THE SPONGEBOB MOVIE: SPONGE ON THE RUN (Released to Theaters Canada 2020)

 

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 3.8|5.0 Starsììì  The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge on the Run—odd story, not as good as the first film—works more for children than adults. The actors are well chosen: Keanu Reeves, Danny Trejo, and Snoop Dogg. Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images  Storyline Plankton kidnaps Gary the Snail and gives him to King Poseidon. Plankton wishes to remove SpongeBob from the Krusty Crab so that Plankton can get the Krabby Patty Secret Formula.   Additional Thanks   Thank you to Director Tim Hill for directing effort. Thank you to Producer Ryan Harris for making the film possible. Cast includes Tom Kenney, Akwafina, Matt Berry, Clancy Brown, Rodger Bumpass, Snoop Dogg, Bill Fagerbakke, Tiffany Haddish, Carolyn Lawrence, Mr. Lawrence, Keanu Reeves, Danny Trejo, and Reggie Watts.  Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?  Maybe. It's an okay watch that children will like better than adults. Video Critique Available Here: Ben Meyers

ONCE UPON A TIME IN MEXICO (Released to Theaters USA 2003)

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 3.8|5.0 Starsììì  Once Upon a Time in Mexico—fun, perky, flavorful—is part 3 of The Mexico Trilogy. Watch for Antonio Banderas and Johnny Depp as well as high level, first rate support casting. The movie is not great, but suitable. Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia Storyline A new gunman is in the village and he wants to know where The Mariachi is.  Additional Thanks Thank you to Director and Producer Robert Rodriguez for directing and Producing effort. Thank you to Producer Elizabeth Avellan, Carlos Gallardo, for making the film possible. Cast includes Antonio Banderas, Salma Hayek, Johnny Depp, Mickey Rourke, Eva Mendes, Danny Trejo, Enrique Iglesias, Marco Leonardi, Cheech Marin, Rubén Blades, and Willem Defoe.  Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?  Yes. This movie belongs to a series and becomes a better watch if the viewer begins at the first movie: El Mariachi (1993). The movie relies heavily on Mexico small village stage settings. It is a suitable watch. Video Critique Available Here:

 

Ben Meyers

STORKS (Theatrical Release USA 2016)

 Ben Meyers’ Rating: 4.0|5.0 Starsìììì 

Storks—animation—can be noted for its creativity and fresh storyline. It has a wonderful, unexpected conclusion that is highlighted by the exceptionally good animation scenes. The voice cast has been well-chosen. The stork/baby delivery idea can be more deeply explored than this movie allows. It’s a good choice for family share entertainment.

 Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images

Storyline 

Management decides storks delivering a wide variety of packages is a more profitable choice than delivering babies. 

Additional Thanks 

Thank you to Directors Nicholas Stoller and Doug Sweetland for directing effort. Thank you to Producers Brad Lewis and Nicholas Stoller for making the film possible. Cast includes: Andy Samberg, Katie Crown, Kelsey Grammar, Jennifer Aniston, Ty Burrell, Aton Starkman, Keegan-Michael Key, Jordan Peele, Stephen Kramer Glickman, and Danny Trejo. 

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? 

Yes. This movie can be enjoyed as a family and earns its watch. 

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

BATTLE FOR TERRA (Theatrical Release USA 2007)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 1.1|5.0 Starsì

Battle for Terra graphics are great. But, the movie script and plot are ridiculous with little reason for the situations presented throughout the storyline. The story is trite—aliens take over a planet by attempting to kill all the planet’s inhabitants. But, General Hemmer uses fallacious reasoning to pursue a military strategy that takes the viewer from the movie to focus on the writer—an unusual situation that is a result of poor writing. It’s surprising that actors like Danny Glover and James Garner signed for this movie.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

The planet Terra’s sun is blocked out. Mala (Evan Rachel Wood) goes to investigate and finds that a space ship is abducting the inhabitants of Terra.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director Aristomenis Tsirbas for directing efforts. Thank you to Producers Jessica Calder, Keith Calder, Ryan Colucci, and Dane Allan Smith for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Terrian Scientist (voice of Chad Allen), Professor Lina (voice of Rosanna Arquette), Terrian 2 (voice of Bill Birch), Technician Quinn (voice of Brooke Bloom), Technician Williams (voice of Tom Connolly), General Hemmer (voice of Brian Cox), Giddy (voice of David Cross), Interrogator Wright (voice of Beverly D’Angelo), Colonel Wheeler (voice of James Devoti), Elder Vorin (voice of Ron Perlman), Terrian 1 (voice of Timi Prulhiere), Roven (voice of Dennis Quaid), Lieutenant Evans (voice of Michael Scovotti), Kima (voice of Zoe Bleu), Elder Barum (voice of Danny Trejo), Jim Stanton (voice of Luke Wilson), and Stewart Stanton (voice of Chris Evans).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

No. Battle for Terra is a painful waste of time.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers