NO ESCAPE (Theatrical Release USA 2015)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 4.7|5.0 Starsìììì

No Escape turns edge of the seat excitement into some of Owen Wilson’s best work. While Owen Wilson seems to lend himself well to the comedic experience, sometimes with a little romance thrown in, he turns into an outstanding casting choice for this thriller/action movie. His talent lies, partially, in the wisdom of finding his own action style. It absolutely works. This film is among some of 2015s best thriller/action movies. Kudos to every actor in this film; the acting is some of the best on today’s market. The script is well done. No fault found in this film.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

American Jack Dwyer (Owen Wilson), his wife, Annie (Lake Bell), and their two daughters, Lucy Dwyer (Sterling Jerins) and Beeze Dwyer (Claire Geare), get caught in a Laotian rebel war.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director John Erick Dowdle for directing efforts. Thank you to Executive Producers Steve Alexander, Andrew Pfeffer, Jeffrey Stott, and Gary Michael Walters for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Owen Wilson, Pierce Brosnan, Thanawut Ketsaro, Chatchawai Kamonsaknitak, Sahajak Boonthanakit, and Tanapol Chuksrida.

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. The film is so well done that it is a re-watch just to see Owen Wilson in the fatherly, rescue role within the thriller genre.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

SECRET HEADQUARTERS (Video on Demand (VOD) USA 2022)

 Ben Meyers’ Rating: 4.0|5.0 Starsìììì 

Secret Headquarters—superhero movie—accesses the talents of Owen Wilson to play the superhero. Wilson gives the role just the right touch to make it a good superhero movie for the younger set. The film presents some new and upcoming younger actors/actresses that provide good entertainment value. The presentation and portrayal are good. The movie has lots of flash and dash that children may enjoy. Watch for Michael Peña in the movie. 

Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images 

Storyline 

A superhero’s son discovers what his father does for a living and the adventure is on as the son and some of his peers examine superhero equipment and then get surrounded by criminals. 

Additional Thanks 

Thank you to Directors Henry Joost and Ariel Schulman for directing effort. Thank you to Producers Jerry Bruckheimer, Chad Oman, and Orlee-Rose Strauss for making the film possible. Cast includes: Owen Wilson, Walker Scobell, Jesse Williams, Keith L. Williams, Momona Tamada, Charles Melton, and Michael Peña. 

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? 

Yes. This is a suitable children’s watch with lots of lights and action. It’s a light, easy-on-the-mind watch for an adult.

 Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

WEDDING CRASHERS (Theatrical Release USA 2005)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 3.0|5.0 Starsììì

Wedding Crashers—lots of brief nudity with a heavily adult theme—uses the talents of Owen Wilson, Vince Vaughn, and Christopher Walken to tell its story. Is the film well done? Yes. As an educational watch, it can serve as a terrific visual exploration into the world of exceptionally skilled predators looking for that ‘free ride’—free food, free entertainment, free sex without responsibility for the cost of the ‘party’. It’s a coming of age movie when two men are a little too old to still be coming of age. The story is slightly reminiscent of the Adam Driver and Ben Stiller movie, While We’re Young, when two adults ‘missed the boat’ as all their friends got on board and moved to the next stage in their lives.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

John Beckwith (Owen Wilson) and Jeremy Grey (Vince Vaughn) crash weddings to bed women.

Additional Thanks

Thank You to Director David Dobkin for directing effort. Thank you to Executive Producers Cale Boyter, Richard Brener, Toby Emmerich, and Guy Riedel for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Secretary Cleary (Christopher Walken), Claire Cleary (Rachel McAdams), Gloria Cleary (Isla Fisher), Kathleen Cleary (Jane Seymour), Grandma Mary Cleary (Ellen Albertini Dow), Todd Cleary (Keir O’Donnell), Sack Lodge (Bradley Cooper), Randolph (Ron Canada), Father O’Neil (Henry Gibson), Mr. Kroeger (Dwight Yoakam), and Mrs. Kroeger (Rebecca De Mornay).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Maybe. The film serves a sophisticated, mature audience. Its most redeeming factor becomes a type of education concerning the uninvited guest, why that guest may be escorted out when discovered, and how sophisticated a con becomes when someone wants something for free without responsibility toward the cost and maintenance of the free item. There is a certain theme running through the film that reminds one of the 1956 Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer production of High Society with Frank Sinatra and Grace Kelly.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

DRILLBIT TAYLOR (Theatrical Release USA 2008)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 4.0|5.0 Starsìììì

Drillbit Taylor has a good, fun comedy script that serves up a decent amount of laughter a la Owen Wilson, Troy Gentile, Nate Hartley, David Dorfman, Alex Frost, and Josh Peck. Owen Wilson is a perfect casting choice here and serves up comedy at a high level.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

Three bullied and harassed high school newbies, Wade (Nate Hartley), Ryan (Troy Gentile), and Emmit Oosterhaus (David Dorfman), decide to hire a bodyguard, Drillbit Taylor (Owen Wilson), for protection.

Additional Thanks

Thank You to Director Steven Brill for directing efforts. Thank you to Executive Producer Richard Vane for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Jim (Ian Roberts), Chuck (Casey Boersma), Nick (Dylan Boersma), Dolores (Lisa Ann Walter), Barbara (Beth Littleford), Frightened Dad (David Koechner), Not for Pot Driver (Matt Walsh), and Attractive Woman Driver (Janet Varney).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. The film works at the Teen/Adult level. It’s a comedy worth watching.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

MASTERMINDS (Theatrical Release USA 2016)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 4.0|5.0 Starsìììì

Masterminds styles itself with light, easy comedy that follows the antics of Owen Wilson, Kristen Wiig, Jason Sudeikis, and Zach Galifianakis in a script based on a true story. With every possible ability to go awry, a plan to rob an armored truck company succeeds. It’s a simple story, but worth a watch.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

Steve Chambers (Owen Wilson) and Kelly Campbell (Kristen Wiig) use David Ghantt (Zach Galifianakis), an armoured truck driver, to rob a fortune.

Additional Thanks

Thank You to Director Jared Hess and to Executive Producers Brent Almond, Dana Brunetti, Brett Dahl, Erin David, Adam Fields, Kenneth Halsband, Jody Hill, Ryan Kavanaugh, Jerry Lasky, Danny McBride, Jill Sobel Messick, Kevin J. Messick, Joseph Nicholas, Andrew Panay, Andrew C. Robinson, Tucker Tooley, and Jared Underwood for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Eric Payne (Ross Kimball), Mike McKinney (Jason Sudeikis), Runny (Devin Ratray), Michelle Chambers (Mary Elizabeth Ellis), Jandice (Kate McKinnon), Scanlon (Leslie Jones), Plewe (Jon Daly), Doug Jeffcoat (Ken Marino), Raydel Quintero (Daniel Zacapa), and Anchorman (Tom Werme).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. It’s afternoon watch when nothing else is available for the teen/adult audience.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers