THE EGG AND I (Released to Theaters USA 1947)

 

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 3.9|5.0 Starsììì  The Egg and I—cute, uncomplicated—is likeable. It's a small slice of the human story. Even if it's not a high quality film, Fred MacMurray shows well with Claudette Colbert. This movie provides the launching pad for the Ma and Pa Kettle movies and TV series as well as providing inspiration for the Green Acres (1965) television series.   Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images Storyline A woman moves with her husband to a remote area to build a chicken farm.  Additional Thanks  Thank you to Director Chester Erskine for his directing efforts. Thank you to Producers Chester Erskine, Fred Finkelhoffe, and Leonard Goldstein for making the film possible. Cast includes Claudette Colbert, Fred MacMurray, Marjorie Main, and Percy Kilbride.  Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?  Yes. Sweet and family friendly film works as a fun-filled movie that is worth one watch. Video Critique Available Here: Ben Meyers

THE GREAT DICTATOR (Released to Theaters USA 1940)

 

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 4.1|5.0 Starsìììì  The Great Dictator—interesting, creative, innovative—is Charles Chaplin's first 'talkie'. It uses satire for the comedic element.   Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images Storyline  A  Jewish soldier of a previous war is recovering in a military hospital while a new ruler takes the soldier's country over,  becomes a dictator of that country, and starts an anti-semitic suppression of all Jews in that country.    Additional Thanks  Thank you to Director Charles Chaplin for directing effort. Thank you to Producer Charlie Chaplin for making the film possible. Cast includes Charles Chaplin, Paulette Goddard, Jack Oakie, Henry Danielle, Reginald Gardiner, Billy Gilbert, and Maurice Moscovich. Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?  Yes. This is, overall, a very good film that tells a story that is undeniably original.  Video Critique Available Here: Ben Meyers

DEATH WISH 5: THE FACE OF DEATH (Released to Theaters 1994)

 

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 3.6|5.0 Starsììì  Death Wish 5: The Face of Death—collage of action scenes from previous Death Wish movies—makes the audience feel like they are watching a 'cash grab' film. This movie is the last in the series. Everything works at the suitable  level. Know there is nudity and inappropriate scenes that render the movie unsuitable for a family share movie. The violence is on par with previous movies in the series.  Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images Storyline  High fashion, romance, and mobsters entangle in a story that leads to the need for Paul Kersey to take law into his own hands.   Additional Thanks  Thank you to Director Allan A. Goldstein for directing effort. Thank you to Producer Damien Lee for making the film possible. Cast includes Charles Bronson, Lesley-Anne Down, Michael Parks, Saul Rubinek, and Ken Welsh.   Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?  Maybe. It is a cliched collage of action movie scenes. But, for Death Wish fans, it should work at a suitable/okay level. Video Critique Available Here: Ben Meyer

BOY ON A DOLPHIN (Released to Theaters USA 1957)

 

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 3.7|5.0 Starsììì  Boy on a Dolphin—suitable—works best in the era it was made mostly because the storyline is no longer unique as it would have been in the 1950s. Look for Clifton Webb, Alan Ladd, and Sophia Loren, and some terrific, authentic scenes of Greek's ocean waters and Grecian architecture from that time period.  Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images Storyline  One man wants to make money for himself; the other man wants to benefit Greece with an artifact from a sunken ship.   Additional Thanks  Thank you to Director Jean Negulesco for directing effort. Thank you to Producer Samuel G. Engel for making the film possible. Cast includes Alan Ladd, Clifton Webb, Piero Giagnoni, Sophia Loren, Alexis Minotis, Jorge Mistral, and Laurence Naismith. Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? Maybe. It is a bit difficult to see the relevance of the film. It is what it is.  Video Critique Available Here: Ben Meyers

ONG BAK 2* (Released to Theaters Germany 2008)

 

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 4.1|5.0 Starsìììì  Ong Bak 2—Thailand movie—is violent in some places but the violence has been stylized to make it less impactful. Tony Jaa acts in this prequel movie. There is no lack in the makeup department; each scene is incredibly realistic mostly due to the unbelievably good makeup artistry. The film is tailored for the adult audience.  Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images Storyline  A wealthy family's son is relegated to the care of a wise man due to political unrest.    Additional Thanks  Thank you to Directors Tony Jaa and Panna Rittikrai  for directing effort. Thank you to Producers Prachya Pinkaew, Tony Jaa, Panna Rittikrai, and Akarapol Techaratanaprasert for making the film possible. Cast includes Tony Jaa, Nirut Sirijanya, Sorapong Chatree, Sarunyoo Wongkrachang, and Primorata Dejudom.   Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?  Yes. For the adult audience it works; but know this movie is not for the 'faint of heart'.  Also Known As: Ong Bak 2: The Beginning Video Critique Available Here: Ben Meyers

THE OUTLAWS IS COMING (Released to Theaters USA 1965)

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 3.9|5.0 Starsììì  The Outlaws is Coming—magic forever gone—will not win comedy awards due to the lost spirit of slapstick that the original Three Stooges embodied. But, besides that, it is a suitable and 'kind of' fun' story.  Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images Storyline Preventing buffalo extinction, political intrigue, and arming the natives mark this movie's main themes. . Additional Thanks  Thank you to Director Norman Maurer for directing effort. Thank you to Producer Norman Maurer for making the film possible. Cast includes Moe Howard, Larry Fine, Joe DeRita, Adam West, Nancy Kovack, Mort Mills, and Don Lamond.    Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? Maybe.  This is not one of the Three Stooges stronger flicks, The chuckles are here and there, but randomly. This film has suitable portrayal, acting, and storyline. Video Critique Available Here: Ben Meyers

HARD TIME (Released to Television USA 1998)

 

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 3.9|5.0 Stars ììì  Hard Time—simple, solid story—makes a surprisingly fun watch. Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images Storyline  An innocent detective, Logan McQueen, is be tried for the alleged killing of a criminal who was unarmed. While the police and the lawyers are working on the trial, McQueen goes to the streets to find the real killer and some missing money from a stolen suitcase. Additional Thanks Thank you to Director Burt Reynolds for directing effort. Cast includes Burt Reynolds, Charles Durning, and Robert Loggia.  Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?  Yes. It's simple, but effective and has a surprise twist at its conclusion.  Video Critique Available Here: Ben Meyers

A CHUMP AT OXFORD (Released to Theaters USA 1939)

 

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 3.8|5.0 Starsììì  A Chump at Oxford—not funny—does not have a quality portrayal for its storyline.  Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images Storyline  Oliver Hardy and Stan Laurel are tired of working as street sweepers, decide to go  college, and the story is on.  Additional Thanks  Thank you to Director Alfred J. Goulding for directing effort. Thank you to Producers Hal Roach and Hal Roach Jr. for making the film possible. Cast includes Stan Laurel, Oliver Hardy, Wilfred Lucas, Forrester Harvey, Peter Cushing, and Charlie Hall.  Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?  Maybe. This film fills-in-some-time. It is what it is: not bad but not good either. Video Critique Available Here: Ben Meyers

IN HARM'S WAY (Released to Theaters USA 1965)

 

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 4.0|5.0 Starsìììì  In Harm's Way—good film—tells several stories at once. By using that technique, it increases watching interest. It's good to see Kirk Douglas play with John Wayne again (The War Wagon). Watch for Stanley Holloway (My Fair Lady). It relies on an all star cast with some cameo appearances.  The film has suggestive themes.  Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images Storyline The US Navy is hit by the Japanese during the attack on Pearl Harbor. Captain Rockwell Torrey (John Wayne) leads warfare against more attacks.   Additional Thanks  Thank you to Director Otto Preminger for directing effort. Thank you to Producer Otto Preminger for making the film possible. Cast includes Tom Tryon, John Wayne, Kirk Douglas, Patricia Neal, Paula Prentiss, Brandon deWilde, Jill Haworth, Dana Andrews, and Henry Fonda. Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?  Yes. Overall, this is a long  watch that can be broken into two evenings; it earns its watch. Video Critique Available Here: Ben Meyers

REDEMPTION DAY (Released to Theaters USA 2021)

 

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 3.7|5.0 Starsììì  Redemption Day—title makes an audience think this is going to be great—performs as a cliched rerun/collage of other films better written and portrayed. Audiences may feel 'put off,' when they see Gary Dourdan (famed actor of CSI: Crime Scene Investigation: TV Series) acting in this film. At first one thinks, well, this might work and then finds it does not work as quality acting. Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images Storyline  Soldier's wife is kidnapped and held for ransom. The soldier and a friend risk their lives to save her.  Additional Thanks Thank you to Director Hicham Hajji for directing effort. Thank you to Producers Hicham Hajji and David Zilberberg for making the film possible. Cast includes Gary Dourdan, Serinda Swan, Andy Garcia, Brice Bexter, Ernie Hudson, Martin Donovan, Robert Knepper, and Samy Naceri.   Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?  Maybe. It seems like it might work and then does not. Weak, okay watch.  Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers