FENCES (Theatrical Release USA 2016)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 4.9|5.0 Starsìììì

Fences combines Denzel Washington and Viola Davis in an encore, BRAVO! performance that dramatically captures a moment in marriage and plays it according to choices made by the main players caught in the situation. The film defines the word, masterpiece. Great work for all involved with a special thank you to the outstanding drama direction by Denzel Washington.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

Troy Maxson (Denzel Washington) seeks happiness through control of his world as he understands it.

Additional Thanks

Thank You to Director Denzel Washington for directing effort. Thank you to Executive Producers Molly Allen, Eli Bush, Aaron L. Gilbert, Charles D. King, Andrew Pollack, Kim Roth, and Dale Wells for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Rose Maxson (Viola Davis), Jim Bono (Stephen Henderson), Cory (Jovan Adepo), Lyons (Russell Hornsby), Gabriel (Mykelti Williamson), Raynell (Saniyya Sidney), Deputy Commissioner (Christopher Mele), and Evangelist Preacher (Lesley Boone).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. The film works at the emotional level and supports itself with powerful acting performances. One of the best, if not the best, dramas of 2016. Beautiful! Kudos to all involved in its production.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

KUNG FU PANDA 4 (Released to Theaters USA 2024)

 

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 3.9|5.0 Starsììì Kung Fu Panda 4—fourth film in this DreamWorks' series—tries to keep the quality of the third film in place, but this movie lacks the spirit of the third series' film. While it is much more fun than DreamWorks 2023 release of Ruby Gillman, the Teenage Kracken, it still borders on the edge of its final acid test. Voice actors reprise their roles and the animation maintains its quality. Overall, the movie earns its money and time for viewing.  Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images Storyline   Po fights a shape shifting, villainous chameleon who wants all power. Additional Thanks Thank you to Director and Executive Producer Mike Mitchell and Co-Director Stephanie Stine for directing effort. Thank you to Producer Rebecca Huntley for making the film possible. Cast includes Jack Black, Awkwafina, Viola Davis, Dustin Hoffman, Bryan Cranston, James Hong, Ian McShane, Ke Huy Quan, Ronny Chieng, and Seth Rogen. Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?  Yes. Overall, this is a good child/adult share movie. Video Critique Available Here: Ben Meyers

AIR (Theatrical Release USA 2023)

 

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 4.3|5.0 Starsìììì 

Air—stand up and cheer movie—deserves its place in the home video library. A quality watch that makes an audience feel glad becomes an instructive story about entrepreneurship and what goes on behind the scenes before a terrific outcome can be realized. This is a learning/educational movie. WOW! It’s the perfect movie about creating win/win solutions to sticky challenges. Particularly note the concern Nike executives display for the future of their employees who are depending on them to make good decisions that make jobs secure and long-lasting. 

Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images 

Storyline 

This documentary is about the Nike shoe company’s decision to pursue Michael Jordan to represent their sports shoe. 

Additional Thanks 

Thank you to Director Ben Affleck for directing effort. Thank you to Producers David Ellison, Jesse Sisgold, Jon Weinbach, Ben Affleck, Matt Damon, Madison Ainley, Jeff Robinove, Peter Guber, and Jason Michael Berman for making the film possible. Cast includes: Matt Damon, Ben Affleck, Jason Bateman, Marlon Wayans, Chris Messina, Chris Tucker, and Viola Davis. 

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? 

Yes. This film has lots of spunk. It’s a must watch for entrepreneurs. It has great writing, presentation, and acting. Don’t miss it. 

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

THE SUICIDE SQUAD (Theatrical Release USA 2021)

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 3.6|5.0 Starsììì 

The Suicide Squad—better writing in some places than the last film—has over-the-top gore and violence that can cause an adult to feel queasy.  Almost every scene presents the unexpected mini-climax that keeps a viewer from being able to build toward a conclusion. It’s an unexpected presentation format that is interesting for its novelty but creates difficulty for the critic to find common ground to compare it to other movies within this genre. It’s like mixing evil with evil and then wondering how that cake is going to taste after baking. Casting chose an excellent cast that includes, but is not limited to: Idris Elba, John Cena, Margot Robbie who reprises her role as Harley Quinn, Michael Rooker, Viola Davis who reprises her role as Amanda Waller, and the voice of Sylvester Stallone (as King Shark), and Pete Davidson. This film may be watched best at home rather than the theater setting as free vetting of verbal ‘Uggghhh’ and averting of eyes can be done privately rather than publicly.

 Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images

Storyline 

This spy action film is about Amanda Waller sending two new teams of super human criminals undercover to stop scientific work that does not serve United States’ interests. 

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director James Gunn for directing effort. Thank you to Producers Charles Roven and Peter Safran for making the film possible. Cast includes: Margot Robbie, Idris Elba, John Cena, Joel Kinnaman, Sylvester Stallone, and Viola Davis. 

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? 

Maybe. The graphic, violent gore is over-the-top…enough to make a grown adult feel queasy. It definitely is not for children. But, to be fair, it is creative with a fresh story quite unlike any presented in previous superhero films.

Video Critique Available Here:

 

Ben Meyers

SUICIDE SQUAD (Theatrical Release USA 2016)

 Ben Meyers’ Rating: 3.8|5.0 Starsììì 

Suicide Squad—cool concept—fails to use its concept to good advantage. It’s an average, ho-hum film that does not have relatable characters. The actors seem out of place in character and the result is a weak watch. 

Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images 

Storyline 

The United States’ government begins a project to implant small bombs in human necks which can be detonated if that person ‘rebels’.

Additional Thanks 

Thank you to Director David Ayer for directing effort. Thank you to Producers Charles Roven and Richard Suckle for making the film possible. Cast includes: Will Smith, Jared Leto, Margot Robbie, Joel Kinnaman, Viola Davis, Jai Courtney, Jay Hernandez, Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje, Ike Barinholtz, Scott Eastwood, and Cara Delevigne. 

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? 

Maybe. Do not expect a ‘rip-roaring’ movie experience. The movie is okay, not horrible, but could have been so much better.

Video Critique Available Here: 

Ben Meyers

OPRAH + VIOLA: A NETFLIX SPECIAL EVENT (Video Release World-Wide 2022)

 Ben Meyers’ rating: 4.4|5.0 Starsìììì 

Oprah + Viola: A Netflix Special Event—short film—seems a little rushed and that ‘rush’ adds a coolness to the presentation. Despite this, Oprah still delivers a thorough interview that provides a good review of Davis’ memoirs. It’s professional and provides a good watch. 

Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images 

Storyline 

Oprah reviews Viola Davis’ book and also, in this interview, asks difficult questions about Ms. Davis’ childhood. 

Additional Thanks 

Thank you to Oprah Winfrey and Viola Davis for making the film possible. 

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? 

Yes. This is a good interview and worth watching. 

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers