DRAGONKEEPER (Released to Theaters Spain 2024)

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 3.7|5.0 Starsììì  Dragonkeeper—slow and difficult to interpret—does not cross international borders well. It is a Spanish and Chinese collaboration that at times seems written for a teen audience. The movie seems boring and tiring to watch. Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images Storyline  A baby girl is given to an elderly servant woman to raise and the baby grows to a young girl who is a special one who can work with dragons.  Additional Thanks  Thank you to Directors Salvador Simo and Li Jianping for directing efforts. Thank you to Producers Larry Levene for making the film possible. Cast includes Bill Nighy, Bill Bailey, Anthony Howell, and Mayalinee Griffiths. Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?  Maybe. This film is intriguing but it does not cross international borders well. The story feels like it belongs in an anthology, a collection of stories.  Video Critique Available Here: Ben Meyers

THE SMURFS: 'TIS THE SEASON TO BE SMURFY (Released to Television USA 1987)

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 3.9|5.0 Starsììì  The Smurfs: 'Tis the Season to Be Smurfy—cute, short, animated film—has a simple, straight forward story that teaches a heart-felt lesson about helping those in need. The concept is sound. The story is well-written.  Film Poster Courtesy of IMDb Storyline  A puppet salesman cannot sell puppets. He needs to provide a good Christmas for his ailing wife. The Smurfs come to help.  Additional Thanks Thank you to Director Ray Patterson for directing effort. Thank you to Executive Producers Joseph Barbera, William Hanna, and Freddy Monnickendam for making the film possible. Cast includes  Charlie Adler, Lucille Bliss, William Callaway, Hamilton Camp, Julie McWhirter, Jeff Doucette, Bernard Erhard, June Foray, Justin Gocke, Danny Goldman,  Kip King, Don Messick, Pat Musick, Noelle North, Alan Oppenheimer, William Schallert, Les Tremayne, Peggy Webber, Frank Welker, and Jonathan Winters. Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?  Yes. The movie represents the Smurf stories well with this cute story.  Video Critique Available Here: Ben Meyers

 

THE MINISTRY OF UNGENTLEMANLY WARFARE (Released to Theaters USA 2024)

 

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 4.2|5.0 Starsìììì  The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare bases itself on World War II covert mission files released by England that warrior teams executed. It is based on activities of real life James Bond's characters.  It's interesting to find M from the James Bond movie series is very  real during World War II. Connections between this movie and the movie, Operation Mincemeat, are shown.  This film is very watchable for adult audiences who like covert action movies. Know that this movie contains cringeworthy gore, but those scenes are placed at strategic junctions that allow an audience some breathing room. The acting is terrific...the cast very well chosen. This film is culturally significant and visually quite good. It is smart, witty and toward the end of the film it starts to have the finesse of Inglorious Bastards. The movie cannot fail to impress.  Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images Storyline  A hardened military man is the last resort for England to fight Germany and prevent a German takeover of Europe.  Additional Thanks Thank you to Director Guy Ritchie for directing effort. Thank you to Producers Jerry Bruckheimer, Guy Ritchie, Chad Oman, Ivan Atkinson, and John Friedberg. Cast includes Henry Cavill, Eiza Gonzalez, Alan Ritchson, Alex Pettyfer, Hero Fiennes Tiffin, Babs Olusanmokun, Henrique Zaga, Til Schweiger, Henry Golding, and Cary Elwes. Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?  Yes. This is a great watch and more than worth a watch due to its excellent execution. WOW! What a film. Know this movie is exceptionally violent and not suitable as a family watch. Video Critique Available Here: Ben Meyers

RIFF RAFFY DAFFY (Released to Theaters USA 1948)

 

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 4.0|5.0 Starsìììì  Riff Raffy Daffy—Daffy Duck and Porky Pig—shows hard times as Daffy tries to keep warm on a cold, homeless night while avoiding the efforts of a policeman who wants him to keep moving. The animation is good and well presented.   Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images Storyline Daffy Duck is homeless and is trying to get some sleep and keep warm anywhere he can. But Porky Pig, a city policeman, keeps him on the move.  Additional Thanks  Thank you to Director Arthur Davis 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 toon is worth watching. Video Critique Available Here: Ben Meyers

DONALD'S DECISION (Released to Theaters USA 1942)

 

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 3.9|5.0 Starsììì Donald's Decision—short, animated film—is cute and fun to watch.  Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images Storyline  Donald Duck is told through a radio broadcast that he needs to take his money and spend it on war bonds to help WWII US soldiers win WWII.  Additional Thanks Thank you to Director Ford Beebe for directing effort. Thank you to Producer Walt Disney for making the film possible.  Cast includes Clarence Nash, John Dehner, and Don Brodie.  Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? Yes.  This is a time-encapsulated 'toon' and provides a good look at ways the USA used different kinds of media to sell war bonds. It is cute and fun. Thank you to everyone involved in producing this very nice piece of history. Video Critique Available Here: Ben Meyers

PORKY PIG'S FEAT (Released to Theaters USA 1943)

 

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 3.9|5.0 Starsììì  Porky Pig’s Feat—better than Confusion of a Nutzy Spy—teams Porky Pig and Daffy Duck as the main characters of the story. This short film is Porky Pig's last black and white short film before he enters the new era of colorized animation. Watch for a special cameo appearance of one of Looney Toons best animated characters at the end of this short.  Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia  Storyline  Porky Pig has to pay the hotel bill but he is broke. He assures the hotel manager that the money is on its way while his friend, Daffy Duck, is gambling for the money in the elevator down the hall.  Additional Thanks Thank you to Director Frank Tashlin for directing effort. Thank you to Producer Leon Schlesinger for making the film possible. Cast includes Mel Blanc. Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?  Yes. Not great, but has its moments of comedy. Video Critique Available Here: Ben Meyers

THE PERFECT HOLIDAY (Released to Theaters USA 2007)

 

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 4.0|5.0 Starsìììì  The Perfect Holiday—simple, romantic Christmas watch—uses the typical Mom is breaking up with Dad and Mom finds a new love interest. The movie is fair/well done holiday fare.  Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images Storyline  A single mother of three children finds a man who might be better than her ex-husband.  Additional Thanks  Thank you to Director Lance Rivera for directing effort. Thank you to Producers Joseph Genier, Leifer Dagfinnsson, Marvin Peart, Mike Elliott, Queen Latifah, and Shakim Compere for making the film possible. Cast includes Morris Chestnut, Gabrielle Union, Charlie Murphy, Katt Williams, Faizon Love, Terrence Howard, and Queen Latifah.   Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? Yes. This movie is a 'feel good' film where, in the end, everything works out well.  Video Critique Available Here: Ben Meyers

THE LAST STARFIGHTER (Released to Theaters USA 1984)

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 3.8|5.0 Starsììì  The Last Starfighter—one of Lance Guest's earlier films—provides a suitable to okay piece of entertainment. It is a 'kind of' fun watch with a cult classic feel.  Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images  Storyline A teenager, who lives in a trailer park, wins one of the highest scores on a sci-fi, fighter jet, arcade game. Soon an alien from outer space meets him and takes him on an adventure of a lifetime.    Additional Thanks  Thank you to Director Nick Castle for directing effort. Thank you to Producers Gary Adelson and Edward O. Denault for making the film possible. Cast includes Lance Guest, Dan O'Herlihy, Catherine Mary Stewart, and Robert Preston.  Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?  Yes. It is not the best space movie out there, but it has a slight cult classic feel to it. It provides a suitable to okay piece of entertainment.  Video Critique Available Here: Ben Meyers

BEVERLY HILLS CHIHUAHUA 3: VIVA LA FIESTA! (Released to DVD USA 2012)

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 3.6|5.0 Starsììì  Beverly Hills Chihuahua 3: Viva La Fiesta! uses anthropomorphism  to the point where the movie loses much of its entertainment value. The movie works at the boring level due to its lack of inspiration. This is not a quality watch.   Film Poster Courtesy of Google Storyline Sam and Rachel want to start a new life. Sam finds that if they work in a hotel, they can stay in one of the rooms. Additional Thanks Thank you to Director Lev L. Spiro for directing effort. Thank you to Producers David Hoberman and Sara E. White for making the film possible. Cast includes George Lopez, Odette Annable, Logan Grove, and Emily Osment.  Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?  Maybe. If a person is a diehard fan of this series, then this film will suit. But, for the average film audience, the movie is uninspiring and boring.  Video Critique Available Here: Ben Meyers

BELL BOY DONALD (Released to Theaters USA 1942)

 

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 4.0|5.0 Starsìììì  Bell Boy Donald—cute, animated, short film—has the first appearance of P.J., the son of the cartoon character, Pete. P.J. becomes Max Goof's best friend in later movies and television series. In this movie, he is younger and quite obnoxious to Donald Duck. P.J.'s voice moves from the gravelly voice in this film to a softer voice in later films. P.J. is not used in later films until the series of Goof Troop and in toon movies.  Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images Storyline  Donald Duck is a bell boy and has one last chance to be nice to the hotel guests. But then he meets Pete and Pete, Jr. (P.J.) and the story is on.  Additional Thanks Thank you to Director Jack King for directing effort. Thank you to Producer Walt Disney for making the film possible.  Cast includes Clarence Nash, John McLeish, Glen Couch, and John Dehner.  Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?  Yes. This is a cute short film that tells a sweet, comical story. Video Critique Available Here: Ben Meyers

SCOOBY-DOO! STAGE FRIGHT (Released to DVD USA 2013)

 

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 3.9|5.0 Starsììì  Scooby Doo! Stage Fright works in the suitable to okay watch range. It is better written than Scooby Doo and the Alien Invaders. The film begins with a commemoration of the Mystery Machine team during the  initial credits to show which things each character is known for, which is a welcome part of the film. This team has captivated audiences for over 50 years since the beginning of the television series in 1969. The animation is good. Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images  Storyline Fred Jones and Daphne Blake are going to a talent competition to compete as a singing duo with the help of Velma, Shaggy, and Scooby-Doo. When they arrive, they find a ghoul terrorizing the staff and contestants.  Additional Thanks Thank you to Director  Victor Cook for directing effort. Thank you to Producers Victor Cook and Alan Burnett for making the film possible. Cast includes Frank Welker, Mindy Cohn, Grey DeLisle, Matthew Lillard, Wayne Brady, Peter MacNichol, and Ariel Winter. Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?  Yes. This is a suitable watch for Scooby-Doo fans.  Video Critique Available Here: Ben Meyers