SISTER ACT 2: BACK IN THE HABIT (Released to Theaters USA 1993)

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 4.2|5.0 Starsìììì  Sister Act 2: Back in the Habit takes a little of this and a little of that to make a 'kind of' creative movie that ends on a high note of positivity. Watch through the concluding credit roll for a nicely done song and dance routine. Whoopi Goldberg performs at her usual level of professionalism. It's interesting to see James Coburn cast in this movie. This is one of his later performances. The script is really well written and allows very good presentation and portrayal. There are suggestive scenes in the introductory scenes of the film. But the movie works as an easy-on-the-mind entertainment piece. Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images Storyline  A Vegas headliner gets a request to help her friends at a Catholic school to re-establish opportunity for young people via teaching music class.    Additional Thanks Thank you to Director Bill Duke for directing effort. Thank you to Executive Producers Mario Iscovich, Laurence Mark, and Co-Executive Producer Christopher Meledandri for making the film possible. Cast includes Whoopi Goldberg, Kathy Najimy, Bernard Hughes, Mary Wickes, James Coburn, Michael Jeter, Wendy Makkena, Sheryl Lee Ralph, and Maggie Smith.  Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?  Yes. The movie shows Whoopi Goldberg as a Las Vegas headliner and then as a teacher in a school classroom of failing students. Video Review Available Here: Ben Meyers

 

HARRY POTTER AND THE ORDER OF THE PHOENIX (Theatrical Release USA 2007)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 4.2|5.0 Starsìììì

Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix—another great in the Harry Potter series—is difficult to follow on an adult level and would seem even more difficult for the unsophisticated, younger child. The film creates very adult situations based on political intrigue and introduces a wider range of settings that increase the complication of its storyline. The film does not seem as well scripted, almost as if it is an interlude to the films to follow. Adults, be prepared for the necessity to explain the nuances of this film and inevitable question/answer sessions.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

In a summer at home, away from Hogwarts, Harry (Daniel Radcliffe) and his cousin, Dudley (Harry Melling), are attacked by Dementors. In an effort to save Dudley and himself, Harry illegally uses magic to quell the Dementors’ force and Hogwarts expels him based on ‘Follow the rules, no matter the circumstance’. Political powers, outside Hogwarts, deny Voldemort has returned and seek to quell anything that supports information to the contrary. Hogwarts, therefore, comes under political control with the establishment of a political regime headed by Dolores Umbridge (Imelda Staunton).  As the political regime increases untenable rules and regulations, students secretly rally to practice ways to defeat Voldemort and protect Hogwarts. In this episode, Harry learns that his path is completely defined—he must extirpate Voldemort in order for goodness to reign.

Additional Thanks

Great Work for Director David Yates. Thank you to Executive Producer Lionel Wigram for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Piers (Jason Boyd), Malcolm (Richard Macklin), Mrs. Arabella Figg (Kathryn Hunter), TV Weatherman (Miles Jupp), Aunt Petunia Dursley (Fiona Shaw), Uncle Vernon Dursley (Richard Griffiths), Malfalda Hopkirk (voice of Jessica Hynes), James Potter (Adrian Rawlins), Lily Potter (Geraldine Somerville), Cedric Diggory (Robert Pattinson), and Lord Voldemort (Ralph Fiennes), Rubeus Hagrid (Robbie Coltrane)

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. After all, we must complete the Harry Potter series; but, if the adult shares this film with the younger child, the movie may need pausing, for explanation, due to the political intrigue interwoven into its basic story line.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

HARRY POTTER AND THE GOBLET OF FIRE (Theatrical Release USA 2005)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 4.7|5.0 Stars ìììì

Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire—the fourth in the series—is the best Harry Potter movie to date. It's a terrific film for teen/family entertainment. It’s worth your time and your money.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

This film has Harry Potter (Daniel Radcliffe) entered into the Triwizards’ Tournament where he consistently proves his high ethical values, courage, and care for others against very real dragons, frightening maze competitions, and underwater trials.

Additional Thanks

Best Work for Director Mike Newell. Thank you to Executive Producers David Barron and Tanya Seghatchian for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Frank Bryce (Eric Sykes), Cedric Diggory (Robert Pattinson), Viktor Krum (Stanislav Ianevski), Peter Pettigrew AKA Wormtail (Timothy Spall), Bartimius ‘Barty’ Crouch Junior (David Tennant), Hermione Granger (Emma Watson), Ron Weasley (Rupert Grint), Arthur Weasley (Mark Williams), Fred Weasley (James Phelps), George Weasley (Oliver Phelps), Ginny Weasley (Bonnie Wright), Amos Diggory (Jeff Rawle), Lucius Malfoy (Jason Isaacs), and Draco Malfoy (Tom Felton).Albus Dumbledore (Michael Gambon),Minerva McGonagall (Maggie Smith), Rubeus Hagrid (Robbie Coltrane),

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. Director Mike Newell pushes the script over the top for entertainment value.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

HARRY POTTER AND THE PRISONER OF AZKABAN (Theatrical Release USA 2004)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 4.5|5.0 Stars ìììì

Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban—the third installment of Harry Potter—seems more  mature and difficult to follow. The moral that good prevails over evil remains. The film introduces new personalities, dementors, to create interest.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

Harry learns Sirius Black has escaped prison. Dementors guard Hogwarts until the recapture of Sirius Black.

Additional Thanks

Great work for Director Alfonso Cuarón. Thank you to Executive Producers Michael Barnathan, Callum McDougall, and Tanya Seghatchian for making the film possible. Cast/characters include: Harry Potter (Daniel Radcliffe), Vernon Dursley (Richard Griffiths), Aunt Marge (Pam Ferris), Aunt Petunia (Fiona Shaw), Dudley Dursley (Harry Melling), Ron Weasley (Rupert Grint), and Hermoine Granger (Emma Watson), Sirius Black (Gary Oldman), Albus Dumbledore (Michael Gambon) Severus Snape (Alan Rickman), Professor Minerva McGonagall (Maggie Smith), Rubeus Hagrid (Robbie Coltrane) 

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. This movie runs on a more complicated and mature storyline than the last two films. 

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

HARRY POTTER AND THE CHAMBER OF SECRETS (Theatrical Release USA 2002)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 4.6|5.0 Stars ìììì

Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets—another J. K. Rowling classic novel-based film—pits Harry Potter (Daniel Radcliffe), Ron Weasley (Rupert Grint), and Hermione Granger (Emma Watson)  against new Hogwarts' supernatural entities. This sequel beautifully unfolds to reveal the next stage of the heroes' and heroine's adventures.  

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

Harry Potter and his friends discover new supernatural terrors,

Additional Thanks

Best work for Director Chris Columbus. Thank you to Executive Producers Michael Barnathan, David Barron, Chris Columbus, and Mark Radcliffe for making the film possible. Terrific work by music composer John Williams. Additional character/cast include: Uncle Vernon (Richard Griffiths), Albus Dumbledore (Richard Harris), Dobby (Voice of Toby Jones), Fred Weasley (James Phelps), George Weasley (Oliver Phelps), Mrs. Weasley (Julie Walters), Ginny Weasley (Bonnie Wright),  Mr. Weasley (Mark Williams), Percy Weasley (Chris Rankin), Draco Malfoy (Tom Felton), Hagrid the Giant (Robbie Coltrane), Professor Snape (Alan Rickman), Professor McGonagall (Maggie Smith), Mr. Mason (Jim Norton), Mrs. Mason (Veronica Clifford),

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. It sustains the entertainment value of the first film by introducing intriguing, new characters (such as House Elf Dobby (Toby Jones) and Tom Riddle (Christian Coulson)) and by deepening the camaraderie  between Potter, Weasley, and Granger. 

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

HARRY POTTER AND THE SORCERER’S STONE (Theatrical Release USA 2001)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 4.6|5.0 Stars ìììì

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone—the best supernatural film ever made—teams location, special effects, pure imagination, and outstanding cast to create a classic that finally bypasses Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer’s 1939 film release of The Wizard of Oz. Adventurous, powerful, surprising, and new, the film’s youthful cast Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, and Emma Watson are supported by some of the best seasoned actors in the business—Richard Harris, Maggie Smith, and Robbie Coltrane. While the movie closely follows the J.K. Rowling novel, Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone, the visual effect and the impetus that Director Chris Columbus effortlessly thrusts into each and every scene make it enthrallingly absorbing.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

Harry Potter continues his education toward mastery of the magical arts.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Executive Producers Michael Barnathan, Chris Columbus, Duncan Henderson, and Mark Radcliffe for making the film possible. Characters/cast include: Harry (Daniel Radcliffe), Tom-Bartender in Leaky Cauldron (Derek Deadman), Uncle Vernon Dursley (Richard Griffiths), Professor Albus Dumbledore (Richard Harris), Professor Quirinus Quirrell (Ian Hart), Aunt Petunia Dursley (Fiona Shaw), Diagon Alley Boy (Ben Borowiecki), Professor Minerva McGonagall (Maggie Smith), Molly Weasley (Julie Walters), Hermione Granger (Emma Watson), Ron Weasley (Rupert Grint), Rubeus Hagrid (Robbie Coltrane), Goblin Bank Teller/Professor Flitwick (Warwick Davis), Cousin Dudley Dursley (Harry Melling), and Griphook the Goblin (Verne Troyer).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. WOW! This works for all ages. A great watch! 

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers