JACKBOOTS ON WHITEHALL (Relelased to Theaters UK 2010)

 

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 3.8|5.0 Starsììì  Jackboots on Whitehall—British animated puppet spoof on World War II events—shows creativity, allows audience chuckles, and entertains. It has an all-star voice cast, good presentation and portrayal. This is an adult-only film. Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images Storyline  An alternative outcome of WWII events.   Additional Thanks  Thank you to the McHenry Brothers for directing the film. Thank you to Producers Patrick Scoffin, Karl Richards, and Frank Mannion for making the film possible. Cast includes Ewan McGregor, Rosamund Pike, Alan Cumming,  Timothy Spall, Tom Wilkinson, Sanjeeve Bhaskar, Richard E. Grant, Pam Ferris, Richard O'Brien, Richard Griffiths, Hugh Fraser, and Dominic West.  Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?  Maybe. Interesting watch that runs British slow but entertains on the intellectual level. Know this movie has been designed for a sophisticated, mature adult audience. The movie lost $6 million dollars in theatres and did not earn high recommendation by the majority of movie critics. Video Critique Available Here: Ben Meyers

NICHOLAS NICKLEBY (Theatrical Release USA 2002)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 4.4|5.0 Starsìììì

Nicholas Nickleby, a story revisited by both British and American studios since 1903, need not bow its head in shame to any of its multiple predecessors. The film relies on the excellence of Christopher Plummer, Jim Broadbent, Nathan Lane, Jamie Bell, Anne Hathaway, Timothy Spall, and Alan Cummings to portray its story. Kudos to Director Douglas McGrath for another outstandingly directed film. Everything works in this Charles Dickens’ classic.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

Good faith and justice win over evil scheming and greed as youthful Nicholas Nickleby (Charlie Hunnam) finds his way in the world.

Additional Thanks

Thank You to Director Douglas McGrath for directing effort. Thank you to Executive Producers Gail Egan, Michael Hogan, and Robert Kessel for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Mrs. Nickleby (Stella Gonet), Mr. Nickleby (Andrew Havill), Child Nicholas Nickleby (Henry McGrath), Boy Nicholas Nickleby (Hugh Mitchell), Child Kate Nickleby (Poppy Rogers), Young Kate Nickleby (Jessie Lou Roberts), Kate Nickleby (Romola Garai), Newman Noggs (Tom Courtenay), Ralph Nickleby (Christopher Plummer), Madeline Bray (Anne Hathaway), Mr. Wackford Squeers (Jim Broadbent), Mr. Wackford Squeers (Jim Broadbent), Parent (Angela Curran), Smike (Jamie Bell), and Mrs. Squeers (Juliet Stevenson).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. The storyline does not lose on the kindness level and runs on a perfectly executed script. Bravo to all involved in the film’s release.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

ENCHANTED (Released to Theaters USA 2007)

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 4.1|5.0 Starsìììì 

Enchanted—rich costuming that does not bespeak stinginess in design or use of fabric—serves sweetness of heart on a very huge platter. Great concept that serves a child/adult share movie's needs very well. James Marsden plays the part of a prince well. Patrick Dempsey is great.  

Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images

Storyline 

 A Fairy Tale Princess gets thrown into the real world by an evil Queen before the princess can marry her prince. 

 Additional Thanks

 Thank you to Director Kevin Lima for directing effort. Thank you to Executive Producer Christopher Chase, Sunil Perkash, and Ezra Swerdlow for making the film possible. Cast includes Amy Adams, Patrick Dempsey, James Marsden, Timothy Spall, Idina Menzel, Rachel Covey, Susan Sarandon, Julie Andrews, Jeff Bennett, Kevin Lima, and Emma Rose Lima. 

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? 

Yes. This movie is a good one-time watch. Good work for all involved in production.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

APPALOOSA (Theatrical Release USA 2008)

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 3.8|5.0 Starsììì 

Appaloosa is a good show and worth watching especially for the storyline. The presentation is good; the portrayal is okay. The acting is good. The movie quickly becomes an immersive watch that drives a strong need to finish it. It is not predictable and ends on an unexpected note. Viggo Mortensen plays the western genre very well. Know there is suggestive dialog, some nudity from a distance, but it is not over-the-top and it does not serve as the main, repetitive, scene after scene purpose of the movie. 

Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images 

Storyline 

A smalltown marshal becomes interested in the arrival of a prospective female resident while simultaneously working to clean up the town. 

Additional Thanks 

Thank you to Director Ed Harris for directing effort. Thank you to Producers Ed Harris, Robert Knott, and Ginger Sledge for making the film possible. Cast includes: Viggo Mortensen, Ed Harris, Renee Zellweger, Jeremy Irons, Timothy Spall, and Lance Henriksen. 

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? 

Yes. This worth-watching western teams Viggo Mortensen and Ed Harris to portray the story. The story makes this movie. 

Video Critique Available Here: 

Ben Meyers