STAR TREK BEYOND (Theatrical Release USA 2016)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 3.8|5.0 Starsììì

Star Trek Beyond—special effects hide many of the faults in this movie— has a weak story line that questions its relevancy and clarity. An audience may question what direction Director Justin Lin is taking this film. It is what it is. Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia Storyline Krall (Idris Elba) attacks the Enterprise and its crew scrambles for survival and means of escape.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director Justin Lin for directing effort. Thank you to Executive Producers Jeffrey Chernov, David Ellison, Dana Goldberg, and Tommy Harper for  for making the film possible. Cast include: Chris Pine, Zachary Quinto, Karl Urban, Zoe Saldana, Simon Pegg, John Cho, Anton Yelchin, and Sofia Boutella.

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Maybe.  Hard core Trekkies will love the special effects.  Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

THE DIRTY DOZEN (Theatrical Release USA 1967)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 3.8|5.0 Starsììì

The Dirty Dozen—a World War II story—features an all-star cast that includes Donald Sutherland, Telly Savalas, Ernest Borgnine, and Charles Bronson. The concept is good; it is based on a book by E.M. Nathanson, “The Dirty Dozen,” which is based on real life events. This film was a huge box office success in the United States and internationally. However, the acting appears weak and the portrayal of the story seems poorly done. Something hinders this story from being an outstanding film in its category. Perhaps because it does not cater to the best in us, but rather to the worst in us.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

During World War II twelve convicts, sentenced either to death or 20 years hard labor, are selected for a suicide mission to breach a chateau and kill dozens of high level German officers.

Additional Thanks

Thank You to Director Robert Aldrich for his directing efforts. Thank you to Producer Kenneth Hyman for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Major Reisman (Lee Marvin), General Worden (Ernest Borgnine), Joseph Wladislaw (Charles Bronson), Robert Jefferson (Jim Brown), Victor Franko (John Cassavetes), Sergeant Bowren (Richard Jaeckel), Major Max Armbruster (George Kennedy), Pedro Jiminez (Trini López), Captain Stuart Kinder (Ralph Meeker), Colonel Everett Dasher Breed (Robert Ryan), Archer Maggott (Telly Savalas), Vernon Pinkley (Donald Sutherland), Samson Posey (Clint Walker), General Denton (Robert Webber), Milo Vladek (Tom Busby), Glenn Gilpin (Ben Carruthers), and Roscoe Lever (Stuart Cooper).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. There is action/adventure in this film; but, this all-star cast didn’t pull this story off well.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

THE MATRIX RELOADED (Theatrical Release USA 2003)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 4.7|5.0 Starsìììì

The Matrix Reloaded—no fault found in this sequel to the first Matrix movie. It follows the same intellectual pathway as its predecessor and completely succeeds in storyline, timing, and action scenes.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

Sentinels are rapidly making their way into Zion. All ships are called to return to Zion. Neo (Keanu Reeves) ventures out to find The Oracle (Gloria Foster), who instructs him to find The Keymaker (Randall Duk Kim).

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Directors Lilly and Lana Wachowski as the Wachowski Brothers for directing efforts. Thank you to Executive Producers Bruce Berman, David Forbes, Grant Hill, Andrew Mason, Andy (Lilly) Wachowski, Larry (Lana) Wachowski for making the film possible. Special mention must be added for Musical Composer Don Davis. Additional characters/cast include: Morpheus (Laurence Fishburne), Link (Harold Perrineau), Niobe (Jada Pinkett Smith), Power Station Guard (Ray Anthony), Kali (Christine Anu), The Architect (Helmut Bakaitis), Soren (Steve Bastoni), Police #2 (Andy Arness), Vector (Don Battee), Persephone (Monica Bellucci), and Agent Johnson (Daniel Bernhardt).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. This is top of the line entertainment.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers