RARE BIRDS (Toronto International Film Festival, Toronto Canada 2001)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 3.8|5.0 Starsììì

Rare Birds is a rare film...quirky, almost peculiar, a bit audacious, even a little spunky in its unique approach to its story. The script relegates the primary driver of events to a supporting cast member and elevates a weaker, less forceful character to the primary place of honor. In this upheaval of the usual, the movie finds its place and entertains in a way that makes it a small classic ahead of its times.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

Two men collaborate to put their town on the map of rare bird enthusiasts.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director Sturla Gunnarsson for directing effort. Thank you to Co-executive Producers Sam Feldman and Jeff Sackman for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Dave (William Hurt), Phonce (Andy Jones), Alice (Molly Parker), Deb (Vicky Hynes), Buster Bartlett (Greg Malone), Dr. Jack Tomlinson (Michael Chiasson), Caller #1/Hostage (Barry Newhook), Girl #1 (Laura Tobin), Girl #2 (Maggie Meyer), Brit Woman (Frankie O’Neill), and Hooligan (Lawrence Barry).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. Completely different from standard entertainment fare, the film presents a slow, pleasant pace that is reminiscent of faraway places where people engage in unique activities quite outside the ordinary.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL SHERIFF! (Theatrical Release USA 1969)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 4.3|5.0 Starsìììì

Support Your Local Sheriff! A complete entertainment winner with its choice of James Garner, Joan Hackett, Walter Brennen, Harry Morgan, Jack Elam, and Bruce Dern. The charisma between this casting mix, the terrific dialogue lines, and the little nuances that play between the actors in each scene make this movie excellent entertainment for the whole family. It is re-watchable and belongs in a home video library. The movie is a treasure. Enjoyable from its beginning to its end, one wonders why this particular playfulness isn’t captured more often on film.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

The town needs a sheriff and chooses a drifter on his way to Australia.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director Burt Kennedy for directing effort. Thank you to Executive Producer James Garner for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Jason (James Garner), Prudy (Joan Hackett), Pa Danby (Walter Brennan), Olly Perkins (Harry Morgan), Jake (Jack Elam), Henry Jackson (Henry Jones), Joe Danby (Bruce Dern), Thomas Devery (Willis Bouchey), Tom Danby (Gene Evans), Fred Johnson (Walter Burke), and Luke Danby (Dick Peabody).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. Terrific entertainment even for persons who may not like stories presented within western genre frames.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

STEALTH (Theatrical Release USA 2005)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 4.0|5.0 Starsìììì

Stealth relies on a story already told in a hundred different ways: artificial intelligence gaining sentience, ego, and a will of its own. That sets it into the average class. Despite good special effects, they’ve been seen before. That becomes problematic. The ending scene mimics other AI movies so that the WOW factor becomes completely lost. The movie is solidly cast with Josh Lucas, Jessica Alba, Jamie Foxx, and Sam Shepard and it has a good story. It is worth a watch due to the solid build and the good foundation, but its lack of creativity leaves it out of the classic range.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

A fighter jet equipped with artificial intelligence begins making independent decisions.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director Rob Cohen for directing effort. Thank you to Executive Producers Arnold Messer and E. Bennett Walsh for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Lieutenant Ben Gannon (Josh Lucas), Lieutenant Kara Wade (Jessica Biel), Lieutenant Henry Purcell (Jamie Foxx), Captain George Cummings (Sam Shepard), Dr. Keith Orbit (Richard Roxburgh), Captain Dick Marshfield (Joe Morton), Lieutenant Aaron Shaftsbury (Ian Bliss), Tim (Ebon Moss-Bachrach), Naval Controller (Michael Denkha), Master at Arms (Rocky Helton), and USS Abraham Lincoln Sailor (Clayton Adams).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Maybe. It’s a good film for background party noise, but doesn’t have enough WOW factor to move it into the ‘can’t wait to see the next scene’ class.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

JEEPERS CREEPERS (Theatrical Release USA 2001)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 4.1|5.0 Starsìììì

Jeepers Creepers—a German/American collaboration—uniquely works its horror through dead bodies, two teen-agers, a creature called a Creeper, and a few clues gathered from a psychic. The film is horror, but not terrifying, which makes it a good pick for those middle of the road horror fans. Its sequel, Jeepers Creepers II, came out in 2003. Watch for Justin Long in some of his early works. Jeepers Creepers was his third theatrical film since 1999’s Galaxy Quest.

Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images

Storyline

Two teen-agers witness bloody body bags being dumped down an old corrugated pipe and investigate after the person who dumped them leaves.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director Victor Salva for directing effort. Thank you to Executive Producers Willi Bär, Francis Ford Coppola, Eberhard Kayser, Mario Ohoven, and Linda Reisman for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Trish (Gina Philips), Darry (Justin Long), The Creeper (Jonathan Breck), Jezelle Gay Hartman (Patricia Belcher), Sergeant Davis Tubbs (Brandon Smith), The Cat Lady (Eileen Brennan), Waitress Beverly (Peggy Sheffield), Manager (Jeffrey William Evans), Binky (Patrick Cherry), The Cat Lady (Eileen Brennan), Waitress Beverly (Peggy Sheffield), Manager (Jeffrey William Evans), Binky (Patrick Cherry), Trooper Gideon (Jon Beshara), and Trooper Weston (Avis-Marie Barnes).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. For a person just starting to watch horror films, this is a good starter film.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

NEXT GEN ( Video Release Canadian-American-Chinese 2018)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 3.7|5.0 Starsììì

Next Gen, a computer animated Chinese/Canadian/American collaboration, doesn’t live up to its trailer partly because it gets lost in its own ‘flash and dash’ without paying attention to its theme. The movie fades in and out of focus and that lack of continuity causes a distinct loss of quality in its story telling.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

A young girl develops a deep dislike for robots until she meets a robot named 7723.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director Kevin R. Adams and Joe Ksander for directing effort. Thank you to Executive Producers Olivia Hao, Ounan Hong, Face Hu, and Phyllis Laing for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Project 77 (voice of John Krasinski), Mai (voice of Charlyne Yi), Justin Pin/Ares (voice of Jason Sudeikis), Momo (voice of Michael Peña), Dr. Tanner Rice/Q-Bots (voice of David Cross), Molly (voice of Constance Wu), Greenwood (voice of Kiana Ledé), and Ani (voice of Anna Akana).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Maybe. It’s a large story that comes off as a small story. The script’s potential is not realized. Listen for John Krazinski’s voice in the movie.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

THE WEEK OF (Television Release USA 2018)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 4.3|5.0 Starsìììì

The Week Of—good study on cultural and economic collision—surprisingly has a happy ending. There’s a lot going on in this Sandler film. All the activity complicates itself with the choices of casting which do not seem able to reach that magical-ness that make a movie work well. Watch for Chris Rock in the film.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

Two dads, at opposite ends of the financial spectrum, when imagining how a wedding should go, endeavor to make their children’s wedding work.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director Robert Smigel for directing effort. Thank you to Executive Producers Barry Bernardi, Kevin Grady, and Tim Herlihy for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Kenny Lustig (Adam Sandler), Kirby Cordice (Chris Rock) Charles (Steve Buscemi), Debbie (Rachel Dratch), Sarah (Allison Strong), Tyler (Roland Buck III), Robin (Katie Hartman), Rose (Chloe Himmelman), Isaac (Jake Lippmann), Seymour (Jim Barone), and Roberta (June Gable).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. The movie is typical Adam Sandler, not one of his best films, but will satisfy the Adam Sandler fan.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

DRAGONHEART (Theatrical Release USA 1996)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 3.5|5.0 Starsììì

Dragonheart—great story with tremendous potential—runs on average. The dragon is terrific but its ‘supporting’ cast doesn’t pull the weight that it does. The film lacks a basic honesty due to a script that needs an overhaul.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

A prince, soon-to-be-ruler, fails to stay true to his tutoring. It is up to his tutor to restore the kingdom to justice.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director Rob Cohen for directing effort. Thank you to Executive Producers Patrick Read Johnson and David Rotman for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Bowen (Dennis Quaid), King Einon (David Thewlis), Gilbert of Glockenspur (Pete Postlethwaite), Kara (Dina Meyer), Lord Felton (Jason Isaacs), Brok (Brian Thompson), Young Einon (Lee Oakes), Hewe (Wolf Christian), Red Beard (Terry O’Neill), Felton’s Minx (Eva Vejmelková), and Swamp Village Chief (Milan Bahúl).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Maybe. It has good potential, but it seems to fail in acting.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

THE IMAGINARIUM OF DOCTOR PARNASSUS (Theatrical Release USA 2009)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 4.5|5.0 Starsìììì

The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus has a phenomenal script. This is some of actor Christopher Plummer’s best work. Supporting cast members serve every scene well with outstanding performances by Andrew Garfield, Lily Cole, Verne Troyer, Tom Waits, Heath Ledger, Johnny Depp, Jude Law, Colin Farrell, and Peter Storemare. Terrific directing by Director Terry Gilliam. This movie requires full attention as it is told non-linearly and requires consistent audience involvement to fully appreciate its story. Children may need a plotline discussion before they go to understand the story.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

Dr. Parnassus falls in love and the devil, Nick, makes a bargain that Parnassus will have the love of his life if he agrees that the first child born will belong to Nick at the age of sixteen.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director Terry Gilliam for directing effort. Thank you to Executive Producers Victor Hadida, Patrice Theroux, and David Valleau for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Anton (Andrew Garfield), Doctor Parnassus (Christopher Plummer), Martin (Richard Riddell), Martin’s Girlfriend (Katie Lyons), Friend of Martin (Richard Shanks), Valentina (Lily Cole), Percy (Verne Troyer), Face Changed Martin (Bruce Crawford), Policeman (Johnny Harris), Mum (Lorraine Cheshire), and Dad (Mark Benton).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. On every level, this film wins. Great script, great actors, great stage settings and costuming push the movie over the top for story telling value.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

THE SIGNAL (Theatrical Release USA 2014)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 4.7|5.0 Starsìììì

The Signal starts like a cult film and then toward the middle to end of the film turns into one of the best alien abduction films on the market. Later in the film, watch for special effects that are nearly breath-taking  and leave a viewer asking, “WOW! Where did that come from?” This film is well acted, well portrayed, and leaves a viewer desiring to see more of Director William Eubank’s work. He brought this excellent script to new levels of creativity.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

While making their way to California, three M.I.T. students are abducted by aliens and then, try to escape.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director William Eubank for directing effort. Thank you to Executive Producers Lia Buman, Richard Rothfeld, and Peter Schlessel for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Boy Playing Claw Game (Patrick Davidson), Nic (Brenton Thwaites), Haley (Olivia Cooke), Jonah (Beau Knapp), Gas Station Clerk (Jeffrey Grover), Damon (Laurence Fishburne), Hazmat 1 (Roy Kenny), Hazmat 2 (Timothy Holmes), Hazmat 3 (Ricardo Campos), Hazmat 4 (Drew Sykes), and Mirabelle (Lin Shaye).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. The film brims with imagination and creativity. It has that edge-of-your-seat-feeling that keeps its audience completely involved while waiting for the ‘what’s going to happen next’. This film is well done. Thanks to all involved.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

UNIVERSAL SOLDIER (Theatrical Release USA 1992)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 3.5|5.0 Starsììì

Universal Soldier, even though it displays the talents of Jean Claude Van Damme and Dolph Lundgren, fails to deliver. Although the storyline is very good, entertainment value works on the average level.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

The last two surviving soldiers of a team kill each other. When they are found, the two soldiers are frozen until technology has advanced enough to bring them back to life.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director Roland Emmerich for directing effort. Thank you to Executive Producer Mario Kassar for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Luc Deveaux/GR44 (Jean-Claude Van Damme), Andrew Scott/GR13 (Dolph Lundgren), Veronica Roberts (Ally Walker), Colonel Perry (Ed O’Ross), Dr. Christopher Gregor (Jerry Orbach), Woodward (Leon Rippy), Garth (Tico Wells), GR76 (Ralf Moeller), Motel Owner (Robert Trebor), Lieutenant (Gene Davis), and Charles (Drew Snyder).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Maybe. The most interesting thing about the movie is that humans are brought back to life as cyborgs that need cooling to prevent overheating.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

A TURTLE’S TALE: SAMMY’S ADVENTURES (DVD Release USA 2009)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 3.4|5.0 Starsììì

A Turtle’s Tale: Sammy’s Adventures may easily have been titled Sammy’s Misadventures as this little green turtle has one series of challenges after another before he finds his place in life. The movie, rated PG, will be viewed by adults as a little lame, but may serve a younger audience. This animated film, as an entertainment piece, runs along the average side, not the best in the business, but certainly not the worst either. The film almost wants to be a message film and just barely escapes that labeling.

Film Poster Courtesy of  Wikipedia

Storyline

Sammy, a little green turtle, runs into humans a few times too often to realize a stable life populated with those of his own kind.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Directors Ben Stassen and Mimi Maynard for directing effort. Thank you to Executive Producers Jeremy Burdek, Eric Dillens, Nadia Khamlichi, Adrian Politowski, and Gilles Waterkeyn for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Additional Voices (Pamela Adlon), Shelly (voice of Gemma Arterton), Loggerhead Turtle (voice of Sydney Hope Banner), VW Driver/Male Hatchling #1/Male Hatchling #2/Ollie/Loggerhead Turtle 1/Loggerhead Turtle 5/Loggerhead Turtle 7/Crowd/Fisherman #1/Police #1/Large Seal/Green Turtle/Old Male Turtle/Ben (voice of Ben Bishop), Baby Buddha (voice of Julia Boecker), Hatchling Sammy (voice of William Brent), Snow Crab (voice of Chris Andrew Ciulla), Sammy (voice of Dominic Cooper), Snow (voice of Melanie Cooper), Shark (voice of Dennis Cruzado), and Policeman (Tim Dabado).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Maybe. The film runs on good animation. The concept is workable. It almost seems as if it wants to be a documentary rather than serving children as a piece of entertainment.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

KUNG-FU MAGOO (DVD Release USA 2010)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 3.3|5.0 Starsììì

Kung-Fu Magoo fails to deliver the richness of the 1960s Mr. Magoo persona to the big screen. It fails to appeal and needs work to find the real Mr. Magoo.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

Mr. Magoo fights evil, Magoo style.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director Andrés Couturier for directing effort. Thank you to Executive Producers Fernando de Fuentes, Eric Ellenbogen, Alex Garcia, Alfredo Harp, Charbel Harp, Robert Mittenthal, and Doug Schwalbe for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Brad Landry (voice of Cole Sprouse), Justin Magoo (voice of Dylan Sprouse), Dr. Malicio (voice of Tom Kenny), Lorelei Tan Gu (voice of Alyson Stoner), Cole Fusion (voice of Chris Parnell), General Smith (voice of Rodger Bumpass), Orangu-Tammy (voice of Maile Fanagan), Weas-Elizabeth (voice of April Stewart), Gor-Illiana (voice of Candi Milo), General Bonkopp (voice of Jim Ward), and Corporal Hayes (voice of Ryan Bollman).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Maybe. This film does not help the Magoo franchise.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

PREHYSTERIA! (Theatrical Release USA 1993)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 3.3|5.0 Starsììì

Prehysteria! offers nothing new except the Jimmy Henson-type dinosaurs. Everything works at the average level. Children may enjoy this during lunch break or as a background film for a birthday party.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

A museum curator brings five eggs home and the eggs find their way into the hands of two children.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Directors Albert Band and Charles Band for directing effort. Thank you to Producer Charles Band for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Frank (Brett Cullen), Vicki (Colleen Morris), Monica (Samantha Mills), Jerry (Austin O’Brien), Louis (Tony Longo), Ritchie (Stuart Fratkin), Rico Sarno (Stephen Lee), Whitey (Tom Williams), Danny (Gill Gayle), Jefe (Peter Mark Vasquez), and Sam Simon (Ellis Levinson).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Maybe. The movie does not require total involvement to follow its storyline. The dinosaurs seem more like pets so that the film becomes a non-threatening children’s entertainment piece.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

CARGO (Theatrical Release Australia/UK 2017)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 3.9|5.0 Starsììì

Cargo—terrific Australian scenery—doesn’t live up to its trailer but allows a good look at the acting talents of Martin Freeman and the directing talents of Ben Howling and Yolanda Ramke via a zombie story.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

Zombies inhabit Australia and make life difficult for a father attempting to bring his infant to safety in an unfriendly world.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Directors Ben Howling and Yolanda Ramke for directing effort. Thank you to Executive Produces Zak Brilliant, Ian Dawson, Craig Deeker, Fergus Grady, Jeff Harrison, Phil Hunt, Ian Kirk, and Compton Ross for making the film possible for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Andy (Martin Freeman), Vic (Anthony HaLyes), Kay (Susie Porter), Lorraine (Caren Pistorius), Etta (Kris McQuade), Josie (Natasha Wanganeen), Willie (Bruce R. Carter), Thoomi (Simone Landers), and Daku (David Gulpilil).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. The film is predictable with a simple story that makes it an easy to follow movie while engaged in exercising or other activities.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers 

HURRICANE HEIST (Theatrical Release USA 2018)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 3.2|5.0 Starsììì

Hurricane Heist is not one of Director Rob Cohen’s (Director of xXx and The Fast and the Furious) best works. This wannabe hurricane film’s illogical storyline—why would anyone rob a cash facility during a Category 5 hurricane and how could such a robbery, that would take months or even years to plan, take place without that much forethought—creates distraction that becomes too difficult to ignore. Because this director can obviously make blockbusters, it is a ‘head-scratcher’ trying to understand how he got involved in the direction of this film’s script.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

Treasury agents try to steal money from a cash storage area.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director Rob Cohen for directing effort. Thank you to Executive Producers Byron Allen, Marina Bespalov, Sergei Bespalov, Tamara Birkemoe, Mark Borde, Alastair Burlingham, Chris Charalambous, Chris Conover, Carlos Davis, Mark DeVitre, Charlie Dombek, Anthony Fingleton, Carolyn Folks, Gregory Gavanski, Peter Hampden, Terence Hill, Phil Hunt, Jennifer Lucas, Namit Malhotra, Norman Merry, Compton Ross, and Jenna Sanz-Agero for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Will (Toby Kebbell), Casey (Maggie Grace), Breeze (Ryan Kwanten), Perkins (Ralph Ineson), Sasha (Melissa Bolona), Dixon (Ben Cross), Rice (Jamie Andrew Cutler), Moreno (Christian Contreras), Xander (Jimmy Walker), Frears (Ed Birch), Jaqi (Moyo Akandé).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Maybe. This is a good study film to see what Director Rob Cohen can do, but better natural disaster movie choices are Hours or San Andreas.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

PRINCE BRAT AND THE WHIPPING BOY* (Video Release USA 1995)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 3.9|5.0 Starsììì

Prince Brat and the Whipping Boy has a solid story and a happy ending. The movie is a good adult/child share film.

Film Poster Courtesy of  Google Images

Storyline

A prince and his whipping boy learn from each other when life takes an unexpected turn.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director Syd Macartney for directing effort. Thank you to Executive Producers Philip D. Fehrle, Glenn R. Jones, and Gerhard Schmidt for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Jemmy (Truan Munro), Prince Horace (Nic Knight), Annyrose (Karen Salt), King (Andrew Bicknell), Ambassador (Christoph M. Ohrt), Betsy (Mathilda May), Hold-Your-Nose-Billy (Kevin Conway), Cutwater (Vincent Schiavelli), Blind George (George C. Scott), Queen Mum (Jean Anderson), and Peckwit (Michael Kausch).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. Adults will like this film for its innocence and charm. It’s a solid, classic children’s story.

*Also known as The Whipping Boy

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers