AKEELAH AND THE BEE (Relelased to Theaters USA 2006)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 4.0|5.0 Starsìììì

Akeelah and the Bee—earnest, genuine, and a pleasure to watch—works its story from a Los Angeles ghetto. This is an above average family film that encourages scholarship and development of natural talent.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

The story begins with South Los Angeles rap music and memorable set-up scenes from the Los Angeles ghetto. Akeelah Anderson (Keke Palmer), an 11-year-old girl, walks down the sidewalk as a narrator informs the audience of the humble beginnings of the spelling bee at Crenshaw Middle School. The scene moves from the dilapidated middle school into Akeelah’s class room to show a teacher handing graded papers to her students. The grades are not good. The teacher reprimands her students that they need to study harder in spelling, stops at Akeelah’s desk, and asks her if she studied for her spelling examination. Akeelah says, reluctantly, “No,” and the rest of the students start laughing at her. The teacher sets the paper on Akeelah’s table and says that she wants to see Akeelah after class. Akeelah looks at her grade and it’s an “A+.” She silently sighs in relief and the next scene shows Akeelah’s teacher talking to her about how great Akeelah is doing, that there will be a spelling bee next week, and she recommends Akeelah sign up for it.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director Doug Atchison for directing efforts. Thank you to Executive Producers Helen Sugland, Michael Burns, Michael Paseornek, Tom Ortenberg, Marc Butan, Mark Cuban, and Todd Wagner for making the film possible. Thank you to Music Composer Aaron Zigman for scoring the film. Cast include: Keke Palmer, Laurence Fishburne, Curtis Armstrong, J.R. Villarreal, Sean Michael Afable, and Angela Bassett.

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. It’s a refreshing look at winning. The film serves as clean entertainment for both the child and adult audience while providing an educational look at spelling bees from a middle school perspective to the national perspective.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

SOCIAL LION (Released to Theaters USA 1954)

 

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 3.9|5.0 Starsììì  Social Lion—cute watch—has an interesting story to tell. Know that the audio is suitable with subtitles but without subtitles it is difficult to hear some of the dialogue.  Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images Storyline  A lion is captured by a safari and put on a ship to the USA. The lion's crate breaks while unloading, but the busy city people seem unaware of the loose lion.      Additional Thanks  Thank you to Director Jack Kinney for directing effort. Thank you to Producer Walt Disney for making the film possible. Cast includes Stan Freberg, Paul Frees and James MacDonald.  Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?  Yes. This short film earns a watch. Video Critique Available Here: Ben Meyers

WILD AMERICA (Released To Theaters USA 1997)

 

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 3.9|5.0 Starsìììì  Wild America—outdoor adventure—provides a 'low-noise' production that is incredibly suited for the family share movie. It has a welcome conclusion. Watch for the end credits that tell how each boy's adult career unfolded. Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images Storyline Three brothers travel across the USA to gather film footage on wildlife and experience more than they planned.    Additional Thanks Thank you to Director William Dear for directing effort. Thank you to Producers James G. Robinson, Irby Smith, and Mark Stouffer for making the film possible. Cast includes Jonathan Taylor Thomas, Devan Sawa, and Scott Bairstow.  Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?  Yes. This is a suitable to good watch. It has a relatable story and provides good entertainment for the whole family. Easy-on-the mind film involves nature and three boys who explore nature. Video Critique Available Here: Ben Meyers

THE SIMPLE LIFE OF NOAH DEARBORN (Released to Television USA 1999)

 

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 3.9|5.0 Starsììì The Simple Life of Noah Dearborn—common theme, unique story—has a peaceful, settling aura throughout. The portrayal has a sense of goodness. It's a suitable to okay movie that relies on the formidable acting skill of Sidney Portier. The movie peaks interest and earns its watch.  Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images Storyline  A carpenter is offered a large monetary sum for his farm. When he says no, various means are used to force the sale. Additional Thanks  Thank you to Director Gregg Champion for directing effort. Thank you to Producer Trimark Pictures and CBS for making the film possible. Cast includes Sidney Poitier, Mary-Louise Parker, Dianne Wiest, and George Newbern. Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?  Yes. This film has goodness written into it. Video Critique Available Here: Ben Meyers

ENCANTO (Theatrical Release USA 2021)

 

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 3.9|5.0 Starsììì 

Encanto—read a plotline—can be a complicated watch if the audience attempts an analysis of the storyline based on what is seen alone.  This animated musical has new and exceptionally creative effects in place that will captivate and enchant children and adults. It dramatically illustrates the concept of living a magical life and can be considered an intellectual watch when looking at the deeper context rather than the shallow context. This film can be considered exclusive and seclusive in its message. Overall? The movie deserves its watch.

Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images 

Storyline 

During wartime a woman and her three children find refuge in a magical place protected by peace. 

Additional Thanks 

Thank you to Director Jared Bush and Byron Howard for their directing efforts. Charise Castro Smith for her co-directing effort. Thank you to Producers Yvett Merino and Clark Spencer for making the film possible. Cast includes: Stephanie Beatriz, Maria Cecilia Botero, John Leguizamo, Mauro Castillo, Jessica Darrow, Angie Cepeda, Diane Guerrero, Wilmer Valderrama, and Carolina Gaitan. 

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? 

Yes. This film needs a good plotline read before buying a ticket or it may become a complicated, unrelatable movie. It’s a good, animated child/adult share. 

Video Critique Available Here: 

Ben Meyers

MAZE RUNNER: THE DEATH CURE (Theatrical Release USA 2018)

 

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 4.1|5.0 Starsìììì 

Maze Runner: The Death Cure—wraps up the Maze Runner movie series as part 3—shows well despite its occasional over dramatization and off-and-on weak presentation.  The best part of the film is the train heist at the beginning of the film. It earns a watch. 

Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images 

Storyline 

An organization experiments on children who are thought to be immune to a virus. 

Additional Thanks 

Thank you to Director Wes Ball for directing effort. Thank you to Producers Ellen Goldsmith-Vein, Wyck Godfrey, Marty Bowen, Joe Hartwick Jr., Wes Ball, and Lee Stollman for making the film possible. Cast includes: Dylan O’Brien, Kaya Scodelario, Thomas Brodie-Snagster, Nathalie Emmanuel, Giancario Esposito, Aidan Gillen, Walton Goggins, Ki Hong Lee, Barry Pepper, Will Poulter, and Patricia Clarkson. 

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? 

Yes. The film will be enjoyed more if one has been following the Maze Runner series of movies. It deserves a watch. 

Video Critique Available Here: 

Ben Meyers