ERNEST SAVES CHRISTMAS (Theatrical Release USA 1988)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 3.5|5.0 Starsììì

Ernest Saves Christmas—okay—relies on that unique comedic style of Jim Varney that drives all his movies. not first class and not a front row piece of entertainment, an afternoon, easy-on-the-mind entertainment style with a little comedy thrown in here and there...it is a style that is average...but charming, watchable, suitable, clean, and as refreshing as a child's innocent laughter.   

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

Santa Claus (Douglas Seale) comes out of an airport complaining about failure to remember what everyone wants for Christmas. Santa retrieves his toy bag from baggage, hails a taxi, and draws Ernest P. Worrell (Jim Varney) as his taxi driver.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director John R. Cherry III for directing efforts. Thank you to Executive Producers Joseph Akerman and Martin Erlichman for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Aster Clement/Auntie Nelda/The Snake Guy (Jim Varney), Joe Carruthers (Oliver Clark), Harmoney (Noelle Parker), Chuck (Gailard Sartain), Mary Morrissey (Billie Bird), Bobby (Bill Byrge), Marty (Robert Lesser), and Immigration Agent (Key Howard).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Maybe. This is an average movie that has a creative charm of its own...a sweet holiday watch that works for Jim Varney fans.

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Ben Meyers

GET THE GRINGO (Theatrical Release USA 2012)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 3.6|5.0 Starsììì

Get the Gringo investigates the world that criminals brew when like minds are placed within isolated environments and allowed to live in a community they create. While the movie begins with a bang, it is troubled in multitudinous ways from its script to timing of events to redundancy in story line to its predictable ending. But, it, somehow, despite these factors, redeems itself with a sort of ‘off-side view’ of a unique inside seat into the criminal mindset.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

Driver (Mel Gibson), dressed in a clown mask, crashes his car through a United States/Mexico border fence to escape pursuing United States authorities. Driver's buddy (Rafael Valdez) is bleeding to death in the vehicle’s back seat from a gunshot wound. The $2,000,000 they have stolen is quickly confiscated by corrupt Mexican authorities and Driver finds himself incarcerated in a Mexican prison.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director Adrian Grunberg for directing efforts. Thank you to Executive Producers Len Blavatnik, Vicki Christianson, Mark Gooder, and Ann Ruark for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Kid (Kevin Hernandez), Kid’s Mom (Dolores Heredia), and Javi (Daniel Gimenez Cacho).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. There is a certain freshness to this story that makes it worth a one-time watch.

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Ben Meyers

THE MATRIX (Theatrical Release USA 1999)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 4.8|5.0 Starsìììì

The Matrix—terrific, beyond question one of the best movies ever made, loaded with layered symbolism—is an intellectual thrill ride. The Wachowski Brothers took us by surprise and never failed to deliver since the first wake up call. Perfection. Great take on Zion and the ‘real’ world. So thankful producers did not miss this script for production.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

Neo (Keanu Reeves) becomes aware that there is more to reality than that which meets the eye.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Directors Lilly and Lana Wachowski as the Wachowski Brothers for directing efforts. Thank you to Executive Producers Bruce Berman, Andrew Mason, Barrie M. Osborne, Erwin Stoff, Lilly Wachowski, and Lana Wachowski for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Morpheus (Laurence Fishburne), Trinity (Carrie-Anne Moss), Agent Smith (Hugo Weaving), Oracle (Gloria Foster), Cypher (Joe Pantoliano), Tank (Marcus Chong), Apoc (Julian Arahanga), Mouse (Matt Doran), and Switch (Belinda McClory).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. Each movie in this series provides FULL entertainment value.

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Ben Meyers

THE MATRIX RELOADED (Theatrical Release USA 2003)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 4.7|5.0 Starsìììì

The Matrix Reloaded—no fault found in this sequel to the first Matrix movie. It follows the same intellectual pathway as its predecessor and completely succeeds in storyline, timing, and action scenes.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

Sentinels are rapidly making their way into Zion. All ships are called to return to Zion. Neo (Keanu Reeves) ventures out to find The Oracle (Gloria Foster), who instructs him to find The Keymaker (Randall Duk Kim).

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Directors Lilly and Lana Wachowski as the Wachowski Brothers for directing efforts. Thank you to Executive Producers Bruce Berman, David Forbes, Grant Hill, Andrew Mason, Andy (Lilly) Wachowski, Larry (Lana) Wachowski for making the film possible. Special mention must be added for Musical Composer Don Davis. Additional characters/cast include: Morpheus (Laurence Fishburne), Link (Harold Perrineau), Niobe (Jada Pinkett Smith), Power Station Guard (Ray Anthony), Kali (Christine Anu), The Architect (Helmut Bakaitis), Soren (Steve Bastoni), Police #2 (Andy Arness), Vector (Don Battee), Persephone (Monica Bellucci), and Agent Johnson (Daniel Bernhardt).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. This is top of the line entertainment.

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Ben Meyers

THE MATRIX REVOLUTIONS (Theatrical Release USA 2003)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 4.8|5.0 Starsìììì

The Matrix Revolutions sits at place number three on Ben Meyers’ Best Top Ten Films Ever Made list. This is a no faults found series with superb timing, outstanding special effects, terrific casting, a script that tickles the intellectual side of the imagination at every scene, stunning musical scores, and completely unpredictable storyline. It’s award winning at every level of the entertainment game.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

The opening scenes begin with Morpheus (Laurence Fishburne) and team trying to work out their next move while Trinity (Carrie-Ann Moss) waits for Neo (Keanu Reeves) to revive. Agent Smith (Hugo Weaving) has gained access to Zion, without their knowledge, and the storyline follows its own twists and turns as Neo discovers the infiltration.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Directors Andy (Lilly) and Larry (Lana) Wachowski for directing efforts. Thank you to Executive Producers Bruce Berman, David Forbes, Grant Hill, Andrew Mason, Andy (Lilly) Wachowski, and Larry (Lana) Wachowski for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: The Oracle (Mary Alice), Sati (Tanveer K. Atwal), The Architect (Helmut Bakaitis), Coat Check Girl (Kate Beahan), Councillor Grace (Francine Bell), Persephone (Monica Bellucci), Niobe (Jada Pinkett Smith), Charra (Rachel Blackman), Deus Ex Machina (Henry Blasingame), Bane (Ian Bliss), Seraph (Collin Chou), Maggie (Essie Davis), Zee (Nona Gaye), Q-Ball Gang Member #2 (Dion Horstmans), and Sparks (Lachy Hulme).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. The entire Matrix series is an intellectual thrill ride that can be repetitively watched without diminished entertainment value.

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Ben Meyers

CHRISTMAS WITH THE KRANKS (Theatrical Release USA 2004)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 3.6|5.0 Starsììì

Christmas with the Kranks, despite superb comedic casting choices, descends into the weary abyss of a light Christmas romp that families may seasonally enjoy. The film’s redemptive factor lies in the forgiveness of an entire community that is passed on in a single ending gesture that defines the season’s purpose. While the movie’s failure lies in the fact that we already understand that decrying traditional patterns of behavior is not received well by impacted groups, the story’s redemptive factor lives in the forgiveness of an entire community that is shown in its pulling together to make good things happen.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

Luther Krank (Tim Allen) finds that his decision to forgo the Christmas holiday, to use those holiday funds for a cruise vacation with his wife, impacts his entire community—from his employees to the Boy Scouts to his neighbors to the police.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director Joe Roth for directing efforts. Thank you to Executive Producers Bruce A. Block and Charles Newirth for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Nora Krank (Jaime Lee Curtis), Vic Frohmeyer (Dan Aykroyd), Spike Frohmeyer (Erik Per Sullivan), Officer Salino (Cheech Marin), Officer Treen (Jake Busey), and Umbrella Santa and Marty (Austin Pendleton).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Maybe. It’s all in the presentation. If entertainment fails in the presentation, it can often be corrected in the ending scenes for a good audience reaction. Somehow this film fails in its presentation and in its ending scenes.

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Ben Meyers

DECODING DEEPAK (South by Southwest Film Festival Austin Texas 2012)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 2.8|5.0 Starsìì

Decoding Deepak—a documentary—does not reveal much about Deepak Chopra. The film begins with Gotham Chopra, Deepak Chopra’s son, stating that he wants to create a documentary about his dad. The film faithfully follows Deepak around the world to provide insights into Deepak Chopra’s life. The documentary seems dishonest as if it has been heavily edited to preserve a desired image. It ends with strong impressions of severely repressed behavior between this Father and Son.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

Gotham Chopra travels with his world-famous father, Deepak Chopra, in an attempt to synchronize the public figure with the private figure.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director Gotham Chopra for directing efforts. Additional cast include: Deepak and Gotham Chopra.

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

No. The documentary bores to the point of agony, leaves one without anything new or insightful, and makes one believe that Deepak Chopra’s son did not resolve the questions he has about his father.

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Ben Meyers

KANGAROO JACK (Theatrical Release USA/AUSTRALIA 2003)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 3.1|5.0 Starsììì

Kangaroo Jack—all hype and no substance—does not live up to its trailers. It’s a ‘wannabe’ Australian story, that, understandably, did not make any real money at the box office. The movie fails every time it tries to get its wings off the ground to fly. The concept is good, but unrealized. The casting choices fail in credibility. Christopher Walken is no Marlon Brando Godfather by any means and while Michael Shannon, Jerry O’Connell, and Anthony Anderson are at their usual acting style, usual just isn’t good enough to pull this story off. On the upside, though, Kangaroo Jack takes its audience to parts of Australia that many people may not have seen and the backdrop scenery is worth viewing.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

Charlie Carbone (Jerry O’Connell) and Louis Booker (Anthony Anderson) are sent to Australia to deliver a package. They lose the package and find United States mobsters and Australian mobsters on their trail with full intent to murder.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director David McNally for directing efforts. Thank you to Executive Producers Andrew Mason, Chad Oman, Mike Stenson, and Barry Waldman for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Jessie (Estella Warren), Salvatore Maggio (Christopher Walken), Mr. Smith (Marton Csokas), Anna Carbone (Dyan Cannon), Frankie Lombardo (Michael Shannon), Blue (Bill Hunter), and Senior Sargeant Jimmy Inkamala (David Ngoombujarra).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. If you belong to an audience who thinks chasing a kangaroo wearing a lucky jacket full of money through an Australian backdrop contains seeds of a great story, then, this film may be your cup of tea.

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Ben Meyers

THE KARATE KID (Released in Theaters USA 1984)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 3.9|5.0 Starsììì

The Karate Kid has moral essence. The film teaches: Listen and learn from your teachers and elders, work hard doing what you love, and success comes when you faithfully overcome obstacles that come your way. While the acting is ‘usual,’ the movie has a certain refreshing quality about it that pleases.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

Daniel (Ralph Macchio) asks Miyagi (Pat Morita) to teach him how to defend himself.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director John G. Avildsen for directing efforts. Thank you to Executive Producer R. J. Louis for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Ali (Elizabeth Shue), Kreese (Martin Kove), Lucille (Randee Heller), Johnny (William Zabka), Bobby (Ron Thomas), Tommy (Rob Garrison), and Dutch (Chad McQueen).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. The film entertains and is well acted by everyone.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

BABY’S DAY OUT (Theatrical Release USA 1994)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 3.7|5.0 Starsììì

Baby’s Day Out—funny with a few heartfelt scenes and a basic, good storyline—turns into a good film. Story-wise, the presentation is suitable, and the film is cute. The acting is usual for slapstick comedy. The film is a suitable watch. Watch for a terrific, soft introduction and a very nice tie in with that introduction at the conclusion of the movie. Terrific adherence to classic story-telling techniques. The stage settings for the house and nursery are outstanding—eye candy for dreamers.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

Mischievous and wealthy Baby Bink (Adam Robert Worton) is kidnapped and leads his abductors on a wild chase.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director Patrick Read Johnson for directing efforts. Thank you to Executive Producer William Ryan for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Eddie (Joe Mantegna), Laraine Cotwell (Lara Flynn Boyle), Norby (Joe Pantoliano), Veeko (Brian Haley), Gilbertine (Cynthia Nixon), FBI Agent Dale Grissom (Fred Dalton Thompson), Mr. Andrews (John Neville), and Bennington Cotwell (Matthew Glave).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Maybe. It’s an afternoon flick to watch when nothing else is available, has some reminiscence (parallelism) to the first Home Alone movie except with a substitution of a very cute baby in the place of an older child.

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Ben Meyers

THE KARATE KID PART II (Released to Theaters in the USA 1986)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 3.9|5.0 Starsììì

The Karate Kid Part II is an ‘afternoon on the beach while eating lunch’ watch. This film takes its audience to Okinawa for an enjoyable trip through modern Japanese culture, societal mores, and cultural views on duty, forgiveness, and love. If you liked the first Karate Kid, you’ll like the sequel.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

Miyagi (Pat Morita) goes to Okinawa and Daniel (Ralph Macchio) accompanies him.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director John G. Avildsen for directing efforts. Thank you to Executive Producer R. J. Louis for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Announcer (Bruce Malmuth), Bystander (Eddie Smith), Kreese (Martin Kove), Autograph Fan (Garth Johnson), Autograph Fan (Brett Johnson), Postman (Will Hunt), and Cab Driver (Evan James).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. For the Karate Kid fan, this film will satisfy that fan. This is a good watch. 

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

MACHINE GUN PREACHER (Theatrical Release USA 2011)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 4.0|5.0 Starsìììì

Machine Gun Preacher asks questions about our role as human beings and just how far we are willing to go to establish justice and security in our world. The movie begins edgily and takes a very surprising twist as main character Sam Childers (Gerard Butler) ‘gets’ religion. The storyline is definitely not preachy, creates conscience dilemmas, and shows one man’s solution to those dilemmas. The film’s story needs to be told and this one is told well. While it lost money in the box office, the film is exceptionally well cast with an unpredictable solution to grave human problems that make it an excellent choice.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

Sam Childers (Gerard Butler) ‘gets’ religion and becomes involved in endeavors to save African orphans.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director Marc Forster for directing efforts. Thank you to Executive Producers Gerard Butler, Michael Corso, Kyle Dean Jackson, Myles Nestel, Bill O’Kane, Louise Rosner-Meyer, Adi Shankar, Alan Siegel, Spencer Silna, and Brad Simpson for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Lynn Childers (Michelle Monaghan), Daisy (Kathy Baker), Donnie (Michael Shannon), Paige #1 (Ryann Campos), Paige #2 (Madeline Carroll), Deng (Souleymane Sy Savane), Billy/Contractor (Grant R. Krause), Pastor Krause (Reavis Graham), and Bill Wallace (Peter Carey).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. Overall, a wonderful movie that inspires one to get involved with helping others.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

BURT’S BUZZ (Theatrical Release USA 2013)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 3.8|5.0 Starsììì

Burt’s Buzz, a documentary film, explores the life of Burt Shavitz. It’s an unexpected view into the life of a person who has created a multimillion dollar industry recognized worldwide. The story is very well done.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

Burt Shavitz (himself) grows Burt’s Bees Honey and Skin Care products while maintaining a simple, uncomplicated life.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director Jody Shapiro for directing efforts. Thank you to Executive Producers Jean Du Toit, Phyllis Laing, and Isabella Rossellini for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Burt Shavitz (Himself).

 

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. This documentary is completely unique and absolutely worth watching.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

THE KARATE KID PART III (Released in Theaters USA 1989)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 3.9|5.0 Starsììì

The Karate Kid Part III—a flick for a Saturday afternoon, nothing new here—kid gets new karate shop, kid finds girl who is dating another boy, kid fights town rebel. Good acting on all sides of the board, but usual. It’s the typical Karate Kid movie.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

Sensei John Kreese (Martin Kove) tries to get revenge on Daniel (Ralph Macchio) and Kesuke Miyagi (Pat Morita).

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director John G. Avildsen for directing efforts. Thank you to Executive Producer Sheldon Schrager for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Jessica Andrews (Robyn Lively), Terry Silver (Thomas Ian Griffith), Mike Barnes (Sean Kanan), Snake (Jonathan Avildsen), Lucille LaRusso (Randee Heller), and Dennis (William Christopher Ford).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. If you are a Karate Kid enthusiast, the film serves that audience. This is a good watch.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

THE CROODS (Theatrical Release USA 2013)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 4.0|5.0 Starsìììì

The Croods contains some slow dialogue spots, but overall the story more than carries its own weight as a very good animated film for the child and adult. Watch for an interesting, fast-forward filming technique at the beginning of the film that shortens the Croods’ hunt for breakfast that enhances the introduction. It’s a nice touch by the animators and story tellers. This animated feature is not a message film and yet, manages to leave its audience with the well-presented idea that lives are better lived when they meet life head-on. The animation is really well done. The character development is excellent.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

Eep (voice of Emma Stone) warns her family of an impending earthquake and the need to move to a different location. She meets with resistance from her father, Grug (voice of Nicolas Cage), who has protected the family to this point by following strict, non-variable routines.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Directors Kirk De Micco and Chris Sanders for directing efforts. Thank you to Producers Kristine Belson and Jane Hartwell for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Guy (voice of Ryan Reynolds), Ugga (voice of Catherine Keener), Gran (voice of Cloris Leachman), Thunk (voice of Clark Duke), Belt (voice of Chris Sanders), and Sandy (voice of Randy Thorn).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. Completely original, it’s a surprisingly good animated feature that entertains both the child and the adult.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

DADDY DAY CARE (Theatrical Release USA 2003)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 3.9|5.0 Starsììì

Daddy Day Care, a fun, easy-to-watch, believable film shows antics involved in a daycare run by males rather than females. Eddie Murphy does a great job in his part as Charlie Hinton, owner of the new children’s care center. It’s enjoyable entertainment as competition develops between a prestigious academy for children and the newly started day care center.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

Out-of-work Charlie Hinton (Eddie Murphy) decides to start a day care center run by men.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director Steve Carr for directing efforts. Thank you to Executive Producers Dan Kolsrud, Joe Roth, and Heidi Santelli for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Phil (Jeff Garlin), Marvin (Steve Zahn), Kim Hinton (Regina King), Bruce (Kevin Nealon), Dan Kubitz (Jonathan Katz), Peggy (Siobhan Fallon Hogan), Crispin’s Mom (Lisa Edelstein), and Jenny (Lacey Chabert).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. It’s a fun romp and provides good entertainment value for the whole family.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

IRONCLAD (Theatrical Release UK 2011)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 3.9|5.0 Starsììì

Ironclad—a gory bloodbath—takes the viewer into the world of Britain’s King John’s signage of the Magna Carta and depicts the struggle between the Knights Templar at Rochester Castle as they attempt a last ditch stand against King John. Contains nudity, incidents of cruelty, definitely not a movie for children. The movie starts slow; it cannot be faulted for its execution or its war scenes.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

British King John (Paul Giamatti) hires Danish mercenaries to retract his signage of the Magna Carta.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director Jonathan English for directing efforts. Thank you to Executive Producers Glenn Kendrick Ackermann, Alastair Burlingham, Adam Betteridge, Christian Arnold-Beutel, Graham Begg, Evan Astrowsky, Jamie Carmichael, Linda James, Steve Robbins, James Gibb, Mark Foligno, John Evangelides, Uwe Feuersenger, Deepak Sikka, David Rogers, Tilo Seiffert, and Marcus Schoferfor making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Thomas Marshal (James Purefoy), Baron William d’Aubigny (Brian Cox), Lady Isabel (Kate Mara), Baron Reginald de Cornhill (Derek Jacobi), Archbishop Langton (Charles Dance), Gil Becket (Jason Flemyng), Jedediah Coteral (Jamie Foreman), Daniel Marks (Mackenzie Crook), and Joseph Wulfstan (Rhys Parry Jones).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. Despite excessively realistic war scenes within the realm of entertainment, this is a good adult watch.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers