FENCES (Theatrical Release USA 2016)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 4.9|5.0 Starsìììì

Fences combines Denzel Washington and Viola Davis in an encore, BRAVO! performance that dramatically captures a moment in marriage and plays it according to choices made by the main players caught in the situation. The film defines the word, masterpiece. Great work for all involved with a special thank you to the outstanding drama direction by Denzel Washington.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

Troy Maxson (Denzel Washington) seeks happiness through control of his world as he understands it.

Additional Thanks

Thank You to Director Denzel Washington for directing effort. Thank you to Executive Producers Molly Allen, Eli Bush, Aaron L. Gilbert, Charles D. King, Andrew Pollack, Kim Roth, and Dale Wells for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Rose Maxson (Viola Davis), Jim Bono (Stephen Henderson), Cory (Jovan Adepo), Lyons (Russell Hornsby), Gabriel (Mykelti Williamson), Raynell (Saniyya Sidney), Deputy Commissioner (Christopher Mele), and Evangelist Preacher (Lesley Boone).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. The film works at the emotional level and supports itself with powerful acting performances. One of the best, if not the best, dramas of 2016. Beautiful! Kudos to all involved in its production.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

TRAINING DAY (Theatrical Release USA 2001)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 4.7|5.0 Starsìììì

Training Day—one of Denzel Washington’s best performances—allows him to show great skill in portraying the character of Alonzo Harris, a corrupt Los Angeles Narcotics Police Officer. Perfectly supported by Actor Ethan Hawke, the film does not flinch in its portrayal of corruption within a law enforcement’s narcotics department. The film’s violence, language, and overall toughness place it in the mature adult category; but its level of realism puts it in a class of its own.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

Los Angeles Narcotics Officer Alonzo (Denzel Washington) introduces fellow officer Jake (Ethan Hawke) to murder and theft during duty.

Additional Thanks

Thank You to Director Antoine Fuqua for directing efforts. Thank you to Executive Producers Bruce Berman and Davis Guggenheim for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Roger (Scott Glenn), Stan Gursky (Tom Berenger), Doug Rosselli (Harris Yulin), Lou Jacobs (Raymond J. Barry), Smiley (Cliff Curtis), Paul (Dr. Dre), Blue (Snoop Dog), and Sandman’s Wife (Macy Gray).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Maybe. While this adult film shows enough violence to place it in the ‘no desire to see it twice’ class, it deserves its rating due to its realism and refusal to step down from Director Antoine Fuqua’s vision and skill in directing a tough story to tell. The movie’s overall perfection in flow and acting cannot be ignored.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

THE GREAT DEBATERS (Released to Theaters USA 2007)

 

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 4.3|5.0 Starsìììì  The Great Debaters—Denzel Washington—is a quality watch from its beginning to its conclusion. It takes a bit of time to get into its story, but do not give up on this one. It's a winner from the get-go and turns into a  'must see' that is a perfect addition to the home video library while giving terrific opportunity for before and after viewing family discussion...a good family share movie that emphasizes the importance of handling dialogue well and standing up for rights in a dignified manner. This is a true story...inspirational and very worthy.  Film Poster Courtesy of IMDb Storyline A true story of Mr. Melvin Tolson, a teacher at a college in Texas, who teaches students how to debate other students effectively and well.  Additional Thank Thank you to Director Denzel Washington for directing effort. Thank you to Producers Todd Black, Kate Forte, Joe Roth, and Oprah Winfrey for making the film possible. Cast includes Denzel Washington, Forest Whitaker, Nate Parker, Jurnee Smollett, Denzel Whitaker, John Heard, and Kimberly Elise.  Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?  Yes. It's difficult to understand where this film is going at first until the students are given the green light to debate other students at other colleges and universities, then the brilliance and clarity of points very well made, make it shine. Great work for all involved. Thank you for a great watch. Video Critique Available Here: Ben Meyers

GLADIATOR II (Released to Theaters USA 2024)

 

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 4.2|5.0 Starsìììì  Gladiator II—important story—relies on a wide variety of potential fights that a gladiator could be involved in.  It is not perfect, but is well portrayed and acted. Paul Mescal, Denzel Washington, Pedro Pascal, and Connie Neilson perform well in this film.  Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images Storyline A soldier from Africa is taken as a prisoner of war and appointed as a gladiator for Rome, Italy.  Additional Thanks Thank you to Director Ridley Scott for directing effort. Thank you to Producers Ridley Scott, Michael Pruss, Douglas Wick, Lucy Fisher, and David Franzoni for making the film possible. Cast includes Paul Mescal, Pedro Pascal, Joseph Quinn, Fred Hachinger, Lior Raz, Derek Jacobi, Connie Nielsen, and Denzel Washington.  Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?  Yes. This is one of the better gladiator stories produced. There is  some gore and violence in this film. Be aware it is NOT a family watch. There is an interesting scene that shows the flooding of the arena so that a sea battle with real ships could be viewed.  Video Critique Available Here: Ben Meyers

THE EQUALIZER 3 (Released to Theaters USA 2023)

 

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 4.0|5.0 Starsìììì  Equalizer 3—not as good as the last two films—continues to present cringe-worthy, gory violence a la Denzel Washington-style as he works the strong vigilante theme. This movie almost works as a nostalgia offering to the previous two films. Watch for Dakota Fanning as Emma Collins in the movie. This movie works for its money and especially serves the action crowd with good camera work and a believable story.  Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images Storyline  Robert McCall is back. His job is to eliminate a mafia/drug dealing ring in Italy.  Additional Thanks Thank you to Director and Producer Antoine Fuqua for directing effort. Thank you to Executive Producers Tarak Ben Ammar, David Bloomfield, Andy Mitchell, Samir M. Patel, Kat Samick, and Enzo Sisti for making the film possible. Cast includes Denzel Washington, Dakota Fanning, Eugenio Mastrandrea, David Denman, Gaia Scodellaro, Remo Girone, Andrea Scarduzio, Andrea Dodero, Daniele Perrione, and Zakaria Hamza.  Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?  Yes. It is a suitable watch and tells a good story. Denzel Washington presents a strong, realistic performance to make the movie worth time and money investment. This is an adult watch for action fans. Video Critique Available Here: Ben Meyers

THE EQUALIZER 2 (Released to Theaters USA 2018)

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 4.1|5.0 Starsìììì 

The Equalizer 2—a bit slower pacing than the original movie—bases its story on strong writing and an important story to tell. Be aware that the violence can be cringeworthy at times. The movie is worth watching for the information. Denzel Washington defines the role of a believable vigilante.

Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images

Storyline 

 Robert McCall is back to clean up the streets of Boston. Instead of working at a home retail store, he works for Lyft Taxi.

 Additional Thanks

 Thank you to Director Antoine Fuqua for directing effort. Thank you to Executive Producer  Molly Allen, David J. Bloomfield for making the film possible. Cast includes: Denzel Washington ,Pedro Pascal, Ashton Sanders, Orson Bean, Bill Pullman, Melissa Leo, Jonathan Scarfe, Sakina Jaffrey, Kazy Tauginas, and Garret Golden.

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? 

Yes. This is a good watch overall and tells a great story. Bill Pullman and Melissa Leo reprise their roles. Vigilante Robert McCall (Denzel Washington) has new villains to fight.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

THE EQUALIZER (Released to Theaters Canada 2014)

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 4.1|5.0 Starsìììì 

The Equalizer—this is part 1 of 3 films released through the 2010s decade with part 3 released  in 2023. This film is actually really well made. The story itself has interest even though the main driver of its story is cringe-worthy violence.  Denzel Washington is very believable for this type of  film. Watch for his interesting technique of approach to engage action. This is a Director Antoine Fuqua movie. Fuqua and Washington also worked together in the film Training Day which is even better than this movie. The Equalizer tells it the way it is and has no apologies. It is good to see David Harbour and Bill Pullman in the movie. Overall, it is a quality entertainment piece that is more than worth the adult's time and money. 

Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images 

Storyline 

 A home retail store worker and former military man goes to a diner at night to have tea and read a good book and finds that a young woman, who he befriends, is in hospital badly beaten by a prostitute ring owner. He goes on a vigilante spree to clean shop. 

Additional Thanks 

 Thank you to Director Antoine Fuqua for directing effort. Thank you to Executive Producer, David J. Bloomfield, Ezra Swerdlow, and Ben Waisbren, for making the film possible. Cast includes Denzel Washington, Marton Csokas, Chloë Grace Moretz, David Harbour, Haley Bennett, Bill Pullman, Melissa Leo, David Meunier, and Johnny Skourtis.   

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. The movie has not been crafted for the faint of heart. It is well made for the adult audience. This film tells it the way it is. 

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

REMEMBER THE TITANS (Theatrical Release USA 2000)

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 4.0|5.0 Starsìììì 

Remember the Titans—inspirational sports film—accesses the acting talents of Denzel Washington. Watch particularly for the terrific acting by Hayden Panetierre as Coach Yoast’s daughter. This film is a good addition to the home video library. 

Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images 

Storyline 

A black football coach is hired to coach in an all-white high school. 

Additional Thanks 

Thank you to Director Boaz Yakin for directing effort. Thank you to Producers Jerry Bruckheimer and Chad Oman for making the film possible. Cast includes: Denzel Washington, Will Patton, Wood Harris, Ryan Hurst, Donald Faison, Craig Kirkwood, Ethan Suplee, Kip Pardue Hayden Panettiere, Nicole Ari Parker, Kate Bosworth, Earl Poitier, Ryan Gosling, and Burgess Jenkins. 

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? 

Yes. This is a good sports film with a great storyline. It is worth watching. 

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers 

CHASING TRANE: THE JOHN COLTRANE DOCUMENTARY (Theatrical Release USA 2017)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 4.7|5.0 Starsìììì

Chasing Trane—a tribute to loving jazz a la John Coltrane—takes its audience on a very good tour of Coltrane’s life from his time as saxophonist with Miles Davis Quintet to the development of his own interpretation of jazz and the formation of his own band. The documentary is fully enjoyable as well as informative.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

John Coltrane’s (voice of Denzel Washington) life and music are thoroughly explored in this documentary movie.

Additional Thanks

Thank You to Director John Scheinfeld for directing efforts. Thank you to Executive Producers Mark Pinkus, Bruce Resnikoff, and Sig Sigworth for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Himself (Reggie Workman), Himself (Ravi Coltrane),  Himself (Ashley Kahn), Himself (Sonny Rollins), Herself (Antonia Andrews), Himself (Jimmy Heath), Himself (Benny Golson), Himself (Lewis Porter), Himself (Bill Clinton), Himself (Cornel West), Herself (Michelle Coltrane), and Himself (Wynton Marsalis).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. It’s a winner for jazz fans.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

UNSTOPPABLE (Theatrical Release USA 2010)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 3.5|5.0 Starsììì

Unstoppable—some good news and some bad news. The good news—action scenes are superb and characters are well done. The bad news—a few flat spots that revolve around the deaths of an engineer and injury of a main character. Overall? Thrilling, exciting with a few flat spots. It’s a ‘don’t-want-to-get-popcorn-until-the-movie-is-over’ flick.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

A train leaves the train yard under its own power without its brakes engaged.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director Tony Scott for directing efforts. Thank you to Executive Producers Chris Ciaffa, Jeff Kwatinetz, and Rick Yorn for making the film possible. Additional character/cast include: Frank (Denzel Washington), Will (Chris Pine), Connie (Rosario Dawson), Dewey (Ethan Suplee), Galvin (Kevin Dunn), Inspector Werner (Kevin Corrigan), Bunny (Kevin Chapman), Ned (Lew Temple), and Gilleece (T.J. Miller).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. Unstoppable, another tribute to Director Tony Scott’s directing skill (Spy Games (1998), The Taking of Pelham 123 (2009), Man on Fire (2004)), defines the thriller/disaster movie genre.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers