DOG DAYS (Released to Theaters USA 2018)

 

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 3.6|5.0 Starsììì  Dog Days—weird film, all over the place—has no goal or defined journey to follow. Everything from acting to portrayal to presentation run in the suitable to good range, but the movie has no purpose, no reason for being. The message is to love dogs which everyone can relate to but it needs more than that to exist. This movie runs slow at times and lacks the power to draw an audience.  Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia Storyline   Several persons love their dogs.  Additional Thanks  Thank you to Director Ken Marino for directing effort. Thank you to Executive Producers Michael Glassman, Scott Holroyd, Alison Semenza King, Nicole Stojkovich, for making the film possible. Cast includes Nina Dobrev, Vanessa Hudgens, Adam Pally, Eva Longoria, Rob Corddry, Tone Bell, Jon Bass, Michael Cassidy, Finn Wolfhard, Ron Cephas Jones, Thomas Lennon, Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?  No. This movie is 'hard ground to plow'.  It makes the audience work for the watch when the movie should be working for the audience to watch. Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

HERBIE FULLY LOADED (Released to Theaters USA 2005)

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 4.0|5.0 Starsìììì

Herbie Fully Loaded—when it did not seem the Herbie series could be revived, along came Lindsey Lohan. This is a good/ suitable film for the whole family that serves up a star-studded cast. The script has good writing that gives that nice push into the next era of the Herbie story.

 Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images

Storyline

A teenaged girl graduates and her dad takes her to a junk yard for her first car. 

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director Angela Robinson for directing effort. Thank you to Executive Producers Michael Fottrell, Charles Hirchhorn, and Tracey Trench for making the film possible. Cast includes: Lindsay Lohan, Michael Keaton, Matt Dillon, Breckin Meyer, Justin Long, Cheryl Hines, Jimmi Simpson, Jill Ritchie, Thomas Lennon, Jeremy Roberts, E.E. Bell, Peter Pasco, Mario Larraza, and Patrick Cranshaw,

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

 Yes. This movie is good enough to revive the Herbie series quite nicely. The movie's script has been well-written and flows well.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

17 AGAIN (Theatrical Release USA 2009)

 Ben Meyers’ rating: 4.3|5.0 Starsìììì 

17 Again highlights the personable Zac Efron’s acting skill. It’s one of his best films since High School Musical and emphasizes him as a high-profile actor. It’s good to see Matthew Perry, Leslie Mann, and Jim Gaffigan in the movie.  The basic storyline of this film is not new and not creative, but the message has been so skillfully woven into the dialogue and timing of the scenes that the movie serves at a much higher level than others that have dealt with this subject matter. The resolution is better and seems to reflect a reality nearer to truth than similarly made films. It’s a refreshing watch and a good holiday watch.

Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images

Storyline 

A man gets his wish to go back and make a few different choices in life, thinking it will change his current place in life. 

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director Burr Steers for directing effort. Thank you to Producers Adam Shankman and Jennifer Gibgot for making the film possible. Cast includes: Zac Efron, Matthew Perry, Leslie Mann, Thomas Lennon, Tyler Steelman, Allison Miller, Sterling Knight, Michelle Trachtenberg, Adam Gregory, and Hunter Parrish.

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. This movie is a surprisingly well-written Zac Efron film.  Although not a new or fresh film idea it has been presented in such a way that leaves a powerful message about first love, keeping marriages together, and keeping priorities straight in life. Great watch for late teens and adults. Provides good after-viewing discussion material.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

HOW TO LOSE A GUY IN 10 DAYS (Theatrical Release USA 2003)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 3.4|5.0 Stars ììì

How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days—a fair to middling romance—pairs Matthew McConaughey and Kate Hudson in an original story that turns into a romance story for a specific adult audience. The film has some sexual references and partial nudity.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

Andie Anderson (Kate Hudson) writes an article on “How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days.” Ben Barry (Matthew McConaughey) makes a bet that he can make any girl fall in love with him in 10 days. Co-workers put them together to see who will ‘win’.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director Donald Petrie for his directing efforts. Thank you to Executive Producer Richard Vane for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Michelle Rueben (Kathryn Hahn), Jeannie (Annie Parisse), Tony (Adam Goldberg), Thayer (Thomas Lennon), Judy Spears (Michael Michele), Judy Green (Shalom Harlow), Phillip Warren (Robert Klein), Lana Jong (Bebe Neuwirth), and Lori (Samantha Quan).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Maybe. The film may work for sophisticated adults.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers