THE NUTTY PROFESSOR (Theatrical Release USA 1963)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 4.2|5.0 Starsìììì

The Nutty Professor allows Jerry Lewis to play two different roles. One role as a suave, sophisticated entertainer is not how we usually saw him in film and is a treat to see. There is not much storyline to this film. It serves more as a teen watch at the grade level of some of the earlier 1960s beach party movies without the beach. Great work for Director Jerry Lewis in coordinating acting and directing in the same film.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

A nerdy professor desires to be the envy of the social set and creates a chemical concoction that changes him into a suave socializer.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director Jerry Lewis for directing effort. Thank you to Producer Ernest D. Glucksman for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include:

Professor Julius Kelp/Buddy Love (Jerry Lewis), Stella Purdy (Stella Stevens), Dr. Mortimer S. Warfield (Del Moore), Millie Lemmon (Kathleen Freeman), Warzewski (Med Flory), Football Player/Student (Norman Alden), Elmer Kelp (Howard Morris), Edwina Kelp (Elvia Allman), Dr. M. Sheppard Leevee (Milton Frome), Bartender (Buddy Lester), and English Student (Marvin Kaplan).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. The movie can serve as background for a house party/barbecue, a light lunch watch, or academic study of Lewis’ career in comedy.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

OPEN SEASON 3 (Theatrical Release Mexico 2010)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 3.4|5.0 Starsììì

Open Season 3—small story—that serves as a run-of-the-mill movie…adds nothing new or particularly creative. Do not expect that this film will entertain as well as the first Open Season movie.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

Boog the Bear needs rescue from his involvement with a Russian Circus.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director Cody Cameron for directing effort. Thank you to Executive Producer David I. Stern for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Boog/Doug (voice of Matthew J. Munn), Rosie (Voice of Nika Futterman), Ian/Reilly/Buddy/Deni/Elliott/Additional Voices (Maddie Taylor), McSquizzy (Voice of Andre Sogliuzzo), Serge (Voice of Danny Mann), Gisela (Voice of Karley Scott Collins), Giselita (Voice of Clara Bravo), Elvis (Voice of Harrison Fahn), Giselle/Ursa/Additional Voices (Melissa Sturm), Earl (Voice of Jeff Bennett), Alistair (Voice of Dana Snyder), and Bobbie (Voice of Georgia Engel).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Maybe. The best entertainment value in this series still belongs to the first Open Season movie. This movie, Open Season 3, is worth a watch if one is intent on finishing the series, but better watches for entertainment time and money still belong to animated movies like Zootopia or the 2002 Ice Age.

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Ben Meyers

STAR TREK VII: GENERATIONS (Theatrical Release USA 1994)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 4.0|5.0 Starsìììì

Star Trek VII: Generations—much better film by far than the all the films to this point—moves from the more brash Captain Kirk into the cool, thoughtful leadership of Captain Picard. The crew match their captain with a more sophisticated approach to outer space navigation. The scenery has been upgraded and seems more realistic. A wider range of alien life forms have been tapped to tell this story. It creates desire to watch the sequel film, Star Trek VIII: First Contact.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

The Enterprise comes under the command of the new Captain Picard.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director David Carson for directing effort. Thank you to Executive Producer Bernard Williams for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Picard (Patrick Stewart), Riker (Jonathan Frakes), Data (Brent Spiner), Data (Brent Spiner), Geordi (LeVar Burton), Worf (Michael Dorn), Beverly Gates McFadden), Troe (Marina Sirtis), Soran (Malcolm McDowell), Scotty (James Doohan), Chekov (Walter Koenig), Kirk (William Shatner), Captain Harriman (Alan Ruck), Demora (Jacqueline Kim), Science Officer (Jenette Goldstein), Com Officer (Thomas Kopache), Navigator (Glenn Morshower), and Lieutenant (Tim Russ).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. In some ways this transfer to a new crew and a new captain is somewhat shocking, but Director David Carson does an outstanding job of making the transition work. This is worth a watch for all Star Trek fans.

*Also known as: Star Trek: Generations

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Ben Meyers

MURDER ON THE ORIENT EXPRESS (Theatrical Release USA 2017)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 4.2|5.0 Starsìììì

Murder on the Orient Express performs at a higher entertainment value than the 1974 version of this story. Kenneth Branagh interpreted Hercule Poirot well. It is worth a single watch when in the mood for a whodunit story.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

Poirot attempts to solve another murder.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director Kenneth Branagh for directing effort. Thank you to Executive Producers Matthew Jenkins, Dillon Kivo, James Prichard, Aditya Sood, and Hilary Strong for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Young Policeman (Paapa Essiedu), Young Boy (Yassine Zeroual), Hotel Waitor (Asan N’Jie), British Police Chief Inspector (Michael Rouse), Hercule Poirot (Kenneth Branagh), Rabbi (Elliot Levey), Priest (David Annen), Imam (Joseph Long), Armed Policeman (Andy Apollo), British Military Escort (Hadley Fraser), Miss Mary Debenham (Daisy Ridley), Dr. Arbuthnot (Leslie Odom Jr.), Arab Shipmate (Ziad Abaza), Waiter (Nari Blair-Mangat), Waiter (Luke Brady), Old Turk Baker (Miltos Yerolemou), Bouc (Tom Bateman), Prostitute (Kathryn Wilder), Aynesworth (Gerard Horan), Biniamino Marquez (Manuel Garcia-Rulfo), Pilar Estravados (Penélope Cruz), Maitre d’ (Richard Clifford), Edward Ratchett (Johnny Depp), Edward Henry Masterman (Derek Jocobi), Count Rudolph Andrenyl (Sergei Polunin), Italian Fan (Adam Garcia), Countess Elena Andrenyl (Lucy Boynton), Caroline Hubbard (Michelle Pfeiffer), Princess Dragomiroff (Judi Dench), Hildegarde Schmidt (Olivia Colman), and Gerhard Hardman (Willem Dafoe).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. While not a great watch, it satisfies the need to see a murder mystery movie for an adult audience. It most likely will be too slow for the younger members of a family.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

WAITING FOR SUPERMAN (Theatrical Release USA 2010)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 4.6|5.0 Starsìììì

Waiting for Superman—informative documentary—has a well-planned, easy-to-follow format that completes itself with good data that is simple to understand. It is well-made and stands as a very good testimony to its overall message. The interviews are top notch as they adhere to and support the movie’s basic premise.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

Documentation of troubled school systems with a short history of fixes that have partially succeeded.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director Davis Guggenheim for directing effort. Thank you to Executive Producers Jeff Skoll and Diane Weyermann for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Self (Charles Adam), Self (Charles Adams), Self (Jonathan Alter), Self (Robert Balfanz), Self (Harriet Ball), Self (Steve Barr), Self (Ms. Celeste Bell), hemselves (The Black and McGee Family), Self (Geoffrey Canada), Self (James Carter III), Self (Todd Dickson), and Themselves (The Esparza Family).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. Exceptionally well done documentary.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

PETE’S DRAGON (Theatrical Release USA 1977)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 2.8|5.0 Starsìì

Pete’s Dragon—cute, but poorly done—has good dancers, but the actual choreography of the dancing is poor. The musical lyrics need a boost. The film misses the mark of live and animated movies. This film does not measure up to the Disney standards of other live and animated movies like Mary Poppins or Bedknob and Broomsticks.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

A dragon comes to the aid of a small boy.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director Don Chaffey and Don Bluth for directing effort. Thank you to Producers Jerome Courtland and Ron Miller for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Nora (Helen Reddy), Dr. Terminus (Jim Dale), Lampie (Mickey Rooney), Hoagy (Red Buttons), Lena Gogan (Shelley Winters), Pete (Sean Marshall), Miss Taylor (Jane Kean), The Mayor (Jim Backus), Merle (Charles Tyner), Grover (Gary Morgan), Willie (Jeff Conaway), Paul (Cal Bartlett), Elliott (Voice of Charlie Callas), and Captain (Walter Barnes).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

No. The 2016 remake of Pete’s Dragon is a better watch.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

THE RON CLARK STORY (Television Release USA 2006)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 3.7|5.0 Starsììì

The Ron Clark Story needs to push the envelope a bit more than it does to increase its ability to allow others to duplicate the effort Ron Clark put into his classrooms so that his same success can be achieved across the board. This story needs to be told and does a good job of realistically portraying the circumstance of this particular set of young adults. The basic story has been carefully thought through and the script well-written. The movie needs more money investiture and a higher level of actors/actresses to increase its range of audience and its ability to deeply penetrate the audience who most needs to see the film. Another good movie to watch along this line that deals with a little different needs is: Waiting for Superman. This movie, The Ron Clark Story, serves as a good example of how one person can positively affect many lives for the good.

Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images

Storyline

Ron Clark demonstrates how to help rebellious students to begin working positively for their good rather than their detriment.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director Randa Haines for directing effort. Thank you to Executive Producers Jody Brockway, Howard Burkons, Brenda Friend, Adam Gilad, Sunta Izzicupo, Paul Jackson, and Frances Croke Page for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Ron Clark (Matthew Perry), Snowden School Principal (Judith Buchan), Hadley (Griffin Cork), Ron Clark Sr. (Jerry Callaghan), Mr. Lively (James Dugan), Jean Clark (Patricia Benedict), Y’landa (C.J. Jackman-Zigante), Harried Principal (Pete Seadon), Marissa Vega (Melissa De Sousa), Jason (Aaron Grain), Tayshawn (Brandon Mychal Smith), Mr. Solis (Gerrick Winston), Principal Turner (Ernie Hudson), Ms. Hill (Jacey Mah), and Jackie Vasquez (Marty Ronaghan).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. The film does inform and teach, but it misses its mark for impact.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

ONCE UPON A TIME IN THE WEST * (Theatrical Release USA 1969)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 4.6|5.0 Starsìììì

Once Upon a Time in the West—classic from its opening to its ending scenes—deserves its permanent place in the home video collection. This western moved completely out of the usual B-grade status of western movies into an A-grade piece of entertainment. The film works on every level and completely earns the watch and money investment. Outstanding work. Bravo! Kudos to every person involved from the costuming, set design, makeup, and sound effects departments. The cinematography is outstanding. The timing is perfect. No lack here. Very well-done work.

Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images

Storyline

A stranger works to help a widow.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director Sergio Leone for directing effort. Thank you to Executive Producer Bino Cicagna for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Jill McBain (Claudia Cardinale), Frank (Henry Fonda), Manuel Gutiérrez (Jason Robards), Harmonica (Charles Bronson), Morton-Railroad Baron (Gabriele Ferzetti), Sam (Paolo Stoppa), Stony (Woody Strode), Snaky (Jack Elam), Sheriff/Auctioneer (Keenan Wynn), Brett McBain (Frank Wolff), and Barman (Lionel Stander).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. Do not miss this film. It is worth its ticket. It’s one of those films that does not need a re-make because it stands in its own class and will continue to stand over many years of viewing.

*Also known as C'era una volta il West

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

DEEP IMPACT (Theatrical Release USA 1998)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 4.3|5.0 Starsìììì

Deep Impact features an outstanding cast—Robert Duvall, Téa Leoni, Morgan Freeman, and a teenager, Elijah Wood. The movie serves the disaster genre well, has good timing, and provides appropriate drama at critical junctures throughout the film. Great work for Director Mimi Leder. The movie deserves its watch.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

A comet, on a collision course to Earth, causes mass panic and creates the situation where tough decisions must be made about who will live and who will die.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director Mimi Leder for directing effort. Thank you to Executive Producers Joan Bradshaw, Walter F. Parkes, and Steven Spielberg for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Spurgeon Tanner (Robert Duvall), Jenny Lerner (Téa Leoni), Leo Biederman (Elijah Wood), Robin Lerner (Vanessa Redgrave), President Beck (Morgan Freeman), Jason Lerner (Maximilian Schell), Alan Rittenhouse (Jmes Cromwell), Oren Monash (Ron Eldard), Gus PArtenza (Jon Favreau), and Beth Stanley (Laura Innes).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. The special effects work. The actors work. The storyline is well written.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

THE MUMMY (Theatrical Release USA 2017)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 2.7|5.0 Starsìì

The Mummy does not have the impact that the Brendan Fraser movie, The Mummy, has. The acting does not meet professional standards, the portrayal of story is weak, and comedy relief is not used to spice the storyline. The film, overall, does not meet expectations for actors like Tom Cruise and Russell Crowe. The movie does not deserve its watch.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

An Egyptian princess brings anguish and evil from her tomb into the real, modern world.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director Alex Kurtzman for directing effort. Thank you to Executive Producers Jeb Brody and Roberto Orci for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Nick Morton (Tom Cruise), Henry Jekyll (Russell Crowe), Jenny Halsey (Annabelle Wallis), Ahmanet (Sofia Boutella), Sergeant Vail (Jake Johnson), Colonel Greenway (Courtney B. Vance), Malik (Marwan Kenzari), Crusader (Simon Atherton), First Man (Stephen Thompson), Second Man (James Arama), and Reporter (Matthew Wilkas).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

No. The Brendan Fraser and Rachel Weisz film, The Mummy (1999), and The Mummy Returns (2001) are the definition of artistic endeavor for this story. This story substitutes a female mummy awakening rather than a male mummy awakening. 

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

THE SORCERER’S APPRENTICE (Theatrical Release USA 2010)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 3.7|5.0 Starsììì

The Sorcerer’s Apprentice does not entertain due to a lack of an intricate storyline. It does not engage the imagination even though the acting and portrayal of story are average. There is not one thing that makes the story unique, fresh, and new…nothing makes it stand out above other stories.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

The search is on for the descendant of Merlin.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director Jon Turteltaub for directing effort. Thank you to Executive Producers Nicolas Cage, Todd Garner, Norman Golightly, Chad Oman, Mike Stenson, and Barry H. Waldman for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Balthazar (Nicolas Cage), Dave (Jay Baruchel), Horvath (Alfred Molina), Becky (Teresa Palmer), Drake Stone (Toby Kebbell), Bennet (Omar Benson Miller), Veronica (Monica Bellucci), Morgana (Alice Krige), Young Dave (Jake Cherry), Merlin (James A. Stephens), Sun-Lok (Gregory Woo), Chinese Woman (Wai Ching Ho), Subway Mugger (Jason R. Moore), Young Dave’s Pal (Robert Capron), Young Becky (Peyton List ), Russian Man (Sándor Técsy), and Russian Woman (Marika Daciuk).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Maybe. The film limits itself for an older child audience, but few adults would enjoy this movie.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

THE POST (Theatrical Release USA 2017)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 4.2|5.0 Starsìììì

The Post—a movie about newspaper reporting—has a well-written storyline. Meryl Streep, an A-grade actress, does not seem well cast for this film due to its overall B-grade status and its failure to match her persona. One expects the movie to be as good as All the Presidents Men and it does not pull that stature. Tom Hanks does manage his assignment well as does the supporting cast. It is worth a watch due to its telling an important story.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

A paper breaks into Top Secret papers about the Vietnam War and releases the information to the public.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director Steven Spielberg for directing effort. Thank you to Executive Producers Tom Karnowski, Josh Singer, Adam Somner, Tim White, and Trevor White for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Kay Graham (Meryl Streep), Ben Bradlee (Tom Hanks), Tony Bradlee (Sarah Paulson), Ben Bagdikian (Bob Odenkirk), Fritz Beebe (Tracy Letts), Arthur Parsons (Bradley Whitford), Robert McNamara (Bruce Greenwood), Daniel Ellsberg (Matthew Rhys), Lally Graham (Alison Brie), Meg Greenfield (Carrie Coon), and Roger Clark (Jesse Plemons).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. It works as a good watch for adults.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

ZORRO (Theatrical Release Italy 1975)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 2.6|5.0 Starsìì

Zorro—is what it is, a film that could have been so good, but completely misses the mark—has lots of hype. with no delivery. After seeing Antonio Banderas and Anthony Hopkins in the Mask of Zorro (1998) this movie appears to be a high budget school project that could never go to theaters. Surprisingly, it did go to theaters even though the choreography is not up to par and the acting is below three stars. The storyline is unclear due to its lack of highlighting and directing the audience to what is and what is not important. It does not deserve a watch.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

Zorro fights evil and injustice.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director Duccio Tessari for directing effort. Thank you to Executive Producer Luciano Martino for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Don Diego/El Zorro (Alain Delon), Colonel Huerta (Stanley Baker), Contessina Ortensia Pulido (Ottavia Piccolo), Sergeant Garcia (Moustache), Aunt Carmen (Adriana Asti), Joaquin (Enzo Cerusico), Fritz von Merkel (Giacomo Rossi Stuart), and Brother Francisco (Giampiero Albertini).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

No. Watch the Mask of Zorro for better use of entertainment time and money.


Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

WHEN MARNIE WAS THERE * (Theatrical Release Japan 2014)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 4.4|5.0 Starsìììì

When Marnie Was There, interesting until Anna, English-voiced by Hailee Steinfeld, begins spending more time with Marnie, English-voiced by Kiernan Shipka. The movie slows noticeably and fails to maintain interest until near the conclusion of the movie when the pace quickens as it begins connecting all the dots of why Anna has such a strong connection to Marnie. The film, however, is well done and has a ‘worth waiting for’ ending. Cinematography is well done and the portrayal of story is very good. The animation is fantastic even though it does not rely on the more sophisticated computer generated animation technology. The softer scenery comes as a much welcomed effect that creates a softer approach to animated entertainment. Great work for Directors James Simone and Hiromasa Yonebayashi for managing to cross international borders and making a heartfelt, appealing film that can be enjoyed by all members of a family.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

A young girl is sent to the country and finds a new friend.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Directors James Simone and Hiromasa Yonebayashi for directing effort. Thank you to Executive Producer Toshio Suzuki for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include:

Anna Sasaki (Voice of Sara Takatsuki), Marnie (Voice of Kasumi Arimura), Yoriko Sasaki (Voice of Nanako Matsushima), Kiyomasa Oiwa (Voice of Susumu Terajima), Setsu Oiwas (Voice of Toshie Negishi), Elderly Lady (Voice of Ryôko Moriyama), Nanny (Voice of Kazuko Yoshiyuki), Hisako (Voice of Hitomi Kuroki), Marnie’s Mother (Voice of Yûko Kaida), Art Teacher (Voice of Hiroyuki Morisaki), and Neighborhood Association Officer (voice of Takuma Otoo).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. Despite the slowness of much of the movie, there is a calmness in its story that can be much appreciated by both younger and older audiences.

*Also known as Omoide no Mânî

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES: OUT OF THE SHADOWS (Theatrical Release USA 2016)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 2.7|5.0 Starsìì

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Out of the Shadows comes in with a better storyline than its predecessor and becomes more about enhancing the Turtles’ character development. There is a scene of how villains’ sidekicks got started with Rocksteady and Bebop which creates interest, but the overall film still performs at low levels of entertainment value. The movie relies on special effects and action rather than portrayal, acting, and an innovative storyline which, overall, lowers the entertainment value.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

The mutated turtles battle Shredder, an old enemy.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director Dave Green for directing effort. Thank you to Executive Producers Eric J. Crown, Grant Curtis, Josh Appelbaum, André Nemec, Napoleon Smith III, and Denis L. Stewart for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: April O’Neil (Megan Fox), Vernon Fenwick (Will Arnett), Chief Vincent (Laura Linney), Casey Jones (Stephen Amell), Michelangelo (Noel Fisher), Donatello (Jeremy Howard), Leonardo (Pete Ploszek), Raphael (Alan Ritchson), Baxter Stockman (Tyler Perry), Shredder (Brian Tee), Rocksteady (Stephen Farrelly), Bebop (Gary Anthony Williams), Splinter (Peter Donald Badalementi II), Splinter (Voice of Tony Shalhoub), Krang (Voice of Brad Garrett), and Security Officer (Opal Alladin).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

No. The movie still does not compare to the first two Ninja Turtles’ movies made in the 1990 decade. It would be exceptionally difficult to pull this film into the three-star range.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers