MEN IN BLACK (Theatrical Release USA 1997)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 4.5|5.0 Starsìììì

Men in Black—unforgettable film that establishes classic status within the first five minutes—doesn’t flag in its deliverance of originality, creativity, and novelty in every scene and dialogue line. Tommy Lee Jones and Will Smith are a great casting combination. Tony Shalhoub, Vincent D’Onofrio, Rip Torn, and Siobhan Fallon Hogan are terrific choices for supporting cast. This film is award winning entertainment. Great storyline, script, and portrayal. The imaginative rendering of a variety of alien life forms makes this movie outstanding.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

Kay (Tommy Lee Jones) serves as an enforcer for aliens who live on earth under a variety of disguises.

Additional Thanks

Thank You to Director Barry Sonnenfeld for directing effort. Thank you to Executive Producer Steven Spielberg for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Jay (Will Smith), Laurel Weaver (Linda Fiorentino), Edgar (Vincent D’Onofiro), Zed (Rip Torn), Jeebs (Tony Shalhoub), Beatrice (Siobhan Fallon Hogan), Gentle Rosenburg (Mike Nussbaum), Van Driver (Jon Gries), José (Sergio Calderón), Arquillian (Carel Struycken), INS Agent Janus (Fredric Lehne), Dee (Richard Hamilton), First Lieutenant Jake Jensen (Kent Faulcon), Mikey (John Alexander), and Perp (Keith Campbell).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. Once in a while a movie is produced that stands alone as completely unique—a one and only. This film is it. It’s winning entertainment.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

BAD BOYS: RIDE OR DIE (Released to Theaters USA 2024)

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 4.0|5.0 Starsìììì  Bad Boys: Ride or Die—suitable, not as good as the last two films in the series—is the fourth movie in the Bad Boys lineup.  While the acting is good to suitable, this movie lacks the vibrancy of previous movies almost as if Martin Lawrence and Will Smith are just going through the motions with little attention to detail. But this film, none the less, tells a good enough story that it is worth watching. Be aware that the comedy runs along the lines of previous Bad Boy movies and may not be suitable for the family watch. Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images  Storyline Mike Lowrey and Marcus Burnett are at it again. This time they have to prove that their former police captain was not involved in a drug cartel.   Additional Thanks  Thank you to Directors Adil and Bilall for directing effort. Thank you to Producers Jerry Bruckheimer, Will Smith, Chad Oman, and Doug Belgrad for making the film possible.  Cast includes Will Smith, Martin Lawrence, Vanessa Hudgens, Alexander Ludwig, Paola Nunez, Jacob Scipio.  Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?  Yes. It is not great, but it works. Video Critique Available Here: Ben Meyers

SPIES IN DISGUISE (Released to Theaters USA 2019)

 

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 4.0|5.0 Starsìììì  Spies in Disguise—not spectacular—needs some improvement. While the animation is good, both the story and its presentation work more at the average level. Listen for Tom Holland's voice as Walter, the gadget inventor. Remember this actor played Spider-Man in the film, Spider-Man: Homecoming and Nathan Drake in the movie, Uncharted. Another 'cool' in this film is to hear Will Smith voicing one of the animated spies.  Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images Storyline The spy, Lance Sterling, is loved by his co-workers, and one of the best spies at the H.T.U.V. Spy Agency. He needs to talk to Walter Beckett, his gadget man; so, he locates Walter on GPS and walks in on Walter as he completes his new pigeon serum. Lance accidentally drinks the serum and Walter helplessly watches as Lance turns into a pigeon. Now Lance needs Walter's help to complete the new mission which becomes a bigger adventure than anticipated.  Additional Thanks Thank you to Directors Nick Bruno and Troy Quane for directing effort. Thank you to Executive Producers Kori Adelson and Chris Wedge for making the film possible. Cast includes Rachel Brosnahan, Jarret Bruno, Claire Crosby, Toru Uchicado, Hisato Masuyama, Will Smith, Reba McEntire, Mark Ronson, Masi Oka, and Tom Holland.   Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?  Yes. This animated feature, while not spectacular, deserves its one-time watch.   Video Critique Available Here: Ben Meyers

CONCUSSION (Released to Theaters USA 2016)

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 4.5|5.0 Starsìììì 

Concussion—WOW!—is one of those films made very good because of  the chosen casting. Will Smith makes the movie shine and makes it very real.  The storyline revolves around football head injuries and the aftermath of those injuries. This film has a great script with dialogue lines that are above average. Camera work, lighting, all stand at above average levels. This serves as a quality watch. Look for Alec Baldwin, Albert Brooks, David Morse, and Adewale Akinnouye-Abaje who round out the rest of the cast exceptionally well. 

Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images 

Storyline                                                                                     

 A doctor reveals the danger of concussions and their aftermath in football field injuries. 

Additional Thanks 

Thank you to Director Peter Landesman for directing effort. Thank you to Executuve Producers Greg Basser, Bruce Berman, David Crockett, Michael Schaefer, Ben Waisbren, and Producer  Elizabeth Cantillon, Giannina Facio, Ridley Scott, Larry Shuman, David Wolthoff, for making the film possible. Cast includes Will Smith, Alec Baldwin, Albert Brooks, Gugu Mbatha-Raw, David Morse, Arliss Howard, Mike O'Malley, Eddie Marsan, Hill Harper, Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje,

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? 

Yes. This film belongs in the home video library and serves as a good teen/adult share watch. Thank to all involved in making a film that is more than worth watching. 

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

KING RICHARD (Theatrical Release USA 2021)

 Ben Meyers’ Rating: 4.3|5.0 Starsìììì 

King Richard—inspirational film—makes an instant move to the family home video library. WOW! This is a ‘do not miss’ movie. Nearly everything about it works. Not only does Will Smith completely develop his role well, but the casting of Aunjanue Ellis as Oracene “Brandy” Willams, Saniyya Sidney and Demi Singleton as the two sisters Venus and Serena Williams are simply a dream come true. This movie leaves a GREAT clear-down-to-the-toes good feeling. 

Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images 

Storyline 

A father works with his two daughters to help them achieve and secure a good life playing professional tennis. 

Additional Thanks 

Thank you to Reinaldo Marcus Green for directing effort. Thank you to Producers Tim White, Trevor White, and Will Smith for making the film possible. Cast includes: Will Smith, Aunjanue Ellis, Saniyya Sidney, Demi Singleton, Tony Goldwyn, and Jon Bernthal. 

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? 

Yes. More than worth watching! Wonderful film about the importance of planning for a great life and then unrelentingly pursuing that dream. Will Smith is a good pick for this film with outstanding skill and understanding of Venus and Serena Williams’ father, Richard Williams. 

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

BAD BOYS FOR LIFE (Theatrical Release USA 2020)

 

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 4.4|5.0 Starsìììì Bad Boys for Life—Will Smith and Martin Lawrence—is the third film in the Bad Boys series. This movie follows the formatting of the previous films both in comedic value and action. It’s a fun watch for the adult audience who values comedy teamed with action. The story has a surprise ending and the movie easily earns its watch. Good artistic effort from the team who produced the movie. Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images Storyline  A drug cartel focuses attention on the law team who killed its leader. Additional Thanks Thank you to Director Adil El Arbi & Bilall Farlah for directing effort. Thank you to Producers Jerry Bruckheimer, Will Smith, and Doug Belgrad for making the film possible. Cast includes: Will Smith, Martin Lawrence, Paola Nuñez, Vanessa Hudgens, Alexander Ludwig, Charles Melton, Kate del Castillo, Nicky Jam, and Joe Pantoliano. Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? Yes. The comedic value in this movie is on par with the rest of the series. It will suit fans of the series and serves as adult entertainment.   Video Critique Available Here:  Ben Meyers