HERBIE FULLY LOADED (Released to Theaters USA 2005)

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 4.0|5.0 Starsìììì

Herbie Fully Loaded—when it did not seem the Herbie series could be revived, along came Lindsey Lohan. This is a good/ suitable film for the whole family that serves up a star-studded cast. The script has good writing that gives that nice push into the next era of the Herbie story.

 Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images

Storyline

A teenaged girl graduates and her dad takes her to a junk yard for her first car. 

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director Angela Robinson for directing effort. Thank you to Executive Producers Michael Fottrell, Charles Hirchhorn, and Tracey Trench for making the film possible. Cast includes: Lindsay Lohan, Michael Keaton, Matt Dillon, Breckin Meyer, Justin Long, Cheryl Hines, Jimmi Simpson, Jill Ritchie, Thomas Lennon, Jeremy Roberts, E.E. Bell, Peter Pasco, Mario Larraza, and Patrick Cranshaw,

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

 Yes. This movie is good enough to revive the Herbie series quite nicely. The movie's script has been well-written and flows well.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

GOING IN STYLE (Theatrical Release USA 2017)

 Ben Meyers’ rating: 4.0|5.0 Starsìììì 

Going in Style—remake of the 1979 film of the same name—features Michael Cain, Morgan Freeman, and Alan Arkin, and guest star, Christopher Lloyd. This easy-on-the-mind watch is completely entertaining and presents a storyline easily related to by an American audience.

 Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images

Storyline 

Three senior citizens decide to remedy unfair retirement income by robbing a bank. 

Additional Thanks 

Thank you to Director Zach Braff for directing effort. Thank you to Producer Donald De Line for making the film possible. Cast includes: Morgan Freeman, Michael Caine, Alan Arkin, Ann-Margaret, Joey King, Matt Dillon, and Christopher Lloyd. 

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? 

Yes. It’s a fun, easy-on-the mind movie that emphasizes long-term, working-class friendships. There is some sexual content, but overall, the movie serves as a good watch. 

Video Critique Available Here:

 

Ben Meyers

ARMORED (Theatrical Release USA 2009)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 1.5|5.0 Starsì

Armored starts like any good movie should and plays well like any high three-star entertainment piece. Then Mike Cochrane (Matt Dillon) and Ty Hackett (Columbus Short) go to a hot dog stand and the viewer begins to realize there is not going to be much story to this movie. It almost seems like it wants to be a documentary. Then, to make things even worse, after the characters start discussing a bank robbery, the movie moves to a laughable warehouse scene where money is moved from two armored trucks into a hole in the wall with a homeless man secretly watching the monetary transfer. After the homeless man is injured, Ty Hackett gets a conscience and tries to make a getaway with the homeless man. The homeless man is dispatched and Ty Hackett tries to make a getaway in one of the armored trucks. The rest of the movie then proceeds to meander toward its final resting place in a process that includes approximately twenty minutes viewing Ty Hackett’s perils in a crashed armored truck beleaguered by his former outlaw buddies—Mike Cochrane, Baines (Laurence Fishburne), Quinn (Jean Reno), Palmer (Amaury Nolasco), and Dobbs (Skeet Ulrich). While Duncan Ashcroft (Fred Ward) and Eckehart (Milo Ventimiglia) play strong performances, Armored is a total waste of viewer’s time and a waste of good actors like Fishburne, Reno, Dillon, and Short. This is not the expected thriller, but more of an action drama with a script that couldn’t find itself. Director Nimród Antal couldn’t improve it. Hopefully, Antal will perform better with Predators.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

Ty Hackett (Columbus Short) faces eviction from the family home and possible loss of his kid brother, Jimmy (Andre Kinney) to child services. He decides the solution to his financial challenges is to help friends rob the Federal Reserve.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director Nimród Antal for directing efforts. Thank you to Executive Producers Russell Hollander and Debra James for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Mike Cochrane (Matt Dillon), Quinn (Jean Reno), Baines (Laurence Fishburne), Palmer (Amaury Nolasco), Duncan Ashcroft (Fred Ward), Eckehart (Milo Ventimiglia), and Dobbs (Skeet Ulrich).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

No. This production does not present well on screen.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers