FLAGS OF OUR FATHERS (Theatrical Release USA 2006)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 3.6|5.0 Starsììì Flags of Our Fathers—odd presentation—lacks cohesion with its 'all- over-the-place' story, little to no character development, and suitable but not great acting. Despite the hard-to-follow story, expect good fight scenes and highly graphic portrayal of war wounds.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

Three men receive praise for raising a USA flag during World War II as a symbol of a great victory.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director Clint Eastwood for his directing effort. Thank you to Executive Producers Clint Eastwood, Steven Spielberg, and Robert Lorenz for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: John Bradley (Ryan Phillippe), Rene Gagnon (Jesse Bradford), Ira Hayes (Adam Beach), Keyes Beech (John Benjamin Hickey), Bud Gerber (John Slattery), Mike Strank (Barry Pepper), Ralph Ignatowski (Jamie Bell), Hank Hansen (Paul Walker), and Colonel Chandler Johnson (Robert Patrick).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Maybe. It is an okay watch but hard to follow with a 'messy' storyline. This Clint Eastwood film has a counterpart made by Clint Eastwood called Letters from Iwo Jima about the Japanese side of the story that is a much better made film than this film.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

UNDERDOG (Theatrical Release USA 2007)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 2.5|5.0 Starsìì

Underdog becomes a fair to middling family movie with the predictable happy ending. James Belushi seems miscast and does not perform with his usual style in this film; the script needs significant improvement to raise the quality of the movie.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

Underdog (Jason Lee), a beagle serving the police department, makes a mistake that results in him being ‘on the streets’. He is picked up and transported to an experimentation laboratory. When he tries to escape, he overturns chemicals which give him super powers of strength, hearing, speed, and smell. A retired policeman finds him and the story begins.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director Frederik Du Chau for directing efforts. Thank you to Executive Producers Todd Arnow, Eric Ellenbogen, and Bob Higgins for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Shoeshine (voice of Jason Lee), Dr. Simon Barsinister (Peter Dinklage), Dan Unger (James Belushi), Cad (Patrick Warburton), Jack (Alex Neuberger), Molly (Taylor Momsen), Mayor (John Slattery), Polly (voice of Amy Adams), and Riff Raff (voice of Brad Garrett).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Maybe. It’s a good, clean children’s flick.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers