DEATH WISH (Released to Theaters USA 2018)

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 3.8|5.0 Starsììì  Death Wish—Bruce Willis remake of the 1974 Charles Bronson's first Death Wish movie—bases its story in vigilante action when law agencies fail their duty. Bruce Willis plays cold in some sentimental scenes. He doesn't pull the power that Bronson did. Additionally, he plays softer in vigilante scenes. It does not open with the raunchy beginning scenes as did the Bronson film. The main character role for Paul Kersey is a medical doctor in this film, in the original Bronson film, he is an architect.  Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images Storyline  Paul Kersey’s wife and daughter end in the hospital after a break-in of his house by robbers. When Paul cannot find justice with the police, he does it himself.  Additional Thanks  Thank you to Director/Producer Eli Roth for directing effort. Thank you to Executive Producer Ilona Herzberg, for making the film possible. Cast includes: Bruce Willis, Vincent D'Onofrio, Elisabeth Shue, Camila Morrone, Dean Norris, Beau Knapp, Kimberly Elise, Len Cariou, Jack Kesy, and Ronnie Gene Blevins,. Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? Maybe. It is a suitable to okay watch, but does not have the same power as the Bronson film. Video Critique Available Here: Ben Meyers

THE KID (Theatrical Release USA 2000)

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 4.0|5.0 Starsìììì 

The Kid—interesting story—accesses the acting skills of Spencer Breslin and Bruce Willis to make a watchable movie that plays well. It serves as a suitable watch for a light afternoon watch. 

Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images 

Storyline 

A kid teaches an adult something that allows the adult to move forward with his life. 

Additional Thanks 

Thank you to Director Jon Turteltaub for directing effort. Thank you to Producers Hunt Lowry,  Christina Steinberg, and Jon Turteltaub for making the film possible. Cast includes: Bruce Willis, Spencer Breslin, Emily Mortimer, Lily Tomlin, and Chi McBride. 

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? 

Yes. The movie earns its watch with good acting and a good presentation of its storyline. 

Video Critique Available Here: 

Ben Meyers

OVER THE HEDGE (Theatrical Release USA 2006)

 

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 3.9|5.0 Starsììì 

Over the Hedge—light, fun, animated watch—features recognizable voicing: Bruce Willis, Steve Carrell, Nick Nolte, Wanda Sykes, Eugene Levy, Allison Janney, Thomas Haden Church, William Shatner, and Avril Lavigne. The dialogue is witty and slightly reminiscent of The Nut Job animation series. It’s a good watch overall and serves as a good child/adult share as it serves that wide audience range. 

Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images 

Storyline 

Animals team to raid food from a neighborhood that is on the other side of a hedge. 

Additional Thanks 

Thank you to Directors Tim Johnson and Karey Kirkpatrick for directing effort. Thank you to Producer Bonnie Arnold for making the film possible. Cast includes: Bruce Willis, Gary Shandling, Steve Carell, William Shatner, Wanda Sykes, Nick Nolte, and Thomas Haden Church. 

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? 

Yes. This animated film has its fair share of comedy written into the dialogue, well-drawn characters, and easily becomes a good child/adult share. 

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

THE COLD LIGHT OF DAY (Theatrical Release USA 2012)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 3.8|5.0 Starsììì

The Cold Light of Day shows Bruce Willis without the charisma he showed in Die Hard and other action flicks. Henry Cavill, not a good casting choice here, has a difficult time juggling ‘ordinary kid’ with sophistication, almost as if he can’t make up his mind who he is. The script has a decent theme, but the portrayal of that script doesn’t work at any level. The best and strongest portrayal of character award goes to Sigourney Weaver. The film on a whole is a disappointment.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

Will (Henry Cavill) goes to Spain for a family visit and runs into more than he bargained.

Additional Thanks

Thank You to Director Mabrouk El Mechri for directing effort. Thank you to Executive Producers Mark Canton, Jesus Amancio Jaquez Hernandez,  Matthew Perniciaro, Scott Wiper, and Steven Zaillian for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Lucia (Veronica Echegui), Martin (Bruce Willis), Carrack (Sigourney Weaver), Gorman (Joseph Mawle), Laurie (Caroline Goodall), Josh (Rafi Gavron), Dara (Emma Hamilton), Esmael (Michael Budd), Zahir (Roschdy Zem), Maximo (Óscar Jaenada), Dixon (Joe Dixon), and Meckler (Jim Piddock).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

 Maybe. The film has action, but no cool. It’s not the usual quality expected in a movie with Bruce Willis.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

SETUP (Video Release USA 2011)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 3.6|5.0 Starsììì

Setup seems to have set its audience up for a cookie cutter delivery of a movie designed to quickly rake in a few dollars rather than truly deliver a good piece of entertainment. There is nothing new here. The actors, including Bruce Willis, do not seem comfortable with their script. Fifty Cent seems miscast for his part. The film as a whole does not deliver.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

Sonny (50 Cent) teams with Biggs (Bruce Willis), a dangerous mob boss, to settle a score with Vincent (Ryan Phillippe).

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director Mike Gunther for directing efforts. Thank you to Executive Producers Brandt Andersen, Peter Benz, Martin Blencowe, Barry Brooker, Michael Corso, Stephen J. Eads, Patricia Eberle, Ted Fox, Anthony Gudas, Jewels C. Hall, Richard Jackson, Fredrik Malmberg, Adam Ottmar, Mike Rapp, Richard Rionda Del Castro, Daniel Wagner, and Stan Wertlieb for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Markus (Rory Markham), Mia (Jenna Dewan Tatum), Dave Hall (Brett Granstaff), Petey (Randy Couture), Valerie (Susie Ambromeit), Tony (Ron Turner), William Long (James Remar), Russell (Jay Karnes), Roth (Shaun Toub), Joey (Will Yun Lee), Professor (Ralph Lister), Frank (Alex Safi), and G Money (Omar J. Dorsey).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Maybe. A hardcore Bruce Willis or 50 Cent fan may make it through this film.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

THE EXPENDABLES 2 (Theatrical Release USA 2012)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 3.4|5.0 Stars ììì

The Expendables 2—at some points stupidly funny with quite good action scenes—stars our favorite action heroes: Sylvester Stallone, Chuck Norris (a new addition from the last Expendables), Jason Statham, Jet Li, Dolph Lundgren, Jean-Claude Van Damme (a new addition from the last Expendables), Bruce Willis, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Randy Couture, Liam Hemsworth, and Terry Crews. While the Ben Meyers’ team prefers them individually, the all-star cast presents a ‘hard to pass it by’ appeal. The mixture of younger with seasoned actors in this genre seems a little unsettling and raises the question would it have been better to work with seasoned actors only in the story. But, this critic team likes the film and evidently box office likes it, too, as it grossed approximately $3 to every $1 invested. We’re looking forward to Expendables 3 which includes Harrison Ford, Mel Gibson, Wesley Snipes, Antonio Banderas, and Kellan Lutz. Sylvester Stallone, as of this writing, is working on Expendables 4 for a 2017 release. This film starts with a good bang for your buck. Audiences definitely will not be bored.

Movie Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

Our favorite body builders show muscle power across Nepal, New Orleans, Albania, and Bulgaria as they track villains and correct wrongs.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director Simon West for directing efforts. Thank you to Executive Producers Guymon Casady, Guy Avshalom, Basil Iwanyk, Zygi Kamasa, Trevor Short, Samuel and Victor Hadida, Danny Dimbort, Jason Constantine, and Boaz Davidson for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Barney Ross (Sylvester Stallone), Lee Christmas (Jason Statham), Yin Yang (Jet Li), Gunner Jensen (Dolph Lundgren), Booker (Chuck Norris), Vilain (Jean-Claude Van Damme), Church (Bruce Willis), Trench (Arnold Schwarzenegger), Hale Caesar (Terry Crews), Toll Road (Randy Couture), Billy the Kid (Liam Hemsworth), Hector (Scott Adkins), Stephan (Alexander Moskov), and Bojan (George Zlatarev).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Maybe. The film can’t be faulted for its terrific presentation of our favorite body building actors.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers