CREED (Theatrical Release USA 2015)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 4.4|5.0 Starsìììì

Creed does justice to the Rocky series. The script is a spinoff of the rest of the Apollo Creed (the boxer who died in Rocky 4) story. Sylvester Stallone is back and once again completely takes us by storm in his role as the seasoned trainer, Rocky Balboa, who coaches and trains Apollo Creed’s son. This is one of the best spinoff films you’ll ever see. Director Ryan Cooglar really struts his stuff in this top-of-the-line boxing film. The final fighting scene, fast-paced and realistic, totally enters the ‘WOW! What a fight!’ category. Exceptionally well-done, the film completely absorbs that old Rocky feel that no boxing film achieved since the first release of the Rocky films. Great work for all involved.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

The illegitimate son, Adonis Johnson (Michael B. Jordan), of Apollo Creed, the fighter who fought in the Rocky 1 through 3 films and was killed in the Rocky 4 film, decides to follow in his father’s footsteps and looks up Rocky Balboa (Sylvester Stallone) to train him.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director Ryan Coogler for directing effort. Thank you to Executive Producer Nicolas Stern for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Bianca (Tessa Thompson), Mary Anne Creed (Phylicia Rashad), Danny ‘Stuntman’ Wheeler (Andre Ward), ‘Pretty’ Ricky Conlan (Tony Bellew), Pete Sporino (Ritchie Coster), Stitch (Jacob ‘Stitch’ Duran), Tommy Holiday (Graham McTavish), Amir (Malik Bazille), Padman (Ricardo ‘Padman’ McGill), and Leo ‘The Lion’ Sporino (Gabe Rosado).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. It lives up to the original Rocky series with an outstanding performance by Sylvester Stallone as a seasoned Rocky Balboa. The film is a complete winner and worth watching more than once. Thank you to everyone involved in the production of this film for giving us one more gourmet taste of Rocky Balboa. WOW! What a film!

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

MIB INTERNATIONAL (Theatrical Release USA 2019)

 Ben Meyers’ Rating: 3.8|5.0 Starsììì 

MIB: International begins with good intrigue but cannot hold that throughout the movie. Chris Hemsworth seems uncomfortable with his lines. And, Liam Neeson seems just as unsuited to his assigned dialogue. The presentation does not equal the last three MIB movies mostly due to its weakly written script. And, the thought that this series may have run its course and entered its death stages comes to mind. Hopefully, the errors can be corrected and the movie freshens itself again. Emma Thompson absolutely works in this movie. It is intriguing to watch Tessa Thompson as her own personality projects and dominates her assigned character rather than integrating the character into her own. 

Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images 

Storyline 

MIB Agency believes there is a mole in the agency. Agent H and Agent M need to discover who the mole is in MIB. 

Additional Thanks 

Thank you to Director F. Gary Gray for directing effort. Thank you to Producers Walter F. Parkes and Laurie MacDonald for making the film possible. Cast includes: Chris Hemsworth, Tessa Thompson, Rebecca Ferguson, Kumail Nanjiana, Rafe Spall, Laurent Bourgeois, Larry Bourgeois, Emma Thompson, and Liam Neeson. 

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? 

Maybe. This film is not as high quality as previous MIB films, but if one wants to see the latest film in the MIB franchise, this is it. It’s premise is good. But it has a long road to travel to keep pace with previously made MIB stories.

Video Critique Available Here:

 

Ben Meyers

THOR: RAGNARÖK (Theatrical Release USA 2017)

 Ben Meyers’ Rating: 4.3|5.0 Starsìììì 

Thor: Ragnarök—a better Marvel film—incorporates much more comedy into its dialogue and storyline. This welcome diversion increases the entertainment value and makes it unique among the more serious, action-oriented superhero movies. Chris Hemsworth reprises his role as Thor. The movie works on a creative and highly original structuring than previous Thor-related stories. Good watch, worth both time and money expenditure. 

Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images 

Storyline 

Thor insists his brother Loki help him find their father, Odin. 

Additional Thanks 

Thank you to Director Taika Waititi for directing effort. Thank you to Producer Kevin Feige for making the film possible. Cast includes: Chris Hemsworth, Tom Hiddleston, Cate Blanchett, Idris Elba, Jeff Goldblum, Tessa Thompson, Karl Urban, Mark Ruffalo, and Anthony Hopkins. 

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? 

Yes. The movie is very well done and exceptionally fun to watch. It is the third film in the Thor series. 

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers