EIGHT BELOW (Released to Theaters USA 2006)

 

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 3.8|5.0 Starsììì  Eight Below—American rewrite of the 1983 Japanese movie, Antarctica—becomes a suitable watch as it educates about research stations located in Antarctica, the importance of dog teams, ice breaking ships, research grant money sourcing, transporting long distances in dangerous environments, wildlife native to that continent, and the resourcefulness of life that needs to survive. Paul Walker's character seems generic. He has not been assigned the more involved, distinctive role as in the Fast and Furious or Hours films. The movie is a suitable watch that does not require a great emotional or mental involvement.  Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia Storyline  Antarctic researcher looks for a rare rock thought to be present in that continent. An imminent storm requires immediate evacuation with no opportunity to rescue the dog team. The research guide attempts repeatedly to raise funding for the dog rescue.  Additional Thanks Thank you to Director and Executive Producer Frank Marshall, for directing effort. Thank you to Executive Producers Gary Barber, Roger Birnbaum, Christine Iso, Masaru Kakutani, Roy Lee, Todd Lieberman, and Producers Patrick Crowley, and David Hoberman, for making the film possible. Cast includes Paul Walker, Bruce Greenwood, Moon Bloodgood, Wendy Crewson, Gerard Plunkett, August Schellenberg, Jason Biggs, D.J., Timba, Koda, Jasmin, Apache, Buck, and Noble.  Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?  Maybe. The movie is not fancy. It's a 'no frills' telling of an event and the outcome of immediate decisions executed without forethought. This film may have had more impact if it had not flown under the Disney Studio network label and instead installed itself under the, now defunct, Touchstone Pictures studio banner.  Video Critique Available Here: Ben Meyers

FURIOUS 7 (Theatrical Release USA 2015)

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 4.4|5.0 Starsìììì 

Furious 7—WOW!—encapsulates everything we know and love about this series  The Fast and Furious spirit is back in a furious way. Everything in this movie—the action, acting, special effects, presentation, and story—works. The movie surpasses all expectations of what this franchise can provide. Watch for good performance by Jason Statham and look for the cameo of Lucas Black in this movie. This is one film that is a Winner from the word go. This film has some suggestive themes and/or partial nudity. 

Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images 

Storyline 

Two criminals receive pardons and have re-settled in the United States but their criminal past catches up with them and they find themselves battling for their lives. 

Additional Thanks 

Thank you to Director James Wan for directing effort. Thank you to Producers Neal Moritz, Vin Diesel, and Michael Fottrell for making the film possible. Cast includes: Vin Diesel, Paul Walker, Jason Statham, Michelle Rodriguez, Jordana Brewster, Tyrese Gibson, Ludacris, Dwayne Johnson, Lucas Black, Kurt Russell, Nathalie Emmanuel, Elsa Pataky, Gal Gadot, John Brotherton, 

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? 

Yes. This is a great watch for Fast and Furious fans. No disappointment here. The film is great from the word go.   

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

FLAGS OF OUR FATHERS (Theatrical Release USA 2006)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 3.6|5.0 Starsììì Flags of Our Fathers—odd presentation—lacks cohesion with its 'all- over-the-place' story, little to no character development, and suitable but not great acting. Despite the hard-to-follow story, expect good fight scenes and highly graphic portrayal of war wounds.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

Three men receive praise for raising a USA flag during World War II as a symbol of a great victory.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director Clint Eastwood for his directing effort. Thank you to Executive Producers Clint Eastwood, Steven Spielberg, and Robert Lorenz for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: John Bradley (Ryan Phillippe), Rene Gagnon (Jesse Bradford), Ira Hayes (Adam Beach), Keyes Beech (John Benjamin Hickey), Bud Gerber (John Slattery), Mike Strank (Barry Pepper), Ralph Ignatowski (Jamie Bell), Hank Hansen (Paul Walker), and Colonel Chandler Johnson (Robert Patrick).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Maybe. It is an okay watch but hard to follow with a 'messy' storyline. This Clint Eastwood film has a counterpart made by Clint Eastwood called Letters from Iwo Jima about the Japanese side of the story that is a much better made film than this film.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers