DARK WATERS (Released to Theaters USA 2019)

 

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 4.3|5.0 Starsìììì

Dark Waters—good exploration of big money versus small money—easily becomes one of the better films on the market because of story and the way the story is presented. WOW! It doesn't run like the Erin Brockovich movie but it does move along well, has good characterization, and makes its point without preaching.

Film Poster Courtesy of IMDb

Storyline

A farmer approaches Lawyer Rob Bilott and claims that his cows are dying unexpectedly. He claims that the creek near his house is contaminated by a nearby industrial plant runoff. 

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director Todd Haynes for directing effort. Thank you to Producers Mark Ruffalo, Christine Vachon, and Pamela Koffler for making the film possible. Cast includes Mark Ruffalo, Anne Hathaway, Tim Robbins, Bill Camp, Victor Garber, Mare Winningham, and Bill Pullman.

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. This is a great watch. The scenes move along well. Although it is environmentally-themed, it uses scenes in the story to make its point rather than argumentation.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

THOR: RAGNARÖK (Theatrical Release USA 2017)

 Ben Meyers’ Rating: 4.3|5.0 Starsìììì 

Thor: Ragnarök—a better Marvel film—incorporates much more comedy into its dialogue and storyline. This welcome diversion increases the entertainment value and makes it unique among the more serious, action-oriented superhero movies. Chris Hemsworth reprises his role as Thor. The movie works on a creative and highly original structuring than previous Thor-related stories. Good watch, worth both time and money expenditure. 

Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images 

Storyline 

Thor insists his brother Loki help him find their father, Odin. 

Additional Thanks 

Thank you to Director Taika Waititi for directing effort. Thank you to Producer Kevin Feige for making the film possible. Cast includes: Chris Hemsworth, Tom Hiddleston, Cate Blanchett, Idris Elba, Jeff Goldblum, Tessa Thompson, Karl Urban, Mark Ruffalo, and Anthony Hopkins. 

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? 

Yes. The movie is very well done and exceptionally fun to watch. It is the third film in the Thor series. 

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

AVENGERS: ENDGAME (Theatrical Release USA 2019)

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 4.0|5.0 Starsìììì 

Avengers: Endgame—odd conclusion that seems disjointed from its story—runs as ‘not well thought out and complicates itself.’ It’s 2-hour build up leaves the audience flat at the end. The camera work, the animation, and the acting are good to great. It’s a good watch for superhero fans, but not for general audiences. 

Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images 

Storyline 

The Avengers unite to recover the infinity stones so that life in the universe can be restored. 

Additional Thanks 

Thank you to Directors Anthony Russo and Joe Russo for directing effort. Thank you to Producer Kevin Feige for making the film possible. Cast includes: Robert Downey Jr., Chris Evans, Mark Ruffalo, Chris Hemsworth, Scarlett Johansson, Jeremy Renner, Don Cheadle, Paul Rudd, Brie Larson, Karen Gillan, Danai Gurira, Benedict Wong, Jon Favreau, Bradley Cooper, Josh Brolin, and Gwyneth Paltrow. 

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? 

Yes. If one wants to finish the series, this is it.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

AVENGERS: INFINITY WAR (Theatrical Release USA 2018)

 Ben Meyers’ Rating: 4.3|5.0 Starsìììì

Avengers: Infinity War is complicated because of all the A-list actors and actresses playing several of the Marvel characters in the Marvel Universe within the storyline. The exceptions to inclusion in this film are X-Men and Nick Fury and many more. Stan Lee gets his usual cameo. Watch for it as it is exceptionally easy to miss in this movie. Tom Holland is the British actor who takes on the Spiderman suit as was already established in several movies unrelated to Avengers. This movie is epic, takes viewers on a strongly themed good versus evil storyline, and leaves viewers hanging for the sequel, Avengers: End Game. It's a WOW! movie that earns its watch. 

Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images 

Storyline 

The movie is about acquiring the six stones that allow control of infinity. 

Additional Thanks 

Thank you to Directors Anthony and Joe Russo for directing effort. Thank you to Producer Kevin Feige for making the film possible. Cast includes: Robert Downey Jr., Chris Hemsworth, Mark Ruffalo, Chris Evans, Scarlett Johansson, Benedict Cumberbatch, Don Cheadle, Tom Holland, Chadwick Boseman, Paul Bettany, Elizabeth Olsen, Anthony Mackie, Sebastian Stan, Danai Gurira, Letitia Wright, Dave Bautista, Josh Brolin, Chris Pratt, and Zoe Saldaňa. 

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? 

Yes. While the movie complicates itself with a barrage of characters, it is precisely because nearly all the Marvel characters appear in the film and because the storyline is terrific and well executed that make it a WOW! movie. 

Video Critique Available Here: 

Ben Meyers

AVENGERS: AGE OF ULTRON (Theatrical Release USA 2015)

 Ben Meyers’ Rating: 4.2|5.0 Starsìììì 

Avengers: Age of Ultron—this second film is better than the first Avengers movie—has a type of synergy that the first movie could not accomplish. Watch for some new superheroes like Vision and Wanda (from Disney+ television) who are incorporated into this movie’s storyline and, of course, the traditional sneaking in of Stan Lee in a cameo appearance. This film’s Marvel characters overflow like a huge bouquet on a small table and provide a basically good entertainment piece. Good work for all involved. 

Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images 

Storyline 

The strongest and best fighters for earth join forces to rid it of the latest threat to its peace and happiness. 

Additional Thanks 

Thank you to Joss Whedon for directing effort. Thank you to Executive Producers Victoria Alonso, Louis D’Esposito, Jon Favreau, Alan Fine, Jeremy Latcham, Stan Lee, and Patricia Whitcher for making the film possible. Cast members include: Robert Downey Jr., Chris Hemsworth, Mark Ruffalo, Chris Evans, Scarlett Johansson, Jeremy Renner, James Spader, Samuel L. Jackson, Don Cheadle, and Aaron Taylor-Johnson. 

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? 

Yes. This movie is a bit better than its prequel, can be enjoyed as a family, and earns its watch.  

Video Critique Available Here: 

Ben Meyers