JUNGLE CRUISE (Theatrical Release USA 2021)

 Ben Meyers’ Rating: 3.8|5.0 Starsììì 

Jungle Cruise reminds one of taking the Jungle Cruise ride in Disneyland California. It has interestingly incorporated Spanish explorers toward the middle of the movie and while it runs on formula storytelling, the running dialogue patter between Dwayne Johnson and Emily Blunt is easy to digest and has its own worth. It is what it is and could be a fair choice for the child/adult share. 

Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images 

Storyline 

In 1916 a team begins search for a jungle tree that can cure and heal. 

Additional Thanks 

Thank you to Director Jaume Collet-Serra for directing effort. Thank you to Producers John Davis, John Davis, John Fox, Beau Flynn, Dwayne Johnson, Dany Garcia, and Hiram Garcia. Cast includes: Dwayne Johnson, Emily Blunt, Edgar Ramirez, Jack Whitehall, Jesse Plemons, and Paul Giamatti. 

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? 

Maybe. The movie runs like movies from the 1940s and 1950s. The jungle theme is an  interesting stage setting choice for Dwayne Johnson as he interacts with Emily Blunt. The movie runs on a lighter touch to entertain.

Video Critique Available Here: 

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Ben Meyers

GAME NIGHT (Theatrical Release USA 2018)

 Ben Meyers’ Rating: 3.5|5.0 Starsììì 

Game Night—unique—keeps its audience guessing about its purpose. It’s difficult to see the connections between a couple who should be having children, their obsession with games, and why an actual role-playing game is ordered (at the first of the movie, it seems the older brother ordered it and at the end of the movie it appears that the neighbor ordered it). There is confusion between  role playing and real life action. The blur between real events and the reality game during most of the movie works at the obscurity level. The movie leaves many loose ends when it concludes. If you are going to buy a ticket, read a plotline before buying that ticket to enhance enjoyment of the movie. Know that there is considerable sexual, adult dialogue in this movie that makes it an entertainment piece for adults. 

Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images 

Storyline 

A husband, wife, and friends enter a very realistic real life role-playing game. 

Additional Thanks 

Thank you to Directors John Francis Daley and Jonathan Goldstein for directing effort. Thank you to Producers John Davis, John Fox, Jason Bateman, and James Garamente for making the film possible. Cast includes: Jason Bateman, Rachel McAdams, Billy Magnussen, Sharon Horgan, Lamorne Morris, Kylie Bunbury, Jesse Plemons, Michael C. Hall, and Kyle Chandler. 

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?                                                                       

 No. The film’s script seems to have been ‘hurried’ during the writing process and fails to tie up loose ends. Read a plotline before going.

 Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers