THE LOVELY BONES (Theatrical Release USA 2009)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 4.8|5.0 Starsìììì

The Lovely Bones—another Peter Jackson-directed classic—deals with the serial killer persona and how that can be enabled. The story runs with a strong spiritual background that helps relieve its gruesome reality. A Bravo! Bravo! film that needs to be watched if for nothing else than education concerning this personality type and as a precautionary tale.

Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images

Storyline

Fourteen-year-old Susie Salmon (Saoirse Ronan) makes a deadly mistake and ends up a victim of serial killer George Harvey (Stanley Tucci).

Additional Thanks

Thank You to Director Peter Jackson for directing effort. Thank you to Executive Producers Ken Kamins, Tessa Ross, Steven Spielberg, and James Wilson for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Jack Salmon (Mark Wahlberg), Abigail Salmon (Rachel Weisz), Grandma Lynn (Susan Sarandon), Len Fenerman (Michael Imperioli), Lindsey Salmon (Rose McIver), Buckley Salmon (Christian Ashdale), Ray Singh (Reece Ritchie), Ruth Connors (Carolyn Dando), Holly (Nikki SooHoo), Samuel Heckler (Andrew James Allen), and Brian Nelson (Jake Abel).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. Hard-to-get-through, unpalatable, but must be told, subject matter serves the late teen/adult audience. It takes an outstanding set of producers and directors to balance earthly savageness with the kindness of heaven, but the right people were involved to perfectly balance this hard-to-be-told story. Kudos to Director Peter Jackson, Steven Spielberg, DreamWorks Pictures, WingNut Films, and Film4 Productions.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

LITTLE WOMEN (Released to Theaters USA 2019)

 

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 4.1|5.0 Starsìììì

Little Women—worth watching—may not be as well portrayed as the 1994 movie version of Little Women, but still tells its story well and relies on a very good cast that includes Meryl Streep. 

Film Poster Courtesy of IMDb

Storyline

The March sisters live their lives through their teen years and flourish into women who get married, start a new life, and stay in sisterly contact.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director Greta Gerwig for directing effort. Thank you to Producers Amy Pascal, Denise Di Nova, and Robin Swicord for making the film possible. Cast includes Saoirse Ronan, Emma Watson, Florence Pugh, Eliza Scanlen, Laura Dern, Timothee Chalamet, Meryl Streep, Tracy Letts, Bob Odenkirk, James Norton, Louis Garrel, and Chris Cooper.

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. Overall, the movie does justice to the Little Women story and presents a suitable/good watch.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

HANNA (Theatrical Release USA 2011)

 Ben Meyers’ Rating: 4.3|5.0 Starsìììì 

Hanna—fresh and highly creative story concept—reveals the outstanding acting talents of Saoirse Ronan. Eric Bana and Cate Blanchett do a terrific job of creating suspense as they work against each other as secret agents. The movie is tense, suspenseful, and completely unique—a well-done drama thriller that makes a good watch for an adult audience. 

Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images 

Storyline 

A young girl, engineered to be a super soldier, decides to leave her final training and search for her past and her future. 

Additional Thanks 

Thank you to Director Joe Wright for directing efforts. Thank you to Producers Leslie Holleran, Marty Adelstein, and Scott Nemes for making the film possible. Cast includes: Saoirse Ronan, Eric Bana, Vicky Krieps. Tom Hollander, Olivia Williams, Michelle Dockery, Jessica Barden, Jason Flemyng, and Cate Blanchett. 

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? 

Yes. This film is completely engaging and worth its watch. Be aware that the film exercises excessive and graphic violence. 

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

THE HOST (Theatrical Release USA 2013)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 3.4|5.0 Starsììì

The Host, based on a Stephanie Meyers’ book, does not measure up to Stephanie Meyers’ Twilight series movies. This film needs a serious overhaul from the ground up to become good entertainment. Nothing works in this movie even though it has terrific potential to be an outstanding movie.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

Small aliens insert themselves into human bodies and take over consciousness. One woman fights back and begins conversations with the alien that she is hosting.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director Andrew Niccol for directing effort. Thank you to Executive Producers Ray Angelic, Claudia Bluemhuber, Marc Butan, Uwe Feuersenger, Bill Johnson, and Jim Seibel for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Soul Fleur (Rachel Roberts), Soul Anshu (Shyaam Karra), Soul Winters (Brent Wendell Williams), Soul Lake (Jhil McEntyre), Soul Nafisa (Jalen Coleman), Wanda (Saoirse Ronan), The Seeker/Lacey (Diane Kruger), Seeker Reed (Stephen Rider), Seeker Song (Jaylen Moore), Seeker Sands (Stephen Conroy), Healer Fords (Marcus Lyle Brown), Seeker Wolfe (Michael L. Parker), and Seeker Waverley (Phil Austin).

 

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Maybe. The concept is interesting.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers