THE HURT LOCKER (Theatrical Release USA 2009)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 4.0|5.0 Starsìììì

The Hurt Locker—in 131 short minutes—sets the higher defining mark for war movie production. The inside of the warrior’s mind, the way wars are fought, and the dedication of soldiers during conflict—the movie quickly moves itself into a film that may be watched more than once as a great war movie. The Hurt Locker hits the jackpot for great acting with Jeremy Renner and Anthony Mackie. The great script by Mark Boal and outstanding direction by Kathryn Bigelow turn out a unique film that will be well appreciated by hardcore war movie fans.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

Staff Sergeant William James (Jeremy Renner), the new explosive ordinance disposal team leader, causes concern within the ranks due to his seemingly reckless behavior.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Kathryn Bigelow for directing efforts. Thank you to Executive Producer Tony Mark for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Sergeant JT Sanborn (Anthony Mackie), Specialist Owen Eldrige (Brian Geraghty), Sergeant Matt Thompson (Guy Pearce), Contractor Team Leader (Ralph Fiennes), Colonel Reed (David Morse), Connie James (Evangeline Lilly), Colonel John Cambridge (Christian Camargo), and Black Suit Man (Suhail Aldabbach).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. While war movies often run as B-grade entertainment, this movie pushes itself into higher level story telling.

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Ben Meyers

ARRIVAL (Theatrical Release USA 2016)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 4.9|5.0 Starsìììì

Arrival—a ‘do not miss this story’ film—explores what humans may learn from aliens when we choose not to shoot ‘em with guns first and talk later. The movie sports a little suspense while shooting to the top of the sci fi entertainment class. The acting is very good with Amy Adams, Jeremy Renner, and Forrest Whitaker strutting their skills in every scene. This is one of best science fiction films of 2016 and is actually rewatchable due to its well-written, in-depth script. Watch for the light twist at the end that is more than worth the 116-minute viewing time.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

Linguist Louise Banks (Amy Adams) becomes capable of using an alien language that gives power to see the future and the past.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director Denis Villeneuve for directing effort. Thank you to Executive Producers Dan Cohen, Eric Heisserer, Karen Lunder, Tory Metzger, Milan Popelka, Stan Wlodkowski, Glen Basner for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Ian Donnelly (Jeremy Renner), Colonel Weber (Forest Whitaker), Agent Halpern (Michael Stuhlbarg), Captain Marks (Mark O’Brien), General Shang (Tzi Ma), 8-year-old Hannah (Abigail Pniowsky), and 12-year-old Hannah (Julia Scarlett Dan).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. Like The Day the Earth Stood Still when first introduced to the big screen, Arrival serves as a ‘best’ sci fi film that introduces fresh concepts well-worth exploring. Don’t miss this completely satisfying movie.

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Ben Meyers

28 WEEKS LATER (Theatrical Release USA 2007)

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 3.7|5.0 Starsììì 

28 Weeks Later—over-the-top violence and some gore—serves highly cringeworthy entertainment with an interesting storyline that basically is just another ‘zombie-type’ movie. Nothing new here. 

Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images

Storyline 

The military have made a safe zone from the Rage Virus within London’s Isle of Dogs. A boy and his sister compromise the zone. 

Additional Thanks 

Thank you to Director Juan Carlos Fresnadillo for directing effort. Thank you to Producers Enrique Lopez-Lavigne, Andrew Macdonald, and Allon Reich for making the film possible. Cast includes: Robert Carlyle, Rose Byrne,  Jeremy Renner, Harold Perrineau, Catherine McCormack, Makintosh Muggleton, Imogen Poots, and Idris Elba. 

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? 

Maybe. The movie is very violent and gory to the point of difficult to watch at times. The characters are not fleshed out well and no real attempt is made to make the audience care a great deal about them. It uses shock and awe to keep its audience in its seat. 

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Ben Meyers

BOURNE LEGACY (Theatrical Release USA 2012)

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 4.2|5.0 Starsìììì 

Bourne Legacy—spinoff from the original Bourne series—is not as good as the first three Bourne movies but still serves as a good thriller film.  Watch for terrific acting by Jeremy Renner and Rachel Weisz and some very nice background scenery with good camerawork. The movie is more than worth watching and it is a treat to see another character that can run alongside the original Bourne stories. 

Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images 

Storyline 

This espionage action film is about: An espionage agency decides to close down an operation and eliminate all operatives. 

Additional Thanks 

Thank you to Director Tony Gilroy for directing effort. Thank you to Producers Frank Marshall, Patrick Crowley, Jeffrey Weiner, and Ben Smith for making the film possible. Cast includes: Jeremy Renner, Rachel Weisz, Edward Norton, Stacy Keach, Oscar Isaac, Joan Allen, Albert Finney, David Strathairn, and Scott Glenn. 

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? 

Yes. This espionage film relies on terrific stage settings, good presentation, and a well-written script. It completely serves the espionage movie fan as a good watch.

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Ben Meyers

MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE-ROGUE NATION (Theatrical Release USA 2015)

 Ben Meyers’ Rating: 4.3|5.0 Starsìììì 

Mission Impossible: Rogue Nation—completely entertaining—shows its audience why Tom Cruise is a great actor. He has a terrific supporting cast: Jeremy Renner, Simon Pegg, Rebecca Ferguson, Ving Rhames, Alec Baldwin, and Sean Harris. This is the fifth installment of the Mission: Impossible series and is the best in the series. Part 6 rolls out in 2018 as Mission Impossible: Fallout. This film, Mission Impossible: Rogue Nation, easily earns its right to be added to the home video collection. It earns its watch and its investment of money. 

Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images 

Storyline 

This action spy thriller film is about an Impossible Missions’ Force (IMF) agent working between the Syndicate and the IMF to prevent threatening events from becoming active. 

Additional Thanks 

Thank you to Director Christopher McQuarrie for directing effort. Thank you to Producers Tom Cruise, J.J. Abrams, Bryan Burk, David Ellison, Dana Goldberg, and Don Granger for making the film possible. Cast members include: Tom Cruise, Jeremy Renner, Simon Pegg, Ving Rhames, Rebecca Ferguson, Sean Harris, and Alec Baldwin. 

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? 

Yes. This is a much better watch than the other films in this series with a higher entertainment value. 

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

AVENGERS: ENDGAME (Theatrical Release USA 2019)

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 4.0|5.0 Starsìììì 

Avengers: Endgame—odd conclusion that seems disjointed from its story—runs as ‘not well thought out and complicates itself.’ It’s 2-hour build up leaves the audience flat at the end. The camera work, the animation, and the acting are good to great. It’s a good watch for superhero fans, but not for general audiences. 

Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images 

Storyline 

The Avengers unite to recover the infinity stones so that life in the universe can be restored. 

Additional Thanks 

Thank you to Directors Anthony Russo and Joe Russo for directing effort. Thank you to Producer Kevin Feige for making the film possible. Cast includes: Robert Downey Jr., Chris Evans, Mark Ruffalo, Chris Hemsworth, Scarlett Johansson, Jeremy Renner, Don Cheadle, Paul Rudd, Brie Larson, Karen Gillan, Danai Gurira, Benedict Wong, Jon Favreau, Bradley Cooper, Josh Brolin, and Gwyneth Paltrow. 

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? 

Yes. If one wants to finish the series, this is it.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

AVENGERS: AGE OF ULTRON (Theatrical Release USA 2015)

 Ben Meyers’ Rating: 4.2|5.0 Starsìììì 

Avengers: Age of Ultron—this second film is better than the first Avengers movie—has a type of synergy that the first movie could not accomplish. Watch for some new superheroes like Vision and Wanda (from Disney+ television) who are incorporated into this movie’s storyline and, of course, the traditional sneaking in of Stan Lee in a cameo appearance. This film’s Marvel characters overflow like a huge bouquet on a small table and provide a basically good entertainment piece. Good work for all involved. 

Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images 

Storyline 

The strongest and best fighters for earth join forces to rid it of the latest threat to its peace and happiness. 

Additional Thanks 

Thank you to Joss Whedon for directing effort. Thank you to Executive Producers Victoria Alonso, Louis D’Esposito, Jon Favreau, Alan Fine, Jeremy Latcham, Stan Lee, and Patricia Whitcher for making the film possible. Cast members include: Robert Downey Jr., Chris Hemsworth, Mark Ruffalo, Chris Evans, Scarlett Johansson, Jeremy Renner, James Spader, Samuel L. Jackson, Don Cheadle, and Aaron Taylor-Johnson. 

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? 

Yes. This movie is a bit better than its prequel, can be enjoyed as a family, and earns its watch.  

Video Critique Available Here: 

Ben Meyers