BLACK AND BLUE (Released to Theaters USA 2019)

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 4.3|5.0 Starsìììì 

Black and Blue—WOW! Surprise!—presents a story that leaves an impression. Tyrese Gibson and Naomie Harris work story magic. Watch for Frank Grillo’s performance. Don’t start this one expecting a ho-hum storyline. It is a film many people will miss and wonder how they missed it when they finally view it. The movie paces well and almost defines the word riveting. Terrific conclusion is short and sweet without drag. The film hits all the bells and whistles and certainly earns its watch. 

Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images                                                                                                                             

Storyline 

A young female police officer becomes involved with a crooked partner and black mafia. 

Additional Thanks 

Thank you to Director Deon Taylor for directing effort. Thank you to Executive Producer Roxanne Avent, Glenn S. Gainor, and Joshua Throne for making the film possible. Cast includes: Naomie Harris, Tyrese Gibson, Frank Grillo, Mike Colter, Reid Scott, Beau Knapp, Nafessa Williams, James Moses Black, Carsyn Taylor, Lucky Johnson, Deneen Tyler, Michael Papajohn, Nelson Bonilla, and Frankie Smith. 

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? 

Yes. This is the right film for a night out with friends. Realistic and engages attention. 

Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images 

 

Ben Meyers

THE GREY (Theatrical Release USA 2012)

 Ben Meyers’ Rating: 4.2|5.0 Starsìììì 

The Grey—survival movie—works as a good time-filler. It’s an easy-on-the-mind film that is engaging to watch. It is fairly well-written. The presentation is good, and, overall, this movie is a good watch. 

Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images 

Storyline 

A professional wolf hunter takes a flight for his vacation. The plane goes down and the hunter becomes the hunted. 

Additional Thanks 

Thank you to Director Joe Carnahan for directing effort. Thank you to Producers Jules Daly, Joe Carnahan, Ridley Scott, and Mickey Liddell for making the film possible. Cast includes: Liam Neeson, Frank Grillo, Dermot Mulroney, Dallas Roberts, Joe Anderson, James Dale, and Nonso Anozie. 

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? 

Yes. The movie follows the usual format of a survival film. This movie follows a team of men versus the environment and wild animals. The difference is that the conclusion has a small, unexpected twist  that is worth waiting for. It’s a simple thriller worth watching. 

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

CAPTAIN AMERICA: CIVIL WAR (Theatrical Release USA 2016)

 Ben Meyers’ Rating: 4.1|5.0 Starsìììì 

Captain America: Civil War seems out of place from other Marvel stories. The story itself is well presented, well written, and well-acted but it seems odd to take these characters out of the hero role and place them in a role that seems more criminal than hero. While this movie is meant to be the 3^rd part of the Captain America series, it is so different that it can be watched as a stand-alone movie. It does not seem to relate to films like Avengers: infinity War because of different introductions to certain characters such as the Spiderman.  There is much more backstory on Bucky Barnes (Sebastian Stan) which is quite welcome. Other than that, this is a movie that will satisfy the Marvel superhero fan. Just be prepared for an entirely different portrayal of superheroes. 

Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images 

Storyline 

The United Nations plans to ‘manage’ the Avengers. The Avengers divide opinion over whether this is a good action or a bad action. 

Additional Thanks 

Thank you to Director Anthony Russo and Joe Russo for directing efforts. Thank you to Producer Kevin Feige for making the film possible. Cast includes: Chris Evans, Robert Downey Jr., Scarlett Johansson, Sebastian Stan, Anthony Mackie, Don Cheadle, Jeremy Renner, Chadwick Boseman, Paul Bettany, Elizabeth Olsen, Paul Rudd, Emily VanCamp, Marisa Tomei, Tom Holland, Frank Grillo, William Hurt, Daniel Bruhl, and Martin Freeman. 

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? 

Yes. This movie serves the Marvel superhero fan well. It is a stand-alone film that does not have to be sequentially watched and has a worthy storyline supported by good action scenes. 

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers