THE CIRCLE (Theatrical Release USA 2017)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 4.9|5.0 Starsìììì

The Circle examines reasons behind citizens’ choice to allow 100 percent audio/video surveillance in their lives. Emma Watson does a terrific job in her role of a young woman who recommends ‘going completely transparent’ in this sci fi drama about personal monitoring. Her supporting cast—Tom Hanks, Patton Oswald, and Bill Paxton—help to establish how decisions, with far reaching impact, happen in small baby steps that move entire worlds toward inevitable outcomes. Great work for Director James Ponsoldt who gives a solid look into a future that is already here. One sex scene and language move this movie into the late teen/adult category.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

Young Mae Holland (Emma Watson) helps a real-time audio/video company establish dominance nationally and internationally as good choice for humanity’s safety, health, and crime reduction.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director James Ponsoldt for directing effort. Thank you to Executive Producers Stefanie Azpiazu, Peter Cron, Evan Hayes, Russell Levine, Federica Sainte-Rose, Ron Schmidt, Steve Shareshian, Marc Shmuger, and Sally Willcox for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Mae (Emma Watson), Mercer (Ellar Coltrane), Bonnie (Glenne Headly), Vinnie (Bill Paxton), Annie (Karen Gillan), Bailey (Tom Hanks), Beck (Beck), Dan (Nate Corddry), and Jared (Mamoudou Athie).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. The film serves as a reminder of how a single, likable spokesperson can move an entire world through decision-making processes.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

MR. HOLLAND’S OPUS (Released to Theaters USA 1995)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 4.0|5.0 Starsìììì

Mr. Holland’s Opus—superbly done—shows, without preaching, that our real ‘opus’ becomes the lives we affect along the way when we put our heart into our work. This film, completely worth watching, becomes one of the best musically themed films we’ve seen for awhile. Outstanding work by actor Richard Dreyfuss.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

Glenn Holland (Richard Dreyfuss), a musical performer and composer, aspires to be a well-remembered musical composer; but finds those aspirations down-sized to a regular suburbia lifestyle while earning his living as a high school music teacher. The film follows his disappointments and temptations, endeavors to create meaning in an occupation not well appreciated by peers and superiors, and succeeds in weaving the small threads of a life that have a good impact over the span of a lifetime.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director Stephen Herek for directing efforts. Thank you to Executive Producers Patrick Sheane Duncan and Scott Kroopf for making the film possible.  thank you to Script Writer Patrick Sheane Duncan. Cast include: Glenne Headly, William H. Macy, Terrence Howard, and Damon Whitaker.

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. The movie is thought provoking, easy on the mind, and drives a theme of how to live life well.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers