SCOOBY-DOO (Theatrical Release USA 2002)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 3.5|5.0 Starsììì

Scooby-Doo, a blockbuster that grossed $275.7 million on an $84 million budget, reminds us of how much we loved the cartoon.  The live casting is superb with actors that look so much like their cartoon characters that it is unreal. While in some scenes the actors seem a little uncomfortable in their role, the script could use some improvement, and the storyline becomes more than unrealistic—almost goofy at times—it is still a good trip down memory lane for anyone raised with the televised Scooby-Doo, Where Are You? cartoon series. The film comes with a simple ‘moral of the story’—do the best you can and you will be respected for your effort.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

The famous mystery team dissolves over petty arguments, but find themselves once again united to solve the curse of Spooky Island where tourist guests seem to suffer demonic attack. The mystery team finds that, instead of the usual ‘human behind the scenes’ culprit, this island is indeed controlled by very real demons who possess guests and create general havoc everywhere. Thanks, once again, to the ‘bungling efforts’ of Scooby-Doo (voice of Neil Fanning)  and Shaggy (Matthew Lillard) the day is saved with all evil banished and happiness in the form of an all-you-can-eat buffet the reward for bravery and courage.

Additional Thanks

Good Work for Director Raja Gosnell. Thank you to Executive Producers Joseph Barbera, Robert Engelman, Kelley Smith-Wait, Andrew Mason, and William Hanna for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Fred (Freddie Prinze, Jr.), Daphne (Sarah Michelle Gellar), Velma (Linda Cardellini), Mondavarious (Rowan Atkinson), Mary Jane (Isla Fisher), and Voodoo Maestro (Miguel A. Núñez, Jr.),

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. It’s good entertainment, light on the mind, an easy watch.

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Ben Meyers

ERASER (Theatrical Release USA 1996)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 3.5|5.0 Starsììì

Eraser—definitely not a Terminator 1, 2, or 3—places Arnold Schwarzenegger a little out of his league. There may be detective movies that Mr. Schwarzenegger can play, just not this one.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

U.S. Marshall John Kruger’s (Arnold Schwarzenegger) job entails erasure of crime witnesses from United States records by faking their deaths so they can begin new, safe lives. But, in the case of Lee Cullen (Vanessa Williams), erasing becomes complicated and John Kruger finds the necessity of cleaning up all the pieces includes erasing the ‘bad guys’ as well.

Additional Thanks

Good work for Director and Executive Producer Chuck Russell. Thank you to Executive Producer Michael Tadross for his help in making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: WitSec Chief Beller (James Coburn), Johnny Casteleone (Robert Pastorelli), WitSec Deputy Monroe (Danny Nucci), Undersecretary of Defense Daniel Harper (Andy Romano), William Donohue (James Cromwell), and U.S. Marshall Robert DeGuerin (James Caan).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. The storyline has been well written and the action moves along nicely.

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Ben Meyers

HARRY POTTER AND THE ORDER OF THE PHOENIX (Theatrical Release USA 2007)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 4.2|5.0 Starsìììì

Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix—another great in the Harry Potter series—is difficult to follow on an adult level and would seem even more difficult for the unsophisticated, younger child. The film creates very adult situations based on political intrigue and introduces a wider range of settings that increase the complication of its storyline. The film does not seem as well scripted, almost as if it is an interlude to the films to follow. Adults, be prepared for the necessity to explain the nuances of this film and inevitable question/answer sessions.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

In a summer at home, away from Hogwarts, Harry (Daniel Radcliffe) and his cousin, Dudley (Harry Melling), are attacked by Dementors. In an effort to save Dudley and himself, Harry illegally uses magic to quell the Dementors’ force and Hogwarts expels him based on ‘Follow the rules, no matter the circumstance’. Political powers, outside Hogwarts, deny Voldemort has returned and seek to quell anything that supports information to the contrary. Hogwarts, therefore, comes under political control with the establishment of a political regime headed by Dolores Umbridge (Imelda Staunton).  As the political regime increases untenable rules and regulations, students secretly rally to practice ways to defeat Voldemort and protect Hogwarts. In this episode, Harry learns that his path is completely defined—he must extirpate Voldemort in order for goodness to reign.

Additional Thanks

Great Work for Director David Yates. Thank you to Executive Producer Lionel Wigram for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Piers (Jason Boyd), Malcolm (Richard Macklin), Mrs. Arabella Figg (Kathryn Hunter), TV Weatherman (Miles Jupp), Aunt Petunia Dursley (Fiona Shaw), Uncle Vernon Dursley (Richard Griffiths), Malfalda Hopkirk (voice of Jessica Hynes), James Potter (Adrian Rawlins), Lily Potter (Geraldine Somerville), Cedric Diggory (Robert Pattinson), and Lord Voldemort (Ralph Fiennes), Rubeus Hagrid (Robbie Coltrane)

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. After all, we must complete the Harry Potter series; but, if the adult shares this film with the younger child, the movie may need pausing, for explanation, due to the political intrigue interwoven into its basic story line.

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Ben Meyers

KUNG FU PANDA (Theatrical Release USA 2008)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 3.7|5.0 Starsììì Kung Fu Panda—okay, not great—plays on the 'unlikely hero' trope and runs slowly at times. The movie tries to be creative and original with its choice of a panda bear and a goose father figure  running a restaurant  The film has great animation and uses a collage of great voice actors. The movie concludes on a happy note and overall, provides a fair watch for the child/adult share. Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

A Giant Panda named Po (voice of Jack Black) has been reared by a goose, Mr. Ping (voice of James Hong), who runs a restaurant that makes Chinese noodles as its specialty. Po is a Kung Fu fan 'to the bone' and desires to attend the big Kung Fu ceremony in the Valley of Peace because he wants to see who will be the next Kung Fu Master Dragon Warrior. But, in a series of mishaps, Po accidentally becomes anointed as the Kung Fu Master Dragon Warrior instead of Tigress (voice of Angelina Jolie Pitt), so when he is anointed he has to be trained by Red Panda Master Shifu (voice of Dustin Hoffman). Despite physical limitations, Po learns the arts of Kung Fu and then fights the Snow Leopard Tai Lung (voice of Ian McShane), who has broken from prison to acquire the highly valued Dragon Scroll. Po’s overweight, a handicap, turns into a valuable asset when fighting against the Snow Leopard. When Po opens the Dragon Scroll for himself he is disappointed to find it just reveals a reflection of himself. Puzzled, he talks to his father, Mr. Ping, who tells him that when you believe something is special, it becomes special. Po understands that it is important to believe in oneself and he sallies forth to successfully vanquish the Snow Leopard with the ‘Wuxi Finger Hold’. The Valley of Peace, now without any known enemies, returns to peace.

Additional Thanks

Really Good Work for Directors Mark Osborne and John Stevenson. Thank you to Executive Producer Bill Damaschke for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Monkey (voice of Jackie Chan), Mantis (voice of Seth Rogen), Viper (voice of Lucy Liu), Crane (voice of David Cross), Zeng (voice of Dan Fogler), Commander Vachir (voice of Michael Clarke Duncan), Oogway (voice of Randall Duk Kim), and Gang Boss (voice of Wayne Knight).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Maybe. It needs better writing and a more believable script.

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Ben Meyers

THE LONGEST YARD (Theatrical Release USA 2005)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 3.6|5.0 Starsììì

The Longest Yard—a re-make of the 1974 film, The Longest Yard, with Burt Reynolds—stars Adam Sandler as Paul Crewe, a former football player for the Pittsburgh Steelers. It’s a sports comedy that includes Chris Rock as Paul Crewe’s friend, Caretaker, as well as real-life athletes—Bill Goldberg, Bill Rowanowski, Terry Crews, Steve Austin, Bob Sapp, Brian Bosworth, Kevin Nash, Michael Irvin, and Dalip Singh Rana. Unnecessary, sexually suggestive themes detract from the story’s inherent entertainment value.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

Former football player, Paul Crewe has a complaining girlfriend Lena (Courteney Cox). He steals Lena’s 2005 Bentley Continental and deliberately totals it to get even with her complaints about him missing a party to watch a football game and getting drunk. He earns a prison sentence and finds himself coerced into training prisoners needing football training. Paul Crewe with the help of Caretaker and another college football player, Nate Scarborough (Burt Reynolds), trains them and the story becomes ‘losers’ work hard and become intimidating winners.

Additional Thanks

Good Work for Director Peter Segal. Thank you to Executive Producers Barry Bernardi, Allen Covert, David Gale, Tim Herlihy, Albert S. Ruddy, Adam Sandler, Van Toffler, and Michael Ewing for making the film possible. Additional Characters/Cast include: Megget (Nelly), Deacon Moss (Michael Irvin), Errol Dandridge (Walter Williamson), Battle (Bill Goldberg), Cheeseburger Eddy (Terry Crews), Switcoski (Bob Sapp), and Guard Dunham (Steve Austin).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Maybe. The film is interesting. This film is not for everyone. It runs for the mature, adult audience with an extreme focus on ‘raunchy’.  But, the acting is well done.

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Ben Meyers

RISE OF THE GUARDIANS (Theatrical Release USA 2012)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 3.0|5.0 Starsììì

Rise of the Guardians—superb animation, imaginative characterization—suffers from a complicated, difficult-to-interpret storyline as well as too many characters to track well. For viewers who are not familiar with Jack Frost, the Sandman, the Tooth Fairy, Santa Claus, the Easter Bunny, the Man in the Moon, and Pitch Black, confusion unavoidably descends and severely impacts entertainment value.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

The Man in the Moon tells Jack Frost (voice of Chris Pine), after he awakes from a state of amnesia, his true identity. The Man in the Moon warns North aka Santa Claus (voice of Alec Baldwin) that Pitch Black aka the Boogey Man (voice of Jude Law) is back and wreaking havoc in the world. The Man in the Moon tells North that Jack Frost will be added to the group as another ‘guardian’ and will help the current guardians—North, E. Aster Bunnymund aka the Easter Bunny (voice of Hugh Jackman), Sandy aka the Sandman (no script lines), and Tooth aka the Tooth Fairy (voice of Isla Fisher)—in taking down Pitch Black once and for all.

Additional Thanks

Good Work For Director Peter Ramsey. Thank you to Executive Producers Guillermo del Toro. William Joyce, and Michael Siegel for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Jamie Bennett (voice of Dakota Goyo), Caleb (voice of Khamani Griffin), Claude (Kamil McFadden), Sophie Bennett (voice of Georgie Grieves), Jamie’s Mom/Jack’s Mother (voice of Emily Nordwind), and Monty (voice of Jacob Bertrand).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

No. The characters are confusing for the younger child and the story-line suffers from lack of coherency.

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Ben Meyers

ARMAGEDDON (Theatrical Release USA 1998)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 3.5|5.0 Starsììì

Armageddon—interesting concept, a little improbable—employs veteran actors, Bruce Willis (Harry Stamper), Billy Bob Thornton (Dan Truman), and Ben Affleck (A.J. Frost) to venture into space and save earth. Bruce Willis, a one-man action/adventure actor, seems a little uncomfortable playing the ‘team, let’s get it done together’ role. The film suffers from poor special effects.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

NASA hires Harry Stamper and team to land on a meteorite, drill a hole, plant explosives, and blow it into two halves so that it will pass earth and leave earth intact, unharmed.

Additional Thanks

Good Work for Director Michael Bay. Thank you to Executive Producers Jonathan Hensleigh, Chad Oman, and Jim Van Wyck for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Grace Stamper (Liv Tyler), Chick (Will Patton), Rockhound (Steve Buscemi), and Oscar Choi (Owen Wilson),

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. It’s a good action flick with a little family drama for emotional appeal.

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Ben Meyers

GOOD BURGER (Theatrical Release USA 1997)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 3.6|5.0 Starsììì Good Burger—comical—serves as a light-on-the-mind movie that works more on the slapstick side of comedy with repetitive return to the target of the comedy.  It does not take high emotional involvement and works as a good child/adult share or a younger audience 'supervision not needed' movie. Watch for Abe Vigoda in this movie and guest/cameo star appearances of Sinbad and Shaquille O'Neal. Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

The story is about two teen-age boys, one named Dexter (Kenan Thompson) and the other named Ed (Kel Mitchell). Dexter damages his teacher’s car when driving his mother’s car illegally—no driver’s license or insurance. The teacher gives Dexter the option to pay for the damages and Dexter takes a summer job at Good Burger. He meets Ed, who also works at Good Burger. Good Burger faces competition as a new fast food restaurant, Mondo Burger, opens across the street. Ed invents a new, sensational burger sauce and the story is on as Mondo Burger attempts to steal the recipe and the boys find that Mondo Burger uses an illegal substance to make the meat in their burgers swell in size.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director Brian Robbins for directing effort. Thank you to Executive Producer Julia Pistor, for making the film possible. Cast includes Kel Mitchell, Kenan Thompson, Sinbad, Abe Vigoda, Shar Jackson, Dan Schneider, Jan Schweiterman, Ron Lester, Josh Server, Ginny Schreiber, and Linda Cardinllini,

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Maybe. This is an interesting film and tells a comical story with the help of Kenan Thompson and Kel Mitchell. If you enjoy comedy along the Jim Varney style, you’ll most likely enjoy Good Burger.

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Ben Meyers

SCHINDLER’S LIST (Theatrical Release USA 1993)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 4.7|5.0 Stars ìììì

Schindler’s List—beautiful and stunning, perfectly crafted by Director Steven Spielberg—completely overwhelms all his previous works, hands down. It’s not a pretty story. It deserves a 4.9 rating; however, due to the necessarily graphic nature of film that includes nudity and sex, it receives a slightly lower rating. This film, perhaps better than any film produced by Hollywood, illustrates the moral imperative each human carries to preserve life, to value life above material gain, to love others by refusing to inflict pain, and to refuse to compromise moral integrity.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

Oskar Schindler (Liam Neeson), a business entrepreneur, bribes high-ranking German military officers so he can start an enamel works factory that serves German military needs during World War II. He recruits Itzhak Stern (Ben Kingsley), a Jewish businessman, to oversee the factory. Oskar Schindler hires Jewish workers because they cost less and Itzhack Stern fills the factory with an entirely Jewish work force in an effort to save them from certain death in concentration camps. Oskar Schindler becomes increasingly moved by the Jewish plight and repeatedly steps forward with courage to preserve his workforce even to the point of moving the entire force to a new munitions factory he begins in another city. Due to Oskar Schindler’s efforts, 1,200 Jewish persons escape certain death in World War II concentration camps. In 1963 Oskar Schindler receives the Jewish award of “Righteous Among the Nations,” an award given to non-Jews who risk their life to save Jewish lives during the Holocaust.

Additional Thanks

Best Work for Director Steven Spielberg. Thank you to Executive Producer Kathleen Kennedy for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Amon Goeth (Ralph Fiennes), Emilie Schindler (Caroline Goodall), and Helen Hirsch (Embeth Davidtz).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. The film scores 100 percent in every category from story/script to filming technique to timing to audience appeal to ‘need to know’ history.

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Ben Meyers

HEY ARNOLD!: THE MOVIE (Theatrical Release USA 2002)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 2.9|5.0 Stars ìì

Hey Arnold!: The Movie—predictable, definitely not one of the better animated movies of 2002—has a seen that/been there storyline. Nothing unique or original about this film. It was a slam/dunk at the box office, earning about $5 for every $1 spent on budget, but generally fails in every category for entertainment value.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

The movie is about Arnold (voice of Spencer Klein) and his friend, Gerald Martin Johanssen (voice of Jamil Walker Smith), discovering that Mr. Scheck (voice of Paul Sorvino), a high-ranking decision maker of FutureTeck Industries, plans to demolish their historic Revolutionary War neighborhood to make room for a new mall. After Arnold’s Grandfather ‘Steely’ Phil (voice of Dan Castellaneta) tells the history of the neighborhood, Arnold finds that the neighborhood had been declared a historic district many years ago. He finds that Mr. Scheck possesses the documents that prove the neighborhood was marked as a historic landmark. After a series of upsets, the boys are finally victorious over the powerful Mr. Scheck. Mayor Dixie (voice of Tress MacNeille) verifies that the neighborhood is indeed a National LandMark and will be preserved.

Additional Thanks

Fair Work by Director Tuck Tucker. Thank you to Executive Producers Margie Cohn and Julia Pistor for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Helga Geraldine Pataki/ Deep Voice (voice of Francesca Marie Smith), Rasta Guy (Jamil Walker Smith), Nick Vermicelli (voice of Dan Castellaneta), Grandma Gertie ‘Pookie’/Red (voice of Tress MacNeille), Bridget (voice of Jennifer Jason Leigh), Coroner (voice of Christopher Lloyd), Mr. Bailey (voice of Vincent Schiavelli), and Big Bob Pataki/Head of Security, (voice of Maurice LaMarche).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

No, unless you are an absolute Hey, Arnold! fan. For 2002, money is better spent on the animated films, Lilo & Stitch and/or Ice Age.

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Ben Meyers

HOMBRE (Theatrical Release USA 1967)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 2.8|5.0 Stars ìì

Hombre—a disastrous disappointment and sad waste of time except for die-hard Western Movie fans—features a terrific, award-winning cast sans a good script. The conventional western storyline moves slowly and predictably to its inevitable end. The only high point in this film is the opportunity to see Paul Newman cast with Richard Boone.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

The basic story line is: John Russell (Paul Newman)—a man raised by Native Americans—inherits a boarding house and a gold watch from his white father. A society woman, Audra Favor (Barbara Rush), and her husband Professor Alexander Favor (Fredric March); a young couple with a troubled marriage, Billy Lee Blake (Peter Lazer) and his wife Doris (Margaret Blye); the current boarding house operator, Jessie (Diane Cilento); an out-for-himself bandit, Cicero Grimes (Richard Boone); and John Russell take a stagecoach ride together. The stagecoach is robbed for the money Professor Alexander Favor carries. Sheriff Frank Braden (Cameron Mitchell)—a sheriff gone bad—takes the money. Cicero Grimes takes Audra Favor as hostage. John Russell kills one outlaw and Sheriff Frank Braden, retrieves the money, and heads out on foot. The stagecoach passengers follow Russell up a hill where he unsuccessfully attempts to eliminate the rest of the bandits. The stagecoach passengers enter a small house for shelter. The balance of the movie works through negotiation arguments inside and outside the house to rescue Audra Favor. Jessie, the boarding house operator, finally convinces John Russell to rescue Audra Favor.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director Martin Ritt for directing efforts. Thank you to Producers Irving Ravetch and Martin Ritt for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Steve Early (Skip Ward), Henry Mendez (Martin Balsam), Lamar Dean (David Canary), Delgado (Val Avery), Mexican Bandit (Frank Silvera), and Soldier (Larry Ward).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Maybe. If the viewer is a die-hard Paul Newman or Western Movie fan, this film works.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

NON-STOP (Theatrical Release USA 2014)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 3.7|5.0 Stars ììì

Non-Stop—a wanna-be white knuckler—fails before the audience can get to that lasting ‘edge-of-your-seat’ thrill that quality action flicks deliver due to its consistent need to ‘explain’ itself. The result is: the story keeps returning to simmer before it can really get to boil. Good acting by everyone involved, but the film doesn’t exploit the talents of its cast for that A-grade movie feel.

Film Poster Movie Review

Storyline

Air Marshall Bill Marks (Liam Neeson), while flying from New York to London, gets a text message on his phone that if he does not put money in a prescribed bank account someone on the plane will die within 40 minutes. Bill Marks goes to great lengths to find who on the plane is responsible and in the process kills fellow Air-Marshall, Jack Hammond (Anson Mount). A pilot dies of food poisoning and then, after all that, Bill Marks finds that more than one person is involved in the plot to get rich by threatening mayhem and destruction. So, in case you are wondering, in the end, Bill Marks survives, the plane lands safely, and the honorable passengers disembark alive, except for the few dishonorable ones, of course.

Additional Thanks

Really Good Work for Director Jaume Collet-Serra. Thank you to Executive Producers Olivier Courson, Herb Gains, Steve Richards, and Jeff Wadlow for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Jen Summers (Julianne Moore), Nancy (Michelle Dockery), Austin Reilly (Corey Stoll), Tom Bowen (Scoot McNairy), Gwen (Lupita Nyong’o), Dr. Fahim Nasir (Omar Metwally), Kyle Rice (Jason Butler Harner), David McMillan (Linus Roache), and Agent Marenick (Shea Whigham).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Maybe. It’s a B-grade movie that made A-grade money. So, it’s your call, folks.

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Ben Meyers

SEVEN YEARS IN TIBET (Theatrical Release USA 1997)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 4.7|5.0 Stars ìììì

Seven Years in Tibet—fabulous—portrays the acting skills of Brad Pitt as he performs in top form as mountaineer and Austrian Olympic Champion Heinrich Harrer.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

Heinrich Harrer, an Austrian Olympic champion, chooses to leave his wife and unborn child in order to climb the summit of Nanga Parbat, an unconquered killer mountain in what is now known as Pakistan. In the process of attempting the climb, World War II begins. Heinrich Harrer and his team are imprisoned in a POW Camp. His team escapes and Heinrich Harrer heads to Tibet, later joined by fellow climber Peter Aufschnaiter (David Thewlis). Additional political complications between Tibet and China extend the already long stay of the two climbers. Heinrich Harrer becomes an advisor/tutor to the Dalai Lama and finally returns to his Austrian home to endeavor reconciliation with his own young son.

Additional Thanks

Best work for Director and Producer Jean-Jacques Annaud. Thank you to Executive Producers Michael Besman, Richard B. Goodwin, Diane Summers, and David Nichols for making the film possible. Additional character/cast include: Ngawang Jigme (BD Wong), Kungo Tsarong (Mako), Regent (Danny Denzongpa), Chinese ‘Amban’ (Victor Wong), Ingrid Harrer, (Ingeborga Dapkunaite), Dalai Lama 14-Years-Old (Jamyang Jamtsho Wangchuk), Pema Lhaki (Lhakpa Tsamchoe), Great Mother (Jetsun Pema), Tashi (Ama Ashe Dongtse), Dalai Lama at 8-Years-Old (Sonam Wangchuk), Dalai Lama at 4-Years-Old (Dorjee Tsering), and General Chang Jing Wu (Ric Young).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. The film is a good mix of foreign culture, political intrigue, familial stress, and strain on moral qualities such as loyalty.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers