HELLBOY II: THE GOLDEN ARMY (Theatrical Release USA 2008)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 3.5|5.0 Stars ììì

Hellboy II: The Golden Army falls short of expectations and lacks the WOW factor necessary to pull a comic book hero onto the large screen. Costumes are great. There is one grand scene where Hellboy (Ron Perlman) and Abe Sapien (Doug Jones) drink Tecate beer and sing a dated love song together. But, the fight scenes look more like the actors are not really paying attention to movie production, almost ‘horsing around’ rather than working their profession. However, to make up for it, the film throws in a moral to the story for free: Follow your passion, have faith, and you will succeed. This film is the sequel to the first Hellboy film and sets itself in approximately the same time frame. Along the story’s path, Hellboy is beset by a variety of vermin-like creatures who are, of course, determined to take his life. This film kinda' works in its own unique way.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

Hellboy eliminates foes by either punching them or shooting them with an out-sized pistol.

Additional Thanks

Good Work for Director Guillermo Del Toro. Thank you to Executive Producer Chris Symes for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include:  Liz Sherman (Selma Blair), Chamberlain/Angel of Death (Doug Jones), Johann Krauss/Bethmoora Goblin (John Alexander), Johann Krauss (James Dodd), and Johann Krauss (voice of Seth McFarlane).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. Hellboy does not use a great many 'take out the bad guys' techniques, but comic book hero fans will like this film.

Movie Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

INTO THE STORM (Theatrical Release USA 2014)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 2.8|5.0 Stars ìì

Into the Storm—a disaster movie—has great visual effects, but suffers from a low-grade script and unnatural acting. It’s a basic disaster movie focused on storm chasers who want to get the best photo shots of the eye of tornadoes.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

A small Oklahoma town suffers a series of tornadoes.

Additional Thanks

The film is Fair Work for Director Steven Qaule. Thank you to Executive Producers Bruce Berman, Richard Brener, Walter Hamada, Mark McNair, Dave Neustadter, and Jeremy Stein for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Gary (Richard Armitage), Allison (Sarah Wayne Callies), Pete (Matt Walsh), Donnie (Max Deacon), Trey (Nathan Kress), Kaitlyn (Alycia Debnam-Carey), and Daryl (Arlen Escarpeta).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. Despite its low rating, the special effects are worth viewing.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

ALADDIN (Theatrical Release USA 1992)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 4.3|5.0 Stars ìììì

Aladdin—perfect animated film for children and adults—casts Robin Williams as the Genie. The Genie steals the show, but not without the rest of the animated characters giving him a good run for the money in entertainment value. The moral of the story is simple. If you have a genie, he can solve all your problems great and small. The story follows the traditional folktale of Aladdin and the Magic Lamp from One Thousand and One Nights’ stories and takes the audience on a fast moving romp through scenes of deception and betrayal, love and despair, poverty and riches, and very good comedy routines with a satisfying amount of action and adventure.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

A boy finds a lamp, activates the genie inside, and changes life.

Additional Thanks

The film proves to be Great Work for Directors, Producers, and Screenplay Writers Ron Clements and John Musker. Thank you for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Peddler (voice of Robin Williams), Cave of Wonders/Rajah/Abu (voice of Frank Welker), Iago (voice of Gilbert Gottfried), Gazeem/Melon Merchant/Nut Merchant (voice of Charles Adler), Prince Achmed/Necklace Merchant (voice of Corey Burton), Sultan (voice of Douglas Seale), Aladdin (voice of Scott Weinger), Jafar (voice of Jonathan Freeman), and Jasmine (voice of Linda Larkin).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. This animated classic Disney fare satisfies all family members.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

FIDDLER ON THE ROOF (Theatrical Release USA 1971)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 4.9|5.0 Stars ìììì

Fiddler on the Roof deserves unlimited cries of ‘Encore!’ The film stands as a master story. The movie completely and totally engages the universal human condition of the difficulty of change and how to best resolve those difficulties so that no regret follows in later life. This film is an outstandingly compassionate story that teaches while completely entertaining. Thought-provoking.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

Tevye (Topol), a poor Russian milkman, and his wife and five beloved daughters endeavor to maintain tradition and stability during a time of terrific political unrest and violent change. Tevye finds himself continually challenged to make decisions that will test his adherence to traditional customs in every area of his life. A simple man, Tevye, carefully thinks through each challenge and each time relies on compassion of heart and love as well as a talking relationship with God to continually move forward with change. 

Additional Thanks

The film is a Best Work effort for Director and Producer Norman Jewison. Thank you to Executive Producer Walter Mirisch for making the film possible. Thank you to Musical Composer Jerry Bock and Lyricist Sheldon Harnick for unforgettable music. Thank you to Joseph Stein for using outstanding writing techniques to tell Tevye’s story in both screenplay and stage format. Thank you to Sholem Aleichem for telling the human story in such compassionate tones. Additional characters/cast include: Golde (Norma Crane), Yente (Molly Picon), Shprintze (Elaine Edwards), Bielke (Candy Bonstien), Mordcha (Shimen Ruskin), Rabbi (Zvee Scooler), Tzeitel (Rosalind Harris), Motel (Leonard Frey), Lazar Wolf (Paul Mann), Hodel (Michele Marsh), Perchik (Paul Michael Glaser), and Fyedka (Ray Lovelock).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. This film captures and embodies life itself. It asks universal questions and answers some of those questions while leaving the most problematic in the realm of the unknown.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

SOUND OF MUSIC* (Theatrical Release USA 1965)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 4.8|5.0 Stars ìììì

Sound of Music—a Rodger and Hammerstein musical classic—stands, through time, as one of the best films Hollywood released. The story continues to charm, entertain, and please at every possible level. The never outmoded musical score is outstanding. The film’s characters are well-portrayed. The casting is well chosen. The background scenery is—enchanting. An excellent story, that portrays the series of measures that led to World War II Nazi German dominance of Austria, easily becomes well worth watching. Touching and heartfelt, viewers are reminded of the quickness with which political change can happen and the resulting consequence to national residents under new political control.

Film poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

The film is based on the fictionalized true story of Captain Von Trapp (Christopher Plummer) and nun-in-training Maria (Julie Andrews). Maria, who seems ill fitted to be a nun, is ordered to leave the abbey by the Mother Abbess to help widower Captain Von Trapp with the care of his seven children. Maria brings music, light, and happiness into the home and changes the course of events for an entire family.

Additional Thanks

This film is a Best Work effort for Director and Producer Robert Wise. Thank you to Executive Producers Peter Lavathes and Richard D. Zanuck for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: The Baroness (Eleanor Parker), Max Detweiler (Richard Haydn), Liesl (Charmian Carr), Louisa (Heather Menzies Urich), Friedrich (Nicholas Hammond), Kurt (Duane Chase), Brigitta (Angela Cartwright), Marta (Debbie Turner), and Gretl (Kym Karath).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. The Rodgers and Hammerstein music alone make this film a worthy watch.

* Also Known as: The Sound of Music

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

THE LAST SAMURAI (Theatrical Release USA 2003)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 4.7|5.0 Stars ìììì

The Last Samurai—outstanding masterpiece—tells the story of the disintegration of the Samurai as Japan’s warrior class. Masterfully told, this film moves itself beyond classic status into the realm of 'remake cannot make it better than it is'.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

Captain Nathan Algren (Tom Cruise), a United States Army officer, suffers from anxieties and nightmares about mayhems he committed against Native Americans under his commanding officer, Colonel Bagley (Tony Goldwyn). When Japan requests United States’ aid to train a modern Japanese military force to replace its outmoded Samurai warrior class, Captain Algren travels to train this new army in the use of modern weaponry. In the first skirmish with the Samurai, the new Japanese military is defeated and Captain Algren is captured by the Samurai.

Additional Thanks

This film comes under a Best Work effort for Director Edward Zwick. Thank you to Executive Producers Ted Field, Vincent Ward, Charles Mulvehill, and Richard Solomon for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Katsumoto (Ken Watanabe), Winchester Representative (William Atherton), Winchester Representative Assistant (Chad Lindberg), Omura (Masato Harada) ,Convention Hall Attendee (Ray Godshall, Sr.), Zebulon Gant (Billy Connolly), Omura’s Companion (Mosashi Odate), Simon Graham (Timothy Spall), and General Hasegawa (Togo Igawa).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. The movie outstandingly entertains by crossing international borders with finesse. Do not miss this bit of history told in high style that more than fills requirements for entertainment.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

AROUND THE WORLD IN 80 DAYS (Theatrical Release USA 1956)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 4.3|5.0 Stars ìììì

Around the World in 80 Days reminds us of why we love old movies. This original film interpretation of the classic Jules Verne novel loses no entertainment value when compared to Director Frank Coraci’s 2004 film remake of the same story with Jackie Chan and Steve Coogan. The original movie’s casting is flawless, the script playful, and the acting authentic. Of course, it’s hard to miss a quality entertainment product with Actor David Niven who stars as character Philias Fogg and with Mexico’s classic comedian, Cantinflas, who stars as character Passepartout, Fogg’s faithful and long-suffering valet. The film well portrays the action-packed, gamble-driven journey to Paris, Spain, Italy, India, Hong Kong, Yokohama, the United States, and Britain. There is a completely satisfying climax as, minutes before the deadline, the heroes believe they have lost their wager.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

A gentlemen's wager leads to an around the world adventure.

Additional Thanks

Great work for Director Michael Anderson. Thank you to Producer Michael Todd for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Princess Aouda (Shirley MacLaine), Inspector Fix (Robert Newton), Barbary Coast Saloon Owner (Marlene Dietrich), and Sir Francis Cromarty (Cedric Hardwicke).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. The film crafts wonderfully on screen. Great work for Director Michael Anderson.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

LETTERS FROM IWO JIMA (Theatrical Release USA 2007)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 4.8|5.0 Stars ìììì

Letters from Iwo Jima—another terrific Clint Eastwood directed film—tells the Japanese point of view about the World War II American invasion of Iwo Jima. While Eastwood’s previous film, Flags of our Fathers, told the same story from the American point of view and bombed in the box office, this film is a complete success on every level. Eastwood does his research and wisely uses Japanese language with English subtitles for authentic effect. It completely works. The fighting scenes wring the heart while showing General Kuribayashi’s (Ken Watanabe) efforts to lead a good fight, preserve his men, and honorably take his stand under the most bleak of circumstances.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

General Kuribayashi fights Americans at Iwo Jima.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Executive Producer Paul Haggis for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Baron Nishi (Tsuyoshi Ihara), Shimizu (Ryô Kase), Lieutenant Ito (Shidô Nakamura), Lieutenant Fujita (Hiroshi Watanabe), Captain Tanida (Takumi Bando), and Nozaki (Yuki Matsuzaki).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. The movie directs thoughtful contemplation of the concept of winning and losing.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

CESAR CHAVEZ (Theatrical Release USA 2014)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 3.4|5.0 Stars ììì

Cesar Chavez fails to tell its story. The first challenge is the script. It works as if there is not enough story to put a movie together when that definitely is not the case. The second challenge is casting John Malkovich with Michael Peña. It’s a poor casting choice. The third challenge is weak acting. The film follows Cesar Chavez’ attempt to organize migrant workers into a union; but it fails to do justice to Mr. Chavez’ life.

Storyline

Cesar Chavez takes on the fight for farm workers.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director Diego Luna for directing effort. Thank you to Executive Producers Gael Garcia Bernal and John Malkovich for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: American Lady (Kerry Adra), Chato Chavez (Maynor Alvarado), Gilbert Padilla (Yancey Arias), and Jerry Cohen (Wes Bentley).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Maybe. The story needs more force and power to tell its story well. Charles Bronson's Mr. Majestyk tells a much stronger story about the difficulties of agriculture, migrant workers, mafia, and law enforcement issues.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

WRECK-IT RALPH (Theatrical Release USA 2012)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 4.8|5.0 Stars ìììì

Wreck-It Ralph—funny, animated film—bases itself on Ralph (voice of John C. Reilly), a computer arcade character, who wrecks things that another arcade game character, Felix (voice of Jack McBrayer), fixes. At night, the arcade game characters travel from game to game and visit with one another. Ralph, the wrecker, never receives accolades or medals because he’s the villain.  He decides he doesn’t want to be a villain any longer and is willing to risk everything to get a medal so that he can be a good guy instead of a bad guy. Ralph embarks on an adventure to solve what he really is. This is a great film for children and for adults.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Additional Thanks

Best work for Director Rich Moore. Thank you to Executive Producer John Lasseter for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Vanellope (voice of Sarah Silverman), Calhoun (voice of Jane Lynch), King Candy (voice of Alan Tudyk), Taffyta Muttonfudge (voice of Mindy Kaling), Markowski (voice of Joe Lo Truglio), Mr. Litwak (voice of Ed O’Neill), and General Hologram (voice of Dennis Haysbert).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. It is one of the best computer animated movies on the market. This film is also well written.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

THE MAZE RUNNER (Theatrical Release USA 2014)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 4.7|5.0 Stars ìììì

The Maze Runner—one of the better 2014 action films—is good enough to create desire for a sequel. 

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

The initial scene opens with Thomas (Dylan O’Brien) waking in a state of amnesia on the floor of an elevator. The elevator’s doors open to a glade surrounded by a maze. There are other boys there who inform him that there is a way out of the maze. Thomas finds that the maze gates close every night and the maze changes every night which complicates ability to find a final exit. In addition, the maze is inhabited by cyborg Grievers who randomly attack maze runners.

Additional Thanks

Best work for Director Wes Ball. Thank you to Executive Producers Eddie Gamarra, Joe Hartwick, Jr., and Lindsay Williams for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Chuck (Blake Cooper), Newt (Thomas Brodie-Sangster), Frypan (Dexter Darden), Teresa (Kaya Scoldelario), Ben (Chris Sheffield), Zart (Joe Adler), Winston (Alexander Flores), Gally (Will Poulter), Alby (Aml Ameen), and Minho (Ki Hong Lee).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. It's an action-packed film that relies on a creative story idea.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

THE LEGEND OF HERCULES (Theatrical Release USA 2014)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 3.4|5.0 Stars ììì

The Legend of Hercules—action flick—has a tough job...try to capture a legend on a 'big' screen when the whole world isn't a big enough screen to hold the story. Special effects suffer from significant imaging challenges. Actors have no screen presence, no natural feel almost as if this is their movie debut. The script seems like a hodgepodge of once-upon-a-time great movie scenes randomly mishmashed together in the odd hope that some of that once-upon-a-time greatness will magically rub off and sprinkle this story with at least some fading stardust. While we love the whole ‘call upon the gods’ thing for supernatural aid to save us from our problems, even that couldn’t rescue this story from its fossilized state into a viable work of art. Director Renny Harlin had his hands full in trying to get this movie launched into any kind of workable format.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

Hercules attempts the fight to raise himself from slave to ruler.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Executive Producers Avi Lerner, Trevor Short, John Thompson, and David Varod for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Hercules (Kellan Lutz), Hebe (Gaia Weiss), King Amphitryon (Scott Adkins), Sotiris (Liam McIntyre), Chiron (Rade Serbedzija), and Tarak (Johnathon Schaech).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. Despite its obvious flaws, the legends are difficult to beat for storyline and can be a good choice for movies. To be fair, it's difficult to catch the greatness of heroes on a screen, even if it is the big screen.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

JUNO (Theatrical Release USA 2007)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 4.7|5.0 Stars ìììì

Juno challenges viewers, through the eyes of a young pregnant girl, Juno MacGuff (Ellen Page), to see the opportunities life affords for happiness. This offbeat, matter-of-fact film works in almost documentary fashion as it explores Juno MacGuff’s independent decision making processes that cycle from initiating sexual intimacy to discovering pregnancy to moving forward in life. Charmingly, Juno maintains an unusual level of common sense and operates at a down-to-earth level of near-adult autonomy throughout the entire film. In an unusually mature fashion, she accepts responsibility for her choices and carefully weighs all options before she makes a final decision. This creates a very enjoyable film as Juno slowly creates a winning situation for everyone—herself, her boyfriend (Michael Cera), her father (J.K. Simmons) and step-mother (Allison Janney), her baby, and ‘wannabe’ adoptive mother (Jennifer Garner). Juno’s pragmatic life view departs from the hysterical responses of bygone eras and allows viewers sensible, rational resolution for a very old and common life situation. The refreshing ‘pick up the pieces the best you can and start again with what you have been given’ attitude of this film makes it well worth seeing.

Film Poster courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

Young Juno MacGuff makes a series of choices that lead to pregnancy.

Additional Thanks

Best work for Director Jason Reitman. Thank you to Executive Producers Joseph Drake, Daniel Dubiecki, Nathan Kahane, and Lianne Halfon for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include : Vanessa Loring (Jennifer Garner), Mark Loring (Jason Bateman), Leah (Olivia Thirlby), Gerta Rauss (Eileen Pedde), and Rollo (Rainn Wilson).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. This story presents well on screen.

Video Critique Available :Here:

Ben Meyers

THE KING AND I (Theatrical Release USA 1956)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 4.1|5.0 Stars ìììì

The King and I is a good and worthy watch despite its age. While it’s not the best of Rodger and Hammerstein musicals, it holds its own with Yul Brenner and Deborah Kerr perfectly cast to meet each other on equal footing. The script is very well written. The movie kindly looks at the difficulty of moving from old traditions into new modes of thinking and solving problems. The film skillfully weaves in several back stories that increase the depth of the primary story. There is a charming rendition of Uncle Tom’s Cabin as interpreted by Siamese dancers that is absolutely worth seeing. The movie has an unexpected resolution that highlights the fact that sometimes it takes generations of time to make necessary changes, but that education and good teachers are the key to making that happen.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

King Mongkut of Siam hires Anna Leonowens to educate royal children.

Additional Thanks

Great work for Director Walter Lang. Thank you to Executive Producer Darryl F. Zanuck for making the film possible. Wonderful music by Richard Rodgers. Terrific writing by screenplay writer Ernest Lehman based on the book by Oscar Hammerstein II/musical play by Margaret Landon. Additional characters/cast include: Tuptim (Rita Moreno), Kralahome (Martin Benson), Lady Thiang (Terry Saunders) Louis Leonowens (Rex Thompson), Lun Tha (Carlos Rivas), and Prince Chylalongkorn (Patrick Adiarte).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? 

Yes. Excellent discussion material for after-viewing mark this timeless movie as a great re-watch and perfect addition to the family home video library.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

SENSE AND SENSIBILITY (Theatrical Release USA 1996)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 2.6|5.0 Stars ìì

Sense and Sensibility—a movie that drags on and on and on. If you like slow British love dramas with a touch of intrigue, repetitive scenes that make you writhe in your seat while silently screaming, “Let’s get the story rolling, pull-eeeeze!,” then you’ll love this film. The movie even comes with a moral of the story, well, sort of. But first, not without a little travail to create the necessary lukewarm and slightly elevated anxiety level we’ve come to expect from British drama.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline 

Two sisters, in their desperate need to get married due to impoverished circumstances, dispatch into the matrimonial world ‘Cinderella-style’ to coveted places quite above their current financial means.

Additional Thanks

Director Ang Lee definitely caught the British style of telling stories in his interpretation of this classic British novel. Thank you to Executive Producer Sydney Pollack for making the film possible. Additional character/cast include: John Dashwood (James Fleet), Mr. Dashwood (Tom Wilkinson), Fanny Dashwood (Harriett Walter), Marianne Dashwood (Kate Winslet), Elinor Dashwood (Emma Thompson), Mrs. Dashwood (Gemma Jones), Edward Ferrars (Hugh Grant), and Colonel Brandon (Alan Rickman).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. It's a piece of literature history that saves one from the agony of reading the book.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

MIRROR MIRROR (Theatrical Release USA 2012)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 4.0|5.0 Stars ìììì

Mirror Mirror, out of the many renditions of the Snow White story, turns into a good film partially due to the great casting choice of Julia Roberts as the Queen. The movie provides a little twist on the personalities of the seven dwarves that definitely catch interest.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

Snow White meets her prince and wisely does not bite into the apple.

Additional Thanks

Great work for Director Tarsem Singh. Thank you to Executive Producers Jason Beckman, Robbie Brenner, John Cheng, Jason Colbeck, Jason Colodne, Jamie Marshall, Kevin Misher, Josh Pate, Tommy Turtle, Jeff Waxman, and Tucker Tooley for making the film possible. Additional character/cast include: Snow White (Lily Collins), Prince Alcott (Armie Hammer), Brighton (Nathan Lane), Butcher, Grumpy (Martin Klebba), Napoleon (Jordan Prentice), Half Pint (Mark Povinelli), Grub (Joe Gnoffo), Grimm (Danny Woodburn), Wolf (Sebastian Saraceno), Chuckles (Ronald Lee Clark), Charles Renbock (Robert Emms), and King (Sean Bean).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. The movie does not follow the typical Snow White story and creates interest with dialogue and live action rather than animated action.

Video Release Available Here:

Ben Meyers