EXTINCTION (Theatrical Release USA 2018)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 3.4|5.0 Starsììì

Extinction—does not showcase Michael Pen͂a well—needs a different lead actor such as Antonio Banderas, Javier Bardem, or perhaps Oscar Isaacs to strengthen its storyline. The movie makes a mistake by focusing too much time on the dream before getting to the unfolding of the dream which makes the expected event a ‘Finally! We’re getting somewhere!” This takes away from thrill factor and literally forces the movie into ‘bomb’ status. It’s a sci-fi flick without excitement.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

A father finds strength to protect his family.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director Ben Young for directing effort. Thank you to Executive Producers Nathan Kahane, Kelli Konop, Roy Lee, John Powers Middleton, Andrew Pfeffer, Erin Westerman, and Alexander Young for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Peter (Michael Peña), Alice (Lizzy Caplan), Hannah (Amelia Crouch), Lucy (Erica Tremblay), Ray (Lex Shrapnel), Samantha (Emma Booth), Megan (Lilly Aspell), David (Mike Colter), Miles (Israel Broussard), Wellness Center Woman (Sandra Teles), and Wellness Center Patient Chris (Tom Riley).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Maybe. ‘Sorta,’ ‘kinda’ interesting, but not enough interesting to invest time and money.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

CHRISTMAS IN CANAAN (Television Release USA 2009)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 2.4|5.0 Starsìì

Christmas In Canaan—a Christian film that does not run with the same quality found in Come Sunday, The Case for Christ, or Victor—delivers, unfortunately, a flop. Not much to recommend this film other than seeing Billy Ray Cyrus on screen, but you can accomplish that by watching a few episodes of Hannah Montana, the television series. The televised acting in Hannah Montana is much higher quality than the entire casting shows in this movie. The repetitive question, “Why should I care?” keeps surfacing with inconsistencies in storyline popping like popcorn in a pot without a lid. No real heart and soul here and the ‘Poor Me’ attitude literally slobbers its way from one scene to another scene.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

Two boys of different ethnicity work to establish common ground with a little help from two adults.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director Neill Fearnley for directing effort. Thank you to Executive Producers Dan Angel, Ted Bauman, Howard Braunstein, Michael Jaffe, and Margaret Loesch for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Daniel Burton (Billy Ray Cyrus), Wylie (Tom Heaton), Young Rodney (Jaishon Fisher), Young DJ (Zak Ludwig), Young Sarah (Jessica McLeod), Young Bobby (Darien Provost), Eunice (Candus Churchill), Carl (Tom McBeath), Older Rodney (Matt Ward), Older DJ (Jacob Blair), and Older Sarah (Emily Tennant).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

No. The film does not work as a high-quality flick nor as a ‘feel good’ movie.

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Ben Meyers

BRAVEN (Theatrical Release USA 2018)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 3.7|5.0 Starsììì

Braven presents Jason Momoa in an action flick that uses knives, guns, bow and arrows, and hand-to-hand combat to drive most of its action scenes as if to create variety rather than to rely on more efficient means to fight against evil. This switching of weaponry from efficient to non-efficient noticeably affects the storyline. Although Jason Momoa’s tough persona from his Conan the Barbarian remake days is well known and expected, he doesn’t give an inkling of a tough guy character that can defend a family. This seems to work against the film’s delivery. Although he plays the defense/revenge ticket, he doesn’t manage to pull it to a realistic portrayal as Charles Bronson did with a bang in the film, Mr. Majestyk. Instead of a river, the audience gets treated to a trickle on the action/thriller theme in this movie.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

Drug runners threaten a family.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director Lin Oeding for directing effort. Thank you to Executive Producers Charles Auty, Shanan Becker, Bill Bromiley, Ted Cawrey, Arianne Fraser, Delphine Perrier, and Simon Williams for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Joe Braven (Jason Momoa), Kassen (Garret Dillahunt), Stephanie (Jill Wagner), Linden (Stephen Lang), Charlotte Braven (Sasha Rossof), Gentry (Sala Baker), Clay (Fraser Aitcheson), Essington (Teach Grant), Ridley (Glenn Ennis), Luisi (Todd Scott), and Hallett (Zahn McClarnon).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Maybe. The film presents a fast action, self-defense story that runs on an old storyline; but the pizazz that makes a great action movie is not present.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

THE ANGRY BIRDS MOVIE 2 (Theatrical Release USA 2019)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 3.6|5.0 Starsììì

The Angry Birds Movie 2—improved over the first Angry Birds movie—has a better storyline, enhanced character development, and an easier flow. The film shows work and effort to develop a real story versus relying on the game to pull an easy dollar at the viewer’s expense. There are more chuckles in this film due to the story’s development. It’s easy to see a sequel that can further develop the story.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

The Angry Birds and the Green Pigs are forced to draw a temporary truce.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Directors Thurop Van Orman and John Rice for directing effort. Thank you  to Executive Producers David Maisel , Aron Warner, and Catherine Winder for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Red (voice of Jason Sudeikis), Chuck (voice of Josh Gad), Zeta (voice o Leslie Jones), Leonard (voice of Bill Hader), Silver (voice Rachel Bloom), Courtney (voice of Awkwafina), Garry (voice of Serling K. Bown), Glenn (voice of Eugenio Derbez), Debbie (voice of Tiffany Haddish), Bomb (voice of Danny McBride), and Mighty Eagle (voice of Peter Dinklage).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. Although the movie works as a C-grade film, this rendition of the Angry Birds story develops its storyline enough to make us think that a sequel film may actually put this story into a viable movie watch.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

2001: A SPACE ODYSSEY (Theatrical Release USA 1968)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 4.7|5.0 Starsìììì

2001: A Space Odyssey becomes one of the best science fiction films on Ben Meyers’ sci-fi list. The cinematography has depth perception of deep space views and inner/outer ship viewing as well as unique camera angles that are ‘out of this world’ (no pun intended). The storyline seems superficial at the first viewing and one may lightly discard this film as boring and pointless, but this movie requires time to digest. Director Stanley Kubrick creates a WOW! BRAVO! ENCORE! film that was so far ahead of its time that it still stands as beyond its time in 2020. The movie needs just a bit more aging before establishing how far beyond its time it was when first released.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

An unusual moon artifact sparks a team of space explorers to embark on a trip to find its origin.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director Stanley Kubrick for directing effort. Thank you to Producer Stanley Kubrick for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Dr. Dave Bowman (Keir Dullea), Dr. Frank Poole (Gary Lockwood), Dr. Heywood R. Floyd (William Sylvester), Moon-Watcher (Daniel Richter), Dr. Andrei Smyslov (Leonard Rossiter), Elena (Margaret Tyzack), and Dr. Ralph Halvorsen (Robert Beatty).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. This movie contains ‘more than meets the eye’ at first glance and stands as a masterpiece in its own right.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

THE MAN WHO SHOT LIBERTY VALENCE (Theatrical Release USA 1962)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 4.3|5.0 Starsìììì

The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance—one of the better John Wayne films—shows how good casting (James Stewart, Vera Miles, Lee Marvin, Edmond O’Brien, Andy Devine, Ken Murray, John Carradine, Jeanette Nolan, John Qualen, Woody Strode, and Denver Pyle) can make or break a movie. This terrific team created a movie that is not only worth watching the first time but easily earns a second watch at a later time. Excellent work by Director John Ford as he brought a story worth viewing to the screen.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

A politician takes credit for something he didn’t do.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director John Ford for directing effort. Thank you to Producers Willis Beck and John Ford for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Tom Doniphon (John Wayne), Ransom Stoddard (James Stewart), Hallie Stoddard (Vera Miles), Liberty Valance (Lee Marvin), Dutton Peabody (Edmond O’Brien), Link Appleyard (Andy Devine), and Doc Willoughby (Ken Murray).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. Good entertainment. Wonderful story with a terrific conclusion that makes it a ‘walk away satisfied’ film.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

NEWSIES (Theatrical Release USA 1992)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 4.4|5.0 Starsìììì

Newsies—one of the better Disney, company-produced musical films—has that little extra heart and soul that makes it resonate on a universal level. Christian Bale takes the big screen with power, relatability, and highly realistic presence while still allowing the rest of the cast to share the limelight. Refreshing. Bill Pullman added depth to the movie and while Robert Duvall did not play his usual strong support in moving the story forward in his role as Joseph Pulitzer, everything weaves together to establish a good collectible piece of entertainment to add to the home video collection. Good work for Director Kenny Ortega.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

Young newspaper boys strike for fair work conditions.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director Kenny Ortega for directing effort. Thank you to Producer Michael Finnell for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Jack Kelly (Christian Bale), David Jacobs (David Moscow), Les Jacobs (Luke Edwards), Racetrack Higgins (Max Casella), Spot Conlon (Gabriel Damon), Crutchy (Marty Belafsky), Boots (Arvie Lowe Jr.), Mush (Aaron Lohr), Kid Blink (Trey Parker), Snitch (Dee Caspary), Jake (Joseph Conrad), and Itey (Dominic Maldonado).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. A film that deserves listing with the ‘Best Musicals on Ben Meyers International Movie Critics’ list.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

HOME ALONE (Theatrical Release USA 1990)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 4.2|5.0 Starsìììì

Home Alone—‘stand up and shout’ holiday fare—delightfully surprises with its novel storyline and satisfying, unapologetic return to good, old-fashioned slapstick comedy routines. The movie should have been one of those B-grade, holiday, ho-hum films and ends up as a completely entertaining WOW! movie. Macaulay Culkin, Joe Pesci, and Daniel Stern create an amusing entertainment piece that the whole family can enjoy and appreciate. It’s upbeat approach to its story and its quick delivery mark it as great entertainment that should be in every family’s home video entertainment collection as it has re-watch value for many years to come. Great work for Director Chris Columbus (Adventures in Babysitting, Harry Potter and The Sorcerer’s Stone). Chris Columbus’ amazing versatility as a director and un-erring targeting of great stories makes him a director to watch.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

In a Christmas rush to get to the airport, a large family accidentally leaves one of their family members home alone.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director Chris Columbus for directing effort. Thank you to Executive Producers Tarquin Gotch, Mark Levinson, and Scott M. Rosenfelt for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Kevin (Macaulay Culkin), Harry (Joe Pesci), Marv (Daniel Stern), Peter (John Heard), Marley (Roberts Blossom), Kate (Catherine O’Hara), Linnie (Angela Goethals), Buzz (Devin Ratray), Uncle Frank (Gerry Bamman), Megan (Hillary Wolf), and Gus Polinski (John Candy).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. Wonderful film for everyone.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

DRAGONHEART: VENGEANCE (DVD Release USA 2020)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 3.8|5.0 Starsììì

Dragonheart: Vengeance is the fifth release of a Dragonheart movie since 1996. This movie, however, has significantly improved its storyline since the making of the first four Dragonheart movies. The film can be watched as a stand-alone movie that does not need the background stories of the previous movies to understand its story. It sports the interesting addition of a female dragon who does not spit fire, but spits something different as protection. This surprise addition to dragon lore seems a little awkward at first viewing, but works after the initial shock. The character development of the entire cast works at a higher level than the previous films. It is worth a watch.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

A young boy, a soldier, and a dragon team to take vengeance for the deaths of the boy’s family.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director Ivan Silvestrini for directing effort. Thank you to Producer Raffaella De Laurentiis for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Darius (Joseph Millson), Lukas (Jack Kane), King Razvan (Arturo Muselli), The Snake (Carolina Carlsson), The Scorpion (Tam Williams), The Wolf (Richard Ashton), The Bear (Ross O’Hennessy), Oana (Fabienne Piolini-Castle), and Siveth (voice of Helena Bonham Carter).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. While many audiences may have hoped the series had run its course, this additional Dragonheart movie earns a watch and will particularly please fans who love dragon movies.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

GARFIELD GETS REAL (DVD Release USA 2007)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 3.8|5.0 Starsììì

Garfield Gets Real serves the child audience well with its simple storyline. The movie does not generate the smiles that the Garfield comic strip does. Knowing this before going prevents disappointment. Now that that is established, the movie moves along fairly well with a predictable story.

Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images

Storyline

Garfield does not want to be a cartoon strip character any longer.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Directors Mark A.Z. Dippe and Kyung Ho Lee for directing effort. Thank you to Executive Producer Jim Davis for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Sheila/Concertina Girl (voice of Rajia Baroudi), Odie/Shecky/Hale (voice of Gregg Berger), Bonita/Mother/Rusty/Bobby (voice of Jennifer Darling), Eli (voice of Greg Eagles), Delivery Gnome/Sid (voice of Pat Fraley), Nermal (voice of Jason Marsden), Tape Holder (voice of David Michie), Husband (voice of Harold Perrineau), Wally/Charles (voice of Neil Ross), Randy/Father (voice of Stephen Stanton), and Billy/Waldo/Eric (voice of Fred Tatasciore).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. This makes good children’s entertainment before naptime or bedtime as it works on a laid-back, quiet story that is suitable fare for all children.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

SEASON OF THE WITCH (Theatrical Release USA 2011)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 4.4|5.0 Starsìììì

Season of the Witch becomes a great watch because of the very well casted team of Nicolas Cage and Ron Perlman. These two actors have been given great dialogue lines to show a very realistic best friends’ onscreen camaraderie that is likable, relatable, and very pleasing. Cage and Perlman work off each other to perfection throughout the film and the supporting cast completely compliments that effort. One might not think that Perlman and Cage would be a great team; but, it so works! Great work for Director Dominic Sena as he pulls the most from this story and creates a good piece of entertainment.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

Knights of the Crusades take a suspected witch to a monastery.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director Dominic Sena for directing effort. Thank you to Executive Producers Steve Alexander, Alan Glazer, Tom Karnowski, Ryan Kavanaugh, and Tucker Tooley for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Behmen (Nicolas Cage), Felson (Ron Perlman), Debelzaq (Stephen Campbell Moore), Hagamar (Stephen Graham), Eckhart (Ulrich Thomsen), The Girl (Claire Foy), Kay (Robert Sheehan), Cardinal D’Ambroise (Christopher Lee), Dying Monk (Kevin Rees), Jail Bailiff (Andrew Hefler),and  Old Woman (Fernanda Dorogi).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. This supernatural, action thriller gives entertainment value for dollar and time spent.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

SUPER 8 * (Theatrical Release USA 2011)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 3.9|5.0 Starsììì

Super 8—not the best in the sci-fi film genre. But, it is an interesting, predictable, straight forward story that deserves its single watch.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

Young friends have a UFO experience.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director J.J. Abrams for directing effort. Thank you to Executive Producer Guy Riedel for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Joe Lamb (Joel Courtney), Mrs. Kaznyk (Jessica Tuck), Mr. Kaznyk (Joel McKinnon Miller), Cary (Ryan Lee), Preston (Zach Mills), Charles Kaznyk (Riley Griffiths), Martin (Gabriel Basso), Deputy Jackson Lamb (Kyle Chandler), Louis Dainard (Ron Eldard), Jen Kaznyk (AJ Michalka), Kaznyk Twin (Andrew Miller), and Kaznuk Twin (Jakob Miller).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. The movie could serve as entertainment to run in the background of a party.

*Also known as: Super Eight

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

TEKKEN (DVD Release USA 2011)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 2.4|5.0 Starsìì

Tekken—fashioned after a computer game of the same name—serves an exceptionally narrow audience due to little character depth, uninteresting storyline, and inability to remove itself from the borders that surround the video game.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

Jin Kazama revenges his dead mother.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director Dwight H. Little for directing effort. Thank you to Executive Producers Daniel Diamond, Tetsu Fujimura, Scott Karol, Carsten H.W. Lorenz, and Masaya Nakamura for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Jin Kazama (Jon Foo), Christie Monteiro (Kelly Overton), Heihachi Mishima (Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa), Kazuya Mishima (Ian Anthony Dale), Marshall Law (Cung Lee), Raven (Darrin Dewitt Henson), Steve Fox (Luke Goss), Kara (Mircea Monroe), Jun Kazama (Tamlyn Tomita), and Nina Williams (Candice Hillebrand).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

No. The Mortal Kombat series serves as higher entertainment value for money spent.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

WELCOME TO MARWEN (Theatrical Release USA 2018)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 4.2|5.0 Starsìììì

Welcome to Marwen—well acted by Steve Carrell—does not play as well as other Robert Zemeckis films (Forrest Gump, Polar Express, the first Back to The Future). This film, however, has a certain likable factor coupled with an unusual presentation that calls for a quick watch if only as a study in how to present an unusual motion picture.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

A drunk man confesses to a bar crowd that he sometimes wears women’s shoes. He survives a brutal attack and develops a make-believe world where he retreats to get well.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director Robert Zemeckis for directing effort. Thank you to Executive Producers Jacqueline Levine and Jeff Malmberg for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Mark Hogancamp/Cap’n Hogie (Steve Carell), Captain Topf/Louis (Falk Hentschel), Lieutenant Benz/Carl (Matt O’Leary), Rudolph/Rudy (Nikolai Witschl), Stefan/Stevie (Patrick Roccas), Werner /Vern (Alexander Lowe), Carlala (Eiza (González), Suzette (Leslie Zemeckis), Roberta (Merritt Wever), Anna (Gwendoline Christie), and Wendy (Stefanie von Pfetten).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. It may work for the Teen/Adult audience. It has an unusual stamp to it that makes it difficult to attribute to the previous works of Robert Zemeckis.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

HEY ARNOLD: THE JUNGLE MOVIE (Television Release USA 2017)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 3.8|5.0 Starsììì

Hey Arnold: The Jungle Movie—much better film than Hey Arnold: The Movie—provides deeper character development with a simple, but creative, storyline to provide a good entertainment piece for Arnold fans. Good work for Directors Raymie Musquiz and Stu Livingston.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

The story of why Arnold does not have parents.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Directors Raymie Muzquiz and Stu Livingston for directing effort. Thank you to Executive Producers Craig Bartlett, Jin Ho Chung, and Chung Hyun for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Arnold (voice of Mason Vale Cotton), Gerald (voice of Benjamin Flores, Jr.), Helga (voice of Francesca Marie Smith), Miles/Monkeyman/Abner/Brainy (voice of Craig Bartlett), Stella (voice of Antoinette Stella), Grandpa (voice of Dan Castellaneta), Grandma/Homeless Woman (voice of Tress MacNeille), Big Bob/Homeless Man #1/Flunky (voice of Maurice LaMarche), Stinky (voice of Jet Jurgensmeyer), Eduardo (voice of Carlos Alazraqui), Big Patty (voice of Danielle Judovits), and Eugene (voice of Gavin Lewis).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. This stands as a good children’s movie. Good work for all involved.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

MY WEEK WITH MARILYN (Theatrical Release USA 2011)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 4.2|5.0 Starsìììì

My Week With Marilyn presents a different side of Marilyn Monroe than what has been commonly propagated through popular media. The movie relies on observations by British employee, Colin Clark, who worked for Lawrence Olivier. While there he documents his interpretation of Marilyn Monroe as she and Lawrence Olivier work on the 1957 film, The Prince and the Show Girl. The movie, My Week With Marilyn, had a very good casting department that wisely paired Michelle Williams with Kenneth Branagh and Eddie Redmayne to well serve direction by Simon Curtis.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

Marilyn Monroe makes a movie with Laurence Olivier.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director Simon Curtis for directing effort. Thank you to Executive Producers Kelly Carmichael, Simon Curtis, Christine Langan, Jamie Laurenson, Ivan Mactaggart, and Bob Weinstein for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Marilyn Monroe (Michelle Williams), Colin Clark (Eddie Redmayne), Vivien Leigh (Julia Ormond), Sir Laurence Olivier (Kenneth Branagh), Sir Kenneth Clark (Pip Torrens), Lady Jane Clark (Geraldine Somerville), Hugh Perceval (Michael Kitchen), Vanessa (Miranda Raison), Jack Cardiff (Karl Moffatt), Cotes-Preedy (Toby Jones), and David Orton (Robert Portal).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? 

Yes. Quite interesting and worth watching.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers