executive Producers Bryan Burk, Jeffrey Chernov, Alex Kurtzman, and Roberto Orci for making the film possible. Cast include: Chris Pine, Zachary Quinto Leonard Nimoy, Eric Bana, Bruce Greenwood, Karl Urban, Zoe Saldana, Simon Pegg, and John Cho.

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. This is a suitable watch and story with very good special effects, animation, make-up, and casting.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

RULES OF ENGAGEMENT (Released to Theaters USA 2000)

 

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 3.9|5.0 Starsììì Rules of Engagement—inspired by true events— is about a military engagement and moves into a military courtroom for court examination of that engagement. This movie provides suitable entertainment and a look into military law. It's worth a watch; serves a mellow, interesting, and suitable story.  Watch for some of our best actors as they play the roles of protagonist and antagonist while resolving this court case: Samuel L. Jackson, Tommy Lee Jones, Bruce Greenwood, Guy Pearce and Ben Kingsley.  Film Poster Courtesy of IMDb Storyline  An American commander orders his soldiers to open fire on protesters who are firing at his troops. Afterward, military court opens to investigate and possibly prosecute him for misconduct.  Additional Thanks  Thank you to Director William F. Friedkin for directing effort. Thank you to Executive Producers Adam Schroeder and Jim Webb for making the film possible. Casting includes Tommy Lee Jones, Samuel L. Jackson, Guy Pearce, Ben Kingsley, Bruce Greenwood, Anne Archer, Blair Underwood, Philip Baker Hall, and Dale Dye.  Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?  Yes. This military trial case provides a nicely done view into the proceedings of a military court case and its final resolution. It's a good pairing of Samuel L. Jackson and Tommy Lee Jones.  Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

EIGHT BELOW (Released to Theaters USA 2006)

 

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 3.8|5.0 Starsììì  Eight Below—American rewrite of the 1983 Japanese movie, Antarctica—becomes a suitable watch as it educates about research stations located in Antarctica, the importance of dog teams, ice breaking ships, research grant money sourcing, transporting long distances in dangerous environments, wildlife native to that continent, and the resourcefulness of life that needs to survive. Paul Walker's character seems generic. He has not been assigned the more involved, distinctive role as in the Fast and Furious or Hours films. The movie is a suitable watch that does not require a great emotional or mental involvement.  Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia Storyline  Antarctic researcher looks for a rare rock thought to be present in that continent. An imminent storm requires immediate evacuation with no opportunity to rescue the dog team. The research guide attempts repeatedly to raise funding for the dog rescue.  Additional Thanks Thank you to Director and Executive Producer Frank Marshall, for directing effort. Thank you to Executive Producers Gary Barber, Roger Birnbaum, Christine Iso, Masaru Kakutani, Roy Lee, Todd Lieberman, and Producers Patrick Crowley, and David Hoberman, for making the film possible. Cast includes Paul Walker, Bruce Greenwood, Moon Bloodgood, Wendy Crewson, Gerard Plunkett, August Schellenberg, Jason Biggs, D.J., Timba, Koda, Jasmin, Apache, Buck, and Noble.  Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?  Maybe. The movie is not fancy. It's a 'no frills' telling of an event and the outcome of immediate decisions executed without forethought. This film may have had more impact if it had not flown under the Disney Studio network label and instead installed itself under the, now defunct, Touchstone Pictures studio banner.  Video Critique Available Here: Ben Meyers

NATIONAL TREASURE 2: BOOK OF SECRETS (Theatrical Release USA 2007)

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 4.1|5.0 Starsìììì

National Treasure 2: Book of Secrets plays as well as the first film in the series partially due to outstanding casting and partially due to a good storyline. Watch for Nicolas Cage, Jon Voight, and Helen Mirren interpreting their roles with strong skill. This movie does not disappoint and earns its watch. 

Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images 

Storyline 

A Civil War secret leads to a treasure trove. 

Additional Thanks 

Thank you to Director Jon Turteltaub for directing effort. Thank you to Producers Jerry Bruckheimer and Jon Turteltaub for making the film possible. Casting includes: Nicolas Cage, Jon Voight, Harvey Keitel, Ed Harris, Diane Kruger, Justin Bartha, Bruce Greenwood, and Helen Mirren. 

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? 

Yes. This movie serves Nicolas Cage fans and Jon Voight fans well. It’s worth its watch. 

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

MEEK’S CUTOFF (Theatrical Release Canada 2011)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 3.8|5.0 Starsììì

Meek’s Cutoff experimentally uses a writing technique where the audience, unfamiliar with the history behind Oregon scout and wagon train leader Stephen Meek’s decision to blaze a new wagon train trail, can interpret and debate the meaning of the final scene. For those familiar with the history, however, the final scene is known and understood. The film uses seasoned actors Bruce Greenwood and Will Patton along with some newer actors, Paul Dano and Michelle Williams, to complete its story. The cast works well together. This film does not follow a strong western ‘shoot ‘em up, ride it hard’ format.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

Native American challenges lead to the blazing of a new trail by Oregon pioneers.

Additional Thanks

Thank You to Director Kelly Reichardt for directing effort. Thank you to Executive Producers Todd Haynes, Phil Morrison, Andrew Pope, Laura Rosenthal, Mike S. Ryan, Rajen Savjani, and Steven Tuttleman for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Emily Tetherow (Michelle Williams), Stephen Meek (Bruce Greenwood), Soloman Tetherow (Will Patton), Millie Gately (Zoe Kazan), Thomas Gately (Paul Dano), Glory White (Shirley Henderson), William White (Neal Huff), Jimmy White (Tommy Nelson), and The Indian (Rod Rondeaux).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. The film relies on good acting despite its ambiguously blunt ending.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers