THE JOURNEY HOME (Cinefest Sudbury International Film Festival, Sudbury Ontario Canada 2014)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 2.3|5.0 Starsìì

The Journey Home allows Canadian scenery to maximize itself on screen. But, despite the view, the film is rather ho-hum due to its script and consistence in preaching environmentalism and animal rights. It takes a very good writer to inform on important issues by tugging at the heart rather than hitting over the head. An audience may feel 'beat up' by the end of the film. Casting did exceptionally well in teaming the talents of Dakota Goyo with Goran Visnjic. Good onscreen charisma between the two actors helped this movie sustain itself.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline 

Luke (Dakota Goyo) finds a polar bear in the barn next to his house. Officials arrive to take the bear, but afterwards Luke finds a baby polar bear hiding further back in the barn. He takes it upon himself to reunite the cub with its Mother in the wild. Luke teams up with Muktuk (Goran Visnjic) to make it happen and the adventure begins.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Directors Roger Spottiswoode and Brando Quilici for their efforts in directing this film. Thank you to Executive Producers Ashtok Amritraj, Jean-François Doray, Kevin Scott Frakes, Raj Brinder Singh, and Mark Stone for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Luke’s Mom (Bridget Moynahan), Jake Murdoch (Duane Murray), Albert Speck (Peter MacNeill), Abbie (Kendra Leigh Timmins), Aunt Rita (Linda Kash), Simon (Brendan Hennessey), Eta (Michelle Thrush), Nuvua (Imajyn Cardinal), Eugenia (Jacqueline Loewen), Asian Doctor (Russell Yuen), and Texan hunter (Chris Sigurdson).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

No. The film seems to drown itself in mediocrity from the outset.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

WOMAN IN GOLD (Berlin International Film Festival Berlin Germany 2015)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 4.8|5.0 Starsìììì

Woman in Gold is an easy to miss classic. While it has its own value as a historical piece, it also excels in entertainment value due to the superb acting skills of Helen Mirren and Ryan Reynolds and its outstanding script. There is one particularly memorable scene, where character Randy Shoenberg’s (Ryan Reynolds) wife urges him to proceed with his work even though she is about to give birth, that is particularly poignant. Outstanding job by Director Simon Curtis.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline 

Austrian Nazis imprison Frederick Altmann because his brother, Bernhard Altmann, who is safe in England, will not give up the Altmann family textile company to Nazi ownership. Consequently, to save his brother, Bernhard finally gives the company up and Frederick Altmann and his wife, Maria, escape to America through a series of hair splitting maneuvers. Years later, an aged and widowed Maria Altmann (Helen Mirren) finds, in her deceased sister’s belongings, a letter that references a Gustav Klimt (Moritz Bleibtreu) painting of their aunt Adele Bloch-Bauer (Antje Traue) and her sister’s attempts to retrieve it as well as other artwork owned by their family when they lived in Austria. Maria Altmann asks an inexperienced lawyer, E. Randol Shoenberg (Ryan Reynolds), to take on the task of legally reclaiming the family artwork from the Austrian government.

Additional Thanks 

Thank you to Director Simon Curtis for directing effort. Thank you to Executive Producers Len Blavatnik, Simon Curtis, Tim Jackson, Christine Langan, Ed Wethered, Robert Walak, Ed Rubin, Bob and Harvey Weinstein, Negeen Yazdi, and Alan Yentob for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Hubertus Czernin (Daniel Brühl), Pam Shoenberg (Katie Holmes), Young Maria Altmann (Tatiana Maslany), Fritz Altmann (Max Irons), Sherman (Charles Dance), Judge Florence Cooper (Elizabeth McGovern), Chief Justice Rehnquist (Jonathan Pryce), Barbara Shoenberg (Frances Fisher), and Heinrich (Tom Schilling). 

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. It’s superb for the teen and adult audience for both education and entertainment. It’s an excellent choice as an addition to personal library film collections due to its historical value.

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Ben Meyers

CHAPLIN (Theatrical Release USA 1992)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 4.8|5.0 Starsìììì

Chaplin—a classic for Robert Downey Jr.—tells the story of America’s beloved tramp, Charlie Chaplin, as a boy;  teenager; and young, middle, and aged adult. It’s a firsthand account of how Charlie Chaplin lived, the friends he made, his wives, and his workaholic attitude toward one of the greatest inventions for man to this day: the motion picture. This show is masterfully acted by Robert Downey Jr. and perfectly orchestrated by Director Richard Attenborough. There is some nudity.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline 

Charles Chaplin (Hugh Downer), the youngest of two English boys, tries to recoup his mother Hannah’s (Geraldine Chaplin) stage faux pas as a little boy and is praised for it. His mother, over time, loses her mind and has to be admitted to a mental asylum. Charlie Chaplin (Robert Downey, Jr.) eventually makes his way to America where he forms his legendary Tramp character which launches him into stardom, fame, and wealth.

Additional Thanks 

Thank you to Director Richard Attenborough for his efforts in directing the film. Thank you to Producers and Co-producer Richard Attenborough, Mario Kassar, and Terence A. Clegg for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Sydney Chaplin (Paul Rhys), Fred Karno (John Thaw), Hetty Kelly/ Oona O’Neill Chaplin (Moira Kelly), George Hayden (Anthony Hopkins), Mark Sennett (Dan Aykroyd), Mabel Normand (Marisa Tomei), Edna Purviance (Penelope Ann Miller), Douglas Fairbanks (Kevin Kline), Mary Pickford (Maria Pitillo), Mildred Harris (Milla Jovovich), J. Edgar Hoover (Kevin Dunn), Lita Grey (Deborah Moore), and Paulette Goddard (Diane Lane).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. This is a classic not-to-miss movie; worth every adult ticket.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

ALICE THROUGH THE LOOKING GLASS (Theatrical Release USA 2016)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 4.2|5.0 Starsìììì

Alice Through the Looking Glass—supports its imaginative script with terrific costuming and character makeup. The special effects can only be described as eye candy with perfectly timed segues that move the audience through the innovative story in a most satisfying manner. The camera technique and choreography are nearly flawless. This is a good adult/child share movie.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline 

When Alice Kingsleigh (Mia Wasikowska) returns from sailing the China Seas she finds her Ex-fiancé wants her to sign her ship, the Wonder, over to him or she’ll lose her house. Alice refuses and runs to one of the buildings’ rooms where the butterfly Absolem  (voice of Alan Rickman), shows her a walkthrough mirror where she escapes into Wonderland. Things are not the same in Wonderland as the Mad Hatter/Tarant Hightopp (Johnny Depp), is dying from grief over his lost family. It is up to Alice to find the Mad Hatter’s family by manipulating Time and restoring justice to the present.

Additional Thanks

 

Great Work for Director James Bobin. Thank you to Executive Producer John G. Scotti for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Iracebeth (Helena Bonham Carter), Mirana (Anna Hathaway), Time (Sacha Baron Cohen), Zanik Hightopp (Rhys Ifans), Tweedledee/Tweedledum (Matt Lucas), Helen Kingsleigh (Lindsey Duncan), Hamish (Leo Bill) Lady Ascot, (Geraldine James), Bayard (voice of Timothy Spall), King Oleron (Richard Armitage), Thackery (voice of Paul Whitehouse), James Harcourt (Ed Speleers), and Dr. Addison Bennet (Andrew Scott).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. It’s an impressive ode to creativity.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

MAX DUGAN RETURNS (Theatrical Release USA 1983)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 4.2|5.0 Stars ìììì

Max Dugan Returns—surprise—turns into a terrific little entertainment piece with Jason Robards, Matthew Broderick, Marsha Mason, and Donald Sutherland. It’s one of those ‘wow treats’, easily missed because of its low key presentation. Like a show from the 1960s, it has a smooth, inviting feel, all the more enhanced with the caricature and playful music that introduce the movie. Very nicely done.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia 

Storyline

Nora McPhee (Marsha Mason) and her son Michael (Matthew Broderick) are the typical single mother trying to raise a good son when that son comes packaged with his own ideas and preferences that run against his mother’s wishes. After Nora’s car is stolen, she reports it to a conscientious policeman named Brian Costello (Donald Sutherland) who falls in love with Nora. Unexpectedly, Nora’s father Max Dugan (Jason Robards) returns to her life, tells her he has only a few months to live, and that he has money for her inheritance. When she hears his whole story she doesn’t want anything to do with him, but after turning him out in the night rain, she feels compassion and asks him to return for one night and the story is on as the whole family starts to bond.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director Herbert Ross for his efforts in directing this film. Thank you to Executive Producers Roger M. Rothstein for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Michael McPhee (Matthew Broderick), Mrs. Litke (Dody Goodman), Coach Roy (Sal Viscuso), Luis (Panchito Gómez), Charley Lau ( Charley Lau), Pat (Mari Gorman), Kevin Costello (Brian Part), Older Woman (Billie Bird), Blond at Shoe Store (Tessa Richarde), Man At Shoe Store (Jim Staahl), and Teacher (Duke Stroud).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No Maybe?

Yes. It’s an entertainment treat for the whole family.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

PHENOMENON (Theatrical Release USA 1996)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 4.7|5.0 Stars ìììì

Phenomenon—an unusual gem—uniquely captures the quirkiness of small town life and by the end of the film becomes an award winner for good entertainment value. The story becomes a surprisingly good fit for John Travolta. Watch for some absolutely great acting interchanges between John Travolta and Forest Whitaker.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

George Malley (John Travolta) works in a small town’s car repair shop. He is hit by a ball of light that literally knocks him off his feet. Afterwards he is able to beat the local Doctor, Doc Brunder (Robert Duvall), at chess. Doc Brunder knows that George could not beat him at chess unless something quite extraordinary happened. Later that week George begins reading two to three books a day, invents new ideas on gardening, saves a boy who is sick, and has the ability to learn a new language in about ¼ hour. His intellectual abilities continue to expand to the point of phenomenal and the government becomes involved.

Additional Thanks 

Thank you to Director Jon Turteltaub for his directing efforts. Thank you to Executive Producers Jonathan D. Krane and Charles Newirth for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Lace Pennamin (Kyra Sedgwick), Nate Pope (Forest Whitaker), Professor John Ringold (Jeffery DeMunn), Dr. Wellin (Richard Kiley) Al Pennamin (David Gallagher), Glory Pennamin (Ashley Buccille), Tito (Tony Genaro), Banes (Sean O’Bryan), Jimmy (Michael Milhoan), Roger (Troy Evans), FBI Agent Jack Hatch (Bruce A. Young), Ted Rhome (Vyto Ruginis), and Dr. Bob Niedorf (Brent Spiner).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. The film inspires.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

ANTBOY II: REVENGE OF THE RED FURY (Berlin International Film Festival, Berlin Germany 2015)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 1.3|5.0 Starsì

Antboy II: The Revenge of Red Fury—the first sequel to Antboy—is slightly better than its prequel; but is still difficult to get through despite the fact that it won the 2015 Danish Robert Award for Best Children’s Film.

Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images

Storyline

Antboy/Pelle Nohrman (Oscar Dietz) and his assistant Wilhelm (Samuel Ting Graf) encounter a wannabe villain, Red Fury (Astrid Juncher-Benzon).

Additional Thanks 

Thank you to Director Ask Hasselbalch for his directing efforts. Thank you to Executive Producers Bo Ehrhardt and Birgitte Hald for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Ida (Amalie Kruse Jensen), Maria Musajev (Astrid Juncher-Benzon), Christian (Hector Brøgger Andersen), Amanda (Cecillie Alstrup Tarp), Maria’s Father Dubbed (voice of Torbjorn Hummel), Maria Musajev/Th (Astrid Juncher-Benzon), Allan/Terror Twin (Marcuz Jess Petersen), Mark/Terror Twin (Johannes Jeffries Sørenson),Christian (Hector Brøgger Andersen), Rustam Musajev (Boris Aljinovic), Maria’s Father Dub (voice of Torbjørn Hummel), Albert Gæmmelkra/The Flea (Nicolas Bro), and Amandas Veninde 1 (Nicoline Sharma Rubow).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? 

No. Ask Hasselbalch has ability, but needs a better script to strongly reach a universal children's market.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

THE MANHATTAN PROJECT (Theatrical Release USA 1986)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 3.3|5.0 Stars ììì

The Manhattan Project—an interesting film—features John Lithgow as one of the actors. The story’s line seems a little improbable, but it’s a clean story.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline 

Paul Stephens (Christopher Collet) and his girlfriend, Jenny Anderman (Cynthia Nixon), work up a plan to take plutonium from a secret lab, make a bomb, and show it at the New York Science Fair. Dr. John Matthewson (John Lithgow) finds the missing plutonium and knows Paul has to be the thief because he had access to the laboratory.

Additional Thanks

 

Thank you to Director and Producer Marshall Brickman for his efforts in directing this film. Thank you to Producers Marshall Brickman, Jennifer Ogden, and Bruce McNall for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Government Aide (Richard Council), Government Aide (Robert Schenkkan), General (Paul Austin), Scientist (Adrian Sparks), Scientist (Curt Dempster), Lab Assistant (Bran Ferren), Elizabeth Stephens (Jill Eikenberry), Science Teacher (Gregg Edelman), Roland (Abraham Unger), Max (Robert Sean Leonard), and Tennis (David Quinn).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? 

Maybe. It’s a pleasure to see John Lithgow in film before he was in Harry and the Hendersons.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

CHINESE ZODIAC * (Hong Kong International Film Festival, Hong Kong China USA 2012)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 2.8|5.0 Stars ìì

Chinese Zodiac—not the typical Jackie Chan action flick—lacks the hard punch, special effects that we’ve come to expect from him. The special effects in this film border on comical and could have been better by a long shot. The film needs realism, but Jackie does use his environment more for defense than he did in his Skiptrace movie shot with Johnny Knoxville. He noticeably needs crew and actors to help him in action scenes. Nevertheless, the film is worth watching at least once.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline 

Asian Hawk (Jackie Chan) is given the task to recover several lost bronze animal heads linked to the Chinese Zodiac.

Additional Thanks

 

Thank you to Director Jackie Chan for his directing efforts. Thank you to Executive Producers Jackie Chan, Zhongjun Wang, and Brett Ratner for making the film possible.  Additional characters/cast include: Hospital Doctor (Daniel Wu),  Narrator (voice of Wen Jiang), Lawrence Morgan (Oliver Platt), David’s Wife (Qi Shu), Katie (Caitlin Dechelle), Vulture (Alaa Safi), Reporter (Peng Lin), Wu Qing (Bo-lin Chen), Pirate Chief (Ken Lo), Catherine De Sichel (Laura Weissbecker), Simon (Sang-Woo Kwon), Asian (Stephen Chang), Bonnie (Lanxin Zhang), Pirate (Tomer Oz), and David (Fan Liao).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Maybe. It’s not Jackie Chan’s best work.

* Also known as CZ12

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

ANTBOY 3 (Theatrical Release Germany 2016)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 1.4|5.0 Stars ì

Antboy 3—a Danish children’s superhero film—is slightly better than the two prequels, but has a long way to go for this series to be a 2.0 to 3.0 star movie. This film has a better story line than the last two Antboy films and is more realistic, but the acting and the portrayal need a reboot.

Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images

Storyline

Albert Gæmelkrå/The Flea (Nicolas Bro) is being released from prison, but is immediately picked up by Alicia Dufort (Paprika Steen) who has designs on world control. She wants Albert to do the dirty work of making a formula to make a super human army capable of helping her accomplish world domination. But Albert does not want to be evil anymore, so he teams up with Antboy (Oscar Dietz) and Wilhelm/Sidekick (Samuel Ting Graf), to take Alicia down.

Additional Thanks 

Thank you to Director Ask Hasselbalch for his efforts in directing this film. Thank you to Executive Producers Bo Ehrhardt and Birgitte Hald for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Pelle Nohrman (Oscar Dietz), Ida (Amalie Kruse Jensen), Maria/Den røde furie (Astrid Juncher-Benzon),  John Tøbbesen (Morten Rose), Charles Dufort (Bent Mejding), Amanda (Cecilie Alstrup Tarp), Dr. Brumwinkel (Daniel Christensen), Pelle’s Mother (Lærke Winther), Pelle’s Father (Frank Thiel), Commander Combat (Kim Kold), Niller (Adam Ild Rohweder), Chief Doctor (Albert Wiederspiel), and Asian Girl (Jasmin Fu).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Maybe.  It’s a good study on Danish children films. This director won the 2014 and 2015 Robert Award for Best Children's Film for the two prequels to this film: Antboy and Antboy: Revenge of the Red Fury.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

HEAVEN KNOWS, MR. ALLISON (Theatrical Release USA 1957)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 4.1|5.0 Starsìììì

Heaven Knows, Mr. Allison—a good romance—needs allowance of ten to twenty minutes to get into the story. It’s a good tribute to the acting skills of Robert Mitchum and Deborah Kerr.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline 

Mr. Allison (Robert Mitchum) becomes stranded from his military unit, meets a nun named sister Angela (Debra Kerr) who is the last surviving member of her church. They work their way through a Japanese invasion. 

Additional Thanks 

Thank You to Director John Huston and to Producers Buddy Adler and Eugene Frenke for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: N/A

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. It’s a family classic for all to watch.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

THE IRON GIANT (Theatrical Release USA 1999)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 4.5|5.0 Starsìììì

The Iron Giant—If you saw it in childhood and loved it, you will love it still. The adult re-watch most probably will generate a “Nothing’s changed. I love it!” For the kid in you, this is it—a terrific animated feature for all ages.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia 

Storyline 

The Iron Giant (voice of Vin Diesel) falls to earth and an adventuresome boy named Hogarth Hughes (voice of Eli Marienthal) stumbles upon him, educates him, and then tries to save him from the world.

Additional Thanks 

Thank you to Director Brad Bird for his directing efforts. Thank you to Executive Producer Pete Townshend for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Annie Hughes (voice of Jennifer Aniston), Dean McCoppin (voice of Harry Connick Jr.), Foreman Marv Loach/Floyd Turbeaux (voice of James Gammon), Mrs. Tensedge (voice of Cloris Leachman), Kent Mansley (voice of Christopher McDonald), General Rogard (voice of John Mahoney), Earl Stutz (voice of M. Emmet Walsh), and Additional Voices (voices of Jack Angel and Bob Bergen).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. It’s a childhood classic worth another viewing as an adult. It’s the perfect addition to home movie collections.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers