HOWARDS END (Theatrical Release UK 1992)

Ben Meyers’ rating— 3.5|5.0 Starsììì

Howards End—talk about drama, it’s slow as a snail—tells about the interaction between two wealthy British families. The storyline is complicated, but attempts to pull off a type of honesty that makes it realistically believable. It does perform at a higher level than many British dramas due to the high level casting of Anthony Hopkins, Vanessa Redgrave, Emma Thompson, and Helena Bonham Carter.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

The Schlegel sisters, Margaret (Emma Thompson) and Helen (Helena Bonham-Carter), live well. Helen Schlegel becomes engaged to Paul Wilcox (Joseph Bennett), son of a wealthy businessman; but later breaks the engagement. Later the Wilcox family takes a home across the street from the Schlegel’s house and the story is on as the two families interact.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director James Ivory for his directing efforts. Thank you to Executive Producer Paul Bradley for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Ruth Wilcox (Vanessa Redgrave), Margaret Schlegel (Emma Thompson), Aunt Juley (Prunella Scales), Tibby Schlegel (Adrian Ross Magenty), Annie (Jo Kendall), Henry Wilcox (Anthony Hopkins), and Charles Wilcox (James Wilby).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Maybe. For the ‘I LOVE British drama,’ the Emma Thompson, or Helen Bonham-Carter fans, the film may work.

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Ben Meyers

COOL RUNNINGS (Theatrical Release USA 1993)

Ben Meyers’ rating—4.0|5.0 Starsìììì

Cool Runnings—inspirational film loosely based on a true story—becomes a good film for John Candy’s talents. The story stacks its freshness on the talents of Leon, Doug E. Doug, Rawle D. Lewis, and Malik Yoba to portray a group of Jamaicans who decide to compete in a winter sport when they are from a tropical country. It’s a great tribute to the philosophies that one needs to exercise persistence to win, never back down, take advantage of the opportunities given, and always be willing to walk through a different door when one door closes in order to win big in life.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Jamaican runner Derice Bannack (Leon) fails to win a spot in the Olympics running competition. He sees a picture of his father with bobsledding coach, Irv Blitzer (John Candy), and gets the idea that he can get into the Olympics via the bobsledding competition.

Additional Thanks 

Thank you to Director Jon Turteltaub for his directing efforts. Thank you to Executive Producers Susan B. Landau and Christopher Meledandri for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Derice Bannock (Leon), Sanka Coffie (Doug E. Doug), Junior Bevil (Rawle D. Lewis), Yul Brenner (Malik Yoba), Irv (John Candy), Kurt Hemphill (Raymond J. Barry), Josef Grool (Peter Outerbridge), Roger (Paul Coeur), and Larry (Larry Gilman).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? 

Yes. It’s a ‘feel good’ movie.

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Ben Meyers

THE BAREFOOT EXECUTIVE (Theatrical Release USA 1971)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 4.0|5.0 Starsìììì

The Barefoot Executive—a comical, but predictable story—features Kurt Russell as the squeaky clean, all-American boy we came to love in Walt Disney movies. The movie includes a monkey, a little romance, a few cliff hanger thrills, some corporate corruption, and a happily ever after ending a la 1970s Walt Disney style. It’s good to see Kurt Russell in a children/family flick, a role he fits well. Harry Morgan appears in his usual ‘do it my way or else’ role. And, Joe Flynn from the McHale’s Navy television series does a very good job with his character, Francis X. Wilbanks.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

Television studio mail clerk Steven Post (Kurt Russell) discovers his girlfriend’s chimpanzee can unfailingly predict shows that people will love. He uses the chimp to propel himself into the Vice President’s chair of the television studio, finds himself jealousy opposed by old line executives, and under serious scrutiny for the secret behind his rocket to success.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director Robert Butler and to Producer Bill Anderson for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Francis X. Wilbanks (Joe Flynn), E.J. Crampton (Harry Morgan), Mertons (Wally Cox), Jennifer Scott (Heather North), Farnsworth (Alan Hewitt), Clifford (Hayden Rorke), Roger (John Ritter), and Tom (Jack Bender).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. It’s great family entertainment, clean, focused, and enjoyable from beginning to end.

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Ben Meyers

BIG JAKE (Theatrical Release USA 1971)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 3.7|5.0 Starsììì

Big Jake—typical John Wayne fare—performs as a morality story about fighting for family, justice, and maximizing happy endings. John Wayne doesn’t seem to play this role with the same toughness that he plays his True Grit character, but there’s still enough Big Wayne in the scenes to fill the screen well. Richard Boone performs with his usual ‘toughness’ as he did in Hombre, but he’s definitely not in his suave mode as in his Have Gun Will Travel television series. Maureen O’Hara plays the female counterpart to John Wayne and works that role perfectly. Watch for John Wayne’s sons, Patrick and Ethan Wayne, and Robert Mitchum’s son, Christopher Mitchum, in the film. This is a straight forward western story with nothing lacking for the western movie fan.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

John Fain (Richard Boone), his brother Will (Robert Warner), and a rat pack of criminals come to Martha McCandles’ (Maureen O’Hara) homestead, kill many of her servants, injure her son, and kidnap her grandson, Little Jake McCandles (Ethan Wayne). Martha McCandles contacts her estranged husband, Jacob McCandles (John Wayne), for help. He returns home by train and meets her at the train station. She has a chest full of money ready and he leaves on a hunt to retrieve his grandson. His two sons, James McCandles (Patrick Wayne) and Michael McCandles (Christopher Mitchum), accompany him.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director George Sherman for his directing efforts. Thank you to Executive Producer John Wayne for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Jeff McCandles (Bobby Vinton), Sam Sharpnose (Bruce Cabot), O’Brien (Glenn Corbett), and Pop Dawson (Harry Carey, Jr.).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Maybe. There is a certain moral sense that comes out of the film, but the story runs a little slow in general and the acting is what one would expect in a B-grade film.

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Ben Meyers

THE ARISTOCATS (Theatrical Release USA 1970)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 4.2|5.0 Starsìììì

The AristoCats provides an earful of delight as Pat Butrum, Eva Gabor, Dean Clark, Sterling Holloway (from Winnie the Pooh), and Phil Harris’ (from The Jungle Book animated movie) voices blend to support terrific animation and great early jazz music. The film is just plain fun with well placed scenes and excellent portrayal of storyline. It’s a great film for children and family. It’s re-watchable due to its high entertainment value.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

A seasoned wealthy woman Madame (voice of Hermione Baddeley) wills her fortune to Duchess (voice of Eva Gabor) and Duchess’s two boys, Berlioz (voice of Dean Clark) and Toulouse the Orange Kitten (voice Gary Dubin), and daughter Marie (voice of Liz English). After they have lived their lives, the fortune will go to Edgar the Butler (voice of Roddy Maude-Roxby). Madame calls her elderly lawyer, Georges Hautcourt (voice of Charles Lane), to make the will; but, her mischievous butler overhears her, becomes greedy, and attempts to dispose of the cats in a wicker basket. An old watch dog, Napoleon (voice of Pat Butrum), and his dim-witted friend Lafayette (George Lindsey) fight the butler because he crossed their territory. The butler loses the basket next to the local bridge that spans a small river and runs for his life. The pampered cats are left to fend for themselves and the story is on.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director Wolfgang Reitherman for his directing efforts. Thank you to Executive Producers Wolfgang Reitherman and Winston Hibler for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: O’Malley (voice of Phil Harris), Duchess (voice of Eva Gabor), Roquefort (voice of Sterling Holloway), Scat Cat (voice of Scatman Crothers), Shun Gon-Chinese Cat (voice of Paul Winchell), Hit Cat-English Cat (Lord Tim Hudson), Peppo-Italian Cat (voice of Vito Scotti), Billy Bass-Russian Cat (voice of Thurl Ravenscroft), and Berlioz (voice of Dean Clark).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. It’s imagination and comedy in that superbly perfect mixture that begs for a ticket purchase.

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Ben Meyers

WOLF CHILDREN (Theatrical Release Japan 2012)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 4.7|5.0 Starsìììì

Wolf Children—an animated masterpiece with phenomenal cinematography—backs itself with revolutionary imagery, a fabulous story, well-chosen voices, and terrific portrayal. The overall film is unbelievably satisfactory. The transition scenes from child to wolf were exceptionally well-done. Love for the impossible is well presented. It’s re-watchable and goes on Ben Meyers’ Best Picks List.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

Tokyo college girl Hana (voice of Collen Clinkenbeard) sees college boy, Ookawa (voice of David Matranga), in class and notices he has no textbook, but takes good notes. After class, she attempts to catch up with him to help him with his curriculum; but, he wants nothing to do with her. She pursues him anyway and they eventually make friends. He tells her that he is a werewolf, but she likes him anyway. They have a baby and 12 months later have a second baby. Later, he dies while hunting and she is left alone to raise her children.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director Mamoru Hosoda for directing efforts. Thank you to Executive Producers Hiroyasu Asami, Suzuko Fujimoto, Gen Fukunaga, Fumihiro Hirai, Ken Hironaka, Minami Ichikawa, Shin’ichirô Inoue, Hiroyuki Okada, Seiji Okuda, Yuka Saito, Yoshio Takada, and Hidenori Ueki for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Wolf Man (voice of Takao Osawa), Yuki (voice of Jad Saxton), Ame (voice of Micah Solusod), Young Yuki (voice of Lara Woodhull), Young Ame (voice of Alison Viktorin), Sohei (voice of Jason Liebrecht), Sohei’s Mother (voice of Lydia Mackay), and Hosokawa (voice of R. Bruce Elliott).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. Definitely. The film scores high in terrific animation and great cinematography.

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Ben Meyers

BEDKNOBS AND BROOMSTICKS (Theatrical Release USA 1971)

Ben Meyers’ rating—3.9|5.0 Starsììì

Bedknobs and Broomsticks combines Walt Disney live action and animation to provide classic children’s entertainment, guaranteed to please. The film is a good child/adult share and provides surprisingly good animation/live action scenes despite its age. The story drags a bit until the children discover that their new caretaker is a wannabe witch with apprentice skills, at that point the story sustains with a slight setback at the introduction of David Tomlinson as Emelius Browne, and then after some interaction between David Tomlinson and Angela Lansbury, it’s a sit back and enjoy the show.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

Wannabe witch Miss Eglantine Price (Angela Lansbury) goes to the local village of Pepperinge Eye to retrieve a special mail package and is unexpectedly assigned the care of three orphaned children who were evacuated from London after the World War II Blitz. Miss Price reluctantly takes the three children to her home. When the three children see her clumsily ride her new broom, they tell her they won’t tell about her witch’s broom if she will teach them a little about magic.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director Robert Stevenson for his directing efforts. Thank you to Producer Bill Walsh for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Emelius (David Tomlinson), Mr. Jelk (Roddy McDowall), Bookman (Sam Jaffe), Colonel Heller (John Ericson), Swinburne (Bruce Forsyth), Carrie (Cindy O’Callaghan), Paul (Roy Snart), and Charlie (Ian Weighill).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. It’s a treat to see Angela Lansbury in an early work before her famous Murder She Wrote televised series.

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Ben Meyers

THE HUNGER GAMES— MOCKINGJAY PART 2 (Theatrical Release USA 2015)

Ben Meyers’ rating—3.5|5.0 Starsììì

The Hunger Games—Mockingjay Part 2’s best scenes revolve around the oil river and the creatures in the sewers. While the actors featured in this film have high potential for future films, this film did not use their talents to the fullest degree possible. This film finishes the Hunger Games series and does not meet the higher level of quality found in the second film of the series.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

Katniss Everdeen (Jennifer Lawrence) goes to District 2 see if she can take District 2 from the control of President Coriolanus Snow (Donald Sutherland). She is injured and returns for recovery. She is advised by Johanna Mason (Jena Malone) that she can sneak onto a supply airship destined for the capital and the story is on to end the hunger games for all time.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director Francis Lawrence for his directing efforts. Thank you to Executive Producers Allison Shearmur, Jan Foster, Joseph Drake, and Suzanne Collins for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: President Alma Coin (Julianne Moore), Peeta Mellark (Josh Hutcherson), Gale Hawthorne (Liam Hemsworth), Haymitch Abernathy (Woody Harrelson), Plutarch Heavensbee (Philip Seymour Hoffman), President Alma Coin (Julianne Moore), Primrose Everdeen (Willow Shields), and Finnick Odair (Sam Claflin).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Maybe. If one is dedicated to finishing the series, this is it; but, it is not the best of the series.

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Ben Meyers

HAIL, CAESAR! (Theatrical Release USA 2016)

Ben Meyers’ rating—4.9|5.0 Starsìììì

Hail, Caesar! relies on an outstanding all-star cast, eye-popping scenery, and superb storyline to tell a just plain wonderful story. It’s a best work effort yet for the Coen Brothers. It’s a re-watchable film that will entertain as much on the second and third viewing due to the rich thickness with which the original story is constructed. Look for some memorable dancing by Burt Gurney (Channing Tatum).

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

Actor Baird Whitlock (George Clooney) is drugged and kidnapped. It is up to Eddie Mannix (Josh Brolin) to find him and ‘fix’ any publicity challenges caused by the absence.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Directors Ethan Coen and Joel Coen for their directing efforts. Thank you to Executive Producer Robert Graf for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Hobie Doyle (Alden Ehrenreich), Laurence Laurentz (Ralph Fiennes), DeeAnna Moran (Scarlett Johansson), Thora Thacker/Thessaly Thacker (Tilda Swinton), Burt Gurney (Channing Tatum), C.C. Calhoun (Frances McDormand), and Joe Silverman (Jonah Hill).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes, definitely. The film is intellectually rewarding on multiple levels with its unending use of metaphor and wonderfully rich innuendos.

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Ben Meyers

THE GREAT GILLY HOPKINS (Schlingel International Film Festival Chemintz The Free State of Saxony Germany 2015)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 3.1|5.0 Starsììì

The Great Gilly Hopkins drops its audience into the life of a belligerent and difficult to deal with teen-ager without proper back-story preparation and without sufficient introduction to main characters. While the new foster mother seems to be a wanna-be-ally, the script is not well enough written to really make us see her as a helping hand. It is difficult to reconcile the emergence of a well-to-do grandmother with the foster child. It seems an averagely placed grandmother would have encouraged a deeper sense of realism instead of promoting the ‘I wish’ or ‘Beyond happily ever after dream’ as a realistic resolution for the main character’s future life. While the movie’s script tries to emphasize love, love is hard to pull out of this movie. The type of acting responsible for providing realism in a film is completely lacking despite some outstanding casting choices such as Glenn Close, Bill Cobbs, and Kathy Bates. Part of the failure is: Glenn Close is far too sophisticated to be acting in this film while Kathy Bates is at her usual average. The charismatic Bill Cobbs can play/fit into many film genres, both high budget and low budget, and do quite a nice job due to his acting flexibility and basic charisma. Overall? The film doesn’t work at any level and performs under a random quilting of incongruities.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

Gilly Hopkins (Sophie Nélisse), a foster home failure, consistently hopes for reunion with a mother who never comes for her.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director Stephen Herek for his directing efforts. Thank you to Executive Producers Chip Flaherty, Peyton Kay, William Kay, and Eve Schoukroun for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Maime Trotter (Kathy Bates), Nonnie (Glenn Close), Ms. Harris (Octavia Spencer), Courtney (Julia Stiles), Mr. Randolph (Bill Cobbs), Ellis (Billy Magnussen), W.E. (Zachary Hernandez), and Agnes (Clare Foley).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

No. The Great Gilly Hopkins seems to have a message; but that message, unfortunately, becomes convoluted and difficult to decipher. The film lacks the power to carry its story through.

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Ben Meyers

BEST IN SHOW (Theatrical Release USA 2000)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 3.8|5.0 Starsììì

Best in Show—a comedy that made box office dollars—follows the lives of five owners whose dogs are competing in the same dog show. Watch for Christopher Guest and Eugene Levy in this film.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

Five dogs are scheduled to show in the Mayflower Kennel Club Dog Show.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director Christopher Guest for directing efforts. Thank you to Executive Producer Gordon Mark for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Dr. Chuck Nelken (Jay Brazeau), Meg Swan (Parker Posey), Hamilton Swan (Michael Hitchcock), and Dr. Theodore W. Millbank III (Bob Balaban).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Maybe. This adult comedy works as a light watch. 

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Ben Meyers

JIRO DREAMS OF SUSHI (Theatrical Release USA 2011)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 4.4|5.0 Starsìììì

Jiro Dreams of Sushi—informative, fun, and interesting—makes a terrific documentary about the importance of doing it perfectly right, every time, for a long time.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

The documentary tells the story of Jiro Ono, owner of Sukiyabashi Jiro, a sushi restaurant located in Tokyo.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director David Gelb for his directing efforts. Thank you to Executive Producers Joey Carey, Ross M. Dinerstein, Chris Kelly, Jeffrey C. Norman, Stefan Nowicki, Ed Ojdana, and Matt Weaver for making the film possible. Additional cast include: Jiro Ono, Yoshikazu Ono, Masuhiro Yamamoto, Daisuke Nakazama, Hachiro Mizutani, Harutaki Takahashi, Hiroki Fujita, Tsunenori Ida, and Toichiro Iida.

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. It’s worth your money.

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Ben Meyers

HYENA ROAD (Theatrical Release USA 2015)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 3.3|5.0 Starsììì

Hyena Road—a wannabe war classic—lacks the realism of Black Hawk Down or Zero Dark Thirty. The film portrays Canadian military forces’ interaction with Afghan allies, the Taliban, retired military, and insurgents while deep into Taliban territory. The film lacks a well-written script; but, it is a worthy watch if only for developing hearty appreciation for the difficulties associated with interacting with locals when on foreign soil during military conflict.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

Canadian military forces construct Hyena Road in Taliban territory and find themselves under heavy attack. They call for evacuation, but have no other recourse other than seeking refuge in a small village where political intrigue builds.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director Paul Gross for directing efforts. Thank you to Executive Producers Mirwais Alizai, Jason Cloth, Aaron L. Gilbert, Victor Loewy, and Frank Siracusa for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Warrant Officer Ryan Sanders (Rossif Sutherland), Travis (Allan Hawco), Hickey (David Richmond-Peck), Tank (Karl Campbell), C. P. Sergeant (Kelly Holden), Captain Jennifer Bowman (Christine Horne), Bionics Taliban (Ibrahim Dweiken), Zero (Darren Wall), Captain Dawson T. O. C. (Andrew Wall), and The Ghost (Niamatullah Arghandabi).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Maybe. It does not have the quality of presentation as others films from this same genre.

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Ben Meyers

THE EMIGRANTS (Theatrical Release Sweden 1971)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 4.8|5.0 Starsìììì

The Emigrants easily becomes one of the best films of 1971. The story is told in part one The Emigrants (1971) and part two, The New Land (1972). This heartfelt story catches the way in which life sometimes unravels or unfolds itself so that a new path must be chosen. When that ‘forcing’ occurs simultaneously for many individuals, then you have a story like The Emigrants. This film is exceptionally well-written and demands watching. It takes about 20 to 30 minutes to lay the foundation for the rest of the film; after that, it is pure art. Excellent work by Director Jan Troell.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

Karl Oskar (Max von Sydow) makes the momentous decision to leave Sweden for a new, unknown life in America with his young wife, Kristina (Liv Ullman), and their small children.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director Jan Troell, and to Producer Bengt Forsland for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Robert (Eddie Axberg), Nils (Sven-OIof Bern), Märta (Aina Alfredsson), Danjel (Allan Edwall), Ulrika (Monica Zetterlund), Arvid (Pierre Lindstedt), and Jonas Petter (Hans Alfredson).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. The film is worth both the time and the money; unbelievably good story.

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Ben Meyers

HAROLD AND MAUDE (Theatrical Release USA 1971)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 4.6|5.0 Starsìììì

Harold and Maude turns into a surprisingly good classic that emphasizes living life to its fullest. It’s comedy with a twist of wit that is unique and refreshing. Don’t judge this book by its cover. It’s a good story from beginning to end.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

Harold (Bud Cort) has a unique viewpoint on life and finds a unique individual who broadens his perspectives of what life can be.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director Hal Ashby for directing efforts. Thank you to Executive Producer Mildred Lewis for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Maude (Ruth Gordon), Mrs. Chasen (Vivian Pickles), Glaucus (Cyril Cusack), Uncle Victor (Charles Tyner), Sunshine Doré (Ellen Geer), Priest (Eric Christmas), Psychiatrist (G. Wood), and Candy Gulf (Judy Engles).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. The film is well done.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

THE NEW LAND (Theatrical Release Sweden 1972)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 4.8|5.0 Starsìììì

The New Land—a Jan Troell directed masterpiece—does not miss a beat in beautifully weaving the immigrants’ story from its trials to its joys, from its irreparable losses to its tremendous gains. Encore to the acting abilities of Max Von Sydow, Eddie Axberg, Pierre Lindstedt, Liv Ullman, and the rest of the cast. There are not many films that command the scope and quality that this film does so naturally, seamlessly, and with such finesse.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

Swedish Karl Osker (Max von Sydow) carves a life from rugged wilderness for his family and future generations.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director Jan Troell for directing efforts. Thank you to Producer Bengt Forslund for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Kristina (Liv Ullmann), Robert (Eddie Axberg), Arvid (Pierre Lindstedt), Daniel (Allan Edwall), Ulrika (Monica Zetterlund), Jonas Petter (Hans Alfredson), Fina Kajsa (Agneta Prytz), and Anders Månsson (Halvar Bjork).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. This film makes the best film’s list. Very well done. This film is the continuation of the 1971 film, The Emigrants.

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Ben Meyers

INGLOURIOUS BASTERDS (Theatrical Release USA 2009)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 4.6|5.0 Starsìììì

Inglourious Basterds—a tribute to gore a la Quentin Tarantino style—survives on a fictionalized account of an assassination attempt on Adolph Hitler’s life during World War II. Brad Pitt barely survives in this film with an accent that doesn’t quite pass and a face that just doesn’t fit the Apache-style violence necessary to carry the script’s character of Lieutenant Aldo Raine.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

Jewish-American soldiers recruited into a United States Special Force unit learn and execute Native American warfare tactics that include scalping and body mutilation to inspire fear into German ground forces.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director Quentin Tarantino and Eli Roth for directing efforts. Thank you to Executive Producers Lloyd Phillips, Pilar Savone, Erica Seinberg, Bob Weinstein, and Harvey Weinstein for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Shosanna (Mélanie Laurent), Colonel Hans Landa (Christoph Waltz), Sergeant Donny Donowitz (Eli Roth), Lieutenant Archie Hicox (Michael Fassbender), Bridget von Hammersmark (Diane Kruger), Frederick Zoller (Daniel Brühl), Sergeant Hugo Stiglitz (Til Schweiger), and Corporal Wilhelm Wicki (Gedeon Burkhard).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. While gore is the main staple of this movie, there is a fair to middling understory that is interesting to contemplate.

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Ben Meyers