VALKYRIE (Released to Theaters USA 2008)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 4.5|5.0 Starsìììì

Valkyrie—one of the best directed World War II films—sits among Ben Meyers International Movie Critics favorite films of 2008. The storyline revolves around the Hitler assassination attempt by Germany’s highest ranking military leaders. Great acting and portrayal.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

Colonel Claus Von Stauffenberg (Tom Cruise) attempts to assassinate Hitler (David Bamber).

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director Bryan Singer for directing efforts. Thank you to Executive Producers Ken Kamins, Chris Lee, John Ottman, Dwight C. Schar, Mark Shapiro, and Daniel M. Snyder; Music Composer John Ottman; and Script Writers Christopher McQuarrie and Nathan Alexander for making possible an outstanding film. Cast include: Tom Cruise, Kenneth Branagh, Bill Nighy, Tom Wilkinson, Terence Stamp, Eddie Izzard and David Bamber.

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. A wonderful presentation for Tom Cruise fans.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE-FALLOUT (Theatrical Release USA 2018)

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 4.2|5.0 Starsìììì 

Mission: Impossible-Fallout—basic, good story—is about as good as the last Mission Impossible movie. Casting relies on Tom Cruise, Simon Pegg, Ving Rhames, Alec Baldwin, Henry Cavill, Angela Bassett, Rebecca Ferguson, and Sean Harris to present this espionage movie. There are some suggestive themes, but overall, it serves the espionage audience with its light approach to its subject and storyline.

 Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images

Storyline 

Ethan Hunt and his crew lose 3 plutonium cores to a terrorist group. Now they have to get them back. 

Additional Thanks 

Thank you to Director Christopher McQuarrie for directing effort. Thank you to Producers Tom Cruise, J. J. Abrams, Christopher McQuarrie, and Jake Myers for making the film possible. Cast includes: Tom Cruise, Henry Cavill, Ving Rhames, Simon Pegg, Rebecca Ferguson, Sean Harris, Angela Bassett, Michelle Monaghan, and Alec Baldwin. 

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. Mission Impossible fans will not be disappointed. It is a good, simple espionage entertainment piece that features Tom Cruise. It’s worth a watch.

 Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

  

TOP GUN: MAVERICK (Theatrical Release USA 2022)

 Ben Meyers’ Rating: 4.4|5.0 Starsìììì 

Top Gun: Maverick—WOW!—has terrific action, storyline, and dialogue lines. The story has come to its maturity and presents onscreen at a much higher level than the original Top Gun movie. Tom Cruise takes this film to the next level in entertainment value with his terrific supporting cast. It easily becomes one of the better military films marketed and easily establishes itself as a prime candidate for addition to the home video library. It has entertainment value written all over it. 

Film Poster of Google Images 

Storyline 

This war film is about precision air fighters who must remove a set of targets perceived as dangerous to world safety. 

Additional Thanks 

Thank you to Director Joseph Kosinski for directing effort. Thank you to Producers Jerry Bruckheimer, Tom Cruise, Christopher McQuarrie, and David Ellison for making the film possible. Cast includes: Tom Cruise, Miles Teller, Jennifer Connelly, Jon Hamm, Glen Powell, Lewis Pullman, Ed Harris, and Val Kilmer. 

Buy a Ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? 

Yes. This movie defines great storytelling and improves vastly on the first Top Gun movie. It shows maturity, values courage and loyalty, and the importance of rehearsal and training. Wonderful work for all involved in production. Incredibly well-written piece of entertainment.

 Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE-ROGUE NATION (Theatrical Release USA 2015)

 Ben Meyers’ Rating: 4.3|5.0 Starsìììì 

Mission Impossible: Rogue Nation—completely entertaining—shows its audience why Tom Cruise is a great actor. He has a terrific supporting cast: Jeremy Renner, Simon Pegg, Rebecca Ferguson, Ving Rhames, Alec Baldwin, and Sean Harris. This is the fifth installment of the Mission: Impossible series and is the best in the series. Part 6 rolls out in 2018 as Mission Impossible: Fallout. This film, Mission Impossible: Rogue Nation, easily earns its right to be added to the home video collection. It earns its watch and its investment of money. 

Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images 

Storyline 

This action spy thriller film is about an Impossible Missions’ Force (IMF) agent working between the Syndicate and the IMF to prevent threatening events from becoming active. 

Additional Thanks 

Thank you to Director Christopher McQuarrie for directing effort. Thank you to Producers Tom Cruise, J.J. Abrams, Bryan Burk, David Ellison, Dana Goldberg, and Don Granger for making the film possible. Cast members include: Tom Cruise, Jeremy Renner, Simon Pegg, Ving Rhames, Rebecca Ferguson, Sean Harris, and Alec Baldwin. 

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? 

Yes. This is a much better watch than the other films in this series with a higher entertainment value. 

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE (Theatrical Release USA 1996)

 Ben Meyers’ rating: 4.1|5.0 Starsìììì 

Mission: Impossible—simple, cookie cutter story starring Tom Cruise—generates 6 films from 1996 to 2018 and schedules 2 more films for 2022 and 2023. Not much happens in these movies, but they continue to capture the same mystique of the original television series and with their generally all-star casts accomplish the task of entertaining the audience well.

Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images 

Storyline 

Ethan takes on a mission impossible. 

Additional Thanks 

Thank you to Director Brian De Palma for directing effort. Thank you to Producers Tom Cruise and Paula Wagner for directing effort. Characters/cast include: Ethan Hunt (Tom Cruise), Jim Phelps (Jon Voight), Claire Phelps (Emmanuelle Beart), Luther Stickell (Ving Rhames), Max (Vanessa Redgrave), Eugene Kittridge (Henry Czerny), Franz Krieger (Jean Reno), and Sarah Davies (Kristin Thomas). 

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? 

Yes. This is very well done and is a good start for watching a series that becomes one of the longest running movie series along with Star Wars, Sharknado, and Indiana Jones, to name a few. The film works overall. 

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

KNIGHT AND DAY (Theatrical Release USA 2010)

 Ben Meyers’ rating: 4.3|5.0 Starsìììì

Knight and Day puts its action on the road very early on with Tom Cruise and Cameron Diaz. The movie works for its money and delivers a thrilling and exciting watch.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia 

Storyline 

A young woman is caught in a CIA investigation.

Additional Thanks 

Thank you to Director James Marigold for directing effort. Thank you to Producers Cathy Konrad, Todd Garner, and Steve Pink for making the film possible. Characters/cast include: Roy Miller (Tom Cruise), June Havens (Cameron Diaz), John Fitzgerald (Peter Sarsgaard), Antonio Quintana (Jordi Molla), CIA Director Isabel George (Viola Davis), Simon Feck (Paul Dano), Bernhard (Falk Hentschel), and Rodney (Marc Blucas).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? 

Yes. The movie is not bad at all. The suspense and intrigue integrate charmingly.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

TROPIC THUNDER (Theatrical Release USA 2008)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 3.0|5.0 Starsììì

Tropic Thunder—a fun, spoof on Hollywood—turns into an action movie with a twist. Ben Stiller, Jack Black, Robert Downy Jr., and with an introduction of Brandon T. Jackson, starts roughly, but finally mellows out into a fair comedy. Look for Tropic Thunder’s special surprise guest star—Tom Cruise.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

Three, less-than-outstanding, actors believe they are cast in a war flick. Believing they are on a set, they proceed to the best acting of their lives as they unknowingly fight real-life jungle drug lords.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director Ben Stiller for directing efforts. Thank you to Executive Producer Justin Theroux for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Snooty Waiter/Fatties Trailer (Jeff Kahn), Kirk Lazarus (Robert Downey, Jr.), Platoon Sergeant Shot in Head (Anthony Ruivivar), Jeff Portnoy/Hot LZ (Jack Black), Kevin Sandusky/Hot LZ (Jay Baruchel), Alpa Chino/Hot LZ (Brandon T. Jackson), Tugg Speedman/Hot LZ (Ben Stiller), Chopper Pilot/Hot LZ (Eric Winzenried), and Damien Cockburn/Vietnam Crew (Steve Coogan).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. The film is for an adult audience.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers