DARKEST HOUR (Theatrical Release USA 2017)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 4.6|5.0 Starsìììì 

Darkest Hour—well-written presentation—accesses the talents of Gary Oldman as Prime Minister Winston Churchill.  The movie builds to a satisfying climax and broadly expands on the decision leading to England’s involvement in World War II. 

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia 

Storyline 

Churchill leads England to war. 

Additional Thanks 

Thank you to Director Joe Wright for directing effort. Thank you to Producers Tim Bevan, Lisa Bruce, Eric Feliner, Anthony McCarten, and Douglas Urbanski for directing effort. Characters/cast include: Winston Churchill (Gary Oldman), Clementine Churchill (Kristin Thomas), King George VI (Ben Mendelsohn), Elizabeth Layton (Lily James), Neville Chamberlain (Ronald Pickup), Viscount Halifax (Stephen Dillane), Sir John Simon (Nicholas Jones), Anthony Eden (Samuel West), Clement Attlee (David Schofield), General Ismay (Richard Lumsden), General Ironside (Malcolm Storry), Arthur Greenwood (Hilton McRae), Sir Samuel Hoare (Benjamin Whitrow), John Evans (Joe Armstrong), Air Chief Marshal Dowding (Adrian Rawlins), Admiral Ramsay (David Bamber), Admiral Dudley Pound), Cabinet Secretary Bridges (Demetri Goritsas), Paul Reynaud (Olivier Broche), and Kingsley Wood (Brian Pettifer). 

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. If one desires to see a great film about England’s Prime Minister Churchill, this is the movie. 

Video Critique Available Here:

 

Ben Meyers

THE MUSKETEER (Theatrical Release USA 2001)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 0.7|5.0 Stars

The Musketeer—a walkout movie—serves entertainment that makes one think: camera men are inexperienced and have not fully developed their craft, choreographer needs to work as an understudy to understand basic placement to enhance actors and the story they need to portray, and actors who may need to act in supporting roles for a while to move from unprofessional to professional. From beginning to end, the movie, unfortunately, dooms itself to failure. Director Peter Hyams' attempt to direct the final fight scene becomes laughably sad.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

D’Artagnan (Justin Chambers) witnesses the murder of his father and waits until he is an adult to take revenge.

Additional Thanks

Thanks to Director Peter Hyams for directing efforts. Thank you to Executive Producers Rudy Cohen, Mark Damon, Frank Hübner, Romain Schroeder, and Steven Paul for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: The Queen (Catherine Deneuve), Francesca Bonacieux (Mena Suvari), Cardinal Richelieu (Stephen Rea), Febre the Man in Black (Tim Roth), Bonacieux (Bill Treacher), King Louis XIII (Daniel Mesguich), Rochefort, and Richelieu Henchman (David Schofield).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

No. The movie comes off as a first effort in every department—almost as if it is a school project rather than a theater release film.

Video Critique Available Here

Ben Meyers