BRAVEHEART (Theatrical Release USA 1995)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 4.9|5.0 Starsìììì

Braveheart—a must see movie—tells the story of Scotland’s William Wallace (Mel Gibson) and his fight against King Edward the Longshank (Patrick McGoohan) of England. Mel Gibson not only acts the part of William Wallace, but he directs the film. The film contains sex scenes and sexual related content.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

William Wallace is a Scottish raider’s son who is raised by his Uncle Argyle (Brian Cox) after his father is killed. Wallace’s uncle teaches him to use his mind in academic studies and additionally teaches him the finer military arts. Wallace grows up speaking several languages, has literacy, displays good athletic ability, and attains excellent swordsmanship skills. He falls in love and secretly marries a childhood sweetheart, Murron MacClannough (Catherine McCormack). When she is brutally executed by an English garrison, Wallace leads a revolt against the English that eventually escalates to include war against King Edward the Longshank.

Additional Thanks

Best Work for Director Mel Gibson. Thank you to Executive Producer Stephen McEveety for making the film possible.  Additional characters/cast include: Young William Wallace (James Robinson), Malcolm Wallace (Sean Lawlor), John Wallace (Sandy Nelson), Campbell (James Cosmo), MacClannough (Sean McGinley), Elder Stewart (Alan Tall), Young Hamish (Andrew Weir), Mother MacClannough (Gerda Stevenson), Princess Isabelle (Sophie Marceau), and Priest No. 1 (Ralph Riach).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. It’s a good historical view of William Wallace’s life.

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Ben Meyers

TWELVE YEARS A SLAVE (Theatrical Release USA 2013)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 4.0|5.0 Starsìììì

Twelve Years A Slave—high overkill on brutality scenes, not for the faint of heart or teen audience—tells a straight forward story based on the real life experiences of Solomon Northup (Chiwetel Ejiofor), a free black man living in the Northern United States until he is sold wrongfully into Southern United States slavery. The film contains sex and nudity scenes.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

Solomon Northup, a free black man living in New York, works as a musician and farmer. He meets a friend who introduces him to Brown (Scoot McNairy) and Hamilton (Taran Killam). These two men offer him a musician’s job in Washington, D.C.; but, on the way, they drug Solomon Northup and send him to a slave pen where he awakes to a completely new way of life.

Additional Thanks

Great Work for Director Steve McQueen. Thank you to Executive Producers John Ridley and Tessa Ross for making the film possible.  Additional characters/cast include: Edwin Epps (Michael Fassbender), Patsey (Lupita Nyong’o), Uncle Abram (Dwight Henry), Overseer (Dickie Gravois), Judge Turner (Bryan Batt), Anna (Ashley Dyke), Anne Northup (Kelsey Scott), Margaret Northup (Quvenzhané Wallis), Alonzo Northup (Cameron Ziegler), Mr. Moon (Tony Bentley), and Burch (Christopher Berry).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Maybe. There is historical value in this film; but, for your money there are better films such as: Amistad or The Butler.

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Ben Meyers

SHARK BAIT (Theatrical Release South Korea 2006)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 2.0|5.0 Starsìì

Shark Bait—renamed The Reef: Shark Bait for UK, USA, and Australian audiences—was a real disappointment for an animated foreign film. The timing is not right. The film lacks flow and the animation is not up to par. Scene transitions seem jittery. Eleven years before this animation feature debuted, Pixar’s Toy Story blew the lid off animation. Shark Bait did not pick up on that technology. The storyline is thin, lacking heart, and the acting/voicing are poor.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

A young fish named Pi (voice of Jimmy Bennett) loses both his parents, Dad Pike (voice of Bruno Alexander) and Mother Piper (voice of Reedy Gibbs), to a fishing net. Young Pi lives with porpoises most of his life before finding his Aunt Pearl (voice of Megahn Perry). He meets Cordelia (voice of Evan Rachel Wood) and falls in love, but Troy (voice of Donal Logue), a Tiger Shark, likes Cordelia, too. Eventually, Pi has to defend his new home, friends, and family from the bullying tiger sharks.

Additional Thanks

Poor Work for Director Howard E. Baker, John Fox, and Kyung Ho Lee. Thank you to Executive Producers Sundip R. Shah, Hyuk Shim, and Alex J. Yoo for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Young Percy (Dylan Cash), Percy (voice of Trent Ford), Thorton (voice of John Rhys-Davies), Female Parrotfish (voice of Megahn Perry), Pi (Freddie Prinze, Jr.), Pelican/Indian Crab/Bart/Eddie/Lobster/Madge the Starfish/Lou/Nerissa/Conch Shell (voice of Rob Schneider), Manny/Dr. Tang (voice of Mel Rodriguez), Moe (Richard Epcar), and Jack (voice of R. Lee Ermey).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

No. There are better uses of entertainment time and dollars to be found with Disney’s Pixar Studio, DreamWorks Animation Studio, and Blue Sky Studio.

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Ben Meyers

BACK TO THE FUTURE PART II (Theatrical Release USA 1989)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 4.3|5.0 Starsìììì

Back to the Future Part II—highly anticipated sequel to Back to the Future—performs without the same flare as the first in the series. The film definitely has its high points but seems a little flat in comparison with the first release of this story concept.

Fim Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

Dr. Emmet ‘Doc’ Brown (Christopher Lloyd) returns to 1985 from the future year of 2015 to inform Marty McFly (Michael J. Fox) and his girlfriend, Jennifer Parker (Elisabeth Shue), that Marty needs to launch into the year 2015 to ‘fix’ the children that Marty and Jennifer are going to have. Marty and Jennifer transport into an entirely new era complete with flying cars. ‘Doc’ instructs Marty to ‘fit in’ by acting like his son, Marty McFly, Jr. (Michael J. Fox). ‘Doc’ also instructs Marty how to prevent Marty, Jr. from going to prison and the show is on as Marty, Sr. begins interacting with his children.

Additional Thanks

Great work for Director, Story Writer, and Character Developer Robert Zemeckis. Thank you to Executive Producers Kathleen Kennedy, Frank Marshall, and Steven Spielberg for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Lorraine Baines (Lea Thompson), Griff/Biff Tannen (Thomas F. Wilson), Strickland (James Tolkan), George McFly (Jeffrey Weissman), 3-D (Casey Siemaszko), Match (Billy Zane), Skinhead (J. J. Cohen), Terry (Charles Fleischer), “Michael Jackson” Video Waiter (E. Casanova Evans), “Ronald Reagan” Video Waiter (Jay Koch), and "Ayatollah Khomeini" Video Waiter (Charles Gherardi).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. Because we have to finish the story, don’t we?

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Ben Meyers

TOY STORY (Theatrical Release USA 1995)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 4.6|5.0 Starsìììì

Toy Story—Pixar’s first feature length computer-animated film—becomes a classic right out of the box. In the sweetest and most innocent manner, the story tells about envy, anger, friendship, differences of viewpoint, and the possibilities that become enabled when cooperation becomes the ruling force. Beautiful life lessons are taught while maintaining complete entertainment value for both the child and the adult. High quality story telling at its finest coupled with the finest in animation make this film the best in its class.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

Sherriff Woody (voice of Tom Hanks), a ‘rootin’ tootin’’ cowboy toy, holds the prestigious position of being Andy Davis’s (voice of John Morris) favorite toy in the toy box. But that position may be challenged when Andy Davis receives a new toy, Buzz Lightyear (voice of Tim Allen) for his birthday.  

Additional Thanks

Best work for Director John Lasseter. Thank you to Executive Producers Ed Catmull and Steve Jobs for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Mr. Potato Head (voice of Don Rickles), Slinky Dog (voice of Jim Varney), Rex The Green Dinosaur (voice of Wallace Shawn), Hamm (voice of John Ratzenberger), Bo Peep (voice of Annie Potts), Sarge (voice of R. Lee Ermey), Sid (voice of Erik von Detten), Mrs. Davis (voice of Laurie Metcalf), and Hannah (voice of Sarah Freeman).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. Lovable and re-watchable.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

16 BLOCKS (Theatrical Release USA 2006)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 4.6|5.0 Starsìììì

16 Blocks—perfectly Bruce Willis—tells the story of Detective Jack Mosley (Bruce Willis) who works in a corrupt New York City police department, his attempt to break out, and his near failure. It’s a thriller from beginning to end with a ‘let’s beat the odds’ story as the detective takes his stand against fellow colleagues to save African American Eddie Bunker (Yasiin Bey) from being assassinated by Detective Mosley’s partner Detective Frank Nugent (David Morse). This is one of the best acted police films of 2006.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

Detective Jack Mosley picks up witness Eddie Bunker from jail to testify before judge and jury about his knowledge of police corruption. On the way to the courthouse, Detective Jack Mosley stops at a liquor store to relieve himself from a severe hangover. An assassin attempts to kill Eddie Bunker who sits outside in the back seat of Detective Jack Mosley’s police car. Detective Jack Mosley successfully saves Eddie Bunker, but is soon confronted by his partner and a host of other police detectives who tell him that Eddie Bunker is not worth saving and that some of Detective Mosley’s best friends will be implicated in Bunker’s testimony. The detectives attempt to set up a scenario where it looks as if Eddie Bunker tried to shoot a police officer before being killed himself. But Detective Jack Mosley shoots one detective in the leg and runs with Eddie Bunker while New York City police detectives pursue with intent to kill.

Additional Thanks

Best Work for Director and Writer Richard Donner. Thank you to Executive Producers Boaz Davidson, Danny Dimbort, Josef Lautenschlager, Hadeel Reda, Trevor Short, Andreas Thiesmeyer, and George Furla for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Diane Mosley (Jenna Stern), Captain Dan Gruber (Casey Sander), Detective Jimmy Mulvey (Cylk Cozart), Detective Robert Torres (David Zayas), Detective Jerry Shue (Robert Racki), Touhey (Patrick Garrow), Kaller (Sasha Roiz), Ortiz (Conrad Pia), and Maldonado (Hechter Ubarry).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. If you are in the mood for an action movie, this movie is the definition of action.

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Ben Meyers

THE PRINCESS BRIDE (Theatrical Release USA 1987)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 4.2|5.0 Starsìììì

The Princess Bride—quirky, funny, and just plain fun, like reading a comic strip at times—completes itself with an all-star cast and some of the best and cleanest comedy of 1987. Twenty-nine years later it still rates as one of the best comedy films for imaginative storytelling and an overall comical essence that interlaces the film from its beginning to its end.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

A grandfather (Peter Falk) passes the time with his ill grandson (Fred Savage) by reading a story about a girl named Buttercup (Robin Wright) and a boy named Westley (Cary Elwes). Buttercup, the young mistress of a farm where Westley works as a servant, constantly orders Westley to perform a variety of work tasks to which he unfailingly answers “as you wish”. Westley, completely in love with Buttercup, leaves the farm to pursue his fortune for the express purpose of marrying Buttercup. But, rumor returns to the farm that Westley’s ship has been raided by the Dread Pirate Roberts and Westley is presumed dead. After several years, Buttercup unwillingly acquiesces to Prince Humperdinck’s (Chris Sarandon) marriage proposals. Before the wedding, however, Buttercup is kidnapped and the film’s story is on as two adventures meld into one satisfying conclusion.

Additional Thanks

Great Work for Director and Producer Rob Reiner. Thank you to Executive Producer Norman Lear for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Inigo Montoya (Mandy Patinkin), Count Rugen (Christopher Guest), Vizzini (Wallace Shawn), Fezzik (André the Giant), The Impressive Clergyman (Peter Cook), The Albino (Mel Smith), Valerie (Carol Kane), and Miracle Max (Billy Crystal).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. Combine comedy and a script that is ‘all out wonderful’ and you’ve got entertainment.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

SAVING PRIVATE RYAN (Theatrical Release USA 1998)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 4.8|5.0 Starsìììì

Saving Private Ryan—partially based on the true story of the Niland family’s losses during World War II—begins with a graphic portrayal of the Omaha Beach, Normandy, France invasion and quickly becomes an unforgettable World War II film. It’s a ‘Steven Spielberg at his best’ film that provides a moving portrayal of endeavor to provide some relief to families stricken with multiple losses during wartime.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

Margaret Ryan (Amanda Boxer) loses three of her four sons during World War II and has one remaining son, Private James Francis Ryan (Matt Damon), still on the front. Captain John H. Miller (Tom Hanks) is assigned a team to bring Private James Francis Ryan home.

Additional Thanks

Best Work for Director and Producer Steven Spielberg. Thank you to Producers Ian Bryce, Gary Levinsohn, and Mark Gordon for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Sergeant Horvath (Tom Sizemore), Private Reiben (Edward Burns), Private Jackson (Barry Pepper), Private Mellish (Adam Goldberg), Private Caparzo (Vin Diesel), T-4 Medic Wade (Giovanni Ribisi), Corporal Upham (Jeremy Davies), Captain Hamill (Ted Danson), Sergeant Hill (Paul Giamatti), Lieutenant Colonel Anderson (Dennis Farina), Steamboat Willie (Joerg Stadler), and Corporal Henderson (Max Martini).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. It’s an excellent World War II story, well told.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

THE SMURFS (Theatrical Release USA 2011)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 3.5|5.0 Starsììì

The Smurfs—more or less a flop—tries so hard to be a masterpiece, but fails to follow through with strong, meaningful presentation of characters. Neil Patrick Harris seems a little weak for the character of Patrick Winslow and Hank Azaria plays the character Gargamel too much ‘over the top’. Somehow, Gargamel’s raid on Smurf City, right up front, isn’t timed well, perhaps due to lack of preparation within the story itself for the raid.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

Gargamel finds the secret entrance that separates Smurfdom from the rest of the world and passes through to attempt a capture of the Smurfs for his laboratory. But, as Clumsy Smurf (voice of Anton Yelchin) runs to the Forbidden Waterfalls, Clumsy, Papa (voice of Jonathan Winters), Smurfette (voice of Katy Perry), Grouchy (voice of George Lopez), Brainy (voice of Fred Armisen), and Gutsy (voice of Alan Cumming) are sucked into a vortex that causes them to arrive in present-day New York City with Gargamel and Azrael (Mr. Krinkle) hot on their trail. Gargamel throws Azrael through the vortex to see if it is safe for him to pass and as soon as he hears Azrael’s meow on the other side, he jumps through and the story is on.

Additional Thanks

Good Work for Director Raja Gosnell. Thank you to Executive Producers Ben Haber, Paul Neesan, and Ezra Swerdlow for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Grace Winslow (Jayma Mays), Odile Anjelou (Sophia Vergara), Henri (Tim Gunn), Model (Madison McKinley), Model (Meg Phillips), Newscaster (Julie Chang), and Newscaster (Roger Clark).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Maybe. The film seems written for children around 10 years of age and not for the adult. While the film has its high points, the children’s films Rango, Hop, or Hoodwinked Too! Hood vs. Evil have more entertainment value.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

BACK TO THE FUTURE PART III (Theatrical Release USA 1990)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 4.1|5.0 Starsìììì

Back to the Future Part III—not as entertaining or as lively as the first two films in the series—fails in storyline and believable acting. However, the concept is great and its comical portrayal of the Old West is worth viewing. The movie progresses straight forwardly from Back to the Future Part II and ends with a twist.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

Marty McFly (Michael J. Fox) travels back to 1885 to save Dr. Emmett Brown ‘Doc's’ (Christopher Lloyd) life.

Additional Thanks

Great Work for Director Robert Zemeckis. Thank you to Executive Producers Kathleen Kennedy, Frank Marshall, and Steven Spielberg for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Buford ‘Mad Dog’ Tannan/Biff Tannen (Thomas F. Wilson); Maggie McFly/Lorraine McFly (Lea Thompson); Jennifer Parker (Elisabeth Shue); Chester the Bartender (Matt Clark); Barbwire Salesman (Richard Dysart); Jeb, Saloon Old-Timer #3 (Pat Buttram); Zeke, Old-Timer #2 (Harry Carey Jr.); Levi, Saloon Old-Timer #1 (Dub Taylor); and Marshal James Strickland (James Tolkan).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. After all, this is the next and final adventure in the Back to the Future series.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

THE DEAD POOL (Theatrical Release USA 1988)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 3.7|5.0 Starsììì

The Dead Pool—number five and final film of the Dirty Harry series—tells a pretty straight-forward story, but it’s the same old story, nothing new here, not well presented, bland action, not as exciting as the other Dirty Harry movies and movies of the same genre. The only ‘kind of cool’ thing in this movie was the remote-controlled Corvette with ability to detonate at the push of a button.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

Harry Callahan (Clint Eastwood) and new police partner Al Quan (Evan C. Kim) investigate a celebrity game that takes bets on which celebrities will live longest. Director Peter Swan (Liam Neeson) becomes suspect because the celebrities on his list seem to be targeted for murder.

Additional Thanks

Really Good Work for Director Buddy Van Horn. Thank you to Producer David Valdes for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Samantha Walker (Patricia Clarkson), Captain Donnelly (Michael Currie), Lieutenant Ackerman (Michael Goodwin), Patrick Snow (Darwin Gillett), Lou Janero (Anthony Charnota), D. A. Thomas McSherry (Christopher P. Beale), Harlan Rook (David Hunt), and Lieutenant Ruskowski (John Alan Vick).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. It’s the last film for the Dirty Harry series and showcases the talents of Liam Neeson and Patricia Clarkson.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

GANDHI (Threatrical Release USA 1982)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 4.7|5.0 Starsìììì

Gandhi—terrific credit for actor Ben Kingsley as Gandhi and Director Richard Attenborough—presents a well done story, perfectly presented and scripted, a masterpiece.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

The biographical film begins with Gandhi’s success in establishing some human rights in South Africa for Indians. He is invited by the Indian government to establish Indian human rights in India. The film follows his efforts through freedom from the oppressiveness of British rule into the resolution of interior religious struggles between Muslims and Hindus. The final resolution splits India into the two separate countries of Pakistan and India. The film ends with Gandhi’s assassination by Nathuram Godse.

Additional Thanks

Best Work for Director and Producer Richard Attenborough. Thank you to Executive Producer Michael Stanley-Evans for making the story possible. Additional characters/cast include: Margaret Bourke-White (Candice Bergen), General Dyer (Edward Fox), Lord Irwin (John Gielgud), Judge Broomfield (Trevor Howard), The Viceroy (John Mills), Walker (Martin Sheen), Charlie Andrews (Ian Charleson), General Smuts (Athol Fugard), Herman Kallenbach (Günther Maria Halmer), Sardar Patel (Saeed Jaffrey), Mirabehn (Geraldine James), Mohamed Ali Jinnah (Alyque Padamsee), and Pandit Nehru (Roshan Seth).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. Definitely a period piece, not to be missed, with Ben Kingsley at his best. It soars to the highest charts in entertainment value.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

A BUG’S LIFE (Theatrical Release USA 1998)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 3.9|5.0 Starsììì

A Bug’s Life—one of the better animated films, although not as good as Toy Story—has a straight forward story line, the voicing is very good, and the script is well presented. It’s completely presentable for the child audience and has outstanding graphics.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

The ant, Flik (voice of Dave Foley), invents things that could potentially better his ant colony; but, unfortunately, is poorly equipped to do little else. When grasshoppers start to swarm, the ants are required to have a pile of food gathered as a type of tax to prevent the grasshoppers from harming the colony.  When the lead grasshopper, Hopper (voice of Kevin Spacey), comes for the ‘tax’, the ant, Flik, clumsily causes all the gathered food to spill from the offering spot and all food rolls into the pond at the bottom of a hill. Hopper orders the ants to replace the food within an impossible time frame and Flik goes to find help to save the ant colony.

Additional Thanks

Really Good Work for Directors John Lasseter and Andrew Stanton. Thank you to Producers Darla K. Anderson and Kevin Reher for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Atta (voice of Julia Louis-Dreyfuss), Dot (voice of Hayden Panettierre), Queen (voice of Phyllis Diller), Molt (voice of Richard Kind), Slim (voice of David Hyde Pierce), Heimlich (voice of Joe Ranft), Francis (voice of Denis Leary), Manny (voice of Jonathan Harris), and Gypsy Moth (voice of Madeline Kahn).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Maybe. It is a great kid’s movie; but, depends on the adult whether they will find it a good adult/child share film.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

THE AVENGERS (Theatrical Release USA 2012)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 4.0|5.0 Starsìììì

The Avengers—too much talking, too much preparation before action, and too little action for most of the film. On the up side, the casting department chose Mark Ruffalo for character Bruce Banner|Hulk, a vast improvement over the previous casting choices for this part: actors Eric Bana and Edward Norton. The film is not one of Samuel L. Jackson’s (character Nick Fury) better roles.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

It’s Good versus Evil as Nick Fury forms the Avengers to fight for Planet Earth against Loki (Tom Hiddleston) and his attempts to take a transparent, sky-blue, cubic energy force—the Tesseract—to become earth’s ruling power. Loki’s brother, Thor (Chris Hemsworth), helps the Avengers to send Loki and the Tesseract to a better place.

Additional Thanks

Great Work for Director, Story and Screenplay Writer Joss Whedon. Thank you to Executive Producers Victoria Alonso, Louis D‘Esposito, Alan Fine, Jeremy Latcham, Stan Lee, Patricia Whitcher, and Jon Favreau for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Tony Stark|Iron Man (Robert Downy, Jr.), Steve Rogers|Captain America (Chris Evans), Natasha Romanoff|Black Widow (Scarlett Johansson), Agent Phil Coulson (Clark Gregg), Clint Barton|Hawkeye (Jeremy Renner), Agent Maria Hill (Cobie Smulders), Selvig (Stellen Skarsgård), and Pepper Potts (Gwyneth Paltrow).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. Because, of course, there are audiences who love superhero movies despite script and/or timing flaws.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

NOW YOU SEE ME (Theatrical Release USA 2013)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 4.6|5.0 Starsìììì

Now You See Me—one of the best acted and scripted films of 2013—turns into an unexpected ‘Wow!’ from its beginning to its end. A real visual and intellectual treat, the film easily earns its four-star rating. It’s a best work effort for Jesse Eisenberg (character J. Daniel Atlas), Woody Harrelson (character Merritt McKinney), Isla Fisher (character Henley Reeves), and Dave Franco (character Jack Wilder). The actors have been well paired with veteran, seasoned actors Michael Caine (character Arthur Tressler) and Morgan Freeman (character Thaddeus Bradley).

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

Four very good magicians are coordinated to perform three world class tricks that rectify great wrongs involving millions of dollars. Interpol and the FBI coordinate to solve the tricks only to have the final story end with a real mind twist.

Additional Thanks

Best Work For Director Louis Leterrier. Thank you to Executive Producers Michael Schaefer, Stan Wladkowski, and Boaz Yakin for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include:  Alma Dray (Mélanie Laurent), Agent Fuller (Michael Kelly), Mark Ruffalo (character Dylan Rhodes), Evans (Common), and Cowan (David Warshofsky).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. Classic and perfectly told, worth every dollar.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

BACK TO THE FUTURE (Theatrical Release USA 1985)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 4.7|5.0 Starsìììì

Back to the Future—revolutionary for 1985—is a real game changer for the movie industry. The casting department pairs Michael J. Fox (character Marty McFly) with Christopher Lloyd (character Emmet “Doc” Brown) and, oddly enough, that choice turns into perfect onscreen chemistry. While Michael J. Fox seems ready for his part from the beginning, it seems to take Christopher Lloyd a little longer to work into his character; but, by the time Einstein, the dog (Uncredited), travels through time and arrives safely, Christopher Lloyd is off and running at his usual high speed of terrific acting.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

Marty McFly lives the typical high school good life complete with girlfriend/fellow classmate Jennifer Parker (Claudia Wells). On the side, Marty McFly keeps company with scientist Dr. Emmet “Doc” Brown. When Dr. Emmet “Doc” Brown asks Marty McFly to meet him in a shopping mall parking lot, he finds that “Doc” has built a DeLorean time machine powered with plutonium. Minutes later “Doc” is killed and Marty McFly escapes the murderers in the time machine and arrives in the past without fuel to return to his future.

Additional Thanks

Best Work for Director Robert Zemeckis. Thank you to Executive Producers Kathleen Kennedy, Frank Marshall, and Steven Spielberg for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Lorraine Baines (Lea Thompson), George McFly (Crispin Glover), Biff Tannen (Thomas F. Wilson), Dave McFly (Marc McClure), Linda McFly (Wendie Jo Sperber), Sam Baines (George DiCenzo), Stella Baines (Frances Lee McCain), and Mr. Strickland (James Tolkan).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. It’s a winner for the teenage and adult audience. The film contains some language.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers