LARA CROFT: TOMB RAIDER-THE CRADLE OF LIFE (Theatrical Release USA 2003)

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 3.8|5.0 Starsììì  Lara Croft Tomb Raider: The Cradle of Life—notable special effects—works at nearly the same level of the first film with a bit more 'corny'. Angelina Jolie reprises her role and teams with Gerard Butler. The fight scenes are more amateurish than the last movie. Overall, it's a fair to middling piece of entertainment.  Film Poster Courtesy of IMDb Storyline Lara Croft’s (Angelina Jolie) assignment is to find Pandora’s Box before bioterrorists find it.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director Jan De Bont for directing efforts. Thank you to Executive Producer Jeremy Heath-Smith for making the film possible. Cast include Gerard Butler, Jonathan Reiss, Ciarán Hinds, Chris Barrie, Noah Taylor, Djimon Hounsou, Til Schweiger, Simon Yam, and Terence Yin.

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Maybe. This film, a bit amateurish, does have a good story. It's watchable and will suit Angelina Jolie fans. Video Critique Available Here: Ben Meyers

HITMAN * (Theatrical Release Hong Kong 1998)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 3.8|5.0 Starsììì

Hitman—Hong Kong action flick with all the right perks to make it more than worth watching—sports a complicated storyline that can be a bit difficult to follow but still delivers Jet Li at his best. The script, well-written, relies on the direction skills of Wei Tung who does an outstanding job of delivering an entertainment piece that appeals to an international audience. The movie compares well with the best of the Jackie Chan action flicks.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

In the event of a successful assassination attempt, crime boss Tsukamoto (Kenji Sahara) sets up a $100 million bounty hunter and elimination fund. After he is assassinated, multiple persons step up to find his killer.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director Wei Tung for directing effort. Thank you to Producers Gordon Chan and Todd King for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Fu (Jet Li), Ngok Lo (Eric Tsang), Officer Chan Kwan (Simon Yam), Kiki (Gigi Leung), David Wu (Timmy Ho), Martin (Kwong Kim Yip), Kau (John Ching), Eiji Tsukamoto (Keiji Sato), and Sasaki (Hideri Meiken).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. Really good work for actors Jet Li and Eric Tsang. The movie does not disappoint. Captivating.

*This film also known as: Contract Killer

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

IP MAN (Theatrical Release Hong Kong, China 2008)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 4.0|5.0 Starsìììì

Ip Man—a superb Chinese martial arts classic—belongs in the permanent home library collection. It defines what films should be and performs as one of the best foreign films of the year. It’s one of those films that remind us of why we go to the movies. The R-rating seems unnecessary. Remarkable professional work by Donnie Yen who plays IP man, who trained Bruce Lee as well as many other notable martial arts masters.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

Ip man’s (Donnie Yen) family life is rudely interrupted by the 1937 Japanese invasion of China.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director Wilson Yip and for Screen Play Writers Edmond Wong and Chan Tai-Li. Thank you to Executive Producers Kwok Lam Sin, Bak-Ming Wong, and Baoquan Zhang for making the film possible. Thank you to Musician Kenji Kawai for an outstanding score. Additional characters/cast include: Ip Man (Donnie Yen), Quan (Simon Yam), Cheung (Lynn Hung), Miura (Hiroyuki Ikeuchi), Li (Ka Tung Lam), Jin (Siu-Wong Fan), Lin (Xing Yu), Yuan (You-Nam Wong), and Wei (Yu-Hang To).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. No fault found in this film. It is good entertainment.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers