AFTERMATH (Theatrical Release USA 2017)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 4.7|5.0 Starsìììì

Aftermath—suspense drama—places Arnold Schwarzenegger in more of a dramatic role than in an action role. This film requires more emotion from him as did his movie Maggie. Schwarzenegger easily proves that he will handle anything Hollywood wants to throw at him. Likewise, this film works as a terrific credit for Scoot McNairy and for Director Elliott Lester.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

Two planes crash mid-air and completely change the lives of an air traffic control officer, Jake (Scoot McNairy), and  construction worker, Roman (Arnold Schwarzenegger).

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director Elliott Lester for directing effort. Thank you to Executive Producers Martin Blencowe, Barry Brooker, Ted Fox, Wayne Marc Godfrey, Javier Gullón, Ari Handel, Anthony Jabre, Robert Jones, Vance Owen, Steven Saxton, Josh Stern, Mark Stewart, and Stan Wertlieb for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include:  Christina (Maggie Grace), Samuel (Judah Nelson), James Gullick (Larry Sullivan), Thomas (Jason McCune), Matt (Glenn Morshower), Eve (Mariana Klaveno), Robert (Martin Donovan), Tessa (Hannah Ware), Andrew/Corpulent Man (Christopher Darga), Airline Supervisor (Teri Clark), Nadiya (Danielle Sherrick), and Airport Employee (Jeff Panzarella).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. It sits among Arnold Schwarzenegger’s best films. Great work for all involved.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

HARLEY DAVIDSON AND THE MARLBORO MAN (Theatrical Release USA 1991)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 4.0|5.0 Starsìììì

Harley Davidson and The Marlboro Man works for the adult audience while it examines lifestyles of the not so rich and not so famous. The acting is good and the script has a style of its own. The film is worth one viewing.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

An armored car heist goes wrong when the robbers find it carries drugs, not money.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director Simon Wincer for directing effort. Thank you to Producer Jere Henshaw for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Harley Davidson (Mickey Rourke), Marlboro (Don Johnson), Virginia Slim (Chelsea Field), Alexander (Daniel Baldwin), Jimmy Jiles (Giancarlo Esposito), Lulu Daniels (Vanessa Williams), Thom (Robert Ginty), Kimiko (Tia Carrere), Old Man (Julius Harris), Jose (Eloy Casados), and Jack Daniels (Big John Studd).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. It’s worthy of a watch. Director Simon Wincer pulls this story together with Mickey Rourke, Don Johnson, Daniel Baldwin, and Vanessa Williams. 

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

EXODE (Lille International Short Film Festival Lille France 2014)

 Ben Meyers’ rating: 3.9|5.0 Starsììì

Exode—short film—has high potential to work but has inexplicable scenes such as why the monster keeps moving/dying and why people are climbing on it. The film graphics are spectacular, but the story needs to go farther than it does. It’s more than worth a full-length film as long as the producers, directors, and writers instill enough heart, feeling, and kindness coupled with a little peril and Star Wars kind of writing into the final product.  Great potential for all involved.

Film Poster Courtesy of YouTube images

 

Storyline

The interaction between a rock-like dinosaur and humans who climb/ride it.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Kathleen Cartier, Sandrine Gimenez, Nicolas Mrikhi, Baptiste Roy, and Thomas Saez for animation efforts.

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. This is a terrific short film for expansion because of all the gaps in the initial story that need explanation. This could be one of the best original stories of the next generation. Fantastic work on the animation and the potential in its storyline.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

3 NINJAS (Theatrical Release USA 1992)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 3.9|5.0 Starsììì

3 Ninjas—run-of-the-mill preteen flick—serves easy-on-the-mind entertainment fare that works when nothing else is happening. It’s something to run in the background while accomplishing other tasks and does not take a great deal of involvement to follow its storyline.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia 

Storyline 

A grandfather teaches three brothers how to fight Ninjutsu style. 

Additional Thanks 

Thank you to Director Jon Turteltaub for directing effort. Thank you to Executive Producer Shunji Hirano for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Grandpa (Victor Wong), Rocky (Michael Treanor), Colt (Max Elliott Slade), Tum Tum (Chad Power),Snyder (Rand Kingsley), Sam Douglas (Alan McRae), Jessica Douglas (Margarita Franco), Emily (Kate Sargeant), Brown (Joel Swetow), Rushmore (Professor Toru Tanaka), Fester (Patrick Labyorteaux), Marcus (Race Nelson), Hammer (D.J. Harder), Bully (Baha Jackson and Scott Caudill). 

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? 

Yes. The movie sets itself as simple martial arts entertainment. It does not task the mind and is worth one watch. 

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

NEVERENDING STORY II: THE NEXT CHAPTER (Theatrical Release Japan 1990)

 Ben Meyers’ rating: 3.9|5.0 Starsììì 

NeverEnding Story II: The Next Chapter—imaginative—seems to come off flat and a little amateurish which is difficult to resolve because of the high level directing skill of George Miller. The props need an update and the story needs to make an audience feel the realism of this imagination.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia 

Storyline 

An old book leads a boy into a world of make-believe. 

Additional Thanks 

Thank you to Director George Miller for directing effort. Thank you to Executive Producer Tim Hampton for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Bastian (Jonathan Brandis), Atreyu (Kenny Morrison), Xayide (Clarissa Burt), Barney (John Wesley Shipp), Nimbly (Martin Umbach), Childlike Empress (Alexandra Johnes), Coreander (Thomas Hill), Bastian’s Mother (Helena Michell), Tri Face (Christopher Burton), Instrument Spinster (Patricia Fugger), Windbride (Birge Schade), Lavaman (Claudio Maniscalco), Mudwart (Andreas Borcherding), Mudwart (Ralf Weikinger), and Rockbiter Junior (Colin Glider). 

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? 

Maybe. The first film tells a better story. 

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

FOR PETE’S SAKE (Theatrical Release USA 1974)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 4.2|5.0 Starsìììì

For Pete’s Sake—edgy adult theme—serves Barbra Streisand well as a venue to show her acting skill. But, like Moonstruck with Cher, the film runs on a sexual pattern that does not serve whole family entertainment needs. The overall story is as well-written as the Out of Towners and has that same sophisticated comedic feel. Casting Department envisioned Barbra Streisand with Michael Sarrazin, a great choice to get the charisma necessary to pull the story from a run-of-the-mill 3-star flick into 4.0 status. For Director Peter Yates the movie presents itself at a higher level than some of his other works such as The Deep.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

A woman explores several avenues to earn needed extra money.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director Peter Yates for directing effort. Thank you to Executive Producer Phil Feldman for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Henry (Barbra Streisand), Pete (Michael Sarrazin), Helen (Estelle Parsons), Mrs. Cherry (Molly Picon), Fred (William Redfield), Nick (Louis Zorich), Judge Hiller (Heywood Hale Broun), Bernie (Richard Ward), Angelo (ed Bakey), and Dominic (Peter Mamakos).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. The story serves as a simple, afternoon-fill-in-some-time movie better watched as streaming media than taking the time and monetary investment to go to theater. This film does not have the quality necessary to be a ‘couples date night movie’ and does not require total involvement of time or intellect.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

SKYSCRAPER (Theatrical Release USA 2018)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 4.7|5.0 Starsìììì

Skyscraper—block buster—rallies into Wonderful and Bravo! for the realism of stunt work, adventure, and heart-throbbing action. Great film for Dwayne Johnson with a terrific ending makes this film stand out in line of credits for Director Rawson Marshall Thurber.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

A man must rescue his family from criminals and from a burning skyscraper.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director Rawson Marshall Thurber for directing effort. Thank you to Executive Producers Danny Garcia, Eric Hedayat, Wendy Jacobson, and Eric McLeod for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Kores Botha (Roland Møller), Will Sawyer (Dwayne Johnson), Sarah Sawyer (Neve Campbell), Zhao Long Ji (Chin Han), Mr. Pierce (Noah Taylor), Inspector Wu (Byron Mann), Ben (Pablo Schreiber), Georgia Sawyer (McKenna Roberts), Henry Sawyer (Noah Cottrell), Xia (Hannah Quinlivan), Ajani Okeke (Adrian Holmes), Sergeant Han (Elfina Luk), Ray (Kevin Rankin), Ray’s Wife (Gretal Montgomery), Ray’s Son (Jett Klyne), and Ray’s Daughter (Kayden Magnuson).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. The movie is worth both time and money investment. Has a great concept.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

THE GREEN MILE (Theatrical Release USA 1999)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 4.9|5.0 Starsìììì

The Green Mile—a rare gem of highest diamond quality—deserves a standing ovation. One of Tom Hanks’ best performances with a terrific supporting cast of Michael Clark Duncan, Barry Pepper, David Morse, Bonnie Hunt, James Cromwell, Michael Jeter, Graham Green, Sam Rockwell, Patricia Clarkson, William Sadler, and Gary Sinise. Include it in the home library video collection. It is a ‘Do NOT miss film’.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

A black man enters a penitentiary under charges of murdering two young girls and demonstrates a different persona than that of a murderer.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director Frank Darabont for directing effort. Thank you to Producers Frank Darabont and David Valdes for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Paul Edgecomb (Tom Hanks), Brutus Howell (David Morse), Jan Edgecomb (Bonnie Hunt), John Coffey (Michael Clarke Duncan), Warden Hal Moores (James Cromwell), Eduard Delacroix (Michael Jeter), Arlen Bitterbuck (Graham Greene), Percy Wetmore (Doug Hutchinson), Wild Bill Wharton (Sam Rockwell), and Dean Stanton (Barry Pepper).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. This is a WONDERFUL watch. Do not miss this movie.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

THE SECRET SCRIPTURE (Limited Theatrical Release USA 2017)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 4.8|5.0 Starsìììì 

The Secret Scripture—classic film—tells its story across time and ends with a twist. This is the best of Eric Bana who deserves kudos for believable and realistic portrayal of character. Great work for Director Jim Sheridan for directing an unusual and informative story. 

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline 

A woman, an infant, a mental asylum, a Catholic priest, and a deceased father form the structure of this story of a life lost. 

Additional Thanks 

Thank you to Director Jim Sheridan for directing effort. Thank you to Executive Producers Nicolas Chartier, Eoin Colfer, Cormac Crawford, Jonathan Deckter, Jere Harris, Gavin Poolman, Michael Robinson, and Andrea Scarso for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Rose (Rooney Mara), Jack Conroy (Aidan Turner), Father Gaunt (Theo James), Nurse (Susan Lynch), Dr. Grene (Eric Bana), Dr.Lady Rose (Vanessa Redgrave), Michael McNulty (Jack Reynor), McCabe (Tom Vaughan-Lawlor), Dr. Hart (Adrian Dunbar), Anne McCartney (Pauline McLynn), and Joe Brady (John Connors).  

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

 Yes. This film’s story needs to be told and needs to be watched. Thank you to all involved in the movie’s production and distribution. 

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

PINK PANTHER 2 (Theatrical Release USA 2009)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 4.6|5.0 Starsìììì

Pink Panther 2—classic Pink Panther, much better than the last two films—has Steve Martin taking on the Clouseau persona; he does a marvelous job of interpreting the character. Great work for Director Harald Zwart as he coordinates the talents of Jean Reno, Emily Mortimer, Andy Garcia, Alfred Molina, John Cleese, Lily Tomlin, and Jeremy Irons to create a film worth a watch and deserving of recognition. 

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline 

Inspector Clouseau takes on the recovery of the Pink Panther diamond ring. 

Additional Thanks 

Thank you to Director Harald Zwart for directing effort. Thank you to Executive Producers Shawn Levy and Ira Shuman for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Clouseau (Steve Martin), Ponton (Jean Reno), Nicole (Emily Mortimer), Vicenzo (Andy Garcia), Pepperidge (Alfred Molina), Kenji (Yuki Matsuzaki), Sonia (Aishwarya Rai Bachchan), Dreyfus (John Cleese), Mrs. Berenger (Lily Tomlin), Avellaneda (Jeremy Irons), and Milliken (Johnny Hallyday).


Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. Steve Martin adds something extra to the Clouseau character that makes this worth a watch. 

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

TALES FROM THE CRYPT (Theatrical Release Canada 1972)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 4.4|5.0 Starsìììì

Tales From the Crypt examines how sin and punishment play with each other in an entertaining, albeit horrifying, story that not only has a good concept, but provides good acting and portrayal of storyline. It is worth viewing with its presentation of the bad things that people did and how those actions catch up with them. 

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

The Crypt Keeper suggests how five persons could die. 

Additional Thanks 

Thank you to Director Freddie Francis for directing effort. Thank you to Executive Producer Charles W. Fries for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: The Crypt Keeper (Ralph Richardson), Guide (Geoffrey Bayldon), Joanne Clayton (Joan Collins), Husband (Martin Boddey), Daughter (Chloe Franks), Maniac (Oliver MacGreevy), Carl Maitland (Ian Hendry), Wife (Susan Denny), Susan (Angela Grant), Grimsdyke (Peter Cushing), and Elliot (Robin Phillips).  

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? 

Yes. For the horror movie fan, this story suits nicely. 

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

CHITTY CHITTY BANG BANG (Theatrical Release USA 1968)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 3.7|5.0 Starsììì

Chitty Chitty Bang Bang wants, so badly, to be an A-grade film. The music, costuming, background and foreground scenery, dialogue, great conclusion, and interaction between all characters is there. It is a classic that stands on its tippy toes for its award and somehow just misses it. The story is great until the introduction of the pirates’ scenes. This bit of nonsense completely derails the story. It would have been better if the car takes the family on an outing that includes the king who loves toys along with a series of other small adventures that ‘educate’ the children about a larger world of which they are not aware while bringing the main actors into a closer relationship.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

Two children request their father to save a dilapidated car from the crushing facility. He endeavors to raise the money to keep his promise to them.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director Ken Hughes for directing effort. Thank you to Producer Albert R. Broccoli for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Caractacus Potts (Dick Van Dyke), Truly Scrumptious (Sally Ann Howes), Grandpa Potts (Lionel Jeffries), Baron Bomburst (Gert Fröbe), Baroness Bomburst (Anna Qualye), Toymaker (Benny Hill), Lord Scrumptious (James Robertson Justice), Child Catcher (Robert Helpmann), Jemima (Heather Ripley), Jeremy (Adrian Hall), and Blonde (Barbara Windsor).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. It’s always a treat to see a Dick Van Dyke performance. This is a clean, decent children’s film with good, imaginative special effects.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

THE IMAGINARIUM OF DOCTOR PARNASSUS (Theatrical Release USA 2009)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 4.5|5.0 Starsìììì

The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus has a phenomenal script. This is some of actor Christopher Plummer’s best work. Supporting cast members serve every scene well with outstanding performances by Andrew Garfield, Lily Cole, Verne Troyer, Tom Waits, Heath Ledger, Johnny Depp, Jude Law, Colin Farrell, and Peter Storemare. Terrific directing by Director Terry Gilliam. This movie requires full attention as it is told non-linearly and requires consistent audience involvement to fully appreciate its story. Children may need a plotline discussion before they go to understand the story.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

Dr. Parnassus falls in love and the devil, Nick, makes a bargain that Parnassus will have the love of his life if he agrees that the first child born will belong to Nick at the age of sixteen.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director Terry Gilliam for directing effort. Thank you to Executive Producers Victor Hadida, Patrice Theroux, and David Valleau for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Anton (Andrew Garfield), Doctor Parnassus (Christopher Plummer), Martin (Richard Riddell), Martin’s Girlfriend (Katie Lyons), Friend of Martin (Richard Shanks), Valentina (Lily Cole), Percy (Verne Troyer), Face Changed Martin (Bruce Crawford), Policeman (Johnny Harris), Mum (Lorraine Cheshire), and Dad (Mark Benton).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. On every level, this film wins. Great script, great actors, great stage settings and costuming push the movie over the top for story telling value.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

UNIVERSAL SOLDIER (Theatrical Release USA 1992)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 3.5|5.0 Starsììì

Universal Soldier, even though it displays the talents of Jean Claude Van Damme and Dolph Lundgren, fails to deliver. Although the storyline is very good, entertainment value works on the average level.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

The last two surviving soldiers of a team kill each other. When they are found, the two soldiers are frozen until technology has advanced enough to bring them back to life.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director Roland Emmerich for directing effort. Thank you to Executive Producer Mario Kassar for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Luc Deveaux/GR44 (Jean-Claude Van Damme), Andrew Scott/GR13 (Dolph Lundgren), Veronica Roberts (Ally Walker), Colonel Perry (Ed O’Ross), Dr. Christopher Gregor (Jerry Orbach), Woodward (Leon Rippy), Garth (Tico Wells), GR76 (Ralf Moeller), Motel Owner (Robert Trebor), Lieutenant (Gene Davis), and Charles (Drew Snyder).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Maybe. The most interesting thing about the movie is that humans are brought back to life as cyborgs that need cooling to prevent overheating.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

THE WATER MARGIN * (Theatrical Release USA 1972)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 4.6|5.0 Starsìììì

The Water Margin has a great storyline, but becomes hard to follow about half-way through the show due to its many characters. Although each character’s name is written on screen, if one is unfamiliar with Chinese names, the film becomes hard to relate to because the story is progressing while one is endeavoring to digest the multitudinous names. The acting is great and the martial arts are above average. The movie is worth watching. Read a plotline or the book before you go to reap the full benefits of the movie.

Film Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

An outlaw gang needs a superior warrior to do battle with the Zeng family and begin operations to recruit Lu Junyi, a famed Chinese warrior.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Directors Cheh Chang, Hsueh Li Pao, and Wu Ma Feng for directing effort. Thank you to Producer Run Run Shaw for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Yen Ching (David Chiang), Tiger Killer Wu Sung (Lung Ti), Tattoed Dragon Shih Chien (Kuan Tai Chen), Shih Hsiu (Chung Wang), Jade Unicorn Lu Chun I (Tetsurô Tanba), Welcome Rain Sung Chiang (Feng Ku), Green Snake Lu San Niang (Lily Ho), Shih Wen Kung (Toshio Kurosawa), Clever Star Wu Yung (Feng Cin), and Tseng Chang Kuen (Miao Ching).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes.  Educational as well as culturally enriching. Read a plotline or the book before you go.

*Also known as: Outlaws of the Marsh or Seven Blows of the Dragon

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

TUMBLEWEED TANGO (YouTube Release USA 2013)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 3.5|5.0 Starsììì

Tumbleweed Tango—animated short film—serves its fresh, creative, and imaginative storyline with beautiful effect and gives its audience the added bonus of a nice ending.

Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images

Storyline

Two balloon dogs dance through cacti and desert scenery proving that love creates an unbeatable rhythm that navigates the most severe of obstacles with finesse.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Directors Samuel Stephens and Chris Wolfgang Mauch for directing effort.

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. Worth the watch and showcases the talents of Samuel Stephens and Chris Wolfgang Mauch well.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers