DADDY’S HOME (Theatrical Release USA 2015)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 4.4|5.0 Starsìììì

Daddy’s Home does something rare in a comedy script—it keeps its comedic pace evenly distributed throughout the movie without a drop, dip, or single flag in style. The dialogue and scenes deliver a beautiful understanding of the nuances that play out between men of opposite character trying to work through and establish common meeting ground in a situation that seems to predict complete failure. The storyline is a little ‘edgy’ but makes that edginess work for the overall benefit of the film without offending. Will Ferrell and Mark Wahlberg act their assigned characters through perfectly rendered body language, well-timed dialogue, and delightful coordination of choreography. Supporting cast members do not overshadow the lead characters’ roles. The film, from beginning to end, establishes itself as a terrific and thoroughly enjoyable watch.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

New step dad, Brad Whitaker (Will Ferrell), and ‘real’ dad, Dusty Mayron (Mark Wahlberg), interlock horns over territorial rights.

Additional Thanks

Thank You to Director Sean Anders for directing efforts. Thank you to Executive Producers Sean Anders, Riza Aziz, Jessica Elbaum, David Koplan, Joey McFarland, Diane Pokorny, and Kevin J. Messick for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Brad Whitaker (Will Ferrell), Dusty Mayron (Mark Wahlberg), Sara (Linda Cardellini), Leo Holt (Thomas Haden Church), Megan (Scarlett Estevez), Dylan (Owen Vaccaro) Dr. Francisco (Bobby Cannavale), Griff (Hannibal Buress), Jerry (Bill Burr), Doris (Jamie Denbo), Dental Hygenist (Mark L. Young), Pete (Matthew Paul Martinez), Panda Singer #1 (Dave Davis), and Panda Singer #2 (James Harlon Palmer).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. The movie deserves a sequel and sets itself up for Daddy’s Home 2 that adds John Lithgow, Mel Gibson, and John Cena to the story.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

THE LOVELY BONES (Theatrical Release USA 2009)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 4.8|5.0 Starsìììì

The Lovely Bones—another Peter Jackson-directed classic—deals with the serial killer persona and how that can be enabled. The story runs with a strong spiritual background that helps relieve its gruesome reality. A Bravo! Bravo! film that needs to be watched if for nothing else than education concerning this personality type and as a precautionary tale.

Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images

Storyline

Fourteen-year-old Susie Salmon (Saoirse Ronan) makes a deadly mistake and ends up a victim of serial killer George Harvey (Stanley Tucci).

Additional Thanks

Thank You to Director Peter Jackson for directing effort. Thank you to Executive Producers Ken Kamins, Tessa Ross, Steven Spielberg, and James Wilson for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Jack Salmon (Mark Wahlberg), Abigail Salmon (Rachel Weisz), Grandma Lynn (Susan Sarandon), Len Fenerman (Michael Imperioli), Lindsey Salmon (Rose McIver), Buckley Salmon (Christian Ashdale), Ray Singh (Reece Ritchie), Ruth Connors (Carolyn Dando), Holly (Nikki SooHoo), Samuel Heckler (Andrew James Allen), and Brian Nelson (Jake Abel).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. Hard-to-get-through, unpalatable, but must be told, subject matter serves the late teen/adult audience. It takes an outstanding set of producers and directors to balance earthly savageness with the kindness of heaven, but the right people were involved to perfectly balance this hard-to-be-told story. Kudos to Director Peter Jackson, Steven Spielberg, DreamWorks Pictures, WingNut Films, and Film4 Productions.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

LONE SURVIVOR (Theatrical Release USA 2013)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 4.4|5.0 Starsìììì

Lone Survivor—one of the best war movies of the year—details a Navy Seal teams’ infiltration of Afghanistan to capture Ahmad Shah. Script Writer Peter Berg based the story on the book written by Marcus Luttrell and Patrick Robinson. The film is a classic, a truly great story.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

Navy Seals infiltrate Afghanistan to capture Ahmad Shah, a Taliban leader. The team gets caught in unknown mountainous Afghanistan woods with no rescue in sight and a small retreat area.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director Peter Berg for directing efforts. Thank you to Executive Producers Braden Aftergood, Brandt Andersen, Tamara Birkemoe, Remington Chase, Grant Cramer, Mark Damon, Simon Fawcett, Kerry Roster, Kerry Foster, Louis G. Friedman, George Furla, Ron Lynch, Stepan Martirosyan, Jeff Rice, Steven Saxton, Laren Selig, Adi Shankar, Jason Shuman, and Spencer Silna for making the film possible. Music Composer Steve Jablonsky’s “Explosion in the Sky” is outstanding. Cast include: Mark Wahlberg, Taylor Kitsch, Emile Hirsch , Ben Foster, Eric Bana, and Alexander Ludwig.

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. No time or money lost on this flick. It’s outstanding from its start to its finish.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

SHOOTER (Released to Theaters USA 2007)

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 3.8|5.0 Starsììì Shooter—Mark Wahlberg—is a good, low-grade watch that employs enough action to generate enough excitement to continue watching to its conclusion. It works in the good to suitable range and will satisfy Mark Wahlberg fans. The movie employs an eclectic array of some of our best actors.  Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images Storyline   An Ethiopian covert mission is abandoned by the CIA. One agent survives and retires. He is later approached for protection of the President. Additional Thanks  Thank you to Antoine Fuqua for directing effort. Thank you to Producers Lorenzo Bonaventura and Ric Kidney for making the movie possible. Cast includes Mark Wahlberg, Michael Peña, Danny Glover, Kate Mara, Elias Koleas, Rhona Mitra, and Ned Beatty. Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?  Yes. Even though it is not in the 3.9+ star range, it is still worth watching. Video Critique Available Here: Ben Meyers

INSTANT FAMILY (Theatrical Release USA 2018)

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 4.3|5.0 Starsìììì 

Instant Family—strong, sound storyline—makes a good and honest presentation of foster care, adoption, and the diligence necessary to make a family work within that scenario. Mark Wahlberg and Rose Byrne give an exceptionally realistic and worthy acting performance with their establishment of boundaries, acceptable behavior, and loving interest that consistently hold place through tumultuous family adjustment periods. The child actors/actresses have been well-chosen. Watch for some wonderful random appearances by Joan Cusack. This movie makes a good family share that offers quality after-viewing discussion. 

Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images 

Storyline 

This family comedy drama film is about a husband and wife who decide to adopt three siblings. 

Additional Thanks 

Thank you to Director Sean Anders for directing effort. Thank you to Executive Producers Allegra Clegg, Helen Pollak, for making the film possible. Cast includes: Mark Wahlberg, Rose Byrne, Isabela Merced, Gustavo Escobar, Juliana Gamiz, Octavia Spencer, Tig Notaro, Tom Segura, Allyn Rachel, and Britt Rentschler.

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? 

Yes. Instant Family is a terrific extension of Mark Wahlberg’s talent in film with its great story, presentation and portrayal. Good teen/adult share movie. 

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

TRANSFORMERS: THE LAST KNIGHT (Theatrical Release USA 2017)

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 4.3|5.0 Starsìììì 

Transformers: The Last Knight has the highest rating of any Transformers movie to this date on Ben Meyers International Movie Critics. WOW! This Transformers movie hit all the bells and whistles with terrific special effects, acting, and presentation. Mark Wahlberg is the perfect casting choice for this movie series. The story is more complicated, but not so complicated to become unintelligible. 

Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images 

Storyline

In King Arthur’s time, the wizard Merlin is given a staff to help King Arthur win a deadly battle. Later, Merlin hides the staff. In current times, the war between earth and the transformers continues and a need to find and use the staff arises. 

Additional Thanks 

Thank you to Director Michael Bay for directing effort. Thank you to Producers Lorom DeSanto, Don Murphy, and Ian Bryce for making the film possible. Cast includes: Mark Wahlberg, Anthony Hopkins, Josh Duhamel, Laura Haddock, Santiago Cabrera, Isabela Mersed, Jarrod Carmichael, Stanley Tucci, Liam Garrigan, Martin McCreadie, Rob Witcomb, Marcus Fraser, John Hollingworth, and Daniel Adegboyega.

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? 

Yes. The special effects are at the WOW! level and are presented very well. This movie is more than worth watching. Great work for all involved. 

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

SCOOB! (Theatrical Release Germany 2020)

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 4.2|5.0 Starsìììì 

Scoob! is a simply written, animated story that fans of the Scooby-Doo films and television shows will enjoy. The presentation brings nostalgic emotions readily to the surface as it stays true to the original story theme. WOW! The animation, acting, and presentation work. The character, Fred Jones, has been slightly altered in facial features to give him a less chiseled look and a fuller face, but this will not be noticed by most fans.  Great work for Director Tony Cervone for keeping the flow of the film in place. 

Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images 

Storyline 

A boy adopts a young Great Dane and together, with three friends, they have a series of  adventures. 

Additional Thanks 

Thank you to Director Tony Cervone for directing effort. Thank you to Producers Pam Coats and Allison Abbate for making the film possible. Cast includes: Will Forte, Mark Wahlberg, Jason Isaacs, Gina Rodriguez, Zac Efron, Amanda Seyfried, Kiersey Clemons, Ken Jeong, Tracy Morgan, Frank Welker, and Simon Cowell. 

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? 

Yes. Nicely portrays the beginning of Scooby-Doo’s relationship with Shaggy and the mystery fan club. The movie serves as a good child/adult share film and maintains expectations for anyone who loves the Scooby-Doo television series.

Video Critique Available Here:

 

Ben Meyers