TOO YOUNG THE HERO (Television Release USA 1988)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 4.7|5.0 Starsìììì

Too Young the Hero—an easily missed jewel—has a WOW! story supported by an excellent casting choice of Ricky Schroder. Director Buzz Kulik pulls the best out of the script and the war genre with realism and strong believability.

Film Posters Courtesy of Google Images

Storyline

During World War II a 12-year-old boy enlists and serves in the United States Navy.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director Buzz Kulick for directing effort. Thank you to Executive Producers Joan Barnett, Pierre Cossette, Alan Landsburg, and Howard Lipstone for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Calvin Graham (Ricky Schroder), Captain Gatch (Jon DeVries), Calvin’s Mother (Debra Mooney), Holbrook (Rick Warner), Davy Cluff (Tom Wood), Laslo (Christopher Curry), Scotty Bloxom (John Linton), Sparky (Markus Flanagan), and MacBride (David Gianopoulos).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. Do not miss this film; it is a winner all the way.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

SNOW BUDDIES (Video Release USA 2008)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 3.7|5.0 Starsììì

Snow Buddies—simple, easy on the mind children’s flick—is really good entertainment for children that lives up to the Disney standard with well-trained animals and quality actors. While the animated mouths of the dogs are showing age and low quality for today’s 2019 standards, they still work to produce that feel-good flick for the whole family.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

Lost puppies earn their keep by learning how to pull a snow sled for professional competion.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director Robert Vince for directing effort. Thank you to Producers Anna McRoberts and Robert Vince for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Bernie (voice of Jim Belushi), Buddha (voice of Jimmy Bennett), Francois (voice of Lothaire Bluteau), Announcer Phil (Jason Bryden), Alice (Kelly Chapek), Sam (Jarvis Dashkewytch), Joe (Mike Dopud), Budderball (voice of Josh Flitter), and Bartleby (Tyler Foden).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. It’s great for the dog-loving family who have young children. 

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

TERMINATOR 2: JUDGEMENT DAY (Theatrical Release USA 1991)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 4.7|5.0 Starsìììì

Terminator 2: Judgement Day—not as good as the first film in this series—still has high entertainment merit as an action film especially appealing for guys’ night out. WOW! Great work for Director James Cameron with Robert Patrick exceeding expectations as the T-1000.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

A young boy destined to become a resistance leader against artificial intelligence becomes the target of a robot sent from the future to terminate him.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director James Cameron for directing effort. Thank you to Executive Producers Gale Anne Hurd and Mario Kassar for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: The Terminator (Arnold Schwarzenegger), Sarah Connor (Linda Hamilton), John Connor (Edward Furlong), T-1000 (Robert Patrick), Dr. Silberman (Earl Boen), Miles Dyson (Joe Morton), Tarissa Dyson (S. Epatha Merkerson), Enrique Salceda (Castulo Guerra), and Tim (Danny Cooksey).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. It sits among some of the best action flicks out there. Thank you to all involved in its production and distribution.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

GENERATION WEALTH (Sundance Film Festival, Park City, Utah USA 2018)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 3.3|5.0 Starsììì

Generation Wealth makes the mistake of portraying wealth as a generally bad thing and does not help lower classes—who are trying to better themselves—believe that their efforts to increase wealth strengthens a family and allows one to help others at higher levels. Director Lauren Greenfield fails to direct attention to the good that wealthy people do, the charitable work they are involved in, the long hours and strong work ethic they have and the responsibility they carry for employing large numbers of people and for creating a market for those persons who desire to spend their lives creating outstandingly beautiful, unique things that take much time and artisanship. Wealth distributes itself and in that distribution benefits thousands long after the accumulator of wealth has passed away. This film seems to refuse to view that wealth can be a great shelter/haven for the masses.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

Interviews and commentary on some of society’s wealthiest individuals.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director Lauren Greenfield for directing effort. Thank you to Executive Producers Geralyn White Dreyfous, Lilly Hartley, Regina K. Scully, and Jeffrey Tarrant for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Himself (Limo Bob), Himself (George W. Bush), Himself (Paris Cronin), Himself (Michael Douglas), Himself (Bret Easton Ellis), Himself (DJ Esco), Himself (Chris Hedges), Himself (Florian Homm), and Herself (Kate Hudson).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Maybe. The film does not balance itself well due to its chosen polarity of viewpoint. The analysis falls into the poor range due to its failure to tell the true story of wealth, which, as with everything has two sides to be analyzed.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

THE SEVEN DEADLY SINS THE MOVIE: PRISONERS OF THE SKY (Video Release Japan 2018)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 3.8|5.0 Starsììì

Seven Deadly Sins the Movie: Prisoners of the Sky—great animation—has a fair to good story that at times becomes hard to follow or to universally relate to. The acting is good. The portrayal is quite good. It has strong personality.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

While seeking a special ingredient for a dish to serve at the King’s birthday, two friends stumble across a portal and end up lost beyond the clouds.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director Yasuto Nishikata and Noriyuki Abe for directing effort. Additional characters/cast include: Meliodas (voice of Yûki Kaji), Elizabeth Liones (voice of Sora Amamiya), Hawk (voice of Misaki Kuno), Diane (voice of Aoi Yûki), Ban (voice of Tatsuhisa Suzuki), King (voice of Jun Fukuyama), Gowther (voice of Yûhei Takagi), Merlin (voice of Maaya Sakamoto), and Escanor (voice of Tomokazu Sugita).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. The film works for the anime film fan and is an interesting cultural watch. This film seems to lean more toward an adult rather than a teen audience.

Video Critique available Here:

Ben Meyers

RUBBER TIRES (Theatrical Release USA 1927)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 3.9|5.0 Starsììì

Rubber Tires—1927 silent film—still maintains its watch-ability due to a solid story and interesting concept. Portrayal of story relies on Actor Harrison Ford, a silent film actor from that era, and the direction comes from Director Alan Hale, the father of actor Alan Hale, Jr. who played ‘Skipper’ in the Gilligan’s Island television series.

Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images

Storyline

A New York family loses all their money and decides to move to California. Bad luck tags along with them until they find that the car they are driving is worth $10,000 in 1927 money.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director Alan Hale for directing effort. Additional characters/cast include: Mary Ellen Stack (Bessie Love), Pa Stack (Erwin Connelly), Charley Stack (Frank Coghlan Jr.), Mrs. Stack (May Robson), Bill James (Harrison Ford), Dudley Blake (John Patrick), and Mexican (Clarence Burton).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. Despite its age, it completely works as a lunch watch. Well done and worth watching.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

ABOUT A BOY (Theatrical Release United Kingdom 2002)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 4.1|5.0 Starsìììì

About a Boy—worthy script, great story—uses the acting skills of Hugh Grant and Rachel Wiesz to pull its story along. It is worth a watch.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

A man becomes a big brother to a boy whose Mother is a drug addict.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Directors Chris Weitz and Paul Weitz for directing effort. Thank you to Executive Producers Lynn Harris and Nick Hornby for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Will Freeman (Hugh Grant), Marcus Brewer (Nicholas Hoult), Christine (Sharon Small), Imogen (Madison Cook), Imogen (Jordan Cook), John (Nicholas Hutchison), Barney (Ryan Speechley), Barney (Joseph Speechley), and Fiona Brewer (Toni Collette).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. This film works as an afternoon flick when there is downtime—perhaps while riding the subway or bus home.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

CELLULAR (Theatrical Release USA 2004)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 3.9|5.0 Starsììì

Cellular—great storyline—that is cramped due to the underdeveloped acting efforts of Chris Evans (Fantastic Four). William H. Macy’s personality balances some of that lack in his portrayal of the policeman while Jason Statham does a fair to middling job of acting the part of the bad guy.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

A kidnapped woman wires a broken telephone, contacts a random stranger, and asks for help.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director David R. Ellis for directing effort. Thank you to Executive Producers Richard Brener, Douglas Curtis, Toby Emmerich, and Keith Goldberg for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Marilyn Mooney (Caroline Aaron), Jessica Martin (Kim Basinger), Irate Customer #1 (Brenda Ballard), Young Security Guard (Will Beinbrink), Chloe (Jessica Biel), Timid Boy (Chase Ellis Bloch), Surf Girl’s Friend (Chelsea Ellis Bloch), Chloe’s Chilly Friend (Chantille Boudousque), Excitable Customer (Robin Brenner), and Craig Martin (Richard Burgi).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. It’s an afternoon or lunch break watch.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

THE LAST LAUGH (Video Release USA 2019)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 3.7|5.0 Starsììì

The Last Laugh—no real applicability to the movie-going audience—seems like an in-house mourning for creeping old age and chosen lack of viability in one’s profession. No vibrancy, zest for life well-lived, or appreciativeness for place in life shows in this film. While its good to see Chevy Chase and Richard Dreyfuss onscreen together, better choices, if one desires to see these actors are: Jaws, Close Encounters of the Third Kind, or National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

A retired comedian and his manager join forces to re-establish the comedian’s career.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director Pritikin for directing effort. Thank you to Executive Producers Todd Lewis and Robert Menzies for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Al Hart (Chevy Chase), Buddy Green (Richard Dreyfuss), Doris Lovejoy (Andie MacDowell), Jeannie (Kate Micucci), Charlie Green (Chris Parnell), Johnny Sunshine (George Wallace), Max Becker (Lewis Black), Jimbo (Richard Kind), and Doc Ron (Ron Clark).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Maybe. The flick doesn’t offer anything new, runs on a rather depressing theme that becomes unrelatable to the larger audience.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

A HOME OF OUR OWN (Theatrical Release Canada 1993)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 4.3|5.0 Starsìììì

A Home of Our Own—classic family film—deserves place in the family home video library due to its repeated emphasis that obtaining good life relies on struggle, perseverance, extreme heart, and abiding love/loyalty for one’s own. No whining in this film...no belief in life relies on a free lunch...it’s story has been well directed by Director Tony Bill. How the real family works and succeeds by staying together and pulling together through thick and thin times becomes a terrific ode to how to develop a life and reputation worth having.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

A widow decides Los Angeles is not the best place to raise her children, loads them into the car, and drives as far as she can before landing in Idaho where she begins building a new life.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director Tony Bill for directing effort. Thank you to Executive Producer Patrick Sheane for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Frances Lacey (Kathy Bates), Shayne Lacey (Edward Furlong), Lynn Lacey (Clarissa Lassig), Faye Lacey (Sarah Schaub), Murray Lacey (Miles Feulner), Annie Lacey (Amy Sakasitz), Craig Lacey (T.J. Lowther), Mr. Munimura (Soon-Tek Oh), and Norman (Tony Campisi).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. It’s great entertainment and provides good, after watching discussion fare for children and adults.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

THE JAMES DEAN STORY (Theatrical Release USA 1957)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 4.2|5.0 Starsìììì

The James Dean Story uses friends and family to tell the James Dean story in this Robert Altman and George W. George directed documentary.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

James Dean’s life as seen through the eyes of family and friends becomes the platform on which this documentary rests.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Directors Robert Altman and George W. George for directing effort. Thank you Producers Robert Altman and George W. George for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Himself (James Dean), Himself (Lew Bracker), Himself (Marvin Carter), Himself (Patsy D’Amore), Himself (Louis de Liso), Himself (Charles Dean), Herself (Emma Dean), Himself (Clark Gable), and Herself (Phyllis Gates).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. It’s an interesting presentation that deserves a watch by James Dean fans.

Video Critique available Here:

Ben Meyers

CATS AND DOGS: THE REVENGE OF KITTY GALORE (Theatrical Release USA 2010)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 4.1|5.0 Starsìììì

Cat and Dogs: the Revenge of Kitty Galore—great show, second installment of the Cats and Dogs series—serves the family audience with excellent voicing and acting by an all-star cast that includes Chris O’Donnell, James Marsden, Nick Nolte, Michael Clarke Duncan, Christina Applegate, Katt Williams, Bette Midler, Roger Moore, and Neil Patrick Harris.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

Cats and dogs work as spies to protect the world.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director Brad Peyton for directing effort. Thank you to Executive Producers Bruce Berman and Brent O’Connor for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Diggs (voice of James Marsden), Butch (voice of Nick Nolte), Catherine (voice of Christina Applegate), Seamus (voice of Katt Williams), Kitty Galore (voice of Bette Midler), Lou (voice of Neil Patrick Harris), Mr. Tinkles (voice of Sean Hayes), Calico (voice of Wallace Shawn), and Tab Lazenby (voice of Roger Moore).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. The story is broad enough and deep enough to serve as great entertainment for the child/adult share. Live action dogs with animated mouths make this movie stand out in its class.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

BEYOND SKYLINE (Limited Theatrical Release USA 2017)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 2.8|5.0 Starsìì

Beyond Skyline works on the same premise as the last film—aliens attacking humans and humans surviving as best as they can. With high human casualty levels, the movie does not improve on the performance of its prequel. The best and most intriguing part of this film plays on the “what if” there could be the formation of a new human species that can grow rapidly. This film ends as if there is intention to make another film along the same storyline.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

Just like its prequel, aliens invade and use blue light to hypnotize and control humans.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director Liam O’Donnell for directing effort. Thank you to Executive Producers Maguy R. Cohen, Allen Dam, Phil Hunt, Roman Kopelvich, Joe Listhaus, Allen Liu, Emilio Mauro, Li Kitty Rong, Compton Ross, and Mike Wiluan for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Mark (Frank Grillo), Audrey (Bojana Novakovic), Trent (Jonny Weston), Harper (Callan Mulvey), Sarge (Antonio Fargas), Kanya (Pamelyn Chee), The Chief (Yayan Ruhian), Garcia (Jacob Vargas), and Sua (Iko Uwais).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Maybe. The movie works along the lines of rehashing the previous film.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

BEVERLY HILLS CHIHUAHUA (Theatrical Release USA 2008)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 4.1|5.0 Starsìììì

Beverly Hills Chihuahua becomes a more enjoyable watch due to recognition of familiar voices such as George Lopez, Drew Barrymore, Andy Garcia, Cheech Marin, Edward James Olmos, and Luiz Guzman. It’s a straightforward Disney watch designed for the whole family with particularly enjoyable scenes that include live action by Jamie Lee Curtis and Piper Perabo. Great work for Director Raja Gosnell.

Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images

Storyline

Dog sitter takes a beloved chihuahua to Mexico, leaves it in a hotel room while partying, dog leaves room, and chihuahua gets dog-napped.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director Raja Gosnell for directing effort. Thank you to Executive Producer Steve Nicolaides for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Rachel (Piper Perabo), Sam Cortez (Manolo Cardona), Aunt Viv (Jamie Lee Curtis), Vasquez (José María Yazpik), Rafferty (Maury Sterling), Officer Ramirez (Jesús Ochoa), Store Owner (Eugenio Derbez), Ranger (Omar Leyva), and Ranger (Naomy Romo).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. Great family Disney entertainment that sports live action animals and humans.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

SKYLINE (Theatrical Release USA 2010)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 2.8|5.0 Starsìì

Skyline—tries to be a blockbuster and fails to meet its goal—has good concept, fair script, but fails in casting for good portrayal of a sci-fi film. It’s a shame to see the work effort put into the movie and to know that a different cast could have put it over the top as an entertainment piece. It’s a wonder the movie did not have a better review board to catch the obvious before filming completed. The movie is hard to get through.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

An alien invasion uses blue lights to hypnotize humans.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Directors Colin Strause and Greg Strause for directing effort. Thank you to Executive Producers Brian Kavanaugh-Jones, Brett Ratner, and Brian Tyler for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Jarrod (Eric Balfour), Elaine (Scottie Thompson), Candice (Brittany Daniel), Denise (Crystal Reed), Ray (Neil Hopkins), Oliver (David Zayas), Terry (Donald Faison), Walt (Robin Gammell), and Jen (Tanya Newbould).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

No. The movie becomes a terrific example of how high budget special effects alone cannot swing a great flick. While Donald Faison (from Scrubs TV series) and David Zayas have personality to work in nearly any film, they didn’t pull this one off.

Video Critique available Here:

Ben Meyers

FOR THE LOVE OF SPOCK (Tribeca Film Festival Manhattan Borough New York, New York USA 2016)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 4.3|5.0 Starsìììì

For the Love of Spock honors Leonard Nimoy quite nicely, shows respect and love through the efforts of Director Adam Nimoy, Leonard Nimoy’s son. This documentary begins slowly, but effectively completes its mission in an interesting fashion that chooses not to talk a lot about family or Leonard Nimoys’ film career, but focuses instead on great interviews with people who knew and worked with Leonard Nimoy.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

This is a documentary about Leonard Nimoy’s life as seen through the eyes of family and friends.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director Adam Nimoy for directing effort. Thank you to Executive Producer David Zappone for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Himself (Chris Pine), Herself (Zoe Saldana), Himself (Karl Urban), Himself (Simon Pegg), Himself (William Shatner), Herself (Mayim Bialik), Himself (J.J. Abrams), Himself (Jim Parsons), and Himself (Zachary Quinto).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. it is well done, informative, and worth at least one ticket. 

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

KILLERS (Theatrical Release USA 2010)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 4.1|5.0 Starsìììì

Killers uses Ashton Kutcher as the spy in this film. That seems an odd pick, but somehow works. The movie easily becomes worth a view due to its great concept and portrayal of that concept. Watch for Tom Selleck, who as usual adds greatly to any film in which he is cast.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

A young woman falls in love with an assassin.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director Robert Luketic for directing effort. Thank you to Executive Producers William S. Beasley, Chad Marting, Peter Morgan, Michael Paseornek, Christopher S. Pratt, Josie Rosen, and John Sacchi for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Spencer (Ashton Kutcher), Jen (Katherine Heigl), Mr. Kornfeldt (Tom Selleck), Mrs. Kornfeldt (Chatherine O’Hara), Vivian (Katheryn Winnick), Mac Bailey (Kevin Sussman), Olivia Brooks (Lisa Ann Walter), Kristen (Casey Wilson), and Henry (Rob Riggle).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. It’s a particularly good lunch watch.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers