THOR (Theatrical Release USA 2011)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 4.4|5.0 Starsìììì

Thor takes the ‘difficult to successfully put on the big screen’ out of producing stories about classic gods. This becomes a great film watch that gets better as it progresses due to very well-timed special effects and the extra energy put into casting the main characters with Chris Hemsworth as a younger Thor, Anthony Hopkins as Odin, and Stellan Skarsgård as Erik Selvig. Great work for Director Kenneth Branagh.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

Thor becomes a defender of earth.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director Kenneth Branagh for directing effort. Thank you to Executive Producers Louis D’Esposito, Alan Fine, Stan Lee, David Maisel,and Patricia Whitcher for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Thor (Chris Hemsworth), Jane Foster (Natalie Portman), Loki (Tom Hiddleston), Odin (Anthony Hopkins), Erik Selvig (Stellan Skarsgård), Darcy Lewis (Kat Dennings), Agent Coulson (Clark Gregg), King Laufey (Colm Feore), Heimdall (Idris Elba), Volstagg (Ray Stevenson), Hogun (Tadanobu Asano), and Fandral (Josh Dallas).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. Great Marvel flick.

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Ben Meyers

TERMINATOR GENISYS (Theatrical Release USA 2015)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 3.8|5.0 Starsììì

Terminator Genisys—wannabe remake of Terminator—tries valiantly to entertain and does entertain, maybe not on the same level as the original Terminator, but satisfactorily. The special effects are good. The movie sets itself up for a future Terminator film. Arnold Schwarzenegger does something wise that other seasoned action actors need to do in order to maintain their audience with the younger set of viewers. He acknowledges his age. Then, he notes that he may be aging, but he is not ‘out’. That single movie scene adds class to this film, creates respect as he works his role of Guardian, and allows his movement into the next stages of a solid career as the strong and powerful presence that may not rely on high octane scenes, but will get the job done without failure. That solid presence will be welcome and satisfying. This approach to aging is a refreshing break from other films that feature seasoned actors who either bemoan their age or try to continue the high action role pattern of younger years and cannot pull that off well. It’s a gracious move that completely works.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

A fractured timeline, a T-1000, a Guardian, John Connor as an antagonist, Kyle Reese as a protagonist, and Sarah Connor, Skynet, and Genisys inter-combine to change the future.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director Alan Taylor for directing effort. Thank you to Executive Producers Bill Carraro, Robert W. Cort, Megan Ellison, Laeta Kalogridis, Patrick Lussier, and Paul Schwake for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Guardian (Arnold Schwarzenegger), John Connor (Jason Clarke), Sarah Connor (Emilia Clarke), Kyle Reese (Jai Courtney), O’Brien (J.K. Simmons), Danny Dyson (Dayo Okeniyi), Alex (Matt Smith), Miles Dyson (Courtney B. Vance), Cop/T-1000 (Byung-Hun Lee), Lieutenant Matias (Michael Gladis), Detective Cheung (Sandrine Holt), and Young O’Brien (Wayne Bastrup).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. The basic Terminator story is in place and the action scenes provide high entertainment value.

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Ben Meyers

BLACK BEAUTY (Theatrical Release USA 1971)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 4.1|5.0 Starsìììì

Black Beauty—an average film that gets better as it rolls along—serves a horse loving audience nicely. The movie seems to end bluntly without a good transition, but other than that, it’s a simple British film that makes a good family watch. Good work for Director James Hill.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

The movie is about the horse, Black Beauty, and his many owners.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director James Hill for directing effort. Thank you to Executive Producers Tony Tenser and Peter Hahne for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Joe (Mark Lester), Hackenschmidt (Walter Slezak), Gervaise (Peter Lee Lawrence), Marie (Uschi Glas), Sam Greene (Patrick Mower), Sir William (John Nettleton), Anne (Maria Rohm), Evans (Eddie Golden), Roger (Clive Geraghty), Muldoon (John Hoey), O’Flaherty (Patrick Gardiner), and Mark Beauchamp (Brian McGrath).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. The movie is simple, straight forward, and easy to follow. The film has an authentic, old-style feel to it that is welcome. If time is limited, Black Stallion is a higher quality horse story.

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Ben Meyers

HOTEL TRANSYLVANIA (Theatrical Release USA 2012)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 4.1|5.0 Starsìììì

Hotel Transylvania—richly and thickly loaded with unique animation—completely entertains with its initial fast pace and subsequent flow. Even though the movie chooses the old storyline of ‘protective Dad does not want beloved daughter to make independent life choices’, it uses such high impact visual imagery and chooses such an unusual venue that it easily captivates both children and adults for a good family share. Great work for Director Genndy Tartakovsky.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

A human boy falls in love with Dracula’s daughter.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director Genndy Tartakovsky for directing effort. Thank you to  Executive Producers Allen Covert, Adam Sandler, and Robert Smigel for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Dracula (voice of Adam Sandler), Jonathan (voice of Andy Samberg), Mavis (voice of Selena Gomez). Frankenstein (voice of Kevin James), Eunice (voice of Fran Drescher), Wayne (voice of Steve Buscemi), Wanda (voice of Molly Shannon), Griffin (voice of David Spade), Murray (voice of CeeLo Green), Quasimodo (voice of Jon Lovitz), and Suit of Armor (voice of Brian George).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. A visual feast that does not lose pace throughout its entirety.

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Ben Meyers

SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL GUNFIGHTER (Theatrical Release USA 1971)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 4.3|5.0 Starsìììì

Support Your Local Gunfighter is a very good example of the concept that casting is everything. The movie, fun and full of straight forward comedy, uses top-of-the-line entertainers (James Garner, Harry Morgan, Jack Elam, Dub Taylor, Suzanne Pleshette) to strut itself right into classic western film status. This is a very good addition to the home video library as it has high re-watch status through a lifetime. Great work by late Director Burt Kennedy.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

A gambler becomes sheriff in a small western town.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director Burt Kennedy for directing effort. Thank you to Executive Producers Burt Kennedy and James Garner for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Latigo (James Garner), Patience (Suzanne Pleshette), Jug May (Jack Elam), Taylor (Harry Morgan), Jenny (Joan Blondell), Goldie (Marie Windsor), Colonel Ames (John Dehner), Ez (Henry Jones), Doc Schultz (Dub Taylor), Mrs. Perkins (Kathleen Freeman), Bud Barton (Dick Curtis), Morris (Walter Burke), and McLaglen (Willis Bouchey).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. It’s difficult to find a western movie that does not classify itself as B-grade entertainment. But, this film is sweet, smart, and a wonderful watch for young and old alike and with, seemingly no effort at all, becomes an A-grade western film.

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Ben Meyers

BAD BOYS II (Theatrical Release USA 2003)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 4.4|5.0 Starsìììì

Bad Boys II—one of Michael Bay’s best works—has a great storyline and great portrayal of Drug Enforcement Agents from a comedic perspective. The stunt work performs at the WOW level. Special effects are above average. It’s fun and smart with comedy well-placed for best effect.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

Drug Enforcement Agents investigate drug flow into Florida.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director Michael Bay for directing effort. Thank you to Executive Producers Chad Oman, Mike Stenson, and Barry H. Waldman for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Detective Marcus Burnett (Martin Lawrence), Detective Mike Lowrey (Will Smith), Hector Juan Carlos Tapia (Jordi Molla), Syd (Gabrielle Union), Alexei (Peter Stormare), Theresa (Theresa Randle), Captain Howard (Joe Pantoliano), Floyd Poteet (Michael Shannon), Roberto (Jon Seda), Detective Mateo Reyes (Yul Vazquez), Detective Marco Vargas (Jason Manuel Olazabal), Carlos (Otto Sanchez), TNT Leader (Henry Rollins), DEA Tony Dodd (Antoni Corone), TNT Fanuti (Gary Nickens), TNT Zank (Rey Hernandez), TNT Lockman (Charlie Johnson, Jr.) TNT Dexter (Paul Villaverde), Fletcher (John Salley), Tito Vargas (Reynaldo Gallegos), DEA Taylor (Veryl Jones), and DEA Snell (Tim Powell).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. Great action movie for action fans.

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Ben Meyers

MADELINE: LOST IN PARIS (Video Release USA 1999)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 4.0|5.0 Starsìììì

Madeline: Lost in Paris—cute and light, animated film for children—offers a very good afternoon lunch watch that is both simple and easy going. Great work for Directors Stan Phillips and Marija Miletic Dail.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

Madeline is kidnapped.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Directors Stan Phillips and Marija Miletic Dail for directing effort. Thank you to Executive Producers Saul Cooper, Andy Heyward, Pancho Kohner, Robby London, and Michael Maliani for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Madame Lacroque (voice of Lauren Bacall), Uncle Horst/Henri (voice of Jason Alexander),Pepito (voice of Alex Hood) Nicole (voice of Britt Irvin), Madeline (Andrea Libman), Narrator (Christopher Plummer), Chloe (voice of Veronika Sztopa), Lord Cucuface (voice of French Tickner), and Miss Clavel (voice Stevie Vallance).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. This is a good rendition of the original Madeline story books and serves the Madeline story fans well.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

RIM OF THE WORLD (Video Release USA 2019)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 3.6|5.0 Starsììì

Rim of the World loses power and its potential with its casting of children acting on the adult level. In addition, the cast need mature acting skill to potentialize the dialogue and scenes. This movie may be better if remade with an all adult cast.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

Four young campers team to save the world.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director McG for directing effort. Thank you to Executive Producers Steven Bello, Corey L. Marsh, Brad Mendelsohn, and Jack Stentz for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Alex (Jack Gore), ZhenZhen (Miya Cech), Dariush (Benjamin Flores Jr.), Gabriel (Alessio Scalzotto), Logan (Andrew Bachelor), Grace (Annabeth Gish), Lou (Scott MacArthur), Captain Hawking (Dean Jagger), and General Khoury (Michael Beach).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Maybe. It is what it is…not the best of movies and not the worst of movies.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

KLAUS (Theatrical Release USA 2019)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 4.2|5.0 Starsìììì

Klaus—cute and sweet—serves up its own kind of ‘cool’ with great storytelling about the origins of Santa Claus. Children and adults will love this film for its excellent and unusual animation, personable voicing, and broad character development for easy character identification. Great work for Directors Sergio Pablo and Carlos Martinez López.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

Klaus makes friends with the new postman.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director Sergio Pablos and Carlos Martinez López for directing effort. Thank you to Producers Gustavo Ferrada, Mercedes Gamero, Jinko Gotoh, Mikel Lejarza, Sergio Pablos, Marisa Roman, and Matthew Teevan for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Jesper (voice of Jason Schwartzman), Alva (voice of Rashida Jones), Mrs. Krum (voice of Joan Cusack), Klaus (voice of J.K. Simmons), Mogens (voice of Norm MacDonald), Mr. Ellingboe (voice of Will Sasso),and Pumpkin/Olaf (voice of Sergio Pablos).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. Worth every moment of viewing time. 

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

FASTER (Theatrical Release USA 2010)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 4.2|5.0 Starsìììì

Faster works like Dirty Harry in its mature presentation, but imbues itself with Dwayne Johnson’s style. Interesting and worth a watch, it serves well in Director George Tillman, Jr.’s lineup of credits.

Film Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

A hit man, cop, and ex-con have a meeting with destiny.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director George Tillman for directing effort. Thank you to Executive Producers Joe Gayton and Dara Weintraub for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Driver (Dwayne Johnson), Prison Guard (Mauricio Lopez), Inmate (Jim Gaines), Warden (Tom Berenger), Receptionist (Jan Hoag), Telemarketer (Courtney Gains), Cop (Billy Bob Thornton), Vaquero (Michael Irby), Uniform (Josh Clark), Cicero (Carla Gugino), TV Anchor (Michael Blain-Rozgay), Roy Grone (Mike Epps), Kenny (Sidney S. Liufau), Killer (Oliver Jackson-Cohen), Lily (Maggie Grace), Sergeant Mallory (Xander Berkeley), Cohort #1 (Aaron Behr), Cohort #2 (Jeff Daniel Phillips), and Driver’s Brother (Matt Gerald).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. For the action movie fan, the action-filled scenes are plentiful and well-done.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

A FAIRLY ODD SUMMER (Television Release USA 2014)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 3.2|5.0 Starsììì

A Fairly Odd Summer—simple and goofy—works on the entertainment level of the old Hardy Boy stories. This does not serve the adult audience well, but pre-teens and teens may enjoy it. Drake Bell from the Drake and Josh (2004-2007) television series shows well in this light entertainment piece.

Film Poster Courtesy Wikipedia

Storyline

Timmy Turner goes to Hawaii.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director Savage Steve Holland for directing effort. Thank you to Executive Producers Butch Hartman, Scott McAboy,and Michael Sammaciccia for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Mom (Teryl Rothery), Poof (voice of Tara Strong), Tootie (Daniella Monet), Mrs. Mulligan (voice o Ali Liebert), Timmy (Drake Bell), Foop (voice of Scott Baio), Mitze (Ella Anderson), Dad/Cosmo (voice of Daran Norris), Crocker (voice of David Lewis), Foop (voice of Eric Bauza), Jorgen (voice of Mark Gibbon), Wanda (voice of Susanne Blakeslee), Vicky (Devon Weigel), Dr. Flemmish (voice of Vincent Tong), Anti-Fairy Councilman (voice of Veena Sood), Maid Marian (voice of Karyn Halpin), and Howard (voice of Pomaika’I Brown), and Marty (Carter Hastings).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Maybe. Interesting concept, not very original.

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Ben Meyers

RAMPAGE (Theatrical Release USA 2018)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 4.7|5.0 Starsìììì

Rampage—outstanding action film—can be easily missed due to the choosing of a large ape as one of the rampaging animals. Possible movie goers may make a quick judgment from movie posters that this is just another King Kong movie and miss a very good Dwayne Johnson performance in a creative and unique story that is not related to King Kong. At first glance, it appears to be a B-grade film but quickly and audaciously shoves itself into a high-end, edge-of-the-seat action story. Dwayne Johnson did it in 2018 with Skyscraper and repeats it with his film, Rampage. The film marks itself with WOW factor in special effects and in animation. Kudos to great overall direction from Director Brad Peyton.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

A pathogen causes animals to go on rampage in Chicago; two scientists team to stop the devastation.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director Brad Peyton for directing effort. Thank you to Executive Producers Richard Brener, Michael Disco, Toby Emmerich, Jeffrey Fierson, Dany Garcia, Dwayne Johnson, and Marcus Viscidi for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Davis Okoye (Dwayne Johnson), Dr. Kate Caldwell (Naomie Harris), Claire Wyden (Malin Akerman), Harvey Russell (Jeffrey Dean Morgan), Brett Wyden (Jake Lacy), Burke (Joe Manganiello), Dr. Kerry Atkins (Marley Shelton), Nelson (P.J. Byrne), Colonel Blake (Demetrius Grosse), Connor (Jack Quaid), Amy (Breanne Hill), Zammit (Matt Gerald), Agent Park (Will Yun Lee), Garrick (Urijah Faber), and Taylor (Bruce Blackshear).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. Great special effects and top-of-the-line Dwayne Johnson action. 

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

MARCH OF THE PENGUINS (Theatrical Release USA 2005)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 4.7|5.0 Starsìììì

March of the Penguins—worth both time and money investment—easily becomes a classic documentary with high educational value factored into an exceptionally entertaining format. While the audience can view this documentary in a comfortable home setting, these cinematographers provide breathtaking film scenes in temperatures well below -50 degrees Fahrenheit and endure 120-mile-per-hour winds to capture an event for the whole world to see. At a final one hour and twenty minutes of actual show time the movie becomes an ode to technical editing skill. Bravo! Watch for the 2017 sequel film, March of the Penguins 2: The Next Step. Great work for Director Luc Jacquet.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

In the springtime penguins look for their mate and engage in a unique behavioral process to produce the next generation of the species.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director Luc Jacquet for directing effort. Thank you to Executive Producer Ilan Girard for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Le pére (voice of Chrles Berling), La mére (voice of Romane Bohringer), Le bébé (voice of Jules Sitruk), and Narrator (voice of Morgan Freeman).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. This film deserves its place in the home video library and is excellent viewing material for all ages.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

THE SNOW QUEEN (Theatrical Release USA 2013)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 3.4|5.0 Starsììì

The Snow Queen—Russian animated film with potential from the get-go—limits itself with a small storyline, its lack of clarity and cohesiveness, and its general lack of purpose. Sequels, at this point, seem unnecessary.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

Two orphaned children must defeat the Snow Queen’s ambitious plans.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director Vladlen Barbe and Maksim Sveshnikov for directing effort. Thank you to Producers Timur Bekmambetov, Aleksandr Ligay, Donald Roman Lopez, Yuriy Moskvin, Vladimir Nikolaev, Sergey Rapoport, Olga Sinelshchikova, René Veilleux for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Gerda (voice of Anna Shurochkina), Orm (voice of Ivan Okhlobystin), Snezhnaya Koroleva (voice of Galina Tyunina), Vospitatel (voice of Dmitriy Nagiev), Doch Atamanshi (Elizaveta Arzamasova), Tsvetochnitsa (voice of Lyudmila Artemeva), Korol (voice of Yurly Stoyanov), and Atamanaha (voice of Anna Ardova).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Maybe. The movie does not cross the cultural borderline well and creates some confusion as it does not easily transition between scenes. Read a plotline to the children before viewing to ensure they will understand what they are watching. Better entertainment still belongs to animated features such as Disney’s Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs or Pixar's Coco.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

MY NAME IS NOBODY * (Theatrical Release USA 1974)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 4.1|5.0 Starsìììì

My Name is Nobody—original, almost unusual, story with a light Sergio Leone (The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly) flavor—serves western film fans well. The storyline’s idea came from Sergio Leone. Though not the best of the spaghetti film genre, it still stands as a solid 4.1/5.0 star rating. There is little character development and an audience may find themselves asking, at points, what is the meaning and why is this important.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

A young gunman competes with an older gunman.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director Tonino Valerii for directing effort. Thank you to Executive Producers Claudio Mancini and Sergio Leone for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Nessuno (Terence Hill), Jack Beauregard (Henry Fonda), Sullivan (Jean Martin), Honest John (R.G. Armstrong), Jim (Karl Braun), Red (Leo Gordon), False Barber (Steve Kanaly), Leader of the Wild Bunch (Geoffrey Lewis), Squirrel (Neil Summers), Sheriff (Piero Lulli), Pedro (Mario Brega), Don John (Marc Mazza), and Porteley (Benito Stefanelli).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. Terence Hill became known for the scene in this film of the fast draw and handling of a western hand gun as well as the laid back persona that he portrayed. It’s good entertainment and can be easily missed by the Western Movie fan. Ron Howard’s  The Missing has a slightly higher entertainment value than this film, but this film successfully appeals to an international western movie audience.

*Also known as Il mio nome é Nessuno

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Ben Meyers