LARGER THAN LIFE (Theatrical Release USA 1996)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 3.8|5.0 Starsììì

Larger than Life could have been top-of-the-line comedy due to its basically good concept; but the script dialogue does not support the Bill Murray comedy style and the film, without intention, takes on a certain darkness that is almost depressing as the main character attempts to find a circus elephant a good home. The film does not wind down well to its final scenes and seems unbelievable as an elephant loads on an outbound plane without proper health release papers in place. The conclusion seems bluntly cut short as if needing to meet a time or budget restriction or as if rewritten to suit a certain desired aim never originally intended for the story.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

Motivational speaker Jack Corcoran (Bill Murray) inherits a circus elephant.

Additional Thanks

Thank You to Director Howard Franklin for directing effort. Thank you to Executive Producers Sue Baden Powell, Guy East, and Wolfgang Glattes for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Vernon the Human Blockhead (Pat Hingle), Vernon’s Wife, Lulana (Lois Smith), Event Coordinator (Jerry Adler), Richie (Richard Alan Baker), Man in Audience (Richie Allan), Pyramid Woman (Kimberly Thornton), Mom (Anita Gillette), Celeste (Maureen Mueller), Walter (Jeremy Piven), Matthew (Alex Neiwerth), Party Guest (Alfa Betty Olsen), and Receptionist (Carrie Houk).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Maybe. A better choice for overall entertainment within the ‘animal interacting with human storyline’ is Paulie.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

BATMAN (Theatrical Release USA 1989)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 3.4|5.0 Starsììì

Batman—‘cool’ in 1989—uses a milder comic book feel than previous Batman stories to depict its storyline, but classifies itself as ‘corny’ with its dialogue and poor special effects when compared to the 2005 production of Batman Begins. Jack Nicholson does not do justice to the Joker as well as Heath Ledger did in The Dark Knight. The film becomes a good study for collegiate studies on Michael Keaton as an actor and films by Tim Burton. Michael Gough as Alfred Pennyworth performs that character from 1989 to the 1997 Batman and Robin with consistency of portrayal.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

Mayor Borg (Lee Wallace) demands a safer Gotham City and Batman (Michael Keaton) assists.

Additional Thanks

Thank You to Director Tim Burton for directing effort. Thank you to Executive Producers Benjamin Melniker and Michael E. Uslan for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Bruce Wayne (Michael Keaton), Joker/Jack Napier (Jack Nicholson), Vicki Vale (Kim Basinger), Alexander Knox (Robert Wuhl), Commissioner James Gordon (Pat Hingle), Harvey Dent (Billy Dee Williams), Alfred Pennyworth (Michael Gough), Carl Grissom (Jack Palance), Alicia Hunt (Jerry Hall), and Bob the Goon (Tracey Walter).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Maybe. It’s a dated look at early Batman films.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers