LIFE (Released in Theaters in the USA 1999)

 

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 4.0|5.0 Starsìììì 

Life—Martin Lawrence and Eddie Murphy—portrays the irony of being put away for life when caught in dubious circumstances and how two eventual ‘friends’ survive that situation. 

Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images 

Storyline 

The life prison sentence is explored in this ironic, comedic movie. 

Additional Thanks 

Thank you to Director Ted Demme for directing effort. Thank you to Producers Brian Grazer and Martin Lawrence for making the film possible. Cast includes Eddie Murphy and Martin Lawrence. 

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? 

Yes. This movie works for its one-time watch. It runs on a linear path without complex dialogue or multi-layered storylines that add a bit of richness to a movie but there is no mistaking its message that gently hides behind its dialogue. Be aware the movie contains a constant stream of dialogue lines that run from uncultured to raunchy. 

Video Critique Available Here: 

Ben Meyers

NORTH BY NORTHWEST (Released in Theaters in the USA 1959)

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 4.2|5.0 Starsìììì 

North By Northwest—interesting thriller—deserves a quick plot line read before watching to obtain full enjoyment of its story. Cary Grant and Eva Marie Saint team to make a great romance story wrapped in an intense web of intrigue. Watch for an extremely talented cast that includes Cary Grant, Eva Marie Saint, James Mason, Martin Landau, Jessie Royce Landis, and Leo G. Carroll. Watch for cameos of Edward Platt who played the Chief in Get Smart TV series. 

Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images 

Storyline 

A mistaken identity causes a man’s normal life to turn upside down into an intrigue-driven nightmare.

 Additional Thanks 

Thank you to Director Alfred Hitchcock for directing effort. Thank you to Alfred Hitchcock for making the film possible. Cast includes Cary Grant, Eva Marie Saint, James Mason, and Jesse Royce Landis. 

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? 

Yes.  Read a plotline on Wikipedia before watching. That read will help the audience track the story better. This is a quality watch worth watching.

Video Critique Available Here:

 

Ben Meyers

THE ONE (Released in Theaters in the USA 2001)

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 4.1|5.0 Starsìììì 

The One—Jet Li film—serves up an almost redundant number of kick fighting maneuvers. It is a worthy watch for Jet Li fans. Watch for a very young presentation of Jason Statham. Everything about this movie works in the good to suitable range. 

Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images 

Storyline 

In a time when the concept of multi-verses is understood and policed, a human learns how to freely travel through different verses to almost kill every version of himself, and use that gathered power to become super-human. 

Additional Thanks

 

Thank you to Director James Wong for directing effort. Thank you to Producers Steve Chasman, Glen Morgan, Charles Newirth, and James Wong for making the film possible. Cast includes Jet Li, Delroy Lindo, Carla Gugino, and Jason Statham. 

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? 

Yes. The movie bases its portrayal on the backs of Jet Li, Jason Statham, and Delroy Lindo. 

 Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers 

BURIED: THE 1982 ALPINE MEADOWS AVALANCHE (Released to the Austin Film Festival Austin Texas USA 2021)

 Ben Meyers’ Rating: 4.1|5.0 Starsìììì

 Buried: the 1982 Alpine Meadows Avalanche—documentary—runs like a newsreel more than a documentary due to its lack of human connection. It completes itself as a story that presents an event that is worth watching as an education of how avalanches work, how rescue dogs work, and the incredible amount of time that a human can live when buried by snow. While the story is tragic and the viewer will connect to the devastation caused by the event, it is a documentary that could run in a museum or educational facility better than as a documentary. The storyline is small and seems compressed in its presentation. 

Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images               

 

Storyline 

This documentary details the events that led to the Alpine Meadows avalanche and the search and rescue operation that followed. 

Additional Thanks 

Thank you to Directors Jared Drake and Steven Siig for directing effort. Thank you to Executive Producer Mark Gogolewski, Evan Hayes, David Hillman, Shannon Houchins, Thorsten Schumacher, and Michael Sugar for making the film possible. Cast includes Anna Conrad Allen, Mike Alves, Tom Burt, Troy Caldwell, John Fagan, Sandy Harris, Larry Heywood, Roberta Huber, and Lanny Johnson. 

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? 

Yes. For someone doing academic research about avalanches, search and rescue events, or the safety of outdoor sports, this may be a quick informational packet that could be useful. 

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

THE BAD GUYS: A VERY BAD HOLIDAY (Released on Video On Demand in the World-Wide 2023

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 3.7|5.0 Starsììì 

The Bad Guys: A Very Bad Holiday—short film—needs much improvement in storyline, presentation, and portrayal. 

Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images 

Storyline 

The bad guy team uses holiday time as the perfect time to commit crimes. 

Additional Thanks 

Thank you to Directors Christo Stamboliev and Bret Haaland for directing effort. Thank you to Executive Producers Bret Haaland and Katherine Nolfi for making the film possible. Cast includes Michael Godere, Ezekiel Ajeigbe, Raul Ceballos, Chris Diamantopoulus, Mallory Low, Zehra Fazal, Keith Silverstein, and Kari Wahlgren. 

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? 

Maybe. Children may like it, but its basic line of thinking does not promote good values. 

Video Critique Available Here: 

Ben Meyers 

ENTER THE FAT DRAGON (Released to Theaters in the USA 2020)

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 4.4|5.0 Starsìììì 

Enter the Fat Dragon—WOW!—presents Donnie Yen in an exceptionally comical role of a policeman trying to please those at his work and the girl he adores most. Even though Yen is within the late 50s age group, he does not miss a beat with outstanding action and phenomenal body moves that defy reality. This highly watchable film easily earns a second watch as it shows the female and male interaction at its most basic level and plays with it comedically. Donnie Yen's talents have not waned. The exceptionally well-written dialogue and very good storyline completely support the action.  Kudos to the makeup department who transform Donnie Yen into a very realistic fat person. The story, fabulously written, portrayed, and presented, uses terrific English subtitles for the Chinese language it was released in. Don’t miss this movie. It completely crosses international borders and is a worthy, fun watch. It’s a very good addition to the home video library. 

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia 

Storyline 

A policeman works to keep a romantic relationship going while working in his profession. 

Additional Thanks 

Thank you to Directors Kenji Tanigaki and Aman Chang for directing efforts. Thank you to Producers Donnie Yen, Wong Jing, and Connie Wong for making the film possible. Cast includes Donnie Yen, Teresa Mo, Wong Jing, and Niki Chow. 

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? 

Yes. This is a wonderful Donnie Yen film with a story that does not disappoint in any way. 

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

THE UNFORGIVEN (Released to Theaters in the USA 1960)

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 4.3|5.0 Starsìììì 

The Unforgiven has several seriously irresolvable plot holes in its story, but the interesting take on a secret, long held by a family and honored by the community they live in, makes up for those plot holes. The pairing of Burt Lancaster with Audrey Hepburn (Breakfast at Tiffany's and My Fair Lady) seems, at first incongruous, but works quite well as Ms. Hepburn quickly shows her versatility in working with strongly different personality types. The movie follows a traditional western theme with a few unexpected twists and turns in its story.

Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images

Storyline

 A family encounters difficulties holding their family together within their community when they make a decision that offends everyone. 

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director John Huston for directing effort. Thank you to Producer James Hill for making the film possible. Cast includes Burt Lancaster, Audrey Hepburn, and Audie Murphy. 

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? 

Yes. This is a good watch and tells a great story. Burt Lancaster and Audrey Hepburn work very well in lead roles. The movie rolls gritty drama, action and romance into one as it works its western themed story. 

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

GOING MY WAY (Released to Theaters in the USA 1944)

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 4.4|5.0 Starsìììì 

Going My Way, despite its age, still maintains its gentle entertainment value with its reliance on the laid-back acting skills of Bing Crosby in his role of the new administration priest of a Catholic church.  WOW! This is a wonderful film, beautifully written, and very much worth watching. Despite its reliance on Catholic themed settings, it has a universal storyline that serves all faiths well and has a message that is very much applicable and needful today. The film was released in black and white which actually adds to its peaceful presentation. Watch for Carl ‘Alfalfa’ Switzer from the Little Rascals. He appears as a teen in the film. Barry Fitzgerald is a treat to see as Father Fitzgibbon. An interesting side-read to this movie is the real-life story of Adeline De Walt Reynolds, the woman who filled the role of the mother of Father Fitzgibbon. Her personal life story (Don't miss it) can be found on IMDb at this URL: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0212339/?ref_=tt_cl_i_14   

The movie has an outstanding supporting cast that includes actors Frank McHugh, James Brown and Gene Lockhart.

 Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images

Storyline 

A young Father is assigned the difficult challenge of strengthening a Catholic church that has multiple challenges. 

Additional Thanks 

Thank you to Director Leo McCarey for directing effort. Thank you to Producer Leo McCarey for making the film possible. Cast includes Bing Crosby, Barry Fitzgerald, Frank McHugh, James Brown, Jean Heather, Gene Lockhart, Porter Hall, Fortunio Bonanova, and Rise Stevens. 

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? 

Yes. This softly kind and compassionate, very human story makes a wonderful film with good acting and presentation of story. No mechanization of human life as we realistically know it. The movie lives in our real world and presents ways to solve real world challenges in a very human way.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

HOLIDAY INN (Released to Theaters in the USA 1942)

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 4.3|5.0 Starsìììì 

Holiday Inn—interesting and well done—uses the stage settings from the movie, White Christmas, and works similarly to that movie sans the military gentleman in financial trouble and the two sisters who share professions in the entertainment industry. This movie may have been overlooked in favor of White Christmas but do not overlook this film. It is a black and white movie that has a beautiful story with terrific Fred Astaire dance routines and great singing by Bing Crosby. The acting, presentation, and portrayal are great. The storyline is simple, very entertaining and well written. This movie is highly watchable. Bing Crosby and Fred Astaire will dance and sing their way into your heart. The movie absolutely belongs in the family home video library.

Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images

Storyline 

A young entertainer decides farm life will be easier than keeping the work schedule required of entertainers. 

Additional Thanks 

Thank you to Director Mark Sandrich for directing effort. Thank you to Producer Mark Sandrich for making the film possible. Cast include Bing Crosby, Fred Astaire, Marjorie Reynolds, Virginia Dale, and Walter Abel. 

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? 

Yes. This is a good watch and worth watching for the music and storyline. To listen and watch the perfection of Bing Crosby and Fred Astaire as they perform is a wonderful break from the live performances offered in current venues. Watch for Bing Crosby's younger brother, Bob, performing with his Bob Crosby band.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

THE SUPER MARIO BROS. MOVIE (Released to Theaters in the USA 2023)

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 4.4|5.0 Starsìììì 

The Super Mario Bros. Movie—WOW!—is another wonderful film from Illumination Studios (The Grinch, Minions: Rise of Gru and Sing 2). This studio gives Pixar strong competition in the animated movie market and it will be interesting to see what Illumination Studios comes up with next. The presentation of team Mario follows the game closely and delves more into expanding the relationship between the two brothers and their dedication to establishing justice in Princess Peach's world.  The film creates its share of nostalgia for anyone who played the Nintendo game as it was released. The presentation and portrayal are good. The movie was recently released from theatrical distribution and is available on the Netflix Streaming platform. It is also available as a rent/purchase on the Amazon Prime platform. 

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia 

Storyline 

The Mario Brothers find themselves involved with a princess and saving a kingdom from evil forces. 

Additional Thanks                                                                                                                     

Thank you to Directors Aaron Horvat and Michael Jelenic for directing effort. Thank you to Chris Meledandri and Shigeru Miyamoto for making the film possible. Cast include Chris Pratt, Anya Taylor-Joy, Charlie Day, Jack Black, Keegan-Michael Key, Seth Rogen, and Fred Armisen. 

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. The movie is a good one to include in the home video library and will be pleasing to children due to its reliance on Crayola bright coloring for its characters and scenery. The movie serves the whole family.

Video Critique Available Here: 

Ben Meyers 

SLY (Released to Video On Demand (VOD) in the USA 2023)

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 4.4|5.0 Starsìììì 

Sly—WOW!—easily wins accolades as a power documentary. Sylvester Stallone narrates and presents and directs his own life documentary and does not hold back on what he had to overcome to be successful in the entertainment industry. If it seems to begin slowly, wait for it because the complete last hour gets to the grit of what makes Stallone work. It’s honest, heartfelt, gritty, straight forward and perhaps the most important—completely human with lots of heart for the human condition.  This naked honesty makes this film soar! Bravo! Stallone hides nothing and tells it the way he sees it. It is a quality watch from its beginning to its ending. 

Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images

Storyline 

This documentary has Sylvester Stallone serving as the narrator of his own life story. 

Additional Thanks 

Thank you to Director Thom Zimmy for directing effort. Thank you to Producer Sean Stuart for making the film possible. Cast include Sylvester Stallone. 

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?                                             

Yes. This is the real Sylvester Stallone, not an actor, but a person like everyone else. Many documentaries hide the reality and put a mask over the real story, but this documentary does not do that and that is why it deserves the highest rating and praise. It is more than worth watching and teaches vital truths about life. 

Video Critique Available Here: 

Ben Meyers

SOUTH PACIFIC (Released in Theaters in the USA 1958)

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 4.3|5.0 Starsìììì

South Pacific relies on some of the best music and lyrics ever written. It defines romantic love and the dilemmas of overcoming childhood beliefs in order to walk into the next part of life. For once, the music completely times itself to align with the scenes and dialogue in the film. The dialogue supports the story and does not ‘explain’ the story. It supports what the audience interprets naturally. The movie is rich with its beautiful orchestration of multiple stories interwoven and intertwined together without losing a single thread of its masterful weaving. Terrific finesse in depicting this story set within wartime, island scenery. Watch for outstanding performances by Mitsy Gaynor and Rossano Brassi. Listen to Juanita Hall’s very good singing voice.

 Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images 

Storyline 

This story probes the situation of romance that crosses borders and the difficulties that must be resolved between each person involved in that romantic relationship. 

Additional Thanks 

Thank you to Director Joshua Logan for directing effort. Thank you to Producer Buddy Adler for making the film possible. Cast includes Rossano Brazzi, Mitzi Gaynor, John Kerr, France Nuyen, Ray Walston, and Juanita Hall. 

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? 

Yes. This is more than worth watching for fans of romance. Another movie themed this way is Heaven Knows Mr. Allision but know that South Pacific exceeds the quality of many musicals. 

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

SPIDER-MAN: ACROSS THE SPIDER-VERSE (Released in Theaters in the USA 2023)

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 4.3|5.0 Starsìììì 

Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse—tremendously creative light show—somehow, with light and geometrical figuring from its beginning to its end, captures what is seen within the Marvel comic book world. This Sony production relies on a solid story and has the double appeal of the light show coupled with that well-told story. It takes the viewer out of their reality and makes them think and become completely engrossed in the world of Miles Morales. It almost mind-bending toward its conclusion as it introduces characters that have no reason or relationship to reality. “WOW! WHERE IS THIS FILM GOING NEXT?” At its conclusion, one wants more and there is no more with a to be continued sign. “PLEASE, give us the next Spider-Man!” 

Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images

Storyline 

Multiple spidermen operate in many worlds. 

Additional Thanks 

Thank you to Directors Joaquim Dos Santos, Kemp Powers, and Justin K. Thompson for directing effort. Thank you to Producers Phil Lord, Christopher Miller, Amy Pascal, Avi Arad, Christina Steinberg for making the film possible. Cast includes Shameik Moore, Hailee Steinfeld, Brian Tyree Henry, Lauren Velez, Jake Johnson, Jason Schwartzman, Issa Rae, Karan Soni, Shea Whigham, Greta Lee, Daniel Kaluuya, Mahershala Ali, and Oscar Isaac. 

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? 

Yes. It’s a crowd pleasing rave. 

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

CANDY CANE LANE (Released on Video On Demand World-Wide 2023)

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 3.6|5.0 Starsììì 

Candy Cane Lane—good concept—goes into a slump due its cliched holiday theme of competing neighbors for best holiday decorations and the introduction of a wayward elf. Eddie Murphy is a better actor than this story allows him to be. While the stage settings have a type of uniqueness, they do not compensate for the weak storyline. 

Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images 

Storyline 

A family encounters an elf who has turned bad and they need to be rescued from the curse that originates with the elf. 

Additional Thanks 

Thank you to Director Reginald Hudlin for directing effort. Thank you to Producers Brian Grazer, Eddie Murphy, Karen Lunder, and Charisse Hewitt-Webster for making the film possible. Cast includes Eddie Murphy, Tracee Ellis Ross, Jillian Bell, Thaddeus J. Mixson, Ken Marino, Trevante Rhodes, David Alan Grier, and Nick Offerman.                     

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? 

Maybe. It is a Christmas film that lacks originality. 

Video Critique Available Here: 

Ben Meyers

THE MONKEY KING (Released on Video on Demand in the USA 2023)

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 3.6|5.0 Starsììì 

The Monkey King—one of the best of the Monkey King movies—is much easier to understand than others in this series. Even though the storyline is weak, it is easier to follow and has a well-defined purpose in relation to other Monkey King movies. The two main characters, Monkey King and a young girl, Lin, carefully develop a relationship through multiple shared hazards. The animation is great and overall outlines an understandable story. The other characters who people this movie have no real engagement other than weak connections to the Monkey King and Lin. 

 Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images 

Storyline 

The Monkey King becomes obsessed with achieving immortality and the power that goes with that acquisition. 

Additional Thanks 

Thank you to Director Anthony Stacchi for directing effort. Thank you to Producer Peilin Chou for making the film possible. Cast includes Jimmy O. Yang, Bowen Yang, Jo Koy, BD Wong, Jolie Hoang-Rappaport, and Stephanie Hsu. 

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? 

Maybe. Despite all that is said above, it is noticeably better overall than live action versions. 

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers