MODERN TIMES (Released to Theaters USA 1936)

 

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 4.0|5.0 Starsìììì  Modern Times—good watch—has a solid, well-written story with an outstanding conclusion. This is one of Charlie Chaplin's mid-career films.  Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images Storyline  A man works at an industrial factory in the 1900s, meets a girl, and desires to make a life for both of them.  Additional Thanks   Thank you to Director Charlie Chaplin for directing effort. Cast includes Charles Chaplin and Paulette Goddard.   Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?  Yes. It is a simple, lovable, worthy watch. Video Critique Available Here: Ben Meyers

LILIES OF THE FIELD (Released to Theaters USA 1963)

 

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 4.3|5.0 Starsìììì  Lilies of the Field—simple, poignant—shows in black and white and backs itself with a well-written story. It accesses the talents of Sidney Poitier who adds quality and sophistication to the film.    Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images Storyline Homer Smith unknowingly stops at a convent in the Arizona desert for water for his car and reluctantly gets caught in an obligation to help the nuns build a chapel.   Additional Thanks  Thank you to Director Ralph Nelson for directing effort. Thank you to Producer Ralph Nelson for making the film possible. Cast includes Lilia Skala and Sidney Poitier.  Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?  Yes. This is a great watch for Sidney Poitier fans. Lovable story. Video Critique Available Here: Ben Meyers

BIG CATCH (Released on YouTube 2010)

 

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 3.8|5.0 Starsììì  Big Catch—watch for the concluding twist—has a cute presentation, fair animation, and an 'okay' storyline.   Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images Storyline  A middle-aged man walks down a dock to the ocean to fish and a shark decides the man will be a good snack.   Additional Thanks   Thank you to Moles Merlow for directing effort. Thank you to CGI Films and YouTube for providing the platforms to show the film.   Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?  Maybe. It's cute and has a nice concluding twist. Video Critique Available Here: Ben Meyers

DESTINY (Released to the Internet France 2012)

 

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 3.8|5.0 Starsììì  Destiny—animated, 2012, short film—shows 'destiny' can be changed or can it? Watch the film to the after credit ending scene with the umbrella.  Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images Storyline  A man gets out of bed and starts his strict morning routine.  Additional Thanks  Thank you to Fabien Weibel and team for making the film possible. Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? Maybe. It is a different way of interacting with the concept of destiny. It is what it is.  Video Critique Available Here: Ben Meyers

SECOND CHANCE (Released to YouTube 2022)

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Ben Meyers’ Rating: 3.9|5.0 Starsììì  Second Chance—sentimental and easy to relate to—shows how to use time and electrical skills to rebuild a shattered life.   Film Poster Courtesy of YouTube Storyline  An Ethiopian boy works  on a mechanism that will help him walk.  Additional Thanks  Thank you to Director Abenezer Matewos for directing effort. Cast includes Yabsira Daniel.    Yes. This is a story of overcoming a difficult life challenge and moving forward. Video Critique Available Here: Ben Meyers

KONOTO (Released on YouTube in 2025)

 

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 3.4|5.0 Starsììì  Konoto—short film—needs a slowed presentation for better impact. It seems to be a small snippet of a much larger story which, if built upon, could have tremendous impact on the international community.  This short film originates from Gambia, a country on the northwestern coast of Africa. Unfortunately, the larger international audience may have difficulty relating to it due to the fast run rate and need for expansion into a full length film.  Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images Storyline  A Gambian man, returning from a trip, stops for a small cup of Attaya (a hot brewed drink) that  his wife has prepared.  Additional Thanks  Thank you to Director Kadeja L. Hapner for directing the film.  Thank you to  Percy Studios for producing the short film. Cast includes Mr. and Mrs. Danso.  Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? Maybe. The short film runs fast. It may be found on YouTube. The value of watching this short film is the excellent small reveal of Gambian culture. Watch for the goat standing on the roof of a building at the end of the film. Video Critique Available Here: Ben Meyers

NOVOCAINE (Released to Theaters USA 2025)

 

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 4.1|5.0 Starsìììì  Novocaine—original and intriguing—has action with some comic relief. Know that it is not a family movie and relies on several horrific, cringeworthy torture scenes to tell its story. Jack Quaid, son of Dennis Quaid, is a perfect casting choice for this film.  Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images Storyline  Nathan Caine is the assistant manager of a bank in San Diego, California. Three Santa Clauses rob that bank.  Additional Thanks  Thank you to Directors Dan Berk and Robert Olsen for directing effort. Thank you to Producers Drew Simon, Tory Tunnell, Joby Harold, Sam Speiser, Julian Rosenberg, and Matt Schwartz for making the film possible. Cast includes Jack Quaid, Amber Midthunder, Ray Nicholson, Betty Gabriel, Matt Walsh, Jacob, Batalon,  Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? Yes. Be aware there are some sexual references that are easy to skip. This film relies on a very well written story, well acted and portrayed. The violence is over-the-top  cringeworthy. Video Critique Available Here: Ben Meyers

VAN HELSING (Theatrical Release USA 2004)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 4.2|5.0 Starsìììì

Van Helsing provides the perfect setting for Hugh Jackman to show his acting skills and shows the versatility of Kate Beckinsale as she pulls off a vampire movie that is totally different from her 2003 Underworld movie. Terrific work by Director Stephen Sommers.  

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

Van Helsing (Hugh Jackman) and Anna Valerious (Kate Beckinsale) fight vampires, wolfmen, and other creatures fantastic.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director Stephen Sommers for directing effort. Thank you to Executive Producer Sam Mercer for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Count Vladislaus Dracula (Richard Roxburgh), Carl (David Wenham), Frankenstein’s Monster (Shuler Hensley), Aleera (Elena Anaya), Velkan (Will Kemp), Igor (Kevin J. O’Connor), Cardinal Jinette (Alun Armstrong), Verona (Silvia Colloca), Marishka (Josie Maran), Top Hat (Tom Fisher), Dr. Victor Frankenstein (Samuel West), Mr. Hyde (Robbie Coltrane), Dr. Jekyll (Stephen Fisher), and Barmaid (Dana Morávková).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. It’s worth at least one ticket and has potential for re-watch over the years.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers