ALL I WANT FOR CHRISTMAS (Released to Theaters 1991)

 

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 3.9|5.0 Starsììì  All I Want for Christmas—great stage settings—is a somewhat sweet story. This is an odd film; it is interesting to watch but by the end of film the movie lacks a Christmas feeling. Its mixing of several romances creates confusion. Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images Storyline  A little girl wants her parents to  get back together. She asks a mall  Santa for help.   Additional Thanks  Thank you to Director Robert Lieberman for directing effort. Thank you to Producer Marykay Powell for making the film possible. Cast includes Harley Jane Kozak,  Jamey Sheridan, Ethan Randall, Kevin Nealon, Thora Birch, Leslie Nielsen, and Lauren Bacall.  Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?  Yes. Overall, the basic idea is good. But it lacks a Christmas feeling and becomes convoluted in switching back and forth between several romances.  Video Critique Available Here: Ben Meyers

GOOD BOY! (Released to Video USA 2004)

 

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 3.8|5.0 Starsììì

Good Boy! —okay film— the portrayal is weak and the presentation is okay. The story needs a rewrite, to make up for some inconsistencies. And the acting is okay/suitable. It is good to see Kevin Nealon.

Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images 

Storyline

 A boy wants a dog and finds one at the pound but when he brings it home the dog is more than he bargains for.  

Additional Thanks

 Thank you to Director John Hoffman for directing effort. Thank you to Executive Producer Stephanie Alain, Producer Kristine Belson, and Lisa Henson for making the film possible. Cast includes: Molly Shannon, Liam Aiken, Kevin Nealon, Brittany Moldowan, George Touliatos, Patty Allan, Hunter Elliott, Mikhael Speidel, Ben Immanuel, and Peter Flemming. 

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? 

Maybe. It might work for children but adults will find the film lower in quality.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

ALIENS IN THE ATTIC (Theatrical Release USA 2009)

 Ben Meyers’ Rating: 3.8|5.0 Starsììì 

Aliens in the Attic—a little scary, a little comedy—marks itself with just the right mix to appeal to the wider audience for entertainment value. The movie wisely chooses cast built on a family’s wide span of generational ages who are each involved in the interests appropriate to their ages and then throws them into situations quite inappropriate to those ages. This enables comedy to break the horror of the quite terrifying aliens living in the attic and makes this a movie worth watching for the whole family. The presentation is intriguing, and the acting is fair/good. The writing is solid, Disney-style story-telling that relies on honest, clean delivery that is fresh and quite welcome. The animation of the aliens is still great 13 years later with no lack of creativity in mixing the animated world with the human world. Watch for Ashley Tisdale’s very good performance as the teen in the middle of young love. 

Storyline 

Aliens endeavor to retrieve something that belongs to them while a family tries to vacation in a leased vacation home. 

Additional Thanks 

Thank you to Director John Schultz for directing effort. Thank you to Producer Barry Josephson for making the film possible. Cast includes: Carter Jenkins, Austin Butler, Kevin Nealon, Robert Hoffman, Doris Roberts, Tim Meadows, and Ashley Tisdale. 

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. This is a very good choice for a holiday family share movie that provides good humor and a satisfying conclusion.

 Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers