FIRST SHIFT (Released to Theaters Germany 2024)

 

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 3.6|5.0 Starsììì  First Shift—detective/police movie—has potential but fails to reach its full potential. Ordering of the scenes can be unconventional in places and the acting is low-grade. Despite it's 'okay' status, the audience is assured in the ending credits that part two is on its way.  Film Poster Courtesy of IMDb Storyline A hotshot female detective newbie who 'kind of' knows what it means to be a detective, is teamed with a hard-nosed detective who prefers to works alone.     Additional Thanks  Thank you to Director Uwe Boll for directing effort. Thank you to Producer Uwe Boll for making the film possible. Cast includes Gino Anthony Pesi, Kristen Renton, Garry Pastore, James McMenamin, Willy C. Carpenter, Brandi Bravo, and Daniel Sauli.  Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?  Maybe. The movie has need of much improvement to be a quality watch. It has potential as a cult classic after it ages. Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

THE LITTLE MERMAID (Released to Theaters USA 2023)

 

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 3.7|5.0 Starsììì  The Little Mermaid—rehash of the original film—misses the magic of the original movie. It ends as a suitable to okay watch and can get a bit boring throughout the story presentation. Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images Storyline  Ariel wants to be with humans on land.  Additional Thanks  Thank you to Director Rob Marshall for directing effort. Thank you to Producers Marc Platt, Lin Manuel Miranda, John DeLuca,  and Rob Marshall. Cast includes Halle Bailey, Jonah Hauer-King, Daveed Diggs, Awkwafina, Jacob Tremblay, Noma Dumezweni, Art Malik, Javier Bardem, and Melissa McCarthy. Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?  Maybe. It is interesting to see this interpretation of an old tale, but it does not compare well with the quality of the original animated mermaid story in any area. Video Critique Available Here: Ben Meyers

A BOY NAMED CHARLIE BROWN (Released to Theaters USA 1969)

 

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 4.2|5.0 Starsìììì  A Boy Named Charlie Brown—novel, cute, creative—the heavy reliance on music as well as its terrific storyline helps this film. It has all the right stuff for both the adult and child audience. WOW! The film has been sculpted in such a way that the presentation, portrayal, and writing stand out. This is the first feature/theatrical film that the producers put out from the comic strip classic "Peanuts." Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images  Storyline  Charlie Brown thinks that he is not good at anything until Lucy teasingly tells him about the Spelling Bee. He decides to join the Spelling Bee.    Additional Thanks  Thank you to Director Bill Melendez for directing effort. Thank you to Producer Lee Mendelson for making the film possible. Cast includes Peter Robbins, Pamelyn Ferdin, Glenn Gilger, and Andy Pforsich.  Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?  Yes. This is a really good watch. The drawn animation is good while the content relies heavily on musical scoring.  Video Critique Available Here: Ben Meyers

48 HRS. (Released to Theaters USA 1982)

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 3.7|5.0 Starsììì  48 Hrs. seems to have a slowed frames per second that does not format well on screen at times and that creates a slight jarring effect for the audience. The movie is an okay/suitable watch, but not a terrific watch. It is a kind of 'fun' watch, but be aware that this movie has language and adult content.  Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images Storyline  The detective, Jack Cates, is on the trail of a criminal, Albert Ganz, who broke prison. Detective Cates hires another man, Reggie Hammond, from prison who knows Ganz, to find him.  Additional Thanks Thank you to Director Walter Hill for directing effort. Thank you to Producer Lawrence Gordon and Joel Silver for making the film possible. Cast includes Nick Nolte, Annette O'Toole, and Eddie Murphy. Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?  Maybe. It is what it is. Video Critique Available Here: Ben Meyers

 

GREEN LANTERN: EMERALD KNIGHTS (Released to DVD USA 2011)

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 3.9|5.0 Starsììì  Green Lantern: Emerald Knights—relates a series of back stories about Green Lanterns—does not follow the usual path of identifying the enemy and then making a movie out of disabling the enemy. Each story is told well.  Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images  Storyline  A female newbie to the Green Lanterns is just learning the ropes and unsure that she can perform well. Hal Jordan tells her several tales about the Green Lanterns to boost her confidence.   Additional Thanks Thank you to Directors Donald Christopher Berkeley, Lauren Montgomery, and Jay Olivia for directing effort. Thank you to Producers Donald De Line, Greg Berlanti, and Lauren Montgomery for making the film possible. Cast includes Nathan Fillion, Jason Isaacs, Elizabeth Moss, Henry Rollins, and Arnold Vosloo. Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?  Yes. The stories keep interest and end well. Animation effort relies on the lighter touch of drawn techniques. Video Critique Available Here: Ben Meyers

KIRBY AT WAR (Released in France 2017)

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 4.0|5.0 Starsìììì  Kirby at War—short French documentary film—informs in a shallow way about comic animator Jack Kirby. The movie tells its story in less than an hour and focuses more on Kirby's World War II experiences and how they influenced his artistic efforts than a deep detailing of his personal life/childhood. It suitably educates and informs on a high-level animator's creations (Black Panther, the Avengers, Hulk, Fantastic Four, The X-Men, Thor, Iron Man) and some on collaborative work with Stan Lee, Marvel Comic developer.  Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images  Storyline  The times of Jack Kirby who created many of the Marvel characters still popular today.  Additional Thanks Thank you to Directors Marc Azéma and Jean Depelley for directing effort. Thank you to Producers  Fabrice Lambot, Jean-Pierre Putters, and Jean-Marc Sauniere for making the film possible. Cast includes Jean Depelley, Francois Cochet, Boris Cyrulnik, Joann Sfar,  John Morrow, Jose Ladronn, Dominique Sardin, and Rand Hoppe. Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?  Yes. For a simple overview of Jack Kirby's life work, the movie does its job.  Video Critique Available Here: Ben Meyers

 

LAND OF BAD (Released to Theaters USA 2024)

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 4.2|5.0 Starsìììì Land of Bad—interesting—makes the best of what it was given and does a great job of increasing value in presentation and portrayal. The violent content is almost cringeworthy, but can be endured. Know that the 'language' is over-the-top. It's surprising how well Liam Hemsworth interprets the soldier/warrior role. He's believable. This film will develop its fanbase over the years.   Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images Storyline  A group of special forces soldiers tries to infiltrate the Land of Bad, but when the infiltration goes awry one man is left to carry forward.  Additional Thanks   Thank you to Director William Eubank for directing effort. Thank you to Producers David Frigerio, William Eubank, Michael Jefferson, Adam Beasley, Nathan Klingher, Ryan Winterstein, Arianne Fraser, Petr Jakl, and Mark Fasano for making the film possible. Cast includes Liam Hemsworth, Russell Crowe,  Luke Hemsworth, Ricky Whittle, and Milo Ventimiglia. Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?  Yes. This is a very watchable movie that relies on Liam Hemsworth and Russell Crowe for its story. Watch for Liam's oldest brother, Luke, in the film. Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers 

THE BOAT (Released to Theaters USA 1921)

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 3.8|5.0 Starsììì  The Boat—Buster Keaton short movie—performs at a 'bit' higher level that his One Week film, but still lacks the feel of really good comedy. It works on the good to suitable level and serves as a good academic study of this comedian's work.   Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images Storyline A man builds a boat and takes his wife and two boys on an ocean boat trip. Additional Thanks  Thank you to Directors Buster Keaton and Edward F. Cline for directing effort. Thank you to Producer Joseph M. Schenck for making the film possible. Cast includes Buster Keaton and Sybil Seely. Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?  Yes. This is an all around better film than One Week. The best film for Buster Keaton so far is: The General. It has more well-placed comedy that stands on better portrayal and presentation.  Video Critique Available:

Ben Meyers

FROSTY THE SNOWMAN (Released to Television USA 1969)

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 3.8|5.0 Starsììì  Frosty the Snowman—very young children's watch—becomes so simple that it loses all audience range. Everything in this work is a suitable to okay short film.   Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images Storyline  A group of young grade school children finds that an inept magician's hat brings a freshly made snowman to life. Additional Thanks Thank you to Director Arthur Rankin Jr. and Jules Bass for directing effort. Thank you to Producers Arthur Rankin Jr. and Jules Bass for making the film possible. Voice Cast includes  Jimmy Durante, Billy De Wolfe, Jackie Vernon, Paul Frees, and June Foray. Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?  Maybe. A better film for the child/adult Christmas share is How the Grinch Stole Christmas,  Ron Howard's live action film. Video Critique Available Here: Ben Meyers

 

ALVIN AND THE CHIPMUNKS (Released to Theaters USA 2007)

 

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 3.8|5.0 Starsììì  Alvin and the Chipmunks—origin story—has Jason Lee as the 'parent' of the three chipmunks.  The movie works as a suitable to okay watch for the entire family. The story is well written. The movie's animation still works very well 17 years after the initial theater release.  Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images Storyline The movie tells the origin story of Alvin and the Chipmunks as a sensational singing group.   Additional Thanks Thank you to Director Tim Hill for directing effort. Thank you to Producers Janice Karman and  Ross Bagdasarian for making the film possible. Cast includes Jason Lee,  David Cross, Cameron Richardson, Justin Long, Matthew Gray Gubler, and Jesse McCartney.  Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?  Yes. It is an origin story, so one has to see it to understand what happens at their beginning; It's clean and makes a suitable family share movie. Video Critique Available Here: Ben Meyers

ONE WEEK (Released to Theaters USA 1920)

 

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 3.8|5.0 Starsììì  One Week—interesting, but oddly portrayed—misses its comical 'sweet spot'. It does not serve as well as the comedy of Charlie Chaplin or Harold Lloyd films due to an underlying seriousness in storyline which 'swamps' the comedic elements. This short film serves as a good study into Buster Keaton’s work. Everything in the film serves at the suitable to okay level.  Film Poster Courtesy of IMDb Storyline  A man decides to marry and builds a pre-built home for his new wife.  Additional Thanks  Thank you to Directors Buster Keaton and Edward F. Cline for directing efforts. Thank you to Producer Joseph M. Schenck for making the film possible. Cast includes Buster Keaton, Sybil Seely, and Joe Roberts. Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?  Maybe. It is a good study into Buster Keaton’s work but Charlie Chaplin and Harold Lloyd are better comedians for the silent film era. Video Critique Available Here: Ben Meyers

MRS. LAMBERT REMEMBERS LOVE (Released to Television USA 1991)

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 3.8|5.0 Starsììì  Mrs. Lambert Remembers Love—originally aired on CBS (1991), plays like a Hallmark movie—has human heart and a bittersweet  conclusion.  Watch for terrific acting by the laconic Walter Matthau, the lovely Ellen Burstyn, and Ryan Todd. It’s a low-key afternoon watch that serves families well. With Walter Matthau's son, Charles Matthau, directing the film there is an energy present that draws its audience into caring about the outcome of its main characters.  Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images Storyline  A grandmother, who is a little forgetful, finds that social services may take her grandson away. She takes her grandson and goes in search of distant and close relatives who will take care of her young grandson.   Additional Thanks Thank you to Director Charles Matthau for directing and producing effort. Thank you to Executive Producer Robert Halmi Sr. and Producers Alan Jacobs and Charles Matthau for making the film possible. Cast includes Ellen Burstyn, Ryan Todd, Walter Matthau, William Schallert, Kathleen Garrett, Sherry Hursey, Richard Zobel, Jeanne Reynolds, Tom McGraw, Victoria Richardson, and  Dustin Werner.   Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?  Yes. This is a simple, good story with a bittersweet conclusion. Video Critique Available Here: Ben Meyers