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

CLOVERFIELD PARADOX (Video Release USA 2017)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 3.2|5.0 Starsììì

The Cloverfield Paradox needs more backstory to get off the ground and portray its very good concept. Despite good casting choices, like David Oyelowo, the story is difficult to follow and does not seem to transition well between its various events so that the audience can understand the ‘why’ for the events.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

Ava Hamilton (Gugu Mbatha-Raw) works to establish a steady power source for earth from the space station, but events go horridly awry during an unexpected power surge.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director Julius Onah for directing effort. Thank you to Executive Producers Bryan Burk, Jon Cohen, Bob Dohrmann, Drew Goddard, Tommy Harper, and Matt Reeves for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Kiel (David Oyelowo), Schmidt (Daniel Brühl), Monk (John Ortiz), Mundy (Chris O’Dowd), Volkov (Aksel Hennie), Tam (Ziyi Zhang), Jensen (Elizabeth Debicki), Michael (Roger Davies), Molly (Clover Nee), and Ayana Age 7 (Jordan Rivera).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Maybe. Better choices for science fiction fans are: Knowing, Midnight Special, and, for the younger adult generation, Earth to Echo.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers