DUPLEX (Released to Theaters USA 2003)

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Ben Meyers’ Rating: 4.0|5.0 Starsìììì  Duplex—simple comedy—has a redeeming small twist at the end. The acting is quite good. Watch for a great performance by Eileen Essell as Mrs. Connelly. The stage settings are very well done.   Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images Storyline  A New York man and his wife want to find a new home. The couple are not satisfied with any of the homes they see until they are shown a roomy duplex that they will share with an elderly lady. Additional Thanks  Thank you to Director Danny DeVito for directing effort. Thank you to Producers Stuart Cornfeld, Ben Stiller, Nancy Juvonen, Drew Barrymore, and Jeremy Kramer for making the film possible. Cast includes Ben Stiller, Drew Barrymore, Eileen Essell, Harvey Fierstein, Justin Theroux, and James Remar.  Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?  Yes. Overall, it's a fun watch. Video Critique Available Here: Ben Meyers

JUMANJI: THE NEXT LEVEL (Theatrical Release USA 2019)

 Ben Meyers’ Rating: 4.3|5.0 Starsìììì 

Jumanji: The Next Level—sequel to the Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle movie—is the third film in a series dedicated to the game of Jumanji. This movie allows the characters from the second Jumanji movie to reprise their roles. The movie gathers its entertainment value from a terrific cast, great acting, and its sweet ability to intermix comedy with action. The movie is a great choice to add to the Jumanji series in the home entertainment library. The film begs for its sequel. 

Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images 

Storyline 

Four friends re-enter the Jumanji game for the second time. 

Additional Thanks 

Thank you to Jake Kasdan for directing effort. Thank you to Producers  Dwayne Johnson, Dany Garcia, Hiram Garcia, Matt Tolmach, and Jake Kasdan for making the film possible.  Cast includes: Dwayne Johnson, Jack Black, Kevin Hart, Karen Gillan, Nick Jonas, Awkwafina, Danny Glover, and Danny DeVito. 

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? 

Yes. The film provides an unusually good mixture of both comedy and adventure. The script is creative, fresh, and allows Dwayne Johnson another opportunity to show his diverse ability to play a variety of characters well. The movie makes a terrific addition to the home video library. 

Video Critique Available Here: 

Ben Meyers 

DUMBO (Theatrical Release USA 2019)

 Ben Meyers’ Rating: 3.4|5.0 Starsììì

Dumbo—completes the story of the original animated movie of Dumbo—lacks feeling and emotion. It has no soul and cannot make itself relatable on any level. Despite good coloration, the film seems dark with no human component or relatable sweetness that the original film had. The acting runs from fair to bad and even though it contains quite famous actors who are lovable and draw audiences…nothing draws an audience in this movie. 

Poster Courtesy of Google Images 

Storyline 

A baby elephant with unusually large ears shows that he can fly. 

Additional Thanks 

Thank you to Director Tim Burton for directing effort. Thank you to Producers Justin Springer, Ehren Kruger, Katterli Frauenfelder, and Derek Frey. Cast includes: Colin Farrell, Michael Keaton, Danny DeVito, Eva Green, and Alan Arkin. 

Buy a Ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? 

No. This movie completes and rounds out the story from the original animated story of Dumbo, but it does not improve on the storyline. There is no feeling in this film. 

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

BATMAN RETURNS (Theatrical Release USA 1992)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 3.5|5.0 Starsììì

Batman Returns—slightly better than the Batman movie—starts with a bang that creates high expectations and then settles out to a mediocre level. The film casts Danny DeVito as The Penguin and adds Michelle Pfeiffer, Christopher Walken, and Pat Hingle to the cast. The costuming and makeup are quite good. The special effects perform at about the same level as the movie’s prequel.  Because the script consistently places Batman precisely at scenes of danger, the movie quickly positions itself within the ‘corny/comedic’ category. Whereas Director Christopher Nolan in Batman Begins elevates Batman's character to a realistic fighter of crime, the director of this film, Tim Burton, uses some of the old Adam West techniques when eradicating ‘bad guys’ except it does the audience the favor of disposing of the zap and bang power words splattered across action scenes to describe what a punch sounds like. This film has Michael Keaton reprising his role as Batman with Michael Gough serving as character Alfred Pennyworth.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

Batman (Michael Keaton) fights The Penguin (Danny DeVito) and Catwoman (Michelle Pfeiffer).

Additional Thanks

Thank You to Director Tim Burton for directing efforts. Thank you to Executive Producers Peter Guber, Benjamin Melniker, Jon Peters, and Michael E. Uslan for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Bruce Wayne (Michael Keaton), Oswald Cobblepot (Danny DeVito), Selina Kyle (Michelle Pfeiffer), Max Shreck (Christopher Walken), Alfred Pennyworth (Michael Gough), The Mayor (Michael Murphy), Ice Princess (Cristi Conaway), Charles ‘Chip’ Shreck (Andrew Bryniarski), Commissioner James Gordon (Pat Hingle), Organ Grinder (Vincent Schiavelli), and Josh (Steve Witting).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Maybe. It is worth watching Danny DeVito’s outstanding performance as the Penguin, but an overall better watch is The Dark Knight.

Video Critique Available Here

Ben Meyers