THE PORTABLE DOOR (Theatrical Release Australia 2023)

 

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 4.2|5.0 Starsìììì 

The Portable Door—terrific stage settings, great concept—serves as a highly intellectual watch, completely entertains, intriguing, almost mind-bending at times, and re-watchable. Ethereal and well-timed for effect, look for those difficult to connect the dots scenes. Terrific watch that The Jim Henson Company gives birth to is far beyond the Cookie Monster, Big Bird, and friends and is more than ready to teach something much deeper than 1,2,3 and A,B,C. 

Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images 

Storyline

This fantasy film is about the search for a portable door that will provide freedom and healing of many persons who are related in one way or another to each other.

Additional Thanks 

Thank you to Director Jeffrey Walker for directing effort. Thank you to Producers Blanca Listar and Todd Fellman for making the film possible. Cast includes Patrick Gibson, Sophie Wilder, Miranda Otto, Rachel House, Chris Pang, Jessica De Gouw, Damon Herriman, Sam Neil, and Christoph Waltz. 

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? 

Yes. This Jim Henson  Company film works at the intellectual level and has a high level, ethereal feel to it. One may wish to watch it a second time due to its extremely rich development of story. It is completely worth its watch. Do not expect a Kermit the Frog and Miss Piggy-styled story. This movie is exceptionally sophisticated. 

Video Critique Available Here: 

Ben Meyers

CALL ME KATE (Video on Demand Release USA 2022)

 

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 4.2|5.0 Starsìììì 

Call Me Kate—documentary on legendary Katharine Hepburn—gives terrific insight into the personality of Katharine Hepburn and how she expressed that personality. This honest documentary does not spare anything in her personal life. 

Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images 

Storyline 

This documentary film is about Katharine Hepburn’s thinking processes that led to the major life decisions she made. 

Additional Thanks

 Thank you to Director Lorna Tucker for directing effort. Thank you to Producers Phil Hunt, Compton Ross, Cast includes: Anthony Hopkins, Lauren Bacall, Angela Lansbury, Ava Gardner, Katharine Hepburn, Clark Gable, Dick Cavett, Tayah Willcox, Katharine Houghton, Larry King, Kat Kramer, Bonnie Greer, and Angela Allen. 

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? 

Yes. This documentary focuses a great deal on the independent personality of Katharine Hepburn while following her career as the secondary underlying story. It’s a no-apology movie that provides a look at an upper class lifestyle within a close-knit family. 

Video Critique Available Here: 

Ben Meyers

 

LET’S EAT (San Diego International Film Festival San Diego California USA 2020)

 Ben Meyers’ Rating: 3.9|5.0 Stars
ììì 

Let’s Eat--cute and sweet/sour short film, the story of us all. The animation is really good with that nice, quiet, soft feel. The storyline is well-timed and written. The presentation and portrayal are surprisingly well-done for such a short film. 

Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images 

Storyline 

This film is about a mother who comforts and protects her daughter and, then, in the cycle of life, the girl grows up to comfort and protect her daughter. 

Additional Thanks 

Thank you to Director Dixon Wong for directing effort. Thank you to Executive Producer Takashi Cheng for making the film possible. Cast includes:  Anna Xie, Gina Su, Nora Ng-Quinn, and Amy Quo. 

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? 

Yes. This short film is well-written and nicely timed for maximum impact.

 Video Critique Available Here: 

Ben Meyers

COCAINE BEAR (Theatrical Release USA 2023)

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 3.7|5.0 Starsììì 

Cocaine Bear—over-the-top gore and violence—may remind audiences of the film 28 Weeks Later due to the exceptional violence. The stage settings are natural and closely adhere to the settings found on United States Forest Service lands. Know this film has not been created as a family watch even though it has been advertised as a comedy of sorts. 

Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images 

Storyline 

This film is about a bear who finds ditched cocaine and ingests it. 

Additional Thanks 

Thank you to Director Elizabeth Banks for directing effort. Thank you to Producers Phil Lord, Christopher Miller, Elizabeth Banks, Max Handelman, Brian Duffield, and Aditya Sood for making the film possible. Cast includes: Keri Russell, O’Shea Jackson Jr., Christian Convery, Alden Ehrenreich, Brooklynn Prince, Isiah Whitlock Jr., Margo Martindale, and Ray Liotta. 

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? 

Maybe. Be warned this movie is for the adult audience and works on a extremely bloody, gory storyline, 

Video Critique Available Here: 

Ben Meyers

 

LEGEND OF THE WOLF* (Theatrical Release Hong Kong 1997)

 

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 3.6|5.0 Starsììì 

Legend of the Wolf—concept is in place—does not work within the framework of traditional Donnie Yen-quality entertainment as found in the Ip Man movie series. The best fight scene found in the movie is about 17 minutes toward the end of the film. The movie focuses on the quality of fight choreography. Not a lot of storyline, good cinematography for its time, stage settings are well-done. The movie can be gory and quite violent. It is an okay watch for a lazy afternoon and doesn’t offer anything new or outstanding. 

Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images 

Storyline 

An aged martial arts master tells the story of his long career to an upstart youth. 

Additional Thanks 

Thank you to Donnie Yen for directing effort. Thank you to Producer Donnie Yen for making the film possible. Cast includes: Donnie Yen, Dayo Wong, Carman Lee, Ben Lam, Edmond Leung, and Mak Wai-cheung. 

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? 

Maybe. This movie focuses on fighting with dialogue made almost entirely of repetitive grunts and groans like the sound effects from many computer games like Mortal Kombat entertainment. The film works as an okay afternoon watch but there’s not much new here and the storyline is practically non-existent.

*Also Known as: The New Big Boss or Chin long suet 

Video Critique Available Here: 

Ben Meyers

 

ROBO (Theatrical Release Russia USA 2019)

 

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 3.5|5.0 Starsììì 

Robo shows flashes of heart throughout its story. The robot is well animated. The actors perform at the okay level. The versatility of voice actor Sergey Bezrukov is outstanding. Unfortunately, the film’s poor portrayal gets in the way of its entertainment capability. Character development runs at the minimal to zero level. The writing is simple, which is not a bad thing, but in this case it is not interesting. This movie just is. 

Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images 

Storyline 

This film is about a boy who wants to be an artist versus parents who want him to be an engineer. 

Additional Thanks 

Thank you to Director Sarik Andreasyan for directing effort. Thank you to Executive Producer Semyon Shcherbovich-Vecher for making the film possible. Cast includes: Danill Izotov, Vladimir Vdovichenkov, Sergey Bezrukov, Mariya Mironova, Konstantin Layronenko, Hrant Tokhatyan, Liza Moryak, Kristina Orsa, Elena Yushkevich, and Klim Berdinskiy. 

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? 

Maybe. The movie is watchable for the good stage settings and the robot animation. But, if the audience is seeking a fuller film with high entertainment value and a high-quality robot-themed story, try the (2001) film, AI: Artificial Intelligence,  the (2004) film I, Robot (for the teen/adult share) or the (2005) film, Robots,(for the child/adult share). 

Video Critique Available Here: 

Ben Meyers

A MAN CALLED OTTO (Theatrical Release USA 2022)

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 4.4|5.0 Starsìììì 

A Man Called Otto—wonderful film—WOW! tells a great story. Allows its audience to see how healing works, to know it takes time and not try to shorten or end that healing process…to give it its due until it is time to move on. Great watch. 

Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images 

Storyline 

This movie is about a man who  loses his wife and the process that it takes to heal and move on. 

Additional Thanks 

Thank you to Director Marc Forster for directing effort. Thank you to Producers Fredrik Wikstrom Nicastro, Rita Wilson, Tom Hanks, and Gary Goetzman. Cast includes: Tom Hanks, Mariana Trevino, Rachel Keller, Manuel Garcia Rulfo, Truman Hanks, and Mike Birbiglia. 

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? 

Yes. Surprisingly good watch that is well received by Ben Meyers international Movie Critics. The movie is full, rich, and follows a deep understanding of the grief process from beginning to healing of that grief. Tom Hanks in his usual, best form, plumbs the depths of this story. Good watch  with a lot of heart. 

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

OLD (Theatrical Release USA 2021)

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 4.3|5.0 Starsìììì 

Old—intriguing, almost mind-bending. This Shyamalan movie provides odd mind-fare that takes completion of the film to connect the dots. It is a good watch for the teen/adult.

 Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images

 Storyline 

This movie is about a resort that sends a group of adventuresome vacationers to a private beach, but this is no ordinary beach. 

Additional Thanks 

Thank you to Director M. Night Shyamalan for directing effort. Thank you to Producers M. Night Shyamalan, Marc Bienstock, and Ashwin Rajan for making the film possible. Cast includes: Gael Garcia Bernal, Vicki Krieps, Rufus Sewell, Alex Wolff, Thomasin McKenzie, Abbey Lee, Nikki Amuka Bird, Ken Leung, Eliza Scanlen, Emun Elliott, Embeth Davidtz, and Aaron Pierre. 

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? 

Yes. The movie has a fresh, creative presentation with odd twists in its story throughout. The acting performs at the good to great level. 

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers 

MRS. HARRIS GOES TO PARIS (Theatrical Release USA 2022)

 

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 4.2|5.0 Starsìììì 

Mrs. Harris Goes to Paris—cute and refreshing—WOW! What a concept and a good, feel-good film. Lesley Manville is great for this film and takes her viewers on a journey of a lifetime. Great work for attention to detail and stage settings.  This film is well done and worth watching. 

Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images 

Storyline 

This movie is about a cleaning woman who develops a dream to own a Christian Dior dress. 

Additional Thanks                                                                                                                                        

Thank you to Director Anthony Fabian for directing effort. Thank you to Producers Anthony Fabian, Xavier Marchand, Guillaume Benski for making the film possible. Cast includes: Lesley Manville, Isabelle Huppert, Lambert Wilson, Alba Baptista, Lucas Bravo, Ellen Thomas, Rose Williams, and Jason Isaacs. 

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? 

Yes. This simple film completely details the process involved in making a dream materialize into reality. It does a terrific job of detailing British and French culture, interplay that can occur between the working class and the wealthier class, and how one dream can give birth to another that starts the growth process all over again…different dream, different journey.                                                                                                                               

Video Critique Available Here: 

Ben Meyers

2 GUNS (Theatrical Release USA 2013)

 Ben Meyers’ Rating: 4.2|5.0 Starsìììì                                                              

2 Guns—action and political intrigue—serves a complex, unexpected story wrapped in the talents of Washington and Wahlberg into a completely digestible and enjoyable experience. The script is well-written and provides interest throughout. The film has some nudity and a terrific amount of violence that moves it out of the child/adult share audience. 

Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images

 Storyline

 This movie is about nearly every agency within the United States government being corrupt.

 Additional Thanks

 Thank you to Director Baltasar Kormákur for directing effort. Thank you to Producers Marc Platt, Randall Emmett, Norton Herrick, Adam Siegel, George Furla, Ross Richie, and Andrew Cosby. Cast includes: Denzel Washington, Mark Wahlberg, Paula Patton, Bill Paxton, Fred Ward, James Marsden, and Edward James Olmos.

 

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

 Yes. The film has a good presentation and is an action-packed watch.

 Video Critique Available Here:

 Ben Meyers

HALLELUJAH: LEONARD COHEN, A JOURNEY, A SONG (Telluride Film Festival Telluride Colorado USA 2021)

 

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 4.2|5.0 Starsìììì 

Hallelujah: Leonard Cohen, A Journey, A Song—a documentary that covers only the highpoints—has a surprisingly interesting storyline. The documentary runs a bit slowly but allows a view into a much deeper spirituality that is not completely visible on a superficial level. This movie allows that view which is what makes the documentary valuable.  Good work for all involved.

 Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images 

Storyline 

This documentary is about Leonard Cohen’s music, career, and life. 

Additional Thanks

 Thank you to Directors Daniel Geller and Dayna Goldfine for directing effort. Thank you to Producers Daniel Geller and Dayna Goldfine for making the film possible. 

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?                                                             

 Yes. This documentary makes an audience think about what they leave behind when life is over. Sometimes it can be just one truly significant thing that the whole world sings forever. 

Video Critique Available Here:

 

Ben Meyers

THEY SHALL NOT GROW OLD (Theatrical Release USA 2018)

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 4.3|5.0 Starsìììì 

They Shall Not Grow Old uses a unique platform to present its story that emphasizes the human side of World I soldiers from their reasons for enlistment through field engagement to their final return home where they find themselves completely alienated from their families, neighborhoods, and where job opportunities are nearly non-existent. The superlative research has had extensive access to old war records and becomes a work of art as much as a documentation of World War I. The movie relies almost entirely on an innovative narration process that completely dominates the film. 

Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images 

Storyline 

This documentary covers World War I from a highly humanitarian perspective. 

Additional Thanks 

Thank you to Director Peter Jackson for directing efforts. Thank you to Producers Clare Olssen and Peter Jackson for making the film possible. 

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? 

Yes. Overall, this is a terrific documentary that would serve very well in a museum room dedicated to educating the public about World War I and soldiers’ viewpoints about why they enlisted, how they survived, how they felt about the opposing side after the war, and what it was like to return home.

Video Critique Available Here:

 

Ben Meyers

NOPE (Theatrical Release USA 2022)

 

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 4.3|5.0 Starsìììì 

Nope interweaves several different stories of completely different lifestyles into an exceptionally loose alien story so that it almost works on a WOW! level due to using that presentation method. It’s different. When a viewer thinks this is ‘just about enough’ of aliens versus humans movies, this little piece of a story turns up. Daniel Kaluuya and Keke Palmer cast well as a brother and sister team. There is a scene with an on set, out-of-control chimpanzee that becomes a bit difficult to place in the movie. But, it does allow a little backstory to  Steven Yeun’s character. 

Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images 

Storyline 

An alien hides in the clouds until it can swoop down and consume its chosen food: humans. 

Additional Thanks 

Thank you to Director Jordan Peele for directing effort. Thank you to Producers Jordan Peele and Ian Cooper for making the film possible. Cast includes: Daniel Kaluuya, Keke Palmer, Steven Yeun, Michael Wincott, Brandon Perea, and Keith David. 

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? 

Yes. This alien movie comes from a different angle than most alien movies and that difference makes it a bit more interesting than others within this genre.

Video Critique Available Here:.

 

Ben Meyers

CRY MACHO (Theatrical Release USA 2021)

 

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 4.1|5.0 Starsìììì 

Cry Macho—solid, feel-good story—moves along very well while serving several good messages about developing skills, new starts, and the power to make a new place and provide needful services regardless of age from youth onward. The acting is really good. The story is very well written. The portrayal is great. Clint Eastwood is great in this film. WOW! The definition of the word, poignant. Watch for actor Eduardo Minett. He does very well in this film.

 Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images 

Storyline 

A man is sent to Mexico to retrieve an American man’s young son. 

Additional Thanks 

Thank you to Director Clint Eastwood for directing effort. Thank you to Albert S. Ruddy, Tim Moore, Jessica Meier, and Clint Eastwood for making the film possible. Cast includes: Clint Eastwood, Dwight Yoakum, and Eduardo Minett. 

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? 

Yes. This is another great film for Clint Eastwood fans. Tremendous humanitarianism shows throughout the movie and it gives newcomer Eduardo Minett (9 films and TV Credits on IMDb) a good opportunity to show his skill. Good work for all involved.

Video Critique Available Here:

 Ben Meyers

 

MR. CAR AND THE KNIGHTS TEMPLAR (VOD (Video on Demand) Release World-Wide 2023)

 

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 3.7|5.0 Starsììì 

Mr. Car and the Knights Templar—unclear why this story needs to be told—has fight scenes that are weak, poorly edited, and obviously use fake punches with little to no contact. The movie lacks professionalism and needs better direction. It does use voiceovers for Polish dialogue lines. The film sets itself up for a sequel. 

Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images 

Storyline 

A Templar cross holds valuable secrets. 

Additional Thanks 

Thank you to Director Antoni Nykowski for directing effort. Thank you to Producers Jerzy Dziegielewski, Pawel Heba, Maciej Sojka, Roman Szczepanik for making the film possible. Cast includes: Mateusz Janicki, Sandra Drzymalska, Maria Debska, Olgierd Blecharz, Kalina Kowalczuk, Piotr Sega, Jacek Beler, and Anna Dymna. 

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? 

Maybe. The storyline presents nothing new and is a re-run copy of many ‘treasure hides information that will lead to great discoveries’ movies. It gives the audience not much reason to watch it over other similarly themed movies. 

Video Critique Available Here: 

Ben Meyers