3 DAYS TO KILL (Released to Theaters USA 2014)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 4.4|5.0 Stars ìììì

3 Days to Kill—a quality action flick—melds work and family issues superbly while adding comedic references that take the edge off some of the film’s more intense scenes. Don’t miss this one. It’s received unfair reviews and has been underestimated in nearly every quarter including box office monetary income. The script is solid. The actors very well cast. It allows a refreshingly rational resolution to age-old family challenges. It resolves the way we truly want things to resolve—original family intact and working together to build a future despite severe challenges. The film portrays the message that family comes first, before profession, and it completely works as Ethan Renner (Kevin Costner), on a CIA mission and sick with what sounds like a cold, finishes a mass killing in an apartment room with the assistance of CIA Vivi Delay (Amber Heard) delegated to lead Ethan’s new CIA assignment. Throughout the action a strong second story runs as Ethan endeavors to maintain a relationship with his daughter and estranged wife. CIA action intensifies through the entire movie until the climatic ending that provides a non-disappointing adrenaline rush.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

CIA agent works his profession while dealing with severe family issues.

Additional Thanks

Great work for Director McG. Thank you to Executive Producers Christophe Lambert and Tucker Tooley for making the film possible. Cast include: Kevin Costner, Amber Heard, Hailee Steinfeld, Connie Nielsen, Tómas Lemarquis, Richard Sammel, Marc Andréoni, Bruno Ricci, Jonas Bloquet, and Eriq Ebouaney.

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. Great work for Director McG.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

DANCES WITH WOLVES (Released to Theaters USA 1990)

 

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 4.2|5.0 Starsìììì  Dances with Wolves—gemstone quality—has WOW! writing that is respectful of native nations and works deeply into how friends are made when there has been no trust established for hundreds of years between cultures. The movie is a treat. There is adult content, but besides that this film is a terrific film directed by Director Kevin Costner. Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images  Storyline  A Union soldier wants assignment in Native American territory and receives assignment at one of the least fortified military installations located deep into that territory.   Additional Thanks Thank you to Director Kevin Costner for directing effort. Thank you to Producers Jim Wilson and Kevin Costner for making the film possible. Cast includes  Kevin Costner, Mary McDonnell, Graham Greene, and Rodney Grant.  Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?  Yes. Wonderful story. Great watch. Video Critique Available Here: Ben Meyers

THE POSTMAN (Released to Theaters USA 1997)

 

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 4.0|5.0 Starsìììì  The Postman—Kevin Costner—examines how a country can rebuild itself after a disruptive war event that has cut all communication ties that may be left. Inspirational. The progression of events in this story are an inspired-type of writing  rarely seen in film. This film is nearly 3 hours long so one needs to settle in for a long sit down view time or plan a 2 night or day entertainment scheduling for those audiences on tight time schedules. Know that every minute of view time is critical as every moment of the story ties to the conclusion and will not be understood if missed. It's a sit and watch that examines the first type of government that arises from chaotic crises. Do NOT miss this film. Film Poster Courtesy of IMDb  Storyline   A wanderer in a post apocalyptical USA stays one night with the skeleton of a former postman, salvages the postman's clothing, travels to the remains of Pineview, Oregon posing as a legitimate postman with a bag of mail. Over time, he continues his charade and eventually his work establishes hope, inspires society reform, and rebuilds a fallen USA on the northwest coast. Additional Thanks Thank you to Director and Producer Kevin Costner for directing and producing effort. Thank you to Producer Steve Tisch, Jim Wilson, and Line Producer Lester Berman, for making the film possible. Casting includes Kevin Costner, Will Patton, Larenz Tate, Olivia Williams, James Russo, Daniel Von Bargen, Tom Petty, Scott Bairstow, Giovanni Ribisi, Roberta Maxwell, and Joe Santos. Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?  Yes. This is a good film overall. There is some adult content. The movie establishes itself as a classic from its beginning to its conclusion. Video Critique Available Here: Ben Meyers

THE ART OF RACING IN THE RAIN (Released to Theaters USA 2019)

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 4.3|5.0 Starsìììì  The Art of Racing in the Rain— is one of the better 'feel good' films—has a great story and presentation. Creativity begins with its metaphorical usage of racing as living life and rain as the way life (the race) goes sometimes and that living a good life begins with becoming very good at navigating slippery tracks well. Actor Milo Ventimiglia plays the roles of the race car driver and family man. Kevin Costner voices Enzo, the Golden Retriever. The movie is written through the eyes of Enzo, the Golden Retriever. The movie's portrayal is supported by the story. Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images Storyline  A Golden Retriever tells a story about life lived with its owner.  Additional Thanks  Thank you to Director Simon Curtis for directing effort. Thank you to Executive Producer Joannie Burstein, James C. France, Christina Giubbetti, Donald J. Lee Jr. for making the film possible. Cast include Kevin Costner, Milo Ventimiglia, Jackie Minns, Marcus Hondro, Ian Lake, Andres Joseph, Gary Cole, Donald Heng, and Amanda Seyfried.  Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?  Yes. A quiet story told quietly. Video Critique Available Here: Ben Meyers

 

HIDDEN FIGURES (Theatrical Release USA 2016)

 Ben Meyers’ Rating: 4.1|5.0 Starsìììì 

Hidden Figures—inspiring storyline—is fresh, original, and creative. This ‘do not miss’ movie provides good, educational history for all audiences and terrific after viewing discussion material for every audience. It’s clean, honest, and based on a true story. Watch for terrific performances by Kevin Costner, Octavia Spencer, Taraji P. Henson, and Janelle Monae. The movie qualifies as an outstanding video to add to the family home video library. 

Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images 

Storyline 

This biographical drama film is about black women who were essential to the space age program. 

Additional Thanks 

Thank you to Director Theodore Melfi for directing effort. Thank you to Producers Donna Gigliotti, Peter Chemin, Jenno Topping, Pharrel Williams, and Theodore Melfi for making the film possible. Cast includes: Taraji P. Henson, Octavia Spencer, Janelle Monáe, Kevin Costner, Kirsten Dunst, Jim Parsons, Mahershala Ali, Aldis Hodge, and Glen Powell. 

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? 

Yes. This is a ‘stand up and cheer’ movie. 

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

MAN OF STEEL (Theatrical Release USA 2013)

 Ben Meyers’ Rating: 3.9|5.0 Starsììì 

Man of Steel—huge improvement over the original 1978 film Superman with Christopher Reeve—accesses the acting talents of Henry Cavill for the role of Superman and Russell Crowe for the role of Jor-El. Both choices are outstanding. The presentation, writing, special effects are on par. The acting works from the good to very good. Superman fans should be well-pleased with this production’s enhancements. 

Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images 

Storyline.

Superman once again fills his role as fighter for the good of Earth’s inhabitants. 

Additional Thanks 

Thank you to Zack Snyder for directing effort. Thank you to Producers Charles Roven, Christopher Nolan, Emma Thomas, and Deborah Snyder for making the film possible. Cast includes: Henry Cavill, Amy Adams, Michael Shannon, Kevin Costner, Diane Lane, Laurence Fishburne, Antje Traue, Ayelet Zurer, Christopher Meloni, and Russell Crowe. 

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? 

Yes. Be aware the film especially appeals to Superman fans. 

Video Critique Available Here: 

Ben Meyers

THE BODYGUARD (Theatrical Release USA 1992)

 Ben Meyers’ rating: 4.3|5.0 Starsìììì 

The Bodyguard—Kevin Costner and Whitney Houston—creates a movie that causes deep reflection on wealth, world class influencers, lifestyle and precautions that are taken to ensure the longer professional life. This movie has some sex scenes but presents a highly sophisticated watch with some terrific action scenes that work more as tense drama.

Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images

Storyline 

A professional bodyguard unwillingly takes on a position guarding a world-class entertainer. 

Additional Thanks 

Thank you to Director Mick Jackson for directing effort. Thank you to Producers Kevin Costner, Lawrence Kasdan, and Jim Wilson for making the film possible. Cast includes: Kevin Costner, Whitney Houston, Gary Kemp, Bill Cobbs, and Ralph Waite. 

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? 

Yes. The movie examines thoroughly the role of the professional bodyguard and entanglements that can hurt professional duties. It’s a good watch for an adult audience.

 Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

FIELD OF DREAMS (Theatrical Release USA 1989)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 4.3|5.0 Starsìììì

Field of Dreams—superb concept—takes its audience on a connect-the-dots adventure that is worth its weight in gold. Kudos to Kevin Costner and Amy Madigan for giving this film its life and vibrancy. Thank you to James Earl Jones, Ray Liotta, and the late Burt Lancaster for showing us once again what great acting is.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

Farmer Ray Kinsella (Kevin Costner) hears a divine voice that instructs him to build a baseball field where his corn crop is growing and ‘he will come.’ Kinsella immediately complies and, despite one setback after another, unfolds a unique purpose for the baseball diamond that reveals itself bit by bit as he follows mysterious links that seem unrelated.

Additional Thanks

Thank You to Director Phil Alden Robinson for directing efforts. Thank you to Executive Producer Brian E. Frankish for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Annie Kinsella (Amy Madigan), Karin Kinsella ( Gaby Hoffmann), Shoeless Joe Jackson (Ray Liotta), Mark (Timothy Busfield), Terence Mann (James Earl Jones), Dr. Archibald Graham (Burt Lancaster), Archie Graham (Frank Whaley), John Kinsella (Dwier Brown), Feed Store Farmer (James Andelin), Feed Store Lady (Mary Anne Kean), Annie’s Mother (Fern Persons), Dee (Kelly Coffield Park), Buck Weaver (Michael Milhoan), Eddie Cicotte (Steve Eastin), and Swede Risberg (Charles Hoyes).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. Definitely. This is an outstanding piece of entertainment. It is particularly refreshing to see the support the husband and wife give each other.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

THE UNTOUCHABLES (Theatrical Release USA 1987)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 2.3|5.0 Starsìì

The Untouchables—a good gangster movie, not a great gangster movie—is a poor casting choice for Kevin Costner. He seems weak and ineffective in nearly every scene while Sean Connery is not fully right for the script. Connery’s sleek, smooth-talking, no-nonsense James Bond manner creates awkwardness for this storyline. The good casting choices are Robert De Niro as Al Capone where he plays a strong part. Unfortunately, this movie does not begin to pick up pace until the end of the movie when Agent Oscar Wallace (played by Charles Martin Smith) is killed. The big shootout toward the end of the movie is well done and probably the best part of the whole movie.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

Al Capone (Robert De Niro) owns Chicago. Eliot Ness (Kevin Costner) is assigned the formidable job of stopping Capone.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director Brian de Palma for directing efforts. Thank you to Producer Art Linson for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Eliot Ness (Kevin Costner), Jim Malone (Sean Connery), Agent Oscar Wallace (Charles Martin Smith), Agent George Stone/Giuseppe Petri (Andy Garcia), Police Chief Mike Dorsett (Richard Bradford), Walter Payne (Jack Kehoe), George (Brad Sullivan), and Frank Nitti (Billy Drago).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Maybe. It’s difficult to sit through 119 minutes for a single, good climatic scene.

Video Critique Available Here::

Ben Meyers