NATIONAL TREASURE (Theatrical Release USA 2004)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 4.1|5.0 Starsìììì

National Treasure is, as Ed Sullivan says, ‘a really big show’ to which can be added, ‘and honestly  earns its dollars for entertainment value.’ The innovative script allows Nicolas Cage one of the best performances of his movie career. The supporting cast, composed of Diane Kruger, Justin Bartha, Sean Bean, Jon Voight, Harvey Keitel, and Christopher Plummer, create the perfect charisma that make a film believable. Director Jon Turteltaub times the movement through each clue in this story well. The film has a satisfying conclusion that supports morality and good ethical standards.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

Benjamin Franklin Gates’ (Nicolas Cage) grandfather tells him a story about a fabulous treasure hidden in America and he sets off to follow a series of clues to find it.

Additional Thanks

Thank You to Director Jon Turteltaub for directing efforts. Thank you to Executive Producers Oren Aviv, Chad Oman, Charles Segars, Christina Steinberg, Mike Stenson, and Barry H. Waldman for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast includes: Dr. Abigail Chase (Diane Kruger), Riley Poole (Justin Bartha), Ian Howe (Sean Bean), Patrick Gates (Jon Voight), Sadusky (Harvey Keitel), John Adams Gates (Christopher Plummer), Shaw (David Dayan Fisher), Powell (Stewart Finlay-McLennan), and Shippen (Oleg Taktarov).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? 

Yes. The film moves along nicely, seems fresh and new with its simple plot of following one series of clues after another while staying just ahead of the ‘bad guys’.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

TROY (Released to Theaters USA 2004)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 3.7|5.0 Stars ììì

Troy, interesting, does a much better job of telling the classic, god-related story than many other films within this genre. The acting is suitable to good and the presentation/portrayal work at the same level. The writing department writes from an angle that greatly enhances previous attempts to portray this story with some very good dialogue lines about who should fight wars between kings. There are unnecessary nudity and sexual scenes in the movie. But, overall, the movie makes some valid points about war and makes way for good, after viewing discussion.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

The movie tracks the events that led to the Grecian attack on Troy over Helen. 

 Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director and Producer Wolfgang Petersen. Thank you to Producers Diana Rathbun and Colin Wilson for making the film possible. Cast include: Julian Glover, Brian Cox, Nathan Jones, Adoni Maropis, Jacob Smith, Brad Pitt, John Shrapnel, Brendon Gleeson, Diane Kruger, Eric Bana, Orlando Bloom, and Siri Svegler.

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Maybe. This is a suitable watch and tells a fairly good story. Watch for Actor Peter O’Toole in his later life professional work and the support of Orlando Bloom, Eric Bana, Brian Cox, Brenden Gleeson, Brad Pitt, Sean Bean, and Diane Kruger.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

THE INFILTRATOR (Released to Theaters USA 2016)

 

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 4.1|5.0 Starsìììì  The Infiltrator— above par performance by Bryan Cranston—has been crafted for the adult audience with such precision, such tight development that it stands far above average in masterful story telling. Watch for John Leguizamo's very good performance.  There is one car crash scene that is incredibly realistic. Be aware that this movie has been crafted for the adult audience. There is some nudity as well as violence. It earns its time and money investment. Not 'sloppy'.  Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images Storyline  The Columbian drug cartels are infiltrated by a Customs Agent.  Additional Thanks  Thank you to Director Brad Furman for directing effort. Thank you to Producers Paul Brennan, Miriam Segal, Brad Furman, Don Sikorski for making the film possible. Cast includes Bryan Cranston, Diane Kruger, John Leguizamo, Benjamin Bratt, Yul Vazquez, and Andy Ryan.  Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?  Yes. Be aware that this is a taut movie, a stressful watch, due to the danger that has been very well drawn until the conclusion. It's not a relaxing watch and takes energy to watch with strong character development that makes the audience care about who wins. It's an adult only watch. Video Critique Available Here: Ben Meyers

NATIONAL TREASURE 2: BOOK OF SECRETS (Theatrical Release USA 2007)

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 4.1|5.0 Starsìììì

National Treasure 2: Book of Secrets plays as well as the first film in the series partially due to outstanding casting and partially due to a good storyline. Watch for Nicolas Cage, Jon Voight, and Helen Mirren interpreting their roles with strong skill. This movie does not disappoint and earns its watch. 

Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images 

Storyline 

A Civil War secret leads to a treasure trove. 

Additional Thanks 

Thank you to Director Jon Turteltaub for directing effort. Thank you to Producers Jerry Bruckheimer and Jon Turteltaub for making the film possible. Casting includes: Nicolas Cage, Jon Voight, Harvey Keitel, Ed Harris, Diane Kruger, Justin Bartha, Bruce Greenwood, and Helen Mirren. 

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? 

Yes. This movie serves Nicolas Cage fans and Jon Voight fans well. It’s worth its watch. 

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

THE HOST (Theatrical Release USA 2013)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 3.4|5.0 Starsììì

The Host, based on a Stephanie Meyers’ book, does not measure up to Stephanie Meyers’ Twilight series movies. This film needs a serious overhaul from the ground up to become good entertainment. Nothing works in this movie even though it has terrific potential to be an outstanding movie.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

Small aliens insert themselves into human bodies and take over consciousness. One woman fights back and begins conversations with the alien that she is hosting.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director Andrew Niccol for directing effort. Thank you to Executive Producers Ray Angelic, Claudia Bluemhuber, Marc Butan, Uwe Feuersenger, Bill Johnson, and Jim Seibel for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Soul Fleur (Rachel Roberts), Soul Anshu (Shyaam Karra), Soul Winters (Brent Wendell Williams), Soul Lake (Jhil McEntyre), Soul Nafisa (Jalen Coleman), Wanda (Saoirse Ronan), The Seeker/Lacey (Diane Kruger), Seeker Reed (Stephen Rider), Seeker Song (Jaylen Moore), Seeker Sands (Stephen Conroy), Healer Fords (Marcus Lyle Brown), Seeker Wolfe (Michael L. Parker), and Seeker Waverley (Phil Austin).

 

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Maybe. The concept is interesting.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

SPECIAL FORCES (Theatrical Release France 2011)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 4.3|5.0 Starsìììì

Special Forces—a great, worth watching French action film that goes on the Ben Meyers’ favorites list.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

Kovax (Djimon Hounsou) and Lucas (Denis Menochet) ride in a helicopter over the ocean on a misson where they will raid a terrorist’s country house to rescue hostages, one of which is French journalist Elsa Casanova (Diane Kruger).

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director Stéphane Rybojad for directing efforts. Thank you to Executive Producer Benoit Ponsaille for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Tic-Tac (Benoît Magimel), Elias (Raphael Personnaz), Jacques Beauregard (Dedier Flamend), Victor (Alain Figlarz), Marius (Alain Alivon), Amen (Mehdi Nebbou), and Ahmed Zaief (Raz Degan).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. Terrific movie.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers