WILD HOGS (Theatrical Release USA 2007)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 3.4|5.0 Starsììì

Wild Hogs promises lots of laughs from its bylines and trailers, but ironically fails to deliver the expected product despite a story concept that should have provided non-stop belly laughs. The biggest laugh one takes from this film becomes ‘how in the world did it get produced?’ Part of the challenge is the onscreen charisma existing between Tim Allen, John Travolta, Martin Lawrence, and William H. Macy. It’s completely lacking. Couple that with a poor script and the movie immediately becomes a low C-grade film.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

Four men—a lawyer, computer programmer, dentist, and plumber—find their gentleman’s weekend motorcycle club, The Wildhogs, needs to ‘prove up’ when challenged by another ‘real’ bike club, the Del Fuegos.

Additional Thanks

Thank You to Director Walt Becker for directing efforts. Thank you to Executive Producers Amy Sayres and Sharla Sumpter Bridgett for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Doug Madsen (Tim Allen), Woody Stevens (John Travolta), Bobby Davis (Martin Lawrence), Dudley Frank (William H. Macy), Jack (Ray Liotta), Maggie (Marisa Tomei), Red (Kevin Durand), Murdock (M.C. Gainey), Kelly Madsen (Jill Hennessy), and Billy Madsen (Dominic Janes).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

No. There are better movies about ‘proving up’—such as Drillbit Taylor and Waterboy.

Ben Meyers

THE SANTA CLAUSE 3: THE ESCAPE CLAUSE (Theatrical Release USA 2006)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 3.8|5.0 Starsììì

The Santa Clause 3: The Escape Clause—suitable to okay film—does not use the talents of Martin Short well. The camera work and presentation are suitable, but not outstanding. It's good to see Tim Allen suiting up for the holiday season again. The conclusion of the story is novel and quite unexpected.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

Jack Frost (Martin Short) makes his play for the position of Santa Claus (Tim Allen) and introduces his personal vision for the direction the North Pole should take for its sustainability as a commercial product.

Additional Thanks

Thank You to Director Michael Lembeck for directing efforts. Thank you to Executive Producers James Miller and William W. Wilson III for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Scott Calvin (Tim Allen), Mrs. Claus/Carol (Elizabeth Mitchell), Charlie (Eric Lloyd), Neil Miller (Judge Reinhold), Laura Miller (Wendy Crewson), Curtis (Spencer Breslin), Lucy Miller (Liliana Mumy), Sylvia Newman (Ann-Margaret), Bud Newman (Alan Arkin), Trish (Abigail Breslin), and Tooth Fairy (Art LaFleur).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Maybe. The movie is worth one viewing to finish the series. But, better choices for holiday movies are: A Christmas Story, The Nightmare Before Christmas, and for the Teen/Adult audience—El Camino Christmas. It is a suitable film overall and also is the last film in the series. Look for Ann Margaret's performance in the movie.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers 

THE SANTA CLAUSE (Theatrical Release USA 1994)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 3.9|5.0 Starsììì

The Santa Clause—a good, clean holiday flick for the preteen and adult audience—weighs in at the lovable and imaginative level. Tim Allen has the perfect charisma for the part of Santa Claus. Watch for Judge Reinhold as character Dr. Neil Miller and the late Peter Boyle as Mr. Whittle.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

Santa Claus slips from Scott Calvin’s (Tim Allen) roof and disappears into the front yard’s snow-covered lawn. When Scott dons Santa’s red coat, he begins metamorphosing into Santa’s successor.

Additional Thanks

Thank You to Director John Pasquin for directing efforts. Thank you to Executive Producers Richard Baker, Rick Messina, and James Miller for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Santa Claus (Tim Allen), Dr. Neil Miller (Judge Reinhold), Laura Calvin Miller (Wendy Crewson), Charlie Calvin (Eric Lloyd), Bernard the Elf (David Krumholtz), Detective Nunzio (Larry Brandenburg), Miss Daniels (Mary Gross), Judy the Elf (Paige Tamada), Mr. Whittle (Peter Boyle), Susan Perry (Judith Scott), Judy the Waitress (Jayne Eastwood), and Sarah the Little Girl (Melissa King).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. Refreshing holiday entertainment piece has great stage sets for each scene. The cast has been well-chosen for a quite pleasing film.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

THE SANTA CLAUSE 2 (Theatrical Release USA 2002)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 3.6|5.0 Starsììì

The Santa Claus 2 extends the story from 1994's The Santa Claus movie. The best part of this movie are the elves and an animated reindeer. It's an okay, rather charming, holiday watch for families. Film Poster Courtesy of Amazon Photos

Storyline  Santa begins losing weight and his Santa abilities. He starts turning into a regular person. He is informed that he needs to find a Mrs. Clause. if he wants to continue to be Santa Clause Additional Thanks

Thank You to Director Michael Lembeck for directing efforts. Thank you to Executive Producers Richard Baker, Rick Messina, James Miller, and William W. Wilson III for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Tim Allen, Elizabeth Mitchell, David Krumholtz, Eric Lloyd, Judge Reinhold, Wendy Crewson, Spencer Breslin, Liliana Mumy, Danielle Woodman, Art LaFleur, Aisha Tyler, Kevin Pollak, and Jay Thomas.

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Maybe. The story is cute and makes a good natured holiday watch for families.  Video Critique Available Here: Ben Meyers

THE SHAGGY DOG (Theatrical Release USA 2006)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 3.5|5.0 Starsììì

The Shaggy Dog can work both for a child and adult watch.  The film has some dog humor that does not serve comedy needs well. The original Shaggy Dog  film is a better watch than this film. 

Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images

Storyline

The film starts with Shaggy Dog, a 300-year-old bearded collie, living and worshipping in an Indian monastery, then quickly moves to an exciting kidnapping, and transporting of the Shaggy Dog to an American medical research laboratory that hopes to find the secret of its long life in its blood. The shaggy dog escapes with a syringe of its blood, makes its way to an elevator, and leaves the lab. It bites Tim Allen; Tim Allen turns into a shaggy dog and the movie is off and running

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director Bryan Robbins for directing efforts. Thank you to Executive Producers Matthew Carroll, William Fay, Todd Lieberman, and Robert Simonds for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Dave Douglas (Tim Allen), Rebecca Douglas (Kristin Davis), Carly Douglas (Zena Grey), Josh Douglas (Spencer Breslin), Ken Hollister (Danny Glover), Dr. Kozak (Robert Downey Jr.), Justin Forrester (Joshua Leonard), Trey (Shawn Pyfrom), and Dr. Gwen Lichtman (Bess Wohl).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Maybe. It’s an okay, fill-in-time film that runs on an odd storyline that is a complete rewrite from the original movie.

Video Critique available Here:

Ben Meyers