WAR FOR THE PLANET OF THE APES (Theatrical Release USA 2017)

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 4.2|5.0 Starsìììì 

War for the Planet of the Apes—very good camera work, acting, and special effects—intersperses its story with enlargement and explication of the old movie series. This movie is the best of the series of films. Planet of the Apes fans will not be disappointed in this watch. 

Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images 

Storyline 

A war develops between humans and apes for ultimate dominance of earth. 

Additional Thanks 

Thank you to Director Matt Reeves for directing the film. Thank you to Producers Peter Chernin, Dylan Clark, Rick Jaffa, and Amanda Silver for making the film possible. Cast includes: Andy Serkis, Woody Harrelson, Steve Zahn, Karin Konoval, Amiah Miller, Terry Notary, Ty Olsson, Michael Adamthwaite, Toby Kebbell, Gabriel Chavarria, Judy Greer, Sara Canning, Devyn Dalton, and Aleks Paunovic.

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? 

Yes. This movie plays within a highly realistic framework and, while it is more darkly themed than other Planet of the Apes films, it earns its watch and will be appreciated particularly by Planet of the Apes movie fans. 

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

ZOMBIELAND (Theatrical Release USA 2009)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 3.9|5.0 Starsììì

Zombieland—creative and different—plays out as one of the better movies of 2009. This film creates a surprisingly good acting team of Woody Harrelson and Jesse Eisenberg. The single faux pas in the storyline comes toward its conclusion with a manipulated scenario where Wichita and Little Rock make their way to a carnival in California, deliberately start all the lights and carnival machinery while in the middle of a Los Angeles-sized Zombie population. The audience, at this point, asks, ‘Really?’ The scene, 'a little fun' in trade for 'a sure death wish', comes off as a thinly disguised story manipulation to allow Tallahassee and Columbus to save the day and win their girls. That artifice costs film enjoyment. However, Zombieland still creates interest in Director Ruben Fleischer’s (producer and writer of Rob & Big on MTV) creative work and asks for a sequel that involves Woody Harrelson and Jesse Eisenberg cast together.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

Mad cow disease infects Americans and leaves few survivors. Four survivors, Columbus (Jesse Eisenberg), Tallahassee (Woody Harrelson), Wichita (Emma Stone), and Little Rock (Abigail Breslin), find each other and travel together to Los Angeles, a supposedly Zombie-free zone.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director Ruben Fleischer for directing efforts. Thank you to Executive Producers Ryan Kavanaugh, Rhett Reese, Ezra Swerdlow, and Paul Wernick for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: 406 (Amber Heard), Bill Murray (Bill Murray), and Clown Zombie (Derek Graf).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. It’s quirky and fun.

Video Critique available at:

Ben Meyers

2012 (Theatrical Release USA 2009)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 3.8|5.0 Starsììì

2012 has spectacular views of  a large American coastal city disappearing into the ocean. The special effects drive this story.  The story itself increases in quality as the movie progresses and becomes quite good in the last hour of the film due to the increased value placed on human life and the dialogue that supports integrity and morality. The script increases audience hope toward the final stages of the movie for survival and that makes this film a good action flick for apocalyptic film fans.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

American geologists and astrophysicists believe catastrophic changes in the earth will completely destroy the earth. World leaders secretly begin constructing arks that will ensure humanity’s survival.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director Roland Emmerich and his directing efforts. Thank you to Executive Producers Roland Emmerich, Ute Emmerich, and Michael Wimer for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Jackson Curtis (John Cusack), Kate Curtis (Amanda Peet), Adrian Helmsley (Chiwetel Ejiofor), Laura Wilson (Thandwie Newton), Carl Anheuser (Oliver Platt), Gordon Silberman (Tom McCarthy), Charlie Frost (Woody Harrelson), and President Thomas Wilson (Danny Glover).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes.  Definitely not in the same caliber as Independence Day, but a good watch.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers