OPERATION DUMBO DROP (Released to Theaters USA 1995)

 

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 3.9|5.0 Starsììì  Operation Dumbo Drop—Danny Glover, Ray Liotta, and Dennis Leary—has a likeableness that permeates its core. The movie deserves a watch.  Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images Storyline  A Vietnamese village is going to celebrate a festival, but the Viet Cong find that the villagers are possibly cooperating with the USA. So the Viet Cong kill the one thing that makes the festival work, their prize elephant. A Green Beret, who works with the village and his replacement, organize a team to replace the elephant.  Additional Thanks Thank you to Director Simon Wincer for directing effort. Thank you to Producers Diane Nabatoff and David Madden for making the film possible. Cast includes Danny Glover, Ray Liotta, Denis Leary, Doug E. Doug, and Corin Nemec. Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?  Yes. This is an unusual story backed with a great cast. Video Critique Available Here: Ben Meyers

JINXY JENKINS & LUCKY LOU (Released to the USA 2014)

 

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 3.9|5.0 Starsììì  Jinxy Jenkins & Lucky Lou—very creative short film—has animation that is well received, real, and  has the human touch. This is a well-written, 'feel good' movie that is more than worth its time and money investment.   Film Poster Courtesy of IMDb Storyline A bright, positive woman and a negative, seemingly jinxed man, who plans for every possible negative event, meet in unusual circumstances, connect, and go on the adventure of their lives. Additional Thanks Thank you to Michael Bidinger and Michelle Kwon for directing effort. Cast includes Ed Skudder and Lynn Wang.  Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?  Yes. This is a film that needs to be made. It has depth and meaning. Video Critique Available Here: Ben Meyers

THE SPONGEBOB SQUAREPANTS MOVIE (Released to Theaters USA 2004)

 

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 4.0|5.0 Starsìììì  The SpongeBob SquarePants Movie—good child/adult share—has a strong multi-layered story that is perfectly complicated enough for a wide age-range of viewers. It is 'goofy' and silly, but believable as SpongeBob and Patrick work through their challenges that are quite relatable to human challenges. The message is upbeat and leaves a good feeling about moving forward despite limitations. This is a first movie for the SpongeBob animated televised series and moves this story into multiple theatrical productions and short films. Good watch.  Film Poster Courtesy of IMDb Storyline Plankton steals King Neptune's crown and pins it on Eugene Krabs of The Krusty Krabs restaurant so that he can get the Kraby Paddy recipe. With the help of King Neptune's sensible and compassionate daughter, SpongeBob and Patrick convince King Neptune that it is necessary to find the crown and clear Eugene Krabs' name.    Additional Thanks Thank you to Director Stephen Hillenburg for directing effort. Thank you to Producers Stephen Hillenburg and Julia Pistor for making the film possible. Cast includes Tom Kenny, Bill Fagerbakke, Clancy Brown, Rodger Bumpass, Mr. Lawrence, Jill Talley, Carolyn Lawrence, Mary Jo Catlett, Alec Baldwin, David Hasselhoff, Scarlett Johansson, and Jeffrey Tambor. Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?  Yes. This movie will more than satisfy SpongeBob SquarePants' fans. It is a fun, quality entertainment piece that can easily be added to the family home entertainment library. The movie has a good, original, multi-layered story that works for children as well as adults.  Video Critique Available Here: Ben Meyers

RICHARD JEWELL (Released to Theaters USA 2019)

 

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 4.1|5.0 Starsìììì Richard Jewell—really good movie, produced and directed by Clint Eastwood—shows how courage, determination, and justice can prevail in the most unlikely of circumstances. This very good movie provides excellent after-viewing discussion among friends. Good addition for home video libraries. Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images Storyline A young security guard saves concert goers from a pipe bomb planted by a terrorist and then a reporter plants a story that the guard himself planted the bomb.  Additional Thanks Thank you to Director Clint Eastwood for directing effort. Thank you to Producers Tim Moore,  Jessica Meier, Kevin Misher, Leonardo DiCaprio, Jennifer Davisson, Jonah Hill, and Clint Eastwood for making the film possible. Cast includes Sam Rockwell, Kathy Bates, Jon Hamm, Olivia Wilde, and Paul Walter Hauser. Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?  Yes. This is a good watch with the Director/Producer Clint Eastwood focus on true stories where justice is established. Worth its watch, its monetary investment, and its time investment.  Video Critique Available Here:  Ben Meyers

BEVERLY HILLS CHIHUAHUA 2 (Released to DVD USA 2011)

 

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 3.8|5.0 Starsììì Beverly Hill Chihuahua 2—run-of-the-mill story—has chihuahuas to bolster the film. The movie, as a whole, is a suitable to okay watch.   Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images Storyline Sam Cortez's parents are going to lose the family house to the bank unless they can come up with the money to pay for the debt that his parents are in.   Additional Thanks  Thank you to Director Alex Zamm for directing effort. Thank you to Producers David Hoberman and Brad Kevoy for making the film possible. Cast includes George Lopez, Odette Yustman, Zachary Gordon, Emily Osment, Bridgit Mendler, and Tom Kenny. Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?  Maybe. If there is nothing else to watch, then it might work as an afternoon adventure. But it has a ways to go to make it work like the first film. Video Critique Available Here: Ben Meyers

UTOPIA * (Released World-Wide 1951)

 

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 3.8|5.0 Starsììì  Utopia—Laurel and Hardy's last film—attempts to place more weight for the story's comedy by adding additional cast members and layering stories to increase interest. The comedy team is struggling to keep their act in the public eye and this work effort does not help them accomplish that aim. Their type of comedy has passed. While this attempt endeavors to enter the new age, it fails.  Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images  Storyline  Laurel gets an inheritance and goes to claim it with Oliver Hardy.   Additional Thanks Thank you to Director Leo Joannon for directing effort. Thank you to Producer Raymond Eger for making the film possible. Cast includes Stan Laurel, Oliver Hardy, and Suzy Delair.   Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?  Maybe. It is not one of  Laurel and Hardy's best works. *Also known as Atoll "K" in France and Robinson Crusoeland in the United Kingdom Video Critique Available Here: Ben Meyers

SNIPER 2 (Released to Television USA 2002)

 

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 3.7|5.0 Starsììì  Sniper 2—feels like a movie designed for television and is a television movie. This explains the general averageness of engaging this film as entertainment. Everything about it, including the special effects, runs at the okay to suitable range. The first film supersedes this film by a long shot in quality of presentation and storyline. Watch the first movie if looking for a great war film. Hopefully, the third film improves on this one.  Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images Storyline  The sniper, Sgt. Beckett, is called for a mission to assassinate the leader of a terrorist organization.   Additional Thanks Thank you to Director Baxley for directing effort. Thank you to Producers  for making the film possible. Cast includes Tom Berenger, Bokeem Woodbine, Dan Butler, Linden Ashby,  Erika Marozsan, and Tamás Puskás .  Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?  Maybe. This is not a quality watch. It runs in the okay to suitable range.  Video Critique Available Here: Ben Meyers

SWISS MISS (Released to Theaters USA 1938)

 

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 3.8|5.0 Starsììì  Swiss Miss—low grade, average watch—starts well and then begins a downhill slide to nothing. Despite attempts to layer its story by intertwining several stories, it cannot accomplish its general aim. Film Poster Courtesy of IMDb  Storyline Laurel and Hardy are mouse trap sellers and trap mice. So, they head to Switzerland.       Additional Thanks Thank you to Director John G. Blystone for directing effort. Thank you to Producer S. S. Van Keuren for making the film possible. Cast includes Stan Laurel, Oliver Hardy, Della Lind, Walter Woolf King, and Eric Blore. Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?  Maybe.  Hardcore Laurel and Hardy fans will find this film cute with its suitable to okay story. Video Critique Available Here: Ben Meyers

CONFUSIONS OF A NUTZY SPY (Released to theaters USA 1943)

 

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 3.8|5.0 Starsììì  Confusions of a Nutzy Spy—cute WW II short film—is a toon that tells a WWII story. It's not a great Looney Toon but for history's sake is worth a watch.  Film Poster Courtesy of IMDb Storyline  Porky Pig's unit is called to catch a German spy.  Additional Thanks Thank you to Director Norman McCabe for directing effort. Thank you to Producer Leon Schlesinger for making the film possible. Cast includes Mel Blanc.  Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?  Maybe. It is a black and white Porky Pig short film when he is finally assuming his 'look' that will follow his career. The short movie is 'average' entertainment.   Video Critique Available Here: Ben Meyers

MY FAVORITE MARTIAN (Released to Theaters USA 1999)

 

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 4.0|5.0 Starsìììì  My Favorite Martian—likable—takes the current 'aliens are among us' frenzy down many notches to the suitable entertainment watch for the whole family. Jeff Daniels and Christopher Lloyd make a great team to interpret the story. Surprises lace the movie and are still fresh today. The movie sets itself up for sequels at the end of the film. Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images  Storyline  A reporter comes in contact with an alien. The alien hides in the trunk of the reporter's car and the reporter unknowingly takes him home.  Additional Thanks Thank you to Director Don Petrie for directing efforts. Thank you to Producers Jerry Leider, Robert Shapiro, and Toberoff for making the film possible. Cast includes Jeff Daniels, Christopher Lloyd, Elizabeth Hurley, Daryl Hannah, Wallace Shawn, Christine Ebersole, and Ray Walston. Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?  Yes. It's a cute watch. Video Critique Available Here: Ben Meyers