GET SMART (Theatrical Release USA 2008)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 3.7|5.0 Starsììì

Get Smart—a movie dedicated to the television series—features Steve Carrell as the character Max Smart and Anne Hathaway as the character Agent 99. The film stands as a piece of good entertainment.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

Maxwell Smart (Steve Carrell) receives a highly coveted promotion to field agent when an entire department of field agents’ identities are compromised.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director Peter Segal for directing effort. Thank you to Executive Producers Bruce Berman, Steve Carrell, Dana Goldberg, Jimmy Miller, Brent O’Connor, and Peter Segal for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Agent 99 (Anne Hathaway), Agent 23 (Dwayne Johnson), The Chief (Alan Arkin), Siegfried (Terence Stamp), Agent 91 (Terry Crew), Larabee (David Koechner), The President (James Caan), Agent 13 (Bill Murray), Hymie (Patrick Warburton), Bruce (Masi Oka),Lloyd (Nate Torrence), Shtarker (Ken Davitian), Krstic (David S. Lee), Dalip (Dalip Singh), and Vice President (Geoff Pierson).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. For those who loved the Maxwell Smart television series, this movie serves up the same type of comedy and does it well. The movie is worth its ticket.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

DR. OTTO AND THE RIDDLE OF THE GLOOM BEAM (Video Release USA 1986)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 2.8|5.0 Starsìì

Dr. Otto and the Riddle of the Gloom Beam—highly creative—seems at first glance as a ‘drop in the bucket’ film, but as the movie progresses one sees that the script analyzes life in a humorous and especially observant manner that everyone can relate to. Jim Varney uses his typical low-budget tactics to create this film, but the Varney lovability is there in full measure.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

Dr. Otto desires to control the world.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director John R. Cherry III for directing effort. Thank you to Executive Producers Jerry Carden and John R. Cherry III for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Dr. Otto/Rudd Hardtact/Laughin’ Jack/Guy Dandy/Auntie Nelda/Ernest P. Worrell (Jim Varney), Otto’s Head Hand (Glenn Petach), Lance (Myke R. Mueller), Doris (Jackie Welch), Slave Willie/Kegler (Daniel Butler), Tina (Esther Huston), Rhonda Sue (Tina Goetze), Monique (Jennifer Wood), Bank President Rutherford (David Landon), V.P. #1 (Mac Bennett), Lance’s Dad (Winslow Stillman), Lance’s Mom (Mary Jane Harvill), Herr Vonschnick (Irv Kane), Mme. Vonschnick (Leslie Potter), Man at Autoteller (Bill Middleton), Woman at Autoteller (Nancy Alderson), and Checkout Girl (Bonnie Keen).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. The inspiration is there and the multiple personalities Jim Varney plays add to the interest of the film.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

ERNEST GOES TO AFRICA (Video Release USA 1997)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 3.2|5.0 Starsììì

Ernest Goes to Africa—simple entertainment fare for the Ernest P. Worrell fan—provides great African scenery as a backdrop to Jim Varney’s antics.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

Ernest (Jim Varney) buys two jewels from a flea market without realizing they are priceless relics to an African tribe.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director John R. Cherry III for directing effort. Thank you to Producers Kenneth M. Badish and John R. Cherry III for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Hey You, the Hindu/Auntie Nelda/African Woman Dancer (Jim Varney), Rene Loomis (Linda Kash), Mr. Thompson (Jamie Bartlett), Betty (Clare Marshall), Sinkatutu Chief (Washington Xisolo), Prince Kazim (Robert Whitehead), Jameen (Zane Meas), Kareem (Charles Pillai), Bazoo (Sello Sebotsane), Dobbs (Frank Opperman), Thug #1 (Dan Robberts), Thug #2 (Frank Pereira), Weasel (Tony Caprari), Ol’ Man At Flea Market (Ian Yule), Stealing Man (David Germond), and Boss (Anthony Fridjhon).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Maybe. For Ernest P. Worrell fans, it might work, but the movie has a long way to go to be a quality watch.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

ERNEST IN THE ARMY (Video Release USA 1998)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 3.6|5.0 Starsììì

Ernest in the Army—the tenth and last of Jim Varney’s Ernest P. Worrell movies—becomes one of his best. It revolves around a solid storyline and delivers good comedy that can even be appreciated by war flick fans. Director John R. Cherry does another good job in support of the Ernest P. Worrell series.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

Ernest P. Worrell’s (Jim Varney) fantasy of joining the military materializes.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director John R. Cherry III for directing effort. Thank you to Producers John R. Cherry and Kenneth M. Badish for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Army Captain/Arab on Quicksand (Jim Varney), Cindy Swanson (Hayley Tyson), Colonel Bradley ierre Gullet (David Müller), Ben-Ali (Christo Davids), General Rodney Lincoln (Jeffrey Pillars), Barnes (Duke Ernsberger), President Almar Habib Tufuti (Ivan D. Lucas), Sergeant Ben Kovsky (John R. Cherry III), Ali Tenbu (Peter Butler), Kibee (Farouk Valley-Omar), Corporal Davis (Josh Cherry), and Pretty Woman (Amanda Wilson).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. Jim Varney built the Ernest P. Worrell series on a shoestring budget, acted in multiple roles in many of the films, and generally entertained us in his own unique style. He acted in many television series and voiced characters for movies like Toy Story.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

THE ALAMO (Theatrical Release USA 1960)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 3.7|5.0 Starsììì

The Alamo—not the worst John Wayne nor the best—sports an all-star cast that includes Richard Boone who delivers a noteworthy speech via the character Sam Houston. Be prepared for some heart touching, sad scenes for the last 50 minutes of the movie. The film earns its remake in 2004 with new casting.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

The Battle of the Alamo told from pre-battle events through the actual battle.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director John Wayne for directing effort. Thank you to Producer John Wayne for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Colonel Davy Crockett (John Wayne), Colonel Jim Bowie (Richard Widmark), Colonel William Travis (Laurence Harvey), Smitty (Frankie Avalon), Captain James Butler Bonham (Patrick Wayne), Flaca (Linda Cristal), Mrs. Sue Dickinson (Joan O’Brien), Beekeeper (Chill Wills), Juan Seguin (Joseph Calleja), Lieutenant Reyes (Carolos Arruza), and Jethro (Jester Hairston).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. It’s interesting to see John Wayne’s effort as a director and actor. Other films he directed: Big Jake (uncredited), The Green Berets, The Comancheros (uncredited), and Blood Alley (uncredited). A superior film with Wayne as the actor is The Shootist. A better film from the western genre is The Duel with Liam Hemsworth.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

SLAM DUNK ERNEST (Video Release USA 1995)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 3.4|5.0 Starsììì

Slam Dunk Ernest—average Ernest film—delivers a predictable Jim Varney-style movie. It is certainly not his worst film, but definitely not among his best movies either.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

Ernest P. Worrell (Jim Varney) desires to play basketball. The Archangel of Basketball (Kareem Abdul-Jabbar) provides supernatural help.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director John R. Cherry III for directing effort. Thank you to Producers George Horie and Stacy Williams for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Barry Worth (Cylk Cozart), Tommy T. (Colin Lawrence), T.J. (Miguel A. Núñez Jr.), Willie (Lester Barrie), Walter (Richard Leacock), Mr. Zamiel Moloch (Jay Brazeau), Ms. Erma Terradiddle (Stevie Vallance), Quincy Worth (Aaron Joseph), Sarge (Douglas Newell), Mr. Ellis (Henry O. Watson), Dr. Love (Lossen Chambers), Opponent 1 (Charles Andrew Payne), and Jackie (Brenda Crichlow).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Maybe. Diehard Ernest fans will like this movie, but a better choice for Ernest fans is: Ernest in the Army.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

THE FEARLESS HYENA (Theatrical Release USA 1981)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 3.3|5.0 Starsììì

The Fearless Hyena, while not an outstanding kung fu movie, manages to impress with some of its training exercises like doing sit ups upside down while hanging from a tree. The story is typical of this genre and works as an afternoon watch.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

Young Shing Lung (Jackie Chan) overestimates his ability to use kung fu and finds himself in trouble with much more skillful fighters than he.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director Jackie Chan for directing effort. Thank you to Producer Li Hwa Hsu for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Grandpa (James Tien), The Coffin Seller (Dean Shek), The Unicorn (Hui Lou Chen), Yen (Shi-Kwan Yen), The Master (Kun Li), and Willow Sword (Tien-Chi Cheng).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Maybe. It’s one of Jackie Chan’s earlier films and not one of his best, but it is good education to watch an earlier work to understand that skill and performance develop over time and, with steady work, ability increases.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

1492: CONQUEST OF PARADISE (Theatrical Release USA 1992)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 3.3|5.0 Starsììì

1492: Conquest of Paradise—wannabe epic that didn’t quite get there—fails in character development, storyline, portrayal, force, and casting. Many of the actors’ personalities are not clearly enough defined to carry the story. Gérard Depardieu and the rest of this cast work at the average level.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

Columbus (Gérard Depardieu) receives help from Santangel (Frank Langella) in the form of personally loaned money as well as persuasion of Queen Isabel of Castille (Sigourney Weaver) to make a voyage to the New World.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director Ridley Scott for directing effort. Thank you to Executive Producers Mimi Polk Gitlin and Iain Smith for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Sanchez (Armand Assante),), Older Fernando (Loren Dean), Beatrix (Ángela Molina), Marchena (Fernando Rey), Moxica (Michael Wincott), Pinzon (Tchéky Karyo), Captain Mendez (Kevin Dunn), Bobadilla (Mark Margolis), Arojaz (Kario Salem), and 10-year-old Fernando (Billy L. Sullivan).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Maybe. This film does not provide the quality viewing of other movies dealing with this subject.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

LEPRECHAUN (Theatrical Release USA 1993)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 2.7|5.0 Starsìì

Leprechaun has the class act of Warwick Davis depicting a really evil leprechaun. He has an excellent supporting cast. The film made an eight to one box office intake and seems to range in an almost cult classic range of film partially due to the dark side of this leprechaun...no child’s play or nimble tricks here...this leprechaun is down to do business. Kudos to Holly Davis for terrific costume design and the makeup department for its outstanding artistry.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

When J.D. Reding (John Sanderford) and his daughter, Tory Reding (Jennifer Aniston), move into an old farmhouse, workers accidentally set free a Leprechaun (Warwick Davis) who has been deprived of his bag of gold.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director Mark Jones for directing effort. Thank you to Executive Producer Mark Amin for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Nathan Murphy (Ken Olandt), Ozzie (Mark Holton), Alex (Robert Hy Gorman), Dan O’Grady (Shay Duffin), Shop Owner (John Voldstad), Mrs. O’Grady (Pamela Mant), Sheriff Cronin (William Newman), Deputy Tripet (David Permenter), Dispatcher (Raymond C. Turner), and Waitress (Heather Kennedy).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. It’s good to see Warwick Davis in this lead role and to see Jennifer Aniston in some of her earlier works. This film is not really a horror film, although it has its moments. The movie has five sequels starring Warwick Davis as the leprechaun. If one is looking for real horror, however, better watches are Saw and Saw II.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

A SIMPLE PLAN (Video Release USA 1999)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 3.4|5.0 Starsììì

A Simple Plan—good concept that seems to fail at the script level. The acting quality is not consistent. Billy Bob Thornton seems miscast and weak as character Jacob Mitchell. The script is, for lack of better words, not ‘likeable’. The movie has a certain creepiness that make it hard to watch. It’s easy to understand why this film performed under budget at the box office.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

Three men find 4.4 million dollars and quickly fall into evil action.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director Sam Raimi for directing effort. Thank you to Executive Producers Mark Gordon and Mark Levinsohn for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Hank (Bill Paxton), Sarah (Bridget Fonda), Jacob (Billy Bob Thornton), Lou (Brent Briscoe), Tom Butler (Jack Walsh), Carl (Chelcie Ross), Nancy Chambers (Becky Ann Baker), Baxter (Gary Cole), FBI Agent Renkins (Bob Davis), FBI Agent Freemont (Peter Syvertsen), Dwight Stephanson (Tom Carey), Mr. Schmitt (John Paxton), News Reporter (Marie Mathay), and Anchorman (Paul Magers).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Maybe. It’s a good concept about misguided thinking when finding something of value and allowing greed to overpower the right inclination. The film seems to fail in likeableness.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

THE INDIAN IN THE CUPBOARD (Theatrical Release USA 1995)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 3.7|5.0 Starsììì

The Indian in the Cupboard—great child/adult share film—has a good storyline, good acting, and a good concept. The movie is realistic enough to escape into the story and enjoy it.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

Nine-year-old Omri discovers that a small cupboard has the power to bring toy figures to life.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director Frank Oz for directing effort. Thank you to Executive Producers Robert Harris, Marty Keltz, Bernard Williams, and Deborah Forte for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Omri (Hal Scardino), Little Bear (Litefoot), Jane (Lindsay Crouse), Victor (Richard Jenkins), Patrick (Rishi Bhat), Tommy (Steve Coogan), Boone (David Keith), Lucy (Sakina Jaffrey), Gillon (Vincent Kartheiser), Teacher (Nestor Serrano), Adiel (Ryan Olson), Baby Martin (Leon Tejwani), Baby Martin (Lucas Tejwani), and Purple Mohawk (Christopher Conte).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. Despite the quite simple script, the characters distinguish themselves with the easy-to-follow storyline.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

BILL AND TED’S EXCELLENT ADVENTURE (Theatrical Release USA 1989)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 3.7|5.0 Starsììì

Bill and Ted’s Excellent Adventure lacks connectivity, the links necessary to establish a solid storyline. It leaves too many logical connections behind so that the reasons for the appearance of characters from the future and from the past are lost. Instead of a good, time traveling flick, it can be easily labeled as improbable due to a consistent failure to follow many of the time travel ‘rules’ previous movies have set in stone for movie goers.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

Bill (Alex Winter) and Ted (Keanu Reeves) are destined to write music that will transform the future into a wonderful place, but they must graduate high school first.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director Stephen Herek for directing effort. Thank you to Executive Producers Robert W. Cort and Ted Field for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Rufus (George Carlin), Napoleon (Terry Camilleri), Billy the Kid (Dan Shor), Socrates (Tony Steedman), Freud (Rod Loomis), Genghis Khan (Al Leong), Joan of Arc (Jane Wiedlin), Abraham Lincoln (Robert V. Barron), Beethoven (Clifford David), Captain Logan (Hal Landon Jr.), Mr. Ryan (Bernie Casey), and Missy/Mom (Amy Stoch).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. However, this type of comedy presents itself better in movies like The Three Stooges (2012).

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

THE DESCENT Part 2 (Theatrical Release UK 2009)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 3.5|5.0 Starsììì

The Descent Part 2, although intending to deliver horror, lacks the quality to generate that emotion as effectively as Saw (2004), Saw II (2005), or The Forgotten (2014). The film asks for its sequel, but fails in its delivery to the point where a sequel seems unnecessary.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

A rescue party makes a descent into the cave to attempt rescue of Sarah Carter’s (Shauna Macdonald) original spelunking team.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director Jon Harris for directing effort. Thank you to Executive Producers Neil Marshall and Paul Smith for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Ed Oswald (Michael J. Reynolds), Susanne Small (Jessika Williams), Dan (Douglas Hodge), Greg (Josh Dallas), Cath (Anna Skellern), Vaines (Gavan O’Herlihy), Ellen Rios (Krysten Cummings), Doctor Roger Payne (Doug Ballard), Lynch (Josh Cole), Rebecca (Saskia Mulder), Juno Kaplan (Natalie Mendoza), Beth (Alex Reid), and Holly (Nora Jane Noone).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Maybe. This movie fails to deliver strong, realistic horror.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

THE STAR (Theatrical Release USA 2017)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 3.3|5.0 Starsììì

The Star—Christian animated film—fails to capture the quality necessary to tell its story well. While there are a few scenes, such as the camels crossing the desert, that have a fairly good comedic element written into the dialogue, the comedic element fails to propagate itself at a sustainable pace throughout the movie. Overall the film presents itself as amateurish with a need for a boost in realism.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

A variety of animals, each with their own storyline, become involved in the Nativity story of Jesus.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director Timothy Reckart for directing effort. Thank you to Executive Producers DeVon Franklin, Brian Henson, and Lisa Henson for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Bo (voice of Steven Yeun), Dave (voice of Keegan-Michael Key), Ruth (voice of Aidy Bryant), Mary (voice of Gina Rodriguez), Joseph (voice of Zachary Levi), Herod (voice of Christopher Plummer), Thaddeus (voice of Ving Rhames), Rufus (voice of Gabriel Iglesias), Leah (voice of Kelly Clarkson), Zach (voice of Anthony Anderson), Edith (voice of Patricia Heaton), Old Donkey (voice of Kris Kristofferson), Abby (voice of Kristin Chenoweth), and Rebecca (voice of Mariah Carey).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. It’s a friendly and easy means of introducing children to the Christ story.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

EVENT HORIZON (Theatrical Release Japan 1997)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 3.5|5.0 Starsììì

Event Horizon doesn’t reach its full potential and presents the audience with another lost and found space ship with its crew mysteriously ‘missing’ or present in a sinister, non-human way. The movie runs as a C-grade sci fi due to lack of originality in storyline, average portrayal, and lack of realism.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

Captain Miller (Laurence Fishburne) and his crew investigate the Event Horizon, a spaceship that disappeared seven years before and has mysteriously reappeared.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director Paul W. S. Anderson for directing effort. Thank you to Executive Producers Colin Brown and Nick Gillott for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Dr. William Weir (Sam Neill), Peters (Kathleen Quinlan), Lieutenant Starck (Joely Richardson), Cooper (Richard T. Jones), Justin (Jack Noseworthy), D.J. (Jason Isaacs), Smith (Sean Pertwee), Captain John Kilpack (Peter Marinker), Claire (Holley Chant), Denny Peters (Barclay Wright), Burning Man/Edward Corrick (Noah Huntley), and Rescue 1 Technician (Robert Jezek).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Maybe. It’s good to see both Sam Neill and Laurence Fishburne in a movie together, but better sci-fi films are: Total Recall (1990), Moon, or Arrival. 

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers