PATRIOTIC POPEYE (Theatrical Release USA 1957)

 

Ben Meyers’ Rating:4.0|5.0 Stars Patriotic Popeye—cute short film—offers a sweet watch about the Fourth of July. It has a strong sense of where it is going and how to get there. Very cohesive toon that has a nicely placed moral inside. This toon makes a good,  simple child/adult share about the Fourth of July and provides a nice leap point for discussion about this American holiday, and how it is a pinnacle part of the American year and the remembrance of how Americans won their freedom.  Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images  Storyline  Popeye’s nephews are setting off fireworks and giving Popeye challenges because they are a little too young to play with fireworks. Additional Thanks Thank you to Director Izzy Sparber and Thomas Johnson for directing effort. Thank you to Producers Seymour Kneitel, Dave Tendlar, and Izzy Sparber for making the film possible.   Cast includes Jack Mercer. Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?  Yes. Cute short film for Popeye fans.  Video Critique Available Here: Ben Meyers

POPEYE FOR PRESIDENT (Theatrical Release USA 1956)

Ben Meyers’ Rating:3.9|5.0 Stars Popeye for President—cute black and white,  short film— has placed Popeye and Bluto in a most unlikely stage setting with an unlikely storyline.  Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images  Storyline  Olive Oyl’s vote will determine who the next president will be.  Additional Thanks  Thank you to Director Kneitel and Thomas Johnson for directing effort. Thank you to Producers Seymour Kneitel, Izzy Sparber, and Dave Tendler for making the film possible. Cast includes Jackson Beck, Jack Mercer, and Mae Questel.  Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?  Yes. This movie puts Popeye and Bluto in a completely different stage setting and story than they usually play in.  Video Critique Available Here:  Ben Meyers

THE PAWNSHOP (Theatrical Release USA 1916)

 

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 3.9|5.0 Starsììì 

The Pawnshop—silent short film—revolves around the comedic talents of Charles Chaplin. This is not the best of the Chaplin lineup of films, but it has been put together well and has its own sense of originality. 

Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images 

Storyline 

A man has challenges working in a pawn shop. 

Additional Thanks 

Thank you to Director Charles Chaplin for directing efforts. Thank you to Producer Henry Caulfield and Charles Chaplin for making the film possible. Cast includes Charles Chaplin, Edna Purviance, Henry Bergman, John Rand, Albert Austin, Eric Campbell, James T. Kelley, Frank J. Coleman 

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? 

Yes. This Charlie Chaplin film may not be the best of this actor, but it is a suitable afternoon watch when looking for quick, light entertainment. 

Video Critique Available Here:

 

Ben Meyers

THE WONDERFUL STORY OF HENRY SUGAR (Video on Demand (VOD) Release USA 2023)

 

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 3.9|5.0 Starsììì 

The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar—unusual short film—has a creative storyline, but a cold presentation as if the human element is missing. Although some of the best actors in the business appear here—Ralph Fiennes, Bennedict Cumberbatch, Ben Kingsley, Dev Patel and Richard Ayoade—the movie is uneventful and unfulfilling. 

Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images 

Storyline 

A man learns how to see in a different way. 

Additional Thanks 

Thank you to Director Wes Anderson for directing efforts. Thsnk you to Producers Wes Anderson, Steven Rales, and Jeremy Dawson for making the film possible. Cast includes Ralph Fiennes, Bennedict Cumberbatch, Ben Kingsley, Dev Patel and Richard Ayoade. 

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? 

Yes. The movie is worth viewing because it introduces the audience to a different concept and possibility in perception and does it creatively with good construction. 

Video Critique Available Here:

 

Ben Meyers

PRIDE (Theatrical Release USA 2007)

 Ben Meyers’ Rating: 4.3|5.0 Starsìììì 

Pride—novel story—provides inspirational focus on what it takes to build a good life. Finish the movie…it has a slow start but a terrific conclusion works the film’s last 40 minutes well. Bernie Mac needs a bit more believable acting at times in the early part of this movie. But Bernie gets better as the film rolls on. Know this is a true story with a little history at the end to show the next part of this story over a lifetime of dedication to helping swim teams achieve. 

Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images 

Storyline 

A former professional swimmer takes a youth group, gives them a dream, and the discipline it needs to make the better life choices to attain a championship title in swimming.

 

Additional Thanks 

Thank you to Director Sunu Gonera for directing effort. Thank you to Producers Brett Forbes, Paul Hall, Patrick Rizzotti, Adam Rosenfelt, John Sacchi, and Terrence Howard for making the film possible. Cast includes Terrence Howard, Bernie Mac, Kimberly Elise, and Tom Arnold. 

 Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? 

Yes. This is a great film and worth watching especially for Terrence Howard and Bernie Mac fans. Good work for all involved. 

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

A CORNY CONCERTO (Theatrical Release USA 1943)

 Ben Meyers’ Rating: 4.3|5.0 Starsìììì 

A Corny Concerto—a better animated short film in the short film lineup—relies on beautiful concert music as the backbone of its creativity. This movie is not as well done as the 1940 version of Fantasia which Corny Concerto takes most of its ideas from, but runs a nice second to that film due to its musical scoring. No problem in presentation or portrayal of storyline. 

Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images 

Storyline 

A Corny Concerto is two stories presented by Elmer Fudd: one about Porky Pig hunting Rabbit and the other about a mother swan and her little swans. 

Additional Thanks 

Thank you to Director Robert Clampett for directing effort. Thank you to Producer Leon Schlesinger for making the film possible.

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? 

Yes. This is most certainly not corny in its choice of musical scoring, storylines, and presentation. This is both creative and worth its watch.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

THE COVENANT (Theatrical Release USA 2023)

 

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 4.2|5.0 Starsìììì 

The Covenant—runs slow at its beginning—don’t give up on this movie…keep watching for a terrific, and well portrayed part two and three that give no hint at how it will end. This is not a ho-hum watch and elevates the human to the possibilities within to exhibit and carry through on what we can be. It is based on a true story and crosses all international borders. The audience needs to listen carefully, pay attention at the first of this film to understand why Jake Gyllenhaal is getting a new interpreter. The conclusion of this movie is amazingly impossible. 

Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images 

Storyline 

An American military officer needs an interpreter. 

Additional Thanks 

Thank you to Director Guy Ritchie for directing efforts. Thank you to Executive  Producers Silvia Araez Guzman,  Maria Cabello, Olga Filipuk,  Adam Fogelson, Robert Simonds, and Samantha Waite for making the film possible. Cast includes: Jake Gyllenhaal, Dar Salim, Sean Sagar, Jason Wong, Rhys Yates, Christian Ochoa Lavernia, Bobby Schof
ield, Emily Beecham, and Jonny Lee Miller. 

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? 

Yes. This film shows Jake Gyllenhaal and Dar Salim’s acting skills at an incredibly high level. This story writes itself. 

Video Critique Available Here:

 

Ben Meyers

THE DIZZY ACROBAT (Theatrical Release USA 1943)

 

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 3.8|5.0 Starsììì 

The Dizzy Acrobat—a suitable short film for the Woody Woodpecker films—doesn’t have a lot of storyline and runs on a goof-off format. The movie runs fast with little explanation for its overall formatting. It can best be classified as pointless comedy. 

Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images 

Storyline 

This film is about Woody Woodpecker’s attempts to see the sights of a circus without buying a ticket and gets entangled with a circus man. 

Additional Thanks 

Thank you to Director Alex Lovy for directing effort. Thank you to Producer Walter Lantz for making the film possible. Cast includes Kent Rogers. 

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? 

Maybe. It’s suitable but not as good as other films within this genre. It seems to have been made quickly without much thought going into its production…’a goof-off’ film. The final product seems sub-par. 

Video Critique Available Here:

 Ben Meyers

LEND A PAW (Theatrical Release USA 1941)

 

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 4.2|5.0 Starsìììì 

Lend a Paw—still has modern applicability to the human experience—has great animation and a well-written story for a short film. Nothing amiss here as Pluto has his own adventure with jealousy. 

Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images 

Storyline 

Pluto has a fight going on between the devil and a good angel over what to do with his jealousy over the new kitten in the house. 

Additional Thanks 

Thank you to Directors Clyde Geronimi and Don Duckwall for directing efforts. Thank you to Producer Walt Disney for making the film possible. Cast  includes Teddy Barr, Walt Disney, John Dehner, John McLeish, and  Marcellite Garner.

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? 

Yes. This toon has a more sophisticated storyline and completely entertains with its sweetly drawn moral story.

Video Critique Available Here:

 Ben Meyers

THE ROOKIE BEAR (Theatrical Release USA 1941)

 

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 4.2|5.0 Starsìììì 

The Rookie Bear—WWII short film—has a great story and easily becomes a fun watch. The characters are well-drawn, presented, and portrayed with good animation. 

Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images 

Storyline 

Barney Bear  becomes an enlisted member of the military. 

Additional Thanks 

Thanks to Rudolf Ising for directing effort. Thank you to Producer Rudolf Ising and Fred Quimby for making the film possible. Cast includes Gayne Whitman and Rudolf Ising. 

 

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? 

Yes. This is some of the better WWII toons and has a comical  and well written storyline. 

Video Critique Available Here: 

Ben Meyers

DRAFTEE DAFFY (Theatrical Release USA 1945)

 

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 3.9|5.0 Starsììì 

Draftee Daffy serves at a higher level of entertainment than Daffy—The Commando, another toon with Daffy Duck involved in WWII scenery. While both toons show good creativity, this short film incorporates a telegram delivery person that has a beautifully drawn character that fills the story. 

Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images

 Storyline 

This film is about Daffy Duck doing everything he can to avoid his military draft papers. 

Additional Thanks 

Thank you to Director Clampett for directing effort. Thank you to Producer Edward Selzer for making the film possible. Cast includes: Mel Blanc. 

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? 

Yes. This film gets the animated entertainment job done. 

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

PRINCE VALIANT (Theatrical Release France 1997)

 

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 3.8|5.0 Starsììì 

Prince Valiant—not a high-end movie—gives a suitable attempt to tell the Sunday comic story of Prince Valiant. The movie ranges into the light, afternoon watch when there is nothing else to engage one in activity. 

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia 

Storyline                                                                       

King Arthur holds a jousting match and his evil sister sends raiders to take Excalibur. 

Additional Thanks               

 Thank you to Director Anthony Hicox for directing effort. Thank you to Producers Tom Rosenberg James Gorman, and Bernd Eichinger for making the film possible. Cast includes Stephen Moyer, Katherine Heigl, Thomas Kretschmann, Edward Fox, Udo Kier, Warwick Davis, Joanna Lumley, and Ron Perlman.

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? 

Yes. This is a simple watch.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

JASPER AND THE HAUNTED HOUSE (USA 1942)

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 3.6|5.0 Starsììì 

Jasper and the Haunted House—1940s Claymation animated short film—has an odd, antiquated presentation and lacks a well-written storyline. However, the Claymation is terrific for 80 years ago and becomes a very good study for this type of animation technique (think Shaun the Sheep movies) which continues to be used today. 

Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images 

Storyline 

A Scarecrow talks a boy into going to a haunted house. 

Additional Thanks 

Thank you to Director George Pal for directing effort. Thank you to Producer George Pal for making the film possible. 

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? 

No. It does not have the best of storylines. It could be skipped for Wallace and Grommit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit. 

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

THE MONKEY KING 3 (Theatrical Release China 2018)

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 3.5|5.0 Starsììì 

The Monkey King 3—has very good animation and excellent costuming/makeup design—bases itself in Chinese mythology and will need some background study if one is viewing one of these stories for the first time. The background study will provide clarity of purpose in why the film has been produced and enhance audience enjoyment. This is the third presentation in the Monkey King story series. 

Movie Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia 

Storyline 

The Monkey King and his friends accidentally come into a kingdom of women. 

Additional Thanks 

Thank you to Director Cheang Pou-soi for directing effort. Thank you to Producer Cheang Pou-soi for making the film possible. Cast includes Aaron Kwok, Feng Shaofeng, Xiaoshenyang, Him Law, and Zhao Liying. 

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? 

Maybe. The visual effects on this film have been much improved and it performs on a higher level of entertainment than its predecessor films. For viewers involved in the series, this is the third movie in a series that continues to evolve itself on its way to a quality watch. Be prepared for a type of stylized acting that alienates itself to a certain cultural heritage. 

Video Critique Available Here: 

Ben Meyers

STEEL (Theatrical Release USA 1997)

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 3.7|5.0 Starsìììì 

Steel—Shaquill O’Neal film from the 1990s era—has its own brand of ‘cool’ with strong cult classic threads running throughout. This film has good writing and a generally suitable presentation that suits a younger mindset looking for superhero entertainment. It does not meet the gold standards of the DC or Marvel stories but still manages to be a somewhat fun watch. 

Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images 

Storyline 

When a new weapons test goes wrong, a man leaves the military for his own reasons and finds that his weapon has gotten into the hand of thugs in his hometown. 

Additional Thanks 

Thank you to Director Kenneth Johnson for directing effort. Thank you to Producers Leonard Armato, Bruce Binkow, and Shaquille O’Neal, Cast includes Shaquille O’Neal, Annabeth Gish, Judd Nelson, Richard Roundtree, Irma P. Hall, Ray J, Charles Napier, Kerrie Keane, Eric Pierpoint, Tembi Locke, and Thom Barry. 

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?   

Maybe. This movie performs exactly within its expected range. 

Video Critique Available Here: 

Ben Meyers