NATIONAL TREASURE (Theatrical Release USA 2004)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 4.1|5.0 Starsìììì

National Treasure is, as Ed Sullivan says, ‘a really big show’ to which can be added, ‘and honestly  earns its dollars for entertainment value.’ The innovative script allows Nicolas Cage one of the best performances of his movie career. The supporting cast, composed of Diane Kruger, Justin Bartha, Sean Bean, Jon Voight, Harvey Keitel, and Christopher Plummer, create the perfect charisma that make a film believable. Director Jon Turteltaub times the movement through each clue in this story well. The film has a satisfying conclusion that supports morality and good ethical standards.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

Benjamin Franklin Gates’ (Nicolas Cage) grandfather tells him a story about a fabulous treasure hidden in America and he sets off to follow a series of clues to find it.

Additional Thanks

Thank You to Director Jon Turteltaub for directing efforts. Thank you to Executive Producers Oren Aviv, Chad Oman, Charles Segars, Christina Steinberg, Mike Stenson, and Barry H. Waldman for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast includes: Dr. Abigail Chase (Diane Kruger), Riley Poole (Justin Bartha), Ian Howe (Sean Bean), Patrick Gates (Jon Voight), Sadusky (Harvey Keitel), John Adams Gates (Christopher Plummer), Shaw (David Dayan Fisher), Powell (Stewart Finlay-McLennan), and Shippen (Oleg Taktarov).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? 

Yes. The film moves along nicely, seems fresh and new with its simple plot of following one series of clues after another while staying just ahead of the ‘bad guys’.

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Ben Meyers

TRAINING DAY (Theatrical Release USA 2001)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 4.7|5.0 Starsìììì

Training Day—one of Denzel Washington’s best performances—allows him to show great skill in portraying the character of Alonzo Harris, a corrupt Los Angeles Narcotics Police Officer. Perfectly supported by Actor Ethan Hawke, the film does not flinch in its portrayal of corruption within a law enforcement’s narcotics department. The film’s violence, language, and overall toughness place it in the mature adult category; but its level of realism puts it in a class of its own.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

Los Angeles Narcotics Officer Alonzo (Denzel Washington) introduces fellow officer Jake (Ethan Hawke) to murder and theft during duty.

Additional Thanks

Thank You to Director Antoine Fuqua for directing efforts. Thank you to Executive Producers Bruce Berman and Davis Guggenheim for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Roger (Scott Glenn), Stan Gursky (Tom Berenger), Doug Rosselli (Harris Yulin), Lou Jacobs (Raymond J. Barry), Smiley (Cliff Curtis), Paul (Dr. Dre), Blue (Snoop Dog), and Sandman’s Wife (Macy Gray).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Maybe. While this adult film shows enough violence to place it in the ‘no desire to see it twice’ class, it deserves its rating due to its realism and refusal to step down from Director Antoine Fuqua’s vision and skill in directing a tough story to tell. The movie’s overall perfection in flow and acting cannot be ignored.

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Ben Meyers

MEN IN BLACK (Theatrical Release USA 1997)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 4.5|5.0 Starsìììì

Men in Black—unforgettable film that establishes classic status within the first five minutes—doesn’t flag in its deliverance of originality, creativity, and novelty in every scene and dialogue line. Tommy Lee Jones and Will Smith are a great casting combination. Tony Shalhoub, Vincent D’Onofrio, Rip Torn, and Siobhan Fallon Hogan are terrific choices for supporting cast. This film is award winning entertainment. Great storyline, script, and portrayal. The imaginative rendering of a variety of alien life forms makes this movie outstanding.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

Kay (Tommy Lee Jones) serves as an enforcer for aliens who live on earth under a variety of disguises.

Additional Thanks

Thank You to Director Barry Sonnenfeld for directing effort. Thank you to Executive Producer Steven Spielberg for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Jay (Will Smith), Laurel Weaver (Linda Fiorentino), Edgar (Vincent D’Onofiro), Zed (Rip Torn), Jeebs (Tony Shalhoub), Beatrice (Siobhan Fallon Hogan), Gentle Rosenburg (Mike Nussbaum), Van Driver (Jon Gries), José (Sergio Calderón), Arquillian (Carel Struycken), INS Agent Janus (Fredric Lehne), Dee (Richard Hamilton), First Lieutenant Jake Jensen (Kent Faulcon), Mikey (John Alexander), and Perp (Keith Campbell).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. Once in a while a movie is produced that stands alone as completely unique—a one and only. This film is it. It’s winning entertainment.

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Ben Meyers

NACHO LIBRE (Theatrical Release USA 2006)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 4.6|5.0 Stars ìììì

Nacho Libre—the best of Jack Black since School of Rock—is funny, unique, offbeat, and worth a viewing. Director Jared Hess’ work deserves study.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

Ignacio (Jack Black), an orphan, has grown up in one of Mexico’s Catholic monasteries where he eventually becomes the cook for other orphans who live there. He wants to provide better food for the orphans and realizes, even though wrestling is forbidden by the church, that he can earn money and serve better food to the orphans through wrestling because, win or lose, every wrestler shares a part of the prize money. He names himself Nacho Libre and works secretly as a wrestler in the evenings. A homeless man, Esqueleto (Héctor Jiménez), helps him.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Executive Producer Steve Nicolaides for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Sister Encarnación (Ana de la Reguera), Chancho (Darius Rose), Juan Pablo (Moises Arias), Chuy (Diego Eduardo Gomez), Segundo Nuñez (Carlos Maycotte), Guillermo (Richard Montoya), Ramses (Cesar Gonzales), Elderly Monk (Rafael Montalvo), Snaggle Tooth Monk (Julio Sandoval), Arena Referee #1 (Ventura ‘Tigre Hispano’ Lahoz), Snaggle Tooth Monk (Julio Sandoval), Arena Referee #1 (Ventura ‘Tigre Hispano’ Lahoz), and Arena Referee #2 (Felipe Jesus ‘Terror Chino’ Hernandez).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. This simple story has an offbeat charm that makes it worth every dollar.

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Ben Meyers

WILLY WONKA & THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY (Theatrical Release USA 1971)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 4.8|5.0 Starsìììì

Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory—one of the BEST classic films made—perfectly blends the acting talents of legendary Gene Wilder and Jack Albertson with the directing talents of Mel Stuart.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

Poverty-stricken Charlie (Peter Ostrum) desperately desires a Wonka Golden Ticket that will allow him a coveted private tour of Willy Wonka’s Chocolate Factory. His chances are slim to nothing for getting a ticket and he finally gives up hope when the last golden ticket goes to a Willy Wonka fan in South America. But sometimes appearances are deceiving as Charlie and his bedridden Grandpa Joe (Jack Albertson) discover.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director Mel Stuart for directing efforts. Thank you to Producers Stan Margulies and David L. Wolper for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Willy Wonka (Gene Wilder), Mr. Salt (Roy Kinnear), Veruca Salt (Julie Dawn Cole), Mr. Beauregarde (Leonard Stone), Violet Beauregarde (Denise Nickerson), Mrs. Teevee (Nora Denney), Mike Teevee (Paris Themmen), Mrs. Gloop (Ursela Reit), and Augustus Gloop (Michael Bollner).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. This is a ‘not to be missed’ classic—superbly acted, timed, and written.

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Ben Meyers

GOODFELLAS (Theatrical Release USA 1990)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 4.4|5.0 Stars ìììì

Goodfellas irrefutably stands as testimony to Martin Scorsese’s directing ability. This high quality, gangster film—reminiscent of The Godfather series—does not falter in telling its story. Directed toward the adult audience, its script absorbs, entertains, and educates. The film contains nudity, language, violence, and sexual scenes.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

Young Henry Hill (Christopher Serrone) develops a desire to become a gangster. He begins nurturing that desire by running errands for the mob and moves on to more serious gang ‘services’.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director Martin Scorsese for his directing skills. Thank you to Executive Producer Barbara De Fina for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Henry Hill (Ray Liotta), James Conway (Robert De Niro),Tommy DeVito (Joe Pesci), Karen Hill (Lorraine Bracco), Paul Cicero (Paul Sorvino), Frankie Carbone (Frank Sivero), Sonny Bunz (Tony Darrow), Frenchy (Mike Starr), Billy Batts (Frank Vincent), Morris Kessler (Chuck Low), Tuddy Cicero (Frank DiLeo), Henny Youngman (Henny Youngman), Janice Rossi (Gina Mastrogiacomo), Tommy’s Mother (Catherine Scorsese), Vinnie (Charles Scorsese), and Karen’s Mother (Suzanne Shepherd).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. This film is not for the faint of heart. While The Godfather rates as the classic mob movie, Goodfellas doesn’t have to tip its hat or give up its place in front of any one of the Godfather movies. 

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Ben Meyers

MONSTERS VS. ALIENS (Theatrical Release USA 2009)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 4.0|5.0 Starsìììì

Monsters VS Aliens—despite its lack of strong character development—has enough ‘boom and bang’ special effects to override its rather small storyline to take it into the worth viewing class. Some flaws in the movie are: transitions between why a non-threatening Ginormica (voice of Reese Witherspoon) is immediately thrust into a government facility with  other facility ‘monsters’ and a poor establishment of her relationship to other inmates. It will be interesting to see how screenplay writers Rob Letterman and Conrad Vernon improve the sequel.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

A meteorite hits Susan Murphy (voice of Reese Witherspoon) on her wedding day and she turns into a giant who immediately becomes government property.

Additional Thanks

Thank You to Directors Robert Letterman and Conrad Vernon for directing efforts. Thank you to Lisa Stewart for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Ginormica (voice of Reese Witherspoon), B.O.B. (voice of Seth Rogen), Dr. Cockroach Ph.D. (voice of Hugh Laurie), The Missing Link (voice of Will Arnett), General W.R. Monger (voice of Kiefer Sutherland), Gallaxhar (voice of Rainn Wilson), President Hathaway (voice of Stephen Colbert), Wendy Murphy (voice of Julie
White), Carl Murphy (voice of Jeffrey Tambor), Derek Dietl (voice of Paul Rudd), and Computer (voice of Amy Poehler).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. It’s a fair to middling piece of animation for children.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

THIS IS NOT WHAT I EXPECTED (Tokyo International Film Festival Tokyo Japan 2017)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 4.7|5.0 Starsìììì

This Is Not What I Expected—a complete, over-the-top winner! KUDOS! ENCORE! ENCORE! It’s a one-in-a-million film that no one should miss seeing. Sweet, clean, and written for decency, it’s like a blowing wind of refreshment. It deserves its profit. Watch it. This is great work by Director Derek Hui from its first scenes to the last scenes where Zhou Dongyu pulls every possible nuance out of her part as she walks back and forth behind glass-pane doors waiting for Takeshi Kaneshiro to verbally state what she already knows. Terrific acting that completely transcends international borders and cultural differences makes this film a universal favorite. Despite an initial release in Mandarin Chinese, the movie sports good English subtitles that work exceptionally well for English-speaking audiences.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

In this light, comedy/romance ruthless entrepreneur and relentless gourmet Lu Jin (Takeshi Kaneshiro) acquires a Shanghai  hotel/restaurant, where 29-year-old Gu Sheng Nan (Zhou Dongyu) works as chef. Lu Jin ‘discovers’ Gu Sheng Nan’s outstanding culinary expertise and finds he cannot live without her Michelin-worthy gourmet cooking.

Additional Thanks

Thank You to Director Derek Hui for directing efforts. Thank you to Producers Peter Ho-Sun Chan and Yuet-Jan Hui for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Meng Xin-Jie (Yi-zhou Sun), Xu Zhao-Di (Ming Xi), Jin’s Father (Kuo-Chi Chang), Cheng Zi-Qian (Tony Yo-ning Yang), Gao Fu-Shuai (Xiaosong Gao), and Policeman (Yingjun Zhao).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. This winning story will be well received by international audiences due to its terrific ability to touch the heart with the very human story of falling in love.  This is Not What I Expected is clean, decent, and playful. It takes viewers back to the time when Hollywood consistently produced light romances for the whole family with no ‘surprise’ explicit bed scenes or nudity. This movie deserves every KUDO and ENCORE it receives. It’s a one-in-a-million, quality international film that you don’t want to miss.

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Ben Meyers

TOYS (Theatrical Release USA 1992)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 4.1|5.0 Stars ìììì

Toys—is an imaginative film that supports itself on the talents of Actor Robin Williams and Actress Joan Cusack. The film’s cinematography is unusual, slightly reminiscent of the Wachowski Brothers’ efforts in Speed Racer. Some camera scenes seem to move too fast and hinder perception while the film as a whole seems a pinch boring even as it moves toward its climax. However, the scene where the toys 'face off' fills the action requirement quite nicely. On the whole, the movie serves an adult rather than a child audience contrary to the allusion implied by its title. Some nudity and sex.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline 

The inheritance of a toy factory falls to a brother, Lieutenant General Leland Zevo (Michael Gambon), rather than to a son, Leslie Vevo (Robin Williams), of the owner. Leslie finds it necessary, despite his peace-loving nature, to wage war to re-establish the toy factory to its original mission’s intentions after he discovers his uncle is turning the factory into a miniature war machine factory.

Additional Thanks 

Thank you to Director Barry Levinson for his directing effort. Thank you to Executive Producers Mark Johnson and Barry Levinson for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Alsatia Zevo (Joan Cusack), Gwen Tyler (Robin Wright), Captain Patrick Zevo (LL Cool J), Kenneth Zevo (Donald O’Connor), Owen Owens (Arthur Malet), Old General Zevo (Jack Warden), and Nurse Debbie (Debi Mazar).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? 

Maybe. It’s a pinch slow and a bit boring.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

SAW II (Theatrical Release USA 2005)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 4.0|5.0 Starsìììì

Saw II—while not quite as good as the original Saw movie—maintains intensity and begs for a sequel. Donnie Wahlberg portrays policeman Eric Matthews to perfection. The film contains a higher level of graphic gore than its prequel with more realistic deaths. It’s a high-end thriller/horror film.

Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images

Storyline

Eric Matthews (Donnie Wahlberg) becomes deeply involved in a series of bizarre and convoluted torture murders.

Additional Thanks

Thank You to Director Darren Lynn Bousman for directing efforts. Thank you to Executive Producers Peter Block, Jason Constantine, Stacey Testro, James Wan, and Leigh Whannell for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Jigsaw/John Kramer (Tobin Bell), Amanda Young (Shawnee Smith), Daniel Matthews (Erik Knudsen), Xavier Chavez (Franky G), Jonas Singer (Glenn Plummer), Addison Corday (Emmanuelle Vaugier), Laura Hunter (Beverley Mitchell), Obi Tate (Timothy Burd), Detective Allison Kerry (Dina Meyer), Daniel Rigg (Lyriq Bent).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Maybe. The film performs for an adult audience. This film has the chutzpah to make a strong shove to establish itself as one of the best in the horror/thriller genre. 

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Ben Meyers

A GRAY STATE (Theatrical Release USA 2017)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 4.3|5.0 Starsìììì

A Gray State—chilling documentary—tells the story of the death of Moviemaker David Crowley, his wife, and his daughter. While the deaths are labeled murder/suicide, the real reason for their deaths is left hanging due to the controversial content of his movie. While the film may have shot Crowley to the top of his game due to its exceptionally well-structured storyline, the movie was left in an unfinished state. The family and friend interviews are well done. The archival footage is superb. It’s a defining work for Director Erik Nelson that definitely puts him on Ben Meyers’ ‘desire to see more of his work’ list.

Film Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

An examination of the death of David Crowley, a film maker who works on a movie that predicts a future government that rules without acknowledging liberties for civilian populations, increases tension as it races to its unexpected conclusion.

Additional Thanks

Thank You to Director Erik Nelson for directing efforts. Thank you to Executive Producer Werner Herzog for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Mason Hendriks, Danny August Mason, Chris Peck, Adam Shambour, and Sean Wright.

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. For the late teen and adult audience, this documentary is worth viewing. No satisfactory resolution is given to Crowley’s death.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

THE THREE MUSKETEERS (Theatrical Release USA 2011)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 4.3|5.0 Starsìììì

The Three Musketeers—the best of the better films of 2011—definitely earns a sequel. The film is well acted and well portrayed. The special effects are good. It’s not the usual Three Musketeers’ movie.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

The three musketeers steal Leonardo Da Vinci’s air ship blueprints, but are betrayed by Milady de Winter (Milla Jovovich). She gives the plans to the Duke of Buckingham (Orlando Bloom). The three musketeers return to Paris, France and are ordered to disband by Cardinal Richelieu (Christoph Waltz). They live a life of poverty. But, D’Artagnan (Logan Lerman), a young, hot-headed wannabe musketeer, challenges each of them to a sword fight. The musketeers discover that the young challenger is son of an old musketeer. They befriend D’Artagnon and the adventure begins.

Additional Thanks

Great Work for Director and Producer Paul W.S. Anderson. Thank you to Executive Producer Martin Moszkowicz for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Athos (Matthew Macfadyen), Blonde (Helen George), Venetian Nobleman (Christian Oliver), Aramis (Luke Evans), Porthos (Ray Stevenson), Cagliostro (Til Schweiger), Sergeant Venetian Guard (Markus Brandl), D’Artagnon’s Father (Dexter Fletcher), D’Artagnon Mother (Jane Perry), and Rockefort (Mads Mikkelsen).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. The storyline is good, the action phenomenal, and the special effects great.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

FINDING DORY (Theatrical Release USA 2016)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 4.1|5.0 Starsìììì

Finding Dory—possibly worth a second viewing—is a winner for both the adult and the child. The story inspires, has a heartfelt conclusion, and relies on music that piques positive emotions and values. Watch for the scene where the fish are released into the ocean. Pixar consistently serves quality computer animated entertainment. It’s easy to become a huge Pixar fan as the company delivers a well-defined Pixar story package and fans can always enjoy un-wrapping a Pixar film over other animated production companies’ films. This film does not disappoint Pixar expectations. It’s true to Pixar form. On the downside, this film starts slowly. It is not until Dory (voice of Ellen DeGeneres) meets Hank the Octopus (voice of Ed O’Neill) that the pace increases. The story really takes off when Hank puts Dory into the tank with her own kind so she can begin the adventure to find her parents.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

Dory, a Regal Blue Tang fish, has a childhood disability—forgetting things. She loses her parents and grows into adulthood periodically remembering that she needs to find them. She meets Marlin (voice of Albert Brooks), a Clown Fish who loses and finds his son Nemo (Hayden Rolence). About a year later, Dory is staying with Marlin and Nemo and remembers that she has parents and that she has to find them now before she forgets. So, Marlin and Nemo help begin her adventure and the story is on.

Additional Thanks

Great work for Directors Andrew Stanton and Angus MacLane. Thank you to Executive Producer John Lasseter for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Marlin (voice of Albert Brooks), Destiny (voice of Kaitlin Olson), Nemo (voice of Hayden Rolence), Bailey (Ty Burrell), Jenny (voice of Diane Keaton), Charlie (Eugene Levy), Young Dory (voice of Sloane Murray), Fluke (voice of Idris Elba), Rudder (voice of Dominic West), Mr. Ray (voice of Bob Peterson), Wife Fish (voice of Kate McKinnon), Husband Fish (voice of Bill Hader), and Sigourney Weaver (voice of Sigourney Weaver).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. It’s a good adult/child share film.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

THE DAY THE EARTH STOOD STILL (Theatrical Release USA 1951)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 4.9|5.0 Starsìììì

The Day the Earth Stood Still—a 1951 film that still stands in 2017 as one of the most well-written scripts Hollywood has produced—has great action, suspense, casting, timing, and acting. Add the fact that they wrapped it in innocence so that everyone can watch it and you’ve got great entertainment that serves the widest possible audience.

Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images

Storyline

An outer space ship lands in a Washington, D.C. baseball field. All military surround the ship and wait for a ramp to lower. They are surprised to see a spaceman disembark and proclaim peace to all Earth’s inhabitants. A young, nervous soldier pre-anticipates trouble and shoots the spaceman in the shoulder. A humanoid robot, Gort (Lock Martin), disembarks and begins vaporizing all weapons. Klaatu (Michael Rennie) orders the robot to stop and the American soldiers realize they should help the space man with his wound. They take him to Walter Reed Hospital where the spaceman applies a special salve to heal the wound. Klaatu secretly breaks out of his hospital room, against orders, in an effort to know Earth people better and the story is on.

Additional Thanks

Best Work for Director Robert Wise. Thank you to Producer Julian Blaustein for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Helen Benson (Patricia Neal), Tom Stevens (Hugh Marlowe), Jacob (Sam Jaffe), Bobby Benson (Billy Gray), and Mrs. Barley (Frances Bavier).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. This film is a ‘must see sci-fi’ flick for all ages and all people. No offense here. It’s cleanly done and contains some of the best acting and satisfying portrayal of story out there, period.

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Ben Meyers

SILVER STREAK (Theatrical Release USA 1976)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 3.9|5.0 Starsììì

Silver Streak—an action, comedy film—displays the talents of Gene Wilder paired with Jill Clayburgh. The film, while rated PG, deserves a PG-13 rating and serves the mature teen/adult audience due to sexual references and sex scenes. The action is good and the comedy fair. The film will not disappoint in either category for action and comedy.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

George Caldwell (Gene Wilder) travels by train to attend his sister’s wedding. Along the way he meets a vitamin salesman named Bob Sweet (Ned Beatty). Then, he meets a woman named Hildegard ‘Hilly’ Burns (Jill Clayburgh),who works for an Art History professor named Schreiner (Stefan Gierasch). One night he thinks he sees the Professor’s body fall from the roof of the train; but, because George is drunk, he doesn’t know if he can trust what he sees. The next morning he sees Professor Schreiner’s book about Rembrandt in Hilly’s room. George tells her he thinks he saw the professor fall from the roof of the train. Hilly is skeptical that George tells the truth, so later that day he goes into the Professor’s room where he is confronted by looters and thrown off the train. He walks to a farmer’s house where he gets a plane ride and re-boards the train. In that venue, this valuable art/murder/mystery/comedy races toward its final conclusion.

Additional Thanks

Really good work for Director Arthur Hiller. Thank you to Executive Producers Martin Ransohoff and Frank Yablans for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Grover (Richard Pryor), Reace (Richard Keil), Devereau (Patrick McGoohan), Sheriff Chauncey (Clifton James), Mr. Whiney (Ray Walston), Chief (Len Birman), Plain Jane (Valerie Curtin), Rita Babtree (Lucille Benson), Ralston (Scatman Crothers), Jerry Jarvis (Fred Willard), and Burt (Delos V. Smith, Jr.).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. It’s a good comedy/action flick.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

PENELOPE (Toronto International Film Festival, Release Toronto, Canada 2006)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 4.1|5.0 Starsìììì

Penelope—good story, worth watching—has a wonderful moral to the story that reveals itself in such a way that one does not feel ‘talked down to’ or ‘preached to’. It’s honest. The acting is great. There are some sweet comedic scenes. It’s a great ‘new’ fairy tale with a freshness of its own.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

Generations before this story begins, the town witch (Michael Feast) places a curse on the blue-blood Wilhern family to the effect that the first girl born into the family will look like a pig until someone of her own kind falls in love with her. Generations later, the Wilhern family finally produce a daughter, Penelope (Christina Ricci), who, true to the curse, has a pig’s snout and pig’s ears. Her mother, Jessica (Catherine O’Hara), hides Penelope until she is old enough to marry, but suitors are repulsed by her pig face. The story is on as Penelope works through her misfortune, finds herself, and chooses to live a full life despite her appearance.

Additional Thanks

Great Work for Director Mark Palansky. Thank you to Executive Producers Christian Arnold-Beutel, Chris Curling, Danny Greenspun; Robin Greenspun, Dylan Russell, and Andrew Molasky for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Franklin Wilhern (Richard E. Grant), Penelope’s Great Grandfather (Nick Prideaux), Jake (Michael Feast), Wanda (Ronni Ancona), Edward Vanderman (Simon Woods), Leonard Wilhern (Paul Herbert), Doctor (Simon Chandler), Lemon (Peter Dinklage), and Young Penelope (Andi-Marie Townsend).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. It’s a heartfelt story for everyone to reflect upon and is worth a ticket.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers