THE GOOD, THE BAD AND THE UGLY (Theatrical Release USA 1967)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 4.7|5.0 Starsìììì

The Good, The Bad and The Ugly—never gets old—spices itself with treacherousness, violence, and a bit of comedy along its path toward becoming one of the best westerns ever conceived and executed. Sergio Leone brands this film and clears the path for additional Spaghetti westerns. This is not for children, but it is for the older teen and up with some violence and language. Kudos for especially powerful, suspenseful ending scenes. Great work for everyone involved.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

Blondie (Clint Eastwood) works to find his share of confederate gold.

Additional Thanks

Thank You to Director Sergio Leone for directing effort. Thank you to Producers Alberto Grimaldi for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Tuco (Eli Wallach), Sentenza/Angel Eyes (Lee Van Cleef), Alcoholic Union Captain (Aldo Giuffrè), Father Pablo Ramirez (Luigi Pistilli), Maria (Rada Rassimov), Storekeeper (Enzo Petito), Mexican Peon (Claudio Scarchilli), Sheriff (John Bartha), Baker (Livio Lorenzon), and Jackson/Bill Carson (Antonio Casale).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. This is a bona fide, rewatchable classic western.

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Ben Meyers

JERSEY BOYS (Released to the Sydney Film Festival, Sydney, Australia 2014)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 4.9|5.0 Stars ìììì

Jersey Boys—a Clint Eastwood-directed biopic about Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons—can be watched again and again for its perfect and abundant placement of music and terrific storyline. Well-written, well-cast, and just...well, it's just perfect.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons tell their story through music and words.

Additional Thanks

Best work for Director Clint Eastwood. Thank you to Executive Producers James Packer, Bob Gaudio, Tim Moore, Brett Ratner, and Frankie Valli for making the film possible. Cast include: Vincent Piazza, John Lloyd Young, Steve Schirripa, Christopher Walken, Kathrine Narducci, Michael Lomenda, and Erich Bergen.

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. It’s a great look at the value of persevering in the face of trials, following life’s passion, and bending into difficult situations with honesty and grace.

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Ben Meyers

HEREAFTER (Theatrical Release USA 2010)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 4.1|5.0 Starsìììì

Hereafter—definitely worth watching, not boring for even 1 of its 129 minutes—confirms the talents of Clint Eastwood as a terrific film director as well as completes what everyone knows, that Peter Morgan (The Queen, Frost/Nixon, The Last King of Scotland) is a superb writer. The film, well executed under Eastwood, brilliantly showcases the talents of its actors and actresses, makes one seriously think about life after death subject matter while successfully intertwining three stories into one narrative. Excellent casting choices include Matt Damon, Frankie McLaren, George McLaren, and Cécile De France (as Marie Lelay).

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

Journalist Marie Lelay (Cécile De France) sits on a bed in a Thailand hotel room working. She gets up and tells her lover, Television Producer Didier (Thierry Neuvic) to get up; but, he wants to sleep for another half hour. So, Marie Lelay orders room service breakfast after which she goes to the local market stands to shop. The camera shows an ocean tidal wave approaching the beach and surrounding commercial district. As the tidal wave crashes through the town, Marie Lelay tries to save herself and a local girl. A boat hits Marie Lelay in the head, knocking her unconscious. While she is unconscious, she experiences visions of the afterlife. After house residents rescue her, she survives and goes on to research others’ afterlife experiences. Her life intertwines and overlaps the lives of psychic George Lonegan (Matt Damon) and foster child, Marcus (Frankie and George McLaren).

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director Clint Eastwood for directing efforts. Thank you to Executive Producers Frank Marshall, Tim Moore, Peter Morgan, and Steven Spielberg for making the movie possible. Cast include: Cécile De France, Matt Damon, Cyndi Mayo Davis, Lisa Griffiths, Jessica Griffiths, Ferguson Reid, Jay Mohr, Richard Kind, and Steven R. Schirripa, Derek Sakakura.

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. This film is intriguing and presents an interesting after life scenario for contemplation.

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Ben Meyers

RICHARD JEWELL (Released to Theaters USA 2019)

 

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 4.1|5.0 Starsìììì Richard Jewell—really good movie, produced and directed by Clint Eastwood—shows how courage, determination, and justice can prevail in the most unlikely of circumstances. This very good movie provides excellent after-viewing discussion among friends. Good addition for home video libraries. Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images Storyline A young security guard saves concert goers from a pipe bomb planted by a terrorist and then a reporter plants a story that the guard himself planted the bomb.  Additional Thanks Thank you to Director Clint Eastwood for directing effort. Thank you to Producers Tim Moore,  Jessica Meier, Kevin Misher, Leonardo DiCaprio, Jennifer Davisson, Jonah Hill, and Clint Eastwood for making the film possible. Cast includes Sam Rockwell, Kathy Bates, Jon Hamm, Olivia Wilde, and Paul Walter Hauser. Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?  Yes. This is a good watch with the Director/Producer Clint Eastwood focus on true stories where justice is established. Worth its watch, its monetary investment, and its time investment.  Video Critique Available Here:  Ben Meyers

HEARTBREAK RIDGE (Released to Theaters Australia 1986)

 

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 4.1|5.0 Starsìììì 

Heartbreak Ridge shows quality in the directing, writing, and acting. It catches all the human nuances necessary to its story. The scenes do not follow the overly graphic violent or sexual display. It makes a terrific adult movie. Don’t miss this movie. It completely involves its audience and provides great after viewing discussion. 

Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images

 Storyline

The training of rebellious young men so they can form a fighting team, their first deployment, and their returning home get a full treatment in this movie. 

Additional Thanks 

Thank you to Director Clint Eastwood for directing effort. Thank you to Producer Clint Eastwood for making the film possible. Cast includes Clint Eastwood, Marsha Mason, Everett McGill, Moses Gunn, Eileen Heckart, Bo Svenson, Boyd Gains, Mario Van Peebles, Arlen Dean Snyder, Vincent Irizarry, Ramón Franco, Tom Villard, Mike Gomez, and Rodney Hill.

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. This movie exquisitely details the forming of military teams, the earned respect, and how marriages sometimes reconcile after severe events break the bonds. Clint Eastwood does well when he produces, directs, writes, and acts in a film. He gives the movie that 'more than worth watching' award. This movie is a really good war film that works all the way to the bank. Don’t miss it. It earns its money and watch time and will satisfy the war movie fan.

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Ben Meyers

TWO MULES FOR SISTER SARA (Theatrical release USA 1970)

 

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 4.2|5.0 Starsìììì 

Two Mules for Sister Sara—some suggestive themes and some nudity—serves western movie fans with its solid story and great writing. The movie itself has been skillfully made with some especially good camera work that focuses on the expected and then switches to the unexpected (such as scenes showing a deadly snake slithering on the ground with a horse and rider approaching and then zooming out to show the rider is riding along a ridgetop and the snake is slithering far below the ridge). Clint Eastwood and Shirley MacLaine have surprisingly good onscreen chemistry and give talented performances. Overall, this is a good, adult watch.

 Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images

Storyline 

Revolutionaries fight the French occupation of Mexico. 

Additional Thanks 

Thank you to Director Don Siegel for directing effort. Thank you to Producers Martin Rackin and Carroll Case for making the film possible. Cast includes: Clint Eastwood and Shirley MacLaine. 

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? 

Yes. Playful adult western with comedic elements written into dialogue. The movie serves Clint Eastwood fans.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

 

SULLY (Theatrical Release USA 2016)

 Ben Meyers’ Rating: 4.2|5.0 Starsìììì 

Sully—very good story—gives its audience a great ‘good news’ from impossible circumstances movie based in true events. The film shows how experience and calmness of mind work hand in hand during critical times when a quick decision must be made. This movie outstandingly shows how well our society functions under duress and how much United States’ culture values human life. Director Clint Eastwood shows his usual high level skills of story telling by  maximizing this story with some background information of Pilot Scully’s childhood and military flying experience. Great script, more than worth watching movie. 

Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images 

Storyline 

A passenger airliner leaves the airport with 155 passengers. Suddenly birds blow both engines and the pilot lands the aircraft in the Hudson River. 

Additional Thanks 

Thank you to Director Clint Eastwood for directing efforts. Thank you to Producers Clint Eastwood, Frank Marshall, Tim Moore, and Allyn Stewart for making the film possible. Cast includes: Tom Hanks, Aaron Eckhart, Laura Linney, Mike O’Malley, Anna Gunn, Autumn Reeser, Holt McCallany, and Jamey Sheridan. 

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? 

Yes. Well presented, acted, and worth watching. It's one of Clint Eastwood-produced films that sits among his finer works. 

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

KELLY’S HEROES (Theatrical Release USA 1970)

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 4.2|5.0 Starsìììì 

Kelly’s Heroes—interesting cast of characters—has Clint Eastwood, Telly Savalas, Don Rickles, and Donald Sutherland. WOW! It’s perfect casting as this set of actors offset each other very well. The movie is a war, comedy, and action film that is easy to digest and provides a quality watch if the audience is looking for comedy. Watch for the guest appearance of Carroll O’Connor from All in the Family sitcom television series. 

Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images 

Storyline 

A group of soldiers discover that there is a huge cache of gold bars hidden in a vault behind German lines and the story is on. 

Additional Thanks 

Thank you to Director Brian Hutton for directing effort. Thank you to Producers Gabriel Katzka, Harold Loeb, and Sidney Beckerman for making the film possible. Cast includes: Clint Eastwood, Telly Savalas, Don Rickles, Carroll O'Conner, and Donald Sutherland. 

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? 

Yes. The movie entertains with a very sweet mix of comedy, action, and war drama. 

Video Critique Available Here:

 

Ben Meyers

AMERICAN SNIPER (Theatrical Release USA 2014)

 Ben Meyers’ Rating: 4.4|5.0 Starsìììì 

American Sniper is one of those movies that, from its opening scenes, an audience knows it is going to be a wonderful story. It’s that rare movie that a critic will have to watch again to critique because one just wants to sit back and enjoy it rather than watch it to critique it. The writing is so very good. The dialogue lines are so human. Nothing is lost of the human element in this film. Bradley Cooper has been chosen as the perfect cast for the part of the assassin. WOW! What a film! Director Clint Eastwood has done it again by bringing us a true story and turning an already great story into an incredible piece of entertainment. The movie earns its place in the home video library and is worth a re-watch, its time, and its money investment. 

Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images 

Storyline 

A young man, motivated by news channel coverage of violence against the United States, decides to enlist in the Navy Seals and becomes a sniper. 

Additional Thanks 

Thank you to Director Clint Eastwood for directing effort. Thank you to Producers Clint Eastwood, Robert Lorenz, Andrew Lazar, Bradley Cooper, and Peter Morgan for making the film possible. Cast includes: Bradley Cooper, Sienna Miller, Luke Grimes, Jake McDorman, Cory Hardrict, Kevin Lacz, Navid Negahban, and Keir O’Donell. 

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. Clint Eastwood-directed films are some of the best on the market. This movie is no exception. Wonderful work by all involved in this production.

 Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

THE MULE (Theatrical Release USA 2018)

 Ben Meyers’ Rating: 4.3|5.0 Starsìììì 

The Mule—very creative and interesting storyline—serves as an exceptionally good watch for the adult audience. Clint Eastwood has deeply layered this film with an elderly man’s life story and thoroughly explores choices as well as outcomes of choices. Watch for the very good pairing of Bradley Cooper and Michael Peña. Know that this film runs on highly amoral lines, has sexual content and violence. It does not serve a wide audience range. 

Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images 

Storyline 

A 90-year-old man becomes a ‘mule’ for a major drug cartel. 

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director Clint Eastwood for directing effort. Thank you to Producers Clint Eastwood, Dan Friedkin, Jessica Meier, Tim Moore, Kristina Rivera, and Bradley Thomas for making the film possible. Cast includes: Clint Eastwood, Bradley Cooper, Laurence Fishburne, Michael Peña, Dianne Wiest, and Andy Garcia. 

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? 

Yes. The movie earns its watch and the investment of time and money. 

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

15:17 TO PARIS (Theatrical Release USA 2018)

 Ben Meyers’ rating: 4.2|5.0 Starsìììì 

The 15:17 to Paris—good movie—is interesting to watch and worth watching. This is an unusual Clint Eastwood directed film where he uses the actual heroes to reenact their feat of taking down a terrorist on a train on its way to Paris from Amsterdam. The story is well written and well-acted. The presentation is odd in that the characters are so matter-of-fact about their acting…but this presentation somehow works better than the fictional re-enactments that substitute actors/actresses for real persons. This unique presentation works so well that the Ben Meyers' team would like to see the technique mastered and used more frequently, as applicable, in movies as it adds a certain flavor to a film that rings a refreshing trueness.

Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images 

Storyline 

This terrorist drama film is about a terrorist, a train, and three heroes.

Additional Thanks 

Thank you to Director Clint Eastwood for directing effort. Thank you to Producers Clint Eastwood, Jessica Meier, Tim Moore, and Kristina Rivera for making the film possible. Cast includes: Anthony Sadler, Alek Skarlatos, and Spencer Stone. 

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? 

Yes. This movie uses an odd presentation to its content and manages to achieve a realism not often found in movies. This ‘different-ness’ is very welcome by Ben Meyers International Movie Critics. It earns its watch. The value is in place and correctly placed. Thank you for an experiment that worked quite well. 

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Ben Meyers

FLAGS OF OUR FATHERS (Theatrical Release USA 2006)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 3.6|5.0 Starsììì Flags of Our Fathers—odd presentation—lacks cohesion with its 'all- over-the-place' story, little to no character development, and suitable but not great acting. Despite the hard-to-follow story, expect good fight scenes and highly graphic portrayal of war wounds.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

Three men receive praise for raising a USA flag during World War II as a symbol of a great victory.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director Clint Eastwood for his directing effort. Thank you to Executive Producers Clint Eastwood, Steven Spielberg, and Robert Lorenz for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: John Bradley (Ryan Phillippe), Rene Gagnon (Jesse Bradford), Ira Hayes (Adam Beach), Keyes Beech (John Benjamin Hickey), Bud Gerber (John Slattery), Mike Strank (Barry Pepper), Ralph Ignatowski (Jamie Bell), Hank Hansen (Paul Walker), and Colonel Chandler Johnson (Robert Patrick).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Maybe. It is an okay watch but hard to follow with a 'messy' storyline. This Clint Eastwood film has a counterpart made by Clint Eastwood called Letters from Iwo Jima about the Japanese side of the story that is a much better made film than this film.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers