DJANGO UNCHAINED (Released to Theaters USA 2012)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 4.3|5.0 Starsìììì

Django Unchained—a type of spaghetti western a la Quentin Tarantino flick—delivers blood, blood, and more blood. It’s a rough, rowdy story for the adult audience that relies on an unlikely storyline filled with gore and revenge.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

Django (Jamie Foxx) and Dr. King Schultz (Christoph Waltz) team together as bounty hunters when Dr. Schultz, disguised as a traveling dentist, asks to buy Django. When the traders refuse to sell, Dr. King Schultz kills two of the traders and injures another. The slaves kill the remaining injured trader. Dr. King Schultz then asks Django what he knows about the Brittle Brothers. Django can identify the Brittle Brothers. Dr. Schultz has a warrant for their arrest and offers Django freedom in exchange for help with hunting/identifying the brothers. After capturing the Brittle Brothers, Django becomes an apprentice to Dr. King Schultz to learn the bounty hunting trade. Django has talent for the business and soon earns money. He desires to find his slave wife and buy her freedom. Dr. King Schultz agrees to help Django find his wife and the real story begins.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director Quentin Tarantino for directing efforts. Thank you to Executive Producers Shannon McIntosh, Michael Shamberg, James W. Skotchdopole, Bob Weinstein, and Harvey Weinstein for making the film possible. Cast include: Jamie Foxx, Christoph Waltz, Kerry Washington, Leonardo DiCaprio, Samuel L. Jackson, Walton Goggins, Dennis Christopher, James Remar, David Steen, and Dana Gourrier.

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. All the expected Quentin Tarantino story telling techniques are present in this flick. It will not disappoint Tarantino fans.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

DREAMGIRLS (Released to Theaters USA 2006)

 

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 3.9|5.0 Starsììì  Dreamgirls—good musical—swings like a fictional story of the legendary Supremes. Listen for terrific music (some of which is original work released for this film), watch very good stage dancing, and view some great costuming. It's difficult to keep some characters in place and understand how they are moving the film forward due to scenes that run very fast. It's a good, inside view of how musical careers peak and trough. Film Poster Courtesy of IMDb Storyline   A pop women's singing group takes on a new manager, who takes their career to the top.  Additional Thanks Thank you to Director Bill Condon for directing effort. Thank you to Executive Producer Patricia Whitcher, Producer  Lawrence Mark, Co-Producer Jonathan King, and Associate Producer Leeann Stonebreaker for making the film possible. Cast includes Jamie Foxx, Beyoncé, Eddie Murphy, Danny Glover, Jennifer Hudson, Anika Noni Rose, Keith D. Robinson, Sharon Leal, Hinton Battle, and Mariah Iman Wilson.  Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?  Yes. Some of our best musicians sing and dance their way through this movie. For music lovers, this film is a very good choice. Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

SOUL (Theatrical Release USA 2020)

 Ben Meyers’ Rating: 4.4|5.0 Starsìììì

Soul—the trailer honestly matches the movie—feels good, has heart, and serves great family animated entertainment. Jamie Foxx voices the main character, adds to the development of that character’s personality, and beautifully allows that welcome POP! conclusion. The animation does not glare. It’s soft and easy on the eyes. This entertainment piece serves the widest audience from child to adult with no agenda or messages attached. It earns its addition to the family home video library for its creativity and original storyline. This film follows the usual Pixar delivery of high quality entertainment that deserves its investment of time and money.

 Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images

 Storyline 

A musician gets his big break, then unexpectedly dies, and is sent to a place that leads to heaven. 

Additional Thanks                                                       

Thank you to Director Pete Doctor for directing efforts. Thank you to Producer Dana Murray for making the film possible. Cast includes: Jamie Foxx, Tina Fey, Graham Norton, Rachel House, Alice Braga, Richard Ayoade, Phylicia Rashad, Donnell Rawlings, Questlove, and Angela Bassett. 

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? 

Yes. The movie is both terrific and wonderful, provides room for after-viewing discussion, and appeals to the adult as well as the child. Listen for Tina Fey voicing 22. 

Video Critique Available Here: 

Ben Meyers