MEGAN LEAVEY (Theatrical Release USA 2017)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 4.0|5.0 Starsìììì

Megan Leavey moves itself out of B-grade status partly due to its choice of subject matter—military canine detection and their handler units, establishment of a female in a male-dominated soldier unit, and the interweaving of a second underlying story that graphically shows a specific type of home-life with which some enlisted personnel must rationalize and come to terms. While the film does not establish itself in the academy award winning class, it does have a certain aura, created by actress Kate Mara, that pushes it into a good, solid watch category. The film firmly broadens education about deployed army canines, their retirement, and usefulness to war efforts.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

Soldier Megan Leavey (Kate Mara) requests canine duty and deploys with a highly aggressive male dog.

Additional Thanks

Thank You to Director Gabriela Cowperthwaite for directing efforts. Thank you to Executive Producers Jose Luis Escolar, Scott Holroyd, Robert Huberman, and Nicole Stojkovich for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Jackie (Edie Falco), Barbie (Alisa Harris), Receiving Marine #1 (Nick Madrick), Receiving Marine #2 (Jason Turner), Female Drill Instructor #1 (Sasha Morfaw), Female Drill Instructor #2 (Jennifer Duke), Female Drill Instructor #3 (Megan Leavey), Jim (Will Patton), Master Sergeant (Corey Johnson), Jones (Andrew Moon), Timmins (Alicia Lobo), Lopez (Melina Matthews), and Drunk Guy in Bar (Luka Peros).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. This flick has a universal appeal that supersedes its war movie classification.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

AVATAR: THE WAY OF WATER (Theatrical Release USA 2022)

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 3.9|5.0 Starsììì 

Avatar: The Way of Water becomes an ode to visually stimulating special effects while forgetting storyline and emotional appeal are as integral a part of producing the satisfying entertainment experience as visual stimulation. Avatar: The Way of Water becomes Avatar rerun, except it changes its stage setting to underwater and adds green to the coloration of a tribe with different life ways. Once one has seen Avatar, the second showing seems superficial. The animation? Off the charts. The presentation, acting, and portrayal are good. If the audience is as interested in technological improvement as much as a Hollywood insider, then this movie may work.  Know that editing cuts were not well done and the film becomes an overwhelmingly long watch. 

Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images 

Storyline 

This science fiction film is about: Earth dying and sending Recombinants to conquer Pandora. 

Additional Thanks 

Thank you to Director James Cameron for directing effort. Thank you to Executive Producers Richard Baneham, and David Valdes, for making the film possible. Cast includes: Sam Worthington, Zoe Saldana, Sigourney Weaver, Stephen Lang, Kate Winslet, Cliff Curtis, Joel David Moore, CCH Pounder, and Edie Falco. 

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. The movie works well as an immersive artistic presentation, but the story works superficially and takes a 3.2 hour time investment to complete. 

Video Critique Available Here: 

Ben Meyers