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

TRANSFORMERS: THE LAST KNIGHT (Theatrical Release USA 2017)

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 4.3|5.0 Starsìììì 

Transformers: The Last Knight has the highest rating of any Transformers movie to this date on Ben Meyers International Movie Critics. WOW! This Transformers movie hit all the bells and whistles with terrific special effects, acting, and presentation. Mark Wahlberg is the perfect casting choice for this movie series. The story is more complicated, but not so complicated to become unintelligible. 

Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images 

Storyline

In King Arthur’s time, the wizard Merlin is given a staff to help King Arthur win a deadly battle. Later, Merlin hides the staff. In current times, the war between earth and the transformers continues and a need to find and use the staff arises. 

Additional Thanks 

Thank you to Director Michael Bay for directing effort. Thank you to Producers Lorom DeSanto, Don Murphy, and Ian Bryce for making the film possible. Cast includes: Mark Wahlberg, Anthony Hopkins, Josh Duhamel, Laura Haddock, Santiago Cabrera, Isabela Mersed, Jarrod Carmichael, Stanley Tucci, Liam Garrigan, Martin McCreadie, Rob Witcomb, Marcus Fraser, John Hollingworth, and Daniel Adegboyega.

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? 

Yes. The special effects are at the WOW! level and are presented very well. This movie is more than worth watching. Great work for all involved. 

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

TRANSFORMERS: AGE OF EXTINCTION (Theatrical Release USA 2014)

 

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 4.1|5.0 Starsìììì 

Transformers: Age of Extinction serves up its own brand of ‘cool’. While it is not as good as the first three films in the series with Shia LeBeouf, Mark Wahlberg has a tough variation in his interpretation of the main character that works very well. The film is a little long and could use a bit of editing to cut run time, but it tells its story well. 

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia 

Storyline 

This science fiction film is about: a time when humans believe Transformers, no matter which side they are on, are dangerous and need to be eliminated.

 

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director Michael Bay for directing effort. Thank you to Producers Lorenzo di Bonaventura, Tom DeSanto, Don Murphy, Ian Bryce for making the film possible. Cast includes: Mark Wahlberg and Stanley Tucci.

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? 

Yes. The film serves the Transformers’ movie fan well. It is a good teen/adult share movie. 

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers