THE LAST HOLIDAY (Released to Theaters USA 2006)

 

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 3.9|5.0 Starsììì  The Last Holiday—is well done, simple 'feel good' movie—is a retake on the 1950 film The Last Holiday that featured the male lead, Alec Guinness. It's a clean, decent watch that makes a good family share movie.     Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images Storyline A department store clerk accidentally bangs her head on a cupboard door and has to be transported to the hospital for a head scan.  Additional Thanks  Thank you to Director Wayne Wang for directing effort. Thank you to Producers Laurence Mark and Jack Rapke for making the film possible. Cast includes Queen Latifah, LL Cool J, Timothy Hutton, Gerard Depardieu, Alicia Witt, and Giancarlo Esposito.  Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?  Yes This is a 'feel good' movie that works for an entire family. Video Critique Available Here: Ben Meyers

THE GENERAL'S DAUGHTER (Released to Theaters USA 1999)

 

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 3.8|5.0 Starsììì  The General’s Daughter—not for the faint of heart—presents an odd story about government and military coverup that refuses to establish justice for an individual. Most of this film creates a suitable/good watch but not a great watch.   Poster Courtesy of Google Images Storyline  A female Captain is found dead, and the investigation is on.     Additional Thanks Thank you to Simon West for directing effort. Thank you to Producer Mace Neufeld for making the film possible. Cast includes John Travolta,  Madeleine Stowe, James Cromwell, Timothy Hutton,  Clarence Williams III, and James Woods. Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?  Maybe. If the graphic content was not there, it would have been better, inclusive of the family watch to provide good, after-viewing discussion. The story itself needs to be told. Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

DIGGING TO CHINA (Theatrical Release USA 1998)

 Ben Meyers’ Rating: 4.0|5.0 Starsìììì 

Digging to China—simple story—can be a depressing watch due to long-term life choices of a mother and her daughter that impact the youngest girl’s ability to deal with reality. Evan Rachel Wood shows youthful acting talent as she interprets the running away from her life role. Kevin Bacon has some difficulty holding a continuous physical enactment of his role with complete consistency and continuity.  The movie cannot begin to compete with movies like Rain Man, One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest or Awakenings. 

Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images 

Storyline 

A young girl attempts to help a man who suffers from birth trauma. 

Additional Thanks 

Thank you to Director Timothy Hutton for directing effort. Thank you to Producers Marilyn Vance, Alan Mruvka, J. Todd Harris, John Davis, David Friendly, Stephen Nemeth, Ernst Stroh, Ladd Vance, and Cathy Goodman for making the film possible. Cast includes: Kevin Bacon, Mary Stuart Masterson, Cathy Moriarty, and Evan Rachel Wood. 

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? 

Yes. The movie earns a watch.

Video Critique Available Here: 

Ben Meyers