BORDERLANDS (Released to Theaters USA 2024)

 

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 4.0|5.0 Starsìììì  Borderlands—fun, funny, splashed with comedic dialogue, terrific cast—backs itself with a better than usual superhero story. The computer game, Borderlands, provides the direction for this film and, for once, does not fail in its intent to entertain well as many computer game-themed movies do. Jack Black's dialogue lines are well-paced, original, and beautifully timed. Some of the action scenes are a little artificial, but it does not hinder the value of the watch. It's sweet to see Cate Blanchette and Jamie Lee Curtis as part of the cast.   Film Poster Courtesy of IMDb Storyline  A female bounty hunter is hired by a man to find his daughter and bring her back to him, and the wild ride begins.  Additional Thanks  Thank you to Director Eli Roth for directing effort. Thank you to Producers Ari Arad, Avi Arad, Erik Feig for making the film possible. Cast includes  Cate Blanchett, Kevin Hart, Jack Black, Edgar Ramirez, Ariana Greenblatt, Florian Munteanu, Gina Gershon, and Jamie Lee Curtis.  Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?  Yes. Refreshingly provides a nice sprinkling of comedic dialogue throughout the film. Very welcome addition to this superhero-type movie.  Video Critique Available Here: Ben Meyers

SHANG-CHI AND THE LEGEND OF THE TEN RINGS (Theatrical Release USA 2021)

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 3.9|5.0Starsììì

Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings has some terrific special effects such as the race through the bamboo forest. This movie serves up a novel story that relies heavily on its actors. Watch for appearances of Ben Kingsley near the end of the movie. The movie uniquely serves fans of the Shang Chi comic series and does a good job of bringing those comics to the big screen. 

Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images 

Storyline

This Chinese fantasy film is about a young man who finds that his sister might be in danger, so he travels to China to find her.  

Additional Thanks 

Thank you to Director Destin Daniel Cretton for directing effort. Thank you to Producers Kevin Feige and Jonathan Schwartz for making the film possible. Cast includes: Simu Liu, Awkwafina, Meng’er Zhang, Fala Chen, Florian Munteanu, Benedict Wong, Yuen Wah, Michelle Yeoh, Ben Kingsley, and Tony Leung.    

 Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. The film shows a great deal of creativity both in storyline and in stage settings. This movie is very watchable for Marvel comic fans who are attracted to the Shang Chi comic book series. 

Video Critique Available Here:

 

Ben Meyers