OUTBREAK (Released to Theaters USA 1995)

 

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 4.2|5.0 Starsìììì  Outbreak—outperforms many pandemic movies—is believable due to very good acting and pacing. It builds to a climax that is well orchestrated and has a welcome conclusion. The makeup department deserves kudos for the facial makeup of infected persons. This is a good watch for audiences looking for  pandemic-styled entertainment. Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images  Storyline   A man, working in a laboratory, takes a female Capuchin monkey and tries to get a profit for her at a pet store in the USA, but the owner needs a male Capuchin monkey. So, the lab man releases the monkey into the wild within the USA not knowing that it carries a serious disease that easily transfers to humans.   Additional Thanks  Thank you to Director Wolfgang Petersen for directing effort. Thank you to Producers Gail Katz, Arnold Kopelson, and Wolfgang Petersen for making the film possible. Cast includes Dustin Hoffman, Rene Russo, Morgan Freeman, Cuba Gooding, Jr., Patrick Dempsey, Donald Sutherland, and Kevin Spacey. Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?  Yes. It is good to see this film in full and it may be rewatchable.  Video Critique Available Here: Ben Meyers

MR. MAGORIUM'S WONDER EMPORIUM (Released to Theaters USA 2007)

 

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 4.0|5.0 Starsìììì  Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium—odd film—this  is not a Disney film but wants to play like one, but this film does not represent the traditional, magical Disney fare. The focus is more on Mr. Magorium's desire to die and has no real explication for that desire nor does it really leave the audience with a way to connect to the store coming to life for the entertainment of children. At times the story is a little despairing and that may be what hampers this film the most. Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia  Storyline  Mr. Magorium has lived over 240 years. He wants to leave his toy store and go to heaven. He hires an accountant to tally his books and turns the store over "verbally" to his employee.  Additional Thanks  Thank you to Director Zach Helm for directing effort. Thank you to Producers Richard N. Gladstein and James Garavente for making the film possible. Cast includes Dustin Hoffman, Natalie Portman,  and Jason Bateman.  Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?  Yes. Overall, the movie works in the suitable/good range. It's an odd story that may not suit a wide audience range. Video Critique Available Here: Ben Meyers

KUNG FU PANDA 4 (Released to Theaters USA 2024)

 

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 3.9|5.0 Starsììì Kung Fu Panda 4—fourth film in this DreamWorks' series—tries to keep the quality of the third film in place, but this movie lacks the spirit of the third series' film. While it is much more fun than DreamWorks 2023 release of Ruby Gillman, the Teenage Kracken, it still borders on the edge of its final acid test. Voice actors reprise their roles and the animation maintains its quality. Overall, the movie earns its money and time for viewing.  Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images Storyline   Po fights a shape shifting, villainous chameleon who wants all power. Additional Thanks Thank you to Director and Executive Producer Mike Mitchell and Co-Director Stephanie Stine for directing effort. Thank you to Producer Rebecca Huntley for making the film possible. Cast includes Jack Black, Awkwafina, Viola Davis, Dustin Hoffman, Bryan Cranston, James Hong, Ian McShane, Ke Huy Quan, Ronny Chieng, and Seth Rogen. Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?  Yes. Overall, this is a good child/adult share movie. Video Critique Available Here: Ben Meyers

KUNG FU PANDA 2 (Theatrical Release USA 2011)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 3.7|5.0 Stars ììì

Kung Fu Panda 2—a story one has heard so many times before—tells it again via the Kung Fu Panda. The movie has its emotional moments, works on about the same level as the first movie, and establishes the Kung Fu Panda stories as a series. Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images Storyline Po (voice of Jack Black) discovers his Panda origins through a series of flashbacks, his teacher Shifu (voice of Dustin Hoffman), and a Court Soothsayer (Michelle Yeoh). Po is urged to find his inner peace through embracing his past. Additional Thanks Thank you to Director Jennifer Yuh Nelson for the directing efforts. Thank you to Producer Melissa Cobb for making the film possible. Voice cast include: Jack Black, Angelina Jolie, Dustin Hoffman, Gary Oldman, Jackie Chan, Seth Rogan, Lucy Liu, David Cross, James Hong, Michelle Yeoh, Danny McBride, Dennis Haysbert, Jean-Claude Van Damme, Victor Garber, Mike Bell,

Additional Thanks

Good work for Director Jennifer Yuh Nelson. Thank you to Producer Melissa Cobb for making the film possible. Voice cast include: Jack Black, Angelina Jolie, Dustin Hoffman, Gary Oldman, Jackie Chan, Seth Rogan, Lucy Liu, David Cross, James Hong, Michelle Yeoh, Danny McBride, Dennis Haysbert, Jean-Claude Van Damme, Victor Garber, and Mike Bell.

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Maybe. The movie follows a message about being peaceful and has a link to the movies that follow.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers