THE KNIGHT OF THE SHADOWS: BETWEEN YIN AND YANG* (Released to Theaters Malaysia 2019)

 

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 3.6|5.0 Starsììì  The Knight of the Shadows: Between Yin and Yang—interesting, colorful visual presentation—has a story that does not transition well to the international audience. It is  dependent on culture and does not work to increase its range outside of that focus. Its story is tightly bound by cultural folklore and ancient traditions. Read a Wikipedia plotline first if deciding to take this movie on. This movie might be improved if the screen per second rate is increased to improve its impact. Look for an inspiring and interesting behind the scenes presentation at the end of the movie.  Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images Storyline  A well known hunter of bad entities from other realms has to fight a demon.    Additional Thanks Thank you to Director Vash for directing effort. Thank you to Producers Liu Bohan and A'gan for making the film possible. Cast includes Jackie Chan, Zhong Chuxi, Ethan Juan, Lin Peng, and Austin Lin. Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?  Maybe. It will be appreciated more by Asian audiences. The special effects are interesting. *Also Known as: The Knight of the Shadows and Shen tan Pu Song Ling Video Critique Available Here: Ben Meyers

NAUSICAÄ OF THE VALLEY OF THE WIND (Theatrical Release Japan 1984)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 3.7|5.0 Stars ììì Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind—Japanese anime—takes about the first hour to set up its story and the last 30 to 40 minutes to clarify many of the questions that arise while watching. The story is almost incoherent for the first half and paces itself slowly. Expect a creative watch that seems almost Star War-ish as when Lord Yupa rides his bird animal across the desert. The camerawork is suitable, the voicing is very good, the musical scores and the special effects are very well done. Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

Lord Yupa (voice by Patrick Stewart) sits astride a large, two-legged bird (like an ostrich). Both the bird and Lord Yupa have futuristic gas masks in place. Lord Yupa dresses in a long overcoat. A wide-brimmed hat droops around his head. He leads another bird who serves as a pack mule. Lord Yupa travels to a village that is covered in a type of cobweb, dismounts, takes his rifle from its case, and forces one of the house doors open. Everything inside is covered in spider webs and is completely desolate. Lord Yupa looks at the ground at the house entrance, sees a small doll, and picks it up. The doll crumbles to pieces in his hand and Lord Yupa says, “Yet another village—dead.” The camera flashes screens to dragonfly-like creatures swarming the village. Lord Yupa steps outside, looks at the sky, immediately mounts his bird, and flees.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director Hayao Miyazaki for directing efforts. Thank you to Executive Producers Toru Hara, Michio Kondo, and Yasuyoshi Tokuma for making the film possible. Cast include: Alison Lohman, Uma Thurman, Chris Sarandon, Edward James Olmos, Mark Hamill, Jeff Bennett, Tress MacNeille, and Tony Jay.

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Maybe. Creative, but difficult to follow during the first half of movie. The film has great voicing and animation.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

THE ACCOUNTANT (Released to Theaters USA 2016)

 

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 3.8|5.0 Starsììì The Accountant is a film that has multiple plot holes. If the viewer doesn't think too deeply about the storyline, especially about the relationship between the two brothers and John Lithgow's character, and watches it superficially, then it is a fun watch. Read a Wikipedia plotline before watching to keep the brothers' roles defined and how they develop from childhood to working adults and become involved in criminal activity. Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia   Storyline   A super smart autistic boy, grows into adulthood with assassin skills and becomes an analyst for a big corporate company.  Additional Thanks  Thank you to Director and Executive Producer Gavin O'Connor for directing effort. Thank you to Executive Producers Marty P. Ewing, Steven Mnuchin, Jamie Patricof, Producers Lynette Howell Taylor and Mark Williams for making the film possible. Cast includes Ben Affleck, Anna Kendrick, J. K. Simmons,  Jon Bernthal, Jeffrey Tambor, and John Lithgow. Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? Yes. Superficially, it is a suitable and fun watch overall. Read a plotline before going to enhance enjoyment of the movie. Video Critique Available Here:  Ben Meyers

CODA (Released to the International Film Festival of India, Goa India 2019)

 

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 4.3|5.0 Starsìììì  CODA—original—chooses Patrick Stewart as the lead performer. All else is commentary. This is a quality watch that performs at the high art level. Sophisticated, gracious story gently tells its tale of how performers are kept on stage to meet audience expectations. Camerawork is exquisite; stage settings are eye-candy. Watch for a terrific performance by Katie Holmes. The movie quietly tells its story.  Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images Storyline  A seasoned pianist suffers a high level of performance anxiety.   Additional Thanks Thank you to Director Claude Lalonde for directing effort. Thank you to Producers Nicolas Comeau and Nicola Hayman for making the film possible. Cast includes Patrick Stewart, Katie Holmes, Giancarlo Esposito, Christoph Gaugler, Don Anderson, Victor Andres Turgeon-Trelles, Abdul Ayoola, Sasha Bissonnette, Letitia Brookes, and Violette Chauveau. Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?  Yes. This is a deeply written, clean, and wonderful watch. This film is not to be missed. Video Critique Available Here: Ben Meyers

ANGELS IN THE OUTFIELD (Released to Theaters USA 1994)

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 3.8|5.0 Starsììì  Angels in the Outfield—Danny Glover and Ben Johnson—has a few chuckles locked into the storyline. The movie works as a suitable to okay watch. Watch for Christopher Lloyd and Brenda Fricker. The film also provides opportunity to see Joseph Gordon Levitt in some of his early work.  Film Poster Courtesy of IMDb  Storyline   Roger Bowman, a foster home child, desires a family of his own. He prays for a ball team to win in hopes that he can have that family.   Additional Thanks  Thank you to Director William Dear for directing effort. Thank you to Executive Producers Gary Stutman for making the film possible. Cast includes Danny Glover, Brenda Fricker, Tony Danza, Christopher Lloyd, Ben Johnson, Jay O. Sanders, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Milton Davis Jr., Taylor Negron, and Neal McDonough, Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?  Yes. This movie is an easy watch that does not require a great deal of emotional involvement to enjoy. It works on a cute, minorly predictable storyline.    Video Critique Available Here: Ben Meyers

MECHANIC: RESURRECTION (Released to Theaters USA 2016)

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 4.0|5.0 Starsìììì  Mechanic: Resurrection—Jason Statham—has an easy-to-follow storyline with less adult content than the previous film. Statham is in the spotlight as a suitable/good action hero. The movie has its thrilling action moments and a good conclusion.   Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images Storyline   Arthur Bishop is back to save a Cambodian teacher.   Additional Thanks  Thank you to Director Dennis Gansel for directing effort. Thank you to Executive Producers Steven Chasman, Boaz Davidson, Frank DeMartini, Mark Gill, Avi Lerner, Brian Presley, and Trevor Short for making the film possible. Cast includes Jason Statham, Jessica Alba, Tommy Lee Jones, Michelle Yeoh, Sam Hazeldine, John Cenatiempo, Toby Eddington, Femi Elufowoju Jr. And Anteo Quintavalle, Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?  Yes. The movie works on the usual action format for Statham films. This movie contains less adult content and increases its audience range. The storyline is easy to follow and may be predictable at times. The movie earns its watch. Video Critique Available Here: Ben Meyers

KING-SIZE CANARY (Released to Theaters in the USA 1947)

 

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 3.8|5.0 Starsììì  King-Size Canary is a cute short film and tells a good story. However, it follows the typical cat and bird story format which quickly loses its ability to be very creative. It leaves its audience with a run-of-the-mill I’ve seen this before feeling.  The animation, still viewable, is beginning to fade but it still serves as a watchable movie.  Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia  Storyline   A growing formula fed to a canary to  make it more edible turns into an unexpected conclusion.  Additional Thanks  Thank you to Director Tex Avery for directing the film. Thank you to Producer Fred Quimby for making the film possible. Cast includes Frank Graham, Pinto Colvig, and Sara Berner.  Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?  Maybe. It is a good watch and is cute. The story is well written and well portrayed.  Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

GLASS ONION (Theatrical Release USA 2022)

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 4.3|5.0 Starsìììì

Glass Onion—good mystery—uses all the classic mystery story moves to make an entertaining movie. It heavily relies on stage settings to make its story seem more unique than it really is, but still satisfies mystery movie fans. Watch for an eclectic casting mix that includes Daniel Craig with Edward Norton and Dave Bautista. Watch for the cameo appearance of Hugh Grant. 

Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images 

Storyline 

A man plans to energize the world with hydrogen power. 

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, Edward Norton, Janelle Monae, Kathryn Hahn, Leslie Odom Jr., Jessica Henwick, Madelyn Cline, Kate Hudson, and Dave Bautista.

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? 

Yes. It's more than worth watching for mystery movie fans. 

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

 

WOODY WOODPECKER (Theatrical Release USA 1941)

 

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 3.8|5.0 Starsììì 

Woody Woodpecker—short film—has an odd ending and insertions of scenes that seem unrelated to the storyline. The cartoon runs dry toward its conclusion and lacks vibrancy throughout. 

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia. 

Storyline 

Woody Woodpecker begins to think he is crazy when other forest animals suggest that he is crazy. 

Additional Thanks 

Thank you to Director Walter Lantz for directing effort. Thank you to Producer Walter Lantz for making the film possible. Cast includes: Mel Blanc, Margaret Hill-Talbot, Danny Webb,and  Ben Hardaway. 

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? 

Maybe. The movie needs to establish clarity. But it still makes a suitable watch.

 Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

RHAPSODY IN RIVETS (Theatrical Release USA 1941)

 

Ben Meyers’ Rating:4.1|5.0 Starsìììì 

Rhapsody in Rivets—classic—'do not miss’ film that everyone will love. The animation movement reminds one of Fantasia and Fantasia 2000 where both Fantasia films stand above the rest of the cartoons. Wonderful musical scoring marks this toon. 

Film Poster Courtesy of IMDb Images 

Storyline 

Construction workers are building in harmony with classical music. 

Additional Thanks 

Thank you to Director I. Freleng for directing effort. Thank you to Producer Leon Schlesinger for making the film possible. 

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? 

Yes. Good work for all involved in production. 

Video Critique Available Here: 

Ben Meyers

PUSS GETS THE BOOT (Theatrical Release USA 1940)

 Ben Meyers’ Rating: 4.1|5.0 Starsìììì 

Puss Gets the Boot—feel good cartoon—is an early production of Tom and Jerry with some small changes compared to later films (such as using the name Jasper and using a little different design on Tom). The is a great comedy, short film and tells a great story. This film is a good example of why we go to the movies.

Film Poster Courtesy of IMDb 

Storyline 

Tom the cat tries to get Jerry the mouse. But Jerry uses the Housekeeper against Tom. 

Additional Thanks 

Thank you to Director William Hanna and Joseph Barbera for directing effort. Thank you to Producer Rudolph Ising for making the film possible. Cast includes Harry Lang, William Hanna, and Lillian Randolph. 

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? 

Yes. This is more than worth watching.

Video Critique Available Here

:Ben Meyers

THE BRAVE TIN SOLDIER* (Theatrical Release USA 1934)

 

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 4.0|5.0 Starsìììì 

The Brave Tin Soldier— short film—has ‘sentimental’ sprinkled throughout while it investigates the forces of good and evil. WOW! Wonderful idea for a film. This is a good watch and worth watching. 

Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images 

Storyline 

A tin soldier falls in love with a ballerina. 

Additional Thanks 

Thank you to Ub Iwerks for directing efforts. Thank you to Producer Ub Iwerks for making the film possible. 

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? 

Yes. WOW! This is a great overall watch. Good work for all involved in production. 

Also Known as: “Christmas in a Junkyard”

Video Critique Available Here: 

Ben Meyers

THE MERRY OLD SOUL (Theatrical Release USA 1933)

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 4.0|5.0 Starsìììì 

The Merry Old Soul—creative with a good story—has wonderful references to early cinema actors and actresses. This is one of the better Oswald Rabbit films and becomes a good watch. 

Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images 

Storyline 

Oswald thinks the King needs to cheer up and along with other actors works his charm. 

Additional Thanks 

Thank you to Directors Walter Lantz and Bill Nolan for directing effort. Thank you to Producer Walter Lantz for making the film possible. 

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. This film presents a nostalgic return to actors and actresses of that era. Good work for all involved in production. 

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers