MEGAN LEAVEY (Theatrical Release USA 2017)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 4.0|5.0 Starsìììì

Megan Leavey moves itself out of B-grade status partly due to its choice of subject matter—military canine detection and their handler units, establishment of a female in a male-dominated soldier unit, and the interweaving of a second underlying story that graphically shows a specific type of home-life with which some enlisted personnel must rationalize and come to terms. While the film does not establish itself in the academy award winning class, it does have a certain aura, created by actress Kate Mara, that pushes it into a good, solid watch category. The film firmly broadens education about deployed army canines, their retirement, and usefulness to war efforts.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

Soldier Megan Leavey (Kate Mara) requests canine duty and deploys with a highly aggressive male dog.

Additional Thanks

Thank You to Director Gabriela Cowperthwaite for directing efforts. Thank you to Executive Producers Jose Luis Escolar, Scott Holroyd, Robert Huberman, and Nicole Stojkovich for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Jackie (Edie Falco), Barbie (Alisa Harris), Receiving Marine #1 (Nick Madrick), Receiving Marine #2 (Jason Turner), Female Drill Instructor #1 (Sasha Morfaw), Female Drill Instructor #2 (Jennifer Duke), Female Drill Instructor #3 (Megan Leavey), Jim (Will Patton), Master Sergeant (Corey Johnson), Jones (Andrew Moon), Timmins (Alicia Lobo), Lopez (Melina Matthews), and Drunk Guy in Bar (Luka Peros).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. This flick has a universal appeal that supersedes its war movie classification.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

SHOOTER (Released to Theaters USA 2007)

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 3.8|5.0 Starsììì Shooter—Mark Wahlberg—is a good, low-grade watch that employs enough action to generate enough excitement to continue watching to its conclusion. It works in the good to suitable range and will satisfy Mark Wahlberg fans. The movie employs an eclectic array of some of our best actors.  Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images Storyline   An Ethiopian covert mission is abandoned by the CIA. One agent survives and retires. He is later approached for protection of the President. Additional Thanks  Thank you to Antoine Fuqua for directing effort. Thank you to Producers Lorenzo Bonaventura and Ric Kidney for making the movie possible. Cast includes Mark Wahlberg, Michael Peña, Danny Glover, Kate Mara, Elias Koleas, Rhona Mitra, and Ned Beatty. Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?  Yes. Even though it is not in the 3.9+ star range, it is still worth watching. Video Critique Available Here: Ben Meyers