CASTLE IN THE SKY (Theatrical Release Japan 1986)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 3.8|5.0 Starsììì

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Castle in the Sky is a very creative film, tells a great story that is almost re-watchable,  and works the 'shrouded in mystery' theme quite well. The film works at a highly imaginative level. It is a wonderful watch overall.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

The young girl, Sheeta’s (voice of Anna Paquin) airship is under attack by Dola (voice of Cloris Leachman). Sheeta crawls out a ship window, tries to scale a beam, trips, and falls. But, a necklace around her neck gently floats her to a town where Pazu (voice of James Van Der Beek) lives. Sheeta learns that the necklace is made of a stone that keeps cities afloat in the upper atmosphere. Through a series of adventures, Sheeta arrives in Laputa, one of these floating sky cities.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director Hayao Miyazaki for directing efforts. Thank you to Planners Hideo Ogata, and Tatsumi, Thank you to Executive Producer Yasuyoshi Tokuma, Producer Isao Takahata,  Animation Producer Tôru Hara, for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Anna Paquin, James Van Der Beek, Cloris Leachman, Mark Hamill, Richard Dysart, Jim Cummings, John Hosetter,Michael McShane, Mandy Patinkin, Andy Dick, Corey Burton, Tress McNeille,

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. This movie's meaning develops throughout its watch.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

TOM AND JERRY: SANTA'S LITTLE HELPERS (Released to DVD USA 2014)

 

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 3.9|5.0 Starsììì Tom and Jerry: Santa's Little Helpers—good holiday short film—provides a good reminiscence of these two animated characters. However, be aware that the conclusion has been poorly done. Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images  Storyline  It's Christmas time and Tom the Cat works in the mail room and gets a letter from a little girl for Santa. He has to get it to ready to mail before the mailman comes and takes the mail.  Additional Thanks Thank you to Darrell Van Citters for directing effort. Cast includes William Hanna, Rich Danhakl, Nickie Bryar, Mark Hamill, Edie McClurg, Kath Soucie, Rick Zieff, and Frank Welker. Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?  Maybe. It is a suitable watch. Video Critique Available Here: Ben Meyers

SCOOBY-DOO! AND THE ALIEN INVADERS (Released to DVD/VHS USA 2000)

 

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 3.8|5.0 Starsììì  Scooby-Doo and the Alien Invaders—good animation—works closely with the basic story of the Scooby-Doo cartoons...no surprises. The cast provides great voicing and the movie runs on the current infatuation with aliens and desire to infiltrate military borders. Nothing new here, a run-of-the-mill movie for the Scooby-Doo fan base.   Film Poster Courtesy of IMDb  Storyline The Mystery Machine gang's van breaks down in the middle of the desert so Fred, Velma, and Daphne head to the nearby town for help, while Shaggy and Scooby stay behind with The Mystery Machine van and story is on.   Additional Thanks Thank you to Director Jim Stenstrum for directing effort. Thank you to Executive Producers Joseph Barbera, William Hanna, Jean McCurdy, Producer/Supervising Producer Davis Dona, and Associate Producer Diana Ritchy for making the film possible. Cast include Scott Innes, Mary Kay Bergman, Frank Welker, B.J. Ward, Jeff Bennett, Jennifer Hale, Mark Hamill, Candi Milo, Kevin Michael Richardson, and Neil Ross.  Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Maybe. It targets a specific fan base and provides a nostalgic walk down memory lane.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

KINGSMAN: THE SECRET SERVICE (Released to Theaters USA 2015)

 

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 4.3|5.0 Starsìììì Kingsman: The Secret Service  relies on high-level actors for  its team. The movie is spicy, creative and deserves its sequel. The camerawork is very good. There are some brief nudity and sexual references that could have been completely edited out due to irrelevancy to the story. Watch for some brief appearances of Mark Hamill. The film, overall, is a good watch. Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia Storyline A top-level British spy organization solves crime around the world. Additional Thanks Thank you to Director and Producer Matthew Vaughn for directing effort. Thank you to Executive Producers Dave Gibbons, Pierre Lagrange, Stephen Marks, Mark Millar, Claudia Schiffer, for making the film possible. Cast includes Adrian Quinton, Colin Firth, Mark Strong, Jonno Davies, Jack Davenport, Mark Hamill, Samuel L. Jackson, Taron Egerton, and Michael Caine, Buy a Ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? Yes. It's a good, action thriller that works for its time and money. Video Critique Available Here: Ben Meyers

THE BIG RED ONE (Released to Theaters USA 1980)

 

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 3.7|5.0 Starsììì 

The Big Red One—Lee Marvin, Robert Carradine, and Mark Hamill—presents a really rough film to its audience that is difficult to watch. The story itself is very well-written and follows a nicely choreographed set of scenes that do not lose context or meaning and manage to quickly differentiate each main character's battle proclivities. Be aware that this film has sexual dialogue in addition to the violence and serves the exceptionally sophisticated and aware audience. 

Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images 

Storyline 

This story is about an experienced military fighting team and the way they manage to survive during World War II. 

Additional Thanks 

Thank you to Director Samuel Fuller for directing efforts. Thank you to Executive Producer Brian Jamieson, Producers Gene Corman and Douglas Freeman for making the film possible. Cast includes: Lee Marvin, Mark Hamill, Robert Carradine, Bobby Di Cicco, Kelly Ward, Stéphane Audran, Sigfried Rauch, Serge Marquand, Charles Macaulay, Alain Doutey,.

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? 

Maybe. It is what it is—a rough film made for a select audience that is not faint of heart. It very thinly finds its place in the R-rated category and pushes all boundaries of that lower rating. 

Video Critique Available Here: 

Ben Meyers