DRAGONHEART: BATTLE FOR THE HEARTFIRE (DVD Release UK 2017)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 3.4|5.0 Starsììì

Dragonheart: Battle for the Heartfire—performs at a higher level of entertainment than its predecessor Dragonheart 3: The Sorcerer’s Curse, but still fails to garner an A+ rating for entertainment. The opening scenes set expectations for a great film and then, the movie fails to follow through on its initial promise. Overall, the film rates as just average and just another unimproved Dragonheart movie.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

A dragon endeavors to help a brother and a sister.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director Patrik Syversen for directing effort. Thank you to Producer Raffaella De Laurentiis for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Drago (voice of Patrick Stewart), Edric (Tom Rhys Harries), Meghan (Jessamine-Bliss Bell), Queen Rhonu (Tamzin Merchant), Thorgrim (Andre Eriksen), Earl Robert (Richard Cordery), Osmund (Martin Hutson), Councilor Marrakar (Delroy Brown), Walter (Turlough Convery), Player (Lewis Mackinnon), and Sable (Marte Germaine Christensen).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Maybe. If one is following the Dragonheart series, it’s the next in the series.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

HOP (Theatrical Release USA 2011)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 4.2|5.0 Starsìììì

Hop—fresh, new, and wonderful—provides a terrifically imaginative take on the Easter Bunny ‘empire’. The characters are deeply drawn with exceptional personalities that are relatable as well as unforgettable. The musical scores rely on familiar, highly remembered music that appeals to all audiences and are well placed throughout the movie. The animation? Beyond reproach. This top-of-the-line entertainment needs to be in every family’s home video library.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

E.B., a young rabbit, does not want to follow family tradition and assume the role of Easter Bunny.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director Tim Hill for directing effort. Thank you to Executive Producer John Cohen for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Fred O’Hare (James Marsden), E.B. (voice of Russell Brand), Production Assistant (Russell Brand), Sam O’Hare (Kaley Cuoco), Carlos (Hank Azaria), Phil (voice of Hank Azaria), Henry O’Hare (Gary Cole), Bonnie O’Hare (Elizabeth Perkins), E.B.’s Dad (voice of Hugh Laurie), Alex O’Hare (Tiffany Espensen), David Hasselhoff (David Hasselhoff), Mrs. Beck (Chelsea Handler), and Cody (Dustin Ybarra).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. Re-watchable. Exceptionally high entertainment value that completely serves a wide audience age range.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

A 3 MINUTE HUG (Video Release USA 2019)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 3.5|5.0 Starsììì

A 3 Minute Hug—documentary short film—shows Hispanic and American families meeting at the United States/Mexican border for quick interaction and re-union time. This play on emotion does not give attention to the many reasons people emigrate/immigrate or the other ways they manage to stay in touch via modern technology. It does remind one of the difficulties associated with choices to emigrate. Great camera detail in this short film show a well-dressed and well-fed group of people hugging and sharing a tear or two before leaving from a re-union that makes one feel that people have been hired for a film rather than a real-life documented event.

Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images

Storyline

Mexican and United States families reunite at the border to share quick interaction before being separated by border enforcers.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director Everardo González for directing effort. Thank you to Executive Producer Gael García Bernal for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: A variety of United States’ and Mexican families.

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. The film could have been more effective, educational, and informative if it had chosen to address many different countries’ methods of dealing with border issues and interwoven solutions for communication when families are separated. This would have resulted in a positive, helpful, service-oriented documentary that offers value for time invested in viewing. If the documentary had positively focused on how technology has improved family ability to interconnect and communicate across long distances and how future innovation will impact communication needs, the age-old challenge to changing country while leaving loved ones behind becomes less daunting to those who endure familial separation. The movie’s superficiality, narrow focus, and time release make it suspect in intent and purpose while possibly making a viewer feel manipulated and emotionally vandalized.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

THE ADVENTURES OF ICHABOD AND MR. TOAD (Theatrical Release USA 1949)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 4.0|5.0 Starsìììì

The Adventures of Ichabod and Mr. Toad is a double feature that appears as a single release. Sweet stories, worth watching, serve the child and adult audience equally well. Both films highlight the talents of Directors Jack Kinny, Clyde Geronimi and James Algar.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

This is a two-segment story. The first is about Toad, the owner of Toad Hall, who develops fetishes about various modes of transportation and ends serving a prison sentence while his friends valiantly endeavor to free him. The second is about Ichabod Crane who desires to marry well and attempts to rival a better suitor. The suitor tells a scary story which unfolds before Ichabod Crane in a very real fashion.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director James Algar, Jack Kinney, and Clyde Geronimi for directing effort. Thank you to Producer Walt Disney for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Narrators (Bing Crosby and Basil Rathbone), Mr. Toad (voice of Eric Blore), Cyril Proudbottom (voice of J. Pat O’Malley), Prosecutor (voice of John McLeish), Mole (voice of Colin Campbell), Angus MacBadger (voice of Campbell Grant), Water Rat (voice of Claud Allister), and Additional voices (Jud Conlon’s Rhythmaires).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. Highly entertaining, these two stories catch nuances of interaction between characters that seem to be lost in some modern entertainment.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

TOY STORY 4 (Theatrical Release USA 2019)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 4.6|5.0 Starsìììì

Toy Story 4—almost as good as Toy Story II—has a darkness to it, not present in Toy Story II, that takes away audience appeal. However, because of Pixar’s high ability to create exceptionally good animation entertainment, this movie is no exception to that rule and earns its right to stand as outstanding entertainment for both child and adult. The basic story expands on the adoption of Andy’s toys by the young girl, Bonnie.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

A homemade toy finds its place with its child creator and the child’s commercially manufactured toys.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director Josh Cooley for directing effort. Thank you to Executive Producers Pete Docter, Andrew Stanton, and Lee Unkrich for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Woody (voice of Tom Hanks), Buzz Lightyear (voice of Tim Allen), Bo Peep (voice of Annie Potts), Forky (voice of Tony Hale), Ducky (voice of Keegan-Michael Key), Bonnie (voice of Madeleine McGraw), Gabby Gabby (voice of Christina Hendricks), Bunny (voice of Jordan Peele), Duke Caboom (voice of Keanu Reeves), Giggle McDimples (voice of Ally Maki), Bonnie’s Dad (voice of Jay Hernandez), and Bonnie’s Mom (voice of Lori Alan).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. Toy Story 4 provides a perfect send off for the series. Great work for Tom Hanks and Tim Allen whose voices were once again reprised for the series. Great work for all involved.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

TANGLED (Theatrical Release USA 2010)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 4.8|5.0 Starsìììì

Tangled—sparkling and magical—catches kindness and delivers it full strength through the film. WOW! BRAVO! ENCORE! Standing ovation movie! No fault found here. Terrific child/adult share delivers cup overflowing value in each scene. Worth watching again and again…purchase it for the home entertainment library.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

A princess has been locked in a tower since she was an infant. Through the intervention of a young thief, she leaves the tower and enters the world for the first time.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Directors Nathan Greno and Byron Howard for directing efforts. Thank you to Executive Producers Glen Keane and John Lasseter for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Rapunzel (voice of Mandy Moore), Flynn Rider (voice of Zachary Levi), Mother Gothel (voice of Donna Murphy), Stabbington Brother (voice of Ron Perlman), Captain of the Guard (voice of MC. Gainey), Big Nose Thug (voice of Jeffrey Tambor), Hook Hand Thug (voice of Brad Garrett), Short Thug (voice of Paul F. Tompkins), Vlad (voice of Richard Kiel), Young Rapunzel/Little Girl (voice of Delaney Rose Stein), and Guard 1/Thug 1 (voice of Nathan Greno).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. Don’t miss this film.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

THE LAST OF THE MOHICANS (Theatrical Release USA 1920)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 3.5|5.0 Starsììì

The Last of the Mohicans—silent film—is a 1920 remake of the movie, Leather Stocking (1909). The 1920 version is hard to follow and not very clear in its storyline. It can serve as an academic study of the silent film productions of this era or as a comparison of how motion picture progressed by studying the remakes of this story from 1909 to 1920 to include The Last of the Mohicans (1911).

Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images

Storyline

The last two Mohicans and their friend, Natty Bumppo, endeavor to rescue two girls who are trying to find their father.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Directors Clarence Brown and Maurice Tourneur for directing effort. Thank you to Executive Producers Jan-Christopher Horak and Jamie White for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Magua (Wallace Beery), Cora Munro (Barbara Bedford), Uncas (Alan Roscoe), Alice Munro (Lillian Hall), Major Heyward (Henry Woodward), Colonel Munro (James Gordon), Captain Randolph (George Hackathorne), David Gamut (Nelson McDowell), Hawkeye (Harry Lorraine), Chingachgook (Theodore Lorch), and Tamenund (Jack McDonald).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

No. Watch the 1993 remake The Last of the Mohicans with Daniel Day-Lewis instead.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

LITTLE BIG LEAGUE (Theatrical Release USA 1994)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 4.2|5.0 Starsìììì

Little Big League allows contemplation of difficulties that may be encountered when very young persons are called upon to undertake very adult tasks. The film delivers fresh content. Even though it is not uniformly presented and at times lags in storyline, it is a good coming of age film—inspiring take on responsibilities young persons are capable of carrying through to good conclusions.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

A baseball team is given, as an inheritance, to a very young boy.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director Andrew Scheinman for directing effort. Thank you to Executive Producers Andrew Bergman and Steve Nicolaides for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Billy Heywood (Luke Edwards), Lou Collins (Timothy Busfield), MacMacnally (John Ashton), Jenny Heywood (Ashley Crow), Arthur Goslin (Kevin Dunn), Chuck (Billy L. Sullivan), Joey (Miles Feulner), Jim Bowers (Jonathan Silverman), George O’Farrell (Dennis Farina), Thomas Heywood (Jason Robards), and Spencer Hamilton (Wolfgang Bodison),

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. This film is a really wonderful idea and tells what children are capable of,  if they set their mind to it, the sky is the limit. 

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

TREMORS: A COLD DAY IN HELL (Video Release USA 2018)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 3.6|5.0 Starsììì

Tremors a Cold Day Hell—another average Tremors film with nothing significantly new added except location—delivers the same ‘stuff’ as the last Tremor movies. It appeals to the hardcore Tremors fan base and has not been produced for a general audience. The special effects are about the same as the previous movies, except you’ll see them in both snow and dry land.

Film Poster courtesy of Google Images

Storyline

Burt Gummer fights the Graboids in Canada.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director Don Michael Paul for directing effort. Thank you to Producer Mike Elliott for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Dr. D (Jay Anstey), Yankee (Alistair Moulton Black), Mr. Cutts (Paul du Toit), Burt Gummer (Michael Gross), Aklark (Keeno Lee Hector), Travis B. Welker (Jamie Kennedy), Agent Dalkwed (Danny Keogh), Dutch (Greg Kriek), Valerie McKee (Jamie-Lee Money), Hart Hansen (Kiroshan Naidoo), Dr. Charles Freezze (Francesco Nassimbeni), and Mac (Adrienne Pearce).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Maybe. The 6^th film in the Tremors film series will not disappoint the Tremors fan base who follow these movies. As of February 12, 2020, there is an announcement that there will be a 7^th Tremors film.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

A QUIET PLACE (Theatrical Release USA 2019)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 4.3|5.0 Starsìììì

A Quiet Place surpasses the entertainment quality of The Silence movie due to the casting of John Krasinski, Emily Blunt, Millicent Simmonds, and Noah Jupe; increased storyline; and acting skill. Although it is not as exciting as what may be expected, the drama heightens to create its own type of suspense. This movie creates caring whether the Abbott family will live through each new threatening situation (such as the memorable scene where the Old Man in the Woods (Leon Russom) screams in agony when he finds his dead wife and Lee Abbott (John Krasinski) grabs Marcus Abbott (Noah Jupe) to run and hide behind a tree as the Old Man in the Woods is 'taken out' by the sound seeking alien. This becomes one of many suspense-filled scenes that play with unique intensity. What a great concept for a movie. A sequel movie is scheduled for release 20^th of March 2020.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

A creature, drawn by sound, terrorizes a family.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director John Krasinski for directing effort. Thank you to Executive Producers Scott Beck, Celia D. Costas, Aaron Janus, John Krasinski, Allyson Seeger, and Bryan Woods for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Evelyn Abbott (Emily Blunt), Lee Abbott (John Krasinski), Regan Abbott (Millicent Simmonds), Marcus Abbott (Noah Jupe), Beau Abbott (Cade Woodward), Man in the Woods (Leon Russom), and Old Man’s Dead Wife (Rhoda Pell).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. This worthy film keeps audience involvement from beginning to end. Director John Krasinski deserves thank you for a film that is not the typical suspense movie, but worth watching.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

REAR WINDOW (Theatrical Release USA 1954)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 4.8|5.0 Starsìììì

Rear Window has an all-star cast that includes James Stewart, Grace Kelly, Wendell Corey, Thelma Ritter, and Raymond Burr. It’s an excellent Alfred Hitchcock thriller film and still holds its own in 2020 nearly 70 years after its first release. A WOW! BRAVO! film that deserves a re-watch. Terrific concept that plays out with outstanding camera angles and panning of the camera is well appreciated and well received. Great script and storyline.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

A recuperating, wheelchair-bound man observes the lives of his neighbors from his apartment’s back window.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director Alfred Hitchcock for directing effort. Thank you to Producer Alfred Hitchcock for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: L.B. Jefferies (James Stewart), Lisa Carol Fremont (Grace Kelly), Detective Lieutenant Thomas J. Doyle (Wendell Corey), Stella (Thelma Ritter), Lars Thorwald (Raymond Burr), Miss Lonelyhearts (Judith Evelyn), Songwriter (Ross Bagdasarian), Miss Torso (Georgine Darcy), Woman on Fire Escape (Sara Berner), Man on Firescape (Frank Cady), Miss Hearing Aid (Jesslyn Fax), and Newlywed (Rand Harper).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. This piece of entertainment shows the acting skill of James Stewart and showcases Director Alfred Hitchcock’ ability to create and sustain tension.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

ATTACK OF THE KILLER TOMATOES! (Theatrical Release USA 1978)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 4.0|5.0 Starsìììì

Attack of the Killer Tomatoes—a parody film—uses multiple scenes drawn from other movies, imitates them, substitutes tomatoes as the instruments of horror and oddly enough makes a WOW!-type of entertainment. It’s built into an amateurish framework that tries to fool the audience by its lack of sophistication and then hits us alongside the head that it delivered anyway. Really good work for Director John De Bello in creating a funny, silly, and rather stupid movie and then, ironically surprises by ending as a film that will not soon be forgotten.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

Tomatoes go on the war path against humans.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director John De Bello for directing effort. Thank you to Producers John De Bello, J. Stephen Peace, and Mark L. Rosen for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Mason Dixon (David Miller), Jim Richardson (George Wilson), Lois Fairchild (Sharon Taylor), Lieutenant Wilbur Finletter (J. Stephen Peace), The President (Ernie Meyers), Senator Polk (Eric Christmas), Newspaper Editor (Ron Shapiro), Ted Swann (Al Sklar), Major Mills (Jerrold Anderson), Old Man (Don Birch), Singing Soldier (Tom Coleman), and FIA Director (Art K. Koustik).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. Unlike Cats Don’t Dance (another parody film), this movie becomes a sit down and watch film that creates involvement so one does not desire to miss a moment of its quirkiness. Well done.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

THE LION KING (Theatrical Release USA 2019)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 3.8|5.0 Starsììì

The Lion King—photo realistic animation—retells the 1994 animated Disney movie. The photo realistic animation is fantastic, but the movie does not have the impact or the charm of its 1994 version due to a concentration on technique rather than reaching an audience’s heart. The voicing of Chewetel Ejiofor strangely sounds like the voice of Rex Harrison in My Fair Lady…sophisticated and well modulated. It is good to hear the reprised voice of James Earl Jones in the role of Mufasa 19 years after playing the original voice role.  Good work for Director Jon Favreau for directing a new version of the story that can present itself as new to this generation of children. Adults may feel ‘let down’ due to its failure to retain the freshness of its parent film.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

To learn how to rule a kingdom, a young lion takes a long journey.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director Jon Favreau for directing effort. Thank you to Executive Producers Tom C. Peitzman, Thomas Schumacher, and Julie Taymor for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Scar (voice of Chiwetel Ejiofor), Zazu (voice of John Oliver), Mufasa (voice of James Earl Jones), Rafiki (voice of John Kani), Sarabi (voice of Alfre Woodard), Young Simba (voice of JD McCrary), Young Nala (voice of Shahadi Wright Joseph), Sarafina (voice of Penny Johnson Jerald), Kamari (voice of Keegan-Micahel Key), Azizi (voice of Eric André), and Shenzi (voice of Florence Kasumba).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Maybe. This fantastic animation promises a great deal for new stories…but may fail old favorites.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

DRAGONHEART 3: THE SORCERER’S CURSE (DVD Release USA 2015)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 2.9|5.0 Starsìì

Dragonheart 3: The Sorcerer’s Curse—has potential—challenges itself with poor character development and a storyline that needs some rewriting. This is the back story of the first Dragonheart (1996), but the relationship between the two movies is not clear nor relevant. The movie runs itself into the ground without a clear vision of its placement within the franchise.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

A nest full of dragon eggs needs protection.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director Colin Teague for directing effort. Thank you to Executive Producer Lisa Gooding for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Drago (voice of Ben Kingsley), Gareth (Julian Morris), Rhonu (Tamzin Merchant), Lorne (Jassa Ahluwalia), Brude (Jonjo O’Neill), Traevo (Jake Curran), : Sir Horsa (Dominic Mafham), Potter (Christopher Fairbank), Begilda (Ozama Oancea), Kalin (Harry Lister Smith), and Cuthbert (Daniel Everitt-Lock).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Maybe. It seems disconnected from its source.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

SOME LIKE IT HOT (Theatrical Release USA 1959)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 4.2|5.0 Starsìììì

Some Like It Hot—not a typical 1959 movie—plays out well with a cast that works well on the big screen: Jack Lemmon, Tony Curtis, and Marilyn Monroe. It is what it is—a watch that takes some involvement and is easily enjoyed.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

Two male musicians see a serious crime and hide, disguised as women, in a female band group.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director Billy Wilder for directing effort. Thank you to Producer Billy Wilder for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Sugar Kane Kowalczyk (Marilyn Monroe), Joe/Josephine/Shell Oil Junior (Tony Curtis), Jerry/Daphne (Jack Lemmon), Spats Colombo (George Raft), Detective Mulligan (Pat O’Brien), Osgood Fielding III (Joe E. Brown), Little Bonaparte (Nehemiah Persoff), Sweet Sue (Joan Shawlee), Sig Poliakoff (Billy Gray), Toothpick Charlie (George E. Stone), Beinstock (Dave Barry), and Spats’ Henchman (Mike Mazurki).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. The movie provides a few chuckles with its easy-on-the-mind storyline. Very light entertainment piece.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers