THE KID (Theatrical Release USA 1921)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 4.2|5.0 Starsìììì

The Kid—Charlie Chaplin silent film classic—turns into an outstanding watch for the whole family. Its simple, straightforward, innocent storyline with a terrific conclusion shows heart and revives the human touch as a media standard. Simpler times makes for soul soothing watching. Great work for Director Charlie Chaplin.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

An abandoned baby finds its home with a man who does not have enough to feed himself.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director Charles Chaplin for directing effort. Thank you to Producer Charles Chaplin for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: The Man (Carl Miller), The Woman (Edna Purviance), The Child (Jackie Coogan), and A Tramp (Charles Chaplin).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. Its great entertainment for those who want to get away for a while from the frantic noise and rush of today’s movies.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

GAMBLER’S CHOICE (Theatrical Release USA 1944)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 4.0|5.0 Starsìììì

Gambler’s Choice—good film—has its own merit, stands its ground, and entertains despite its age. The movie performs better than a run-of-the-mill movie.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

Childhood friends grow up on opposite sides of the law and fall in love with the same girl.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director Frank McDonald for directing effort. Thank you to Producers William H. Pine and William C. Thomas for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Ross Hadley (Chester Morris), Mary Hayes/Vi Parker (Nancy Kelly), Mike McGlennon (Russell Hayden), Fay Lawrence (Lee Patrick), Ulysses Sylvester Rogers (Lloyd Corrigan), Chappie Wilson (Sheldon Leonard), Yellow Gloves Weldon (Lyle Talbot), Bonnie D’Arcy (Maxine Lewis), Benny (Tom Dugan), and Honest John McGrady (Charles Arnt).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. This is that perfect lunch break movie—has suspense—and portrays the bad guy versus the good guy well.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

SHERLOCK GNOMES * (Theatrical Release USA 2018)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 3.5|5.0 Starsììì

Sherlock Gnomes starts well, but after Sherlock goes into the sewers there is about 20 to 30 minutes where it seems that the writers ran out of script and were scrambling to make things work. After Sherlock goes to get Moriarty, the story seems to improve and moves into fairly good concluding scenes. While this movie is not the best in its class, it is interesting to see what the sequel film to Gnomeo and Juliet would be about. It is surprising to see such big names as James McAvoy and Johnny Depp in the credits of a film of this quality and even more questionable is how did Ozzy Osbourne become a part of this film?

Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images

Storyline

Garden Gnomes go missing and Gnomeo and Juliet team with Watson and Holmes to find them.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director John Stevenson for directing effort. Thank you to Executive Producers Elton John and Nicolas Trout for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Goons (voice of Kelly Asbury), Irene (voice of Mary J. Blige), Juliet (voice of Emily Blunt), Mankini (voice of Julio Bonet), Barry the Toilet Gnome (voice of Gary Bradbury), Lord Redbrick (voice of Michael Caine), Video Game Player (voice of Gang Chi), Nimrod Captain (voice of Rosalie Craig), Moriarty (voice of Jamie Demetriou), and Sherlock Gnomes (voice of Johnny Depp).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Maybe. If one is following the series, one may wish to watch this film.

* Also known as Gnomeo & Juliet II

Video Critique available Here:

Ben Meyers

JACK REACHER: NEVER GO BACK (Theatrical Release USA 2016)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 4.5|5.0 Starsìììì

Jack Reacher: Never Go Back—as enjoyable as its prequel—maintains its pace and becomes a Tom Cruise film that deserves a sequel. While some of the concluding fight scenes, such as Major Turner’s fight with Hunter’s henchmen, could be tweaked a little for realism, Turner ends that fight so effectively that it stands. It’s great work for Director Edward Zwick...a job well done.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

Reacher attempts to rescue his partner, discovers he may have a daughter, and attempts to stay alive while being accused of treason.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director Edward Zwick for directing effort. Thank you to Executive Producers David Ellison, Herbert W. Gains, Dana Goldberg, and Paula Wagner for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Jack Reacher (Tom Cruise), Turner (Cobie Smulders), Espin (Aldis Hodge), Samantha (Danika Yarosh), The Hunter (Patrick Heusinger), Colonel Morgan (Holt McCallany), General Harkness (Robert Knepper), ocal Deputy (Judd Lormand), and Onlooker at Diner (Christopher Berry).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. Thank you to all involved for a very good action flick.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

AN AMERICAN TAIL: THE MYSTERY OF THE NIGHT MONSTER (Video Release USA 2000)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 3.5|5.0 Starsììì

An American Tail: The Mystery of the Night Monster—not the best in its class—has a storyline that apparently has run its course as it does not compare well with the first story in the series. It serves as a good children’s film, but needs script rewrite to make it work smoothly, to increase its strength of story, and to move it away from average and weak. Overall the movie works in a predictable and sometimes trite manner.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia 

Storyline

Disappearing mice, mice newspaper reporters, and cats living by natural instincts make up the structure of this story.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director Larry Latham for directing effort. Thank you to Producer Larry Latham for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Fievel (voice of Thomas Dekker), Tanya (voice of Lacey Chabert), Mama (voice of Jane Singer), Papa (voice of Nehemiah Persoff), Nellie Brie (voice of Susan Boyd), Reed Daley (voice of Robert Hays), Tony (voice of Pat Musick), Tiger (voice of Dom DeLuise), and Madame Mousey (voice of Candi Milo).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Maybe. If audience intent is to finish the series, then this is the next story. The best in the series, however, is the first story, An American Tail.

Video Critique available Here:

Ben Meyers

THE MUMMY: THE TOMB OF THE DRAGON EMPEROR (Theatrical Release USA 2008)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 3.8|5.0 Starsììì

The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor—tries and fails in presentation and casting—due to the lack of Rachel Weisz as complimentary casting choice for Brendan Fraser. Maria Bello plays too strong for Brendan Fraser. Luke Ford’s persona somewhat works and he could possibly be cast into another mummy movie or any kind of action movie.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

Archaeologists unearth a Chinese emperor’s mummified remains with dire consequences.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director Rob Cohen for directing effort. Thank you to Executive Producers Chris Brigham, Jianxin Huang, and Zhonglun Ren for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Rick O’Connell (Brendan Fraser), Emperor Jet Li), Evelyn O’Connell (Maria Bello), Jonathan Carnahan (John Hannah), Zi Yuan (Michelle Yeoh), Alex O’Connell (Luke Ford), Lin (Isabella Leong), General Yang (Anthony Cahu-Sang Wong), and Ming Guo (Russell Wong). 

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Maybe. The movie has all the elements of a great action flick, but fails at almost every level to entertain.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

GRIZZLY MAN (Theatrical Release USA 2005)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 4.3|5.0 Starsìììì

The Grizzly Man—documentary movie—contains heavily edited film footage of the last 13 years of Timothy Treadwell’s life while living summers with grizzly bears. Director Werner Herzog does a very good job putting together an informative film of Treadwell’s life in the wild.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

Timothy Treadwell lives and dies while living with Grizzly bears.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director Werner Herzog for directing effort. Thank you to Executive Producers Kevin L. Beggs, Billy Campbell, Phil Fairclough, Andrea Meditch, Erik Nelson, Tom Ortenbergand Jewel Palovak for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Himself/Narrator/Interviewer (Werner Herzog), Herself (Amie Huguenard), Himself (David Letterman), Herself (Jewel Palovak), Herself (Kathleen Parker), Kathleen Parker (Herself), Himself (Warren Queeney), Himself (Timothy Treadwell), and Himself (Larry Van Daele).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. This film appeals to a select audience. It informs and leaves lasting impact.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

KUNG FU PANDA HOLIDAY (Video Release USA 2010)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 4.0|5.0 Starsìììì

Kung Fu Panda Holiday—great short film—presents a 25-minute Kung Fu Panda story for the holidays that entertains children and adults. Perfect for a 'just before bedtime' story share.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

Po, a panda bear, becomes uncertain about where to spend his time and energy during a holiday season—at work or at home.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director Tim Johnson for directing effort. Thank you to Producer Melissa Cobb for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Po (voice of Jack Black), Shifu (voice of Dustin Hoffman), Tigress (voice of Angelina Jolie), Mantis (voice of Seth Rogen), Viper (voice of Lucy Liu), Crane (voice of David Cross), Mr. Ping (voice of James Hong), Wo Hop (voice of Jack McBrayer), and Zeng (Dan Fogler).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. A cute, sweet tale about choosing family first.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

DJI. DEATH SAILS * (Louisiana International Film Festival, Baton Rouge, Louisiana USA 2015)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 3.5|5.0 Starsììì

Dji. Death Sails shows skill in animation. This is the fourth film in a series and the fifth short film by Director Demitri Voloshin. The story is understandable, but the conclusion is unclear and needs some expansion for comprehension.

Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images

Storyline

A shipwrecked sailor meets the personification of Death.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director Dmitri Voloshin for directing effort. Thank you to Executive Producer Serghei Chirillov for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Animated Sailor, Animated Death.

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Maybe. The animated sailor character is nicely defined. Death needs more character depth and fleshing out to upgrade the quality of this short film.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

SNIPER (Theatrical Release USA 1993)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 4.6|5.0 Starsìììì

Sniper—inside view of a sniper’s lifestyle—easily becomes a re-watchable film due to outstanding script writing, well-timed scenes, and portrayal of storyline. Worth both time and money.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

An experienced sniper becomes assigned to an inexperienced sniper as backup for a difficult kill.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director Luis Llosa for directing effort. Thank you to Executive Producers Walon Green, Mark Johnson, and Patrick Wachsberger for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Thomas Beckett (Tom Berenger), Richard Miller (Billy Zane), Chester Van Damme (J.T. Walsh), Doug Papich (Aden Young), El Cirujano (Ken Radley), Cacique (Reynaldo Arenas), NSC Officer in Washington (Gary Swanson), Admiral in Washington (Hank Garrett), and General Miguel Alavarez (Frederick Miragliotta).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. The film is well directed (Director Luis Llosa) and completely entertaining.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

THE FIRM (Theatrical Release USA 1993)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 4.8|5.0 Starsìììì

The Firm—one of those jewels that one may miss because it doesn’t stand out with the normal pizzaz and razzle/dazzle; but, if you watch it, you will rave about it for weeks to come. WOW! Bravo! What a film! This is Tom Cruise at some of his best work with an all-star supporting cast. Great acting coupled with a very good script make this film stand out .

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

A young lawyer finds his law firm operates within a dark, sinister world of murder and intrigue.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director Sydney Pollack for directing effort. Thank you to Executive Producers Lindsay Doran, Michael Hausman for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Mitch McDeere (Tom Cruise), Abby McDeere (Jeanne Tripplehorn), Avery Tolar (Gene Hackman), Oliver Lambert (Hal Holbrook), Lamar Quinn (Terry Kinney), William Devasher (Wilford Brimley), Wayne Tarrance (Ed Harris), Tammy Hemphill (Holly Hunter), and Ray McDeere (David Strathairn).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. It’s a WOW! piece of entertainment.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

AN AMERICAN TAIL: THE TREASURE OF MANHATTAN ISLAND (Video Release USA 2000)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 3.8|5.0 Starsììì

An American Tail: The Treasure of Manhattan Island—actually pretty good. This movie, the third film in the series, has a cute, well-thought out storyline with good portrayal of characters that children and adults will appreciate.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

A search for treasure under Manhattan Island turns up a most unusual treasure.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director Larry Latham for directing effort. Thank you to Producer Larry Latham for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Fievel (voice of Thomas Dekker), Tiger (voice of Dom DeLuise), Tony (voice of Pat Musick), Papa (voice of Nehemiah Persoff), Mama (voice of Erica Yohn), Tanya (voice of Lacey Chabert), Cholena (voice of Elaine Bilstad), Dithering (voice of Rene Auberjonois), and Wulisso (voice of David Carradine).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. Worth watching.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

THE SECRET (Video Release USA 2006)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 5.0|5.0 Starsììììì

The Secret presents a diamond quality load of information, in documentary style, about improving quality of life. The documentary contains such rich information that it takes multiple watches to even begin assimilating what author Rhonda Byrne teaches. Highly spiritual in content, it creates this perfectly concentrated capsule of how to live well. BRAVO! BRAVO! ENCORE! ENCORE!

Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images

Storyline

There is a secret to life that can be discovered that promises quality of life at the highest levels of imagination.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director Drew Heriot for directing effort. Thank you to Executive Producers Rhonda Byrne and John McAvoy for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Himself (Bob Proctor), Himself (Joe Vitale), Himself (John Assaraf), Herself (Loral Langemeier), Herself (Marie Diamond), Himself (Michael Beckwith), Himself (Jack Canfield), Himself (Bob Doyle), and Himself (Mike Dooley).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. This is a multiple watch film for those seeking self-improvement. Great work for Director Drew Heriot as he unveils a large nugget in the positive thinking genre of how to live life to the fullest.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

THE POWER OF ONE (Theatrical Release USA 1992)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 4.2|5.0 Starsìììì

The Power of One—great African movie—backs itself with worthy writing and serves as a showcase for Stephen Dorff’s acting skills. Great work for Director John G. Avildsen.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

A young boy lives with one foot in English society and one foot in African society while living through a series of significant and paralyzing life events.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director John G. Avildsen for directing effort. Thank you to Executive Producers Graham Burke, Greg Coote, and Steven Reuther for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Nanny (Nomadlozi Kubheka), Midwife (Agatha Hurle), P.K. Newborn (Nigel Ivy), Mother (Tracy Brooks Swope), P.K. Infant (Brendan Deary), Tonderai Infant (Winston Mangwarara), P.K. Age 7 (Guy Witcher), Tonderai (Tonderai Masenda), and Ranch Foreman (Cecil Zilla Mamanzi).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. Great morality film without the preaching. Well done by all involved.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

TROLLS HOLIDAY (Television Release USA 2017)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 3.7|5.0 Starsììì

Trolls Holiday couples an abundance of holiday sparkle with a smorgasbord of dancing and music. Adults and children alike may appreciate the flash and dash of this short film which performs quite well as a seasonal watch.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

A small town loses its main holiday and must find another one to replace it.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director Joel Crawford for directing effort. Thank you to Executive Producers Walt Dphrn, Mike Mitchell, and Gina Shay for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Poppy (voice of Anna Kendrick), Branch (voice of Justin Timberlake), Bridget (voice of Zooey Deschanel), King Gristle (voice of Christopher Mintz-Plasse), Biggie (voice of James Corden), Cooper (voice of Ron Funches), Satin (voice of Aino Jawo), Chenille (voice of Caroline Hjelt), Guy Diamond (voice of Kunal Nayyar), and Cloud Guy/Smidge/Spider (voice of Walt Dohrn).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Maybe. The best of the show is the dancing and musical score. Beyond that, the exceptionally simple and short 30-minute storyline comes off as bland.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

MONTY PYTHON AND THE HOLY GRAIL (Theatrical Release UK 1975)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 4.5|5.0 Starsìììì

Monty Python and the Holy Grail as comical in 2019 as it was in 1975. Vote it best in presentation and in creativity. It’s WOW entertainment, worth every moment of watching time and should be a part of the home library video collection as a classic comedy piece. Comedy scatters itself throughout the scenes. Thank you to  Director Terry Gilliam and Terry Jones for a fun medieval film worth a ticket.

Film Poster Courtesy Wikipedia

Storyline

Arthur and his men look for the Holy Grail.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director Terry Gilliam and Terry Jones for directing effort. Thank you to Executive Producer John Goldstone for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: King Arthur/Voice of God/Middle Head/Hiccoughing Guard (Graham Chapman), Second Swallow-Savvy Guard/The Black Knight/Peasant 3/Sir Launcelot the Brave/Taunting French Guard/Tim the Enchanter (John Cleese), Dead Collector/Peasant 1/Sir Robin the Not-Quite-So-Brave-as-Sir Launcelot/First Swamp Castle Guard/Concorde/Roger the Shrubber/Brother Maynard (Eric Idle), Patsy/Green Knight/Old Man from Scene 24 Bridgekeeper/Sir Bors/Animator/Gorrilla Hand (Terry Gilliam), Dennis's Mother/Sir Bedevere/Left Head/Prince Herbert/Voice of Cartoon Scribe (Michael Palin), The Witch (Connie Booth), and Zoot/Dingo (Carol Cleveland).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. Great work for all involved in this film’s production.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers