MACHINE GUN PREACHER (Released to Theaters USA 2011)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 4.0|5.0 Starsìììì

Machine Gun Preacher asks questions about our role as human beings and just how far we are willing to go to establish justice and security in our world. The movie begins edgily and takes a very surprising twist as main character Sam Childers (Gerard Butler) ‘gets’ religion. The storyline is definitely not preachy, creates conscience dilemmas, and shows one man’s solution to those dilemmas. The film’s story needs to be told and this one is told well. While it lost money in the box office, the film is exceptionally well cast with an unpredictable solution to grave human problems that make it an excellent choice.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

Sam Childers (Gerard Butler) ‘gets’ religion and becomes involved in endeavors to save African orphans.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director Marc Forster for directing efforts. Thank you to Executive Producers Gerard Butler, Michael Corso, Kyle Dean Jackson, Myles Nestel, Bill O’Kane, Louise Rosner-Meyer, Adi Shankar, Alan Siegel, Spencer Silna, and Brad Simpson for making the film possible. Cast include: Gerard Butler, Michelle Monaghan, Kathy Baker, Michael Shannon, Ryann Campos, Madeline Carroll, Souleymane Sy Savane, Grant R. Krause,  Reavis Graham, and Peter Carey.

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. Overall, a wonderful movie that inspires one to get involved with helping others.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

THE CURRENT WAR (Theatrical Release USA 2017)

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 4.2|5.0 Starsìììì 

The Current War—important story—runs on the fuel of originality. It’s a complicated story, but not unintelligible. This movie is a good example of an outstanding script. The movie is a very good, intellectual watch. 

Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images 

Storyline 

The war between using AC or DC power to light up the United States when the electric light bulb was on the tipping point of becoming a reality gets an exploration. 

Additional Thanks 

Thank you to Director Alfonso Gomez-Rejon for directing effort. Thank you to Producers Timur Bekmambetov and Basil Iwanyk for making the film possible. Cast includes: Benedict Cumberbatch, Michael Shannon, Katherine Waterston, Tom Holland, Tuppence Middleton, Matthew Macfadyen, and Nicholas Hoult. 

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. Benedict Cumberbatch and Michael Shannon play off each other well. Great story. Don’t miss it.

 Video Critique Available Here: 

Ben Meyers

KNIVES OUT (Theatrical Release USA 2019)

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 4.3|5.0 Starsìììì 

Knives Out—murder mystery—uses a typically British approach to its story that can be especially appreciated due to the strong casting choices. Daniel Craig is given the role of main detective, Benoit Blanc. The audience will immediately ask for another story based on his performance alone. The movie flanks him with the power performance of Jamie Lee Curtis and a cast that ranks itself into softer personalities that balance those actors’ personalities. This film is like a ‘walk in the woods’ ...one doesn't know what is going to happen next. The film’s very defined conclusion wraps it up perfectly. One may feel as if a boomerang came whizzing out of nowhere to wind round the neck. Watch for a terrific performance by Christopher Plummer that sets the story up. This movie is an Amazon production. The sequel movie is a Netflix production. 

Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images 

Storyline

A writer is found dead in his home after arguing with his family.

Additional Thanks 

Thank you to Director Rian Johnson for directing effort. Thank you to Producers Ram Bergman and Rian Johnson for making the film possible. Cast includes: Daniel Craig, Chris Evans, Ana de Armas, Jamie Lee Curtis, Michael Shannon, Don Johnson, Toni Collette, LaKeith Stanfield, Katherine Langford, Jaeden Martell, and Christopher Plummer. 

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. The movie has a fine, unexpected twist at the end that makes it worth watching. The movie has a sequel film, Glass Onion, which also features Daniel Craig who reprises the role of Benoit Blanc, the detective.

 Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

MAN OF STEEL (Theatrical Release USA 2013)

 Ben Meyers’ Rating: 3.9|5.0 Starsììì 

Man of Steel—huge improvement over the original 1978 film Superman with Christopher Reeve—accesses the acting talents of Henry Cavill for the role of Superman and Russell Crowe for the role of Jor-El. Both choices are outstanding. The presentation, writing, special effects are on par. The acting works from the good to very good. Superman fans should be well-pleased with this production’s enhancements. 

Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images 

Storyline.

Superman once again fills his role as fighter for the good of Earth’s inhabitants. 

Additional Thanks 

Thank you to Zack Snyder for directing effort. Thank you to Producers Charles Roven, Christopher Nolan, Emma Thomas, and Deborah Snyder for making the film possible. Cast includes: Henry Cavill, Amy Adams, Michael Shannon, Kevin Costner, Diane Lane, Laurence Fishburne, Antje Traue, Ayelet Zurer, Christopher Meloni, and Russell Crowe. 

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? 

Yes. Be aware the film especially appeals to Superman fans. 

Video Critique Available Here: 

Ben Meyers

POTTERSVILLE (Video Release USA 2017)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 3.4|5.0 Starsììì

Pottersville—serves up a mediocre, shallow, trite, and poorly written story with a single redeeming factor—the performance of Michael Shannon. Shannon's acting effort rigorously pulls the rest of this film's cast through the movie, not as strongly as Angelina Jolie pulled her supporting cast through her movie, Maleficent, or Jim Carrey's tendency to become the only actor in his Ace Ventura films. But the 'pull' becomes obvious. It’s hard to believe that this story made it to the ‘release to audience viewing’ stage.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

Maynard Greiger (Michael Shannon) accidentally sets off a national Sasquatch hunt in his hometown of Pottersville.

Additional Thanks

Thank You to Director Seth Henrikson for directing efforts. Thank you to Executive Producers Patricia Hearst, Daniel Meyer, Christian Chadd Taylor, and Byron Wetzel  for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Parker (Judy Greer), Sheriff Jack (Ron Perlman), Connie Greiger (Christina Hendricks), Brock Masterson (Thomas Lennon), Bart (Ian McShane), Norm (Michael Torpey), Tony (Debargo Sanyal), Ilene (Greta Lee), Stacy Gutierrez (Elena Hurst), and Tammy Henderson (Blake Perlman).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Maybe. It’s not a quality watch even for those audiences who love Sasquatch films. The 1987 movie, Harry and the Hendersons, serves at a higher entertainment level within this storyline's genre. This movie serves the Teen/Adult audience.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers