THE GAME OF THEIR LIVES (Released to Theaters USA 2005)

 

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 3.9|5.0 Starsììì  The Game of Their Lives—beginning of the professional American soccer team —has both suitable presentation and portrayal. Watch for Gerard Butler in one of his earlier works and John Rhys-Davies in one of his mid career works. Watch and listen for some very good dialogue and suitable/good acting.  Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images Storyline The newly formed American Soccer team plays against the long established British team.    Additional Thanks  Thank you to Director David Anspaugh for directing effort.  Thank you to Producers Howard  Baldwin, Karen Baldwin, Ginger Perkins, Peter Newman for making the film possible. Cast includes Peter Newman, Gerard Butler, Wes Bentley, Jay Rodan, Galvin Rossdale, Patrick Stewart, TerryKinney, and John Rhys-Davies. Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?  Maybe. It is a suitable watch. Video Critique Available Ben Meyers

MACHINE GUN PREACHER (Released to Theaters USA 2011)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 4.0|5.0 Starsìììì

Machine Gun Preacher asks questions about our role as human beings and just how far we are willing to go to establish justice and security in our world. The movie begins edgily and takes a very surprising twist as main character Sam Childers (Gerard Butler) ‘gets’ religion. The storyline is definitely not preachy, creates conscience dilemmas, and shows one man’s solution to those dilemmas. The film’s story needs to be told and this one is told well. While it lost money in the box office, the film is exceptionally well cast with an unpredictable solution to grave human problems that make it an excellent choice.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

Sam Childers (Gerard Butler) ‘gets’ religion and becomes involved in endeavors to save African orphans.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director Marc Forster for directing efforts. Thank you to Executive Producers Gerard Butler, Michael Corso, Kyle Dean Jackson, Myles Nestel, Bill O’Kane, Louise Rosner-Meyer, Adi Shankar, Alan Siegel, Spencer Silna, and Brad Simpson for making the film possible. Cast include: Gerard Butler, Michelle Monaghan, Kathy Baker, Michael Shannon, Ryann Campos, Madeline Carroll, Souleymane Sy Savane, Grant R. Krause,  Reavis Graham, and Peter Carey.

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. Overall, a wonderful movie that inspires one to get involved with helping others.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

LARA CROFT: TOMB RAIDER-THE CRADLE OF LIFE (Theatrical Release USA 2003)

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 3.8|5.0 Starsììì  Lara Croft Tomb Raider: The Cradle of Life—notable special effects—works at nearly the same level of the first film with a bit more 'corny'. Angelina Jolie reprises her role and teams with Gerard Butler. The fight scenes are more amateurish than the last movie. Overall, it's a fair to middling piece of entertainment.  Film Poster Courtesy of IMDb Storyline Lara Croft’s (Angelina Jolie) assignment is to find Pandora’s Box before bioterrorists find it.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director Jan De Bont for directing efforts. Thank you to Executive Producer Jeremy Heath-Smith for making the film possible. Cast include Gerard Butler, Jonathan Reiss, Ciarán Hinds, Chris Barrie, Noah Taylor, Djimon Hounsou, Til Schweiger, Simon Yam, and Terence Yin.

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Maybe. This film, a bit amateurish, does have a good story. It's watchable and will suit Angelina Jolie fans. Video Critique Available Here: Ben Meyers

HUNTER KILLER (Released to Theaters USA 2018)

 

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 4.1|5.0 Starsìììì  Hunter Killer—quite good— backs itself with good research and a well put together cast that includes Gerard Butler and Gary Oldman.  The story takes a completely different twist than expected and that makes it unique  Film Poster Courtesy of IMDb Storyline  USA  submarine crew investigates a missing American submarine in Russian waters.  Additional Thanks  Thank you to Director Donovan Marsh for directing effort. Thank you to Producers Neal H. Moritz, Toby Jaffe, Gerard Butler, Alan Siegel, Tucker Tooley, Mark Gill, John Thompson, Matt O'Toole, and Les Weldon for making the film possible. Cast includes Gerard Butler, Gary Oldman, Common, Linda Cardellini, and Toby Stephens. Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?  Yes. This Gerard Butler film is easily missed partially due to its title's lack of flair. Do not miss it. It is very watchable and well done. Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

KANDAHAR (Released to Theaters USA 2023)

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 4.2|5.0 Starsìììì  Kandahar—really good war movie—has a terrific story that keeps the audience in suspense from beginning to end. More than worth watching, partially due to excellent casting choices and pairing of cast.  Watch for excellent stage settings that spare no realism for this movie. Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia Storyline CIA agent Tom Harris's cover blows and he has to make it to a extraction point for a USA rescue.    Additional Thanks  Thank you to Director Rick Roman Waugh for directing effort. Thank you to Producers Basil Iwanyk, Erica Lee, Brandon Boyea, Gerard Butler, Alan Siegel, Christian Mercuri, Scott LaStaiti, and Ali Jaafar for making the film possible. Cast includes Gerard Butler, Navid Negahban, Ali Fazal, Bahador Foladi, Nina Toussaint-White, Vassilis Koukalani, Mark Arnold, Corey Johnson, Ravi Aujia, Ray Haraatian, Tom Rhys Harries, and Travis Fimmel. Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? Yes. Works as a quality war movie. Video Critique Available Here: Ben Meyers

GREENLAND (Theatrical Release United Kingdom 2020)

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 4.1|5.0 Starsìììì 

Greenland outperforms most comet to earth disaster stories. Gerard Butler and Morena Baccarin act equally well to interpret their characters’ situations. Gerard Butler fans will not be disappointed in this movie. Watch for a good performance by Scott Glenn. 

Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images 

Storyline 

This disaster drama film is about a family who misses their escape route as a comet that will destroy earth begins descent. 

Additional Thanks 

Thank you to Director Ric Roman Waugh for directing efforts. Thank you to Producers Gerard Butler, Sebastien Raybaud, Alan Siegel, and Basil Iwanyk for making the film possible. Cast includes: Gerard Butler, Morena Baccarin, Roger Dale Floyd, Scott Glenn, David Denman, and Hope Davis. 

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? 

Yes. This is a worthy and great watch for Gerard Butler fans.

 Video Critique Available Here:

 

Ben Meyers

GEOSTORM (Theatrical Release USA 2017)

 Ben Meyers’ Rating: 4.0|5.0 Starsìììì 

Geostorm—good concept—needs some improvement in presentation, but is entertaining, has good weather disaster scenes, and an okay storyline. It relies on the acting talents of Gerard Butler, who makes movies better due to his highly likable onscreen presence. It is worth watching as an easy, afternoon watch. 

Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images 

Storyline 

This science fiction film is about satellites that were developed to control weather are now being used as weapons.

Additional Thanks 

Thank you to Director Dean Devlin for directing effort. Thank you to Producers David Ellison, Dean Devlin, and Dana Goldberg for making the film possible. Cast includes: Gerard Butler, Jim Sturgess, Abbie Cornish, Ed Harris, Andy Garcia, Alexandra Maria Lara, and Daniel Wu, and Eugenio Derbez.

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? 

Yes. It deserves a one-time watch because once this concept is absorbed it does not need another introduction. 

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

LAST SEEN ALIVE (All-Media Release USA 2022)

 Ben Meyers’ rating: 4.2|5.0 Starsìììì 

Last Seen Alive—good film for Gerard Butler fans—is interesting, entertaining, and well-acted. The violence is palatable for an adult audience and works within the framework of the story…It also works within its R-rating. There is language, but for the most part it is a good thriller that keeps viewers on the edge of their seats.

 Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images

Storyline 

A man’s wife disappears. He goes to look for her. 

Additional Thanks 

Thank you to Director Brian Goodman for directing effort. Thank you to Producers Gerard Butler, Taylor Conrod, Marc Frydman, Brian Pitt, Bob Shapiro, David Shojai, and Alan Siegel for making the film possible. Cast includes: Gerard Butler, Jaimie Alexander, Russell Hornsby, and Ethan Embry. 

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? 

Yes. This movie is reminiscent of John Cena’s film, The Marine, which also is about a wife kidnapped at a gas station. Between the two movies, Last Seen Alive is the better watch. It shows more action, more grit, and determination than the other movie.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers