MIDNIGHT IN PARIS (Theatrical Release USA 2011)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 3.2|5.0 Stars ììì

Midnight in Paris—examines the possibility of traveling through time via the unconventional method of being transported there in an automobile by actual persons living in that era. Owen Wilson turns into the perfect casting choice for this film. The script is well-written. Woody Allen captures the essence of the 'Roaring Twenties'. Be prepared for sexual innuendos. The conclusion of the film suggests a sequel; but, despite the apparent financial box office success of the film, no sequel is yet forthcoming.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

Gil (Owen Wilson) wants to write a novel to break free from Hollywood script writing. His fiancée, Inez (Rachel McAdams), just wants to live in California and enjoy the life style afforded by Gil’s profession. Gil is transported back in time to the era of Gertrude Stein (Kathy Bates) who graciously critiques his creative endeavor, provides appropriate criticism, and helps him to make vital changes in his lifestyle and choice of close friends.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director Woody Allen for his directing efforts. Thank you to Executive and Co-executive  Producers Javier Méndez and Jack Rollins for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: John (Kurt Fuller), Helen (Mimi Kennedy), Paul (Michael Sheen), Carol (Nina Arianda), Museum Guide (Carla Bruni), Man at Wine Tasting (Maurice Sonnenberg), 1920’s Partygoer (Theirry Hancisse), 1920’s Partygoer (Guillaume Gouix), 1920’s Partygoer (Audrey Fleurot), 1920’s Partygoer (Marie-Sohna Condé), and Cole Porter (Yves Heck).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Maybe. It’s a sophisticated romance about moving on.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

THREE COINS IN THE FOUNTAIN (Theatrical Release USA 1954)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 3.8|5.0 Stars ììì

Three Coins in the Fountain presents classic, straightforward storytelling with a good, clean romance script for all ages.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline 

Three women—Maria Williams (Maggie McNamara), Anita Hutchins (Jean Peters), and Miss Francis (Dorothy McGuire)—meet in Rome and hope for romance.

Additional Thanks 

Thank you for the Work for Director Jean Negulesco. Thank you to Producer Sol C. Siegel for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: John Frederick Shadwell (Clifton Webb), Prince Dino di Cessi (Louis Jourdan), Giorgio Bianchi (Rossano Brazzi), Burgoyne (Howard St. John), Mrs. Burgoyne (Kathryn Givney), and Principessa (Cathleen Nesbitt).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. It’s a good chick flick.

Video Critique available Here:

Ben Meyers

ENCINO MAN * (Theatrical Release USA 1992)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 2.8|5.0 Stars ìì

Encino Man—a good concept—needs some backup with meaningful acting and a script re-write. It’s one of those movies that doesn’t mean anything and serves no useful purpose other than an occasional chuckle. It’s reminiscent of the low-budget beach party style movies that were so popular in the 1960s.

Film Poster courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

Two teenagers, Dave (Sean Astin) and Stoney Brown (Pauly Shore), unearth a caveman, Link (Brendan Fraser), who has been preserved for millenia in a chunk of ice. After unthawing, the caveman revives and the two teens work to bring him up-to-date with modern civilization.

Additional Thanks 

Thank you to Director Les Mayfield for his directing efforts. Thank you to Executive and Co-executive Producers Hilton A. Green and Michael Rotenberg for making the film possible.  Additional characters/cast include: Robyn Sweeney (Megan Ward), Ella (Robin Tunney), Matt Wilson (Michael DeLuise), Phil/Matt’s Thug #1 (Patrick Van Horn), Will/Matt’s Thug #2 (Dalton James), Mr. Brush (Rick Ducommun), Kim (Jonathan Ke Quan), Mrs. Morgan (Mariette Hartley), and Mr. Morgan (Richard Masur).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? 

Maybe. There are better caveman movies that hit the bulls’ eye for entertainment value like the animated movie The Croods.

* Also known as California Man

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

BEN-HUR (Theatrical Release USA 1959)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 4.9|5.0 Stars ìììì

Ben-Hur—a classic film starring Charlton Heston—ranks on the level of terrific classics like Gone With The Wind. It’s one of those movies one never forgets and becomes a film one can re-watch through the years because it never loses its entertainment value. The story successfully intermingles several world views with terrific heart, tradition, and compassion while serving to magnify the importance of justice and goodness over lawlessness and betrayal. Kudos to the Irene Howard casting department as the chosen actors and actresses perfectly elevate the film to a superior final effect.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline 

The wealthy, respected, and honorable Judah Ben-Hur endures betrayal by a good childhood friend, battles his way from the galleys of a Roman warship to the Roman chariot racing arenas, and finally wins a return to his family.

Additional Thanks

 

Thank you to Director William Wyler for his efforts in directing this film. Thank you to Executive Producers Sol C. Siegel and Joseph Vogel for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Quintus Arrius (Jack Hawkins), Esther (Haya Harareet), Messala (Stephen Boyd), Sheik Ilderimm (Hugh Griffith), Miriam (Martha Scott), Tirzah (Cathy O’Donnell), Simonides (Sam Jaffe), Balthasar/Narrator (Finlay Currie), Pontius Pilate (Frank Thring), Drusus (Terence Longdon), and Tiberius Caesar (George Relph).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. No disappointment here.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

HOW TO TRAIN YOUR DRAGON 2 (Theatrical Release USA 2014)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 3.6|5.0 Stars ììì

How to Train Your Dragon 2—interesting, but not as good as the first film due to a weaker script. The movie has its emotional moments, but there are flat spots that will cause an audience to sigh in boredom. The animation is great, but the story itself falters in many ways compared to the first film.   

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

Hiccup (voice of Jay Baruchel) has reached the age where he needs to assume leadership of the Viking village Berk. But, he is unsure of his leadership potential and continues his occupation of mapping lands around the village with the help of his flying dragon, Toothless (voice of Randy Thom). He eventually discovers a land ruled by a violent ruler, Drago, (voice of Djimon Hounsou) who captures dragons.  Drago vows to attack Hiccup’s village and the story is on as Hiccup tries to make peace, save the village, and release the dragons under Drago’s control.

Additional Thanks 

Thank you to Director Dean DeBlois for his efforts in directing. Thank you to Executive and Co-Executive Producers Dean DeBlois, Chris Sanders, and Kate Spencer for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Valka (voice of Cate Blanchett), Stoick (voice of Gerard Butler), Gobber (voice of Craig Ferguson), Astrid (voice of America Ferrera), Snotlout (voice of Jonah Hill), Fishlegs (voice of Christopher Mintz-Plasse), Tuffnut (voice of T.J. Miller), Ruffnut (voice of Kristen Wiig), and Eret (voice of Kit Harington).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? 

Maybe. This is the next chapter in the series, but does not re-capture the originality of the first film in the series. 

 Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

THE WATER HORSE: LEGEND OF THE DEEP * (Theatrical Release USA 2007)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 3.6|5.0 Stars ììì

The Water Horse: Legend of the Deep backs itself with World War II Scottish events while weaving in some tasteful romance and some drama that allow a young boy to come to grips with the loss of his father. The movie inspires and reminds its audience of the importance of staying young.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline 

Young Angus MacMorrow (Alex Etel) finds an egg that hatches into a creature which a handyman identifies as a water horse. The two develop a friendship and help each other find their separate destinies.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director Jay Russell for his directing efforts. Thank you to Executive Producers Jay Russell and Charles Newirth for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Older Angus MacMorrow (Brian Cox), Anne MacMorrow (Emily Watson), Lewis Mowbray (Ben Chaplin), Captain Thomas Hamilton (David Morrissey), Kirstie MacMorrow (Priyanka Xi), Sergeant Strunk (Marshall Napier), Sergeant Walker (Joel Tobeck), Lieutenant Wormsley (Erroll Shand), Charlie MacMorrow (Craig Hall), and Gracie (Geraldine Brophy).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? 

Yes. It’s a Loch Ness teaser.

* Also known as The Water Horse

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

THE PACIFIER (Theatrical Release USA 2005)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 3.9|5.0 Stars ììì

The Pacifier—shows Vin Diesel’s softer side as he is assigned by the military to protect and care for five children living in the state of Maryland after their father dies. After Vin Diesel’s Fast and Furious days, it is hard to imagine him playing as a care-giving, family man; but he fills the bill nicely and turns the film into a fair to good family picture. The script is average, nothing new here, no surprises and a predictable storyline.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

Shane Wolfe (Vin Diesel) is assigned to protect and care for a family of five children while simultaneously looking for an important secret government project thought to be hidden in the home.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director Adam Shankman and to Executive Producers Derek Evans, Jennifer Gibgot, Garrett Grant, Adam Shankman, and George Zakk for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Principal Claire Fletcher (Lauren Graham), Julie Plummer (Faith Ford), Zoe Plummer (Brittany Snow), Seth Plummer (Max Thieriot), Captain Bill Fawcett (Chris Potter), Helga (Carol Kane), Vice Principal Dwayne Murney (Brad Garrett), Lulu Plummer (Morgan York), Peter Plummer (Kegan Hoover), Peter Plummer (Logan Hoover), Baby Tyler Plummer (Bo Vink), and Baby Tyler Plummer (Luke Link).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. It’s not a typical Vin Diesel movie, but it has its merits as a family share flick.

Video Critique Available Here

Ben Meyers

WHILE YOU WERE SLEEPING (Theatrical Release USA 1995)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 4.6|5.0 Stars ìììì

While You were Sleeping—becomes a treat for the teen and adult audience. It’s got a unique romantic storyline and serves the talents of Sandra Bullock and Bill Pullman well. It’s a clean romance.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

Lucy (Sandra Bullock) romantically fantasizes over a daily commuter, Peter (Peter Gallagher). While in the transit system, Peter suffers an accident that renders him comatose. Lucy rescues him and accompanies him to the hospital. His family mistakenly assumes she is his girlfriend. As one assumption mounts on top of another, Lucy finds herself within a fabricated story from which she cannot easily extricate herself.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director Jon Turteltaub for his directing efforts. Thank you to Executive Producers Steve Barron, Roger Birnbaum, and Arthur Sarkissian for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Lucy (Sandra Bullock), Jack (Bill Pullman), Ox (Peter Boyle), Saul (Jack Warden), Elsie (Glynis Johns), Midge (Micole Mercurio), Jerry (Jason Bernard), Joe Jr. (Michael Rispoli), Ashley Bacon (Ally Walker), Mary (Monica Keena), and Wanda (Ruth Rudnick).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. It's a good, clean romance.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

ONE 2 KA 4 (Theatrical Release India 2001)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 0.4|5.0 Stars ì

One 2 Ka 4—Director Shashilal K. Nair is somewhat better at making music videos than movie directing it seems. While this film has some very good looking and experienced main actors like Jackie Shroff (a Jim Belushi with a mustache) and Shah Rukh Khan, who could play any character from action to romance based on looks alone, this police/crime/drama film lacks realism, seriousness, suspense, and the straightforwardness necessary for its storyline. It fails to provide that necessary ‘twist’ at the end of the story that makes one rave afterwards about how good it is.  Unfortunately, native culture takes a high seat while international appeal takes a backseat and that affects the international marketability of the film. It fails to do what other foreign-made films, like the African The Gods Must Be Crazy, did so well—appeal to the international human spirit.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline 

Arun (Shah Rukh Khan), a Special Task Force Officer, loses his best friend and partner, Javed (Jackie Shroff), to a murderous drug lord and then finds himself on his own in establishing justice for his partner’s death.

Additional Thanks 

Thank you to Director Shashilal K. Nair and to Executive Producer Nazir Ahmed for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Arun Verma (Shah Rukh Khan), Geeta Choudhary (Juhi Chawla), Javed Abbas (Jackie Shroff), Krishan Kant Virmani (Nirmal Pandey), and Champak (Dilip Joshi).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

No. The film is a good study for examining cultural differences in storytelling techniques via film media. If you’re not interested in an academic study, the film will have low level entertainment value because it fails to appeal to the international audience.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

PREFONTAINE (Theatrical Release USA 1997)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 3.7|5.0 Stars ììì

Prefontaine—fair to middling biographical documentary—uses the talents of Jared Leto to play the part of the Olympic runner, Steve Prefontaine.  R. Lee Ermey, a favorite of the Ben Meyers' team, plays the part of Bill Bowerman in this film.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia 

Storyline

Steve Prefontaine rises from few athletic prospects due to his small stature to competing as a long distance runner in the 1972 Munich Olympics. He prepares for the 1976 Montreal Olympics; but, tragically dies in an automobile accident.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director Steve James for his directing efforts. Thank you to Producers

Mark Doonan, Peter Gilbert, Jon Lutz, and Irby Smith for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include:  Bill Dellinger (Ed O’Neill), Pat Tyson (Breckin Meyer), Elfriede Prefontaine (Lindsay Crouse), Nancy Alleman (Amy Locane), Elaine Finley (Laurel Holloman), Mac Wilkins (Brian McGovern), Curtis Cunningham (Kurtwood Smith), and Finnish Teammate (Adrian Amadeus).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. While this movie did not make money at box office, it has its own place due to a true story about someone who, by critical assessment, should not have been able to perform at the level he did, but overcame limitations to perform beyond any reasonable expectation.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

SPIRIT: STALLION OF THE CIMARRON (Theatrical Release USA 2002)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 3.5|5.0 Stars ììì

Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron—contains beautiful animated artwork and relies on a basic, good storyline. It’s a superior story and ideal for younger audiences who love horses. The music has strong enough appeal that it can stand alone without a movie to support it.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

The wild mustang, Spirit (voice of Matt Damon), due to a strongly curious nature, experiences two entirely different civilizations—white, military culture and Native American culture. His long journey crisscrosses between the two cultures and finally climaxes in freedom.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Directors Kelly Asbury and Lorna Cook for their directing efforts. Thank you to Executive Producer Max Howard for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: The Colonel (voice of James Cromwell), Little Creek (voice of Daniel Studi), Sergeant Adams (voice of Chopper Bernet), Murphy/Railroad Foreman (voice of Jeff LeBeau), Soldier (voice of John Rubano), Bill (voice of Richard McGonagle), Joe (voice of Matt Levin), Pete (voice of Adam Paul), and Jake (voice of Robert Cait).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Maybe. This is a good film with a predictable storyline; but there are films like Disney’s Tarzan, Brother Bear, or Antz that may be better picks for the child/adult share.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

HOW TO LOSE A GUY IN 10 DAYS (Theatrical Release USA 2003)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 3.4|5.0 Stars ììì

How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days—a fair to middling romance—pairs Matthew McConaughey and Kate Hudson in an original story that turns into a romance story for a specific adult audience. The film has some sexual references and partial nudity.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

Andie Anderson (Kate Hudson) writes an article on “How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days.” Ben Barry (Matthew McConaughey) makes a bet that he can make any girl fall in love with him in 10 days. Co-workers put them together to see who will ‘win’.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director Donald Petrie for his directing efforts. Thank you to Executive Producer Richard Vane for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Michelle Rueben (Kathryn Hahn), Jeannie (Annie Parisse), Tony (Adam Goldberg), Thayer (Thomas Lennon), Judy Spears (Michael Michele), Judy Green (Shalom Harlow), Phillip Warren (Robert Klein), Lana Jong (Bebe Neuwirth), and Lori (Samantha Quan).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Maybe. The film may work for sophisticated adults.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

RV (Theatrical Release USA 2006)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 2.8|5.0 Stars ìì

RV—semi-funny, teen-adult film—needs a better script. While many love Robin Williams and Jeff Daniels, this script doesn’t offer either of them something they can bite into and make a successful entertainment piece. The film is tasteless and without imagination.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

Bob Munro (Robin Williams) rents a recreational vehicle in an attempt to bond with his family while on his way to an important business conference.

Additional Thanks

Thank You to Director Barry Sonnenfeld for his efforts in directing this film. Thank you to Executive Producers Bobby Cohen, Ryan Kavanaugh, Matthew Robert Kelly, Aslan Nadery, and Volker Schauz for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Jamie Munro (Cheryl Hines), Cassie Munro (Joanna Levesque), Carl Munro (Josh Hutcherson), Travis Gornicke (Jeff Daniels), Mary Jo Gornicke (Kristin Chenoweth), Earl Gornicke (Hunter Parrish), Moon Gornicke (Chloe Sonnenfeld), and Billy Gornicke (Alex Ferris).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Maybe. There are better teen/adult films than this one like the 1988 The Great Outdoors.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers