ELLA ENCHANTED (Theatrical Release USA 2004)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 4.0|5.0 Starsìììì

Ella Enchanted—live action fairy tale—presents a great creative story for ages 10 and up. Anne Hathaway completely captures the movie’s concept with excellent support from Hugh Dancy, Cary Elwes, Aidan McArdle, Minnie Driver, and the voice of Steve Coogan. This Miramax film has a strong Disney-like family friendly approach that serves all audiences.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

At birth a fairy gives Ella (Anne Hathaway) the gift of obedience which becomes a challenge as she progresses into adulthood.

Additional Thanks

Thank You to Director Tommy O’Haver for directing efforts. Thank you to Executive Producers Su Armstrong, Julie Goldstein, Bob Weinstein, and Harvey Weinstein for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Char (Hugh Dancy), Edgar (Cary Elwes), Slannen (Aidan McArdle), Dame Olga (Joanna Lumley), Hattie (Lucy Punch), Olive (Jennifer Higham), Mandy (Minnie Driver), Narrator (Eric Idle), Heston (voice of Steve Coogan), Benny (Jimi Mistry), and Lucinda (Vivica A. Fox).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. Director Tommy O’Haver did a great job in directing a fun adventure, worth watching.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

SWEETWATER (Released to Internet USA 2023)

 

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 3.8|5.0 Starsììì  Sweetwater—biopic—works like a movie made for television rather than a true theatrical release. Even though this movie highlights significant events in this professional's life, it does not provide a high quality, in-depth look at his contributions to the professional basketball game and to the changes that he played in how to play the game. It is written and presented, not as an inspirational story, but as a fact-driven story. It is like all the emotional appeal has been vacuumed out and one is left with a raw, unstimulating piece of art work. Watch for Jeremy Piven, Richard Dreyfuss, and Cary Elwes. Their efforts to act in this movie are shaped by the borders that define it with no access to the free spirit that allows any creativity.   Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images Storyline  A biopic about Nathaniel 'Sweetwater' Clifton, one of the Globetrotters' basketball players.  Additional Thanks  Thank you to Director Martin Guigui for directing effort. Thank you to Producers Josi W. Konski, Tim Moore, Daniel Moorman, and Dahlia Waingort Guigui. Cast includes Everett Osborne, Cary Elwes, Jeremy Piven, Richard Dreyfuss, and Kevin Pollak.  Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?  Maybe. It's a biopic that shows significant events in Nat 'Sweetwater' Clifton's life and his contributions, not only to the Globetrotters, but to changing the way basketball is played and who is allowed to play in national championship games. The movie itself seems shallowly done and provides little depth to its narrative. Video Critique Available Here: Ben Meyers

SAW (Theatrical Release USA 2004)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 4.0|5.0 Starsìììì

Saw—intense, edge of your seat psychological thriller—sets itself up for a sequel from the get-go. The film’s conclusion twists in such a radical manner that the viewer is left stunned while thinking, “What just happened?” The film serves the mature adult audience.

Film Courtesy of Google Images

Storyline

The jigsaw serial killer likes to play blood-chilling games that mostly leave players maimed and quite dead.

Additional Thanks

Thank You to Director James Wan for directing effort. Thank you to Executive Producers Peter Block, Jason Constantine, and Stacey Testro for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Adam Faulkner-Stanheight (Leigh Whannell), Dr. Lawrence Gordon (Cary Elwes), Detective David Tapp (Danny Glover), Detective Steven Sing (Ken Leung),  Kerry (Dina Meyer), Paul (Mike Butters), Mark (Paul Gutrecht), Zep Hindle (Michael Emerson), Brett (Benito Martinez), Amanda (Shawnee Smith), and Diana Gordon (Makenzie Vega).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. The film serves the genre and plays its story well. 

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers