I'LL BE HOME FOR CHRISTMAS (Released to Theaters USA 1998)

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 4.0|5.0 Starsìììì  I’ll be Home for Christmas—Jonathan Taylor Thomas—works on two well-known story themes: 1) Displacing interest on self desire for spending holiday time 2) Difficulties encountered when deciding to go home for the holidays. It's a good reminder about importance of family time. Overall, it's a sweet story. Good work for all involved.  Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images Storyline   A California teenager is told by his father that he will get the 1957 Porsche 356 that is stored in the family's garage if he makes it home for Christmas Eve by 6:00 PM.  Additional Thanks  Thank you to Director Arlene Sanford for directing effort. Thank you to Executive Producer Robin French, Producers David Hoberman, Tracy Trench, and Co-Producer Justis Greene, for making the film possible. Cast includes Jonathan Taylor Thomas, Jessica Biel, Adam LaVorgna, Gary Cole, Eve Gordon, Lauren Maltby, Andy Lauer, Sean O'Bryan, and Lesley Boone. Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?  Yes. This is a good show and tells a good story. Video Critique Available Here: Ben Meyers

THE ART OF RACING IN THE RAIN (Released to Theaters USA 2019)

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 4.3|5.0 Starsìììì  The Art of Racing in the Rain— is one of the better 'feel good' films—has a great story and presentation. Creativity begins with its metaphorical usage of racing as living life and rain as the way life (the race) goes sometimes and that living a good life begins with becoming very good at navigating slippery tracks well. Actor Milo Ventimiglia plays the roles of the race car driver and family man. Kevin Costner voices Enzo, the Golden Retriever. The movie is written through the eyes of Enzo, the Golden Retriever. The movie's portrayal is supported by the story. Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images Storyline  A Golden Retriever tells a story about life lived with its owner.  Additional Thanks  Thank you to Director Simon Curtis for directing effort. Thank you to Executive Producer Joannie Burstein, James C. France, Christina Giubbetti, Donald J. Lee Jr. for making the film possible. Cast include Kevin Costner, Milo Ventimiglia, Jackie Minns, Marcus Hondro, Ian Lake, Andres Joseph, Gary Cole, Donald Heng, and Amanda Seyfried.  Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?  Yes. A quiet story told quietly. Video Critique Available Here: Ben Meyers

 

UNBROKEN: PATH TO REDEMPTION (Theatrical Release USA 2018)

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 3.9|5.0 Starsììì

Unbroken: Path to Redemption— interesting vignette that eventually shows Billy Graham’s influence on people—has a fairly well-written storyline that shows the effect of warfare and being a prisoner of war on military men. Both Samuel Hunt and Merritt Patterson show skill in interpreting their characters.  

Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images

Storyline 

Louie Zamperini’s continued life story through marriage and finding forgiveness toward those who hurt him during the war. 

Additional Thanks 

Thank you to Director Harold Cronk for directing effort. Thank you to Producers Matthew Baer and Mike Elliott for making the film possible. Cast includes: Samuel Hunt, Merritt Patterson, Vanessa Bell Calloway, Bobby Campo, Maddalena Ischiale, David DeLuise, Bob Gunton, David Sakurai, Gary Cole, and Will Graham. 

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? 

Yes. The story is okay. The presentation and acting are good .

 Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers