MEGAN LEAVEY (Theatrical Release USA 2017)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 4.0|5.0 Starsìììì

Megan Leavey moves itself out of B-grade status partly due to its choice of subject matter—military canine detection and their handler units, establishment of a female in a male-dominated soldier unit, and the interweaving of a second underlying story that graphically shows a specific type of home-life with which some enlisted personnel must rationalize and come to terms. While the film does not establish itself in the academy award winning class, it does have a certain aura, created by actress Kate Mara, that pushes it into a good, solid watch category. The film firmly broadens education about deployed army canines, their retirement, and usefulness to war efforts.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

Soldier Megan Leavey (Kate Mara) requests canine duty and deploys with a highly aggressive male dog.

Additional Thanks

Thank You to Director Gabriela Cowperthwaite for directing efforts. Thank you to Executive Producers Jose Luis Escolar, Scott Holroyd, Robert Huberman, and Nicole Stojkovich for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Jackie (Edie Falco), Barbie (Alisa Harris), Receiving Marine #1 (Nick Madrick), Receiving Marine #2 (Jason Turner), Female Drill Instructor #1 (Sasha Morfaw), Female Drill Instructor #2 (Jennifer Duke), Female Drill Instructor #3 (Megan Leavey), Jim (Will Patton), Master Sergeant (Corey Johnson), Jones (Andrew Moon), Timmins (Alicia Lobo), Lopez (Melina Matthews), and Drunk Guy in Bar (Luka Peros).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. This flick has a universal appeal that supersedes its war movie classification.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

A MIGHTY HEART (Released to Theaters USA 2007)

 

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 3.8|5.0 Starsììì  A Mighty Heart—disorganized and bluntly presented—has a suitable to okay presentation. It has a good story and once started, audiences will want to finish it.   Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia Storyline A pregnant journalist sees her journalist husband off where he expects to get a scoop on the war on terror in Pakistan.    Additional Thanks  Thank you to Director Michael Winterbottom for directing effort. Thank you to Producers Brad Pitt, Dede Gardner, and Andrew Eaton for making the film possible. Cast includes Angelina Jolie, Dan Futterman, Irrfan Khan, Archie Panjabi, and Will Patton.  Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?  Maybe. It has a lot to fix to increase flow. But the story is interesting to some extent and tells its story suitably well. Video Critique Available Here: Ben Meyers

THE POSTMAN (Released to Theaters USA 1997)

 

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 4.0|5.0 Starsìììì  The Postman—Kevin Costner—examines how a country can rebuild itself after a disruptive war event that has cut all communication ties that may be left. Inspirational. The progression of events in this story are an inspired-type of writing  rarely seen in film. This film is nearly 3 hours long so one needs to settle in for a long sit down view time or plan a 2 night or day entertainment scheduling for those audiences on tight time schedules. Know that every minute of view time is critical as every moment of the story ties to the conclusion and will not be understood if missed. It's a sit and watch that examines the first type of government that arises from chaotic crises. Do NOT miss this film. Film Poster Courtesy of IMDb  Storyline   A wanderer in a post apocalyptical USA stays one night with the skeleton of a former postman, salvages the postman's clothing, travels to the remains of Pineview, Oregon posing as a legitimate postman with a bag of mail. Over time, he continues his charade and eventually his work establishes hope, inspires society reform, and rebuilds a fallen USA on the northwest coast. Additional Thanks Thank you to Director and Producer Kevin Costner for directing and producing effort. Thank you to Producer Steve Tisch, Jim Wilson, and Line Producer Lester Berman, for making the film possible. Casting includes Kevin Costner, Will Patton, Larenz Tate, Olivia Williams, James Russo, Daniel Von Bargen, Tom Petty, Scott Bairstow, Giovanni Ribisi, Roberta Maxwell, and Joe Santos. Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?  Yes. This is a good film overall. There is some adult content. The movie establishes itself as a classic from its beginning to its conclusion. Video Critique Available Here: Ben Meyers

REMEMBER THE TITANS (Theatrical Release USA 2000)

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 4.0|5.0 Starsìììì 

Remember the Titans—inspirational sports film—accesses the acting talents of Denzel Washington. Watch particularly for the terrific acting by Hayden Panetierre as Coach Yoast’s daughter. This film is a good addition to the home video library. 

Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images 

Storyline 

A black football coach is hired to coach in an all-white high school. 

Additional Thanks 

Thank you to Director Boaz Yakin for directing effort. Thank you to Producers Jerry Bruckheimer and Chad Oman for making the film possible. Cast includes: Denzel Washington, Will Patton, Wood Harris, Ryan Hurst, Donald Faison, Craig Kirkwood, Ethan Suplee, Kip Pardue Hayden Panettiere, Nicole Ari Parker, Kate Bosworth, Earl Poitier, Ryan Gosling, and Burgess Jenkins. 

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? 

Yes. This is a good sports film with a great storyline. It is worth watching. 

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers 

ENTRAPMENT (Theatrical Release USA 1999)

 Ben Meyers’ Rating: 4.3|5.0 Starsìììì 

Entrapment—Sean Connery and Catherine Zeta Jones team to make a movie as interesting and entertaining as any James Bond 007. Sean Connery unleashes his royal charm to its full effect. 

Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images 

Storyline 

Two professional thieves team to steal a fortune. 

Additional Thanks 

Thank you to Director Jon Amiel for directing effort. Thank you to Producers Sean Connery, Michael Hertzberg, and Rhonda Tollefson for making the film possible. Cast includes: Sean Connery, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Will Patton, Maury Chaykin, Ving Rhames, and Maya Karin. 

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? 

Yes. This is good writing supported by good acting. Great Sean Connery story. 

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

MEEK’S CUTOFF (Theatrical Release Canada 2011)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 3.8|5.0 Starsììì

Meek’s Cutoff experimentally uses a writing technique where the audience, unfamiliar with the history behind Oregon scout and wagon train leader Stephen Meek’s decision to blaze a new wagon train trail, can interpret and debate the meaning of the final scene. For those familiar with the history, however, the final scene is known and understood. The film uses seasoned actors Bruce Greenwood and Will Patton along with some newer actors, Paul Dano and Michelle Williams, to complete its story. The cast works well together. This film does not follow a strong western ‘shoot ‘em up, ride it hard’ format.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

Native American challenges lead to the blazing of a new trail by Oregon pioneers.

Additional Thanks

Thank You to Director Kelly Reichardt for directing effort. Thank you to Executive Producers Todd Haynes, Phil Morrison, Andrew Pope, Laura Rosenthal, Mike S. Ryan, Rajen Savjani, and Steven Tuttleman for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Emily Tetherow (Michelle Williams), Stephen Meek (Bruce Greenwood), Soloman Tetherow (Will Patton), Millie Gately (Zoe Kazan), Thomas Gately (Paul Dano), Glory White (Shirley Henderson), William White (Neal Huff), Jimmy White (Tommy Nelson), and The Indian (Rod Rondeaux).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. The film relies on good acting despite its ambiguously blunt ending.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers