FENCES (Theatrical Release USA 2016)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 4.9|5.0 Starsìììì

Fences combines Denzel Washington and Viola Davis in an encore, BRAVO! performance that dramatically captures a moment in marriage and plays it according to choices made by the main players caught in the situation. The film defines the word, masterpiece. Great work for all involved with a special thank you to the outstanding drama direction by Denzel Washington.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

Troy Maxson (Denzel Washington) seeks happiness through control of his world as he understands it.

Additional Thanks

Thank You to Director Denzel Washington for directing effort. Thank you to Executive Producers Molly Allen, Eli Bush, Aaron L. Gilbert, Charles D. King, Andrew Pollack, Kim Roth, and Dale Wells for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Rose Maxson (Viola Davis), Jim Bono (Stephen Henderson), Cory (Jovan Adepo), Lyons (Russell Hornsby), Gabriel (Mykelti Williamson), Raynell (Saniyya Sidney), Deputy Commissioner (Christopher Mele), and Evangelist Preacher (Lesley Boone).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. The film works at the emotional level and supports itself with powerful acting performances. One of the best, if not the best, dramas of 2016. Beautiful! Kudos to all involved in its production.

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