AQUAMAN AND THE LOST KINGDOM (Released to Theaters USA 2023)

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 3.8|5.0 Starsììì

Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom—messy—has all the usual superhero/god story challenges. The special effects are probably the best part of the film. But there are scenes where it looks like actors have been cut out and pasted into the scenes. The movie works at the okay, but not great level.

Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images

Storyline

 Black Manta is back to fight against Atlantis.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director/Producer James Wan for directing effort. Thank you to Executive Producers Pete Chiappetta, Walter Hamada, Andrew Lary, Anthony Tittanegro, Galen Vaisman, for making the film possible. Cast includes: Jason Momoa, Patrick Wilson, Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, Amber Heard, Nicole Kidman, Randall Park, Temuera Morrison, Dolph Lundgren, Martin Short, Jani Zhao, Pilou Asbæk, Indya Moore, John Rhys-Davies, and Vincent Regan.

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

 Maybe. If the audience desires to finish the series, then this is the film. But the movie has so much to overcome with script, portrayal, and acting challenges that it seems futile in both monetary and time investment to start it.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

JUSTICE LEAGUE (Theatrical Release USA 2017)

 Ben Meyers’ Rating: 4.1|5.0 Starsìììì 

Justice League is a better entertainment piece than Man of Steel and Batman Vs. Superman: Dawn of Justice. It’s a treat to see the team form between Batman, Wonder Woman, Cyborg, Aquaman, and Flash and to see them performing as live action heroes rather than the animated format. This piece serves as a good action movie watch and works especially well for DC Comic fans. 

Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images 

Storyline 

Batman and Wonder Woman team with Cyborg, Aquaman, and Flash to stop evil in its tracks. 

Additional Thanks 

Thank you to Director Zack Snyder for directing efforts. Thank you to Producers Charles Roven, Deborah Snyder, Jon Berg, and Geoff Johns for making the film possible. Cast includes: Ben Affleck, Henry Cavill, Amy Adams, Gal Gadot, Ezra Miller, Jason Momoa, Ray Fisher, Jeremy Irons, Diane Lane, Connie Nielsen, and J. K. Simmons. 

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. This movie surpasses the quality of the previous two films and earns its watch. 

Video Critique Available Here:

 

Ben Meyers

SLUMBERLAND (Video on Demand (VOD) Release USA 2022)

 Ben Meyers’ Rating: 3.9|5.0 Starsììì 

Slumberland—good concept, weak storyline—has spectacular special effects. It’s a light, afternoon watch, not a primary choice for evening entertainment. 

Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images 

Storyline 

A young girl has many imaginative experiences after her dad passes away. 

Additional Thanks 

Thank you to Director Francis Lawrence for directing effort. Thank you to Producers Peter Chernin, Jenno Topping, David Ready, and Francis Lawrence for making the film possible. Cast includes: Jason Momoa, Marlow Barkley, Chris O’Dowd, Kyle Chandler, and Weruche Opia.

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? 

Maybe. While the special effects are spectacular, the film lacks entertainment value. 

Video Critique Available Here: 

Ben Meyers

DUNE (Theatrical Release USA 2021)

 Ben Meyers’ Rating: 3.7|5.0 Starsììì 

Dune—read a plotline before going—works at an exceptionally high level of complication and sophistication. This is an intellectual watch that may be completely appreciated by a limited audience with specialized knowledge. It is not as interesting, nor as good as the original movie, but the film does elaborate on Baron Vladimir Harkonnen’s character and about his position in moving the story forward. While the cast is star-studded, it surprisingly, at times, needs more realistic acting and consistency in acting skills. 

Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images 

Storyline 

A family has become powerful due to its control of ‘spice’. A ruler decides that a new family needs to control the ‘spice.’ 

Additional Thanks 

Thank you to Director Denis Villeneuve for directing effort. Thank you to Producers Mary Parent, Denis Villeneuve, and Eric Roth for making the film possible. Cast includes: Timothee Chalamet, Oscar Isaac, Josh Brolin, Stellan Skarsgård, Dave Bautista, Stephen McKinley Henderson, Zendaya, David Dastmalchian, Chang Chen, Sharon Duncan-Brewster, Charlotte Rampling, Jason Momoa, and Javier Bardem. 

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? 

Maybe. It is interesting to see the differences between the original Dune and this story (which has been completely rewritten with bits of the original story sprinkled in at curtain junctures). There is little to recommend this movie to a general audience other than to see new actors coming into their professional maturity and to view some very good special effects, makeup artists' terrific abilities, and some fantastic architectural structures. 

Video Critique Available Here: 

Ben Meyers