APOCALYPTO (Theatrical Release USA 2006)

 Ben Meyers’ rating: 4.8|5.0 Starsìììì 

Apocalypto—classic Mel Gibson-directed film—tells its hardcore Mayan story without a flinch. The movie realistically depicts the Mayan culture and the moral decay it had sunk to before its final collapse. This film terrifically allows Gibson to show his talent both as a storyteller and director. BRAVO! for the realism in portrayal of storyline, casting choices, costuming and makeup, and the ability to maintain riveted audience involvement up to its last scene. WOW! This is a ‘do not miss’ movie that adequately covers the final reality of Mayan culture.

Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images

Storyline 

Mayan raiders, looking for sacrificial victims, destroy a small village and carry off its survivors. 

Additional Thanks 

Thank you to Director Mel Gibson for directing effort. Thank you to Executive Producers Vicki Christianson and Ned Dowd for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Jaguar Paw (Rudy Youngblood), Seven (Dalia Hernández), Blunted (Jonathan Brewer), Flint Sky (Morris Birdyellowhead), Turtles Run (Carlos Emilio Báez), Curl Nose (Amilcar Ramírez), Smoke Frog (Israel Contreras), Cocoa Leaf (Israel Ríos), Mother in Law (Isabel Díaz), Old Story Teller (Espiridion Acosta Cache), Young Woman (Mayra Serbulo), and Sky Flower (Iazua Larios). 

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? 

Yes. It could easily be said that only Mel Gibson could have pulled this story into the main arena with the power, finesse, and humanity that he did. The horror peaks in this film with well-sequenced flashes between life/death and the struggle of one family’s will to survive despite insurmountable odds. Outstanding adult watch.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

SEVENTH SON (Theatrical Release Canada 2014)

 Ben Meyers’ rating: 3.6|5.0 Starsììì 

Seventh Son starts with interesting potential to expand into a good movie. By the time Jeff Bridges gets his next apprentice, it seems there is a small shift as if everything becomes digitized including the main characters. This small detraction troubles the rest of the movie with Jeff Bridges eventually stranded on the island of ‘out of place’ on the sea of ‘weak character development’ that sits on a flat earth and does not realize its ability to achieve 3-dimensional volume and wholeness. 

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline 

A queen witch escapes prison and a professional tracker goes looking for her.

Additional Thanks 

Thank you to Director Sergei Bodrov for directing effort. Thank you to Executive Producers Alysia Cotter, John Jashni, Peikang La, and Brent O’Conner for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Master Gregory (Jeff Bridges), Tom Ward (Ben Barnes), Mother Malkin (Julianne Moore), Alice (Alicia Vikander), Bony Lizzie (Antje Traue), Mam Ward (Olivia Williams), Tusk (John DeSantis), Mr. Bradley (Kit Harington), Radu (Djimon Hounsou), Inquisitor (Gerard Plunkett), Uraq (Jason Scott Lee), Sarikin (Kandyse McClure), Strix (Luc Roderique),  Virahadra (Zahf Paroo), and Malcolm Ward (Timothy Webber). 

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? 

No. There are better stories that incorporate witches like The Wizard of Oz or Beastly.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

PUSS IN BOOTS (Theatrical Release USA 2011)

 Ben Meyers’ rating: 4.3|5.0 Starsìììì 

Puss in Boots—delightfully offers something new throughout its 90 minutes—completely earns its right as a permanent addition to the family home video library. The animation is very good. The story sustains itself throughout with deeply developed characters who are not only likable, but fun to watch. The adventure undertaken surprises because it is unusual and piques interest. The voice casting department did an outstanding job with the picks of Antonio Banderas as Puss, Salma Hayek as Kitty Softpaws, and Zach Galifianakis as Humpy Alexander Dumpty. This movie is completely re-watchable with high ability to entertain.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia 

Storyline 

An outlaw cat seeks to restore his reputation by finding the Golden Goose’s golden eggs. 

Additional Thanks 

Thank you to Director Chris Miller for directing effort. Thank you to Executive Producers Andrew Adamson, Guillermo del Toro, and Michelle Raimo for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Puss in Boots (Voice of Antonio Banderas), Kitty Softpaws (Voice of Salma Hayek), Humpty Alexander Dumpty (Zach Galifianakis), Jack (Voice of Billy Bob Thornton), Jill (Voice of Amy Sedaris), Imelda (Voice of Constance Marie), Moustache Man/Comandante (Voice of Guillermo del Toro), Andy Beanstalk (Voice of Mike Mitchell), Bounty Hunter (Voice of Rich Dietl), Luis (Voice of Ryan Crego), Bartender/Mean Boy/Wagon Driver/Hotel Owner/Rodrigo (Voice of Tom Wheeler), Raoul/Soldier (Voice of Conrad Vernon), Bar Thief (Voice of Tom McGrath), Giuseppe (Voice of Bob Joles), and Crazy Woman/Mean Girl/Milk Lady/Little Boy (Voice of Latifa Ouaou). 

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? 

Yes. Good entertainment for the whole family. There are some sexual innuendos, but these would be caught by an adult and they do not detract from the enjoyment of the movie. 

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

ACT OF VALOR (Theatrical Release USA 2012)

 Ben Meyers’ rating: 4.0|5.0 Starsìììì

Act of Valor—average war film—needs more development of the relationship between the Seal brothers so that the audience becomes invested in what happens with them. There needs to be more connectedness between the relationships of the supporting cast. The supporting cast gets a treatment that does not allow easy recognition from scene to scene. Their connectedness for the audience goes something like this: I am somehow connected to the main characters; you figure it out. This kind of development makes the audience work while the film moves on.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

 Storyline

 Navy Seals attempt to recover a CIA agent.

 Additional Thanks

 Thank you to Directors Mike McCoy and Scott Waugh for directing effort. Thank you to Executive Producers Tucker Tooley, Jason Clark, Jason Colodne, Bert Ellis, Ryan Kavanaugh, Roman Kindrachuk, Max Leitman, Michael J. Mallis, Jay Pollak, Lance Sloane, and Benjamin Statler for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Lieutenant Rorke (Rorke Denver), Chief Dave (Dave), SO1 Sonny (Sonny), SO1 Weimy (Weimy), SO1 Ray (Ray), SO1 Ajay (Ajay), SO1 Mikey (Mikey), Senior Chief Otto (Derrick Van Orden), Lieutenant Lyons (Katelyn), SWCC Boat Senior Chief (Billy), Admiral Callaghan (Callaghan), Captain Duncan Smith (Duncan Smith), Abu Shabal (Jason Cottle), Christo (Alex Veadov), and Lisa Morales (Roselyn Sanchez).

 Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

 Maybe. It somewhat works as an action film but is not well thought out and seems meaningless.

*Also known as Act of Valour

Video Critique Available Here:

 Ben Meyers

ALIEN WARFARE (Internet Release USA 2019)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 2.4|5.0 Starsìì

Alien Warfare tries to meld action and comedy with a few serious scenes thrown in to balance itself, but, the movie short circuits from the beginning and falls flat.  Main challenges in this movie are: less than professional acting, poor script portrayal, and lack of connectivity. The concept is interesting, but it ends like a balloon that immediately deflates and delivers little satisfaction or fun entertainment. Scenes, like the two blender sketches, are pointless, not funny, and take away value from the movie.

Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images

Storyline

Navy seals battle aliens.

 Additional Thanks 

Thank you to Director Jeremiah Jones for directing effort. Thank you to Executive Producers Caitlin Brimer, James T. Bruce IV, Milan Friedrich, Micah Haley, Maxime Normandin, and R. Bryan Wright for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Mike (Clayton Snyder), Chris (David B. Meadows), Jonesy (Daniel Washington), Thorpe (Scott C. Roe), Isabella (Larissa Andrade), Alien Leader (Scott Hoffman), Stealth Alien (Kaitlyn Hiller), Tech Alien (Taylor Vale), Bruiser Alien (Adam Weppler), Meredith (Mary Paolino), Movladi (Evan Leone), Juri (Jeffrey Alan Solomon), Avery (Sal Rendino), Maddox (Jose Guns Alves), and Reed (Michael Bakkensen). 

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

No. The story’s potential is not realized. 

Video Critique Available Here

Ben Meyers

LATTE AND THE MAGIC WATERSTONE (Theatrical Release France 2019)

 Ben Meyers’ rating: 2.8|5.0 Starsìì 

Latte and the Magic Waterstone seems to be a good concept and it has fair to good animation, but the story is not original and plays on clichés. Unfortunately, a child’s roller coaster at a theme park provides more interest than this movie. The blandness makes it pointless. When making a movie, one should be shooting for that classic that will become a heart treasure for generations to come…that means no message movies. A movie needs to be eventful, meaningful, and well-acted. Many Disney movies were actually B-grade but became family favorites that moved through generations to completely entertain and be treasured over and over again by both children and adults. They never lost timeliness because they were timeless. Children may like this film; adults will likely pass on it. 

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline 

A hedgehog goes on an adventure to stop a serious drought. 

Additional Thanks 

Thank you to Directors Regina Welker and Nina Wels for directing effort. Thank you to Producers Jan Goossen, Lilian Klages, Jesper Møller, and Thomas G. Müller for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Latte (Ashley Bornancin), Bantur (Danny Fehsenfeld), Lupo (Daniel Amerman), Johnson (Julian Grant), Greta (Leslie L. Miller), Bear Guard (Byron Marc Newsome), Boar’s Mother (Carla Renata), Aken/Rabbit Dad (Eric Saleh),  Rabbit Mother/Ber Mama (Sophie Simpson), Amaroo (Gunnar Sizemore), and Bunny (Paulette Victor-Lifton). 

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? 

No. There are better stories out there. It will be interesting to see more of these directors' future work and how they can improve as a team. But, this movie can be passed over.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

DARK MATTER (Video Release USA 2019)

 Ben Meyers’ rating: 3.5|5.0 Starsììì

Dark Matter—documentary short film about two men who perform death-defying snowboarding stunts—could have been so much more if the audience had been let in to their private lives. Character development in this 20-minute wonder is basically zero…it becomes more of an advertisement for their skill and the camera person’s top-of-the-line skill set. The snowboarding? MORE than impressive. Music scores? Perfect. Audience wants to see more development beyond the snowboarding alone. Three to four days with the same repeat, day after day, caught on film seems redundant.

Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images

Storyline 

Two famous snowboarders perform amazing physical stunts on snowboards.

Additional Thanks 

Thank you to Director Curt Morgan for directing effort.  Additional characters/cast include: Himself (Elias Elhardt), Himself (Travis Rice), and Narrator (Graham Tracey). 

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? 

Maybe. If one is or is not a snowboarding fan, the snowboarding scenes are completely amazing. But, beside that, the movie has not been created as an entertainment piece as it has no storyline to drive it.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

RUSTLERS' RHAPSODY (Theatrical Release USA 1985)

 Ben Meyers’ rating: 4.1|5.0 Starsìììì

Rustlers' Rhapsody—adult themed—orients its unusual humor around some sexual references and plays itself out by capturing the triteness that define the western movie except this movie’s protagonist isn’t present to lead the war against evil but merely finds himself in the middle of a story and runs along with the story as it presents itself. Tom Berenger and G.W. Bailey are exceptionally well cast for this story. However, the choice of Andy Griffith as the antagonist is a difficult pill the casting department asks the audience to swallow. The supporting cast for the main antagonist have been chosen well.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

 Storyline

 A laidback cowboy takes life as it comes, scene by scene.

 Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director Hugh Wilson for directing effort. Thank you to Executive Producer José Antonio Sáinz de Vicuñas for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Rex O’Herlihan (Tom Berenger), Peter (G.W. Bailey), Miss Tracy (Marilu Henner), Colonel Ticonderoga (Andy Griffith), Railroad Colonel (Fernando Rey), Colonel’s Daughter (Sela Ward), Jim (Brant von Hoffman), Jud (Christopher Malcolm), Blackie (Jim Carter), Sheepherder 1 and 2 (Paul Maxwell and Manuel Pereiro), Sheepherder’s Wife (Margarita Calahorra), Town Doctor (Billy J. Mitchell), Town Sheriff (John Orchard), and Sheepherder in Saloon (Emilio Linder). 

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

 Yes. Trendy romp for adults, filled with innuendos. 

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

NE ZHA (Theatrical Release China 2019)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 3.0|5.0 Starsììì 

Ne Zha can be followed until the middle of the story; then, due to its complicated story structure begins to fall apart. The movie does not cross international borders well as it relies on a series of metaphorical references and a cultural backdrop that cannot properly be understood unless one is part of the culture’s folklore. A child may be vexed and eventually bored with the movie due to the many scenes that stack one on top of the other without providing clear understanding of the movie. This Chinese movie breaks apart the Ying/Yang symbol to leave its audience gasping for air to understand.  International audiences may find themselves wondering why the story has significance.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia  

Storyline

Humans, spirits, and demons interact.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director Yu Yang for directing effort. Thank you to Executive Producers Wenzhang Liu and Yunyun Wei for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Ertong Nezha (Voice of Yanting Lu), Shaonian Nezha (Voice of Joseph), Aobing (Voice of Mo Han), Lijing (Voice of Hao Chen), Yinfuren (Voice of Qi Lü), Taiyi zhenren (Voice of Jiaming Zhang),  Shengongbao (Voice of Wei Yang), Ne Zha (Voice of Jordan Cole), and Ya Ya-newborn (Lexie Foley). 

Buy a ticket? Yes? No Maybe?

Maybe. The movie’s story is difficult to follow. Read a plotline before you go.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

 

ANIMAL CRACKERS (Television Release USA 2020)

 Ben Meyers’ rating: 3.8|5.0 Starsììì 

Animal Crackers takes a long time to get off the ground. This hinders the quality of the movie. It is not until the latter half of the film that it establishes its good storyline and takes the heart and mind on quite an interesting journey that is very innovative and freshly done. Children will most likely enjoy this movie as a multiple watch; adults will be satisfied with a single watch. The movie has good animation and employs good, recognizable voice talent to include John Krasinski, Emily Blunt, Danny DeVito, Patrick Warburton, Ian McKellen, Raven Symone, Gilbert Gottfried, and Wallace Shawn. The characters are likable due to fairly strong character development and voices that have been tied to well-known, established personalities. 

Film, Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline 

A family needs to save a circus. 

Additional Thanks 

Thank you to Director Tony Bancroft and Scott Christian Sava for directing effort. Thank you to Executive Producers Ty Accornero, Sam Chi, Michael Favelle, Taylor Huang, Peikang La, Leighton Lloyd, Harry Mok, Chad Oliver, Danny Stepper, Mu Yedong, and Sasha Yelaun for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Zoe (Voice of Emily Blunt), Chesterfield (Voice of Danny DeVito), Owen (Voice of John Krasinski), Horatio P. Huntington (Voice of Ian McKellen), Binkley (Voice of Raven-Symoné), Bullet-Man (Voice of Sylvester Stallone), Brock (Voice of Patrick Warburton), Talia (Voice of Tara Strong), Buffalo Bob (Voice of James Arnold Taylor), Mackenzie (Voice of Lydia Rose Taylor), Mr. Woodley (Voice of Wallace Shawn), Esmerelda (Voice of Harvey Fierstein), Samson the Strongman (Voice of Kevin Grevioux), Stabby (Voice of Tony Bancroft), and Mario Zucchini (Voice of Gilbert Gottfried). 

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? 

Yes. This is simple, uncomplicated, and fun to watch. 

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers