AI: ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE (Theatrical Release USA 2001)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 4.7|5.0 Starsìììì

AI: Artificial Intelligence—classic Spielberg movie—delivers a terrific piece of entertainment from its beginning scene to its ending scene. Spielberg captures human desire for love and belonging within a family environment to perfection. Hayley Joel Osment perfectly orchestrates that desire into a completely winning piece of entertainment that deserves classic status and placement within the family home video collection. The movie has a superb supporting cast selection (Sam Robards, Frances O’Conner, Jake Thomas, Jude Law, William Hurt, Eugene Osment, and Brendan Gleeson) accompanied with outstanding voicing by Robin Williams, Ben Kingsley, Meryl Streep, and Chris Rock.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

A robotic boy desires to become human.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director Steven Spielberg for directing effort. Thank you to Executive Producers Jan Harlan and Walter F. Parkes for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: David (Haley Joel Osment), Monica Swinton (Frances O’Connor), Henry Swinton (Sam Robards), Martin Swinton (Jake Thomas), Gigolo Joe (Jude Law), Professor Hobby (William Hurt), Syatyoo-Sama (Ken Leung), Supernerd (Clark Gregg), Supernerd (Kevin Sussman), Supernerd (Tom Gallop), Supernerd (Eugene Osment), and Female Colleague (April Grace), and Executive (Matt Winston).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. This is a ‘no fault found’ movie. Do not miss it.

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Ben Meyers

THE CALL OF THE WILD (Theatrical Release West Germany 1972)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 2.9|5.0 Starsìì

The Call of the Wild does not serve actor Charlton Heston’s skills well. With a disjointed storyline that cannot be followed well, the movie becomes difficult to track. It further complicates itself with an unsatisfying conclusion that fails to give the proper signals that the story is getting ready to conclude and gives no sense of future. A further complication becomes the main character’s lack of life focus. Without that definitive, driven focus the movie seems a bit lost and wanders in its storyline. Audience may leave this film feeling empty and cheated in their investment of both time and money spent.

Film poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

A kidnapped dog finds itself in Alaska pulling dog sleds.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director Ken Annakin for directing effort. Thank you to Producers Artur Brauner and Harry Alan Towers for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: John Thornton (Charlton Heston), Calliope Laurent (Michèle Mercier), Pete (Raimund Harmstorf), Black Burton (George Eastman), Mercedes (Maria Rohm), Seze (Juan Luis Galiardo), Taglish Charlie (Sancho Gracia), Charles (Friedhelm Lehmann), Hal (Horst Heuck), Dutch Harry (Rik Battaglia), Constantine (Alf Malland), Judge Miller (Alfredo Mayo), Colonel (Sverre Wilberg), and Red Sweater (Olov Pedersen).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

No. This movie fails to establish audience emotional involvement either with the dog’s story or with the main actor’s story. While Call of the Wild is a terrific, classic story, this movie waivers in and out of focus without a primary driver for its content. Neither the German Shepherd dog or Charlton Heston’s presence in the film can rescue it.

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Ben Meyers

THE LEGO MOVIE 2: THE SECOND PART (Theatrical Release USA 2019)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 4.2|5.0 Starsìììì

Lego Movie 2: The Second Part—not as good as the first Lego movie—deserves a watch due to a good storyline and very good portrayal of that story. A story for an older child/adult share, it deserves its watch.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

Legos are challenged by outer space aliens.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director Mike Mitchell for directing effort. Thank you to Executive Producers Will Allegra, Matthew Ashton, Ryan Halprin, Chris Leahy, Keith Malone, Chris McKay, Zareh Nalbandian, Michael E. Uslan, and Jill Wilfert for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Emmet Brickowski/Rex Dangervest (voice of Chris Pratt), Wyldstyle/Lucy (voice of Elizabeth Banks), Batman (voice of Will Arnett), Queen Watevra Wa’Nabi (voice of Tiffany Haddish), General Mayhem/Sweet Mayhem (voice of Stephanie Beatriz), Unikitty/Ultrakatty (voice of Alison Brie), MetalBeard (voice of Nick Offerman), Benny (voice of Charlie Day), Mom (Maya Rudolph), President Business/Dad (Will Ferrell), Finn (Jadon Sand), and Bianca (Brooklynn Prince).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. This film serves Lego fans well.

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Ben Meyers

ALADDIN (Theatrical Release USA 2019)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 3.8|5.0 Starsììì

Aladdin—live action remake of Disney’s animated 1992 Aladdin movie—does not deliver the same spirited story as the original animated film partially because the voice of Robin Williams carried the 1992 film so well. But Will Smith’s charisma carries this remake film and makes it work. With a different casting choice for Aladdin, the movie would have carried more weight in entertainment value. The parrot does not get the screen time that it was given in the 1992 Disney movie with the result that some entertainment value is lost there. Overall the film is a good watch and an excellent child/adult share film.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

A boy finds a genie and wishes to be a prince.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director Guy Ritchie for directing effort. Thank you to Executive Producers Kevin De La Noy and Marc Platt for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Genie/Mariner (Will Smith), Aladdin (Mena Massoud), Jasmine (Naomi Scott), Jafar (Marwan Kenzari), Sultan (Navid Negahban), Dalia (Nasim Pedrad), Prince Anders (Billy Magnussen), Omar (Jordan Nash), Lian (Taliyah Blair), Omi (Aubrey Lin), Jamal (Amir Boutrous), Hakim (Numan Acar), Guard #1 (Omari Bernard), Guard #2 (Nathaniel Ellul), and Guard #3 (Sebastien Torkia).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Maybe. The 1992 Disney version is still the best of the two films.

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Ben Meyers

HOOK (Theatrical Release USA 1991)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 3.8|5.0 Starsììì

Hook—wannabe THE sequel to 1953’s animated version of Peter Pan—features Robin Williams as the middle-aged Peter Pan. This unlikely casting choice works very well. Julia Roberts as Tinkerbell seems miscast. She does not seem to catch the nuances of Tinkerbell’s original personality. Maggie Smith plays a good, seasoned version of Wendy. Kudos to the makeup department for the incredibly good aging of Maggie Smith. Dustin Hoffman physically looks like Captain James Hook, but also seems miscast. Bob Hoskins serves well as the character Smee and the rest of the cast fill in well. Overall the film begins to falter after Peter is taken to Neverland to see Captain James Hook in storyline, dialogue, and character development.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

Peter Pan’s children are kidnapped by Captain Hook.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director Steven Spielberg for directing effort. Thank you to Executive Producers Dodi Fayed and James V. Hart for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Captain Hook (Dustin Hoffman), Peter Banning (Robin Williams), Tinkerbell (Julia Roberts), Smee (Bob Hoskins), Granny Wendy (Maggie Smith), Moira Banning (Caroline Goodall), Jack Banning (Charlie Korsmo), Maggie Banning (Amber Scott), Lisa (Laurel Cronin), Inspector Good (Phil Collins), Pockets (Isaiah Robinson), and Tootles (Arthur Malet).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Maybe. This sequel does not do justice to its concept.

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Ben Meyers

FULL COUNT (Theatrical Release USA 2019)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 2.7|5.0 Starsìì

Full Count—the angel is the best thing in the film—tries to be, but fails to be. Every single check that a critic looks for to mark a film is missing. But, despite this, the film needs to be watched as a reminder of strong forces outside of the human that still help humans when they are in trouble.

Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images

Storyline

An angel helps a young man.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director Robert Eagar for directing effort. Thank you to Executive Producer Robert Eagar for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Milton Young (John Paul Kakos), Katherine Young (Natalia Livingston), Sheriff Darden (E. Roger Mitchell), Deputy Jones (Rick Hearst), David (Adam Boyer), Ted Young (Jason London), Dr. Adams (Robert Pralgo), Danielle (Victoria Staley), Mr. Gravitt (Afemo Omilami), Mrs. Gravitt (Elizabeth Omilami), and Chad (Triston Dye).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?             

No. Victor is much better, more strongly told divine intervention movie.

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Ben Meyers

ONE HUNDRED AND ONE DALMATIANS (Theatrical Release USA 1961)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 4.1|5.0 Starsìììì

One Hundred and One Dalmatians—classic Disney-animated fare—is a better watch than its live action remake. Voice casting is great and the character development very well done. Don’t miss this oldie…it competes very well, despite its age, with current animated fare. There’s a great deal of heart built into the movie’s storyline.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

An evil, fur-loving woman kidnaps 101 Dalmatian puppies.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Directors Clyde Geronimi, Hamilton Luske, Wolfgang Reitherman for directing effort. Thank you to Producer Walt Disney for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Pongo (voice of Rod Taylor), Colonel/Jasper (voice of J. Pat O’Malley), Cruella De Vil/Miss Birdwell (voice of Betty Lou Gerson), Nanny/Queenie/Lucy (voice of Martha Wentworth), Roger (voice of Ben Wright), Perdita (voice of Cate Bauer), Sergeant Tibs (voice of David Frankham), Horace/Inspector Craven (voice of Frederick Worlock), Anita (voice of Lisa Davis), Quizmaster/Collie (voice of Tom Conway), Towser (voice of Tudor Owen), and Danny (voice of George Pelling).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. This animated movie achieves classic status and deserves its place in the family home video collection. It works as a good child/adult share film.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

CANADIAN BACON (Theatrical Release USA 1995)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 4.0|5.0 Starsìììì

Canadian Bacon—fresh and original—holds its comedy almost to its conclusion. As the film gets closer to an Armageddon scenario, the movie’s generally comedic stance comes to a grinding halt due to the gravity of the situation. The ending scenes should have been rewritten to keep the comedic pace rising to a crescendo. That one factor would have pushed this movie to the top as a piece to be appreciated through several viewings. Overall, the film is worth a watch and creates genuine chuckles throughout until nearing its conclusion.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

It’s the United States versus Canada in this political comedy.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director Michael Moore for directing effort. Thank you to Executive Producers Freddy De Mann and Sigurjon Sighvatsson for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Sheriff Bud Boomer (John Candy), President of the United States (Alan Alda), Honey (Rhea Perlman), Stu Smiley (Kevin Pollak), General Dick Panzer (Rip Torn), Roy Boy (Kevin J. O’Connor), R.J. Hacker (G.D. Spradlin), Niagra Mountie (Steven Wright), Charles Jackal (Jim Belushi), Gus (Brad Sullivan), Edwin S. Simon (Stanley Anderson), and Kabral (Bill Nunn).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. It’s good comedy that has a fresh approach to rivalry between countries and the length politicians could go to in order to establish political wins.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

DEEP RISING (Theatrical Release USA 1998)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 3.6|5.0 Starsììì

Deep Rising—reminiscent of the Tremors movies—has two redeeming factors…more realism and a significantly more intimidating monster than the Tremors series. While the movie does create some interest, the film needs tweaking in acting and portrayal of story. It does not stand with the better films like Jurassic Park or Jaws. But Stephen Sommers makes a creature feature that has very little lag time, gets to its point, and delivers the necessary thrills throughout viewing.

Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images

Storyline

When men intend to board and pirate a cruise ship, they find themselves battling something quite different than what they expected.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director Stephen Sommers for directing effort. Thank you to Executive Producer Barry Bernardi for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: John Finnegan (Treat Williams), Trillian St. James (Famke Janssen), Simon Canton (Anthony Heald), Joey Pantucci (Kevin J. O’Connor), Hanover (Wes Studi), Captain Atherton (Derrick O’Connor), Mulligan (Jason Flemyng), Mamooli (Cliff Curtis), Mason (Clifton Powell), T. Ray (Trevor Goddard), Vivo (Djimon Hounsou), and Leila (Una Damon).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. But, higher quality thriller entertainment still wraps itself around the movie, Jaws.

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Ben Meyers

FIGHTING WITH MY FAMILY (Theatrical Release USA 2019)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 4.2|5.0 Starsìììì

Fighting With My Family—interesting bio pic—serves up an original and well thought out story about a female wrestler who makes it to the ‘big time’. Realistic acting by Nick Frost, Lena Headey, Florence Pugh, and Jack Lowden put this movie not only into the good entertainment category, but also into the educational arena as well. Good watch.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

Children dream of becoming world class wrestlers.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director Stephen Merchant for directing effort. Thank you to Executive Producers Daniel Battsek, Andy Berman, Hiram Garcia, Tracey Josephs, David Kosse, and Rhodri Thomas for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Dwayne Johnson (Dwayne Johnson), Young Zak (Thomas Whilley), Young Saraya (Tori Ellen Ross), Ricky Knight (Nick Frost), Julia Knight (Lena Headey), Saraya Knight (Florence Pugh), Zak Knight (Jack Lowden), Ellie (Olivia Bernstone), Hannah (Leah Harvey), Ez (Mohammad Amiri), Old Lady (Christine Ozanne), and Townie #1 (Grace Link).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. This movie is a good example of the kind of movies we need to see. They are success stories that give hope, make one feel good, and bring the spirit up to what life can offer with hard work.

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Ben Meyers

THREE AMIGOS (Theatrical Release USA 1986)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 4.0|5.0 Starsìììì

Three Amigos accesses the comedic talent of Steve Martin, Chevy Chase, and Martin Short to tell its story. The film has a small, but charming moral lesson built in that is easily swallowed and it has a happily ever after ending that is welcome.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

Three actors find themselves in a real-life situation that requires real fighting.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director John Landis for directing effort. Thank you to Executive Producer Steve Martin for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Lucky Day (Steve Martin), Dusty Bottoms (Chevy Chase), Ned Nederlander (Martin Short), El Guapo (Alfonso Arau), Jefe (Tony Plana), Carmen (Patrice Martinez), Bandito #1 (Jorge Cervera Jr.), German (Kai Wulff), Papa Sanchez (Abel Franco), Bartender (Fred Asparagus), Morty (Jon Lovitz), and Harry Flugleman (Joe Mantegna).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. It’s a B-grade film, but is well acted and has good portrayal of its storyline.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

RICHIE RICH (Theatrical Release USA 1994)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 3.8|5.0 Starsììì

Richie Rich—good film, but not much to show here—has a slight slapstick overtone, does not have the punch of the original comic book series. Macaulay Culkin sits center stage as the main character Richie Rich, but does not WOW us as he did in the first Home Alone movie. Part of the challenge is the supporting cast does not support his character well. Richie Rich, released four years after Home Alone, serves average fare at best.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

A wealthy boy works to save his family.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director Donald Petrie for directing effort. Thank you to Executive Producers Joe Bilella, Dan Kolsrud, and Jon Shapiro for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Richie Rich (Macaulay Culkin), Lawrence Van Dough (John Larroquette), Richard Rich (Edward Herrmann), Regina Rich (Cristine Ebersole), Herbert Arthur Runcible Cadbury (Jonathan Hyde), Professor Keenbean (Michael McShane), Ferguson (Chelcie Ross), Diane Pazinski (Mariangela Pino), Gloria Pazinski (Stephi Lineburg), Tony (Michael Maccarone), and Omar (Joel Robinson).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. It’s an afternoon flick, after lunch movie. 

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

SITARA: LET GIRLS DREAM (Video Release USA 2020)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 4.0|5.0 Starsìììì

Sitara: Let Girls Dream—15-minute, silent animated short film with sound effects—shows how Pakistanis marry in Lahore Pakistan. This short film is very imaginative and culturally rich. It’s a good child/adult share that provides excellent opportunity to explore other culture’s marital customs. Informative and well done. Great work for Director Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy. Sweet and enjoyable.

Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images

Storyline

A girl would like to be a pilot.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director and Writer Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy for directing and writing effort.

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. This is well done and worth a watch.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

A SHAUN THE SHEEP MOVIE: FARMAGEDDON (Theatrical Release UK 2019)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 4.1|5.0 Starsìììì

A Shaun the Sheep Movie: Farmageddon—fun, quirky, and likeable—has an imaginative script with characters that are well-drawn and relatable. It runs as a B-grade movie, but shows as a top-of-the-line entertainment piece. Great work for Directors Will Becher and Richard Phelan. Almost re-watchable.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

Shaun the Sheep helps an alien find its way home.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Directors Will Becher and Richard Phlelan for directing effort. Thank you to Executive Producers Mark Burton, Alicia Gold, Ron Halpern, Kerry Lock, Peter Lord, Didier Lupfer, Nick Park, Carla Shelley, David Sproxton, and Richard Starzak for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Shaun/Timmy (voice of Justin Fletcher), The Farmer/Bitzer (voice of John Sparkes), Farmer John (voice of Chris Morrell), Nuts (voice of Andy Nyman), Muggins (voice of David Holt), Agent Red/Timmy’s Mum (voice of Kate Harbour), Lu-La (voice of Amalia Vitale), Pizza Delivery Boy (Joe Sugg), Hazel (voice of Emma Tate), Shirley/Ub-Oo (voice of Richard Webber), and Twins (voice of Simon Greenall).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. A creative and worthy watch for both child and adult.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

THE CAT RETURNS * (Theatrical Release Japan 2002)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 4.0|5.0 Starsìììì

The Cat Returns—spinoff of Whisper of the Heart—is very well told and takes the audience to a magical place of civilized cats that speak human language and where people turn into cats to marry cats. The content may not be very appealing to many viewers because unlike Beauty and the Beast or Princess and the Frog where the beast is a human and temporarily a beast or the prince is a human and temporarily a frog until someone comes along to break the spell and make them human again, this story has a human becoming an animal rather like the Shrek series, but without the appeal of the Shrek series. Besides that, the acting is well done, the portrayal worthy, the storyline solid, the animation a little under par, and the characters well fleshed out.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

A young girl finds herself engaged to a cat.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director Hiroyuki Morita for directing effort. Thank you to Executive Producers Hironori Aihara, Rick Dempsey, Kôji Hoshino, Takeyoshi Matsushita, Toshio Miyakawa, Hideyuki Takai, and Seiichirô Ujiie for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Haru (voice of Chizuru Ikewaki), Baron (voice of Yoshihiko Hakamada), Yuki (voice of Aki Maeda), Lune (voice of Takayuki Yamada), Hiromi (voice of Hitomi Satô), Natori (voice of Kenta atoi), Natoru (voice of Mari Hamada), Muta (voice of Tetsu Watanabe), Toto (voice of Yôsuke Saitô), Haru’s Mother (voice of Kumiko Okae), Cat King (voice of Tetsurô Tanba), and Additional Voices (Yô Ôizumi).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. If you are following the, Whisper of the Heart, story then this may be a good watch for you. But, Beauty and the Beast is a better watch within the storyline of young girl gets engaged to beast movies.

* Also Known as: Neko no ongaeshi

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Ben Meyers

STAR TREK III: THE SEARCH FOR SPOCK (Theatrical Release USA 1984)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 3.6|5.0 Starsììì

Star Trek III: The Search for Spock—average flick—has an interesting story that is not well portrayed. Christopher Lloyd seems miscast as a Klingon.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

Kirk attempts to recover Spock’s body.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director Leonard Nimoy for directing effort. Thank you to Executive Producer Gary Nardino for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Kirk (William Shatner), Captain Spock (Leonard Nimoy), McCoy (DeForest Kelley), Scotty (James Doohan), Chekov (Walter Koenig), Sulu (George Takei), Uhura (Nichelle Nichols), Saavik (Robin Curtis), David (Merritt Butrick), Trainee Foster (Phil Morris), Mr. Adventure (Scott McGinnis), and Admiral Morrow (Robert Hooks).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Maybe. The movie works at a subpar level, below expectations for a Star Trek film. However, for Star Trek fans who were left hanging in Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan, it will most likely be a ‘must watch’ movie. Better quality sci-fi films are: Gravity, 2001: A Space Odyssey, or MIB.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers