88 MINUTES (Theatrical Release USA 2008)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 3.9|5.0 Starsììì

88 Minutes relies on shocking torture scenes, blood, gore, and open guts to deliver its 111 minutes of terror. Al Pacino is, as usual, up to his usual tough-to-beat professionalism and carries the entirety of this psychological thriller from its beginning to its shocking and startling end. The movie is not for the faint of heart.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

Dr. Jack Gramm (Al Pacino) becomes involved in a cat and mouse game with a serial killer.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director Jon Avnet for directing efforts. Thank you to Executive Producers John Baldecchi, Lawrence Bender, Boaz Davidson, Danny Dimbort, George Furla, Josef Lautenschlager, Avi Lerner, Trevor Short, and Andreas Thiesmeyer for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Kim Cummings (Alicia Witt), Lauren Douglas (Leelee Sobieski), Shelly Barnes (Amy Brenneman), Frank Parks (William Forsythe), Carol Lynn Johnson (Deborah Kara Unger), Mike Stempt (Ben McKenzie), Jon Forster (Neal McDonough), Sara Pollard (Leah Cairns), Guy LaForge (Stephen Moyer), Jeremy Guber (Christopher Redman), Defense Attorney (Trilby Glover), The Judge (Damien Leake), Johnny D’Franco (Brendan Fletcher), J.T. Rycker (Michael Eklund), Dale Morris (Kristina Copeland), and Janie Cates (Tammy Hui).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. It’s a particularly gruesome thriller that does not deliver a predictable story. There is nothing lacking here for audiences who are looking for a terror Hollywood style.

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Ben Meyers

TALLADEGA NIGHTS: THE BALLAD OF RICKY BOBBY (Theatrcal Release USA 2006)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 4.2|5.0 Starsìììì

Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby presents Will Ferrell and John C. Reilly with Michael Clark Duncan in an adult comedy about professional race car driving that provides some laughter Will Ferrell style. The movie carries itself with its storyline, well-directed script, and script lines delivered with good timing for comedic effect.

Film Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

All Ricky Bobby (Will Ferrell) desires in life is provided by his successful career on the race track. However, when he has a racing accident and develops a paranoia of driving, he loses everything and needs to find new ways of approaching life in order to re-start his career and his life.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director Adam McKay for directing efforts. Thank you to Executive Producers Paul B. Brooks, Will Ferrell, Richard Glover, David B. Householter, Ryan Kavanaugh, Adam McKay, and Sarah Nettings for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Cal Naughton, Jr. (John C. Reilly), Jean Girard (Sacha Baron Cohen), Reese Bobby (Gary Cole), Lucius Washington (Michael Clarke Duncan), Carley Bobby (Leslie Bibb), Lucy Bobby (Jane Lynch), Susan (Amy Adams), Gregory (Andy Richter), Mrs. Dennit (Molly Shannon), Larry Dennit, Jr. (Greg Germann), Hershell (David Koechner), Glenn (Jack McBrayer), Kyle (Ian Roberts), Mr. Dennit, Sr. (Pat Hingle), and 5-year-old Ricky (Jake Johnson).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. This is mature comedy for racing fans.

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Ben Meyers

THE GIVER (Theatrical Release USA 2014)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 3.9|5.0 Starsììì

The Giver is an intellectual concept movie. The movie is based on the concept that a single community person holds all memories of its past and serves as an advisor to the government on the best decisions to make for the future based on remembered past events. The new receiver of memory, however, makes the decision that memory should once again be released to all members of the community. This story and script are based on Lois Lowry’s book of the same name. The film plays on the idea that it is wrong to have emotion and reminds one of the film Equilibrium. The film is highly crafted. Brenton Thwaites does a terrific job of interpreting the role of Jonas.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

Jonas (Brenton Thwaites) is chosen to be the next receiver of memory for his community, but finds that some things cannot be received without sharing and giving.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director Phillip Noyce for directing efforts. Thank you to Executive Producers Ralph Winter, Bob Weinstein, Harvey Weinstein, Dylan Sellers, Alison Owen, Ron Burkle, and Scooter Braun for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: The Giver (Jeff Bridges), Chief Elder (Meryl Streep), Father (Alexander Skarsgård), Mother (Katie Holmes),Fiona (Odeya Rush), Asher (Cameron Monaghan), Rosemary (Taylor Swift), and Lilly (Emma Tremblay).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. It’s a good sci fi film with an innovative and creative storyline.

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Ben Meyers

RAILROAD TIGERS (Theatrical Release China 2016)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 3.8|5.0 Starsììì

Railroad Tigers returns Jackie Chan to some comedy and begins re-establishing the Jackie Chan that we knew and loved from previous years. He’s not doing much Kung Fu in this movie and is relying on straight up acting with some great cinematography and a great supporting cast to tell the story. The script is great and overall this ride cannot be ignored. It’s good entertainment.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

Ma Yuan (Jackie Chan) and his group of railway workers heroically team to oppose invading Japanese, steal Japanese food and supplies, and begin delivering those supplies to feed starving Chinese villagers in eastern Asia.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director Ding Sheng for directing efforts. Thank you Executive Producers Joe Tam, Ge Song, Zhong-Lun Ren, Jianhong Qi, Qin Hong, and Jackie Chan for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Da Hai (Zitao Huang), Rui Ge (Jaycee Chan), Fan Chuanjaycee Chan (Kai Wang), Da Qui (Ping Sang), and Xiao Qi (Alan Ng).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. This is definitely worth a ticket. The film has heart and good character. It’s good to see Jackie Chan returning to everything we loved best about him.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

PHOENIX (Toronto International Film Festival Toronto Canada 2014)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 4.1|5.0 Starsìììì

Phoenix is a sadly complicated story that leaves many questions unanswered and creates more questions than answers. It is unclear why the character Nelly Lenz does not reveal herself to her husband upfront. It seems as if she wants her husband, Johnny Lenz, to do all the work of trying to figure out her real identity. It is unclear why her friend Lene commits suicide and why Nelly’s ‘friends’ are so cool and distant to the point of being unreal when re-introduced to her. The friends’ extreme coolness seems to implicate each of them as co-conspirators with her husband in her incarceration. Viewer confusion results. The movie’s end seems unfinished with so much more to be said so that the viewer is left with an emptiness; there is no closure. What happened to Nelly? Where did she go? Did she return to Israel? Did she resume her singing career? Was she emotionally stable enough to return to life? Did she love again? Did she make new friends after Lene died? What meaning does Phoenix have in this story? There are so many possible interpretations. Which one correctly fits this story? This story is significant and emotionally involves the viewer, but the viewer is left with a bag of puzzle pieces that cannot and do not fit and that is very disturbing.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

Nelly Lenz (Nina Hoss) returns from WWII concentration camps, undergoes reconstructive facial surgery to repair damage sustained during her interment, and after the surgery, looks for her husband Johnny Lenz (Ronald Zehrfeld). When she finds him, he does not recognize her but notes that she looks similar to his wife and asks her to impersonate his wife so he can collect a sizable inheritance left to her during the war years.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director Christian Petzold for directing efforts. Thank you to Executive Producer Jacek Gaczkowski for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Lene Winter (Nina Kunzendorf), Soldat an der Brücke (Trystan Pütter), Arzt (Michael Maertens), Elisabeth (Imogen Kogge), Geiger (Felix Römer), Clubbesitzer (Uwe Preuss), Tänzerin (Valerie Koch), Tänzerin (Eva Bay), Soldat im Club (Jeff Burrell), Junge Frau (Nikola Kastner), Der Mann (Max Hopp), Mitarbeiterin Zentralstelle Halensee (Megan Gay), Wirtin (Kirsten Block), and Alfred Mohnhaupt (Frank Seppeler).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. It’s an intellectual watch.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

INSIDE MAN (Theatrical Release USA 2006)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 3.8|5.0 Starsììì

Inside Man has a great script, very good acting, and a good, fresh concept; but the film has been dramatized to the point of a slowly moving turtle. Watch for Christopher Plummer, Jodie Foster, and Willem Defoe supporting cast for Clive Owen. Denzel Washington does a particularly good job of interpreting his character, Detective Keith Frazier.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

                                            

Dalton Russell (Clive Owen) is robbing a bank, but not for his personal benefit or for taking people’s money.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director Spike Lee for directing efforts. Thank you to Executive Producers Karen Kehela Sherwood, Jon Kilik, Daniel M. Rosenberg, and Kim Roth for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Detective Keith Frazier (Denzel Washington), Dalton Russell (Clive Owen), Madeleine White (Jodie Foster), Arthur Case (Christopher Plummer), Captain John Darius (Willem Dafoe), Detective Bill Mitchell (Chiwetel Ejiofor), Steve (Carlos Andrés Gómez), Stevie (Kim Director), Steve-O (James Ransone), Chaim (Rachelle), Captain Coughlin (Peter Gerety), Sergeant Collins (Victor Colicchio), Sylvia (Cassandra Freeman), Peter Hammond (Peter Frechette), Herman Gluck (Gerry Vichi), and Vikram Walia (Waris Ahluwalia).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. This film works for the hardcore Denzel Washington fan.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

SMURFS: THE LOST VILLAGE (Theatrical Release USA 2017)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 3.6|5.0 Starsììì

Smurfs: The Lost Village runs on a straightforward, good storyline but derails on the music. The music seems misplaced so that necessary emotional effects to appreciate the story are either dampened or lost. One example of this is the choice of music when Smurfette leaves her Smurf village to explore another village. The entire musical montage seems misplaced and cuts short. The music at the end of this movie seems wrongly placed so that it does not meld well with its scenes. The music that pretty well serves its scenes is Effiel 65’s song "Blue" (Da Ba Dee).

Film Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

With the help of her Smurf friends, Smurfette (voice of Demi Lovato) finds a new village of female Smurfs and the story is on.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director Kelly Asbury for directing efforts. Thank you to Executive Producers Raja Gosnell and Ben Waisbren for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Gargamel (voice of Rainn Wilson), Hefty Smurf (voice of Joe Manganiello), Clumsy Smurf (voice of Jack McBrayer), Brainy Smurf (voice of Danny Pudi), Papa Smurf (voice of Mandy Patinkin), Monty (voice of Dee Bradley Baker), Azrael (voice of Frank Welker), SmurfStorm (voice of Michelle Rodriguez), SmurfBlossom (voice of Ellie Kemper), SmurfWillow (voice of Julia Roberts), SmurfLily (voice of Ariel Winter), SmurfMelody (voice of Meghan Trainor), Snappy Bug/Handy Smurf (Bret Marnell), Cauldron (voice of Brandon Jeffords), and Nosey Smurf (voice Kelly Asbury).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Maybe. This is a Sony animated film. In this film Sony cannot begin to compare with the quality animation that is coming from studios like Pixar and Illumination Entertainment. Despite this, the cartoon is what it is and for Smurf fans everywhere, it performs as it should.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

MEET THE ROBINSONS (Theatrical Release USA 2007)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 3.7|5.0 Starsììì

Meet the Robinsons turns into a fair to middling animated feature despite its less than original storyline and choppy presentation. It takes a while to figure out who the characters are and how they are related, but the voices are great and the characters are well developed with interesting personalities that will be appreciated by adults and children.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

Lewis Robinson (voices of Daniel Hansen and Jordan Fry) needs a family to adopt him, but his proclivity toward inventing things that malfunction scares away prospective parents. He finds help from his time-traveling, future son Wilbur (voice of Wesley Singerman) and rectifies a few wrongs in the process.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director Stephen J. Anderson for directing efforts. Thank you to Executive Producers John Lasseter, William Joyce, and Clark Spencer for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Mildred (voice of Angela Bassett), Michael Yagoobian (voice of Matthew Josten), Mr. Harrington (voice of John H. Ford), Mrs. Harrington/Receptionist (voice of Dara McGarry), Mr. Willerstein (voice of Tom Kenny), Lucille Krunklehorn (voice of Laurie Metcalf), Coach/Gaston (voice of Don Hall), Stanley (voice of Paul Butcher), Lizzy (voice of Tracey Miller-Zarneke), Young Franny (voice of Jessie Flower), Bowler Hat Guy/Grandpa Bud/Tallulah (voice of Stephen J. Anderson), Doris/CEO/Spike/Dmitri/Laszlo/Fritz/Petunia (voice of Ethan Sandler), and Carl (voice of Harland Williams).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. It’s worth at least one viewing despite some holes in the storyline.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers 

POLICE STORY: LOCKDOWN (Theatrical Release Singapore 2013)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 3.5|5.0 Starsììì

Police Story: Lockdown is number six of a series of Jackie Chan Police Story movies. It has been made to stand alone so that the five prequel movies do not need to be watched to appreciate this one. While it does not reach a 4-star status, it has improved and more realistic action than some of the Jackie Chan films of recent years. Its drama and storyline, however, runs from hard to get through to plain ridiculous. These film flaws are highlighted by weaker acting than we expect from Jackie Chan while the darker storyline leaves out much of the comedy that we love about Jackie Chan.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

Detective Zhong Wen (Jackie Chan) searches for his daughter Miao Miao (Tian Jing) and finds her keeping company with a bad crowd.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director Ding Sheng for directing efforts. Thank you to Producer Yang Du for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Wu Jiang (Ye Liu), Lan Lan (Tao Yin), General Manager Niu (Yiwei Liu), Na Na (Wei Na), Wei Ziao Fu (Xiaoou Zhou), Captain Wu (Rongguang Yu), Chief Zhang (Peiqi Liu), Pi Song (Hailong Liu), Bin Ge (Zha Ka), A Kun (Lu Cai), Tao Zi (Fu Hai), Worker (Zou Yizheng), Zhu Nan (Tong Chenjie), and Xiao Wei (Coulee Nazha).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. The action is good. Despite poor drama, Jackie Chan fans will appreciate one more opportunity to watch him on big screen.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

UNDERDOGS (Theatrical Release ARGENTINA 2013)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 3.0|5.0 Starsììì

Underdogs suffers from flat, unrelated scenes and a disconnected storyline that has tendency to place high emphasis on less important details while failing to address and highlight the main theme of the movie. The storyline is splattered with completely irrelevant scenes such as foosball figurines jumping on a rock and playing soccer when there is an immediate crisis of saving their human master’s girlfriend that has a much higher priority. Due to these interruptions, the underlying story repeatedly gets lost in the distractions.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

Expert Foosball player Amadeo (voice of David Masajnik) finds that winning a game can have serious consequences in later life.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director Juan José Campanella for directing effort. Thank you to Executive Producers Gustavo Ferrado, Diego Rosner, Roberto Schroeder, Bob Weinstein, and Harvey Weinstein for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Malparitti II (voice of Gabriel Almirón), Cordobés (voice of Federico Cecere), Malparitti I (voice of Ezequiel Cipols), Joven Amadeo (voice of Luciana Falcón), Loco (voice of Horacio Fontova), Beto (voice of Fabián Gianola), Coreano (voice of Roberto Kim and Ermitaño (voice of Marcos Mundstock).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

No. There are better films out there like Zootopia or The Nut Job. If studying the Argentine culture, it may be worth a comparison study to see if Argentina typically produces entertainment with the same disconnectedness that this film uses.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

WORLD OF TOMORROW (Theatrical Release USA 2015)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 3.5|5.0 Starsììì

World of Tomorrow—short film—takes a fictionalized look at human cloning between long generations of time via the artistic and futuristic eyes of Director Don Hertzfeldt. The movie takes its audience on an interesting, short journey bolstered with surprisingly simple animated artistry that serves just the right touch to convey a quietly pleasing message—live the moment fully.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

A little girl’s clone transports her 227 years into the future to provide a missing memory of their mother.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director Don Hertzfeldt for directing effort. Thank you to Producer Don Hertzfeldt for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: voices of Julia Pott, Winona Clay, and Sara Cushman.

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Maybe. Shorts are terrific fill-in-a-few-minutes of entertainment that frequently present small, provoking concepts well worth their introduction. This short is worth viewing.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

LARRY CROWNE (Theatrical Release USA 2011)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 3.8|5.0 Starsììì

Larry Crowne has a simple storyline about breaking barriers and moving on when life dishes unexpected turns. This is a Tom Hanks directed film and turns into a nicely entertaining film that is quite good. The casting of Tom Hanks with Julia Roberts is surprisingly charismatic. The romance is not overdone nor is it predictable. Watch for Cedric the Entertainer and George Takei in the film.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

Larry Crowne (Tom Hanks), a middle-aged, divorced, ex-Navy man, desperately needs to start a new life. On a friend’s recommendation, he goes back to college.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director Tom Hanks for directing effort. Thank you to Executive Producers Jeb Brody, David Coatsworth, Fabrice Gianfermi, Philippe Rousselet, and Steve Shareshian for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Samantha (Sarah Mahoney), Alvarez (Roxana Ortega), Trainee Wong (Randall Park), Dorothy Genkos (Brady Rubin), Team Leader #1 (Alex Quijano), Team Leader #2 (Tina Huang), Team Leader #3 (E-Kan Soong), and Team Leader #4 (Tarina Pouncy).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. It’s a realistic, good, ‘moving on’ story that teams Tom Hanks with Julia Roberts.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers 

FOO FIGHTERS: BACK AND FORTH (South by Southwest Film Festival Austin Texas USA 2011)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 4.4|5.0 Starsìììì

Foo Fighters: Back and Forth performs as a great documentary for both Foo Fighter and Nirvana fans alike. The film relies on over 1000 hours of edited film footage as well as terrific interviews that involve both current and retired band members. This thorough and complete documentary provides easily digestible history of one of the world’s best rock bands. The music is particularly enjoyable. A large thank you to Director James Moll for bringing this film to life in such a cohesive and well-timed presentation.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

Sixteen years of Foo Fighters’ history is presented in 101 minutes.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director James Moll for directing effort. Thank you to Executive Producers Alexander Yves Brunner, John Cutcliffe, Michele Farinola, Jeanne Elfant Festa, Chris Miller, John Silva, Gaby Skolnek, and Glen Zipper for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Shawn Cloninger (Himself), William Goldsmith (Himself), Jessy Greene (Herself), Dave Grohl (Himself), Taylor Hawkins (Himself), Rami Jaffee (Himself), Nate Mendel (Himself), Bob Mould (Himself), Krist Novoselic (Himself), Chris Shiflett (Himself), Pat Smear (Himself), Franz Stahl (Himself), and Butch Vig (Himself).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. It’s packed with informative data and allows comprehensive analysis via the documentary style of story telling of the Foo Fighters contribution to the entertainment industry. This film is a winner for its excellence of presentation.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

MR. 3000 (Theatrical Release USA 2004)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 3.6|5.0 Starsììì

Mr. 3000 performs slowly and seems redundant, like, ‘we’ve seen this before.’ The acting quality is below average across the board and the script is plagued with blandness, that lack of magic that makes the outstanding sports movie. For the diehard baseball fan looking for another baseball movie, this film works. But, as general entertainment, it’s got potential that is not realized.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

Stan Ross (Bernie Mac) believes he has finished 3000 hits in his baseball career and immediately retires without regard to his team and their need of his talent. Years later, he finds he is three hits short of the 3000 hits and attempts a return to baseball to get those last three hits.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director Charles Stone III for directing effort. Thank you to Executive Producers Timothy M. Bourne, Jonathan Glickman, Steve Greener, and Frank Marshall for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Maureen Simmons (Angela Bassett), Boca (Michael Rispoli), Rex Pennebaker (Brian White), Fukuda (Ian Anthony Dale), Fryman (Evan Jones), Minadeo (Amaury Nolasco), Skillet (Dondre Whitfield), and Gus Panas (Paul Sorvino).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Maybe. The Natural with Robert Redford is a better watch.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

GREMLINS (Theatrical Release USA 1984)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 3.8|5.0 Starsììì

Gremlins will continually freshen with age, like other Steven Spielberg Productions, partially due to the little treasures that the film reveals upon re-watching. It’s one of those films that doesn’t get old and always seems new. Special notice goes to Director Joe Dante for delivering a worth watching film.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

A Chinatown shop sells a small furry creature to Randall Peltzer (Hoyt Axton) who gives the animal to his son Billy Peltzer (Zach Galligan) as a pet. The family soon discovers why this creature should have remained in Chinatown.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director Joe Dante for directing effort. Thank you to Executive Producers Steven Spielberg, Kathleen Kennedy, and Frank Marshall for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Chinese Boy (John Louie), Grandfather (Keye Luke), Rockin’ Ricky Rialto (voice of Don Steele), Little Girl (Susan Burgess), Sheriff Frank (Scott Brady), Alex (Arnie Moore), Pete Fountaine (Corey Feldman), and Harry Carey, Jr. (Mr. Anderson).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. The film works as a cult classic. It’s one of the best and completely involves its audience.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers