PRINCESS DIARIES 2: ROYAL ENGAGEMENT (Theatrical Release USA 2004)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 4.1|5.0 Starsìììì

Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement—good family watch—while not as good as its prequel, easily earns its 4.1 stars. Chris Pine and Anne Hathaway team to make this romantic comedy work. Watch for Raven Simone in the movie.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

Future Queen of Genovia, Mia Thermopolis (Anne Hathaway), needs to choose a royal mate.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director Garry Marshall for directing efforts. Thank you to Executive Producer Ellen H. Schwartz for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Queen Clarisse Renaldi (Julie Andrews), Joe (Hector Elizondo), Viscount Mabrey (John Rhys-Davies), Lilly Moscovitz (Heather Matarazzo), Nicholas Devereaux (Chris Pine), Andrew Jacoby (Callum Blue), Charlotte Kutaway (Kathleen Marshall), Lord Palimore (Tom Poston), Prime Minister Motaz (Joel McCrary), Reporter Elsie Penworthy (Kim Thomson), Asana (Raven-Symoné), Paolo (Larry Miller), Mia’s Mom Helen (Caroline Goodall), Mia’s Stepfather Patrick (Sean O’Bryan), and Captain Kip Kelly (Matthew Walker).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. It serves as a good conclusion to the Princess Diary stories unless a new sequel involving royal offspring rears its head.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

KING CORN (Theatrical Release USA 2007)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 4.3|5.0 Starsìììì

King Corn—informative and worth watching—allows a peek into how government controls farm and farm product usage.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

Two researchers delve into the role corn plays in United States economy.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director Aaron Woolf for directing effort. Thank you to Producer Aaron Woolf for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Himself (Bob Bledsoe), Himself (Earl L. Butz), Herself (Dawn Cheney), Himself (Ian Cheney), Himself (Don Clikeman), Herself (Elna Clikeman), Himself (Ken Cook), Himself (Loren Cordain), Himself (Curt Ellis), Herself (Audrae Erickson), Himself (Dean Jarrett), Herself (Sue Jarrett), Himself (Rich Johnson), Herself (Farida Khan), Himself (Steve Macko), Himself (Al Marth), and Himself (Scott McGregor).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Maybe. It’s a good watch for the introduction to the food industry and may answer personal questions related to establishing good health. It would be wise to do some research before watching to understand corn and its place in our society both as a food and other uses product.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

NICK OF TIME (Theatrical Release USA 1995)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 3.8|5.0 Starsììì

Nick of Time’s largest script flaw is the impossibility of Gene Watson’s assignment, the time boundary for completion of job, and Mr. Smith’s seeming ‘leniency’ with Gene Watson as he dallies in completing the assignment. But, all of this adds a certain tenseness to the movie that moves it along. Watch for a very young Courtney Chase who plays Gene Watson’s daughter, Lynn.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

Kill the state governor and save your daughter’s life or choose not to kill the state governor and lose your daughter becomes the impossible choice given to Gene Watson (Johnny Depp).

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director John Badham for directing effort. Thank you to Executive Producer D.J. Caruso for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Lynn Watson (Courtney Chase), Huey (Charles S. Dutton), Mr. Smith (Christopher Walken), Ms. Jones (Roma Maffia), Governor Eleanor Grant (Marsha Mason), Brendan Grant (Peter Strauss), Krista Brooks (Gloria Reuben), Officer Trust (Bill Smitrovich), Mystery Man (G.D. Spradlin), Gustino (Yul Vazquez), Irene (Edith Diaz), Hector (Armando Ortega), Mixologist (C.J. Bau), Beverage Service (Cynthena Sanders), and Transport Reception Manager (Dana Mackey).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. It’s worth watching to see some of Johnny Depp’s early artistic efforts.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

FINDING NEVERLAND (Theatrical Release USA 2004)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 4.7|5.0 Starsìììì

Finding Neverland—one of those movies that makes one feel profound thanks for the movie industry—shows Johnny Depp at his best. Director Marc Forster takes a very good, inventive, creative, imaginative script and successfully translates it into the movie format without missing a beat of orchestration. A very good look behind the scenes at the germination, growth, and birth of Peter Pan and the world he lives in.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

J. M. Barrie receives his inspiration for his most famous story, Peter Pan.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director Marc Forster for directing effort. Thank you to Executive Producers Gary Binkow, Neal Israel, Michelle Sy, Bob Weinstein, and Harvey Weinstein for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Sir James Matthew Barrie (Johnny Depp), Sylvia Llewelyn Davies (Kate Winslet), Mrs. Emma du Maurier (Julie Christie), Mary Ansell Barrie (Radha Mitchell), Charles Frohman (Dustin Hoffman), Peter Llewelyn Davies (Freddie Highmore), Jack Llewelyn Davies (Joe Prospero), George Llewelyn Davies (Nick Roud), Michael Llewelyn Davies (Luke Spill), Sir Arthur Conan Doyle (Ian Hart), Peter Pan (Kelly Macdonald), Mr. Jaspers-Usher (Mackenzie Crook), Mrs. Snow (Eileen Essell), Mr. Snow Jimmy Gardner), Gilbert Cannan (Oliver Fox), and Nana/Mr. Reilly (Angus Barnett).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes, this is an inspired script and storyline. Thank you for all involved in the movie’s production. Other movies within this genre of storytelling are: Walt Before Mickey and Saving Mr. Banks.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

WHITE FANG (Sundance Film Festival Park City, Salt Lake City, and Provo City, Sundance Resort In Uinta National Forest Utah County, Utah USA 2018)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 4.3|5.0 Starsìììì

White Fang—a 2018 animated remake of the 1991 live action film of the same name—shows us what a remake can look like when there is a great script, terrific cast, and very good director behind it. This outstanding story fit the animated format well with no flaws found.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

A wolfdog experiences interaction with humans on three very different levels.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director Alexandre Espigares for directing effort. Thank you to Executive Producers Joshua M. Cohen and Leah Holzer for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Marshal Weeden Scott (voice of Nick Offerman), Maggie Scott (voice of Rashida Jones), Beauty Smith (voice of Paul Giamatti), Grey Beaver (voice of Eddie Spears), Jim Hall (voice of David Boat), Bookie (voice of Sean Kenin),  Vichi (voice of Raquel Antonia), Marshal Todd (voice of Daniel Hagen), Ned (voice of Stephen Kramer Glickman), William (voice of William Calvert), Three Eagles (voice of Jason Grasi), and Curtis (voice of Armando Riesco).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. The story maintains its classic status with this excellent execution of storyline. Thank you for all involved in retelling Jack London’s story White Fang.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

LEPRECHAUN 3 (Video Release USA 1995)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 3.0|5.0 Starsììì

Leprechaun 3—better than the two previous Leprechaun films—easily becomes a worth viewing film to see what the Leprechaun has up his sleeve for evil surprises. In comparing the first three Leprechaun films, a notable difference becomes the higher quality of acting for everyone involved, a better script, and a good storyline for this movie. Warwick Davis establishes himself as an entirely believable representation of the leprechaun in his interpretation of the character’s personality.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

The leprechaun (Warwick Davis) goes on a Las Vegas rampage to retrieve one missing coin from his hoard of gold.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director Brian Trenchard-Smith for directing effort. Thank you to Executive Producer for Mark Amin for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Leprechaun (Warwick Davis), Scott McCoy (John Gatins), Tammy Larsen (Lee Armstrong), Fazio (John DeMita), Mitch (Michael Callan), Loretta (Caroline Williams), Gupta (Marcelo Tubert), Art (Tom Dugan), Waitress (Leigh-Allyn Baker), Lucky (Richard Reicheg), Nurse (Linda Shayne), Doctor (Ian Gregory), Tony (Roger Hewlett), Elvis (Terry Lee Crisp), High Roller (Jennifer Stein), and Girl Tourist (Susan Skinner).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Maybe. This movie is part of the Leprechaun horror series, but the 2014 release of The Forgotten is a better entertainment piece for this genre of film.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

COME SUNDAY (Sundance International Film Festival Park City, Salt Lake City, Provo, Sundance Resort, Utah, USA 2018)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 4.6|5.0 Starsìììì

Come Sunday supports itself on a well-written script and good performance by Chiwetel Ejiofor. While this is not a new story, it documents the estrangement that occurs when one attempts to establish ‘new’ ideas from the bottom up.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

Minister Carlton Pearson (Chiwetel Ejiofor) re-evaluates Pentecostal church dogma and endeavors to teach his newfound beliefs within his church.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director Joshua Marston for directing effort. Thank you to Executive Producers Marc Forster, Jonathan Montepare, Brad Simpson, Lucas Smith, and Cindy Wilkinson Kirven for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Carlton Pearson (Chiwetel Ejiofor), Announcer (Gerard Catus), Lawyer (Allie McCulloch), Reggie (Lakeith Stanfield), Henry (Jason Segel), Nicky (Stacey Sargeant), Gina Pearson (Condola Rashad), John Heines (Andrew Masset), Claire (Selena Anduze), Quincy (Danny Glover), Terry Allen (Nic Starr), Oral Roberts (Martin Sheen), Richard Roberts (Ric Reitz), Ron (Dustin Lewis), Lillie Ruth (Tonea Stewart), Lead Choir Singer (Kevin Lemons), and Ben (Clark Harris).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. This movie retells the age-old challenges involved in the dilemma of believing one has discovered a higher truth that is not acceptable within one’s peer group. It’s one of the better Christian films on the market and rises to the challenge of telling its story well.

Video Critique Available at:

Ben Meyers

STARGATE (Theatrical Release USA 1994)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 3.8|5.0 Starsììì

Stargate taps the acting skills of Erick Averi, James Spader, and Kurt Russell to tell its story. Kirk Russell seems to have difficulty getting into his character in this film, but as he settles in he becomes a good choice for his role as Colonel Jonathan O’Neil. The sets are spectacular and the costumes are well done. It is no Star Wars, by any means, but still makes a good sci fi watch for some afternoon ‘kill’ time.

Storyline

Wormholes, Egyptology, Pyramids, and ancient hieroglyphs all link together to open an ancient stargate.

Additional Thanks

                    

Thank you to Director Rolland Emmerich for directing effort. Thank you to Executive Producers Mario Kassar for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Colonel Jonathan O’Neil (Kurt Russell), Dr. Daniel Jackson (James Spader), Ra (Jaye Davidson), Catherine Langford (Viveca Lindfors), Skaara (Alexis Cruz), Sha’uri (Mili Avital), General W.O. West (Leon Rippy), Lieutenant Kawalsky (John Diehl), Anubis (Carlos Lauchu), Horus (Djimon Hounsou), Kasuf (Erick Avari), Lieutenant Ferretti (French Stewart), Nabeh (Gianin Loffler), Freeman (Christopher John Fields), and Brown (Derek Webster).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. The concept is fresh and well portrayed. 

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

SCROOGE (Theatrical Release USA 1970)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 3.4|5.0 Starsììì

Scrooge has difficulty getting the scrooge into Scrooge. Albert Finny cannot do the role of sour, cranky, and miserly well. And, in the scenes displaying the Ghost of Christmas Past, the ‘happy’ dancing characters did not seem really happy. The main challenge in this movie is lack of realistic acting that is adequate enough to pull the story well. It needs a reboot.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

Ebednezer Scrooge doesn’t ever really die as can be seen in this remake of an old and favorite Christmas story.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director Ronald Neame for directing effort. Thank you to Executive Producer Leslie Bricusse for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Ebenezer Scrooge (Albert Finney), Ghost of Christmas Past (Edith Evans), Ghost of Christmas Present (Kenneth More), Mr. Fezziwig (Laurence Naismith), Nephew Fred (Michael Medwin), Bob Cratchit (David Collings), Tom Jenkins (Anton Rodgers), Isabel Fezziwig (Suzanne Neve), Ethel Cratchit (Frances Cuka), 1^st Gentleman of Charity (Derek Francis), Tom (Gordon Jackson), 2^nd Gentleman of Charity (Roy Kinnear), Fred’s Wife (Mary Peach), Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come (Paddy Stone), and Mrs. Fezziwig (Kay Walsh).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Maybe. A better choice for this story is Robert Zemeckis’ 2009 animated version, A Christmas Carol.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

HARD RAIN (Theatrical Release USA 1998)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 3.5|5.0 Starsììì

Hard Rain—C-grade film—that, despite an all-star cast of Morgan Freeman, Christian Slater, Randy Quaid, Minnie Driver, and Edward Asner, ends as ‘just another heist’ flick. Watch for Betty White in the film.

Film Poster Courtesy of  Wikipedia

Storyline

An armored truck becomes stuck in a ditch during a hard rain storm. ‘Wannabe’ robbers try to take advantage of the situation.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director Mikael Salomon for directing effort. Thank you to Executive Producer Allison Lyon Segan for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Jim (Morgan Freeman), Tom (Christian Slater), Sheriff Mike Collins (Randy Quaid), Karen (Minnie Driver), Uncle Charlie (Edward Asner), Kenny (Michael A. Goorjian), Mr. Mehlor (Dann Florek), Ray (Ricky Harris), Wayne Bryce (Mark Rolston), Phil (Peter Murnik), Hank (Wayne Duvall), Henry Sears (Richard Dysart), Doreen Sears (Betty White), Mayor (Ray Baker), and Mayor’s Wife (Lisa Fuhrman).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. This movie is one of Christian Slater’s later works. Randy Quaid, Morgan Freeman, and Edward Asner lend quality to the storyline. There are some good action scenes like racing jet skis through flooded buildings and a stained-glass church window that provide interesting viewing.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

HIGHLANDER II: THE QUICKENING (Theatrical Release USA 1991)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 3.6|5.0 Starsììì

Highlander II: The Quickening—not much better than its prequel—earns at least one watch based on finishing the series. It serves best as a film running in the background for a party watch and most likely will complete its cycle as a good cult film. Good work for Director Russell Mulcahy.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

Earth’s inhabitants are protected from depletion of the ozone layer by a massive shield that prevents the sun’s rays from killing earth’s inhabitants. When the ozone layer has replenished itself, the corporation receiving income for the shield battles for shield maintenance due to the commercial profit it provides.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director Russell Mulcahy for directing effort. Thank you to Executive Producer Guy Collins for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: MacLeod (Christopher Lambert), Ramírez (Sean Connery), Louise (Virginia Madsen), Katana (Michael Ironside), Neyman (Allan Rich), Blake (John C. McGinley), Cabbie (Phillip Brock), Drunk (Rusty Schwimmer), Jimmy (Ed Trucco), Hamlet (Steven Grives), Horatio (Jimmy Murray), Corda (Pete Antico), Reno (Peter Bucossi), Joe (Peter Bromilow), and Doctor (Jeff Altman).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. The series continues with some new characters: Blake (John C. McGinley) and Katana (Michael Ironside). Thanks to all involved in making the movie.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

LIONS FOR LAMBS (Theatrical Release USA 2007)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 3.5|5.0 Starsììì

Lions for Lambs takes three stories and endeavors to connect them, but in, what appears to be, an effort not to offend, fails to deliver the connection in a hard-hitting, coherent, and relevant fashion. The film lacks strength and becomes hard to decipher for relevance. Tom Cruise and Robert Redford seem out of character while Meryl Streep, surprisingly, performs at the average to good level. The best actor in this movie is Andrew Garfield.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

Professor Stephen Malley (Robert Redford) encourages student Todd Hayes (Andrew Garfield) to engage and do something worthwhile.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director Robert Redford for directing effort. Thank you to Executive Producer Daniel Lupi for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Janine Roth (Meryl Streep), Senator Jasper Irving (Tom Cruise), Ernest Rodriguez (Michael Peña), Lieutenant Colonel Falco (Peter Berg), ANX Editor (Kevin Dunn), Arian Finch (Derek Luke), Soldier (Larry Bates), Soldier (Christopher May), Soldier (David Pease), Soldier (Heidi Janson), Sniper (Christopher Carley), Student (George Back), Student (Kristy Wu), and Student (Bo Brown).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. It’s good to read a plotline on this film before going to increase understanding of what it is attempting to do. The relevance seems lost throughout the film.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

FATAL INSTINCT (Theatrical Release USA 2014)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 3.3|5.0 Starsììì

Fatal Instinct lacks realism, good acting, dynamic dialogue, and almost everything needed to make a film stand out from other films within its genre.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia 

Storyline

Sometimes ‘evidence’ does not point in the right direction to properly solve a crime.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director Carl Reiner for directing effort. Thank you to Executive Producer Pieter Jan Brugge for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Ned Ravine (Armand Assante), Laura Lincolnberry (Sherilyn Fenn), Lana Ravine (Kate Nelligan), Lola Cain (Sean Young), Frank Kelbo (Christopher McDonald), Max Shady (James Remar), Judge Skanky (Tony Randle), Clarence (Clarence Clemons), Laura’s Husband (Michael Cumpsty), Arch (John Witherspoon), Milo Crumley (Blake Clark), Restroom Patron (Edward Blanchard), Restroom Stall Patron (David Greenlee), Guy in Bumper Car (Tim Frisbie), Freckle-faced Kid (Michael MacCleod), and Judge Ben Arugula (Carl Reiner).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Maybe. This movie is just another police story without any distinguishing features that make it memorable.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

BEER FOR MY HORSES (Theatrical Release USA 2008)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 3.2|5.0 Starsììì

Beer for My Horses has potential, but Toby Keith and his supporting cast do not appear to be comfortable acting in this movie. There is no naturalness that is essential to establishing story. The film quickly becomes a run-of-the-mill output that misses every opportunity to redeem itself. The scene that shows the fertilizer heist needs editing or possible retake to upgrade its quality. Watch for Tom Skerritt in the movie.

Storyline

Joe Bill ‘Rack’ Racklin (Toby Keith) and friends become involved with Mexican drug lords.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director Michael Salomon for directing effort. Thank you to Executive Producers Leslie Belzberg and T.K. Kimbrell for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Lonnie Luther Feldman (Rodney Carrington), Annie Streets (Claire Forlani), Skunk (Ted Nugent), Buck Baker (Barry Corbin), Tito Garza (Greg Serano), Sheriff Wilson Landry (Tom Skerritt), Cammie (Gina Gershon), Charlie (Willie Nelson), Deputy Stippins (Chris Browning), Norvel (Myk Watford), Manuel Garza (Carlos Sanz), Johnny Franks/Agent Levon Spurlock (Chad Brummett), Gypsy Gene (David Allan Coe), Merriweather (Mark Povinelli), and Becky (Beth Bailey).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

No. Better police movies are the Lethal Weapon 1-4 series.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

LEPRECHAUN 2 (Theatrical Release USA 1994)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 2.8|5.0 Starsìì

Leprechaun 2 serves up evil and horror better than the first film. Warwick Davis plays a great villainous leprechaun. Look for a very worthy finale to the film. 

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

The Leprechaun (Warwick Davis) decides to take a bride, Bridget (Shevonne Durkin), with or without her approval.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director Rodman Flender for directing effort. Thank you to Executive Producer Mark Amin for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Cody (Charlie Heath), Morty (Sandy Baron), Ian (Adam Biesk), William O’Day (James Lancaster), Housewife (Linda Hopkins), Drunk at the Pub (Arturo Gil), Tourist’s Girlfriend (Kimmy Robertson), Tourist (Clint Howard), Midwestern Dad (Andrew Craig), Frank (David Powledge), Homeless Man (Billy Beck), Desk Sergeant (Al White), Detective (Martha Hackett), and Partner (Jonathan R. Perkins).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. This sequel film improves on the first Leprechaun movie, but still fails to consistently match the horror of Saw and Saw 2.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers