CONCUSSION (Released to Theaters USA 2016)

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 4.5|5.0 Starsìììì 

Concussion—WOW!—is one of those films made very good because of  the chosen casting. Will Smith makes the movie shine and makes it very real.  The storyline revolves around football head injuries and the aftermath of those injuries. This film has a great script with dialogue lines that are above average. Camera work, lighting, all stand at above average levels. This serves as a quality watch. Look for Alec Baldwin, Albert Brooks, David Morse, and Adewale Akinnouye-Abaje who round out the rest of the cast exceptionally well. 

Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images 

Storyline                                                                                     

 A doctor reveals the danger of concussions and their aftermath in football field injuries. 

Additional Thanks 

Thank you to Director Peter Landesman for directing effort. Thank you to Executuve Producers Greg Basser, Bruce Berman, David Crockett, Michael Schaefer, Ben Waisbren, and Producer  Elizabeth Cantillon, Giannina Facio, Ridley Scott, Larry Shuman, David Wolthoff, for making the film possible. Cast includes Will Smith, Alec Baldwin, Albert Brooks, Gugu Mbatha-Raw, David Morse, Arliss Howard, Mike O'Malley, Eddie Marsan, Hill Harper, Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje,

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? 

Yes. This film belongs in the home video library and serves as a good teen/adult share watch. Thank to all involved in making a film that is more than worth watching. 

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

CLOVERFIELD PARADOX (Video Release USA 2017)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 3.2|5.0 Starsììì

The Cloverfield Paradox needs more backstory to get off the ground and portray its very good concept. Despite good casting choices, like David Oyelowo, the story is difficult to follow and does not seem to transition well between its various events so that the audience can understand the ‘why’ for the events.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

Ava Hamilton (Gugu Mbatha-Raw) works to establish a steady power source for earth from the space station, but events go horridly awry during an unexpected power surge.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director Julius Onah for directing effort. Thank you to Executive Producers Bryan Burk, Jon Cohen, Bob Dohrmann, Drew Goddard, Tommy Harper, and Matt Reeves for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Kiel (David Oyelowo), Schmidt (Daniel Brühl), Monk (John Ortiz), Mundy (Chris O’Dowd), Volkov (Aksel Hennie), Tam (Ziyi Zhang), Jensen (Elizabeth Debicki), Michael (Roger Davies), Molly (Clover Nee), and Ayana Age 7 (Jordan Rivera).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Maybe. Better choices for science fiction fans are: Knowing, Midnight Special, and, for the younger adult generation, Earth to Echo.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

ODD THOMAS (Theatrical Release USA 2014)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 3.4|5.0 Starsììì

Odd Thomas—a wannabe supernatural thriller—needs a complete reboot from its title to its slow and redundant script. The upside to the story becomes the use of Willem Dafoe and the late Anton Yelchin who play the characters of Chief Wyatt Porter and Odd Thomas respectively.

Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images

Storyline

After Odd Thomas (Anton Yelchin) sees dead people, he attempts to right the wrong that caused their death. Finally, he has opportunity to prevent the death of a large group of individuals due to a futuristic dream detailed by Viola (Gugu Mbatha-Raw).

Additional Thanks

Thank You to Director Stephen Sommers for directing effort. Thank you to Executive Producers Michael Arata, Alastair Burlingham, John Calhoun, Des Carey, Michael Cioni, Jerry Daigle, James Gibb, Pavan Grover, Jason Hewitt, Carsten H.W. Lorenz, Bruce MacInnes, Stephen Margolis, Martin McCourt, and Steve Robbins for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Penny Kalisto (Ashley Sommers), Odd’s Mother (Leonor Varela), Harlo Landerson (Matthew Page), Pool Man (Casey Messer), Stevie (Barney Lanning), Officer Simon Varner (Nico Tortorella), Officer Bern Eckles (Kyle McKeever), Levanna (Carmen Corley), and Nicolina (Maisha Diatta).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Maybe. It’s got good concept and most likely, over time, will work itself into cult movie status.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers