DEFIANCE (Theatrical Release USA 2008)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 4.1|5.0 Starsìììì

Defiance, one of the best World War II movies, presents actors, Daniel Craig and Liev Schreiber at the top of their game. In this Jewish fight-for-freedom story, Director Edward Zwick places himself in the lineup of Best Directors for 2009. A 'must see film' for war movie fans.

Film Poter Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

Four Jewish brothers, Tuvia Bielski (Daniel Craig), Zus Bielski (Liev Schreiber), Asael Bielski (Jamie Bell), and Aron Bielski (George MacKay), escape German task forces into the Naliboki Forest. Gradually a whole community gathers around them.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director Edward Zwick for directing efforts. Thank you to Executive Producer Marshall Herskovitz for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Lilka Ticktin (Alexa Davalos), Shimon Haretz (Allan Corduner), Isaac Malbin (Mark Feuerstein), Ben Zion Gulkowitz (Tomas Arana), Tamara Skidelsky (Jodhi May), and Riva Reich (Kate Fahy).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. The movie is excellent from beginning to end.

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Ben Meyers

DREAMCATCHER (Theatrical Release USA 2003)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 3.4|5.0 Starsììì

Dreamcatcher suffers from lack of camera direction, script writing, and mediocre acting even though it features Thomas Jane, Tom Sizemore, Donnie Wahlberg, Timothy Olyphant (My Name Is Earl), Jason Lee (Alvin and the Chipmunks), Damian Lewis, and Morgan Freeman.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

Four friends on a Maine hunting trip encounter aliens.

Additional Thanks

Thank You to Director Lawrence Kasdan for directing efforts. Thank you to Executive Producer Bruce Berman for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Colonel Abraham Curtis (Morgan Freeman), Henry (Thomas Jane), Beaver (Jason Lee), Jonesy (Damian Lewis), Pete (Timothy Olyphant), Owen (Tom Sizemore), Duddits (Donnie Wahlberg), Young Henry (Mikey Holekamp), and Young Beaver (Reece Thompson).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Maybe. It tries to be a thriller/horror film, but has low grade ability to achieve that status.

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Ben Meyers

MONKEY UP (Theatrical Release USA 2016)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 3.0|5.0 Starsììì

Monkey Up, an amateurish effort, bases itself on a good concept that quickly assigns itself to the young teen audience. Computer animation relies on antiquated methods of movement. Particularly, the monkey’s mouth is poorly done.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

A Hollywood-hopeful monkey befriends two children with busy parents.

Additional Thanks

Thank You to Director Robert Vince’s directing efforts. Thank you to Executive Producer Robert Vince for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Heroine (Larke Miller), Henchman (Michael Teigen), Monty (voice of Skylar Astin), Desmond (David Milchard), Stan (Chris Coppola), Sophie Andrews (Kayden Magnuson), Clare Andrews (Erin Allin O’Reilly), and Ethan Andrews (Caleb Burgess).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

No. Choose Air Bud instead.

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Ben Meyers

PIGLET’S BIG MOVIE (Theatrical Review USA 2003)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 3.8|5.0 Starsììì

Piglet’s Big Movie, true to Disney Toons standards, needs no supervisory care or explanation time between the adult and young child. It’s a great movie for the developing child as it nicely serves the very young child’s entertainment needs. This simple and innocent 75-minute story completely relaxes.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

Piglet (voice of John Fiedler) finds a way to get honey for his friends. When they do not appreciate his efforts, he disappears and his concerned friends go looking for him.

Additional Thanks

Thank You to Director Francis Glebas for directing efforts. Thank you to Producer Michelle Pappalardo-Robinson for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Winnie the Pooh/Tigger (voice of Jim Cummings), Owl (voice of Andre Stojka), Kanga (voice of Kath Soucie), Roo (voice of Nikita Hopkins), Eeyore (voice of Peter Cullen), Rabbit (voice of Ken Sansom), and Christopher Robin (voice of Tom Wheatley).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. Because of its gentleness, for small children, it’s a sweet choice for entertainment just before/after dinner, after outside play time, or before naptime/bedtime.

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Ben Meyers

THE LAST SHAMAN (Docaviv International Documetary Film Festival Tel Aviv Israel 2016)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 4.1|5.0 Starsìììì

The Last Shaman film’s primary value seems to be showing an audience that Shamans follow a similar pattern of treatment as Western trained physicians follow: 1) If this medicine doesn’t work, perhaps this new medicine will help and 2) If one doctor isn’t healing, then perhaps a change of doctors, errr, Shamans will help. The  movie affords first hand viewing of third world healing methods, one of which is: allow a complete stranger to bury you up to your nose in jungle dirt and then abandon you for hours to whatever may be lurking in the jungle before returning to unearth you. That’s a lot of trust to bestow on humans operating outside of one's own ethical and cleanliness  standards. All tongue-in-cheek aside, the film is a bit of a disappointment because James still does not seem reconciled to his parents after undergoing jungle therapy for depression and his parents seem more stressed than ever over his health and welfare. But, the film does do service to Raz Dagan’s directing effort and camera recording as he covers in detail each Shaman’s healing attempt from inducing drug stupors to encouragement of a release of copious amounts of quite foreign looking materials through vomiting. 

Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images

Storyline

James suffers from deep depression and seeks help from Peruvian Shamans.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director Raz Dagan for directing efforts. Additional characters/cast include: James Freeman.

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. It is educational and can be viewed, feasibly, while involved in another light  activity.

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Ben Meyers

FREE WILLY (Theatrical Release USA 1993)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 3.5|5.0 Starsììì

Free Willy—simple, straight forward story—entertains the young teen/adult audience. It’s like watching Flipper except the main drama revolves around a killer whale rather than a dolphin and a foster home boy rather than a boy with a loving relative.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

Jesse (Jason James Richter) bonds with a killer whale with an attitude, uncovers a plot to kill the whale, and finds a way to set it free.

Additional Thanks

Thank You to Director Simon Wincer for directing efforts. Thank you to Executive Producers Richard Donner and Arnon Milchan for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Jesse (Jason James Richter), Rae Lindley (Lori Petty), Annie Greenwood (Jayne Atkinson), Randolph Johnson (August Schellenberg), Glen Greenwood (Michael Madsen), Dial (Michael Ironside), Wade (Richard Riehle), Dwight Mercer (Mykelti Williamson), and Perry (Michael Bacall).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. It’s a ‘feel good’ movie that works if there is nothing else to view.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

ALIVE (Theatrical Release USA 1993)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 4.6|5.0 Starsìììì

Alive is based on the true story of Andes plane crash survivors as detailed in the novel Alive: The Story of the Andes Survivors. The movie follows the regular flow of survival movies: 1) believing there will be help, 2) realizing help is not arriving, 3) finding a feasible way to survive 4) developing a plan 5) executing the plan until 6) the plan brings relief or doesn’t bring relief. The film doesn’t employ outstanding acting talent; but despite this, if one hasn’t seen a survival story recently, this one fulfills that need nicely. As an aside, notice how clean the clothes are and how short the beards are despite survivors spending 72 days without hygienic needs met.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

After Uruguay’s Flight 571 crashes in the Andes, survivors find themselves without necessary survival equipment or supplies. Throughout the first several days, survivors stay with the body of the plane while relying on radio transmissions that search parties are working to find them. When the 9-day search is called off, they finally realize they will have to find their way out of the Andes on their own.

Additional Thanks

Thank You to Director Frank Marshall for his directing efforts. Thank you to Producers Kathleen Kennedy and Robert Watts for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Nando Parrado (Ethan Hawke), Antonio Balbi (Vincent Spano), Roberto Canessa (Josh Hamilton), Carlitos Páez (Bruce Ramsay), Antonion Vizintin (John Newton), Gustavo Zerbino (David Kriegel), Harley (Kevin Breznahan), and Javier Methol (Sam Behrens).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. It’s survival education that hasn’t been embellished upon to the point that it is more fiction than truth.

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Ben Meyers

THE ARTIST (Theatrical Release Canada 2011)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 4.6|5.0 Starsìììì

The Artist is one of at least thirteen black and white movies made in 2011. This film shows with artistic freshness how silent films began the dying process. Jean Dujardin, John Goodman, and James Cromwell are great in this film. Kudos to everyone involved.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

George Valentin (Jean Dujardin) refuses to make the move from silent to talking movies. His finances fall into disrepair and his life style reduces to the state of the homeless.

Additional Thanks

Thank You to Director Michel Hazanavicius for directing efforts. Thank you to Executive Producers Antoine de Cazotte, Daniel Delume, and Richard Middleton for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Peppy Miller (Bérénice Bejo), Al Zimmer (John Goodman), Clifton (James Cromwell), Doris (Penelope Ann Miller), Constance (Missi Pyle), Peppy’s Maid (Beth Grant), Peppy’s Butler (Ed Lauter), and Policeman Fire (Joel Murray).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. This film entertains from its opening scene until its closing scene.

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Ben Meyers

QUIZ SHOW (Theatrical Release USA 1994)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 4.9|5.0 Starsìììì

Quiz Show—like being there—examines 1950s game show scandals for fixing and manipulating outcomes.   This is a best movie performance for John Turturro since Barton Fink. Christopher McDonald, Ralph Fiennes, David Paymer, Hank Azaria, and Martin Scorsese set the script up for success. The movie is worth a re-watch if only because of the excellent camera close views of facial expression. The acting is very good.

Movie Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

Herbie Stempel (John Turturro), television game show contestant, is instructed to ‘take a dive’ after a long-term winning streak in return for a spot on television. He takes the dive and finds the television spot is not soon available. He takes complaint outside studios and a congressional investigation of game shows is ordered.

Additional Thanks

Thank You to Director Robert Redford for directing efforts. Thank you to Executive Producers Richard Dreyfuss, Judith James, and Frederick Zollo for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Herbie Stemple (John Turturro), Dick Goodwin (Rob Morrow), Charles Van Doren (Ralph Fiennes), Mark Van Doren (Paul Scofield), Dan Enright (David Paymer), Albert Freedman (Hank Azaria), Jack Barry (Christopher McDonald), Toby Stempel (Johann Carlo), and Dorothy Van Doren (Elizabeth Wilson).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. It’s a terrific historical piece.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

GONE BABY GONE (Theatrical Release USA 2007)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 4.2|5.0 Starsìììì

Gone Baby Gone—gritty, heart-rending thriller—examines events leading to the abduction of a female preschooler from her Boston home. This is Casey Afflect at his best. No fault found in this film as supported by Ed Harris and Morgan Freeman. While tough, realistic scenes put this film in the category of adult viewing, the film ends, oddly enough, as a thought-provoking informative piece about best decisions for young children in compromised households.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

Helen McCready (Amy Ryan) makes a televised plea for the return of her daughter. During the investigation, Helen’s lifestyle reveals a less than desirable home for the child. Tough investigation provides no real leads to the child's location.

Additional Thanks

Thank You to Director Ben Affleck for directing efforts. Thank you to Executive Producer David Crockett for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Patrick Kenzie (Casey Affleck), Angie Gennaro (Michelle Monaghan), Jack Doyle (Morgan Freeman), Remy Bressant (Ed Harris), Nick Poole (John Ashton), Helene McCready (Amy Ryan), Bea McCready (Amy Madigan), Lionel McCready (Titus Welliver), and Devin (Michael Kenneth Williams).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. The ending pops, completely catching the viewer off guard.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

A GOOD AMERICAN (Palm Springs International Film Festival, Palm Springs, California USA 2016)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 4.6|5.0 Starsìììì

A Good American—documentary—examines Department of Defense funding decisions concerning Trailblazer and ThinThread, two computer programs designed to ensure national security by analyzing Internet data flow. The documentary is well-done with good interviews. Well-informed individuals, directly involved in these events, some of whom resigned their positions due to decisions they felt were ill-advised in protection of United States interests, lead the main body of the documentary.

Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images

Storyline

Three weeks before 9/11, General Michael Hayden shelves ThinThread, an economical, non-invasive program designed to analyze Internet information flow. Analysts who quit the National Security Agency due to concerns about Trailblazer, the competing program, discuss decisions made and the implications those decisions had for the events leading to 9/11.

Additional Thanks

Thank You to Director Friedrich Moser for directing efforts. Thank you to Executive Producers Dave Lugo, Peter Janecek, and Wes Hull for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Himself (William Binney), Herself (Jesselyn Radack), Himself (Kirk Wiebe), Herself (Diane Roarck), Himself (Edward Loomis), Himself (Thomas Drake), Young Bill Binney (Christopher Beer), Young Ed Loomis (Gregor Huter), and Young Kirk Wiebe (Mars Mohr).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. This is an informative film and a great watch to see how the story unfolds.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

WAR MACHINE (Theatrical Release USA 2017)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 3.4|5.0 Starsììì

War Machine is a no-go. The concept is good; but onscreen it comes off as boring. Brad Pitt is doing that accent thing again, but in a little different way than he did in Inglourious Basterds. He needs work on his accents so that he sounds more realistic and more serious. This film is difficult to get through. If you think it’s going to get better because it has Brad Pitt in it, it doesn’t. The acting is fair to good. The script is fair to bad.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

General Glen McMahon (Brad Pitt), assigned to write a report to end the war in Afghanistan, believes the war can be won with extra troops. The President refuses the extra troops. McMahon leaks information to the press that more troops need to be on the ground in Afghanistan. The government sends in 30,000 more troops. McMahon endeavors to gather the extra 10,000 troops from other nations.

Additional Thanks

Thank You to Director Michôd for directing efforts. Thank you to Executive Producers Pauline Fischer and James W. Skotchdopole for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: General Glen McMmahon (Brad Pitt), Pete Duckman (Anthony Hayes), Cory Staggart (John Magaro), Greg Pulver (Anthony Michael Hall), Willy Dunne (Emory Cohen), Matt Little (Topher Grace), Simon Ball (Daniel Betts), Badi Basem (Aymen Hamdouchi), and Andy Moon (RJ Cyler).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

No. For your time and your money, see The Pentagon Wars.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

A WALK IN THE WOODS (Theatrical Release USA 2015)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 4.3|5.0 Starsìììì

A Walk in the Woods—a simple story—is worth your viewing time. It’s one of the better Robert Redford films. The script is well written and entertaining.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

Seasoned citizens Bill Bryson (Robert Redford) and Stephen Katz (Nick Nolte) decide to hike the 2,200 mile Appalachian Trail.

Additional Thanks

Thank You to Director Ken Kwapis for directing efforts. Thank you to Executive Producers Jake Eberts, Russell Levine, Andrew C. Robinson, Jeremiah Samuels, Jay Stern, Jared Underwood, and Lee Jae Woo for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Bill Bryson (Robert Redford), Stephen Katz (Nick Nolte), Catherine Bryson (Emma Thompson), Jeannie (Mary Steenburgen), REI Dave (Nick Offerman), Mary Ellen (Kristen Schaal), Sam Bryson (R. Keith Harris), TV Host (Randall Newsome), and Donna (Hayley Lovitt.

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. The film offers good entertainment value.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

ALI (Theatrical Release USA 2001)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 4.6|5.0 Starsìììì

Ali—do not miss this film—becomes a winner from the word go. Will Smith makes a superb Ali. The movie becomes another terrific addition to his growing list of absolutely great entertainment titles (Independence Day, Men In Black, Pursuit of Happyness, Enemy of the State, Legend of Bagger Vance). Watch for Jon Voight, Jeffery Wright, Jaime Foxx, Mario Van Peebles, and Bruce McGill.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

Ali (Will Smith) fights against Sonny Liston (Michael Bentt) and ends the story with the famous fight against George Foreman (Charles Shufford).

Additional Thanks

Thank You to Director Michael Mann for directing efforts. Thank you to Executive Producers Howard L. Bingham, Lee Caplin, and Graham King for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Cassius Clay/Cassius X/Muhammad Ali (Will Smith), Drew Brown (Jamie Foxx), Howard Cosell (Jon Voight), Malcolm X (Mario Van Peebles), Angelo Dundee (Ron Silver), Howard Bingham (Jeffrey Wright), Don King (Mykelti Williamson), Sonji Roi (Jada Pinkett Smith), and Belinda Ali (Nona Gaye).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. It’s an excellent choice for the home library.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

GANGS OF NEW YORK (Theatrical Release USA 2002)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 4.3|5.0 Starsìììì

Gangs of New York—Martin Scorsese’s 168 minutes of gore, nudity, violence, revenge, rapine, and ruin—despite this, the film sets itself in 1850s New York. It’s a western on the east coast like you haven’t seen before nor will be likely to experience again. The story, outstanding on every level, does not invite the faint-of-heart viewer due to the the things listed above and exceptionally realistic violence. The film serves as a history lesson on gangs and their corruption while serving as a reminder that life remains the same throughout time. Great acting by Daniel Day-Lewis, Leonardo DiCaprio, John C. Rielly, Cameron Diaz, Jim Broadbent, Brendan Gleeson, and Liam Neeson.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

Protestants wage war against Irish Catholics in New York slums.

Additional Thanks

Thank You to Director Martin Scorsese for his directing efforts. Thank you to Executive Producers Maurizio Grimaldi, Michael Hausman, Barbara Phillips Marco, Michael Ovitz, Bob Weinstein, and Rick Yorn for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Amsterdam Vallon (Leonardo DiCaprio), Bill Cutting (Daniel Day-Lewis), Jenny Everdeane (Cameron Diaz), William Tweed (Jim Broadbent), Happy Jack Mulraney (John C. Reilly), Johnny Sirocco (Henry Thomas), Priest Vallon (Liam Neeson), Walter McGinn (Brendan Gleeson), McGloin (Gary Lewis), and Shang (Stephen Graham).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. Overall is a good history piece.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

A SOLDIER’S STORY (Theatrical Release USA 1984)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 4.2|5.0 Starsìììì

A Soldier’s Story comes under the direction of Norman Jewison, one of the most outstanding directors of our times (Fiddler on the Roof, Moonstruck, The Thomas Crown Affair, In the Heat of the Night). This film becomes an excellent military as well as racial study piece. Howard E. Rollins, Jr., notable in this field for acting ability, fleshes out the story well. Look for Adolf Caesar and Denzel Washington.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

The murder of Master Sergeant Vernon Waters (Adolph Caesar) becomes the responsibility of Captain Richard Davenport (Howard E. Rollins, Jr.) to solve.

Additional Thanks

Thank You to Director Norman Jewison for directing efforts. Thank you to Executive Producer Chiz Schultz for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Captain Davenport (Howard E. Rollins, Jr.), Sergeant Waters (Adolph Caesar), Private Wilkie (Art Evans), Corporal Cobb (David Alan Grier), Private Smalls (David Harris), Captain Taylor (Dennis Lipscomb), C.J. Memphis (Larry Riley), Corporal Ellis (Robert Townsend), and Private First Class Peterson (Denzel Washington).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. The movie is terrifically written and carefully crafted to invoke intellectual inquiry into the nuances of racial prejudice within military environs.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

CHARLIE ST. CLOUD (Theatrical Release USA 2010)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 4.2|5.0 Starsìììì

Charlie St. Cloud—based on Ben Sherwood’s novel, The Death and Life of Charlie St. Cloud—becomes one of Zak Efron’s best works. A fresh and novel approach to the subject of life after death, the film shows love's embracing beyond death so that life extends into a surreal interaction between two brothers. A good movie, well written and well acted.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

Charlie St. Cloud’s (Zac Efron) younger brother, Sam (Charlie Tahan), dies after a car accident. Charlie had promised to play baseball with Sam every day before Sam died and keeps that promise.

Additional Thanks

Thank You to Director Burr Steers for directing efforts. Thank you to Executive Producers Michael Fottrell, Ryan Kavanaugh, Jared LeBoff, Ben Sherwood, and Adam Siegel for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Tess Carroll (Amanda Crew), Alistair Woolley (Augustus Prew), Tink Weatherbee (Donal Logue), Claire St. Cloud (Kim Basinger), Florio Ferrente (Ray Liotta), Sully (Dave Franco), and Connors (Matt Ward).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. The movie comes with a surprising twist at the end.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers