LARA CROFT: TOMB RAIDER (Theatrical Release USA 2001)

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 3.8|5.0 Starsììì  Lara Croft: Tomb Raider—not a high quality watch—still works because of the fabulous stage settings and the unexpected fighting spirit of the female lead. Some of the dialogue lines can reflect a bit of 'cheesiness' but all together the movie, oddly, works as a fresh, entertaining adventure thriller. The action is over-the-top so that action is the foundation that supplants everything else that usually 'make' a movie Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia Storyline The Illuminati search for the key to rejoin two ancient triangles. Additional Thanks Thank you to Director Simon West for directing efforts. Thank you to Executive Producers Stuart Baird and Jeremy Heath-Smith for making the film possible. Cast includes Angelina Jolie, Jon Voight, Iain Glen, Bryce Noah Taylor, Daniel Craig, Richard Johnson, Chris Barrie, Julian Rhind-Tutt, and Leslie Phillips.

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Maybe. This could almost be a cult classic. It's worth a one-time watch just for the stage settings.  Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

THE GENERAL'S DAUGHTER (Released to Theaters USA 1999)

 

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 3.8|5.0 Starsììì  The General’s Daughter—not for the faint of heart—presents an odd story about government and military coverup that refuses to establish justice for an individual. Most of this film creates a suitable/good watch but not a great watch.   Poster Courtesy of Google Images Storyline  A female Captain is found dead, and the investigation is on.     Additional Thanks Thank you to Simon West for directing effort. Thank you to Producer Mace Neufeld for making the film possible. Cast includes John Travolta,  Madeleine Stowe, James Cromwell, Timothy Hutton,  Clarence Williams III, and James Woods. Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?  Maybe. If the graphic content was not there, it would have been better, inclusive of the family watch to provide good, after-viewing discussion. The story itself needs to be told. Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

THE MECHANIC (Released to Theaters USA 2011)

 

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 3.8|5.0 Starsììì  The Mechanic—Jason Statham—has good interpretation of the original movie, 1972's The Mechanic with Charles Bronson. This film works for its watch, but know that the original Bronson film is better.  Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images  Storyline  A mechanic (assassin) takes an old friend's son as a student in training.  Additional Thanks Thank you to Director Simon West for directing effort. Thank you to Executive Producers Robert Chartoff, Boaz Davidson, Danny Dimbort, Marcy Drogin, Avi Lerner, Trevor Short, John Thompson, and Irwin Winkler for making the film possible. Cast includes Jason Statham, Ben Foster, Tony Goldwyn, Donald Sutherland, Jeff Chase, Mini Anden, James Logan, Eddie J. Fernandez, Joshua Bridgewater, and John McConnell.   Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?  Maybe. It's adult content seems to hamper the quality of film. The violence can be shocking at times. Jason Statham and Ben Foster serve as a suitable team for the two mechanics working together. Know that the original Charles Bronson film, of the same name, is much better. Video Critique Available Here: Ben Meyers