GLADIATOR II (Released to Theaters USA 2024)

 

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 4.2|5.0 Starsìììì  Gladiator II—important story—relies on a wide variety of potential fights that a gladiator could be involved in.  It is not perfect, but is well portrayed and acted. Paul Mescal, Denzel Washington, Pedro Pascal, and Connie Neilson perform well in this film.  Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images Storyline A soldier from Africa is taken as a prisoner of war and appointed as a gladiator for Rome, Italy.  Additional Thanks Thank you to Director Ridley Scott for directing effort. Thank you to Producers Ridley Scott, Michael Pruss, Douglas Wick, Lucy Fisher, and David Franzoni for making the film possible. Cast includes Paul Mescal, Pedro Pascal, Joseph Quinn, Fred Hachinger, Lior Raz, Derek Jacobi, Connie Nielsen, and Denzel Washington.  Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?  Yes. This is one of the better gladiator stories produced. There is  some gore and violence in this film. Be aware it is NOT a family watch. There is an interesting scene that shows the flooding of the arena so that a sea battle with real ships could be viewed.  Video Critique Available Here: Ben Meyers

OVERLORD (Released to Theaters USA 2018)

 

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 3.8|5.0 Starsììì  Overlord—cringeworthy violence toward conclusion of film—has mostly unknown actors with the exception of Pilou Asbӕk from Ghost in the Shell, who plays in this movie, Overlord, as Captain Wafner. The story is 'run-of the mill' with weak portrayal and  unrealistic acting. The movie, overall, is a suitable watch, but works more as a time-killer than as a good entertainment piece.   Film Poster Courtesy of IMDb Storyline  A group of WWII soldiers, in the late 1940s, parachute from a crashing plane and find themselves landing in German-controlled territory. The ones who survive the parachuting and the German troops patrolling the area head to a church where the objective is: make friends with a French woman who is willing to take them to her house to hide from the Germans.  Additional Thanks  Thank you to Director Julius Avery for directing effort. Thank you to Executive Producer Jo Burn, Jon Cohen, and Cory Bennett Lewis for making the film possible. Cast includes Jovan Adepo, Wyatt Russell, Mathilde Ollivier, Pilou Asbӕk, John Magaro, Iain De Caestecker, Jacob Anderson, Dominic Applewhite, Gianny Taufer, and Joseph Quinn. Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?  Maybe. This film is what it is—not great, but there. Video Critique Available Here: Ben Meyers

A QUIET PLACE: DAY ONE (Released to Theaters USA 2024)

 

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 4.1|5.0 Starsìììì  A Quiet Place: Day One—good watch—does not have the same quality of the first two films but this prequel still is a very good watch. Look for a good performance by both Lupita Nyong’o and Joseph Quinn. The writing and pacing of the movie are well done and manage to thrill in all the right places.  Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia  Storyline  A young woman finds herself in a world of aliens who terminate humans who make any kind of sound.   Additional Thanks  Thank you to Director Michael Sarnoski for directing effort. Thank you to Executive Producers Vicki Dee Rock and Allyson Seeger, for making the film possible. Cast includes: Lupita Nyong'o, Joseph Quinn, Alex Wolff, Djimon Hounsou, Eliane Umuhire, Takunda Khumalo, Alfie Todd, Avy-Berry Worrall, and Ronnie Le Drew. Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. This film provides steady, well-timed thrills that satisfy. Watch for Djimon Hounsou, with his cameo appearances, who reprises his role from part two of this story.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers