FOCUS (Released to Theaters USA 2001)

 

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 4.2|5.0 Starsìììì  Focus—highly intriguing—gives away no clues to the events that take place. William H. Macy and Laura Dern act well together. David Paymer is a great addition to the story. The acting, presentation and portrayal are good. This is a rough story, but watchable.  Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images Storyline  Lawrence Newman is a simple, single, well-employed  man taking care of his mother. His neighborhood becomes antisemitic during WWII. Lawrence does not claim to be Jewish and is not antisemitic.  Additional Thanks  Thank you to Director Neal Slavin for directing efforts. Thank you Robert A. Miller and Michael R. Bloomberg for making the film possible. Cast includes William H. Macy,  Laura Dern, David Paymer, and Meat Loaf. Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? Yes. This is a very good film to understand what people have to deal with when becoming the 'out' group. Great writing and tells a good story. Video Critique Available Here: Ben Meyers

AMISTAD (Relelased to Theaters USA 1997)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 4.5|5.0 Stars ìììì

Amistad, based loosely on the true story of a slave mutiny aboard the 1839 slave ship, Amistad, takes us into the courtroom as 50 captured African slaves fight for their freedom and right to return to Africa. The incident involves the United States Supreme Court as well as President Martin Van Buren (Nigel Hawthorne). It’s a true-to-form Stephen Spielberg classic about greed, power, and evil being thwarted by the few just individuals who fight for right. The tale is told through the eyes of Cinque (Djimon Hounsou), the leader of the African ship revolt.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Additional Thanks

Great work for Director Steven Spielberg. Thank you to Executive Producers Laurie McDonald and Walter Parkes for making the film possible. Cast include: Djimon Hounsou, Morgan Freeman, Stellen Skarsgård, Anthony Hopkins, David Paymer, Pete Postlethwaite, and Razaaq Adoti.

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. This watch works well for Steven Spielberg fans. 

Video Available Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

MIGHTY JOE YOUNG (Released to Theaters USA 1998)

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 4.0|5.0 Starsìììì Mighty Joe Young—Charlize Theron—is different from other interpretations of this story. Watch for the late Bill Paxton. The movie is worth a watch, if for nothing else, the twist in interpreting the original story.   Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images  Storyline A small girl grows up in an African village and makes 'friends' with a baby gorilla. The gorilla grows to an immense size and becomes the target of poachers. She fears for the gorilla's life and makes a decision to move him to a 'safe' place.  Additional Thanks  Thank you to Director Ron Underwood for directing effort. Thank you to Producers Ted Hartley, Tom Jacobson for making the film possible. Cast includes Bill Paxton,Charlize Theron, Rade Serbedzija, Naveen Andrews, Peter Firth, Regina King, and David Paymer.  Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?  Yes. This movie is a pleasant surprise from the usual stories that have been produced along this story's line.  Video Critique Available Here: Ben Meyers

CHILL FACTOR (Theatrical Release USA 1999)

 Ben Meyers’ Rating: 3.7|5.0 Starsììì 

Chill Factor—interesting, simple—works on the quality level of movies like Tremors. This film’s weakest scenes take place before the prison sentence. The acting needs more warmth there. The story picks up pace when the order is issued to take the doctor’s bio-weapon and keep it safe. The movie is average; the acting is okay to good. 

Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images 

Storyline 

A parolee wants revenge for the time he spent in prison over a military experiment that went wrong. 

Additional Thanks 

Thank you to Hugh Johnson for directing efforts. Thank you to Producer James G. Robinson for making the film possible. Cast includes: Cuba Gooding Jr., Skeet Ulrich, Peter Firth, and David Paymer. 

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? 

Maybe. Overall, it’s a good watch but needs tightening of script to produce a stronger delivery. 

Video Critique Available Here: 

Ben Meyers