JUNGLE CRUISE (Theatrical Release USA 2021)

 Ben Meyers’ Rating: 3.8|5.0 Starsììì 

Jungle Cruise reminds one of taking the Jungle Cruise ride in Disneyland California. It has interestingly incorporated Spanish explorers toward the middle of the movie and while it runs on formula storytelling, the running dialogue patter between Dwayne Johnson and Emily Blunt is easy to digest and has its own worth. It is what it is and could be a fair choice for the child/adult share. 

Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images 

Storyline 

In 1916 a team begins search for a jungle tree that can cure and heal. 

Additional Thanks 

Thank you to Director Jaume Collet-Serra for directing effort. Thank you to Producers John Davis, John Davis, John Fox, Beau Flynn, Dwayne Johnson, Dany Garcia, and Hiram Garcia. Cast includes: Dwayne Johnson, Emily Blunt, Edgar Ramirez, Jack Whitehall, Jesse Plemons, and Paul Giamatti. 

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? 

Maybe. The movie runs like movies from the 1940s and 1950s. The jungle theme is an  interesting stage setting choice for Dwayne Johnson as he interacts with Emily Blunt. The movie runs on a lighter touch to entertain.

Video Critique Available Here: 

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Ben Meyers

INTO THE WOODS (Theatrical Release USA 2014)

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 3.8|5.0 Starsììì 

Into the Woods—okay watch with a long way to go to achieve quality—has great singing voices but the lyrics are weak, the power of presentation missing, and entertainment value darkly themed without appeal.  The star-studded cast—James Corden, Emily Blunt, Meryl Streep, Anna Kendrick, Johnny Depp—along with new actors like Lilla Crawford and Daniel Huddlestone cannot pull any power out of the overall storyline. The movie lacks intelligence and human spirit. 

Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images 

Storyline 

This fantasy film is a backstory and an imaginary correlation between five Brothers Grimm fairy tales. 

Additional Thanks 

Thank you to Director Rob Marshall for directing efforts. Thank you to Producers Rob Marshall, John DeLuca, Callum McDougall for making the film possible. Cast includes: Meryl Streep, Emily Blunt, James Corden, Anna Kendrick, Tracey Ullman, Christine Baranski, Johnny Depp, and Chris Pine. 

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? 

Maybe. It has its own storyline which is a rewritten form of five Grimm fairy tales with maybe a fresher look at the overdone screening of these stories. But, for the most part, it is not well presented or written. 

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers 

THE YOUNG VICTORIA (Theatrical Release USA 2009)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 3.8|5.0 Starsììì

The Young Victoria—priceless—doesn’t play down the difficulties of ruling and good leadership. It’s a marvelous ode to the necessity of strength of character, knowledge, political finesse, and able/honest advisors. While the acting sometimes seems a bit bland and weak, the film overall makes a good entertainment piece.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

Young Victoria (Emily Blunt) finds herself at odds with her mother, her mother’s chief advisor, the populace at large and finds comfort and friendship with Prince Albert (Rupert Friend).

Additional Thanks

Thank You to Director Jean-Marc Vallée for directing effort. Thank you to Executive Producer Colin Vaines for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Lord Melbourne (Paul Bettany), Duchess of Kent (Miranda Richardson), King William (Jim Broadbent), King Leopold (Thomas Kretschmann), Sir John Conroy (Mark Srong), Baron Stockmar (Jesper Christensen), Queen Adelaide (Harriet Walter), Baroness Lehzen (Jeanette Hain), Duke of Wellington (Julian Glover), Sir Robert Peel (Michael Maloney), and Ernest (Michiel Huisman).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? 

Yes. It’s a royal treat.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers