KILL THE IRISHMAN (Released to limited Theaters USA 2011)

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 4.0|5.0 Starsììì  Kill the Irishman—adult watch—ranks well with existing mafia movies. The use of Val Kilmer, Ray Stevenson, Vincent D’Onofrio, and Christopher Walken creates the perfect casting mix. Good watch overall. Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia  Storyline  The true story of the American gangster, Danny Greene.  Additional Thanks   Thank you to Director Jonathan Hensleigh for directing effort. Thank you to Producers Al Corley, Bart Rosenblatt, Eugene Musso, and Tommy Reid for making the film possible. Cast includes Ray Stevenson, Vincent D'Onofrio, Val Kilmer, and Christopher Walken. Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? Yes. It's a good watch overall when wanting a good gangster movie. Video Critique Available Here: Ben Meyers

DEATH WISH (Released to Theaters USA 2018)

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 3.8|5.0 Starsììì  Death Wish—Bruce Willis remake of the 1974 Charles Bronson's first Death Wish movie—bases its story in vigilante action when law agencies fail their duty. Bruce Willis plays cold in some sentimental scenes. He doesn't pull the power that Bronson did. Additionally, he plays softer in vigilante scenes. It does not open with the raunchy beginning scenes as did the Bronson film. The main character role for Paul Kersey is a medical doctor in this film, in the original Bronson film, he is an architect.  Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images Storyline  Paul Kersey’s wife and daughter end in the hospital after a break-in of his house by robbers. When Paul cannot find justice with the police, he does it himself.  Additional Thanks  Thank you to Director/Producer Eli Roth for directing effort. Thank you to Executive Producer Ilona Herzberg, for making the film possible. Cast includes: Bruce Willis, Vincent D'Onofrio, Elisabeth Shue, Camila Morrone, Dean Norris, Beau Knapp, Kimberly Elise, Len Cariou, Jack Kesy, and Ronnie Gene Blevins,. Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? Maybe. It is a suitable to okay watch, but does not have the same power as the Bronson film. Video Critique Available Here: Ben Meyers

THE NEWTON BOYS (South by Southwest Film Festival, Austin Texas USA 1998)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 4.0|5.0 Starsìììì

The Newton Boys—based on a true story—can be a little slow, but has enough comedy in it to push it into the ‘good watch’ category.  The film uses the talents of Matthew McConaughey, Ethan Hawke, Vincent D’Onofrio, and Skeet Ulrich to tell its story. It doesn’t have the flare that O Brother Where Art Thou (set roughly within the same time period) has, but it’s interesting to see another film that operates within that time frame and gives additional information of years when Charlie Chaplin was at the peak of his career, the Three Stooges were just coming on the screen, and Walt Disney, in about 5-7 years, was about to be the biggest name in children and family cartoons. This film is a little piece of history that is worth catching. Watch for the live interview of one of the Newton boys at the end of the movie.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

Willis Newton (Matthew McConaughey) finds robbing banks becomes much easier when one stays up-to-date and one step ahead of current technology.

Additional Thanks

Thank You to Director Richard Linklater for directing efforts. Thank you to Executive Producer John Sloss for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Joe Newton (Skeet Ulrich), Jess Newton (Ethan Hawke), Ma Newton (Gail Cronauer), Orphan Singer (Jena Karam), Orphan Singer (Casey McAuliffe), Orphan Fiddler (Regina Mae Matthews), Waiter (Lew Temple), Brentwood Glasscock (Dwight Yoakam), Slim (Charles Gunning), Farmer Williams (Glynn Williams), Bank Teller (Charles Bray), Tailor (Robert Iannaccone), Avis Glasscock (Chloe Webb), Crooked Banker (Gary Moody), and Louise Brown (Julianna Margulies).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes.  It sets a piece of American history, in an entertaining way, into a worth watching film.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers