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

STAR TREK (Theatrical Release USA 2009)

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 3.8|5.0 Starsììì   Star Trek—okay to suitable watch—hides story flaws behind special effects. The special effects, animation, makeup, and choice of cast are outstanding. Chris Pine and Zachary Quinto are great picks for youthful look-alikes of William Shatner and Leonard Nimoy. The movie notably lacks the 'magic' of the first series. But, this movie will suit for 'trekkies' and 'trekkers'.  Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images Storyline James Kirk (Chris Pine) attends Starfleet Academy and meets Doctor McCoy and Captain Pike. During training the cadets are mobilized to answer a distress signal coming from Vulcan. They board the Enterprise and the story is on.  Additional Thanks Thank you to Director J.J. Abrams for directing efforts. Thank you to Executive Producers Bryan Burk, Jeffrey Chernov, Alex Kurtzman, and Roberto Orci for making the film possible. Cast include: Chris Pine, Zachary Quinto Leonard Nimoy, Eric Bana, Bruce Greenwood, Karl Urban, Zoe Saldana, Simon Pegg, and John Cho.

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. This is a suitable watch and story with very good special effects, animation, make-up, and casting.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

LONE SURVIVOR (Theatrical Release USA 2013)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 4.4|5.0 Starsìììì

Lone Survivor—one of the best war movies of the year—details a Navy Seal teams’ infiltration of Afghanistan to capture Ahmad Shah. Script Writer Peter Berg based the story on the book written by Marcus Luttrell and Patrick Robinson. The film is a classic, a truly great story.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

Navy Seals infiltrate Afghanistan to capture Ahmad Shah, a Taliban leader. The team gets caught in unknown mountainous Afghanistan woods with no rescue in sight and a small retreat area.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director Peter Berg for directing efforts. Thank you to Executive Producers Braden Aftergood, Brandt Andersen, Tamara Birkemoe, Remington Chase, Grant Cramer, Mark Damon, Simon Fawcett, Kerry Roster, Kerry Foster, Louis G. Friedman, George Furla, Ron Lynch, Stepan Martirosyan, Jeff Rice, Steven Saxton, Laren Selig, Adi Shankar, Jason Shuman, and Spencer Silna for making the film possible. Music Composer Steve Jablonsky’s “Explosion in the Sky” is outstanding. Cast include: Mark Wahlberg, Taylor Kitsch, Emile Hirsch , Ben Foster, Eric Bana, and Alexander Ludwig.

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. No time or money lost on this flick. It’s outstanding from its start to its finish.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

MUNICH (Theatrical Release USA 2005)

 Ben Meyers’ Rating: 4.2|5.0 Starsìììì 

Munich—intellectual watch—takes full audience engagement to follow its story line. The script has been written with depth and excellent tone. Everything in this film works at an above average level. It is not a formula story nor does it follow a trite, genre format of spy, action, thriller movies. It bases in real life events and has been well portrayed. Know that the movie contains full nudity scenes and mature, adult dialogue. It is wise to read a plotline before engaging this film to follow the story with complete comprehension. 

Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images 

Storyline 

An Israeli sports team is attacked at the Munich Olympic games. 

Additional Thanks 

Thank you to Director Steven Spielberg for directing effort. Thank you to Producers Steven Spielberg, Kathleen Kennedy, Barry Mendel, and Colin Wilson for making the film possible. Cast includes: Eric Bana, Daniel Craig, Ciarán Hinds, Mathieu Kassovitz, Hanns Zischler, and Geoffrey Rush. 

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? 

Yes. This movie works outside established legal order and becomes a ‘James Bond’- type story in an effort to accomplish justice. It earns its watch time and monetary investment.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

HANNA (Theatrical Release USA 2011)

 Ben Meyers’ Rating: 4.3|5.0 Starsìììì 

Hanna—fresh and highly creative story concept—reveals the outstanding acting talents of Saoirse Ronan. Eric Bana and Cate Blanchett do a terrific job of creating suspense as they work against each other as secret agents. The movie is tense, suspenseful, and completely unique—a well-done drama thriller that makes a good watch for an adult audience. 

Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images 

Storyline 

A young girl, engineered to be a super soldier, decides to leave her final training and search for her past and her future. 

Additional Thanks 

Thank you to Director Joe Wright for directing efforts. Thank you to Producers Leslie Holleran, Marty Adelstein, and Scott Nemes for making the film possible. Cast includes: Saoirse Ronan, Eric Bana, Vicky Krieps. Tom Hollander, Olivia Williams, Michelle Dockery, Jessica Barden, Jason Flemyng, and Cate Blanchett. 

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? 

Yes. This film is completely engaging and worth its watch. Be aware that the film exercises excessive and graphic violence. 

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers