GETTYSBURG (Released to Theaters USA 1993)

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 3.7|5.0 Starsììì  Gettysburg provides some detail about a turning point in the American 1860s Civil War. The background scenery is outstanding. The movie shows calmness and professionalism of battle leaders as they plan next war decisions. While it is not the WOW! presentation, overall it is a suitable watch. Plan time to engage this movie as its length runs over four hours of watch time. The battles are the best part of the film. Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images  Storyline Gettysburg provides a treatment of the American Civil War battle between Colonel Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain of the Northern army and General Robert E. Lee of the Southern armies.  Additional Thanks  Thank You to Director Ron Maxwell for directing efforts. Thank you to Producers Moctesuma Esparza, Robert Katz, Co-Producer Nick Lombardo, Associate Producer Sandy Martin for making the film possible. Cast include Tom Berenger, Martin Sheen, Stephen Lang, Richard Jordan, Andrew Prine, Cooper Huckabee, Patrick Gorman, George Lazenby, Jeff Daniels, Sam Elliott, and C. Thomas Howell.  Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?  Maybe. Know that the movie requires time to watch. The Battle of Gettysburg receives a sparse and superficial representation in this movie. Video Critique Available Here: Ben Meyers

 

AVATAR: THE WAY OF WATER (Theatrical Release USA 2022)

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 3.9|5.0 Starsììì 

Avatar: The Way of Water becomes an ode to visually stimulating special effects while forgetting storyline and emotional appeal are as integral a part of producing the satisfying entertainment experience as visual stimulation. Avatar: The Way of Water becomes Avatar rerun, except it changes its stage setting to underwater and adds green to the coloration of a tribe with different life ways. Once one has seen Avatar, the second showing seems superficial. The animation? Off the charts. The presentation, acting, and portrayal are good. If the audience is as interested in technological improvement as much as a Hollywood insider, then this movie may work.  Know that editing cuts were not well done and the film becomes an overwhelmingly long watch. 

Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images 

Storyline 

This science fiction film is about: Earth dying and sending Recombinants to conquer Pandora. 

Additional Thanks 

Thank you to Director James Cameron for directing effort. Thank you to Executive Producers Richard Baneham, and David Valdes, for making the film possible. Cast includes: Sam Worthington, Zoe Saldana, Sigourney Weaver, Stephen Lang, Kate Winslet, Cliff Curtis, Joel David Moore, CCH Pounder, and Edie Falco. 

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. The movie works well as an immersive artistic presentation, but the story works superficially and takes a 3.2 hour time investment to complete. 

Video Critique Available Here: 

Ben Meyers

AVATAR (Theatrical Release USA 2009)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 4.3|5.0 Starsìììì 

Avatar, the imaginative culture and the world this culture inhabits, is vibrant with color. The movie touches the emotions at repeatedly high levels throughout the film. The acting and voicing are very good. At times, one forgets that one is watching a ‘motion capture’ movie. The writing is solid and blurs the lines that separate reality from fiction. Enjoy Sam Worthington, Sigourney Weaver, Michelle Rodriguez, Zoe Saldana, and the rest of the cast in this audience-captivating movie.

 Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images

Storyline 

A man is assigned to serve on a planet inhabited by native flora and fauna highly deadly to human survival. 

Additional Thanks 

Thank you to Director James Cameron for directing effort. Thank you to Producers James Cameron and Jon Landau for making the film possible. Cast includes: Sam Worthington, Zoe Saldana, Stephen Lang, Michelle Rodriguez, and Sigourney Weaver. 

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? 

Yes. The movie has spectacular special effects that use color well. It works on an epic scale. While the basic storyline could use improvement, there is no denying the outstanding use of color, the originality of the movie’s special effects, and the creativity of the culture and its environment. It earns its watch.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

23 BLAST (DVD Release USA 2015)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 4.2|5.0 Starsìììì

23 Blast definitely has its place within the sports film collection. It emphasizes that barriers are not there to stop dreams. Barriers are there seeking the person who will surpass them. Because the film was not professionally produced, it failed to pull the emotional feel from a viewer that is its rightful due as did the sports film, The Blind Side. This movie sadly comes off as a run-of-the-mill story when it is anything but an ordinary story. For the sports fan audience, however, definitely put it on the list of to watch movies.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

High School Junior Travis Freeman (Mark Hapka) goes blind and finds a way to play football despite that challenge.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director Dylan Baker and to Executive Producers Misook Doolittle, Brent Ryan Green, and Daniel M. Snyder for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Coach Farris (Stephen Lang), Ashley (Alexa PenaVega), Cameron Marshall (Max Adler), Mary Freeman (Kim Zimmer), Jerry Baker (Bram Hoover), Jasper A. Duncan (Timothy Busfield), Coach Powers (Fred Dalton Thompson), Patty Wheatley (Becky Ann Baker), Larry Freeman (Dylan Baker), Coach Burley (Kevin Cooney), Mr. Marshall (Scott Sowers), Dr. Connelly (Isiah Whitlock, Jr.), and Molly (Crystal Hunt).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. It’s a good, inspirational lesson on the importance of following dreams despite severe challenges. While the entertainment value is better placed on Draft Day or Friday Night Lights for the sports fan audience, this film satisfies and serves up large portions of goodness.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers