THE HUNGER GAMES: THE BALLAD OF THE SONGBIRDS AND THE SNAKES (Released to Theaters USA 2023)

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 3.8|5.0 Starsììì 

The Hunger Games: The Ballad of the Songbirds and the Snakes complicates the reasons behind the moral development of the future President Snow. This 2023 prequel movie does not connect well to the four sequels presented before this film (2012—2015). There is a good tie-in origination for the song The Hanging Tree as sung by Katniss Everdeen in earlier movies. The strongest actor in this movie is Peter Dinklage followed by Viola Davis who gives a good/suitable portrayal of evil as the game holder, Dr. Volumnia Gaul. The film serves as an okay watch that has a deep evilness worked into its fiber that was not as focused in the previous Hunger Games movies. It is what it is. 

Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images 

Storyline                        

Violence, to the death, arena games are used as entertainment by the privileged classes. 

Additional Thanks 

Thank you to Director Francis Lawrence for directing effort. Thank you to Producers Nina Jacobson, Brad Simpson, and Francis Lawrence for making the film possible. Cast includes Tom Blyth, Rachel Zegler, Peter Dinklage, Hunter Schafer, Josh Andres Rivera, and Viola Davis.

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? 

Maybe. The movie reveals a little of the history of the future President Snow and who wrote The Hanging Tree song (Lucy Grey Baird). But everything else an audience may have desired to know remains unclear. Do some research on the plotline before going which may allow the audience to find deeper meaning and establish relationships in the movie. 

Video Critique Available Here: 

Ben Meyers

LEAVE IT TO BEAVER (Released to VHS USA 1998)

 

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 3.8|5.0 Starsììì

 Leave It to Beaver—1997 re-make of the 1957-1963 television series—does have the structure and characters in place but this movie is not as good as the original television series. Watch for the cameo appearance of Ken Osmond who originally played the role of young Eddie Haskell. The film is a suitable child/adult share and has some comical/sweet perks built into its script.

 Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images 

Storyline 

Beaver and Wally face family challenges and find ways to resolve them. 

Additional Thanks 

Thank you to Director Andy Cadiff for directing effort. Thank you to Producer Robert Simonds for making the film possible. Cast includes Christopher McDonald, Janine Turner, Erik von Detten, Adam Zolotin, and Cameron Finley.

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? 

Maybe. It’s a suitable/okay watch. The character names are there along with the structure of the original series. It does not replicate the likableness of the original television series. 

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

FLY HARD (Released to DVD USA 2024)

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 4.1|5.0 Starsìììì 

Fly Hard—short animated film—shows on the DVD release of the animated movie Migration.  It has an important story to tell about kindness and going the extra mile to do the right thing. Good work for all involved in production and distribution. 

Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images

Storyline

A bird courageously faces hazards to help an elderly woman.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Directors Helene Galtier and Elisabeth Patte for directing effort. Thank you to Producers Brett Hoffman and Christopher Meledandri for making the film possible. Cast includes Awkwafina, Jess Harnell, JP Karliak, and Jimmy Sandoval. 

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? 

Yes. This is a cute and sweet watch that is worth the time to view. Good work for all involved in development. 

Video Critique Available Here: 

Ben Meyers

MIDNIGHT MISSION (Released to DVD USA 2024)

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 4.1|5.0 Starsìììì 

Midnight Mission—short animation—appears as an additional watch on the Migration DVD movie release. The animation is good. It has a good conclusion and tells a cute and important story. The short is worth watching and is a sweet family share toon. 

Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images 

Storyline 

The Minions need to help a little girl with her fear of the dark. 

Additional Thanks 

Thank you to Directors Celine Allegre and Guylo Homsy for directing effort. Thank you to Producer Chris Renaud for making the film possible. Cast includes Pierre Coffin, Dana Gaier, Joy Poirel, and Madison Skyy Polan.

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? 

Yes. This Minions short film is more than worth watching to the end to see what the Minions do for Agnes. It’s a good child/adult share. 

Video Critique Available Here: 

Ben Meyers

MOONED (Released to Theaters USA 2023)

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 4.0|5.0 Starsìììì 

Mooned—cute short animation—comfortably entertains as a sweet child/adult share. Comical with good story and great animation, this short film has the good timing, portrayal, and presentation that gives a small taste of the Minions. 

Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images

 Storyline

 Vector is on the Moon and needs to get back to Earth.

 Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director Jonathan del Val for directing effort. Thank you to Producers Pierre Coffin and Christopher Meledandri for making the film possible. Cast includes Jason Segel and Pierre Coffin.

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? 

Yes. This short film is featured on the Migration animated DVD film release. It serves as a good child/adult share that will make both audiences smile. Good work for all involved in production. 

Video Critique Available Here: 

Ben Meyers

MIGRATION (Released to Theaters USA 2023)

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 4.1|5.0 Starsìììì 

Migration—simple, clean, animated story for the whole family—becomes a good child/adult share movie because it nicely crosses that fine line where an adult can relate to the story and the child can also relate. It more than adequately defines its characters in a memorable fashion early in the movie and does not clutter itself with unnecessary information other than what is needed to move its story along. The animation is great with lovely depictions of facial expressions that flow very well with its dialogue. This is a good watch and belongs in the family home video library. 

Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images 

Storyline 

A family of ducks decide to migrate to Jamaica and find that migration is not as easy as it looks.

 

Additional Thanks 

Thank you to Director Benjamin Renner for directing effort. Thank you to Producer Chris Melendandu for making the film possible. Cast includes Kumail Nanjiana, Elizabeth Banks, Keegan-Michael Key, Awkwafina, and Danny DeVito. 

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? 

Yes. While this movie may not be the best of Illumination Studios offerings, it still maintains a solid, stable watch that tells a lot about lives lived courageously and well. 

Video Critique Available Here: 

Ben Meyers

THE BLIND (Released to Theaters USA 2023)

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 4.0|5.0 Starsìììì 

The Blind—not high quality—has a large caveat to that classification…it is very watchable. It follows the familiar theme of lives that are out of control and how to bring them to a state where they can be blessed and prospered. In this movie, Phil Robertson from the Duck Dynasty television series tells how his life went from zero to hero and why. He gives an unabashed account of his origin story from childhood to the ending of an old life and the making of a new life. It’s a true story that does not whitewash biographical events nor does it minimize what needs to happen to live the fuller, happier life. The story keeps interest and it is written well enough to be thoroughly watchable. 

Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images 

Storyline 

Before a famous reality television star becomes a star, he finds his personal life in turmoil. 

Additional Thanks 

Thank you to Director Andrew Hyatt for directing effort. Thank you to Producers Zach Dasher, Korie Robertson, Bob Katz, Brittany Yost, and Cole Prine for making the film possible. Cast includes Aron von Andrian, Amelia Ee, Connor Tillman, and John Ales. 

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? 

Yes. Solid movie that can be easily followed. Good work for all involved in production.

 Video Critique Available Here: 

Ben Meyers

BEVERLY HILLS COP III (Released to Theaters USA 1994)

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 4.0|5.0 Starsìììì 

Beverly Hills Cop III— welcome relief due to cleaner comedy—has a 2024 Netflix release titled Beverly Hill Cop: Axel F that follows the series’ story. This movie, overall, is a much better watch for the wider range audience to enjoy. 

Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images 

Storyline 

Axel Foley uncovering a job gone wrong, loses some friends along the way, and goes to California to find  bigger crime than Axel Foley bargained for. 

Additional Thanks 

Thank you to Director John Landis for directing effort. Thank you to Producers Mace Neufeld and Robert Rehme for making the film possible. Cast includes Eddie Murphy, Judge Reinhold, Hector Elizondo, and Theresa Randle. 

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? 

Yes. The movie cleans up the ‘on the edge’ comedy that most of this series explicitly flirts with and is much, much improved over the last two movies in the series. It creates an easier viewing experience because there are no ‘surprise’ open nudity scenes displayed that have no relationship to the story and always seem as unnecessary add-ins that subtract and limit the size of audiences who will go to Eddie Murphy movies. This series seems to have run its course (run out of steam) and feels like it’s time to move on, but know Netflix plans to release another sequel to the series, due to be released summer 2024 which may give the series new life. 

Video Critique Available Here: 

Ben Meyers

SHOWBOAT (Released to Theaters USA 1951)

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 4.0|5.0 Starsìììì 

Showboat—good movie—can be a bit slow in various scenes, but each scene drives itself into the next segment of this well-written story. The story is entertaining to see overall. The film is a suitable watch for the music, singing, and dancing.

Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images 

Storyline 

A showboat travels up and down the river providing entertainment to the river’s cities and towns by means of a traveling entertainment group. 

Additional Thanks 

Thank you to Director George Sidney for directing effort. Thank you to Producer Arthur Freed for making the film possible. Cast includes Kathryn Grayson, Ava Gardner, Howard Keel, Joe E. Brown, Marge Champion, Gower Champion, Agnes Moorehead, and William Warfield. 

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? 

Yes. The music is period-classic southern American and makes the film worth watching for the singing, dancing, and beautiful wardrobes. The movie is simple and nicely follows several stories and weaves them together well. This movie makes a solid watch for the whole family,

 Video Critique Available Here: 

Ben Meyers

TROLLS BAND TOGETHER (Released to Theaters USA 2023)

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 3.8|5.0 Starsììì 

Trolls Band Together—really good music—would have completely flopped without the music. While it does not have the originality of part 2 of the series, the animation is great and the use of color quite interesting. 

Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images 

Storyline 

The troll brothers break up their boy band. Years later the band needs to find a way to work together again, without fighting, to save one of the brothers from death.

 Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director Walt Dohrn for directing effort. Thank you to Producer Gina Shay for making the film possible. Cast includes Anna Kendrick, Justin Timberlake, Eric Andre, Kid Cudi, Daveed Diggs, Andrew Rannells, Amy Schumer, Trove Sivan, Kenan Thompson, NSYNC, and Camila Cabello. 

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? 

Maybe. The movie works animation, color, and music to sell itself. But it fails to adequately address portrayal and the stronger storyline. The film seems to be unable to overcome its artificiality and thereby loses the possibility of naturalness and flow. 

Video Critique Available Here: 

Ben Meyers

TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES: MUTANT MAYHEM (Released to Theaters USA 2023)

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 3.7|5.0 Starsììì 

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem—not a lot to recommend—relies on a ‘kind of’ origin story that is set in recent times rather than the 1980’s times. The basic Turtle’s story structure is there, but the strong character development that defines each turtle’s personality is lacking. It’s an okay watch that has much artificialness built into the basic structure of the movie. 

Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images 

Storyline 

An explosion releases a mutagenic substance into sewers and causes some turtles to mutate. 

Additional Thanks 

Thank you to Director Jeff Rowe for making the film possible. Thank you to Producers Seth Rogen, Evan Goldberg, and James Weaver for making the film possible. Cast includes Micah Abbey, Shamon Brown Jr., Nicolas Cantu, Brady Noon, Ayo Edebiri, Maya Rudolph, John Cena, Seth Rogen, Rose Byrne, Natasia Demetriou, Giancarlo Esposito, Jackie Chan, Ice Cube, and Paul Rudd. 

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? 

Maybe. Many Teenage Mutant Turtles’ fans may desire more than this film can give. The animation relies more on a Japanese anime effect, but not the best of that anime, than some of the former CGI effects used in the Turtle’s films. It’s an okay watch. 

Video Critique Available Here: 

Ben Meyers

GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY VOL. 3 (Released to Theaters USA 2023)

 

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 4.6|5.0 Starsìììì 

Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3—WOW! Terrific, sassy dialogue—has extreme noisiness/busy-ness built into every scene. Fun and funny, a wild ride done right. Makes an audience vote for a sequel and not feel in disagreement with the mid-credit scene that openly states there will be more. It’s a Disney and Marvel marriage that works. 

Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images 

Storyline 

Rocket is injured and his team goes to save him. 

Additional Thanks 

Thank you to Director James Gunn for directing effort. Thank you to Producer Kevin Feige for making the film possible. Cast includes Chris Pratt, Zoe Saldana, Dave Bautista, Karen Gillan, Pom Klementieff, Vin Diesel, Bradley Cooper, Will Poulter, Sean Gunn, Chukwudi Iwuji, Linda Cardellini, Nathan Fillion, and Sylvester Stallone. 

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? 

Yes. A fun ride based on a wonderful presentation and portrayal makes it a watch. Look for something new from Groot…easy to miss, but it is there. 

Video Critique Available Here: 

Ben Meyers

THE RED BALLOON (Released to Theaters France 1956)

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 3.9|5.0 Starsììì 

The Red Balloon—creative short film—needs to be over, long before it’s over. Good editing can shorten this film to half its runtime to make it tremendously more satisfying. This French production makes an audience wonder why the American public school system is so enamored with it so that it is shown as part of an educational curriculum repeatedly. The main character is sweet and does a great deal of running in nearly every scene. But, the metaphors seem distant from the viewing. And the concluding scene is unclear as to its significance.

 Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images 

Storyline 

A sentient red balloon follows a boy wherever he goes.

Additional Thanks 

Thank you to Director Albert Lamorisse for directing effort. Thank you to Albert Lamorisse for making the film possible. Cast includes Pascal Lamorisse.

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? 

Maybe. Not a bad or terrible film, and completely watchable, but unclear as to significance and meaning. It serves better as a documentation of a decade with its cinematic city scenery, buses, mannerisms of people, costuming, and school system. 

Video Critique Available Here:

 Ben Meyers

THE PAGEMASTER (Released to Theaters USA 1994)

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 3.5|5.0 Starsììì 

The Pagemaster—perfect example of a terrific story gone completely wrong—should have NEVER used animation to tell itself…it is ideally set up for a live action movie that could have easily attained classic status. Needs a remake so badly that it hurts. Its got complete audience attention until the moment Macaulay Culkin turns into an animated character. From that point forward it’s an undercooked turkey. The power of Macaulay Culkin lies in his visible, onscreen presence…to lose that in animation? What a shame. And, without him, a remake would be horrifically difficult to achieve the charisma necessary to pull this story through. Such a waste of potential. How it cannon-balled from its potential to a dud production is difficult to fathom. The director of this film, Joe Johnston, has directed some of our best movies (Jumanji, October Sky)…so its not his fault. Whose fault is it?

Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images 

Storyline 

In a library where he has taken refuge from a storm, a young boy meets a keeper of stories and is directed into a part of the library where some books take on a human-like form. 

Additional Thanks 

Thank you to Director Joe Johnston and Maurice Hunt for directing effort. Thank you to Producers David Kirschner and Paul Gertz for making the film possible. Cast includes Macaulay Culkin, Christopher Lloyd, Whoopi Goldberg, Patrick Stewart, Leonard Nimoy, Frank Welker, Mel Harris, and Ed Begley Jr. 

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? 

Maybe. Dumpster watch waiting for a new Macaulay Culkin and a director with the vision of a Jumanji film dancing in his head.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

CANADIAN PACIFIC (Released to Theaters USA 1949)

 Ben Meyers’ Rating: 3.5|5.0 Starsììì

Canadian Pacific—dead on arrival—cooks its acting, portrayal, and story to un-edible. Actors and actresses have learned their dialogue lines to the point where they are waiting for the other person to stop talking so they can say their parts. No acting involved, just rote memorization that delivers a completely fallen flat cake piece of entertainment. The audio is exceptionally poor and needs subtitles to overcome its audio. Simple, cliched story that relies on restorative work to color has one black and white scene at the end that does not use Cinecolor to change the black and white scene. Not worth its watch even as an academic watch. This tale of the building of the Canadian railway tells the same story as the American tale of building the transcontinental railway system, but the American story is more interesting.

Storyline

Building a Canadian railway, despite conflict from a fearmonger riling the natives to fight against it, creates difficulties.

Additional Thanks 

Thank you to Director Edwin L. Marin for directing effort. Thank you to Producer Nat Holt for making the film possible. Cast includes Randolph Scott, Jane Wyatt, and J. Carrol Naish.

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? 

No. The film could be skipped for other stories about difficulties encountered when building railway systems. Randolph Scott’s romantic advances toward two different women at the same time is distasteful at best. 

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers