ARRIVAL (Theatrical Release USA 2016)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 4.9|5.0 Starsìììì

Arrival—a ‘do not miss this story’ film—explores what humans may learn from aliens when we choose not to shoot ‘em with guns first and talk later. The movie sports a little suspense while shooting to the top of the sci fi entertainment class. The acting is very good with Amy Adams, Jeremy Renner, and Forrest Whitaker strutting their skills in every scene. This is one of best science fiction films of 2016 and is actually rewatchable due to its well-written, in-depth script. Watch for the light twist at the end that is more than worth the 116-minute viewing time.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

Linguist Louise Banks (Amy Adams) becomes capable of using an alien language that gives power to see the future and the past.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director Denis Villeneuve for directing effort. Thank you to Executive Producers Dan Cohen, Eric Heisserer, Karen Lunder, Tory Metzger, Milan Popelka, Stan Wlodkowski, Glen Basner for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Ian Donnelly (Jeremy Renner), Colonel Weber (Forest Whitaker), Agent Halpern (Michael Stuhlbarg), Captain Marks (Mark O’Brien), General Shang (Tzi Ma), 8-year-old Hannah (Abigail Pniowsky), and 12-year-old Hannah (Julia Scarlett Dan).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. Like The Day the Earth Stood Still when first introduced to the big screen, Arrival serves as a ‘best’ sci fi film that introduces fresh concepts well-worth exploring. Don’t miss this completely satisfying movie.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

DUNE: PART TWO (Released to Theaters USA 2024)

 

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 3.9|5.0 Starsììì  Dune: Part Two—improves over the 2021 Dune—has stronger acting from Timothée Chalamet.  It is best to watch the first Dune, then this Dune: Part Two as there are references that may be difficult to understand if the first movie has not been watched.  Film Poster Courtesy of IMDb Storyline  Paul Atrietes and his mother continue to make alliances with the Freman,  and Paul tries to take actions against the persons responsible for destroying his family.    Additional Thanks Thank you to Director and Producer Denis Villeneuve for directing effort. Thank you to Executive Producer Herbert W. Gains, Joshua Grode, John Harrison, Brian Herbert, Kim Herbert, Byron Merritt, Richard P. Rubinstein, Jon Spaihts, for making the film possible. Cast includes Timothée Chalamet, Zendaya, Rebecca Ferguson, Javier Bardem, Josh Brolin, Austin Butler, Florence Pugh, and Dave Bautista.  Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? Yes. This movie is better than the first Dune movie due to stronger acting and writing. Be aware that the movie tries to work like an epic movie and is 2 hours and 46 minutes long.    Video Critique Available Here: Ben Meyers

DUNE (Theatrical Release USA 2021)

 Ben Meyers’ Rating: 3.7|5.0 Starsììì 

Dune—read a plotline before going—works at an exceptionally high level of complication and sophistication. This is an intellectual watch that may be completely appreciated by a limited audience with specialized knowledge. It is not as interesting, nor as good as the original movie, but the film does elaborate on Baron Vladimir Harkonnen’s character and about his position in moving the story forward. While the cast is star-studded, it surprisingly, at times, needs more realistic acting and consistency in acting skills. 

Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images 

Storyline 

A family has become powerful due to its control of ‘spice’. A ruler decides that a new family needs to control the ‘spice.’ 

Additional Thanks 

Thank you to Director Denis Villeneuve for directing effort. Thank you to Producers Mary Parent, Denis Villeneuve, and Eric Roth for making the film possible. Cast includes: Timothee Chalamet, Oscar Isaac, Josh Brolin, Stellan Skarsgård, Dave Bautista, Stephen McKinley Henderson, Zendaya, David Dastmalchian, Chang Chen, Sharon Duncan-Brewster, Charlotte Rampling, Jason Momoa, and Javier Bardem. 

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? 

Maybe. It is interesting to see the differences between the original Dune and this story (which has been completely rewritten with bits of the original story sprinkled in at curtain junctures). There is little to recommend this movie to a general audience other than to see new actors coming into their professional maturity and to view some very good special effects, makeup artists' terrific abilities, and some fantastic architectural structures. 

Video Critique Available Here: 

Ben Meyers