JUNIOR BONNER (Released to Theaters USA 1972)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 4.6|5.0 Stars ìììì

Junior Bonner—a classic rodeo movie—excels in realism, presentation, and outstanding acting. 

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

Junior Bonner (Steve McQueen), whose specialty is riding broncs and bulls, is in the last days of his rodeo career. He has just failed riding a tough bull named Sunshine. He moves on to Prescott, Arizona, his familial home, to get ready for the Prescott rodeo. His arrogant brother, Curly Bonner (Joe Don Baker), is in mobile home real estate. Junior Bonner’s father, Ace Bonner (Robert Preston), is in the hospital for drunk driving. His mother, Elvira Bonner (Ida Lupino), is separated from her husband. Junior Bonner finds that his father wants to go to Australia. Junior Bonner bribes his manager, Buck Roan (Ben Johnson), to allow him to ride the bull, Sunshine, one more time.

Additional Thanks

Best work for Director Sam Peckinpah. Thank you to Producer Joe Wizan and Associate Producer Mickey Borofsky for making the film possible. Cast include: Steve McQueen, Robert Preston, Ida Lupino, Joe Don Baker, Barbara Leigh, Ben Johnson,

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. Be aware that this film works on a rather depressing storyline, but completely works as an exceptionally realistic portrayal of rodeo life without the support of a family and children. Excellent drama.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

CONGO (Theatrical Release USA 1995)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 2.5|5.0 Starsìì

Congo is a bona fide C-grade movie that works on flaws. The storyline is simple, completely uncomplicated and very predictable. Ernie Hudson is too confident for his part as Captain Munro Kelly. Tim Curry is awkward as character Herkermer Homolka (i.e., when he starts to insist that he wants to find diamonds). Joe Don Baker as character R. B. Travis, while interacting with Laura Linney as character Dr. Karen Ross, completely botches the proper reaction to the massacre of part of their team by unknown gorillas. The introduction of a talking gorilla is awkward.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

When a testing team does not return from the jungle, Dr. Karen Ross (Laura Linney) activates their remote camera, finds the camp ravaged, and loses camera contact after something knocks over the camera.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director Frank Marshall for directing efforts Thank you to Executive Producers  for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Dr. Peter Elliot (Dylan Walsh), Captain Munro Kelly (Ernie Hudson), Herkermer Homolka (Tim Curry), Richard (Grant Heslov), R.B. Travis (Joe Don Baker), Amy (Lola Noh), Moira (Mary Ellen Trainor), and Amy the Gorilla (Misty Rosas).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Maybe. Interesting concept, not fully developed.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers