FUNNY ABOUT LOVE (Theatrical Release USA 1990)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 4.1|5.0 Starsìììì

Funny About Love examines all the different ways to produce babies and reaches a final conclusion about what has the highest priority in relationships. Surprisingly, the movie casts mostly unknown persons…who can act. This adult film, although slow at times, is worth mentioning for a single viewing.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

Duffy Bergman (Gene Wilder) works through a marital crisis that involves not being able to produce a baby.

Additional Thanks

Thank You to Director Leonard Nimoy for directing effort. Thank you to Producers Jon Avnet and Jordan Kerner for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Meg Lloyd Bergman (Christine Lahti), Daphne (Mary Stuart Masterson), E.T. (Robert Prosky), Hugo (Stephen Tobolowsky), Adele (Anne Jackson), Claire (Susan Ruttan), Vivian (Jean De Baer), and Dr. Benjamin (David Margulies).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Maybe. Gene Wilder, highly entertaining with a unique blend of acting skill, lends an unusual flavor to this story that makes it worth a single viewing, but the movie doesn’t fly high in comedic value.

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Ben Meyers

ROCKY IV (Theatrical Release USA 1985)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 4.7|5.0 Starsìììì

Rocky IV—similar in quality to the Rocky III movie—sets itself apart with inspirational training scenes and great soul rock. This is Sylvester Stallone’s third out of five Rocky films in which he both directs and acts. Watch for Dolph Lundgren as the Russian contender Ivan Drago. The movie is a quality boxing flick.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

Rocky Balboa (Sylvester Stallone) fights highly trained Russian boxing champion Ivan Drago.

Additional Thanks

Thank You to Director Sylvester Stallone for directing effort. Thank you to Executive Producers James D. Brubaker and Arthur Chobanian for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Adrian (Talia Shire), Paulie (Burt Young), Apollo Creed (Carl Weathers), Ludmilla (Brigitte Nielsen), Duke (Tony Burton), Nicoli Koloff (Michael Pataki), Drago (Dolph Lundgren), and Commentator #1 (Stu Nahan).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? 

Yes. The movie takes boxing to the next level.

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Ben Meyers

BILL COSBY: FAR FROM FINISHED (Television Special USA 2013)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 4.3|5.0 Starsìììì

Bill Cosby: Far from Finished—interesting and comical—delivers a routine that may not be quite as good as his earlier stand-up routines, but still gives its audience exactly what we came to expect from any Bill Cosby show: good, clean, family-friendly comedy that serves all audiences with universal appeal. This film serves as a rare opportunity to revisit Bill Cosby and smile once again at his exceptionally perceptive view of the human condition. While other comics degenerate to nearly unbearable sexual references accompanied with vulgar language, it’s refreshing to have the Cosby touch once again show us that the best comedy is something everyone can watch. Cosby stands as one of the last, if not the greatest, clean comedians of our time. Wow! So glad Cosby gave us one more encore performance. The show is a rare treat, not to be missed.

Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images

Storyline

Bill Cosby delivers his unique spin on life circumstances common to everyone.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director Robert Townsend for directing effort. Thank you to Executive Producers Judi Brown, Darryl M. Bell, Bill Cosby, Robert Hartmann, and Stu Schreiberg for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Himself (Bill Cosby), Herself (Deana J. Becker), Herself (Stephanie Stallaing), and Himself (Darryl M. Bell).

 Yes. This is the Bill Cosby we all know and love...refreshing to see the clean comedy Mr. Cosby offers in comparison to other comedians.

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Ben Meyers

JIM GAFFIGAN: CINCO (Released to the internet 2017)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 4.2|5.0 Starsìììì

Jim Gaffigan: Cinco—refreshingly clean show, worth viewing—delivers 72 minutes of completely entertaining comedy that revolves around life as observed through Gaffigan eyes. Some minor language.

Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images

Storyline

Jim Gaffigan once again delivers his unique spin on fatherhood, food, marriage, and life in general.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director Jeannie Gaffigan for directing effort. Thank you to Executive Producers Jay Chapman, Jeannie Gaffigan, Jim Gaffigan, Cisco Henson, Alex Murray, Lisa Nishimura, Robbie Praw, and Brian Volk-Weiss for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Jim Gaffigan, Marre Gaffigan, Katie Gaffigan, Jack Gaffigan, Michael Gaffigan, and Patrick Gaffigan.

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe

Yes. It’s a treat to listen to clean standup comedy. This performance deserves audience investment of both time and money. Definitely—buy that ticket.

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Ben Meyers

HEAD GONE (Theatrical Release USA 2014)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 4.5|5.0 Starsìììì

Head Gone—a loveable, light comedy—reminds one of another good African film, The Gods Must Be Crazy. The movie provides a refreshing dip into African culture and supplies an innocent realism that is a welcome relief from fast, smart, and sophisticated entertainment fare. It stands as good fun and worth a watch.

Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images

Storyline

A bus driver loses his newly committed mental home patients and substitutes regular people for hospital intake.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director Dare Fasisi for directing effort. Additional characters/cast include: 2Face Idibia, Segun Adefila, Yinka Akinlawon, Alibaba Akporobome, Ali Baba, Eniola Badmus, Peter Fatomilola, Dare Lasis, Basket Mouth, and Wale Ojo.

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. It delivers good entertainment value and a pleasant visit into African culture.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

DISNEY NATURE: GROWING UP WILD (Television Release Turkey 2017)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 4.5|5.0 Starsìììì

Disney Nature: Growing Up Wild—lovable and worth watching documentary—recommends itself to the child and adult audience. The movie supports itself on terrific film work with outstanding camera shots. Kudos to Directors Mark Lindfield and Keith Scholey for directing an outstanding movie. Narrator Daveed Diggs’ has a light voice that should be particularly pleasing to children.

Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images

Storyline

Five newborn animals learn to navigate their world.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Directors Mark Linfield and Keith Scholey for directing effort. Additional characters/cast include: Narrator Daveed Diggs.

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. Disney Nature films traditionally serve at higher levels and this movie absolutely supports the Disney standard of quality.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

PERLASCA: THE COURAGE OF A JUST MAN* (Television Release USA 2002)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 4.0|5.0 Stars ìììì

Perlasca: The Courage of a Just Man—best foreign TV film produced in 2002—uses the skills of Actor Luca Zingaretti to retell a World War II story of one man’s courage to do the right thing in the face of much evil and in that process to save thousands of lives from extinction. Remarkable achievement for Director Alberto Negrin, the producers, music composer, script writer, and the rest of the cast.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

An unusual chain of events positions one man to save countless lives, if he has the courage to shoulder the opportunity given him.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director Alberto Negrin for directing effort. Thank you to Producer Carlo Degli Esposti for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Giorgio Perlasca (Luca Zingaretti), Farkas ügyvéd (Jérôme Anger), Magda (Amanda Sandrelli), Adam (Franco Castellano), Sandor (Marco Bonini), Daniel (Lorenzo Lavia), Anna (Elena Arvigo), Eva (Christiane Filangieri), Bleiber (György Cserhalmi), and Professor (Jean-François Garreaud).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. The film easily earns re-watchable status and provokes deep reflection about human character.

*Also known as: Perlasca Un Eroe Italiano+

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

TRUE MEMOIRS OF AN INTERNATIONAL ASSASSIN (Television Release USA 2016)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 4.7|5.0 Starsìììì

True Memoirs of an International Assassin—a Kevin James movie made for television release—could easily have been a theatrical release. The film gives good comedy throughout, relies on a solid storyline, and provides well-timed dialogue by the entire cast. The film reeks with that Kevin James charisma and shows his terrific ability to play action films with comedic flare. This movie is an excellent pick for anyone looking for a comedy action flick.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

Writer Sam Larson (Kevin James) through a set of writing misadventures becomes mistaken for a legendary assassin.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director Jeff Wadlow for directing effort. Thank you to Executive Producers Alen Alvazian, Mark Fasano, Pauline Fischer, Sarah Perlman Bremner, Guy Riedel, and Ankur Rungta for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Mason Carver (Kevin James), President Miguel Cueto (Kim Coates), Juan (Maurice Compte), Rosa Bolivar (Zulay Henao), Anton Masovich (Andrew Howard), Amos (Ron Rifkin), General Javier Ruiz (Yul Vazquez), Trent (P.J. Byrne), Kylie Applebaum (Kelen Coleman), and Michael Cleveland (Leonard Earl Howze).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. Kevin James at his best. Don’t miss this movie if you are a Kevin James fan. It’s worth every minute of viewing time.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

THE BOMB (Television Release USA 2016)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 4.4|5.0 Starsìììì

The Bomb sports archival videos in pristine condition, terrific animation, perfect supporting music, and outstanding cinematography to make one of the best documentaries on the market.

Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images

Storyline

The film uses over twenty-one people ranging from Department of Defense specialists to engineers to prisoners of war to renowned historians to thoroughly tell the history of the atomic bomb.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Directors Rushmore DeNooyer and Kirk Wolfinger for directing effort. Additional characters/cast include: Narrator (Jonathan Adams), John Andersen, Hal Behl, Walter J. Boyne, Alan Carr, Lynn Eden, John Hopkins, Lilli Hornig, Sergei Khrushchev, Amy Knight, Charles Loeber, Elaine Tyler May, Glen McDuff, Laura McEnaney, Robert Norris, William Perry, Roger Rasmussen, Richard Rhodes, Svetlana Savranskaya, Martin Sherwin, George Shultz, Lester Tenney, and Jonathan M. Weisgall.

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. Thickly educational, densely packed with outstanding material, the film serves as great work for Director Rushmore DeNooyer and Kirk Wolfinger.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

SANDY WEXLER (Television Release USA 2017)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 4.7|5.0 Starsìììì

Sandy Wexler has Adam Sandler written all over it. It’s an Encore performance all the way. Sensational comedy that touches the definition of being human. An easy to love movie, serves the teen/adult audience to full capacity.

Film poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

Sandy Wexler (Adam Sandler) doesn’t represent and manage the most talented of people until he ‘discovers’ Courtney Clarke (Jennifer Hudson).

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director Steven Brill for directing effort. Thank you to Executive Producers Barry Bernardi, Sarah Bowen, Pauline Fischer, and Tim Herlihy for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Ted Rafferty (Kevin James), Kevin Connors (Colin Quinn), Gary Rodgers (Nick Swardson), Amy Baskin (Jackie Sandler), Bobby Barnes (Terry Crews), Firuz (Rob Schneider), Bling (Lamorne Morris), and Willy Clarke (Aaron Neville).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. The movie has full entertainment value from beginning to end and serves up a generous helping of all the things we love about Adam Sandler.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

MISSION CONTROL: THE UNSUNG HEROES OF APOLLO (Television Release USA 2017)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 4.6|5.0 Starsìììì

Mission Control: The Unsung Heroes of Apollo is an excellently coordinated documentary that relies on archival videos in pristine condition, orchestrates interviews with perfect timing, and reveals new information about the team that managed the decade-long Apollo missions. Worth a watch for all space buffs.

Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images

Storyline

The story about the team in mission control who put the first man on the moon.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director David Fairhead for directing effort. Thank you to Producers Gareth Dodds and Keith Haviland for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Himself (John Aaron), Himself (Stephen Bales), Himself (Jerry Bostick), Himself (archival footage James Burke), Himself (Bob Carlton), Himself (Eugene Cernan), Himself (Charles Duke), Himself (Ed Fendell), Himself (Gerry Griffin), and Himself (Christopher Kraft).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. Especially interesting interviews with surviving members of the original mission control team make this a great watch for the space buff.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

JERRY BEFORE SEINFELD (Television Release USA 2017)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 4.0|5.0 Starsìììì

Jerry Before Seinfeld—despite trailers promising a good dive into Jerry’s early life—does not deliver a lot about his childhood or the days before his standup comedy routines. The film focuses more on his beginnings as a comedian and rehearses a trip down memory lane via old comedy routines. He performs this memory trip in the same New York club he started in years before. It’s a quality Seinfeld comedy hour, worth watching.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

Comedian Jerry Seinfeld returns to the comedy club that launched his career to deliver a worthy comedy routine.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director Michael Bonfiglio for directing effort. Thank you to Executive Producers Judd Apatow, Michael Davies, Lisa Nishimura, Jerry Seinfeld, and George Shapiro for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Himself (Jerry Seinfeld),Himself (Jimmy Brogan), Himself (Mark Schiff), Herself archival footage (Carolyn Liebling), Himself archival footage (Johnny Carson), Himself archival footage (Andy Kaufman), Himself archival footage (Ed Koch), Himself archival footage (Jay Leno), and Himself archival footage (Richard Pryor).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. Not a lot of storyline here, but a worth watching comedy routine.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

LONG SHOT (Telluride Film Festival Telluride Colorado USA 2017)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 4.1|5.0 Starsìììì

Long Shot, a terrific documentary, shows how a man wrongfully accused of murder becomes cleared of that accusation due to being caught on film by the Larry David film crew. Watch for the eerie pauses that Larry David makes, the raising of the arms, the significant timing of events as he climbs the Dodger Stadium steps, almost, in retrospect, as if knowing this filming sequence has special significance.

Film Poster Courtesy of  Google Image

Storyline

Juan Catalan clears himself of murder charges through a review of stored film from Larry David’s show, Curb Your Enthusiasm. David’s show films in Dodger Stadium at the date and time when Catalan becomes accused of murder. The show’s dated and timed film footage shows Catalan in his stadium seat sitting next to his daughter at the date and time he supposedly is murdering a young woman.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director Jacob LaMendola for directing effort. Thank you to Executive Producers Abby Davis, Kevin Iwashina, Lisa Nishimura, and Jason Spingarn-Koff, for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Herself (Tasha Boggs), Herself (Melissa Catalan), Himself (Miguel Catalan), Himself (Larry David), Herself (Leslie Dunn), Himself (Sam Fernandez), Himself archival footage (Eric Gagne), Himself (Robert Gajic), and Himself (Tim Gibbons).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. The film deserves its place in a stranger than fiction tale. Absolutely do not miss this movie. In particular, watch how purposefully the accused man is caught and filmed in his seat with his daughter at the baseball game. Interesting phenomena.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

THE FARTHEST: VOYAGER IN SPACE (Television Release USA 2017)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 4.8|5.0 Starsìììì

The Farthest: Voyager in Space—great documentary—brings viewers up-to-date on the current travel of Voyager 1 and 2, details hopes and dreams of teams involved in this audacious project, and documents complications and resolutions for the project. Kudos for a well-documented film about the Voyagers and for adequately capturing the ‘amazing’ factor of this engineering feat.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

In 1977 two space probes, Voyager I and Voyager II, were launched from Earth. Powered by nuclear power, the two space probes are still traveling as of 2018.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director Emer Reynolds for directing effort. Thank you to Executive Producers Sean B. Carroll, Dennis Liu, Keith Potter, and John Rubin for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Himself (Frank Drake), Herself (Carolyn Porco), Himself (John Casani), Himself (Lawrence Krauss), Himself (Timothy Ferris), Himself (Edward Stone), Himself (Nick Sagan), Himself (Larry Soderblom), Himself (Charley Kohlhase), and Herself (Fran Bagenal).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. This is a wonderful film and a fabulous watch.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

THE POLKA KING (Video Release USA 2018)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 4.9|5.0 Starsìììì

The Polka King—excellent entertainment—has Jack Black acting the role of the Polka King. No flaw found here. This is one of those ‘why we go to the movies’ films. Kudos for a great effort.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

Jan Lewan (Jack Black) develops a plan to raise money to sustain and expand his polka band.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director Maya Forbes for directing effort. Thank you to Executive Producers Erika Hampson, Debbie Leibling, and Chris Mangano for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: an Lewan (Jack Black), Maria Lewan (Jenny Slate), Mickey Pizzazz (Jason Schwartzman), Barb (Jacki Weaver), Ron Edwards (J.B. Smoove), David Lewan (Robert Capron), Lonny (Willie Garson), Bitsy Bear (Vanessa Bayer), Christopher (Robert Macaux), and Anita Krzyewski (Mary Klug).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. It’s one of the best films of 2018 and stands as one of Jack Black’s best acting performances to date.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers