ALVIN AND THE CHIPMUNKS: CHIPWRECKED (Released to Theaters USA 2011)

 

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 3.8|5.0 Starsììì  Alvin and the Chipmunks: Chipwrecked—okay, suitable watch—has a cliched, stale storyline that borrows significantly from other marooned on an island films. Despite that, it still manages to keep its cute chipmunk charm.   Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images Storyline  Dave and the chipmunks go on vacation.  Additional Thanks  Thank you to Director Mike Mitchell for directing effort. Thank you to Producers Janice Karman and Ross Bagdasarian Jr. for making the film possible. Cast includes Jason Lee, David Cross, Jenny Slate, Justin Long, Matthew Gray Gubler, Jesse McCartney, Amy Poehler, Anna Faris, and Christina Applegate.  Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?  Maybe. It may work well for hard core Alvin and the Chipmunks fans. It runs on a stale, cliched storyline. Video Critique Available Here: Ben Meyers

THE CONSPIRATOR (Released to Theaters USA 2011)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 4.5|5.0 Stars ìììì

The Conspirator—superbly directed by Robert Redford—is an American Civil War flick about the story of the persons who conspired to assassinate Abraham Lincoln. Wow! What a winner!

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia  

Storyline

Wounded Civil War soldier Frederick Aiken (James McAvoy) tries to keep his fellow soldier, Nicholas Baker (Justin Long) alive by shaking him every few moments and telling him a story about two men at the Pearly Gates. Frederick Aiken hears a noise, calls for aid, and men come to help Nicholas Baker first, at Frederick Aiken’s request. The camera goes to black screen and states, ‘Two Years Later’. The film is off and running about the story behind Lincoln’s assassination.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director Robert Redford for directing efforts. Thank you to Executive Producers Joe Ricketts, Jeremiah Samuels, and Webster Stone for making the film possible. Cast include: James McAvoy, Robin Wright, Kevin Kline, Evan Rachel Wood, Tom Wilkinson, Justin Long, Danny Huston, James Badge Dale, and Colm Meaney.

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. It’s very well done.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

ALVIN AND THE CHIPMUNKS: THE SQUEAKQUEL (Released to Theaters USA 2009)

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 3.9|5.0 Starsììì  Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel—improves on its prequel—has better writing, story, and acting than the first movie. It adds interest by including female chipmunks which adds appeal to the basic story. This is an enjoyable watch.  Film Poster Courtesy of IMDb Storyline  Dave Seville gets injured and while in the hospital tells the chipmunks that he wants them to go to school and the story is on.      Additional Thanks  Thank you to Director Betty Thomas for directing effort. Thank you to Producers Janice Karman and Ross Bagdasarian Jr. for making the film possible. Cast includes Zachary Levi, David Cross, Jason Lee, Justin Long, Matthew Gray Gubler, Jesse McCartney, Amy Poehler, Anna Faris, and Christina Applegate.  Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?  Yes. This is a suitable family watch that serves all age groups' needs. Video Critique Available Here: Ben Meyers

 

ALVIN AND THE CHIPMUNKS (Released to Theaters USA 2007)

 

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 3.8|5.0 Starsììì  Alvin and the Chipmunks—origin story—has Jason Lee as the 'parent' of the three chipmunks.  The movie works as a suitable to okay watch for the entire family. The story is well written. The movie's animation still works very well 17 years after the initial theater release.  Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images Storyline The movie tells the origin story of Alvin and the Chipmunks as a sensational singing group.   Additional Thanks Thank you to Director Tim Hill for directing effort. Thank you to Producers Janice Karman and  Ross Bagdasarian for making the film possible. Cast includes Jason Lee,  David Cross, Cameron Richardson, Justin Long, Matthew Gray Gubler, and Jesse McCartney.  Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?  Yes. It is an origin story, so one has to see it to understand what happens at their beginning; It's clean and makes a suitable family share movie. Video Critique Available Here: Ben Meyers

ALPHA AND OMEGA (Theatrical Release USA 2010)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 1.7|5.0 Starsì

Alpha and Omega lacks sufficient character development for Humphrey (voiced by Justin Long), Kate (voiced by Hayden Panettiere), Winston (voiced by Danny Glover), and Tony (voiced by Dennis Hopper) to establish credible and believable personalities that appeal to the heart. Even the very good singing at the end of the film can not pull this film out of the dumpster. Directors Anthony Bell and Ben Gluck fail to see the challenges built into this animated feature before it hit theatrical release.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

Eastern wolf packs compete with Western wolf packs for food and territory.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Directors Anthony Bell and Ben Gluck for directing efforts. Thank you to Executive Producers Anthony Bell, Noah Fogelson, A.K. Madhayan, and Michael Paseornek for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Humphrey (voice of Justin Long), Kate (voice of Hayden Panettiere), Tony (voice of Dennis Hopper), Winston (voice of Danny Glover), Marcel (voice of Larry Miller), Paddy/Mooch (voice of Eric Price), Eve (voice of Vicki Lewis), Lilly (voice of Christina Ricci), and Garth (voice of Chris Carmack).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

No. The movie, unfortunately, fails in presentation. The Nut Job becomes the better choice for both time and money investment.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers