THE CIRCLE (Theatrical Release USA 2017)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 4.9|5.0 Starsìììì

The Circle examines reasons behind citizens’ choice to allow 100 percent audio/video surveillance in their lives. Emma Watson does a terrific job in her role of a young woman who recommends ‘going completely transparent’ in this sci fi drama about personal monitoring. Her supporting cast—Tom Hanks, Patton Oswald, and Bill Paxton—help to establish how decisions, with far reaching impact, happen in small baby steps that move entire worlds toward inevitable outcomes. Great work for Director James Ponsoldt who gives a solid look into a future that is already here. One sex scene and language move this movie into the late teen/adult category.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

Young Mae Holland (Emma Watson) helps a real-time audio/video company establish dominance nationally and internationally as good choice for humanity’s safety, health, and crime reduction.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director James Ponsoldt for directing effort. Thank you to Executive Producers Stefanie Azpiazu, Peter Cron, Evan Hayes, Russell Levine, Federica Sainte-Rose, Ron Schmidt, Steve Shareshian, Marc Shmuger, and Sally Willcox for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Mae (Emma Watson), Mercer (Ellar Coltrane), Bonnie (Glenne Headly), Vinnie (Bill Paxton), Annie (Karen Gillan), Bailey (Tom Hanks), Beck (Beck), Dan (Nate Corddry), and Jared (Mamoudou Athie).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. The film serves as a reminder of how a single, likable spokesperson can move an entire world through decision-making processes.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

JUMANJI: WELCOME TO THE JUNGLE (Theatrical Release USA 2017)

 Ben Meyers’ Rating: 4.3|5.0 Starsìììì 

Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle—fresh, fun, and comical—more than works for its watch and money investment. The dialogue is great and provides a non-stop patter to elicit laughter from its audience. It’s a welcome diversion from the over-the-top action movies that have been designed to keep their audience at the edge of their seats. The cast works so fluidly that one can only say thank you to Dwayne Johnson, Kevin Hart, Jack Black, and Karen Gillan, Bobby Cannavale, and Nick Jonas for good entertainment.  This is great work for all involved in production. The movie just works—all the way around.

 Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images

Storyline 

Teens discover an old gaming console while cleaning out a school basement room as a detention exercise. When they decide to play it, they find themselves sucked into the game with a set of lives assigned to them and an adventure they will never forget. 

Additional Thanks 

Thank you to Director Jake Kasdan for directing effort. Thank you to Producers Matt Tolmach and William Teotler for making the film possible. Cast includes: Dwayne Johnson, Jack Black, Kevin Hart, Karen Gillan, Nick Jonas, and Bobby Cannavale. 

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? 

Yes. This movie is just fun to watch. It varies from the first presentation of Jumanji as it goes into comedy fairly quickly after establishing the basic personality of the cast members. There are a few suggestive scenes, but those scenes are made for laughs, and are clean and palatable. The movie makes a good teen/adult share and leaves a good feeling that one has been served a quite good comedy.

Video Critique Available Here: 

Ben Meyers