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

THE CONSPIRATOR (Released to Theaters USA 2011)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 4.5|5.0 Stars ìììì

The Conspirator—superbly directed by Robert Redford—is an American Civil War flick about the story of the persons who conspired to assassinate Abraham Lincoln. Wow! What a winner!

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia  

Storyline

Wounded Civil War soldier Frederick Aiken (James McAvoy) tries to keep his fellow soldier, Nicholas Baker (Justin Long) alive by shaking him every few moments and telling him a story about two men at the Pearly Gates. Frederick Aiken hears a noise, calls for aid, and men come to help Nicholas Baker first, at Frederick Aiken’s request. The camera goes to black screen and states, ‘Two Years Later’. The film is off and running about the story behind Lincoln’s assassination.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director Robert Redford for directing efforts. Thank you to Executive Producers Joe Ricketts, Jeremiah Samuels, and Webster Stone for making the film possible. Cast include: James McAvoy, Robin Wright, Kevin Kline, Evan Rachel Wood, Tom Wilkinson, Justin Long, Danny Huston, James Badge Dale, and Colm Meaney.

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. It’s very well done.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

WRATH OF THE TITANS (Theatrical Release USA 2012)

 Ben Meyers’ Rating: 3.6|5.0 Starsììì

Wrath of the Titans has the same difficulty most movies about Greek and Roman mythology have: There is not enough time or a big enough screen to allow the impact. This movie relies on a good cast, realistic spectacularism, great animation of monsters such as Cyclopes and creatures like the flying Pegasus. More time needs to be invested in fleshing out the main characters’ personalities. The movie is not good enough to make it worth audience time to watch unless one is involved in the series and wants to finish the stories or is a hardcore Greek mythology fan. 

Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images 

Storyline 

Zeus is losing his power and asks Perseus to help him. 

Additional Thanks 

Thank you to Director Jonathan Liebesman for directing effort. Thank you to Producers Basil Iwanyk and Polly Cohen Johnsen for making the film possible. Cast includes: Sam Worthington, Rosamund Pike, Bill Nighy, Édgar Ramirez, Toby Kebbell, Danny Huston, Ralph Fiennes, and Liam Neeson. 

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? 

Maybe. The general audience may enjoy this movie for its animation effects and its basic storyline. For the hardcore lovers of the gods and their interactions on earth, then the outcome of Perseus’ interaction with his father, Zeus, will be interesting.

 Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

X-MEN ORIGINS: WOLVERINE (Theatrical Release USA 2009)

 Ben Meyers’ Rating: 4.1|5.0 Starsìììì 

X-Men Origins: Wolverine—good action, well-written story—will particularly suit X-Men and Wolverine fans. The movie can be watched as a stand-alone movie about the relationship between Wolverine and his older brother, Victor Creed. The movie sports good acting and presentation. 

Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images 

Storyline 

This superhero film is about two half-brothers who live through centuries of time. Then, the brothers are recruited by William Stryker to form a team of mutants to search for the source of a special mineral. Wolverine eventually leaves the team for the sake of humanity to pursue a more respectable job.

Additional Thanks 

Thank you to Director Gavin Hood for directing effort. Thank you to Producers Lauren Shuler Donner, Ralph Winter, Hugh Jackman, and John Palermo for making the film possible. Cast includes: Hugh Jackman, Liev Schreiber, Danny Huston, Dominic Monaghan, and Ryan Reynolds.

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? 

Yes. The movie serves as a good film for fans of X-Men movies and/or the X-Men Comic series. 

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers