MADAME WEB (Released to Theaters USA 2024)

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 3.5|5.0 Starsììì  Madame Web—weak portrayal—sports a story with little to no continuity and little to no character development. Toward the end of the film, an audience may feel like they are running an obstacle course with no training and no guide. The 'origin' part of the story at its introductory scenes does not involve its audience and comes off as cold and irrelevant. The largest faux pas is leaving three teenagers while Madame Web goes into the jungle for a 'soul search' and bases her location on a single picture of a tree. The film is hard to follow and difficult to piece together. Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images Storyline  A pregnant female doctor is deceived by her security guard when he steals the spider she discovers in the jungle. Her baby is delivered by friendly tribals but the doctor, the baby's mother, dies. The baby grows to adulthood and serves as an emergency ambulance driver in New York City.  Additional Thanks Thank you to Director and Executive Producer S.J. Clarkson, for directing effort. Thank you to Executive Producer Adam Merims and Claire Parker for making the film possible. Cast includes Dakota Johnson, Sydney Sweeney, Isabela Merced, Celeste O'Connor, Tahir Rahim, Mike Epps, Emma Roberts, Adam Scott, Kerry Bisché, and,Zoshia Mamet.  Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?  No. This could be skipped for Spider-Man films from Toby Maguire to Andrew Garfield to Tom Holland to the animated Spider-Man films of recent years, Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse and its sequel Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse. Madame Web is messy and unprofessional.. Video Critique Available Here: Ben Meyers

 

INSTANT FAMILY (Theatrical Release USA 2018)

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 4.3|5.0 Starsìììì 

Instant Family—strong, sound storyline—makes a good and honest presentation of foster care, adoption, and the diligence necessary to make a family work within that scenario. Mark Wahlberg and Rose Byrne give an exceptionally realistic and worthy acting performance with their establishment of boundaries, acceptable behavior, and loving interest that consistently hold place through tumultuous family adjustment periods. The child actors/actresses have been well-chosen. Watch for some wonderful random appearances by Joan Cusack. This movie makes a good family share that offers quality after-viewing discussion. 

Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images 

Storyline 

This family comedy drama film is about a husband and wife who decide to adopt three siblings. 

Additional Thanks 

Thank you to Director Sean Anders for directing effort. Thank you to Executive Producers Allegra Clegg, Helen Pollak, for making the film possible. Cast includes: Mark Wahlberg, Rose Byrne, Isabela Merced, Gustavo Escobar, Juliana Gamiz, Octavia Spencer, Tig Notaro, Tom Segura, Allyn Rachel, and Britt Rentschler.

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? 

Yes. Instant Family is a terrific extension of Mark Wahlberg’s talent in film with its great story, presentation and portrayal. Good teen/adult share movie. 

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

TRANSFORMERS: THE LAST KNIGHT (Theatrical Release USA 2017)

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 4.3|5.0 Starsìììì 

Transformers: The Last Knight has the highest rating of any Transformers movie to this date on Ben Meyers International Movie Critics. WOW! This Transformers movie hit all the bells and whistles with terrific special effects, acting, and presentation. Mark Wahlberg is the perfect casting choice for this movie series. The story is more complicated, but not so complicated to become unintelligible. 

Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images 

Storyline

In King Arthur’s time, the wizard Merlin is given a staff to help King Arthur win a deadly battle. Later, Merlin hides the staff. In current times, the war between earth and the transformers continues and a need to find and use the staff arises. 

Additional Thanks 

Thank you to Director Michael Bay for directing effort. Thank you to Producers Lorom DeSanto, Don Murphy, and Ian Bryce for making the film possible. Cast includes: Mark Wahlberg, Anthony Hopkins, Josh Duhamel, Laura Haddock, Santiago Cabrera, Isabela Mersed, Jarrod Carmichael, Stanley Tucci, Liam Garrigan, Martin McCreadie, Rob Witcomb, Marcus Fraser, John Hollingworth, and Daniel Adegboyega.

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? 

Yes. The special effects are at the WOW! level and are presented very well. This movie is more than worth watching. Great work for all involved. 

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers