TERMINATOR SALVATION (Theatrical Release USA 2009)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 3.6|5.0 Starsììì

Terminator Salvation needs improvement in strength of presentation, believability, and camera work. It's good to see Christian Bale, Sam Worthington, Common, Bryce Dallas Howard, and Helena Bonham Carter in the movie.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

After the nuclear holocaust, the survivors form a resistance to the terminators and Skynet.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director McG for directing efforts. Thank you to Executive Producers Jeanne Allgood, Kathy Chasen-Hay, Chrystal Dowd, Sean Cushing, Peter D. Graves, Mario Kassar, Janet Lewin, Dan Lin, Emma McGuinness, Joel B. Michaels, MIchael Pardee, Jon Silk Stefan Sonnenfeld, and Andrew G. Vajna for making the film possible. Additional Cast include: Christian Bale, Sam Worthington, Moon Bloodgood, Helena Bonham Carter, Anton Yelchin, Jadagrace, Bryce Dallas Howard, and Common.

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Maybe. Terminator has been presented in installments. This is the fourth installment of the series. For those who are following the series, this is the next in the series. Hopefully, the next film, Terminator Genisys, can restore the former glory of the series.

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Ben Meyers

PLANET 51 (Theatrical Release Spain 2009)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 3.8|5.0 Starsììì

Planet 51 has superb graphics and computer animation. It’s a really good movie for every audience—the presentation is good the story is well written and the characters are presented well.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

NASA astronaut Captain Charles T. Baker (voice of Dwayne Johnson) steps off his spaceship, plants his USA flag into the soil, and steps on a rubber ducky.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director Jorge Blanco and Co-directors Javier Abad and Marcos Martinez for directing efforts. Thank you to Executive Producers Mercedes Gamero, Ricardo García Arrojo, Peter D. Graves, Albie Hecht, Stephen Margolis, Albert Martinez Martin, Patrick Meehan, Javier Pérez Dolset, Juan Antonio Pérez Ramírez, Mercedes Rey, José A. Rodríguez Díaz, Michael Ryan, and Michael Maker for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Lem (voice of Justin Long), Skiff (voice of Seann William Scott), Neera (voice of Jessica Biel), General Grawl (voice of Gary Oldman), Professor Kipple (voice of John Cleese), and Eckle (voice of Freddie Benedict).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. It’s a solid, animated entertainment piece.

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Ben Meyers

GEORGE HARRISON: LIVING IN THE MATERIAL WORLD (Television Release USA 2011)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 4.7|5.0 Starsìììì

George Harrison: Living In The Material World—a 3 hour and 30 minute gem of pure viewing pleasure—doesn’t walk around the facts of the Beatles' lives. With tremendous sensitivity to the importance of seeking truth on our terms, Director Martin Scorsese not only shows the impact of the Beatles within the musical field but explores their impact as they delved into Eastern religions. While this film primarily is the story of George Harrison, how he lived and how he died, the Beatles as a group are shown to be so deeply intertwined that it is difficult to separate or interpret George’s story outside of the group. This documentary is a monumental feat that Martin Scorsese accomplishes to perfection. BRAVO, BRAVO!!!

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

The documentary explores the life of George Harrison as a part of the Beatles' rock band from its earliest beginnings to his death.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director Martin Scorsese for directing efforts. Thank you to Executive Producers Margaret Bodde, Scott Pascucci, and Emma Tillinger for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Himself (George Harrison), Himself (Paul McCartney), Himself ( John Lennon), Himself (Ringo Starr), Herself (Louise Harrison), Himself (Harold Harrison), Himself (Harry Harrison), Himself (Peter Harrison), and Herself (Olivia Harrison).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. Whether a Beatles’ fan or not, this film provides 100% value. Despite the length, there is no loss of interest nor does any part of the film flag.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

THE WAY BACK (Telluride Film Festival Telluride Colorado USA 2010)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 4.6|5.0 Starsìììì

The Way Back—sensational story, don’t miss it—contains some of the best and most natural acting and outstanding scenery you’ll see on the big screen. Ed Harris and Colin Farrell make a terrific team. Watch for Gustaf Skarsgård, son of the famous Stellen Skarsgård in the film.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

Eight men plan to break free from a Soviet Gulag and walk home.

Additional Thanks

Thank You to Director Peter Weir for directing efforts. Thank you to Executive Producers Mohamed Khalaf Al-Mazrouei, Tobin Armbrust, Ed Borgerding, Keith R. Clark, Guy East, Jake Eberts, Adam Leipzig, Simon Oakes, John Ptak, Scott Rudin, and Jonathan Schwartz for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Zoran (Dragos Bucur), Valka (Colin Farrell), Mr. Smith (Ed Harris), Tomasz (Alexandru Potocean), Irena (Saoirse Ronan), Khabarov (Mark Strong), Voss (Gustaf Skarsgård), Janusz (Jim Sturgess), and Kazik (Sebastian Urzendowsky).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. The film is inspirational.

Video Critique available Here:

Ben Meyers

GET SANTA (All Media Release USA 2014)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 3.8|5.0 Starsììì

Get Santa does not measure up to Tim Allen’s The Santa Claus or Chevy Chase’s National Lampoon’s: Christmas Vacation. It seems to lack a certain Christmas spirit that the latter two movies were able to capture. Despite that, it is a good Christmas story for everyone to watch. Director Christopher Smith does a good job portraying the script’s intent.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

Santa’s sleigh crashes and reindeer are loose in London.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director Christopher Smith for directing efforts. Thank you to Executive Producers Andrew Boswell, Will Clarke, Carlo Dusi, Hugo Heppell, Andy Mayson, Norman Merry, Ridley Scott, Natascha Wharton, and Fredrik Zander for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Santa Claus (Jim Broadbent), Steve (Rafe Spell), Tom (Kit Connor), PC Finkerton (Ewen Bremner), Sally (Warwick Davis), Barber (Stephen Graham), Ruth (Joanna Scanlan), Alison (Jodie Whittaker), and Knuckles (Nonso Anozie).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. While the story seems a little bland, like we’ve seen this before, there never seems to be enough holiday movies to watch. This is not a bad watch; children will enjoy the concept of Santa in jail.

Video Critique Available Here

Ben Meyers

THE FORGOTTEN (London FrightFest Film Festival London UK 2014)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 4.1|5.0 Starsìììì

The Forgotten—spooky, but slow—has a very good script written by Oliver Frampton and James Hall. There is high potential showing in this horror film for additional films within this genre for Frampton and Hall.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

After his mother has a nervous breakdown, Tommy (Clemm Tibber) goes to live with his father, Mark (Shaun Dingwall). There are noises that come from behind locked doors.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director Carlos Bolado for directing efforts. Thank you to Executive Producer Jennifer Handorf for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Carmen (Elarica Johnson), Police Officer (Lee Arnold), Doctor (Sam Ashurst), Carmen’s Mother (Isaura Barbe-Brown), Ian Wilson (James Capel), Martin (James Doherty), Police Operator (Oliver Gilbert), Sarah (Lyndsey Marshal), and Candy (Jennifer Matter).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. With a little tweaking, this film could be a fantastic horror film. As it is, it is still a good watch.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

POCAHONTAS (Theatrical Release USA 1995)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 4.0|5.0 Starsìììì

Pocahontas definitely stamps itself with the Disney brand’s standard fare of outstanding animation, terrific original musical scores, and well-timed scenes that pull at the heart for emotional involvement. This film is a good introduction to a small piece of early American history without the pain of the usual history lesson. It’s a very good child/adult share film.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

Captain John Smith (voice of Mel Gibson) meets Pocahontas (voice of Irene Bedard) in the New World and they quickly form a friendship.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director Mike Gabriel and Eric Goldberg for directing efforts. Thank you to Executive Producer James Pentecost for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Lon (voice of Joe Baker), Thomas (voice Christian Bale), Ben (voice of Billy Connolly), Kocoum (voice of James Apaumut Fall), Grandmother Willow (voice of Linda Hunt), and Meeko (voice of John Kassir).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. The film is a class ‘A’ performance.

Video Critique available Here:

Ben Meyers

ANIMALS UNITED (Theatrical Release France 2011)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 3.0|5.0 Starsììì

Animals United is slow and hard to get through. The animation is good, but the character development is not there with that strong assertiveness that pushes animated features like Zootopia into the excellent category. It lacks a strong, understandable storyline.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

There is no water in the African Delta. The lion, Socrates (voice of Stephen Fry), and the meerkat, Billy (voice of James Corden), leave the delta to find out why.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Directors Reinhard Klooss and Holger Tappe for directing efforts. Thank you to Executive Producer Martin Moszkowicz for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Charles (voice of Andy Serkis), Angie (voice of Dawn French), Winifred (voice of Vanessa Redgrave), Winston (voice of Jim Broadbent), Toby (voice of Jason Donovan), Bongo (voice of Omid Djalili), and The Rhinoceros (voice of Sean Schemmel).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

No. It’s fails to capture interest.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

DISNEY NATURE: GHOST OF THE MOUNTAINS (Theatrical Release China 2017)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 4.7|5.0 Starsìììì

Disney Nature: Ghost of the Mountains is an excellent Disney Nature documentary that covers activities of the Chinese Snow Leopard. It’s award winning in filming and interviews. It’s an hour and eighteen minutes of pure viewing pleasure that comes with a family friendly ‘G’ rating.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline 

Disney filming crews travel China’s high mountains to film the elusive Snow Leopard.

Additional Thanks 

Thank you to Director Ben Wallis for his directing efforts. Thank you to Producer Brian Leith for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Antoine Fuqua

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

 

Yes. It is thorough and accomplishes its assigned task with style and class

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

HOT FUZZ (Theatrical Release USA 2007)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 4.0|5.0 Starsìììì

Hot Fuzz—a well-placed chuckle, here and there, make Hot Fuzz a good entertainment piece worth watching. Simon Pegg and Nick Frost cast well together. The film appears to flow toward a good conclusion with its own type of ease.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

Police Constable Nicholas Angel (Simon Pegg) is transferred to a sleepy country village because his ambitious crime solving methods make other policemen look bad. This sleepy little village, though, isn’t as sleepy as it looks.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director Edgar Wright for directing efforts. Thank you to Executive Producer Natascha Wharton for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Met Sergeant (Martin Freeman), Met Chief Inspector (Bill Nighy), ‘Not’ Janine (Robert Popper), Bob (Joe Cornish), Dave (Chris Waitt), Bernard Cooper (Eric Mason), and Joyce Cooper (Billie Whitelaw).

 

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? 

Yes. The film contains plain, honest comedy. It’s worth time and money for the laughs.

 Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

THE GUARDIAN BROTHERS * (Theatrical Release China 2016)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 3.2|5.0 Starsììì

The Guardian Brothers becomes a low-grade-quality movie for children with its hard-to-follow script, thin storyline, and general lack of character depth. It needs a fleshing out of its back story to follow the story.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

Two guardian spirits Yu Lei (voice of Edward Norton) and Shen Tu (voice of Jim Gaffigan) help a restaurateur mother and daughter fight off an ambitious competitor.

Additional Thanks

Thank You to Director Gary Wang for his directing efforts. Thank you to Producer Zhou Yu for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: The Health Inspector (voice of Mike Birbiglia), Rogman (voice of Mel Brooks), Shen Tu (voice of Xiaosong Gao), Luli (voice of Nicole Kidman), and The Mayor (Raymond J. Lee).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Maybe. This movie's cultural aspect is well-received, but the cultural differences are difficult to bridge.

* Also known as Xiaomen Shen, Door Guardians, Little Door Guards, Little Door Gods

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Ben Meyers

THE DOUBLE (Theatrical Release USA 2011)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 4.9|5.0 Starsìììì

The Double stands as another great script written by Michael Brandt (Wanted, 2 Fast 2 Furious). The story stands out with the casting choice of Richard Gere. Topher Grace (49 titles) has good screen presence and is, also, well placed in this film. The movie is a riveting thriller and worth every dollar for a ticket.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

Retired CIA operative Paul Shepherdson (Richard Gere) is called back into service for a murder investigation. He is paired with FBI agent Ben Geary (Topher Grace) who begins to suspect that Paul is a double agent.

Additional Thanks

Thank You to Director Michael Brandt for directing the film, Thank you to Executive Producers for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Tom Highland (Martin Sheen), Bozloyski (Tamer Hassan),Brutus (Stephen Moyer), Oliver Chris Marquette), Natalie Geary (Odette Annable), Amber (Stana Katic), and Leo (Yuri Sardarov).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. It’s nail-biting and intense.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

SAHARA (L’Alpe d’Huez Film Festival, Isère, France 2017)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 3.5|5.0 Starsììì

Sahara, while not a great animated feature, still manages to hold its own in animation. The voicing is excellent and the storyline lends itself well to one of those times when children are just home from school and need a little fill-in time. The story is uniform and straightforward without any complication.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

Ajar (voice of Omar Sy) meets Eva (voice of Louane Emera) and the story is on as the two snakes get to know each other through a series of adventures.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director Pierre Coré for his directing efforts. Thank you to Executive Producer Nicolas Trout for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Pitt (voice of Franck Gastambide), Gary (voice of Vincent Lacoste), Chef Chef (voice of Ramzy Bedia), Ver Luisant (voice of Clovis Cornillac), Georges (voice of Jean Dujardin), Omar (voice of Grand Corps Malade), and Alexandrie (voice of Reem Kherici).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. This is a good kids' movie and worth a watch.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

THE VILLAGE (Theatrical Release USA 2004)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 3.5|5.0 Starsììì

The Village—good concept, fair to good script—is a failure for M. Night Shyamalan. It fails at the filming level so that it moves from a good horror film to a low grade drama/thriller. It would have been better to have turned the direction of this particular script over to a second party to interpret and portray while leaving Shymalan in the producing end of the film. On the brighter side, there’s no fault found in the casting. The film features Bryce Dallas Howard, Joaquin Phoenix, Adrian Brody, William Hurt, Sigourney Weaver, and Brendan Gleeson.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

A village fashioned on late 19^th century living standards remains ignorant of the century they live in.

Additional Thanks

Thank You to Director M. Night Shyamalan for his directing efforts. Thank you to ProducerSam Mercer, Scott Rudin, and M. Night Shyamalan for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Ivy Walker (Bryce Dallas Howard), Lucius Hunt (Joaquin Phoenix), Noah Percy (Adrien Brody), Edward Walker (William Hurt), Alice Hunt (Sigourney Weaver), August Nicholson (Brendan Gleeson), Mrs. Clack (Cherry Jones), and Vivian Percy (Celia Weston).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

No. It’s a waste of time and money. There are much better thrillers out there like Hide and Seek or Grand Piano.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

TINKER TAILOR SOLDIER SPY (Theatrical Release USA 2011)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 4.9|5.0 Starsìììì

Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy—based on the book and the BBC TV series of the same name—is a complete mind twister. The story is worth a fortune. And, audiences evidently thought so, too, as it made $4 to $1 on box office sales versus budget expenses. This film is well done to a ‘t’ for a ‘whodunnit’ storyline. The movie relies on an all-star British cast chosen by the unusually talented Jina Jay (Munich, The Grand Budapest Hotel). Director Tomas Alfredson shows tremendous direction ability in this movie.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

George Smiley (Gary Oldman), British Intelligence, is forced into retirement due to mishandling of the welfare and safekeeping of a defecting Hungarian General. He finds there is a mole within the agency and works to unmask its identity.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director Tomas Alfredson for directing efforts. Thank you to Executive Producers Liza Chasin, Olivier Courson, Ron Halpern, Debra Hayward, John le Carré, Peter Morgan, and Douglas Urbanski for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Jim Prideaux (Mark Strong), Control (John Hurt), Magyar (Zoltán Mucsi), Hungarian Waiter (Péter Kálloy Molnár), Woman in Window (Ilona Kassai), KGB Agent (Imre Csuja), and Percy Alleline (Toby Jones).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. The film stays engaged with its audience. This is not a ‘get-up-and-get-popcorn-and-catch-the-rest-of-the-show-when-you-get-back’ type of movie.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

DOLPHIN TALE (Theatrical Release USA 2011)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 3.9|5.0 Starsììì

Dolphin Tale—very watchable, a small gem for the young audience—shows how dolphins can be rehabilitated when they’ve lost important limbs. Good work by Director Charles Martin Smith. Look for Harry Connick Jr., Ashley Judd, Nathan Gamble, Cozi Zueldorff, Austin Stowell, Kris Kristofferson, and Morgan Freeman. Austin Stowell has good screen presence. It will be a pleasure to see how well he does in future films.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

Eleven-year-old Sawyer Nelson (Nathan Gamble), follows the progress of a rescue dolphin, Winter, who needs tail amputation. After the amputation, Winter is still able to swim; but the dolphin needs a prosthetic device to enable proper movement.

Additional Thanks

Thank You to Director Charles Martin Smith for directing efforts. Thank you to Executive Producers Robert Engelman and Steven P. Wegner for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Dr. Clay Haskett (Harry Connick, Jr.), Lorraine Nelson (Ashley Judd), Reed Haskett (Kris Kristofferson), Hazel Haskett (Cozi Zuehlsdorff), Dr. Cameron McCarthy (Morgan Freeman), Kyle Connellan (Austin Stowell), Gloria Forrest (Frances Sternhagen), and Phoebe (Austin Highsmith).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. It’s an interesting movie for anyone who loves dolphins; the movie is comparable to Flipper.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

DICKIE ROBERTS: FORMER CHILD STAR (Theatrical Release USA 2003)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 2.8|5.0 Starsìì

Dickie Roberts: Former Child Star is a depressing attempt to rationalize the ‘after-life’ of child stars. Dirty talk and inappropriate language move this movie out of the family category. The biggest error the film makes is the pre-supposition that the only ‘later life’ a child star can aspire to is a life in the movies.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

Dickie Roberts (David Spade), former child star, endeavors to get back into the business again.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director Sam Weisman for directing efforts. Thank you to Executive Producer Fred Wolf for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Grace Finney (Mary McCormack), George Finney (Craig Bierko), Sam Finney (Scott Terra), Sally Finney (Jenna Boyd), Referee (John Farley), Commentator (Bobby Slayton), and Michael Buffer (Michael Buffer).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Maybe. This movie DOES have a happy ending and gives audiences a bonus with the conclusion that features 60s and 70s television child stars performing a current song/dance routine that demonstrates talent is a life-long gift and the early hard work to develop that talent follows one through life.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers