GODZILLA: KING OF THE MONSTERS (Theatrical Release USA 2019)

 

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 3.6|5.0 Starsììì

Godzilla: King of the Monsters—violent conclusion—could be scary for children and a little on edge for some adults. This movie does not add anything to the Godzilla movies except the addition of more monsters to fight and more violence (which is mostly palatable). The animation of the monsters is great. The special effects are great. While the concept is good, something went amiss from the concept to the screen so that a check is needed in realism portrayal. The simple story still has ability to keep adult fans of the Godzilla series slightly interested despite the fact that presentation quality is less than could be expected. 

Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images 

Storyline 

Godzilla battles several different monsters who are troubling earth. 

Additional Thanks 

Thank you to Director Michael Dougherty for directing effort. Thank you to Producers Mary Parent, Alex Garcia, Thomas Tull, Jon Jashni, and Brian Rogers for making the film possible. Casting includes: Kyle Chandler, Vera Farmiga, Millie Bobby Brown, Bradley Whitford, Sally Hawkins, Charles Dance, Thomas Middleditch, Aisha Hinds, O’Shea Jackson Jr., David Strathairn, and Ken Watanabe. 

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? 

Maybe. It’s a typical Godzilla movie that doesn’t re-invent the wheel…it just throws more monsters into the story. The audience needs to be terrific fans of Godzilla stories to engage this movie. For that audience, to be fair, it has more of the ‘scary’ factor than other Godzilla movies. 

Video Critique Available Here: 

Ben Meyers

RUSH HOUR 2 (Theatrical Release USA 2001)

 Ben Meyers’ rating: 4.3|5.0 Starsìììì 

Rush Hour 2 teams Jackie Chan and Chris Tucker. While the movie increases its comedic elements over the last film, it also greatly increases sexual scenes not appropriate for most audiences. There is no lack to action scenes throughout the story. The timing is exceptionally well-done.

Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images 

Storyline 

Two law enforcement agents become involved in violent interaction with Hong Kong mobsters. 

Additional Thanks 

Thank you to Director Brett Ratner for directing effort. Thank you to Producers Roger Birnbaum, Jonathan Glickman, Arthur Sarkissian, and Jay Stern for making the film possible. Cast includes: Jackie Chan, Chris Tucker, John Lone, Ziyi Zhang, Roselyne Sanchez Alan King, and Harris Yulin. 

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? 

Yes. This movie upped the suggestive scenes over the first Rush Hour movie to a highly mature, sophisticated level. The comedy element increased, but there is a price paid due to sexual content. 

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

HORSEMEN (Theatrical Release USA 2009)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 3.6|5.0 Starsììì

Horsemen—gore, blood, and disturbing imagery—mark this film as a fair-to-middling horror film based on the concept of tracking and bringing to justice a deranged serial killer. While this movie is not in the class of Silence of the Lambs, it provides a solid format that tests Dennis Quaid’s ability to act within the horror genre. This is not one of his best performances.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

Forensic Dentist Aiden Breslin (Dennis Quaid) investigates a murder that is soon followed by a series of murders with common links. He believes he sees a connection to the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse and attempts to solve the case based on commonalities in that theme.

Additional Thanks

Thank You to Director Jonas Åkerlund for directing efforts. Thank you to Executive Producers Joseph Drake, Ted Field, Nathan Kahane, and Joe Rosenburg for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Kristin (Ziyi Zhang), Alex Breslin (Lou Taylor Pucci), Stingray (Clifton Collins, Jr.), Tuck (Barry Shabaka Henley), Corey (Patrick Fugit), Taylor (Eric Balfour), Father Whiteleather (Paul Dooley), Thug (Thomas Mitchell), Sean Breslin (Liam James), Police Chief Krupa (Chelcie Ross), Bob (Manfred Maretzki), Navratil (Arne MacPherson), Terrence (David Dastmalchian), David Spitz (Peter Stormare), and Control Room Guy (Darren Felbel).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?                 

Maybe. The movie redundantly returns to a single shocking imagery which minimizes its ability to work well within its horror genre.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers