The Martian—WOW!—easily becomes an excellent addition to the home video library.
The star-studded, hot-ticket cast (Chiwetel Ejiofor and Donald Glover, Jessica
Chastain, Kristen Wiig, and Benedict Wong (from Marvel Comics)) are well-mixed. Jeff Daniels shows his
versatility when one thinks of him in this movie versus Dumb and Dumber or
State of Play. The movie earns
its watch.
Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images
Storyline
A team works to rescue a man left behind on Mars.
Additional
Thanks
Thank you to Director Ridley Scott for directing
effort. Thank you to Executive Producer Drew Goddard for making the film
possible. Cast includes: Matt Damon, Jessica Chastain, Kristen Wiig, Jeff
Daniels, Michael Peňa, Sean Bean, Kate Mara,
Sebastian Stan, Aksel Hennie, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Benedict Wong, Mackenzie Davis,
and Donald Glover.
Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?
Yes. This is a wonderful sci-fi movie and worth
its watch; a well-done film.
Detonator—poor script—needs improvement due to the script writing. However, the
movie is a perfect example of the director and actors making the best of a
script that is not high quality. They show true craftsmanship as they work with
what has been given and make it shine the best they can. Pierce Brosnan,
Patrick Stewart. Alexandra Paul, Ted Levine, and Christopher Lee produce a solid
3.8|5.0 Star film that stands a little above most 3.8 rated films. Know that
the film still makes a fair watch.
Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images
Storyline
The movie is about international witness
protection.
Additional
Thanks
Thank you to
Director David Jackson for directing effort. Thank you to Producer Peter Snell
for making the film possible. Cast includes: Pierce Brosnan, Patrick Stewart,
Christopher Lee, Ted Levine, and Alexandra Paul.
Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?
Yes. This is a good show and worth watching as a
quick afternoon watch.
White
Wolves: Ghosts of the Artic—short
film documentary—earns its watch as a good study of wolf behavior during pup
raising time. The filming takes place on Canada’s Ellesmere Island. The camera
work is very good; the story is simple and interesting.
Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images
Storyline
The movie is about the struggle to raise wolf
pups before winter strikes in the Arctic.
Additional
Thanks
Thank you to Director
Oliver Goetzl and Barbara Doran for directing and writing effort.
Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?
Yes. This is an interesting documentary and worth
watching.
Deepwater Horizon—GREAT special effects—follows them with good acting
and presentation. The movie could be rewatched just to observe the special
effects. Because this movie bases itself on an actual event, it allows viewers
to get inside that event to experience what it could be like to have an oil rig
explode. Watch for the cameo of Trace Adkins, the western singer and actor, toward
the end of the movie. The movie mixes the elements of suspense and thrill to earn
its rights to time and financial expenditure.
Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images
Storyline
An oil rig malfunctions, and the lives of all
workers become endangered.
Additional
Thanks
Thank you to Director Peter Berg for directing
effort. Thank you to Producers Lorenzo di Bonaventura, Mark Vahradian, Mark
Wahlberg, Stephen Levinson, and David Womark for making the film possible. Cast
includes: Mark Wahlberg, Kurt Russell, John Malkovich, Gina Rodriguez, Dylan O’Brien,
and Kate Hudson.
Dune—read a plotline before going—works at an exceptionally high level of
complication and sophistication. This is an intellectual watch that may be
completely appreciated by a limited audience with specialized knowledge. It is not
as interesting, nor as good as the original movie, but the film does elaborate on
Baron Vladimir Harkonnen’s character and about his position in moving the story
forward. While the cast is star-studded, it surprisingly, at times, needs more
realistic acting and consistency in acting skills.
Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images
Storyline
A family has become powerful due to its control
of ‘spice’. A ruler decides that a new family needs to control the ‘spice.’
Additional
Thanks
Thank you to Director Denis Villeneuve for
directing effort. Thank you to Producers Mary Parent, Denis Villeneuve, and
Eric Roth for making the film possible. Cast includes: Timothee Chalamet, Oscar
Isaac, Josh Brolin, Stellan Skarsgård, Dave Bautista, Stephen McKinley
Henderson, Zendaya, David Dastmalchian, Chang Chen, Sharon Duncan-Brewster,
Charlotte Rampling, Jason Momoa, and Javier Bardem.
Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?
Maybe. It is interesting to see the differences
between the original Dune and this story (which has been completely
rewritten with bits of the original story sprinkled in at curtain junctures).
There is little to recommend this movie to a general audience other than to see
new actors coming into their professional maturity and to view some very good
special effects, makeup artists' terrific abilities, and some fantastic architectural
structures.
The Legend of Tarzan—fun and almost exciting at times—did well in its
casting of Alexander Skarsgȁrd for the part of Tarzan. It is good to see Samuel L. Jackson as part of
this cast. Surprisingly, in a much overly done story, this remake turns into a
fairly good watch that adds more depth to the original films about Tarzan.
Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images
Storyline
An embellishment on the original Tarzan stories.
Additional
Thanks
Thank you to David Yates for directing effort.
Thank you to Jerry Weintraub, David Barron, Alan Riche, and Tony Ludwig for
making the film possible. Cast includes: Alexander Skarsgård, Samuel L. Jackson, Margot Robbie, Djimon
Hounsou, Jim Broadbent, and Christoph Waltz.
Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?
Yes. Fun and watchable. Good work for all
involved.
Inferno—complicated, but not unintelligible—is the third and final film of
the Dan Brown book series. Director Ron Howard shows his mettle as a director
who plumbs the depths of the story to accent its highlights as well as
demanding the most from his casted actors. The movie relies on a series of
flashbacks, always a difficult presentation to work with because it requires
extreme dedication to continuity and deep audience engagement to follow the
story. Director Howard pulls both story requirements off well. It’s a good
movie to watch when an audience desires that deeper level of engagement and
easily earns its right to sit in the home video library along with the previous
Dan Brown movies.
Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images
Storyline
An amnesiac has difficulty putting together
scattered memories.
Additional
Thanks
Thank you to Director Ron
Howard for directing effort. Thank you to Producers Brian Grazer and Ron Howard
for making the film possible. Cast includes: Tom Hanks, Felicity Jones, Irrfan
Khan, Omar Sy, Ben Foster, and Sidse Babett Knudsen.
Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?
Yes. This movie works at the complicated level
and earns its watch.
Man of Steel—huge improvement over the original 1978 film Superman with
Christopher Reeve—accesses the acting talents of Henry Cavill for the role of
Superman and Russell Crowe for the role of Jor-El. Both choices are
outstanding. The presentation,
writing, special effects are on par. The acting works from the good to very
good. Superman fans should be well-pleased with this production’s enhancements.
Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images
Storyline.
Superman once again fills his role as fighter for
the good of Earth’s inhabitants.
Additional
Thanks
Thank you to Zack Snyder for directing effort.
Thank you to Producers Charles Roven, Christopher Nolan, Emma Thomas, and
Deborah Snyder for making the film possible. Cast includes: Henry Cavill, Amy
Adams, Michael Shannon, Kevin Costner, Diane Lane, Laurence Fishburne, Antje
Traue, Ayelet Zurer, Christopher Meloni, and Russell Crowe.
Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?
Yes. Be aware the film especially appeals to Superman fans.
The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of Dawn
Treader—simple enough for the child, complicated enough for the adult—presents a storyline that is not up to par with either the
child or adult audience. Then again, this movie has better presentation than
the second film in the series possibly because so much of it has been moved to
water stage scenes. Be aware the film works on a bland level and somehow misses
the mark of a good, high quality show. The acting works at the good to okay
level. The animal animation and costuming are commendable. Watch for quite
excellent dragon animation. For investment capital, this may have been
considered a risky investment.
Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images
Storyline
Lucy develops a deeper relationship with Aslan.
Additional
Thanks
Thank you to Director Michael Apted directing
effort. For directing effort. Thank you to Producers Mark Johnson, Andrew
Adamson, and Philip Steuer for making the film possible. Cast includes: Georgie
Henley, Skandar Keynes, Ben Barnes, Will Poulter, and Tilda Swinton.
Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?
Maybe. This film completes the Chronicles of Narnia
movie series. The story ends on a happy note. The movie will satisfy the Chronicles
of Narnia movie audience.
Mulan raises the question: What is Disney going for in this film? It seems flat
due to its less than epic visual techniques. The acting and presentation range
from good to okay and the movie itself does not compete well with other Mulan
movies.
Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images
Storyline
Mulan, a female with high Chi, decides to use it.
Additional
Thanks
Thank you to Director
Niki Caro for directing effort. Thank you to Chris Bender, Jake Weiner, and
Jason Reed for making the film possible. Cast includes: Yifei Liu, Donnie Yen,
Jason Scott Lee, Yoson An, Gong Li, and Jet Li.
Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?
Maybe. It is a good to okay watch. It is
interesting to see Donnie Yen play in a Disney film. The animated movie version
of Mulan is a better entertainment piece than this live version.
Ford Vs. Ferrari earns
its placeon Ben Meyers Movie Critics’ Best Films list. It deserves its
WOW! and BRAVO! and could easily be watched more than once. Great acting by
Matt Damon and Christian Bale who team beautifully in this film.
Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images
Storyline
The story of competition between automakers as well as a good
look at the development of the Ford GT40.
Additional
Thanks
Thank you to James Mangold
for directing effort. Thank you to Producers Peter Chemin, Jenno Topping, and
James Mangold for making the film possible. Cast includes: Matt Damon,
Christian Bale, Jon Bernthal, Caitriona Balfe, Tracy Letts, and Josh Lucas.
Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?
Yes. This is a film that makes its audience feel
like they get a true insider view into the auto racing world. Excellent
entertainment ride.
Kangaroo Valley—excellent camera work, crystal clear HD imaging—has nothing new to present
to the audience. Everything, from the narrator to the organization of each
scene is professionally done. In the end, though, it is a documentary much like
ones that would have been presented on television in the 1960s. The story
itself moves slowly. It is an easy-on-the-mind, quiet watch.
Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images
Storyline
This documentary follows life events of a joey
kangaroo.
Additional
Thanks
Thank you to Director Kylie Stott for directing
effort. Thank you to Executive Producers Ari Mark and Phil Lott for making the film possible. Cast includes: Sarah Snook.
Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?
Maybe. It is what it is,…a wildlife show delivered
in HD with crystal clear imaging and a good storyline. It may be a good watch
for children but know it is around an hour long and may not hold the attention
of youngest viewers.
The Swimmers—wonderful watch—quickly becomes an inspirational film that deeply
delineates the plight of refugees, the cost of relocating from one country to
another, and the nearly impossible circumstances that frame refugees:
homelessness, health issues, abandonment by transporters, and ability to find
safe housing, regular meals, and necessary clothing. A champion’s story that
presents miracle after miracle that needs to happen to make the transition
possible as well as delivering the chilling message of the cost of relocation.
Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images
Storyline
Documentary about Olympic swimmers and their
efforts to reach Olympic competition.
Additional
Thanks
Thank you to Director
Sally El Hosaini for directing effort. Thank you to Producers Eric Fellner, Tim
Bevan, Ali Jaafar, and Tim Cole for making the film possible. Cast includes:
Nathalie Issa, Manal Issa, Ahmed Malek, Matthias Schweighofer, Ali Suliman,
Kinda Alloush, and James Floyd.
Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?
Yes. WOW! film with a strong dose of reality in
every bite is a great presentation of perseverance in following dreams. Good subtitles and voiceovers.
Volcano: Rescue from Whakaari—odd and sad event—is the story of White Island
Volcano in New Zealand that erupted in 2019 with steam and other material, nearly
destroyed several groups of tourists, and left many physically scarred. This is
the story of the survivors, the ones who did not survive, and provides a back story on the event. What a film! Very informative and well put together.
One of the better documentaries on the market. Worth its watch. Crafted more
for the teen/adult audience.
Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images
Storyline
Documentary about the people who lived and died
during and after a volcanic eruption in New Zealand.
Additional
Thanks
Thank you to Director Rory
Kennedy for directing effort. Thank you to Executive Producers Jennifer
Davisson, Leonardo DiCaprio, Brian Grazer, Ron Howard, and Phillip Watson for
making the film possible. Cast includes: Mark Inman, Hazel Osborne, Pouroto
Ngaropo, Andy McGregor, Lauren Urey, Matt Urey, Jesse Langford, Geoff Hopkins,
Kelsey Waghorn, Brian DePauw, Ngaroahiahi Patuwai Maangi,
Isaac Tait, and Jason Hewitt.
Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?
Yes. This is a good watch that not only brings a
part of New Zealand alive but introduces several different ways of thinking
that humans do when getting ready to engage activities that may be dangerous.
The Balcony—short film—attempts to graphically define loneliness and the need to
connect with others. The short film shows a vignette of modern life and an
audience may be left with a boring, sadness that is difficult to shake after
watching. The simple animation begins with a top-down view, which is a nice
variation from many short films. It’s simply animated but its story seems too
much like real life to fall in love with it as entertainment. It is what it is
Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images
Storyline
Define loneliness attempt marks this short movie.
Additional
Thanks
Thank you to Anya Martin for directing effort. CalArts
student film distributing on YouTube.
Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?
Maybe. It is what it is; a good effort. One interpretation
may not be what the writers wanted the audience to take away.
Avengers:
Age of Ultron—this
second film is better than the first Avengers movie—has a type of synergy that
the first movie could not accomplish. Watch for some new superheroes like Vision
and Wanda (from Disney+ television) who are incorporated into this movie’s
storyline and, of course, the traditional sneaking in of Stan Lee in a cameo
appearance. This film’s Marvel characters overflow like a huge bouquet on a
small table and provide a basically good entertainment piece. Good work for all
involved.
Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images
Storyline
The strongest and best fighters for earth join
forces to rid it of the latest threat to its peace and happiness.
Additional
Thanks
Thank you to Joss
Whedon for directing effort. Thank you to Executive Producers Victoria Alonso,
Louis D’Esposito, Jon Favreau, Alan Fine, Jeremy Latcham, Stan Lee, and
Patricia Whitcher for making the film possible. Cast members include: Robert
Downey Jr., Chris Hemsworth, Mark Ruffalo, Chris Evans, Scarlett Johansson,
Jeremy Renner, James Spader, Samuel L. Jackson, Don Cheadle, and Aaron
Taylor-Johnson.
Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?
Yes. This movie is a bit better than its prequel,
can be enjoyed as a family, and earns its watch.
