UNBROKEN (Theatrical Release USA 2014)

 Ben Meyers’ Rating: 4.4|5.0 Starsìììì 

Unbroken—one of Angelina Jolie’s better works as director, not as good as her movie First They Killed My Father—rates as ‘no shab.’.It’s very well-done in every area and has a terrific storyline to work with. This true-to-life story of Louis Zamperini is well worth its watch. 

Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images 

Storyline 

An Italian man, raised in the United States, becomes a winning Olympic runner and then serves in World War II. When his airplane crashes in the ocean, he and his teammates need to survive. 

Additional Thanks 

Thank you to Director Angelina Jolie for directing efforts. Thank you to Producers Angelina Jolie, Matthew Baer, Erwin Stoff, and Clayton Townsend for making the film possible. Cast includes: Jack O’Connell, Domhnall Gleeson, Miyavi, Garrett Hedlund, and Finn Wittrock. 

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? 

Yes. Very well-done film. It’s worth its watch. 

Video Critique Available Here: 

Ben Meyers

MUDBOUND (Theatrical Release Germany USA 2017)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 3.9|5.0 Starsììì

Mudbound works for its money. This strongly realistic story depicts how people support each other across racial lines when there is trouble and shows how conflicting agendas, coupled with both good and bad life events, work to create disparity between people. The film shows, at a basic level, what works and what does not work in real life. The film deserves praise for its different approach to racism, the needs of land owners versus sharecroppers, and how soldiers sometimes handled post-traumatic stress syndrome after World War II. The story is well supported by its cast.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

Two Mississippi family stories intertwine and overlap as a sharecropping family and the farm’s new owners’ family each greet their returning World War II war veterans.

Additional Thanks

Thank You to Director Dee Rees for directing efforts. Thank you to Executive Producers Teddy Schwarzman,  Daniel Steinman, Robert Teitel, Kyle Tekiela, George Tillman, Jr., and Virgil Williams for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Laura McAllan (Carey Mulligan), Jamie McAllan (Garrett Hedlund), Henry McAllan (Jason Clarke), Pappy McAllan (Jonathan Banks), Hap Jackson (Rob Morgan), Florence Jackson (Mary J. Blige), Rose Tricklebank (Kerry Cahill), Ronsel Jackson (Jason Mitchell), Weeks (Kelvin Harrison, Jr.), Vera Atwood (Lucy Faust), Carl Atwood (Dylan Arnold), Resl (Samantha Hoefer), and Pretty Girl (Elizabeth Ashling).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. While this movie does not work at the classic film level, it’s a worthy, solid story that serves the  late teen/adult audience. 

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers