RUBY GILLMAN: TEENAGE KRAKEN (Released to Theaters USA 2023)

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 3.7|5.0 Starsììì  Ruby Gillman: Teenage Kraken—not as 'messy' as Madam Web—starts fairly well. Then one starts to see a cliched and poorly written script, which is partially forgiven due to a fairly good portrayal. Then the conclusion comes with its battle scene and the question becomes "That's it?" and the film's faults come rushing toward one like incoming tide. The latter part of the film feels like a fast track to allow her to meet the villain and take it down...it seems almost like boredom sets in and 'Let's just get it over with' rules the rest of the movie. Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images  Storyline   A female kraken, like any other teenager, lives with parents and a sibling on land. But when she gets into the ocean for the first time, she becomes a full fledged kraken and she has to figure out what to do next.  Additional Thanks Thank you to Director Kirk DeMicco and Co-Director Faryn Pearl for directing effort. Thank you to Executive Producer Mike Mitchell for making the film possible. Cast includes Jane Fonda, Lana Condor, Toni Collette, Colman Domingo, Blue Chapman, Will Forte, Liza Koshy, Ramona Young, and Eduardo Franco. Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?  Maybe. It's messy with a story that falls apart little by little until there's nothing left. The concluding scenes do not even try for the gold medal. This movie comes with very little to recommend for buying the ticket or expending the time to watch. Video Critique Available Here: Ben Meyers

 

OUR SOULS AT NIGHT (Theatrical Release USA 2017)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 3.8|5.0 Starsììì

Our Souls at Night, when critiqued strictly on acting and portrayal, performs at a high level of competence due to the two lead performers’—Robert Redford and Jane Fonda—acting abilities. However, when examining the premise upon which the story unfolds, much discussion can be raised about the value of the storyline itself. While the overall story flows smoothly and ends happily, questions arise over the story’s basic premise and the movie thereby becomes a great 'after movie discussion' film. For example, does the choice of the two main actors promote moral behavior? Does it help to establish clean thinking within the community at large? Do personal image and moral reputation matter? Does a contractual marriage arrangement have value in advanced age groups? Does placing two seasoned persons in close proximity and in a setting conducive to sexual contact, without the benefit of marriage, matter? Is this a viable solution to loneliness in advanced age? Are seasoned citizens beyond responsibility to set moral example to younger generations? Depending upon the audiences’ viewpoints and answers to any one of these questions, the movie will ultimately be rated as a winning piece of entertainment or as a distorted rationalization of adult choices. At the least, the movie plants a seed in the audience mind. One question is: What is the desired fruitage from this planted seed?

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

Widow (Jane Fonda) asks widower (Robert Redford) to help combat loneliness by establishing a long-term platonic ‘sleep over’ relationship.

Additional Thanks

Thank You to Director Ritesh Batra for directing efforts. Thank you to Executive Producers Pauline Fischer and Ben Ormand for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Holly (Judy Greer), Addie Moore (Jane Fonda), Louis Waters (Robert Redford), Jamie (Iain Armitage), Dorlan (Bruce Dern), Gene (Matthias Schoenaerts), Ruth (Phyllis Somerville), Actress (Leana Lewis), Realtor (Audrey Walters), Café Teenager (Hawley Penfold), and Actor (Michael Love Toliver). 

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Maybe. It is an interesting mature adult romance, but not Ben Meyers’ first pick for a love/friendship story.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers 

THE ELECTRIC HORSEMAN (Theatrical Release USA 1979)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 3.8|5.0 Starsììì

The Electric Horseman doesn’t sport a strong script, an outstanding storyline, or anything else that a critic can pick out and say, WOW, that’s a great story. But, somehow, despite its overall lack, this movie wins. It has a western charm, a magical sense of ‘real’ that reminds one of movies watched as a child. Robert Redford and Jane Fonda create a class act out of scrap material. It’s a surprisingly enjoyable watch.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

Rodeo star Sonny (Robert Redford) decides to rescue and release a prize stallion worth $12,000,000 without the owner’s permission.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director Sydney Pollack for directing efforts. Thank you to Producer Ray Stark for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Hallie (Jane Fonda), Charlotta (Valerie Perrine), Wendell (Willie Nelson), Hunt Sears (John Saxon), Fitzgerald (Nicolas Coster), Danny (Allan Arbus), Farmer (Wilford Brimley), Gus (Will Hare), Toland (Basil Hoffman), Leroy (Timothy Scott), Dietrich (James B. Sikking), and Tommy (James Kline).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. It reminds one of other animal release stories like Free Willie, but has its own style and character.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers