THE INFORMANT! (Theatrical Release USA 2009)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 4.1|5.0 Starsìììì

The Informant!—a well-directed, true story liberally sprinkles itself  with twists and turns—increases respect for Director Steven Soderbergh’s (Ocean’s 11, Ocean’s 12, Ocean’s 13) skills and takes actor Matt Damon to the top of his game. A well-chosen supporting cast throws the audience into a nonstop, suspenseful tale about whistle blowers, their companies, and the United States government.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

Marc Whitacre (Matt Damon) tells government officials that his company engages in price fixing for the product lysine. He becomes part of an insider investigation.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director Steven Soderbergh for directing efforts. Thank you to Executive Producers George Clooney, Michael London, and Jeff Skoll for making the film possible. Cast include: Lucas McHugh Carroll, Eddie Jemison, Rusty Schwimmer, Craig Ricci Shaynak, Tom Papa, Rick Overton, Melanie Lynskey, and Thomas F. Wilson.

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. The conclusion completely surprises.

Video Critique Available Here:

 

Ben Meyers

SECRETARIAT (Released to Theaters USA 2010)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 3.8|5.0 Starsììì

Secretariat, suitable film, does have its inspirational scenes. Actress Diane Lane performs at the suitable level and works from a script that very nicely details the story of the racing farm that creates the award winning horse, Secretariat. The rest of the cast follows the lead of the well-written script. The story portrayal and presentation are suitable to okay. John Malkovich plays the role of Secretariat's trainer and adds the flavor to balance the story. Watch for Dylan Baker and James Cromwell's performance. This film's content and welcome introduction into a behind the scenes look at racing farms, how negotiations are made and maintained, and the knowledge required to enhance potential are wonderfully enlightening. This movie is based on a true story.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

Penny Chenery (Diane Lane) needs a winning streak to save the family farm and finds that luck in a foal she raises.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director Randall Wallace for directing efforts. Thank you to Executive Producer Bill Johnson and Mike Rich, Cast include: Diane Lane, John Malkovich, Dylan Walsh, Miss Ham Margo Martindale, Nelsan Ellis, Otto Thorwarth, Fred Dalton Thompson, James Cromwell, and Scott Glenn.

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. It is a suitable to okay movie that has a good story to tell.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

WORLD WAR Z (Theatrical Release USA 2013)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 4.3|5.0 Stars ìììì

World War Z, when all is said and done, is the classic zombie movie. Based on the novel by Max Brooks, its realism and aggressive action make it the ultimate zombie movie. Brad Pitt plays the character Gerry Lane excellently. Casting Agent Kate Dowd made fantastic choices with Mireille Enos, Daniella Kertesz, James Badge Dale, and Pierfrancesco Favino. Director Marc Forster had a terrific script to work with thanks to the efforts of Screen Writers Matthew Michael Carnahan, Drew Goddard, and Damon Lindelof.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

It begins with a ‘normal’ American family morning. Two girls run into the parent’s room and wake them. Gerry Lane (Brad Pitt) watches the news while making breakfast. Girls eat their breakfast. Dad gets stuck in rush hour traffic and plays a guessing game with his wife and girls while waiting for traffic to move. Moments later the normal morning turns abnormal as a motorcycle whizzes by and knocks the driver’s side mirror off Gerry’s car. This zombie story is off and running.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director Marc Forster for directing efforts. Thank you to Executive Producers Graham King, Brad Simpson, David Elliston, Tim Headington, Marc Forster, Paul Schwake, and Dana Goldberg for making the film possible. Cast include: Mireille Enos, Daniella Kertesz, James Badge Dale, Ludi Boeken, Matthew Fox, Fana Mokoena, David Morse, Elyes Gabel, and Peter Capaldi.

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. It’s an action packed thriller for all zombie movie fans and non-zombie movie fans. It’s the one to watch if you are getting ready to explore zombie movies.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

THE LAST STAND (Theatrical Release USA 2013)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 4.1|5.0 Stars ìììì

The Last Stand—a classic police movie à la Arnold Schwarzenegger. Nothing more needs to be said. It will be well appreciated by Arnold Schwarzenegger fans. Wow! It’s a terrific show. Terrific cinematography. Outstanding camera work.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

The movie begins with the camera focusing on night stars, then slowly moves to the road and a policeman sitting in his car eating a doughnut. Then the camera quickly focuses on a mountain and a road sign that shows that the action to come is located 9 miles outside of Las Vegas. The camera focuses again on the policeman and we get a backseat view of the front seat with its rearview mirror showing headlights approaching. The camera then zooms into the mirror on the driver's side of the car. A ‘car’ whizzes by the policeman’s car so fast that you can’t tell what it is. The policeman’s window begins to vibrate because of the force of the passing ‘car.’ The policeman notices his window is vibrating, looks at the speed detector, and sees that the passing ‘car’ is clocking at 197 miles per hour. The policeman bumps his speed detector, rolls his window down to get a better look at the passing vehicle, grabs his shoulder radio, and informs home office that he thinks a jet plane with no lights is flying down the highway.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director Kim Jee-woon for directing efforts. Thank you to Executive Producers Edward Fee, Miky Lee, and Michael Paseornek for making the film possible. Cast include: Arron Shiver, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Forest Whitaker, Titos Mechaca, Richard Dillard, Doug Jackson, Mathew Greer, Peter Stormare, Chris Browning, Christiana Leucas, and Luis Guzman.

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. Be prepared for a little more ‘language’ than is really required to tell the story.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

GOD'S NOT DEAD 2 (Released to Theaters USA 2016)

 

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 3.8|5.0 Starsììì  God's Not Dead 2 has a predictable beginning and does not increase interest until the court scene, which is 'kind of' a worthy watch. Overall, the movie does not provide a high level of entertainment.  Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images Storyline  A high school student asks about the similarity of Gandhi, MLK Jr. and Jesus' teachings on peace. The teacher answers and then quotes a Bible verse about peace to relate to the teachings of these three men. After class, the teacher is accused of crossing the line between church and state. Additional Thanks Thank you to Director Harold Cronk for directing effort. Thank you to Producers Elizabeth Hatcher-Travis, Brittany Lefebvre, Michael Scott, David A. R. White, Russell Wolfe, Matt Shapira, and Nathan Wenban for making the film possible. Cast includes Melissa Joan Hart, Jesse Metcalfe, David A. R. White, Ernie Hudson, Hayley Orrantia, Robin Givens, Fred Dalton Thompson, Maria Canals-Barrera, Sadie Robertson, Pat Boone, and Ray Wise.   Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?  Maybe. The best part of the film is the court hearing. The acting and writing are not up to par.   Video Critique Available Here: Ben Meyers

THE IRON CLAW (Released to Theaters USA 2023)

 

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 4.3|5.0 Starsìììì  The Iron Claw—tremendous performance by Zac Efron—relies on a great cast to tell a great sports story. Even though the movie shows the tougher side of professional wrestling, it's a unique story that needs to be told. There is some sexual content that is easy to skip. This movie does not follow the Von Erich story exactly (for instance showing five sons instead of six) but it still shows the dominance of the father and the willingness of the sons to follow in his footsteps.   Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images Storyline Fritz Von Erich, who is a professional wrestler, retires and  trains his 5 sons to be professional wrestlers.     Additional Thanks  Thank you to Director Sean Durkin for directing effort. Thank you to Producers Tesssa Ross, Juliette Howell, Sean Durkin,  Angs Lamont, and Derrin Schlesinger for making the film possible. Cast includes Zac Efron, Jeremy Allen White, Harris Dickinson, Maura Tierney, Stanley Simons, Holt McCallany, and Lily James. Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?  Yes. This a great film overall and tells a great story. great acting...realistic. Video Critique Available Here: Ben Meyers

BLACKLIGHT (Released to Theaters USA 2022)

 

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 3.8|5.0 Starsììì  Blacklight—relies on an old story—loses creativity due to its cliched script. Nothing new here. The camera work is not superlative. The movie could almost be skipped. Film Poster Courtesy of IMDb  Storyline  An FBI man uncovers political intrigue in the FBI.  Additional Thanks  Thank you to Director Mark Williams for directing effort. Thank you to Producers Mark Williams, Paul Currie, Myles Nestel, Aleve Loh, and Coco Xiaolu Ma for making the film possible. Cast includes Liam Neeson, Emmy Raver-Lampman, Taylor John Smith, and Aidan Quinn,  Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?  Maybe. This is a Liam Neeson political intrigue film that has to build its story before reaching the actual story which occurs in the last 30 to 40 minutes of the film. The suitable quality is uniform throughout the film and includes that climax at the end.  Video Critique Available Here: Ben Meyers

THE PHANTOM TOLLBOOTH (Released to Theaters USA 1970)

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 3.9|5.0 Starsììì  The Phantom Tollbooth—creative and complicated—seems built more for the older teen and adult viewer due to its storyline which will be understood by an older viewer but leave the younger viewer with animation and no comprehendible story. There is a crossover between live action and animation that is fresh and exceptionally well done in the beginning scenes and ending scenes. Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images Storyline  A boy enters a tollbooth and encounters two kings, one who thinks that letters are the most important and the other thinks that numbers are the most important. Additional Thanks  Thank you to Director Chuck Jones, Abe Levitow, and Dave Monahan for directing effort. Thank you to Producer Chuck Jones for making the film possible. Cast includes Butch Patrick, Mel Blanc, Daws Butler, Candy Candido, Hans Conried, June Foray, Patti Gilbert, Shepard Menken, Cliff Norton, Larry Thor, and Les Tremayne.  Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?  Yes. Overall, the movie is a creative offering for the older audience and presents concepts that are uniquely handled.  Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

KNIGHTS OF THE ZODIAC (Released to Theaters USA 2023)

 

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 3.5|5.0 Starsììì  Knights of the Zodiac is an okay film that is not well written and a little convoluted. The characters are given to the audiences with little preparation and not much background or character development.  The acting, presentation, and portrayal are okay/suitable but the story itself seems pointless. It is difficult to decipher its meaning and how to relate that to the human world. It seems like a movie that started in the middle of another film and tried to make a new movie from it.   Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images Storyline A couple adopt a girl who is a reincarnation.   Additional Thanks  Thank you to Director Tomek Baginski for directing effort. Thank you to Producers Yoshi Ikezawa, Joseph Chou, and Tim Kwok for making the film possible. Cast includes Mackenyu, Famke Janssen, Madison Iseman, Diego Tinoco, Mark Dacascos, Nick Stahl, and Sean Bean.  Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?  No. It is an okay watch for the special effects, but not a scene turner for story. There's no WOW! factor here. The movie lacks originality and that necessary link to the human. An audience will not walk away from this movie and feel like it is memorable or like they've been given something very worthwhile. Video Critique Available Here: Ben Meyers

SING A SONG OF SIX PANTS (Released to Theaters in the USA 1947)

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 3.9|5.0 Starsììì

Sing a Song of Six Pants—suitable short film—is made during the time when Shemp Howard and Moe Howard were still performing with their friend, Larry Fine, to make the Three Stooge films.  It has the magic that made the Three Stooges comical and worth watching. This is a much higher level of entertainment than The Sappy Bullfighters short film which is also a Three Stooges production.

Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images

Storyline

The Three Stooges need money to pay creditors and a way is provided for that to happen.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director Jules White for directing effort. Thank you to Producer Jules White for making the film possible. Cast includes Moe Howard, Larry Fine, Shemp Howard, Vernon Dent, Harold Brauer, Phil Arnold, Virginia Hunter, and Cy Schindell.

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. A suitable watch, features the original Three Stooge cast of Moe Howard, Shemp Howard, and Larry Fine.                                                                                                                                                                      

Video Critique Available Here: 

Ben Meyers

COOKING WITH GAGS (Released to Theaters USA 1955)

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 4.0|5.0 Starsìììì 

Cooking with Gags—short, animated film—is a Popeye story that runs on a slightly different theme that emphasizes April Fool gags, how they can be comical until they are played on you. Bluto begins the series of gags. This story has been well-written and makes a good presentation despite its age. It’s a good toon share for the whole family and provides a small opportunity for after-viewing discussion on gags, pranks, and jokes played at another person’s expense. 

Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images 

Storyline 

Popeye, Bluto, and Olive Oyl go on a picnic where  Bluto begins playing a series of gags. 

Additional Thanks 

Thank you to Directors Izzy Sparber and Thomas Johnson for directing effort. Thank you to Producers Seymour Kneitel, Izzy Sparber, and Dave Tendlar for making the film possible. Cast includes Jackson Beck, Jack Mercer, and May Questel. 

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? 

Yes. This is a good film and still quite watchable for Popeye fans. It provides humor at the level of Tom and Jerry toons but has a difference in its reason for humor in this toon’s context. The gags are dangerous and inappropriate for children who may not understand what really happens when setting fire to gasoline.

Video Critique Available Here: 

Ben Meyers

THREE’S A CROWD (Theatrical Release USA 1932)

 

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 3.7|5.0 Starsììì Three’s a Crowd—archaic, odd short film—does not have the enjoyable storyline that most toons have. The animation is the best part of this short movie. The story juxtaposes a multitude of cartoon characters that have no linking relevance…Alice in Wonderland, Jekyll and Hyde, Uncle Tom from Uncle Tom’s Cabin, Cleopatra, Tarzan…nothing meshes and it seems more like a nightmare than an animated piece meant to entertain. Nothing seems rightly placed in this animation.  Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images  Storyline  After an elderly gentleman retires for the evening, cartoon characters begin singing a variety of musical tunes to an ongoing adventure between all the characters.  Additional Thanks  Thank you to Director Rudolf Ising for directing effort. Thank you to Producer Leon Schlesinger for making the film possible. Cast includes Ken Darby, Rudolf Ising, The King’s Men, and Johnny Murray.  Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? Maybe. A strange story at odds with itself and with the audience it is hoping to entertain.  Video Critique Available Here: Ben Meyers