KIRBY AT WAR (Released in France 2017)

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 4.0|5.0 Starsìììì  Kirby at War—short French documentary film—informs in a shallow way about comic animator Jack Kirby. The movie tells its story in less than an hour and focuses more on Kirby's World War II experiences and how they influenced his artistic efforts than a deep detailing of his personal life/childhood. It suitably educates and informs on a high-level animator's creations (Black Panther, the Avengers, Hulk, Fantastic Four, The X-Men, Thor, Iron Man) and some on collaborative work with Stan Lee, Marvel Comic developer.  Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images  Storyline  The times of Jack Kirby who created many of the Marvel characters still popular today.  Additional Thanks Thank you to Directors Marc Azéma and Jean Depelley for directing effort. Thank you to Producers  Fabrice Lambot, Jean-Pierre Putters, and Jean-Marc Sauniere for making the film possible. Cast includes Jean Depelley, Francois Cochet, Boris Cyrulnik, Joann Sfar,  John Morrow, Jose Ladronn, Dominique Sardin, and Rand Hoppe. Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?  Yes. For a simple overview of Jack Kirby's life work, the movie does its job.  Video Critique Available Here: Ben Meyers

 

NAVAJO (Released to Theaters USA 1952)

 

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 4.0|5.0 Starsìììì  Navajo—represents the Navajo nation well—uses a very good, semi-drama technique to tell a welcome story for the early 1950s and current movie audiences. It's an important, original watch that is not usually seen in cinema. The acting is good to great. The presentation is very good. The portrayal is great. The actors have been well chosen. The narrator, Sammy Ogg, is outstanding. This docu-drama does not have interviews but interviews would undermine the strength of story. Know that the film works with a black and white format that adds terrifically to its heavily-laced, cinematic views of Navajo lands. WOW! What a concept for a film! The movie can be rented currently for $1.99 from Amazon.  Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images Storyline   A Navajo boy tries to live on the land with his mother, sisters, and adoptive grandfather, but this aspiration soon changes.  Additional Thanks Thank you to Director Norman Foster for directing effort. Thank you to Producer Hall Bartlett for making the film possible. Voice casting includes Francis Kee Teller, John Mitchell, Mrs. Kee Teller, Hall Bartlett, Virgil Miller, Cozy McSparron, Sammy Ogg, Eloise Teller, and Linda Teller. Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?  Yes. This original content movie bases on what it means to be a good human being. The movie tells a good story, emphasizes valuing life, and caring for the needs of others. Good work for all involved. This is a good integrity watch that provides good after viewing discussion for the entire family. Video Critique Available Here: Ben Meyers

DRUNKEN MASTER (Theatrical Release Hong Kong 1978 Re-released in Theaters USA 1993)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 4.0|5.0 Starsìììì

Drunken Master—good teen/adult share film—is the first in a series of two films that has a third film in the series with remarkably different content. Completely worth watching, Drunken Master shows Jackie Chan in a rougher mode than later films depict him. He demonstrates great acrobatics and body exercises that are little known in the western world. The only criticism is the overwhelming presentation of fighting scenes to the point where the movie loses its storyline and makes the movie seem a bit bland at times. But, this small criticism is erased due to the remarkable techniques and moves of the Drunken Master’s fighting styles. The dubbing does not always match the mouth movements well, but the quality of the movie quickly overcomes this small fault. This movie more than earns the time and money.

Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images

Storyline

A young man finally learns that he needs discipline and enrolls under a demanding martial arts instructor.

Additional Thanks 

Thank you to Director Yuen Woo-ping for directing effort.  Thank you to Producer Ng See Yuen for making the film possible. Characters/cast include: Wong Fei-hung (Jackie Chan), Beggar-So (Yuen Siu-Tin), Thunderleg Yen Tie Hsin (Hwang Jang-Lee), and Professor Kai-Hsin (Dean Shek). 

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? 

Yes. This younger version of Jackie Chan shows some of his best fight techniques. The acting quality is more than worth watching. The storyline is simple, entertaining, and completely watchable. This Chinese/Hong Kong entertainment easily crosses international borders to delight and entertain. The movie uses both subtitles and voice dubbing for English-speaking audiences. 

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

 

 

THE OUTPOST (Theatrical Release United Kingdom 2020)

 Ben Meyers’ rating: 3.4|5.0 Starsììì 

The Outpost—bases on a true story­—needs more character development to honor the men who served and died at this Afghan outpost. While Orlando Bloom is distinctive in this film, it is because he is Orlando Bloom, not because he is the character he acts. The movie needs to establish continuity of thought to establish clarity. Camerawork does present some explosions and fight scenes to good effect, but the storyline and its presentation prevent the scenes from reaching their full effect in the flurried presentation. Acting quality varies significantly from good to bad and back again depending on the scene. The best part of the movie is the concluding fight scene. But, that comes far too late in the movie to save it. Watch for Scott Eastwood, Clint Eastwood’s son, in the movie. 

Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images 

Storyline 

A United States-manned Afghan outpost comes under heavy fire. 

Additional Thanks 

Thank you to Director Rod Lurie for directing effort. Thank you to Producers Paul Merryman, Paul Tamasy, Marc Frydman, Jeffrey Greenstein, Jonathan Yunger, and Les Weldon for making the film possible. Characters/cast include: Staff Sergeant Clint Romesha (Scott Eastwood), Ty Michael Carter (Caleb Landry Jones), Captain Benjamin Keating (Orlando Bloom), Sergeant Josh Kirk (Jack Kesy), and Staff Sergeant Vernon Martin (Cory Hardrict), Captain Robert Yllescas (Milo Gibson), Staff Sergeant Justin T. Gallegos (Jacob Scipio), First Lieutenant Andrew Bundermann (Taylor John Smith), Sergeant First Class Jonathan Hill (Jonathan Yunger), Sergeant Chris Griffin (Alexander Arnold), Captain Chriss Cordova (George Arvidson), and Private Ed Faulkner (Will Attenborough). 

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? 

No. Better watches for the war movie fan are: Jarhead or Apocalypse Now. The Outpost seems to work like a low grade war video game watch rather than a real movie watch.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

VICE (Theatrical Release USA 2018)

 Ben Meyers’ rating: 3.5|5.0 Starsììì 

Vice—beautifully written, presents well, and has good casting choices—plays heavily toward establishing ambiguity between fact and fiction. The movie establishes itself as a biographical film but then explores the Iraq war as a bid for oil rather than a pursuit of justice over the Twin Towers incident which takes the film outside its assigned borders of biographical dark comedy. Nevertheless, the entertainment value is there, and it is not a boring watch. 

Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images

Storyline 

A dark comedy on the Vice Presidency of Dick Cheney. 

Additional Thanks 

Thank you to Director Adam McKay for directing effort. Thank you to Producers Brad Pitt, Dede Gardner, Jeremy Kleiner, Kevin Messick, Will Ferrell, Adam McKay for making the film possible. Dick Cheney (Christian Bale), Young Dick Cheney (Alex MacNicoll and Aidan Gail), Lynne Vincent Cheney (Amy Adams), Young Lynne (Cailee Spaeny), Alison Pill), Young Mary Cheney (Colyse Harger), Liz Cheney (Lily Rabe), Young Liz Cheney (Violet Hicks), and Kurt (Jesse Piemons). 

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? 

No. It may have presented better as a documentary than as a biographical dark comedy. It seems highly imaginative as if concealing its purpose. The very classification of the movie contradicts itself. 

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

THE GUILTY (Video Release USA 2021)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 4.6|5.0 Starsìììì 

The Guilty—intense—allows a deep look into Jake Gyllenhaal’s ability to access the more emotional side of acting. He does a terrific job in his role as a 911 operator. WOW! He takes his audience on a roller coaster ride that keeps the viewer glued to the storyline wondering what will happen next. The movie is one of Director Antoine Fuqua’s  (Training Day) better films. 

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline 

A 911 operator finds himself between two severe crises…one that affects his world and one that affects a family outside his own. 

Additional Thanks 

Thank you to Antoine Fuqua for directing effort. Thank you to Producers Jake Gyllenhaal, Riva Marker, David Litvak, Gary Walters, David Haring, Michel Litvak, Svetlana Metkina, Antoine Fuqua, Scott Greenberg, and Kat Samick for making the film possible. Characters/cast include: Joe Baylor (Jake Gyllenhaal), Denise Wade (Cristina Vidal), and Manny (Adrian Martinez). 

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. A real treat for Jake Gyllenhaal fans. Every scene is thrilling, tense, and keeps interest. 

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

THE PRESIDIO (Theatrical Release USA 1988)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 3.7|5.0 Starsììì

The Presidio—not one of Sean Connery’s better films—turns into a run-of-the-mill story that leans more toward drama than action. Nothing new or very exciting here except it is interesting to see Mark Harmon (NCIS television series) in his younger acting years as well as Meg Ryan’s earlier acting efforts. It’s a good afternoon flick to ‘kill some spare time’ film.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

Bad feelings between San Francisco Army Base Provost Marshall Alan Caldwell (Sean Connery) and San Francisco Police Inspector Jay Austin (Mark Harmon) complicate investigation of the slaying of MP Patti Jean Lynch (Jenette Goldstein).

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director Peter Hyams for directing effort. Thank you to Executive Producer Jonathan A. Zimbert for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Lieutenant Colonel Alan Caldwell (Sean Connery), Jay Austin (Mark Harmon), Donna Caldwell (Meg Ryan), Sergeant Major Ross Maclure (Jack Warden), Arthur Peale (Mark Blum), Colonel Paul Lawrence (Dana Gladstone), Patti Jean Lynch (Jenette Goldstein), MP Zeke (Marvin J. McIntyre), Howard Buckely (Don Calfa), Detective Marvin Powell (John DiSanti), and Sergeant Mueller (Robert Lesser).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Maybe. The movie runs more like a television series than a theatrical film release. It’s an afternoon cop drama watch. Better choices are Lethal Weapon 1, Lethal Weapon 2, Lethal Weapon 3, and Lethal Weapon 4.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

ANTBOY II: REVENGE OF THE RED FURY (Berlin International Film Festival, Berlin Germany 2015)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 1.3|5.0 Starsì

Antboy II: The Revenge of Red Fury—the first sequel to Antboy—is slightly better than its prequel; but is still difficult to get through despite the fact that it won the 2015 Danish Robert Award for Best Children’s Film.

Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images

Storyline

Antboy/Pelle Nohrman (Oscar Dietz) and his assistant Wilhelm (Samuel Ting Graf) encounter a wannabe villain, Red Fury (Astrid Juncher-Benzon).

Additional Thanks 

Thank you to Director Ask Hasselbalch for his directing efforts. Thank you to Executive Producers Bo Ehrhardt and Birgitte Hald for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Ida (Amalie Kruse Jensen), Maria Musajev (Astrid Juncher-Benzon), Christian (Hector Brøgger Andersen), Amanda (Cecillie Alstrup Tarp), Maria’s Father Dubbed (voice of Torbjorn Hummel), Maria Musajev/Th (Astrid Juncher-Benzon), Allan/Terror Twin (Marcuz Jess Petersen), Mark/Terror Twin (Johannes Jeffries Sørenson),Christian (Hector Brøgger Andersen), Rustam Musajev (Boris Aljinovic), Maria’s Father Dub (voice of Torbjørn Hummel), Albert Gæmmelkra/The Flea (Nicolas Bro), and Amandas Veninde 1 (Nicoline Sharma Rubow).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? 

No. Ask Hasselbalch has ability, but needs a better script to strongly reach a universal children's market.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

ZERO DARK THIRTY (Theatrical Release USA 2012)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 4.9|5.0 Stars ìììì

Zero Dark Thirty—GREAT movie. Period. Nothing more needs to be said. It’s the rare movie when actors seem to have forgotten they were acting and actually became the characters. Very realistic performances highlight this film from beginning to end. This movie becomes a defining film for action/intelligence/thriller stories. Fantastic directing by Kathryn Bigelow.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

The story behind the story that leads to the assassination of Osama bin Laden begins with the words, “The following motion picture is based on firsthand accounts of actual events.” The voice recordings from September 11, 2001 follow. Then the movie screen states, ‘Two years later’. Viewers hear a metal door opening, see an overhead light turning on, view ‘The Saudi Group’ appearing on the screen, and witness interrogation of a Saudi man named Ammar (Reda Kateb) who stands accused of having information on the terror groups that planned September 11, 2001 World Trade Center attacks.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director Kathryn Bigelow for directing efforts. Thank you to Executive Producers Ted Schipper, Greg Shapiro, and Colin Wilson for making the film possible. Music is well laid out by Alexandre Desplat. Thank you to Mark Boal for an excellent script.Additional characters/cast include: Maya (Jessica Chastain), Dan (Jason Clarke), Joseph Bradley (Kyle Chandler), Jessica (Jennifer Ehle), and George (Mark Strong).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. Absolutely. It’s an outstanding film. One of the best of its genre.

Video Critique Available Here:

:
Ben Meyers