THE GODFATHER (Theatrical Release USA 1972)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 4.8|5.0 Starsìììì

The Godfather—masterpiece of the great movie collection—depicts the gruesome reality of gangster life when large egos are stepped on and when interpretation of personal intent goes awry. The Godfather performs very well for the mature adult audience and marks itself as a terrific study film for academia.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

Don Vito Corleone (Marlon Brando) attempts stability between the five major mob families during the 1940s and 1950s.

Additional Thanks

Thank You to Director Francis Ford Coppola for directing efforts. Thank you to Executive Producer Robert Evans for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Michael Corleone (Al Pacino), Sonny Corleone (James Caan), Clemenza (Richard S. Castellano), Tom Hagen (Robert Duvall), Captain McCluskey (Sterling Hayden), Jack Woltz (John Marley), Barzini (Richard Conte), Sollozzo (Al Lettieri), Kay Adams (Diane Keaton), and Tessio (Abe Vigoda).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. This film becomes the classic definition standard for all mafia/mob movies, the best of the best. 

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Ben Meyers

UNDERCOVER GRANDPA (Theatrical Release USA 2017)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 2.3|5.0 Starsìì

Undercover Grandpa inadvertently downgrades and disgraces veteran warriors of the last generation with its poorly written script and its less-than-B-grade story line. The only thing that partially redeems this film is the pleasure of seeing James Caan and Louis Gosset, Jr. cast together on the big screen.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

World War II veteran Grandpa (James Caan) and his buddies help his grandson, Jake Bouchard (Dylan Everett), find a missing girlfriend, Angie Wagner (Greta Onieogou).

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director Erik Canuel for directing efforts. Thank you to Executive Producer Arnie Zipursky for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Maddy Harcourt (Jessica Walter), Giovanni (Paul Sorvino), Jake’s Mom (Jennifer Robertson), Mother (Louis Gossett, Jr.) Harry (Kenneth Welsh), Rocky (Rob Archer), General Komenkho (Paul Braunstein), Field Reporter (Amy Matysio), Aspic Agent 2 (Brendan Murray), Mechanic (Michael Boisvert), Krak Guard 1 (Christian Bako), and Wolf (Lawrence Dane).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

No. A similar concept with higher entertainment value is the 2010 Bruce Willis film, Red.

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Ben Meyers

CLOUDY WITH A CHANCE OF MEATBALLS 2 (Theatrical Release USA 2013)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 3.9|5.0 Starsììì Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs 2— is much improved over the last film and tells an interesting story. It is creative and the animation is great. This is watchable for the whole family. It has its own unique originality.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

Young Flint Lockwood (voice of Bridget Hoffman) watches a show about Chester V (voice of Will Forte), a scientist and inventor of food bars for people to eat. An older Flint Lockwood (voice of Bill Hader) tells how he wants to be like Chester V. Then, the screen switches to Flint Lockwood as a young man working on his next invention with Sam Sparks (voice of Ana Faris) and the movie is off and running with its exploration of good versus evil.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Directors Cody Cameron and Kris Pearn for directing efforts. Thank you to Executive Producers Phil Lord and Christopher Miller for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Tim Lockwood (voice of James Caan), Brent McHale (voice of Andy Samberg), Manny (voice of Benjamin Bratt), Steve (voice of Neil Patrick Harris), Earl Devereaux (voice of Terry Crews), and Barb (voice of Kristen Schaal).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. This is a cute and sweet film and tells a good story. It is creative and original.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

CLOUDY WITH A CHANCE OF MEATBALLS (Theatrical Release USA 2009)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 3.7|5.0 Starsììì

Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs is an okay/suitable film. The animation is great. The concept of food raining from the sky is novel but the movie borders on boring. It's interesting to see Mr. T in the casting credits.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

Young inventor Flint Lockwood (voice of Bill Hader) wants to help economically depressed Swallow Falls, his hometown. He invents a machine that takes two parts of hydrogen and one part of oxygen and turns it into food that accidentally rains from heaven.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director Phil Lord and Christopher Miller for directing efforts. Thank you to Executive Producers Yair Landau for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Sam Sparks (voice of Anna Faris), Tim Lockwood (voice of James Caan), Baby Brent (voice of Andy Samberg), Mayor Shelbourne (voice of Bruce Campbell), Earl Devereaux (voice of Mr. T), Cal Devereaux (voice of Bobb’e J. Thompson), Manny (voice of Benjamin Bratt), and Steve (voice of Neil Patrick Harris).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Maybe. The film is creative but at times that creativeness is swamped by a weak storyline that has significant flat spots.  

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers