ONCE UPON A TIME IN MEXICO (Released to Theaters USA 2003)

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 3.8|5.0 Starsììì  Once Upon a Time in Mexico—fun, perky, flavorful—is part 3 of The Mexico Trilogy. Watch for Antonio Banderas and Johnny Depp as well as high level, first rate support casting. The movie is not great, but suitable. Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia Storyline A new gunman is in the village and he wants to know where The Mariachi is.  Additional Thanks Thank you to Director and Producer Robert Rodriguez for directing and Producing effort. Thank you to Producer Elizabeth Avellan, Carlos Gallardo, for making the film possible. Cast includes Antonio Banderas, Salma Hayek, Johnny Depp, Mickey Rourke, Eva Mendes, Danny Trejo, Enrique Iglesias, Marco Leonardi, Cheech Marin, Rubén Blades, and Willem Defoe.  Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?  Yes. This movie belongs to a series and becomes a better watch if the viewer begins at the first movie: El Mariachi (1993). The movie relies heavily on Mexico small village stage settings. It is a suitable watch. Video Critique Available Here:

 

Ben Meyers

INTO THE WOODS (Theatrical Release USA 2014)

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 3.8|5.0 Starsììì 

Into the Woods—okay watch with a long way to go to achieve quality—has great singing voices but the lyrics are weak, the power of presentation missing, and entertainment value darkly themed without appeal.  The star-studded cast—James Corden, Emily Blunt, Meryl Streep, Anna Kendrick, Johnny Depp—along with new actors like Lilla Crawford and Daniel Huddlestone cannot pull any power out of the overall storyline. The movie lacks intelligence and human spirit. 

Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images 

Storyline 

This fantasy film is a backstory and an imaginary correlation between five Brothers Grimm fairy tales. 

Additional Thanks 

Thank you to Director Rob Marshall for directing efforts. Thank you to Producers Rob Marshall, John DeLuca, Callum McDougall for making the film possible. Cast includes: Meryl Streep, Emily Blunt, James Corden, Anna Kendrick, Tracey Ullman, Christine Baranski, Johnny Depp, and Chris Pine. 

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? 

Maybe. It has its own storyline which is a rewritten form of five Grimm fairy tales with maybe a fresher look at the overdone screening of these stories. But, for the most part, it is not well presented or written. 

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers 

EDWARD SCISSORHANDS (Theatrical Release USA 1990)

 Ben Meyers’ rating: 4.1|5.0 Starsìììì 

Edward Scissorhands—awesome. amazing concept—shows Actor Johnny Depp in one of his early works and the skill of Director Tim Burton. The movie completely earns its watch for the adult audience.

 Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline 

A man has scissors for hands and makes use of them. 

Additional Thanks 

Thank you to Director Tim Burton for directing effort. Thank you to Producers Denise Di Novi and Tim Burton for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Edward Scissorhands (Johnny Depp), Kim Boggs (Winona Ryder), Peg Boggs (Dianne Wiest), Jim (Anthony Michael Hall), Joyce Monroe (Kathy Baker), Bill Boggs (Alan Arkin), The Inventor (Vincent Price), Kevin Boggs (Robert Oliveri), Helen (Conchata Ferrell) Marge (Caroline Aaron), Officer Allen (Dick Anthony Williams), Esmeralda (O-Lan Jones),

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? 

Yes. This movie is very well put together, creative, and a good watch. 

Video Critique Available Here:

 

Ben Meyers

PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN: THE CURSE OF THE BLACK PEARL (Theatrical Release USA 2003)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 4.2|5.0 Starsìììì

Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl—unforgettable and rewatchable—This first film displays superb cinematography with such realistic special effects that, fifteen years later, still stand as great examples of the best effects the entertainment industry affords. Especially watch for the skeletons and decomposing pirate bodies. Johnny Depp, at his typical Johnny Depp best, pushes this storyline into outstanding. No wonder Disneyland specifically used this movie's theme to create one of its famous park rides. Great work for all involved in producing the film. Special mention to the terrific talents of Director Gore Verbinski. Outstanding work.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

Governor Swann (Jonathan Pryce) and his daughter Elizabeth Swann (Keira Knightley) become involved with the Pirate Captain Jack Sparrow (Johnny Depp), the crew of a ghost ship, the son of famous pirate Will Turner (Orlando Bloom), an old curse, and a special medallion.

Additional Thanks

Thank You to Director Gore Verbinski for directing efforts. Thank you to Executive Producers Paul Deason, Bruce Hendricks, Chad Oman, and Mike Stenson for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Captain Barbossa (Geoffrey Rush), Norrington (Jack Davenport), Pintel (Lee Arenberg), Ragetti (Mackenzie Crook), Lieutenant Gillette (Damian O’Hare), Murtogg (Giles New), Mullroy (Angus Barnett), Cotton (David Bailie), and Twigg (Michael Berry, Jr.).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. It’s a family-friendly film with all-encompassing entertainment value.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

ALICE IN WONDERLAND (Theatrical Release USA 2010)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 3.9|5.0 Starsììì

Alice in Wonderland—very well written and creative—is not a remake of the 1951 Alice in Wonderland. This seems to be a sequel to the 1951 movie. Alice is much older here and the film has flashbacks and references to an earlier time. Overall, it is very well done. This movie takes time to understand but by the end of the film viewers will be able to decipher where it was going from the original story.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

Alice Kingsleigh (Mia Wasikowska) follows a white rabbit and falls into a rabbit hole again.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director Tim Burton for directing efforts. Thank you to Executive Producers Chris Lebenzon and Peter M. Tobyansen for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Mad Hatter (Johnny Depp), Alice Kingsleigh (Mia Wasikowska), Red Queen (Helena Bonham Carter), White Queen (Anne Hathaway), Stayne/Knave of Hearts (Crispin Glover), Tweedledee/Tweedledum (Matt Lucas), and White Rabbit (voice of Michael Sheen).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. Very creative and imaginative movie built around Alice in Wonderland characters serves well for involving entertainment.

Video Critique Available Here: 

Ben Meyers