DUNE: PART TWO (Released to Theaters USA 2024)

 

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 3.9|5.0 Starsììì  Dune: Part Two—improves over the 2021 Dune—has stronger acting from Timothée Chalamet.  It is best to watch the first Dune, then this Dune: Part Two as there are references that may be difficult to understand if the first movie has not been watched.  Film Poster Courtesy of IMDb Storyline  Paul Atrietes and his mother continue to make alliances with the Freman,  and Paul tries to take actions against the persons responsible for destroying his family.    Additional Thanks Thank you to Director and Producer Denis Villeneuve for directing effort. Thank you to Executive Producer Herbert W. Gains, Joshua Grode, John Harrison, Brian Herbert, Kim Herbert, Byron Merritt, Richard P. Rubinstein, Jon Spaihts, for making the film possible. Cast includes Timothée Chalamet, Zendaya, Rebecca Ferguson, Javier Bardem, Josh Brolin, Austin Butler, Florence Pugh, and Dave Bautista.  Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? Yes. This movie is better than the first Dune movie due to stronger acting and writing. Be aware that the movie tries to work like an epic movie and is 2 hours and 46 minutes long.    Video Critique Available Here: Ben Meyers

SPIDER-MAN: NO WAY HOME (Theatrical Release USA 2021)

 Ben Meyers’ Rating: 4.2|5.0 Starsìììì 

Spider-Man: No Way Home—good concept, the third film of the Tom Holland Spider-Man series—makes a coalition of the three actors who have played the character Spider-Man:  Tobey Maguire, Andrew Garfield, and Tom Holland. It’s fresh, startling, and great to see these three presented together. The storyline works and the movie earns its watch.

Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images 

Storyline 

MIT rejects university applications of Peter Parker, his girlfriend, and best friend due to negative publicity that surrounds Peter Parker. Parker goes to Dr. Strange to cast a spell that will make people forget his ties with Spider-Man. 

Additional Thanks 

Thank you to Director Jon Watts for directing effort. Thank you to Producers Kevin Feige and Amy Pascal for making the film possible. Cast includes: Tom Holland, Zendaya, Benedict Cumberbatch, Jacob Batalon, Jon Favreau, Jamie Foxx, Willem Dafoe, Alfred Molina, Benedict Wong, Tony Revolon, Marisa Tomei, Andrew Garfield, and Tobey Maguire. 

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? 

Yes. Watch for the June 2023 release of Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

SPIDER-MAN: FAR FROM HOME (Theatrical Release USA 2019)

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 4.3|5.0 Starsìììì 

Spider-Man: Far From Home—improves on previous attempts to tell Spiderman’s story—relies on actor Tom Holland to work the kinks out of interpreting Spiderman’s character in Spider-Man: Homecoming and succeeds. Jake Gyllenhaal performs a terrific rendition of Mysterio and Samuel L. Jackson, as Nick Fury, is always welcome in the Marvel universe. Jacob Batalon is a perfect offset as Peter Parker’s best friend. Superhero movie fans will not be disappointed in this film. 

Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images 

Storyline 

Spiderman continues his long tradition of fighting evil. 

Additional Thanks 

Thank you to Director Jon Watts for directing efforts. Thank you to Producers Kevin Feige and Amy Pascal for making the film possible. Cast includes: Tom Holland, Samuel L. Jackson, Zendaya, Cobie Smulders, Jon Favreau, J. B. Smoove, Jacob Batalon, Martin Starr, Tony Revolori, Jake Gyllenhaal, and Marisa Tomei. 

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? 

Yes. This movie is one of the better Spidermen movies and will be much appreciated by superhero fans. Great work by all involved in production.

Video Critique Available Here:

 

Ben Meyers

SPIDER-MAN: HOMECOMING (Theatrical Release USA 2017)

 Ben Meyers’ Rating: 4.1|5.0 Starsìììì 

Spider-Man: Homecoming—a type of reboot of the 2002 classic film—does not take the audience through the spider bite and getting superpowers. The movie begins with Spider-Man as the lone vigilante and goes into his recognition by Iron Man (Robert Downey Jr.) as a possible recruit into the Avengers. It’s easy to accept Tom Holland in the role of Spider-Man. The film does not play like the usual super hero movie but it serves as a good watch for the superhero fan and sets itself up for sequels due to the invitation for Spider-Man to become part of the Avengers. Watch for Abraham Attah, from the movie Beast of No Nation, in this movie. 

Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images 

Storyline 

This superhero film is about Spiderman becoming part of the Avengers’ team and the fighting against the use of super-advanced weapons in the hands of criminals. 

Additional Thanks 

Thank you to Director Jon Watts for directing efforts. Thank you to Producers Kevin Feige and Amy Pascal for making the film possible. Cast includes: Tom Holland, Michael Keaton, Jon Favreau, Gwyneth Paltrow, Zendaya, Donald Glover, Jacob Batalon, Tony Revolori, Bokeem Woodbine, Tyne Daly, Marisa Tomei, Robert Downey Jr., and Laura Harrier. 

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? 

Yes. This is a good watch and has a nice twist in its concluding scenes seconds before the ending credits roll. 

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

THE GREATEST SHOWMAN (Theatrical Release USA 2017)

 Ben Meyers’ Rating: 4.3|5.0 Starsìììì 

The Greatest Showman—beautifully presented, backed with outstanding music and dancing—is wonderful. The singing is some of the best a movie could have and brings both joy and excitement. This piece reminds one of why we go to the movies and deserves its addition to the home video library collection. It tells the P. T. Barnum story with finesse, dignity, and integrity. Great to see Hugh Jackman pull this off so well and the terrific choice of Zac Efron as a business partner. WOW!!! What a treat! No ‘shab’ here. It’s a film that will soar in popularity through the years.

 Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images

Storyline 

P.T. Barnum’s inauspicious start and grand accomplishments. 

Additional Thanks 

Thank you to Michael Gracey for directing effort. Thank you to Producers Laurence Mark, Peter Chemin, and Jenno Topping for making the film possible. Cast includes: Hugh Jackman, Zac Efron, Michelle Williams, Rebecca Ferguson, and Zendaya. 

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? 

Yes. This is a wonderful film that more than earns its watch…a superior musical that touches the heart with its decency, honesty, and integrity to all that is good in life. Thank you to all involved in its production. Magical. Michael Gracey does an outstanding directing job. Thank you to all involved in production.

 Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers