SHANE (Theatrical Release USA 1953)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 4.1|5.0 Starsìììì 

Shane—good, down-to-earth, refreshing, and simple film—is a wonderful relief from fantasy, science fiction, supernatural, and war movies that currently dominate the market. Great, natural acting by Alan Ladd, Van Heflin, Jean Arthur, Brandon De Wilde, Ben Johnson, and Jack Palance weave through the opening to ending scenes. Good story telling and great writing, that is deeply immersed in thoughtful thinking, bring this film to the forefront for adding to the family home video library. Worth its watch. 

Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images

Storyline 

A man drifts into a new homesteading area and helps a farming family and the community who have settled there. 

Additional Thanks 

Thank you to Director George Stevens for directing effort. Producer George Stevens for making the film possible.  Cast includes: Alan Ladd, Jean Arthur, Van Heflin, Brandon deWilde, and Jack Palance. 

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. This is good story telling and earns its watch. Even after 70 years (as of 2023), this film has lost none of its entertainment value. It’s an above average western and more than earns its watch.     

                                                                       

Ben Meyers

 

BATMAN (Theatrical Release USA 1989)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 3.4|5.0 Starsììì

Batman—‘cool’ in 1989—uses a milder comic book feel than previous Batman stories to depict its storyline, but classifies itself as ‘corny’ with its dialogue and poor special effects when compared to the 2005 production of Batman Begins. Jack Nicholson does not do justice to the Joker as well as Heath Ledger did in The Dark Knight. The film becomes a good study for collegiate studies on Michael Keaton as an actor and films by Tim Burton. Michael Gough as Alfred Pennyworth performs that character from 1989 to the 1997 Batman and Robin with consistency of portrayal.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

Mayor Borg (Lee Wallace) demands a safer Gotham City and Batman (Michael Keaton) assists.

Additional Thanks

Thank You to Director Tim Burton for directing effort. Thank you to Executive Producers Benjamin Melniker and Michael E. Uslan for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Bruce Wayne (Michael Keaton), Joker/Jack Napier (Jack Nicholson), Vicki Vale (Kim Basinger), Alexander Knox (Robert Wuhl), Commissioner James Gordon (Pat Hingle), Harvey Dent (Billy Dee Williams), Alfred Pennyworth (Michael Gough), Carl Grissom (Jack Palance), Alicia Hunt (Jerry Hall), and Bob the Goon (Tracey Walter).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Maybe. It’s a dated look at early Batman films.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers