THE LIZZIE MCGUIRE MOVIE (Theatrical Release USA 2003)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 3.9|5.0 Stars ììì

The Lizzie McGuire Movie—teen entertainment—compliments and carries forward the TV series’ storylines and character development for both Lizzie McGuire (Hilary Duff) and her evil-genius brother, Matthew “Matt” McGuire (Jake Thomas). The movie can be appreciated for its comical and straight-forward story lines. The ending music well displays Hilary Duff’s singing talents and places her on par with Miley Cyrus and Demi Lovato. It’s a clean, decent watch for young teens.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

Lizzie McGuire and her graduating junior high school class travel to Rome, Italy for an educational tour. She meets an Italian junior pop star, Paolo Valisari (Yani Gellman), falls in love, and travels Rome largely un-chaperoned while her friend, David ‘Gordo’ Gordon (Adam Lamberg), covers for her absences from the scheduled school tours. Unfortunately, the Italian junior pop star is using Lizzie McGuire to ruin another junior pop star’s reputation. All ends well in this teen-age flick.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director Jim Fall. Thank you to Producer Stan Rogow for making the film possible. Cast include: Hilary Duff, Adam Lambert, Hallie Todd, Robert Carradine Hallie Todd, Jake Thomas.

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. Lizzie McGuire fans are going to be more than satisfied with the film.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

THE BIG RED ONE (Released to Theaters USA 1980)

 

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 3.7|5.0 Starsììì 

The Big Red One—Lee Marvin, Robert Carradine, and Mark Hamill—presents a really rough film to its audience that is difficult to watch. The story itself is very well-written and follows a nicely choreographed set of scenes that do not lose context or meaning and manage to quickly differentiate each main character's battle proclivities. Be aware that this film has sexual dialogue in addition to the violence and serves the exceptionally sophisticated and aware audience. 

Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images 

Storyline 

This story is about an experienced military fighting team and the way they manage to survive during World War II. 

Additional Thanks 

Thank you to Director Samuel Fuller for directing efforts. Thank you to Executive Producer Brian Jamieson, Producers Gene Corman and Douglas Freeman for making the film possible. Cast includes: Lee Marvin, Mark Hamill, Robert Carradine, Bobby Di Cicco, Kelly Ward, Stéphane Audran, Sigfried Rauch, Serge Marquand, Charles Macaulay, Alain Doutey,.

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? 

Maybe. It is what it is—a rough film made for a select audience that is not faint of heart. It very thinly finds its place in the R-rated category and pushes all boundaries of that lower rating. 

Video Critique Available Here: 

Ben Meyers 

MONTE WALSH (Television Release USA 2003)

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 4.0|5.0 Starsìììì 

Monte Walsh—good story that features Tom Selleck—does not have anything in it that other western movies have not already included in a variety of storylines…like the effect barbed wire had on the demise of the cowboy or the rise of machines that would later be used to herd and track animals. The presentation and storyline, however, are quite good and the acting is outstanding. There are some sexual scenes in the movie, but not as graphic as other movies often portray. This movie will satisfy the western movie fan. 

Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images 

Storyline 

This western film is about: the last of the cowboys as corporations begin assuming control of larger ranches, the motor car begins assuming the role of main method of travel, and herding cows on open range is curbed with the establishment of property boundaries defined with barbed wire. 

Additional Thanks 

Thank you to Director Simon Wincer for directing effort. Thank you to Executive Producer Michael Brandman, and Tom Selleck, Co-Executive Producer Bobby Roberts and Producer Steven J. Brandman, for making the film possible. Cast includes: Tom Selleck, Isabella Rossellini, Keith Carradine, George Eads, Robert Carradine, Barry Corbin, James Gammon, Rex Linn, John Michael-Higgins, William Sanderson, Wallace Shawn, Marshall R. Teague, and Rick Ravenello. 

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. This is an afternoon watch and a good one at that. It satisfies the western movie fan. 

Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images

Ben Meyers