KICKBOXER 2: THE ROAD BACK (Released to Theaters USA 1991)

 

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 3.8|5.0 Starsììì Kickboxer 2—sequel to the Jean Claude van Damme film Kickboxer—offers nothing spectacular and follows the format of an 80s cult classic even though it was made in the 90s. Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images  Storyline The brother of Kurt Sloan is brought in to defeat his brother's nemesis.  Additional Thanks  Thank you to Director Albert Pyun for directing effort. Thank you to Producer Tom Karnowski for making the film possible. Cast includes Sasha Mitchell, Peter Boyle, Dennis Chan, Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa, John Diehl, and Michel Qissi.  Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?  Maybe. It serves as a fill-in-time movie. Video Critique Available Here: Ben Meyers.

THE ADVENTURES OF PLUTO NASH (Theatrical Release USA 2002)

 

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 3.8|5.0 Starsììì 

The Adventures of Pluto Nash—campy, comical, futuristic science fiction—has a fresh approach to the usual science fiction fare. Human relationships with robots also take a creative bend. Mafia operating on the moon gives a comedic edge to the dialogue and scenes. Eddie Murphy and Randy Quaid team as the main actors in the film. The comedic element styles on Eddie Murphy’s traditional presentations. It’s a fun, adult watch with suggestive scenes. 

Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images 

Storyline 

This futuristic comedy film is about a time when people are living on the moon. Pluto Nash owns his own nightclub and becomes involved with mafia. 

Additional Thanks 

Thank you to Director Ron Underwood for directing effort. Thank you to Producers Martin Bregman, Michael Scott Bregman, and Louis A. Stroller for making the film possible. Cast includes: Eddie Murphy, Randy Quaid, Rosario Dawson, Joe Pantoliano, Jay Mohr, Luis Guzman, James Rebhorn, Peter Boyle, Pam Grier, and John Cleese. 

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? 

Yes. The movie sports some great costuming and good action scenes, but mostly serves as an adult afternoon comedy watch. 

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

THAT DARN CAT (Theatrical Release USA 1997)

 Ben Meyers’ Rating: 3.7|5.0 Starsììì 

That Darn Cat—remake of the 1965 film of the same name—begins at the okay/good level and begins to quickly dissolve into a disorganized mess. The characters have no strength of personality, the actors do not become their characters, and the storyline is weakly written. The conclusion completely lets its audience down. The ‘bad guys’ come off as just ordinary people living life throughout the film until the very end and the switch comes as such a surprise. Watch the 1965 movie instead of this one. The 1965 version is honestly good entertainment for the whole family. 

Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images 

Storyline 

A kidnapped woman places her watch on a cat’s neck in hopes of getting help. The cat’s owner sees the watch and goes to the FBI for help. 

Additional Thanks 

Thank you to Director Bob Spiers for directing effort. Thank you to Producer Robert Simonds for making the film possible. Cast includes: Christina Ricci, Doug E. Doug, George Dzundza, Peter Boyle, Michael McKean, and Bess Armstrong.

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? 

Maybe. If one wants to see the remake of the same name, this is it. But the film does not even begin to compare to the original 1965 release of this story. This movie has weak characterization, poor and disorganized presentation, and a conclusion that ruins the film. 

Video Critique Available Here:

 

Ben Meyers

EXPORTING RAYMOND (Austin Film Festival Austin Texas USA 2010)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 4.3|5.0 Starsìììì

Exporting Raymond details the process involved in exporting the popular United States television series, Everybody Loves Raymond, to Russia. The documentary shows the cultural challenges that creator Phil Rosenthal overcomes as he markets his show outside United States borders. This film performs very well for audiences who liked to love Raymond and for viewers who have interest in finding and melding those universals across cultures that make everyone laugh as one.

Film Poster Courtesy of  Wikipedia

Storyline

The profitable and long-running television series Everybody Loves Raymond (ran from 1996 through 2005) markets to Russian television as the series Everybody Loves Kostya.

Additional Thanks

Thank You to Director Philip Rosenthal for directing efforts. Thank you to Executive Producer John Woldenberg for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Himself (Philip Rosenthal), Himself (Peter Boyle), Himself (Stanislav Duzhnikov), First Driver Himself (Eldar), Herself (Anna Frolovtseva), Himself (Boris Klyuev), Sony Vice President-Himself (Jeffrey Lerner), Sony’s Russia Executive-Himself (Artyom Loginov), Production Manager-Herself (Katya Marakulina), Translator-Herself (Marina), Director-Himself (Shaban Muslimov), Himself (Konstantin Naumochkin), Herself (Doris Roberts), and Himself (Ray Romano).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? 

Yes. The documentary is an excellent intercultural study piece—mind expanding.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

THE SANTA CLAUSE (Theatrical Release USA 1994)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 3.9|5.0 Starsììì

The Santa Clause—a good, clean holiday flick for the preteen and adult audience—weighs in at the lovable and imaginative level. Tim Allen has the perfect charisma for the part of Santa Claus. Watch for Judge Reinhold as character Dr. Neil Miller and the late Peter Boyle as Mr. Whittle.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

Santa Claus slips from Scott Calvin’s (Tim Allen) roof and disappears into the front yard’s snow-covered lawn. When Scott dons Santa’s red coat, he begins metamorphosing into Santa’s successor.

Additional Thanks

Thank You to Director John Pasquin for directing efforts. Thank you to Executive Producers Richard Baker, Rick Messina, and James Miller for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Santa Claus (Tim Allen), Dr. Neil Miller (Judge Reinhold), Laura Calvin Miller (Wendy Crewson), Charlie Calvin (Eric Lloyd), Bernard the Elf (David Krumholtz), Detective Nunzio (Larry Brandenburg), Miss Daniels (Mary Gross), Judy the Elf (Paige Tamada), Mr. Whittle (Peter Boyle), Susan Perry (Judith Scott), Judy the Waitress (Jayne Eastwood), and Sarah the Little Girl (Melissa King).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. Refreshing holiday entertainment piece has great stage sets for each scene. The cast has been well-chosen for a quite pleasing film.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers