THE LORD OF THE RINGS: THE FELLOWSHIP OF THE RING (Theatrical Release USA 2001)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 4.9|5.0 Starsìììì

The Lord of The Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring—the first film in The Lord of the Rings trilogy—stands as one of the best movies ever made. Not many movies can exceed the story telling quality of this film. The movie, so richly written and portrayed, requires a keen eye, full knowledge, and understanding of content to even begin scratching the surface of its many levels. Hidden secrets are too numerous to catch in one viewing. Director Peter Jackson does something that few directors would attempt and masterfully pulls it to complete success. He dares to enter the world of the epic story and elevates it to its proper status. ENCORE! Thank you to Peter Jackson for his more than adequate rendering of J.R.R. Tolkien’s worlds on the big screen.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

Hobbit Frodo Baggins (Elijah Wood) comes into possession of the One Ring capable of ruling all things and takes a journey to Mount Doom, the one place where it can be destroyed.

Additional Thanks

Thank You to Director Peter Jackson for directing effort. Thank you to Executive Producers Michael Lynne, Mark Ordesky, Robert Shaye, Bob Weinstein, and Harvey Weinstein for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: The Ring (voice of Alan Howard), Everard Proudfoot (voice of Noel Appleby), Sam (Sean Astin), Sauron (Sala Baker), Boromir (Sean Bean), Galadriel (Cate Blanchett), Legolas (Orlando Bloom), Pippin (Billy Boyd), Celeborn (Marton Csokas), Mrs. Proudfoot (Megan Edwards), Gondorian Archivist (Michael Elsworth), and Gil-galad (Mark Ferguson).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. This film is to the movie industry what Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo are to the world of art.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

THE AVIATOR (Released to Theaters New York, New York, USA 2004)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 4.6|5.0 Stars ìììì

The Aviator uses Leonardo DiCaprio to tell its version of the life and times of Howard Hughes—engineer, inventor, and film maker. It accomplishes its task well while completely entertaining its audience with wide views into the lifestyle of a bigger-than-life American.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director Martin Scorsese for directing efforts. Thank you to Executive Producers Rick Schwartz, Colin Cotter, Leonardo DiCaprio, Volker Schauz, Rick Yorn, Chris Brigham, Aslan Nadery, and Bob and Harvey Weinstein for making the film possible. Thank you to Music Composer Howard Shore and Script Writer John Logan. Cast includes: Leonardo DiCaprio, Cate Blanchett, Kate Beckinsale, John C. Reilly, Alec Baldwin, Alan Alda, Ian Holm, Danny Huston, Gwen Stefani, and Jude Law.

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. Leonardo DiCaprio does a wonderful job in his portrayal of Howard Hughes.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

HOW TO TRAIN YOUR DRAGON: THE HIDDEN WORLD (Theatrical Release USA 2019)

 Ben Meyers’ Rating: 3.8|5.0 Starsììì 

How To Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World—interesting, not the best in the series—seems to definitively show that this series has finished its run. The story died with the second film and short films, and it is surprising to see another full length film produced and released. The movie does have great voicing, but this alone does not make a terrific movie watch.

 Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images

Storyline 

A hunter wants to kill all the dragons. Hiccup has to travel to the edge of the world to save the dragons. 

Additional Thanks 

Thank you to Director Dean DeBlois for directing effort. Thank you to Producers Bonnie Arnold and Brad Lewis for making the film possible. Cast includes: Jay Baruchel, America Ferrera, F. Murray Abraham, Cate Blanchett, and Craig Ferguson. 

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? 

Maybe. It is what it is and falls short of the original How to Train Your Dragon release. This movie is weak in presentation although children may appreciate it. Adults will most likely prefer higher quality animated movies to share with their children.

 Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

THOR: RAGNARÖK (Theatrical Release USA 2017)

 Ben Meyers’ Rating: 4.3|5.0 Starsìììì 

Thor: Ragnarök—a better Marvel film—incorporates much more comedy into its dialogue and storyline. This welcome diversion increases the entertainment value and makes it unique among the more serious, action-oriented superhero movies. Chris Hemsworth reprises his role as Thor. The movie works on a creative and highly original structuring than previous Thor-related stories. Good watch, worth both time and money expenditure. 

Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images 

Storyline 

Thor insists his brother Loki help him find their father, Odin. 

Additional Thanks 

Thank you to Director Taika Waititi for directing effort. Thank you to Producer Kevin Feige for making the film possible. Cast includes: Chris Hemsworth, Tom Hiddleston, Cate Blanchett, Idris Elba, Jeff Goldblum, Tessa Thompson, Karl Urban, Mark Ruffalo, and Anthony Hopkins. 

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? 

Yes. The movie is very well done and exceptionally fun to watch. It is the third film in the Thor series. 

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

GUILLERMO DEL TORO’S PINOCCHIO (Video on Demand Release USA 2022)

 Ben Meyers’ Rating: 4.3|5.0 Starsìììì 

Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio achieves a level of interpretation that varies strongly from the 1940 Disney animation of this story.  Guillermo del Toro produces a stop motion animation movie that has deep heart and over time could well attain a certain type of classic status. The animation is superb and presents beautifully on screen.  It’s a great story to add to Netflix’s collection. This film is worthy of its watch. 

Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images 

Storyline 

A movie based on the story of Pinocchio. 

Additional Thanks 

Thank you to Directors Guillermo del Toro and Mark Gustafson for directing effort. Thank you to Producers Guillermo del Toro, Lisa Henson, Gary, Ungar, Alex Bulkley, and Corey Campodonico for making the movie possible. Cast includes: Ewan McGregor, David Bradley, Gregory Mann, Burn Gorman, Ron Perlman, John Turturro, Finn Wolfhard, Cate Blanchett, Tim Blake Nelson, Christoph Waltz, and Tilda Swinton. 

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? 

Yes. Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio is a wonderful watch for any audience 10-years old and up. 

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers