THE ILLUSIONIST (Released to Theaters USA 2006)

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 4.2|5.0 Starsìììì  The Illusionist—very interesting story—has been ordered well and delivers a good mystery. Look for Edward Norton and Paul Giamatti as casting mates. Their acting and storyline made this film work. Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia  Storyline  A boy, who is learning magic, meets a girl and falls in love. Their marriage is forbidden because she comes from royalty and he comes from low status.   Additional Thanks  Thank you to Director Neil Burger for directing effort. Thank you to Producers Brian Koppelman, David Levien, Michael London, Cathy Schulman, and Bob Yari for making the film possible. Cast includes Edward Norton, Paul Giamati, Jessica Biel, Rufus Sewell, and Eddie Marsan.   Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?  Yes. This is a good watch. Video Critique Available Here: Ben Meyers

 

THE INCREDIBLE HULK (Released To Theaters USA 2008)

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 3.8|5.0 Starsììì 

The Incredible Hulk—a suitable to okay remake—has better storyline than the last film but do not expect much improvement anywhere else in the movie. Edward Norton, in looks, seems a better choice than Eric Bana and overall, gives a better interpretation of the Hulk's character. But neither Norton or Bana are as good as Mark Ruffalo who took the Hulk personality to a whole different level.  William Hurt replaces Sam Elliot. Tim Roth cannot seem to get enough evil out for his final fight with the Norton Hulk. Watch for Tim Blake Nelson as the intellectual.

 Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline 

 Bruce Banner is injected with an experimental chemical that can turn him into the Hulk.  

Additional Thanks

 Thank you to Director Louis Leterrier for directing effort. Thank you to Executive Producer Stan Lee, David Maisel, and Jim Van Wyck, for making the film possible. Cast includes: Edward Norton, Liv Tyler, Tim Roth, William Hurt, Tim Blake Nelson, Ty Burrell, Christina Cabot, Peter Mensah, Lou Ferrigno, and Paul Soles. 

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? 

Maybe. It is an okay to suitable watch and tells a better story than the Eric Bana version. But Mark Ruffalo retains the Gold Standard in the interpretation and overall believability of the Hulk's personality.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers 

TOMB RAIDER (Released to Theaters USA 2018)

 

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 4.2|5.0 Starsìììì

Tomb Raider accesses the acting power of Alicia Vikander to create a completely different and very likeable Lara Croft. The story has its own vibrancy due to Vikander’s ability to dominate her assigned role. It’s a fresh look at this story that ensnares its audience to watch it all the way through. Be prepared for an entirely different approach to Lara Croft’s basic personality. The special effects are not top-notch, but Vikander is intriguing as Lara Croft. A storyline that is easy to follow creates the desire to see the film to its concluding scenes. Good watch.

 Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images

 Storyline

 Lara Croft goes on a search for her father and encounters many adventures along the way.

 Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director Roar Uthaug for directing effort. Thank you to Graham King for making the film possible. Cast includes Alicia Vikander, Dominic West, Walton Goggins, Daniel Wu, and Kristin Scott Thomas.

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? 

Yes. This is a good watch and worth watching—not fabulous—but a good watch overall. Look for Dominic West as Richard Croft, Lara’s father.

 Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

FIVE NIGHTS AT FREDDY’S (Released to Theaters USA 2023)

 

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 4.1|5.0 Starsìììì 

Five Nights at Freddy’s—works from a video game—has good writing that discreetly tells a horridly immoral story and may be able to appeal to a wider audience due to that discreetness. Watch for good performances by Josh Hutcherson and Piper Rubio. 

Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images 

Storyline 

A down and out security guard takes a security position at an abandoned pizzeria and gets more than he expected.

Additional Thanks 

Thank you to Director Emma Tammi for directing effort. Thank you to Producers Scott Cawthon and Jason Blum for making the film possible. Cast includes Josh Hutcherson, Elizabeth Lail, Piper Rubio, Mary Stuart Masterson, and Matthew Lillard.

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? 

Yes. This is a low-key horror watch that discreetly plays on its horror theme without undue graphic terror even though the story is of horrible proportions. This is an odd film that features Josh Hutcherson and also accesses the talents of Piper Rubio. 

Video Critique Available Here: 

Ben Meyers

DEATH WISH II (Released to Theaters USA 1982)

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 3.6|5.0 Starsììì 

Death Wish II—very graphic nudity and exceptional violence—pushes the movie beyond the R-rating. Charles Bronson is cast well for the lead role. The movie does an exceptional job of making an audience outraged for justice and satisfied at the end of the film that justice has been properly meted. The movie is made for a very sophisticated, mature audience. 

Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images 

Storyline 

A man’s house maid and daughter are violently raped and die. He goes on a vigilante 'search and destroy’ operation to revenge their deaths. 

Additional Thanks 

Thank you to Director Michael Winner for directing effort. Thank you to Producers Menahem Golan and Yoram Globus for making the film possible. Cast includes Charles Bronson, Jill Ireland, Vincent Gardenia, J.D. Cannon, and Anthony Franciosa. 

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? 

Maybe. This movie is not for the faint of heart; it has exceptionally graphic violence early in the movie before it starts on its justice theme. It has been well-arranged for effect but is not an ‘everyone’ watch film. 

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

PLANE (Released to Theaters USA 2023)

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 4.0|5.0 Starsìììì

 Plane—good watch—has a suitable story and Gerard Butler. It’s a little  run-of-the-mill, but definitely one of the better runs. And, did we say it has Gerard Butler? It’s made as an action/thriller and has its share of those moments.

 Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images

 Storyline

 A plane emergency lands on an island controlled by rebels who live by ransoming kidnapped individuals. The rebels head for the plane’s passengers for capture and ransom.

 Additional Thanks

 Thank you to Jean-Francois Richet for directing effort. Thank you to Producers Lorenzo di Bonaventura, Mark Vahradian, Marc Butan, Gerard Butler, and Alan Siegel for making the film possible. Cast includes Gerard Butler, Mike Colter, Yoson An, and Tony Goldwyn. 

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

 Yes. This movie serves as a good choice for an afternoon watch. It has a simple, straight forward plot that makes it an easy-on-the-mind movie that does not take a great deal of intellectual involvement or emotional energy to watch.

 Video Critique Available Here:

 Ben Meyers

THE SCORPION KING: BOOK OF SOULS (Released to Theaters USA 2018)

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 3.7|5.0 Starsììì 

The Scorpion King: Book of Souls has a title that encourages the purchase of a ticket, but turns into an average, bland watch. It seems like a run-of-the-mill movie that neither offers inspiration nor the expected on-the-edge-of-the seat-action. It may be difficult to restart and re-energize the Scorpion King movies after this one. 

Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images 

Storyline 

Egyptian sorcery, magic, breaking curses, and tombs of the dead wrap around this story to form its central theme. 

Additional Thanks 

Thank you to Director Don Michael Paul for directing effort. Thank you to Producer Mike Elliott for making the film possible. Cast includes Zach McGowan, Pearl Thusi, Nathan Jones, Katy Louise Saunders, Mayling Ng, Howard Charles, Inge Beckmann, Tuks Tad Lungu, and Peter Mensah with narration by Peter Jessop. 

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? 

Maybe. It is what it is. Not a lot of entertainment power here…interesting, but cliched…a bit weak. The addition of the golem seems unintentionally comical rather than achieving its true aim—defending the princess. It misses the WOW! factor that it should have generated. 

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

JUNGLE BOOK 2 (Released to Theaters USA 2003)

 

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 3.8|5.0 Starsììì

 Jungle Book 2—okay animated film—does not have the vibrancy or creativity of the original 1967 rendition of the Jungle Book story. At times, it is slow and a bit boring. The drawn animation, however, is very good and the voicing is great. Listen for John Goodman’s voice as Baloo. This simple story basically rehashes the 1967 movie and has some comedy built in.

 Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images

 Storyline

 Baloo misses Mowgli and wants to go to the village to see him. Against Bagheera's wishes, Baloo goes, and then has to escape with Mowgli to not be caught by the village residents, and the story is on.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director Steve Trenbirth for directing effort. Thank you to Producers Mary Thorne and Christopher Chase for making the film possible. Cast includes Haley Joel Osment, John Goodman, Mae Whitman, Bob Joles, Tony Jay, Phil Collins, John Rhys-Davies, and Jim Cummings.

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? 

Yes. Children may appreciate this film more than adults. Not much new here.   

Video Critique Available Here: 

Ben Meyers

FROZEN II (Released to Theaters USA 2019)

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 4.0|5.0 Starsìììì 

Frozen II—great animation—needs a plotline read before watching. The story gets lost after finding the ship wreck. This film delves into Elsa and Anna’s relationship with their grandfather and also details the loss of their parents. The poster for this movie does not portray the girls with facial kindness or compassion, a necessary quality for good rulers.

Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images

Storyline

Earth elements peace is disrupted, and it requires supernatural intervention to restore harmony.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director Chris Buck for directing effort. Thank you to Producer Peter Del Vecho for making the film possible. Cast includes Kristen Bell, Idina Menzel, Josh Gad, and Jonathan Groff.

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. it is a suitable/good watch and fills out the history of Elsa and Anna’s grandfather and how he fits into their story. This film has great animation, presentation, and portrayal. It will satisfy audiences who liked the original movie, Frozen, but fails to provide an uncluttered storyline toward the end of the second part to the end of the last part of the film.

Video Critique Available Here: 

Ben Meyers

THE HUNGER GAMES: THE BALLAD OF THE SONGBIRDS AND THE SNAKES (Released to Theaters USA 2023)

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 3.8|5.0 Starsììì 

The Hunger Games: The Ballad of the Songbirds and the Snakes complicates the reasons behind the moral development of the future President Snow. This 2023 prequel movie does not connect well to the four sequels presented before this film (2012—2015). There is a good tie-in origination for the song The Hanging Tree as sung by Katniss Everdeen in earlier movies. The strongest actor in this movie is Peter Dinklage followed by Viola Davis who gives a good/suitable portrayal of evil as the game holder, Dr. Volumnia Gaul. The film serves as an okay watch that has a deep evilness worked into its fiber that was not as focused in the previous Hunger Games movies. It is what it is. 

Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images 

Storyline                        

Violence, to the death, arena games are used as entertainment by the privileged classes. 

Additional Thanks 

Thank you to Director Francis Lawrence for directing effort. Thank you to Producers Nina Jacobson, Brad Simpson, and Francis Lawrence for making the film possible. Cast includes Tom Blyth, Rachel Zegler, Peter Dinklage, Hunter Schafer, Josh Andres Rivera, and Viola Davis.

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? 

Maybe. The movie reveals a little of the history of the future President Snow and who wrote The Hanging Tree song (Lucy Grey Baird). But everything else an audience may have desired to know remains unclear. Do some research on the plotline before going which may allow the audience to find deeper meaning and establish relationships in the movie. 

Video Critique Available Here: 

Ben Meyers

LEAVE IT TO BEAVER (Released to VHS USA 1998)

 

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 3.8|5.0 Starsììì

 Leave It to Beaver—1997 re-make of the 1957-1963 television series—does have the structure and characters in place but this movie is not as good as the original television series. Watch for the cameo appearance of Ken Osmond who originally played the role of young Eddie Haskell. The film is a suitable child/adult share and has some comical/sweet perks built into its script.

 Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images 

Storyline 

Beaver and Wally face family challenges and find ways to resolve them. 

Additional Thanks 

Thank you to Director Andy Cadiff for directing effort. Thank you to Producer Robert Simonds for making the film possible. Cast includes Christopher McDonald, Janine Turner, Erik von Detten, Adam Zolotin, and Cameron Finley.

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? 

Maybe. It’s a suitable/okay watch. The character names are there along with the structure of the original series. It does not replicate the likableness of the original television series. 

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

BLACKBERRY (Released to Theaters USA 2023)

 

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 4.1|5.0 Starsìììì 

BlackBerry—fictional treatment of a factual story—earns its watch as it tells about the rise and fall of the company that built the BlackBerry mobile phone. It details the processes involved in empire building, endeavoring to keep cherished ethical mores in place while trying to balance work and pressures of the market with serious technical competition. The movie works for its audience and expands an audience’s understanding behind the scenes when a new piece of tech is released to the public. 

Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images and Wikipedia 

Storyline 

This drama film is about the rise and fall of the company that built the BlackBerry phone. 

Additional Thanks 

Thank you to Director Matt Johnson for directing effort. Thank you to Producers Fraser Ash, Niv Fichman, Kevin Krikst, and Matthew Miller for making the film possible. Cast includes Jay Baruchel, Glenn Howerton, Matt Johnson, Rich Sommer, Michael Ironside, Martin Donovan, Michelle Giroux, SungWon Cho, Mark Critch, Saul Rubinek, and Cary Elwes. 

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?                                                                                      

Yes. The film is not a documentary even though it runs like a reality-based story. The movie is classified as a fictional account. The writing of the story is exceptionally good. The acting interprets several different personality-types very well. Know that the dialogue does contain profanity that precludes it from being a child-adult share. 

Video Critique Available Here: 

Ben Meyers 

THE BURIAL (Released on Video on Demand (VOD) World-Wide 2023)

 

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 4.3|5.0 Starsìììì 

The Burial—terrific court/lawyer movie—easily wins its place as one of the better 2023 movie watches. The story holds interest and appeals to the intellect. It contains several surprise twists that are well-timed for the story. The film accesses the acting talents of Tommy Lee Jones and Jamie Foxx to tell its outstanding story. The movie deserves inclusion in the home video library and can be enjoyed as a re-watch through the years. 

Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images 

Storyline 

A funeral home operator finds himself in financial difficulty and approaches another funeral home operator to sell his assets. He is promised a buyout which turns into a false promise. He needs legal help. 

Additional Thanks 

Thank you to Maggie Betts for directing effort. Thank you to Producers Bobby Shriver, Jenette Kahn, Adam Richman, Jamie Foxx, Datari Turner, Celine Raltray, and Trudie Styler for making the film possible.  Cast includes Jamie Foxx, Tommy Lee Jones, Jurnee Smollett, Alan Ruck, Mamoudou Athie,  Pamela Reed, and Bill Camp. 

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? 

Yes. This is a great watch and a good achievement for Amazon Studios. Great work for all involved in production and release. 

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

A MILLION MILES AWAY (Theatrical Release USA 2023)

 

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 4.4|5.0 Starsìììì  A Million Miles Away—WOW! Do NOT miss this movie—tells in an easy-to-follow format how large dreams are won. Every single point of winning is covered from persistent, consistent effort, making changes to fit the requirements of particular dreams, starting small and finishing big, and NEVER giving up.  This movie is the true story of Astronaut Jose Hernandez, the man with the dream. The movie hits all the right spots at the right times and is exceptionally human and easily works across international borders. It’s a winner from the opening scenes to the closing scenes. Watch for some outstanding scenes from Rosa Salazar.    Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia  Storyline  A migrant worker has a dream to become an astronaut.  Additional Thanks  Thank you to Director Alejandra Abella for directing effort. Thank you to Producers Mark Ciardi and Campbell McInnes for making the film possible. Cast includes Michael Peña and Garret Dillahunt.  Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?  Yes. Absolutely do not miss this movie…especially if one is a dreamer and has hopes to make a very large dream come true.  Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

DAFFY—THE COMMANDO (Theatrical Release USA 1943)

 Ben Meyers’ Rating: 3.8|5.0 Starsììì 

Daffy—The Commando—good WWII animated short film—has good presentation, suitable storyline, and good portrayal. Daffy Duck’s basic character is established by the 1940s. 

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia 

Storyline 

Daffy and a German officer fight it out during WWII. 

Additional Thanks 

Thank you to Director I. Freleng for directing the film. Thank you to Producer Leon Schlesinger for making the film possible. Cast includes Mel Blanc.

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? 

Yes. It’s a small dip into World War II culture and has a suitable storyline. Daffy Duck is a good choice for this story. 

Video Critique Available Here:

 

Ben Meyers