TOP CAT: THE MOVIE (Theatrical Release USA 2013)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 2.6|5.0 Starsìì

Top Cat: The Movie—may be a fair-to-middling movie for children, not great for adults—has no fault in the voice casting choices. Kudos to Jason Harris in picking the voices for this animated feature. The animation? If you love all the new computer animation capabilities the movie industry offers, you’ll be disappointed in the traditional animation format this film delivers.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

Top Cat (voice of Jason Harris), in an effort to impress Trixie Cat (voice of Melissa Disney), attempts to acquire rubies from the Maharaja (voice of Jason Harris). When this plan doesn’t work, he finds himself in an endless series of misadventures.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director Aberto Mar for directing efforts. Thank you to Executive Producer Alex Garcia for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Griswald/Lou Strictland/Choo Choo/Brain/Big Gus/Lobster (voice of Jason Harris), Benny/Robot (voice of Chris Edgerly), Officer Dibble (voice of Bill Lobley), Spook (voice of Ben Diskin), Fancy Fancy (voice of Matthew Piazzi), Judge/Police Chief/Mayor (voice of Bob Kaliban), Gerry (voice of Brian Scott McFadden), and Robot/Gorilla (voice of Fred Tatasciore).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. The film will not disappoint the Top Cat fan and the storyline is fun even if predictable.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

THE KING’S SPEECH (Theatrical Release USA 2010)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 4.0|5.0 Starsìììì

The King’s Speech—a ‘don’t miss it’ inspirational film—utilizes the talents of an outstanding cast that includes: Colin Firth, Geoffery Rush, Helena Bonham Carter, and Timothy Spall. Director Tom Hooper allows room for a full expansion of the casts’ talents. The film is a family watch film that provides opportunity for much educational conversation before and after watching.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

King George VI (Colin Firth) needs to overcome a serious speech impediment in order to speak to the English people publicly. He engages Geoffrey Rush (Lionel Logue) to help him.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director Tom Hooper for directing efforts. Thank you to Executive Producers Paul Brett, Mark Foligno, Geoffrey Rush, Tim Smith, Bob Weinstein, and Harvy Weinstein for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: King George VI (Colin Firth), Lionel Logue (Geoffrey Rush) Queen Elizabeth (Helena Bonham Carter), Archbishop Cosmo Lang (Derek Jacobi), Equerry (Robert Portal), Private Secretary (Richard Dixon), Chauffeur (Paul Trussell), BBC Radio Announcer (Adrian Scarborough), Robert Wood (Andrew Havill), and BBC Technician (Charles Armstrong).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. It’s an excellent watch.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

TROLLHUNTER (Threatrical Release USA 2010)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 2.9|5.0 Starsìì

Trollhunter—a mockumentary (a film that is presented like a documentary, except completely fictional in character)—is interesting and worth at least an investigation if for no reason other than having the experience. However, don’t expect to be entertained or to take a ‘Wow, that was great’ home. It’s not that type of creative effort. It is slow and…different. It is a creative work in itself which requires an artistic eye to appreciate.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

Students meet trollhunter Hans (Otto Jespersen) and ask if they can follow him with a camera to film his efforts.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director Director Andre Ovredal for directing efforts. Thank you to Executive Producer Marcus B. Brodersen for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Hans/trolljegeren (Otto Jespersen), Thomas (Glenn Erland Tosterud), Johanna (Johanna Mørck), Kalle (Thomas Alf Larsen), Malica (Urmila Berg-Domaas), Finn Haugen (Hans Morten Hansen), Polsk bjørnejeger (Robert Stoltenberg), E-verkssjef (Knut Nærum), and Campingplasseier (Eirik Bech).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. It’s a film that originates in Norway and it’s a quick, unforgettable piece of entertainment that gives a small look into Norweigian culture and manner of entertaining.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

THE WELL-DIGGER’S DAUGHTER (Theatrical Release France 2011)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 3.1|5.0 Starsììì

The Well-Digger’s Daughter is an exceptionally sweet French foreign film depicting one family’s ‘handling’ of a pregnant daughter who has no husband. It’s a charming and engaging film, quite well-managed, and definitely worth watching. Don’t miss it. The ending is worth the wait and defines the best in humans.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

This story shows the predicament of a young, out-of-wedlock-pregnant French girl and the resulting conflicts and decisions made within the girl’s family between the disconcerting news and the arrival of the baby.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director Daniel Auteuil for directing efforts. Thank you to Producer Alain Sarde for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Patricia Amoretti, (Astrid Berges-Frisbey), Le Puisatier Pascal Amoretti (Daniel Auteuil), Jacques Mazel (Nicolas Duvauchelle), M. Mazel (Jean-Pierre Darroussin), Mme Mazel (Sabine Azema), (Pascal Amoretti), Félipe Rambert (Kad Merad), Amanda (Emilie Cazenave), Nathalie (Marie-Anne Chazel), and Isabelle (Coline Bosso).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. This is one of those rare, ‘do not miss’ films with a storyline that is never forgotten. Outstanding watch for the entire family even though accompanied with an adult-oriented theme.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

STOLEN (Theatrical Release USA 2012)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 3.5|5.0 Starsììì

Stolen—nothing new here. It’s a run-of-the-mill film for killing some time on a boring Sunday afternoon when there are no other choices to be had. No fault in acting or in direction. The timing is good; the film just lacks the ‘WOW, I haven’t seen that before’ elements of a good action-thriller.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

Robbers try to break into a vault, try to steal money, friend Vincent (Josh Lucas) accidentally shoots himself in the leg while trying to escape with his buddy, Will Montgomery (Nicolas Cage), to an escape van. Will puts Vincent in the van then tries to go back to get the money, but the driver of the van freaks because of approaching cops, drives off, and leaves Will in the alley with the money. Will tries to make a get-away in a stolen cop car and gets caught in a parking garage. Eight years later Vincent kidnaps Will’s daughter and the story is off and running.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director Simon West for directing efforts. Thank you to Executive Producers Danny Dimbort, Kristina Dubin, Cassian Elwes, Avi Lerner, McG, Jib Polhemus, Trevor Short, John Thompson, and Mary Viola for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Will Montgomery (Nicolas Cage), Vincent (Josh Lucas), Tim Harlend (Danny Huston), Riley Jeffers (Malin Akerman), Alison Loeb (Sami Gayle), Jacobs (Edrick Browne), Fletcher (Mark Valley), Reginald (Barry Shabaka Henley), Hoyt (M.C. Gainey), and Rookie (J.D. Evermore).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Maybe.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

THE WARRIOR’S WAY (Theatrical Release South Korea 2010)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 2.6|5.0 Starsìì

The Warrior’s Way starts with an Asian professional swordsman fighting and killing other professional swordsmen, finding a female baby in a chest, taking her to an American Western town/circus, and finding that the town/circus has an interesting and gory past. The movie’s flavor seems to play along the lines of the television series, Wild, Wild, West. This is not the best film for Dong-gun Jang, Kate Bosworth, Geoffrey Rush, Danny Houston, and Tony Cox. In final analysis, this film is: a few fight scenes that are worth watching with several unnecessary sexual references thrown in to enhance its deserved R-rating (blood and gore).

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

Asian warrior Yang (Dong-gun Jang) disobeys a direct order to kill a female infant and flees with the infant to America.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director Sngmoo Lee for directing efforts. Thank you to Executive Producers Eui Hong, Kathy Morgan, and Timothy White for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Lynne (Kate Bosworth), Ronald (Geoffrey Rush), Colonel (Danny Huston), Eight Ball (Tony Cox), Saddest Flute (Lung Ti), Baby April (Analin Rudd), Baptiste (Markus Hamilton), Craig (Rod Lousich), and Geyser (Matt Gillanders).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. Director Sngmoo Lee tries to pull a ‘best’ effort, but seems hampered by the poorly written script.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

CENTURION (Theatrical Release UK 2010)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 3.4|5.0 Starsììì

Centurion—gory war movie—turns out a fair rendition of Rome’s early wars against early Britain. Michael Fassbender turns into the perfect choice for rendering the character Centurion Quintus Dias while Dominic West performs just as well in the role of General Titus Flavius Virilus. Centurion compliments Director Neil Marshall's talents as a director.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

Roman Centurion Quintus Dias (Michael Fassbender) flees from the Picts seeking safety within the Roman ranks and finds himself an unwelcome refugee.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director Neil Marshall for directing efforts. Thank you to Executive Producers Francois Ivernel, Cameron McCracken and Paul Smith for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Commander Gratus (Andreas Wisniewski), Vortix (Dave Legeno), Aeron (Axelle Carolyn), General Titus Flavius Virilus (Dominic West), Arm Wrestling Opponent (Dhafer L’Abidine), Thax (JJ Field), Septus (Lee Ross), and Bothos (David Morrissey).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. It’s not an outstanding movie, but it has entertainment value.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

IP MAN 2: LEGEND OF THE GRANDMASTER (Theatrical Release USA 2011)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 4.0|5.0 Starsìììì

Ip Man 2: Legend of the Grandmaster—another classic directed by Wilson Yip that’s worth your time and money to watch. This film goes into the Ben Meyer’s International favorite collection of foreign films. It doesn’t deserve its ‘R’ rating. Superb rendition of Ip Man by Donnie Yen.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

Ip Man’s (Donnie Yen) story continues as his family escapes to Hong Kong and he establishes a school to teach martial arts.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director Wilson Yip for directing efforts. Thank you to Executive Producers and Producers Jun Gao, Zheng Qiang-Hui, Zong Shu-Jie, Bak-Ming Wong for making the film possible. Script Writers Edmond Wong, Chan Tai-Li, and Choi Hiu-Yan wrote a great script. Grand work for the Musical Composer Kenji Kawai. Additional characters/cast include: Wong Shun-Leung (Xiaoming Huang), Master Hung Chun-Nam (Sammo Kam-Bo Hung), Cheung Wing-Sing (Lynn Hung), Fatso (Kent Cheng), Mr. Miller/Twister (Darren Shahlavi), Cheng Wai-Kei (Yu-Hang To), Superintendent Wallace (Charles Mayer), and Leung Kan (Ka-nin Ngo).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. It is excellent entertainment.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

IP MAN (Theatrical Release Hong Kong, China 2008)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 4.0|5.0 Starsìììì

Ip Man—a superb Chinese martial arts classic—belongs in the permanent home library collection. It defines what films should be and performs as one of the best foreign films of the year. It’s one of those films that remind us of why we go to the movies. The R-rating seems unnecessary. Remarkable professional work by Donnie Yen who plays IP man, who trained Bruce Lee as well as many other notable martial arts masters.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

Ip man’s (Donnie Yen) family life is rudely interrupted by the 1937 Japanese invasion of China.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director Wilson Yip and for Screen Play Writers Edmond Wong and Chan Tai-Li. Thank you to Executive Producers Kwok Lam Sin, Bak-Ming Wong, and Baoquan Zhang for making the film possible. Thank you to Musician Kenji Kawai for an outstanding score. Additional characters/cast include: Ip Man (Donnie Yen), Quan (Simon Yam), Cheung (Lynn Hung), Miura (Hiroyuki Ikeuchi), Li (Ka Tung Lam), Jin (Siu-Wong Fan), Lin (Xing Yu), Yuan (You-Nam Wong), and Wei (Yu-Hang To).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. No fault found in this film. It is good entertainment.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

THE COMPANY MEN (Theatrical Release USA 2010)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 3.8|5.0 Starsììì

The Company Men—is a well written, suitable story. The first ¾ of the film is not high quality in portrayal or acting. But the last 30 to 40 minutes pick up pace and quality. The presentation is suitable/okay.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

Bobby Walker (Ben Affleck) loses his corporate position, can’t find another comparable position, and downsizes to a manual labor job working for brother-in-law, Jack Dolan (Kevin Costner), who builds houses for a living. After losing home, cars, and credit standing, Bobby’s wife returns to work to supplement family income. The reduced lifestyle requires the Walker family to return to the parental home.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director John Wells for directing efforts. Thank you to Executive Producer Barbara A. Hall for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Bobby Walker (Ben Affleck), Gene McClary (Tommy Lee Jones), Phil Woodward (Chris Cooper), Gail (Suzanne Rico), Rittenour (Kent Shocknek), Carol (Adrianne Krstansky), Ken (Lewis D. Wheeler), ane (Celeste Oliva), and Conal (Tom Kemp).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. Even though it is a bit slow, it is worth watching.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

THE AMERICAN (Theatrical Release USA 2010)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 2.8|5.0 Starsìì

The American—a great assassination drama and a good story—earns its R-rating from nudity and sex scenes that add nothing to the story and, in fact, seem to detract from it. Even more distracting is the feeling that the scenes were added as an afterthought rather than intended to be an integral part of the story. Too bad. The storyline deserves more than a 2.8 Star rating; the sexual distractions ruin a great flick that deserves a larger audience. The movie made a tidy $47.9 million at the box office. One has to wonder what it would have made if it had chosen to appeal to a wider audience.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

Contract killer, Jack (George Clooney), finds himself under attack by a sniper and flees for his life while trying to understand who has a contract on his life.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director Anton Corbijn for directing efforts. Thank you to Executive Producer Enzo Sisti for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Jack/Edward (George Clooney), Ingrid (Irina Björklund), Hunter #1 (Lars Hjelm), Hunter #2 (Björn Granath), Pavel (Johan Leyser), Father Benedetto (Paolo Bonacelli), Man on Vespa (Giorgio Gobbi), Old Cheese Vendor (Silvana Bosi), and Mathilde (Thekla Reuten).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Maybe. It’s an adult only film.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

MONSTERS (Theatrical Release UK 2010)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 3.4|5.0 Starsììì

Monsters—a budget film with an attitude—really tries from a fairly good start with American Armed Forces driving a Hummer down an empty, darkened street where they encounter an alien. Other soldiers evacuate what appear to be injured civilians. Then the film cuts several times for the Director and Actors’ credits. Then we witness a missile heading toward the alien. The film cuts and we are given the film’s title, Monsters.

Film Poster Courtesy of  Wikipedia

Storyline

Aliens crash land in Mexico and new life forms begin spreading across Mexico.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director Gareth Edwards for directing efforts. Thank you to Executive Producers Nick Love, Rupert Preston, and Nigel Williams for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Andrew Kaulder (Scoot McNairy), Sam Wynden (Whitney Able), Ticket Seller (Mario Zuniga Benavides), Homeless Woman (Annalee Jefferies), Marine (Justin Hall), Marine (Ricky Catter), Marine (Paul Archer), Marine (Kerry Valderrama), and Marine (Jonathan Winnford).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Maybe. It’s a good alien drama for audiences hooked on extraterrestrial life stories.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

CONFUCIUS (Theatrical Release China 2010)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 3.8|5.0 Starsììì

Confucius—a great movie with quite a few epic-type scenes that give that “WOW” factor to a film. Casting perfectly placed Yun-Fat Chow for the role of Confucius. He melds and blends with the other actors to make this movie what it could not have been without him.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

An elderly Confucius (Yun-Fat Chow) looks back on his life.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director Mei Hu for directing efforts. Thank you to Executive Producers Sanping Han, Rachel Liu, John Sham, and Punhoi Yu for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Nanzi (Xun Zhou), Ji Sunsi (Jianbin Chen), Yan Hui (Quan Ren), Ji Sunfei (Yi Lu), The Ruler of Lu (Lu Yao), Wife of Confucius (Kai Li), Shu Sunwu (Ban Wang), and Laozi, the Sage of Daoism (Huanshan Xu).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. The film is educational and entertaining.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

THE PERFECT GAME (Theatrical Release Mexico 2008)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 3.7|5.0 Starsììì

The Perfect Game—a good C+ grade movie watch—is based on the true story of a group of boys from Mexico who win the Little League World Series, an honor which traditionally goes to United States’ Little League teams. Director William Dear does a great job of developing the characters of the ball players.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

A group of boys from Mexico win the Little League World Series.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director William Dear for directing efforts. Thank you to Executive Producers Carlos Bremer, Amway’s Richard M. DeVos, Sr. and Helen DeVos, Thomas W. Gilliam, Richard W. Ham, Frederico Lapenda, David J. Machlica, and Jim Van Eerden for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Angel Macias (Jake T. Austin), Enrique Suarez), Mario Ontiveros (Moises Arias), Norberto Villarreal (Ryan Ochoa), Ricardo Treviño (Gabriel Morales), Baltazar Charles (Carlos Padilla Lenero), Fidel Ruiz (Tony Revolori), Gerardo Gonzalez (Mario Revolori), and Jose Maiz (Alfredo Rodríguez).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. It’s an afternoon ballgame worth watching.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

CASINO JACK (Theatrical Release USA 2010)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 3.7|5.0 Starsììì

Casino Jack—well-told inside story about political lobbying—is a ‘not-to-be-missed' film. The story is well-told and informatively educating. Some nudity, violence, and language contribute to the film’s R-rating; but, it could easily have earned a PG-13 rating.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

Political lobbyist Jack Abramoff (Kevin Spacey) overextends himself while lobbying for interests within the capital.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director George Hickenlooper for directing efforts. Thank you to Executive Producers Dana Brunetti, Patricia Eberle, Warren Nimchuk, Angelo Paletta, Richard Rionda Del Castro, Domenic Serafino, Lewin Webb, and Donald Zuckerman for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Susan Schmidt (Ruth Marshall), Bernie Sprague (Graham Greene), Sarah Abramoff (Hannah Endicott Douglas), Michael Scanlon (Barry Pepper), Federal Agent Patterson (John Robinson), Snake (Jason Weinberg), Tom DeLay (Spencer Garrett), and Asian Factory Worker (Yok Come Ho).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. Do not miss this film. It’s very well done.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

FOOD, INC. (Theatrical Release USA 2009)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 3.7|5.0 Starsììì

Food, Inc.—an informative documentary about America’s food industry—causes deeper thinking about alternative food choices. Director Robert Kenner does a terrific job of organizing interviews, interviewers, film footage of congressional hearings, and related archival footage into a well-presented case against our current methods of food production.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

This documentary includes graphic portrayal of chickens grown without sunlight or exercise and beef unable to walk properly due to lack of healthy surroundings. The documentary investigates genetically modified crops harvested by big-name companies and marketed through our highly organized food supply industry.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director Robert Kenner for directing efforts. Thank you to Executive Producers William Pohlad, Robin Schorr, Jeff Skoll, and Diane Weyermann for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Himself (Eric Schlosser), Himself (Richard Lobb), Himself (Vince Edwards), Herself (Carole Morison), Himself (Michael Pollan), Himself (Troy Roush), Himself (Larry Johnson), Himself (Allen Trenkle), Herself (Barbara Kowalcyk), and Herself (Patricia Buck).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. The film is well put together and is informative.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

SOMETHING VENTURED (Theatrical Release USA 2011)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 3.5|5.0 Starsììì

Something Ventured—a great documentary about men who finance big corporations. The documentary provides terrific interviews with men who finance Cisco, Apple Corporation, Intel, and PowerPoint during the 60s, 70s, and 80s. This is a well-executed work for Directors Daniel Geller and Dayna Goldfine.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

The documentary explores venture capitalism.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Directors Daniel Geller and Dayna Goldfine for directing efforts. Thank you to Executive Producers Molly Davis and Paul Holland for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Himself (Bill Bowes), Himself (Herbert Boyer), Voice (voice of Po Bronson), Himself (Nolan Bushnell), Himself (Reid Dennis), Himself (Bill Draper), Himself (Bill Edwards), Himself (Pitch Johnson), and Himself (Dick Kramlich.

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. It’s informative, interesting, and provokes good conversation after  viewing.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers