PLANES (Theatrical Release USA 2013)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 3.7|5.0 Starsììì

Planes becomes, basically, a Cars movie with planes and lacks the excitement of Cars 1,2, and 3 combined. Not one of Disney’s best due to the lack of originality and the copy-cat feeling an audience may experience. Children, however, will love it and it is worth a watch.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

A dust cropper airplane has dreams which can be realized if he successfully overcomes his fears.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director Klay Hall for directing effort. Thank you to Executive Producer John Lasseter for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Dusty Crophopper (voice of Dane Cook), Skipper (voice of Stacy Keach), Chug (voice of Brad Garrett), Dottie (voice of Teri Hatcher), Rochelle (voice of Julia Louis-Dreyfuss), Ishani (voice of Priyanka Chopra), Bulldog (voice of John Cleese),Leadbottom (voice of Cedric the Entertainer), El Chupacabra/Additional Voices (voice of Carlos Alazraqui), Ripslinger/Additional Voices (Roger Craig Smith), Echo (voice of Anthony Edwards), Bravo (voice of Val Kilmer), Roper (voice of Sinbad), Ned/Zed (voice of Gabriel Iglesias), Brent Mustangburger (voice of Brent Musburger), Colin Cowling (voice of Colin Cowherd), and Sparky/Additional Voices (voice of Danny Mann).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Maybe. The movie, a good choice for children, may not be the best choice for an adult’s time and money.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

LEGALLY BLONDES (Video Release USA 2009)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 3.8|5.0 Starsììì

Legally Blondes stars twins Milly and Becky Russo who guest starred in The Suite Life of Zack and Cody. They act well together and successfully move this film into nice family entertainment. It is worth a watch for the whole family.

Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images

Storyline

Two British girls find California schools challenging when accused of something they did not do.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director Savage Steve Holland for directing effort. Thank you to Executive Producers Irene Dreayer and Matthew Papish for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Annie Woods (Milly Rosso), Izzy Woods (Becky Rosso), Richard Woods (Christopher Cousins), Tiffany (Brittany Curran), Headmistress Higgins (Lisa Banes), Mr. Golden (Curtis Armstrong), Sylvia (Rose Abdoo), Chris (Bobby Campo), Justin (Chad Broskey), Ashley (Chloe Bridges), Ms. Chang (Amy Hill), Vivek (Kunal Sharma), Brad ( Christoph Sanders), Marcie (Tanya Chisolm), Rainbow (Teo Olivares), Cashier (Caroline Fogarty), Waiter (Robert Belushi), and Teen Cashier (Trevor Duke-Moretz).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. It works as a cute afternoon watch.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

WINNIE THE POOH (Theatrical Release USA 2011)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 4.0|5.0 Starsìììì

Winnie the Pooh—classic film for the family home video library—sports a great script, good voicing, and pleasant sound effects. The rumbling of Pooh’s belly for honey, while precious, is the only sound effect that needs a little work as the rumbling sound in other Winnie the Pooh movies had superior realism. This is a particularly gentle watch for children with a soothing story that is well portrayed. Great work for Directors Stephen J. Anderson and Don Hall.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

Eeyore is missing his tail. Winnie the Pooh and his friends go to look for it and become involved in an adventure.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Directors Stephen J. Anderson and Don Hall for directing effort. Thank you to Executive Producers Peter Denomme and John Lasseter for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Narrator (voice of John Cleese), Winnie the Pooh/Tigger (voice of Jim Cummings), Eeyore (voice of Bud Luckey), Owl (voice of Craig Ferguson), Christopher Robin (voice of Jack Boulter), Piglet (voice of Travis Oates), Kanga (voice of Kristen Anderson-Lopez), Roo (voice of Wyatt Dean Hall), Rabbit (voice of Tom Kenny), Backson (voice of Huell Howser), Additional Voices (voice of Lisa Linder and Robert Lopez).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. This performs as a perfect children’s watch with outstanding and memorable characters that will serve, as did Paddington Bear, as good childhood memories.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

GNOMEO AND JULIET (Theatrical Release USA 2011)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 3.5|5.0 Starsììì

Gnomeo and Juliet has beautiful coloration and strong, memorable characterizations. Its storyline needs some script rewriting for coherence. The introductory romance scene between Gnomeo and Juliet suffers from a few seconds of poor musical timing as the music for the romance is introduced before the romantic connection between the principal characters is truly made. Many scenes seem a bit disjointed so that small ‘whys’ pop up as the film progresses. One wonders at the end of the movie, is it really a hybrid of the famous, original Shakespeare story Romeo and Juliet or is there something else meant to be portrayed here.

Film Poster Courtesy Wikipedia

Storyline

Two Gnomes from different clans fall in love and endeavor to promote peace in the neighborhood.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director Kelly Asbury for directing effort. Thank you to Executive Producer Elton John for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Gnomeo (voice of James McAvoy), Juliet (voice of Emily Blunt), Nanette (voice of Ashley Jensen), Lord Redbrick (voice of Michael Caine), Benny (voice of Matt Lucas), Featherstone (voice f Jim Cummings), Lady Bluebury (voice of Maggie Smith), Tybalt (voice of Jason Statham), Fawn (voice of Ozzy Osbourne), and Paris (voice of Stephen Merchant).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Maybe. If one is a fan of garden gnomes, this movie may work.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

SPACE COWBOYS (Theatrical Release USA 2000)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 4.1|5.0 Starsìììì

Space Cowboys—a Clint Eastwood directed film—has all the earmarks of his directing style and fits a well-crafted story to that style. Even though the storyline revolves around seasoned citizens regrouping to perform as saving heroes, Eastwood pulls the story off with complete finesse so that it easily becomes worth not only a watch, but a re-watch. No feeling sorry for this senior set as they perform outstandingly and refreshingly well with the spunk and personality to pull off a good and decent story. Watch for James Garner in one of the lead roles.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

An old computer program plays havoc with the safe re-entry of a communication satellite. A team of aging engineers regroup to bring it safely home.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director Clint Eastwood for directing effort. Thank you to Executive Producer Tom Rooker for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Frank Corvin (Clint Eastwood), Hawk Hawkins (Tommy Lee Jones), Jerry O’Neill (Donald Sutherland), Tank Sullivan (James Garner), Bob Gerson (James Cromwell), Sara Holland (Marcia Gay Harden), Eugene Davis (William Devane), Ethan Glance (Loren Dean), Roger Hines (Courtney B. Vance), and Barbara Corvin (Barbara Babcock).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. The movie works for its dollars. The characters’ personalities are well-defined. It’s great to see James Cromwell on screen.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

SAD HILL UNEARTHED (Santa Barbara International Film Festival, Santa Barbara, California USA 2018)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 2.8|5.0 Starsìì

Sad Hill Unearthed has a redundant storyline with a hard to reconcile reason for the restoration of this cemetery. After a difficult, laborious restoration, accomplished by many, good-hearted volunteers, the cemetery enjoys a brief celebration and then is deliberately allowed to return to nature. Unlike Boot Hill in Tombstone, Arizona, it is not opened to the public as a pilgrimage site for their future enjoyment of the wonderful restoration. The effort, hard won, is purposely allowed to sink into the sands of time with no reason for that decision other than the ‘fragility of the environment’ when it is that very environment that sank, within 50 years, that historical location into near oblivion. It is like building a beautiful home, celebrating the home for one night, and then pouring gasoline over it and burning it to the ground. There seems no purpose or rationale here and the legitimacy of the effort seems lost.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

A team of volunteers restore the graveyard from the Sergio Leone movie, The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director Guillermo de Oliveira for directing effort. Thank you to Producers Luisa Cowell and Guillermo de Oliveira for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Himself (Ennio Morricone), Himself (James Hetfield), Himself (Joe Dante), Himself (Clint Eastwood), Himself (Sergio Leone), Himself (Álex de la Iglesia), Himself (Sergio Salvati), Himself (Joseba del Valle), Himself (David Alba Romero), and (Sergio Garcia Hernández).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Maybe. It’s interesting to see how nature can reabsorb, in a few short years, nearly any disturbance to its surface area and how much labor is required to push back nature in order to restore a location to its original condition.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

LUIS AND THE ALIENS (Theatrical Release UK 2018)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 3.7|5.0 Starsììì

Luis and the Aliens suffers from a double story-line that is not well-defined. There seems to be one story about a boy interacting with aliens and another story-line message for parents to spend more time with their children or social services will be involved. Children will like the ‘flash and dash’ that the movie provides, but the film lacks the nuance for adult viewing.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

A hospitable young boy invites three aliens into his home.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Directors Christoph Lauenstein, Wolfgang Laeunstein, and Sean McCormack for directing effort. Thank you to Producers Jana Bohl, Emely Christians, Viola Lütten, Jean-Marie Musique, and Christine Parisse for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Luis Sonntag (voice of Callum Maloney), Armin Sonntag/Wbo (voice of Dermot Magennis), Mog (voice of Ian Coppinger), Nag/Mr. Winter/Ice Cream Man/Bill (voice of Paul Tylak), Jennifer (voice of Lucy Carolan), Marlon (voice of Eoin Daly), Mrs. Winter/Valentina/Ms. Diekendaker (voice of Aileen Mythen), Principal (voice of Simon Toal), and Jill (voice of Danna Davis).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Maybe. It’s a light alien story that does not compare to E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial but works as a fill-in-some-time movie for children.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

HOWL’S MOVING CASTLE (Theatrical Release USA 2004)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 4.0|5.0 Starsìììì

Howl’s Moving Castle again demonstrates the ability of Hayao Miyazaki to cross universal cultural barriers and establish kindness within his highly creative movies. The movie is worth its watch for both children and adults and becomes a good candidate for addition to the family home video library as an international film worth a re-watch.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

A young woman desires to be free from a witch’s curse and visits a wizard who lives in a moving castle.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director Hayao Miyazaki for directing effort. Thank you to Executive Producers John Lasseter and Hayao Miyazaki for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Sofi (voice of Chieko Baishô), Hauru (voice of Takuya Kimura), Arechi no Majo (voice of Akihiro Miwa), Karushifâ (voice of Tatsuya Gashûin), Marukuru (voice of Ryûnosuke Kamiki), Koshô (voice of Mitsunori Isaki), Kakashi no Kabu (voice of Yô Ôizumi), Kokuô (voice of Akio Ôtsuka), and Hin (voice of Daijiô Harada).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. This movie successfully delivers an emotionally appealing story.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

TINKERBELL: AND THE LEGEND OF THE NEVERBEAST (Theatrical Release UK 2014)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 3.8|5.0 Starsììì

Tinkerbell: and the Legend of the NeverBeast’s main draw for interest is the introduction of the NeverBeast character. This Disney movie, sixth film developed to explore Tinker Bell and her community of fairies, has sweet animation.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

A fairy makes friends with a giant and wishes to incorporate him into the fairy community.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director Steve Loter for directing effort. Thank you to Executive Producer John Lasseter for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Fawn (voice of Ginnifer Goodwin), Tinker Bell (voice of Mae Whitman), Nyx (voice of Rosario Dawson), Silvermist (voice of Lucy Liu), Iridessa (voice of Raven Symone), Rosetta (voice of Megan Hilty), Vidia (voice of Pamela Adlon), Fury (voice of Danai Gurira), Chase (voice of Chloe Bennet), and Scribble (voice of Thomas Lennon).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. Children will enjoy the interaction between the winged fairies in the film.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

SEVENTEEN AGAIN (Television Release USA 2000)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 3.7|5.0 Starsììì

Seventeen Again—cute and simple—has an interesting, easy-to-follow storyline. It stars both Tia Mowry-Hardrict and Tamera Mowry-Housley, who are famous for Sister, Sister; Twitches; and Twitches Two. Good work for Director Jeffery W. Byrd. This movie can run in the background while an audience is involved in other activities and be followed well and enjoyed.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

A tainted bar of soap makes two grandparents 17-years old again.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director Jeffrey W. Byrd for directing effort. Thank you to Executive Producers Robert A. Halmi, Sharhonda Jones, Darlene Mowry, and Shawn Stockman for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Sydney (Tia Mowry-Hardrict), Young Cat (Tamera Mowry-Housley), Young Gene (Mark Taylor), Willie (Tahj Mowry), Grandma Cat (Hope Clarke), Grandpa Gene (Robert Hooks), Todd (Merwin Mondesir), Barry (Phillip Jarrett), Monique (Tonya Williams), Ashley (Maia Campbell), Terrance (Daryn Jones), Leo (K.C. Collins), and Julie (Novie Edwards).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. It’s a good, clean, fun, family watch.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

SLEEPING BEAUTY (Theatrical Release USA 1959)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 4.2|5.0 Starsìììì

Sleeping Beauty—classic film—has a simple, but well-written storyline with outstanding, softly painted animation. It’s a good child/adult share movie that introduces one of the 17^th century writings of French author Charles Perrault (who also wrote Little Red Riding Hood, Cinderella, and Puss in Boots). Great work for Director Clyde Geronimi. Do not miss this beautiful piece of artwork.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

A cursed princess needs the help of a prince and some good fairies to live a happily ever after life.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director Clyde Geronimi for directing effort. Thank you to Executive Producer Walt Disney for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Princess Aurora (voice of Mary Costa), Prince Phillip (voice of Bill Shirley), Maleficent (voice of Eleanor Audley), Flora/Queen Leah (voice of Verna Felton), Merryweather (voice of Barbara Luddy), Fauna (voice of Barbara Jo Allen), King Stefan (voice of Taylor Holmes), and King Hubert (voice of Bill Thompson).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. The film has completely retained its original entertainment value. It’s an excellent addition to the family home video collection and provides a musical score that introduces young children, in a very nice way, to Tchaikovsky’s classic musical sounds.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

INDEPENDENCE DAY: RESURGENCE (Theatrical Release USA 2016)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 3.7|5.0 Starsììì

Independence Day: Resurgence, unfortunately, does not retain or exceed the entertainment value of the first Independence Day film. This is partly due to a periodic disengagement of the actors who sometimes seem to be on autopilot as if they know their dialogue so well that they are not fully engaged in their acting and a loss of quality in the special effects. The script did not reprise Will Smith.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

Earth is threatened by a second alien invasion.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director Roland Emmerich for directing effort. Thank you to Executive Producers Ute Emmerich, Larry Franco, and Carsten H.W. Lorenz for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Jake Morrison (Liam Hemsworth), David Levinson (Jeff Goldblum), Dylan Hiller (Jessie T. Usher), President Whitmore (Bill Pullman), Patricia Whitmore (Maika Monroe), President Lanford (Sela Ward), General Adams (William Fichtner), Julius Levinson (Judd Hirsch), Dr. Brakish Okun (Brent Spiner), Secretary of Defense Tanner (Patrick St. Esprit), Jasmine Hiller (Vivica A. Fox), and Rain Lao (Angelababy).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. Most of the original cast have been brought back for this film. It’s worth a watch.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

WALL-E (Theatrical Release USA 2008)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 4.2|5.0 Starsìììì

Wall-E—unexpectedly good movie—tells a story of an earth that is no longer inhabited and how robots change the earth's future. This is a terrific movie. Don’t miss it. The story is a complete surprise, unexpected at every turn…great creativity and fresh perspective of earth’s possibilities. Upbeat and hopeful. It’s worth an addition to the family home video library.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

A small garbage-collecting robot, a plant, and a sleek starliner robot interact and inadvertently change earth's future.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director Andrew Stanton for directing effort. Thank you to Executive Producer John Lasseter making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Wall-E/Mo/Robots (voice of Ben Burtt), Eve (voice of Elissa Knight), Captain (voice of Jeff Garlin), Shelby Forthright (voice of Fred Willard), AUTO (voice of MacInTalk), John (voice of John Ratzenberger), Mary (voice of Kathy Najimy), Ship’s Computer (voice of Sigourney Weaver), and Steward Bots (voice of Teddy Newton).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. Great story. Good child/adult share. Completely unique and fresh. Great work for Director Andrew Stanton.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

COSMIC SCRAT-TASTROPHE (Theatrical Release USA 2015)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 4.1|5.0 Starsìììì

Cosmic Scrat-Tastrophe—cute and well animated—sends Scrat (from the Ice Age movies) on yet another adventure. The short does not fail in any way from the longer versions of his story. An enjoyable watch.

Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images

Storyline

Scrat, in his attempts to catch the acorn of his dreams, ends up in outer space.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director Mike Thurmeier and Galen T. Chu for directing effort. Thank you to Executive Producers Carlos Saldanha and Chris Wedge for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Manny (voice of Ray Romano), Sid (voice of John Leguizamo), Diego (voice of Denis Leary), and Scrat (voice of Chris Wedge).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. This is a terrific short film that takes Scrat (from Ice Age) into the space age.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

THE BLUE UMBRELLA (Theatrical Release USA 2013)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 3.9|5.0 Starsììì

The Blue Umbrella—unusual short film—requires careful watching and some thinking to arrive at its AHA! moment. The photorealistic lighting is terrific and the storyline about being different is well done.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

A sweet story about standing out from the crowd, being different, and how sometimes that is just the right way to be when one needs to find a soul mate.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director Saschka Unseld for directing effort. Additional cast include: Sarah Jaffe

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. It’s a terrific short film that details how every possible force will bring together two soul mates. Great little story.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers