MR. HOLLAND’S OPUS (Released to Theaters USA 1995)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 4.0|5.0 Starsìììì

Mr. Holland’s Opus—superbly done—shows, without preaching, that our real ‘opus’ becomes the lives we affect along the way when we put our heart into our work. This film, completely worth watching, becomes one of the best musically themed films we’ve seen for awhile. Outstanding work by actor Richard Dreyfuss.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

Glenn Holland (Richard Dreyfuss), a musical performer and composer, aspires to be a well-remembered musical composer; but finds those aspirations down-sized to a regular suburbia lifestyle while earning his living as a high school music teacher. The film follows his disappointments and temptations, endeavors to create meaning in an occupation not well appreciated by peers and superiors, and succeeds in weaving the small threads of a life that have a good impact over the span of a lifetime.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director Stephen Herek for directing efforts. Thank you to Executive Producers Patrick Sheane Duncan and Scott Kroopf for making the film possible.  thank you to Script Writer Patrick Sheane Duncan. Cast include: Glenne Headly, William H. Macy, Terrence Howard, and Damon Whitaker.

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. The movie is thought provoking, easy on the mind, and drives a theme of how to live life well.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

SWEETWATER (Released to Internet USA 2023)

 

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 3.8|5.0 Starsììì  Sweetwater—biopic—works like a movie made for television rather than a true theatrical release. Even though this movie highlights significant events in this professional's life, it does not provide a high quality, in-depth look at his contributions to the professional basketball game and to the changes that he played in how to play the game. It is written and presented, not as an inspirational story, but as a fact-driven story. It is like all the emotional appeal has been vacuumed out and one is left with a raw, unstimulating piece of art work. Watch for Jeremy Piven, Richard Dreyfuss, and Cary Elwes. Their efforts to act in this movie are shaped by the borders that define it with no access to the free spirit that allows any creativity.   Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images Storyline  A biopic about Nathaniel 'Sweetwater' Clifton, one of the Globetrotters' basketball players.  Additional Thanks  Thank you to Director Martin Guigui for directing effort. Thank you to Producers Josi W. Konski, Tim Moore, Daniel Moorman, and Dahlia Waingort Guigui. Cast includes Everett Osborne, Cary Elwes, Jeremy Piven, Richard Dreyfuss, and Kevin Pollak.  Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?  Maybe. It's a biopic that shows significant events in Nat 'Sweetwater' Clifton's life and his contributions, not only to the Globetrotters, but to changing the way basketball is played and who is allowed to play in national championship games. The movie itself seems shallowly done and provides little depth to its narrative. Video Critique Available Here: Ben Meyers

THE JOHNSTOWN FLOOD (Television Release USA 1992)

 Ben Meyers’ Rating: 4.1|5.0 Starsìììì 

The Johnstown Flood—documentary—is graphic especially in the voiceovers of the people dying off screen as Richard Dreyfuss narrates the film. The movie relies on good organization of story. Actors reiterate parts of actual persons who survived the flood. Scenes run on a black and white format with painted pictures depicting what Dreyfuss is talking about. The movie ends on a solemn note. This film was pulled from a television series, American Experience, and presented as a standalone film. 

Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images 

Storyline 

A unique presentation of the events surrounding the first collapsed dam at Johnstown. 

Additional Thanks 

Thank you to Director Mark Bussler for directing effort. Thank you to Producers Mark Bussler, Michael Bussler, and Charles Guggenheim for making the film possible. Cast includes: Richard Dreyfuss, Patrick Jordan, Jennifer Lee Dake, and Charles King. 

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? 

Yes. The film is graphic but watchable and well put together.  Richard Dreyfuss narrates the film.

 Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers