SECRETARIAT (Released to Theaters USA 2010)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 3.8|5.0 Starsììì

Secretariat, suitable film, does have its inspirational scenes. Actress Diane Lane performs at the suitable level and works from a script that very nicely details the story of the racing farm that creates the award winning horse, Secretariat. The rest of the cast follows the lead of the well-written script. The story portrayal and presentation are suitable to okay. John Malkovich plays the role of Secretariat's trainer and adds the flavor to balance the story. Watch for Dylan Baker and James Cromwell's performance. This film's content and welcome introduction into a behind the scenes look at racing farms, how negotiations are made and maintained, and the knowledge required to enhance potential are wonderfully enlightening. This movie is based on a true story.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

Penny Chenery (Diane Lane) needs a winning streak to save the family farm and finds that luck in a foal she raises.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director Randall Wallace for directing efforts. Thank you to Executive Producer Bill Johnson and Mike Rich, Cast include: Diane Lane, John Malkovich, Dylan Walsh, Miss Ham Margo Martindale, Nelsan Ellis, Otto Thorwarth, Fred Dalton Thompson, James Cromwell, and Scott Glenn.

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. It is a suitable to okay movie that has a good story to tell.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

CONGO (Theatrical Release USA 1995)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 2.5|5.0 Starsìì

Congo is a bona fide C-grade movie that works on flaws. The storyline is simple, completely uncomplicated and very predictable. Ernie Hudson is too confident for his part as Captain Munro Kelly. Tim Curry is awkward as character Herkermer Homolka (i.e., when he starts to insist that he wants to find diamonds). Joe Don Baker as character R. B. Travis, while interacting with Laura Linney as character Dr. Karen Ross, completely botches the proper reaction to the massacre of part of their team by unknown gorillas. The introduction of a talking gorilla is awkward.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

When a testing team does not return from the jungle, Dr. Karen Ross (Laura Linney) activates their remote camera, finds the camp ravaged, and loses camera contact after something knocks over the camera.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director Frank Marshall for directing efforts Thank you to Executive Producers  for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Dr. Peter Elliot (Dylan Walsh), Captain Munro Kelly (Ernie Hudson), Herkermer Homolka (Tim Curry), Richard (Grant Heslov), R.B. Travis (Joe Don Baker), Amy (Lola Noh), Moira (Mary Ellen Trainor), and Amy the Gorilla (Misty Rosas).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Maybe. Interesting concept, not fully developed.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers