THE AVIATOR (Released to Theaters New York, New York, USA 2004)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 4.6|5.0 Stars ìììì

The Aviator uses Leonardo DiCaprio to tell its version of the life and times of Howard Hughes—engineer, inventor, and film maker. It accomplishes its task well while completely entertaining its audience with wide views into the lifestyle of a bigger-than-life American.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director Martin Scorsese for directing efforts. Thank you to Executive Producers Rick Schwartz, Colin Cotter, Leonardo DiCaprio, Volker Schauz, Rick Yorn, Chris Brigham, Aslan Nadery, and Bob and Harvey Weinstein for making the film possible. Thank you to Music Composer Howard Shore and Script Writer John Logan. Cast includes: Leonardo DiCaprio, Cate Blanchett, Kate Beckinsale, John C. Reilly, Alec Baldwin, Alan Alda, Ian Holm, Danny Huston, Gwen Stefani, and Jude Law.

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. Leonardo DiCaprio does a wonderful job in his portrayal of Howard Hughes.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

CONTAGION (Released to Theaters USA 2011)

 

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 4.1|5.0 Starsìììì  Contagion—disorganized—relies on the usual formatting style of this movie's genre. The 1995 film, Outbreak  is a better story than this one. Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images  Storyline A United States business woman gets sick after a trip to Hong Kong. Her sickness becomes a pandemic in the United States and medical personnel need to solve it.  Additional Thanks Thank you to Director Steven Soderbergh for directing effort. Thank you to Producers Michael Shamberg, Stacey Sher, and Gregory Jacobs for making the film possible. Cast includes Marion Cotillard, Matt Damon, Laurence Fishburne, Jude Law, Gwyneth Paltrow, Kate Winslet, Bryan Cranston, Jennifer Ehle, and Sanaa Lathan.  Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? . Yes. This is a good watch overall and has a believable portrayal; however, the 1995 movie Outbreak comes from the same genre and has higher entertainment value than this film. Video Critique Available Here: Ben Meyers

FANTASTIC BEASTS: THE SECRETS OF DUMBLEDORE (Released to Theaters USA 2022)

 

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 3.8|5.0 Starsììì  Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore—has an interesting storyline that has good to suitable presentation, portrayal, and acting. Beware of trying to fit this film into the Harry Potter stories despite Dumbledore's presence in the storyline. It could almost be a stand-alone movie with the previous movies  from the Fantastic Beast series as points of reference rather than actual prequels. Jude Law reprises his role as Dumbledore, Eddie Redmayne as Newt Scamander. Johnny Depp did not reprise his role as Gellert Grindelwald. That role went to Mads Mikkelsen who fits the character better. This movie is a bit odd, quite dark, and unclear. Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images  Storyline  Albus Dumbledore and Newt Scamander try to stop Gellert Grindelwald from ruling the world of wizards.  Additional Thanks Thank you to Director David Yates for directing effort. Thank you to Executive Producers Josh Berger, Niel Blair, Danny Cohen, Michael Sharp, Courtenay Valenti, for making the film possible. Cast includes  Jude Law, Cara Mahoney, Mads Mikkelsen, Eddie Redmayne, Katherine Waterston, Poppy Corby-Tuech Maja Bloom, Ezra Miller, Paul Low-Hang, Alison Sudol,.  Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?  Maybe. As always, these stories are interesting in storyline, present good to suitable watching for acting and portrayal, and show highly imaginative stage settings. Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

CAPTAIN MARVEL (Theatrical Release USA 2019)

 Ben Meyers’ Rating: 4.2|5.0 Starsìììì 

Captain Marvel manages to make a splash in entertainment value even though the story, the presentation, and acting are a bit less than the entertainment value. There is something about this movie that makes its call for a re-watch because it manages to entertain even without the factors that usually determine rewatchable-ness. The movie is just enjoyable from the ‘get-go’. 

Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images   

Storyline 

A Starforce member has recurring nightmares about a person and is led to the place where she interacted in real life with this person. 

Additional Thanks 

Thank you to Directors Anna Boden and Ryan Fleck for directing efforts. Thank you to Producer Kevin Feige for making the film possible. Cast includes: Brie Larson, Samuel L. Jackson, Ben Mendelsohn, Djimon Hounsou, Lee Pace, Lashana Lynch, Gemma Chan, Annette Bening, Jude Law, and Clark Gregg. 

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? 

Yes. The movie is very well done and more than worth watching. It’s great to see Samuel L. Jackson’s facial features digitalized to make him look younger. Don’t leave before watching the credits roll as there is a bit of entertainment tucked there that is entertaining.

 Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers