SHREK 2 (Theatrical Release USA 2004)

 Ben Meyers’ rating: 4.3|5.0 Starsìììì

Shrek 2—fun ride that shows well on screen—succeeds due to well-drawn and defined characters. This film lacks the magic of the first movie, but still maintains the critical forms of good entertainment. Good choice for both older and younger audiences, the movie bridges that critical age gap that few films manage well. The movie has flavor and serves good portions of high creativity.

 Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

 Storyline

 Shrek cements his relationship with the princess.

 Additional Thanks

 Thank you to Directors Andrew Adamson, Kelly Asbury, and Conrad Vernon for directing effort. Thank you to Producers Aron Warner, David Lipman, and John Williams for making the film possible. Characters/cast include: Shrek (Mike Myers), Donkey (Eddie Murphy), Princess Fiona (Cameron Diaz), Queen Lillian (Julie Andrews), Puss in Boots (Antonio Banderas), King Harold (John Cleese), Prince Charming (Rupert Everett), Fairy Godmother (Jennifer Saunders), and Red Carpet Announcer (Joan Rivers). 

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

 Yes. This film works several levels of good storytelling well. It’s worth its watch.

 Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

EXPATRIOT (Internet Release USA 2017)

 Ben Meyers’ rating: 3.3|5.0 Starsììì

ExPatriot—great idea—aborts itself in presentation and lack of realism. Many scenes and events base themselves in a type of imaginative realm…almost childlike…out of touch with reality or not knowledgeable of adult outcomes. The film peoples itself with unknown or lightly known actors.

 Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images

 Storyline

 A whistle blowing CIA agent flees to Columbia only to be tracked by a CIA agent who makes her an intriguing offer. 

Additional Thanks 

Thank you to Director Conor Allyn for directing effort. Thank you to Executive Producers Felipe Boshell, Stephanie Slack, Fernando Szew, and Ariel Tobi for making the film possible. Characters/cast include: Riley Connors (Valene Kane), Bill Donovan (Charlie Weber),  Estelle Battro (Marcela Mar), Fernando Ruiz (Mario Espitia), Pascal Hernandez (Edgar Vittorino), Jaime Battro (David Valencia), and Carlito Ruiz (Andres Ogilvie Browne). 

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? 

No. A better film choice within this genre is Jack Reacher. 

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

THE FLYING SCOTSMAN (Theatrical Release USA 2006)

 Ben Meyers’ rating: 4.1|5.0 Starsìììì

The Flying Scotsman—good story, plays out well—begins with a bit of disorganization. But, after Graeme Obree (Jonny Lee Miller) gets into bicycle racing, the pace levels some, but the story complicates itself due to lack of good character development. The characters are not easily remembered by name, but rather by facial features which detracts from the deeper human element that typically marks the better films. The film serves as a light afternoon watch.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

 Storyline

 Professional bicycling becomes a young man’s passion.

 Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director Douglas Mackinnon for directing effort. Characters/cast include: Graeme Obree (Jonny Miller), Anne Obree (Laura Fraser), Malky McGovern (Billy Boyd), Douglas Baxter (Brian Cox), and Katie (Morven Christie). 

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

 Yes. Despite presentation flaws and shallow character development, the movie educates. It earns a single watch and informs about professional bicycle racing.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

MAN ON FIRE (Theatrical Release USA 2004)

 Ben Meyers’ rating: 4.4|5.0 Starsìììì

Man on Fire—unexpected WOW! watch—delivers a well-paced entertainment piece via the talents of Denzel Washington and Dakota Fanning. Fresh, original concept relies on an interesting venue to portray a twisted mystery that completely involves audience attention. Director Tony Scott once again shows his skill in directing and delivering outstanding entertainment.

 Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

 Storyline

 A young girl is kidnapped. Her bodyguard makes tough decisions to get her home safely.

 Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director Tony Scott for directing effort. Thank you to Producers Lucas Foster, Arnon Milchan, and Tony Scott for making the film possible. Characters/cast include: John Creasy (Denzel Washington), Lupita Ramos (Dakota Fanning), Lisa Ramos (Radha Mitchell), Paul Rayburn (Christopher Walken), Samuel Ramos (Marc Anthony), Miguel Manzano (Giancarlo Giannini), Jordan Kalfus (Mickey Rourke), and Mariana Guerrero (Rachel Ticotin). 

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? 

Yes. This is a very good, tense watch. The movie has a unique touch on the pulse of a certain type of culture and value system.

Video Critique Available Here: 

 

Ben Meyers

DREAMER (Theatrical Release USA 2005)

 Ben Meyers’ rating: 4.3|5.0 Starsìììì

Dreamer—simple horse story—works as a clean child/adult share. Its good presentation and introduction to the world of horse racing make it an easy-on-the-mind watch that deserves its single watch.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

A horse farm owner finds the courage to dream again.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director John Gatins for directing effort. Thank you to Producers Brian Robbins, Hunt Lowry, and Michael Tollin for making the film possible. Characters/cast include: Benjamin Crane (Kurt Russell), Cale Crane (Dakota Fanning), Pop Crane (Kris Kirstofferson), Lilly Crane (Elisabeth Shue), Everett Palmer (David P), Manolin Vallarta (Freddy Rodriguez), Balon (Luis Guzman), Prince Sadir (Oded Fehr), William Ford (Ken Howard), and Doc Fleming (Holmes Osborne).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. This is a simple, but good watch. Well done by all involved.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

STRANDED (Esma YouTube Channel Release France 2021)

 Ben Meyers’ rating: 4.0|5.0 Starsìììì

Stranded—animated short film—shows great choice in focus of scenes to tell its story, very professional. It gives a cinematic effect that completely engages eye movement. The introduction of the golden moose creates some confusion and its meaning is not entirely clear until the end of the story. The significance can easily be missed due to the quick passing of the scenes over the shelf’s contents. There needs to be a small timing adjustment to allow thorough realization of the presence of the moose. It takes a second watch and careful care to the final dialogue to catch the significance of the story. There is no lack in ability of the animators. 

Film Poster Courtesy of YouTube Images 

Storyline 

A hunter finds his world rearranged. 

Additional Thanks 

Thank you to ESMA and YouTube for providing the appropriate platforms to make the short film distributable. Thank you to Alvin Arevalo-Zamora, Alwin  Durez, Quentin Garaud, Maxime Salvatore, and the rest of the team for producing the short film. 

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? 

Yes. To understand this short film, pay close attention to the dialogue at the end. It may require a double watch to understand the full intent of the short film’s title and what has happened to the hunter in relation to the golden moose. 

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers 

THE SINGING SHADOWS (YouTube Release 2022)

 Ben Meyers’ rating: 3.8|5.0 Starsììì

The Singing Shadows—okay animation—uses ineffective, repetitive scenes like the bedtime shadow puppets as if trying to fill in time requirements of a school project rather than giving its audience something new in those precious few minutes of entertainment time. This redundancy noticeably reduces story value, clarity while enhancing the audience’s feeling that it is a copycat, lacking originality animated film. It leaves the watcher with one huge question, ‘Why?’

Film Poster Image Courtesy of YouTube Images

 Storyline

 A small child rebels against its Mother’s warning about wild animals.

 Additional Thanks

Thank you to Directors Louna Piette, Virginie Pellet, Myrtil LaPierre, Astride LaLouette, Marine Guarmaccia, and Manon Bernard Vigne, and Srushti Kakade for directing effort. Thank you to YouTube for broadcasting the film. Thank you to ESMA 2021 for making the place possible for creation of film.

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? 

Maybe. It is a short film and therefore takes little review time. It briefly investigates a jungle/village culture but unfortunately isolates the mother and child from their village and then introduces an entirely foreign wild animal that detracts from its story rather than enhances its story. These two factors introduce a weakness/improbability into the storyline and eliminate a richness that could have greatly added value to this short film’s entertainment potential while reaching to touch audience mental actualization/engagement. 

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

 

 

 

ONSEN (YouTube Release 2021)

 Ben Meyers’ rating: 4.1|5.0 Starsìììì 

Onsen—short film—has good animation coupled with a great story with a sweet and lightly presented message tucked inconsequentially into  its background so that it whispers rather than shouts. The short film stands on its own, can be appreciated as a good child/adult share, and delivers full entertainment value in part due to its well-drawn characters. It seems to beg for a longer treatment. 

Film Poster Courtesy of YouTube 

Storyline 

An onsen is guarded and not shared which leads to serious consequences 

Additional Thanks 

Thank you to Carlotta, Bastien, Linda, Thibaud, Carla, and Lucas for their efforts in producing the film. Thank you to YouTube for broadcasting the movie. Thank you to ESMA/The CGBros for providing place for production. 

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? 

Yes. This short film is what a critic looks for…a movie that inspires, tells a story that touches the heart, and delivers its message in a quiet, courteous manner. Wow!  Terrific, brief, but packed with entertainment value. Do some research on Japanese onsens before watching to increase international appreciation of the film. 

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

LIYOKI (YouTube Release 2021)

 Ben Meyers’ rating: 3.9|5.0 Starsììì 

Liyoki—short film—shows good animation skill sets and runs on an easily followed story pattern. Unlike many short  films that are meant to entertain, this short runs as a message film about gorilla poaching.  The storyline could be stronger and the red squiggles meant to show anger need replacement with something different to show that emotion. The documentary Virunga gets the same message across at a much more powerful level, but this short would serve a young child’s audience well due to its briefness that appeals to a child’s attention span. It does not serve as a good before bedtime watch. 

Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images 

Storyline 

Poachers kill part of a gorilla’s family. 

Additional Thanks 

Thank you to Directors Armel Boutillon, Thibault Cambresy, Arthur Lefebyre, Jeremy Livingston, Francesca Mccall, Sarah Munos, and Aurelie Tapponnier for directing effort. Thank you to YouTube for hosting the short film and to  ESMA 2020 for providing the means of production. 

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? 

Yes. This is a good show for the young audience, but needs some discussion time after watching to soften the sadness and enhance knowledge about poaching practices. 

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

THE WILD GEESE (Theatrical Release United Kingdom 1978)

 Ben Meyers’ rating: 4.3|5.0 Starsìììì

The Wild Geese—ride of your life war flick—accesses the talents of three of the best 1970s professional entertainers, Richard Harris, Richard Burton, and Roger Moore. This film makes a lasting impression due to notable acting and a great presentation of story. Earns its watch both in time and money investment. 

Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images

 Storyline

 A group of mercenary soldiers attempt to rescue a South African president from imprisonment.

 Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director Andrew McLaglen for directing effort. Thank you to Producers Euan Lloyd, Erwin Dietrich, Douglas Netter, and Chris Chrisafis for making the film possible. Characters/cast include: Colonel Allen Faulkner (Richard Burton), Lieutenant Shawn Fynn (Roger Moore), Captain Rafer Janders (Richard Harris), Lieutenant Pieter Coetzee (Hardy Kruger), Sir Edward Matheson (Stewart Granger), Regimental Sergeant Major Sandy Young (Jack Watson), Father Geoghegen (Frank Finlay), Medic Arthur Witty (Kenneth Griffith), Mr. Martin (Jeff Corey), Thomas Balfour (Barry Foster), President Julius Limbani (Winston Ntshona), Sergeant Jock McTaggart (Ronald Fraser), and Sergeant Jesse Blake (John Kani). 

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? 

Yes. This is a high-quality action thriller that deserves its watch. 

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

MALONE (Theatrical Release USA 1987)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 4.2|5.0 Starsìììì

Malone—Burt Reynolds—entertains with high action and well-drawn characters that make it easy to distinguish between the ‘good guys’ and the ‘bad guys’. This movie operates on the same level as a Steven Segal or a Chuck Norris film. The audience gets a full action movie via Burt Reynolds and also gets a good feel for the entertainment style he delivers. Good watch for this genre.

 Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

 Storyline

 A CIA agent uncovers an Oregon-based operation that proposes to change the basic infrastructure of the United States.

 Additional Thanks

 Thank you to Director Harley Cokeliss for directing effort. Thank you to Producer Leo Fuchs for making the film possible. Characters/cast include: John Haggerty (Burt Reynolds), Jamie (Lauren Hutton), Charles Delaney (Cliff Robertson), Sheriff Hawkins (Kenneth McMillan), Jo Barlow (Cynthia Gibb), Paul Barlow (Scott Wilson), Madrid (Alex Diakun), Harvey (Philip Anglim), Calvin Bollard (Tracey Walter), Dan Bollard (Dennis Burkley), Jon Patterson (Brooks Gardner), and Grave Digger (Peter Gaythorpe). 

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

 Yes. No lack in action or intrigue and still viable Burt Reynolds movie.

 Video Critique Available Here:

 

 Ben Meyers

MY GRANDPA IS AN ALIEN (Theatrical Release Croatia 2019)

 Ben Meyers’ rating: 3.9|5.0 Starsììì

My Grandpa is an Alien—fresh idea—uses a simple, straightforward process to tell its story. The movie relies on English voice overs to reach the English-speaking audience. The acting is suitable. The portrayal is good. The best part of the film is the robot and the aliens who attempt to set right unhappy events in humans’ lives. It is an interesting watch. 

Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images

Storyline 

A young girl looks for her alien-abducted Grandfather. 

Additional Thanks 

Thank you to Directors Marina Andree Skop and Drazen Zarkovic for directing effort. Thank you to Producers Darija Kulenovic Gudan, and Marina Andree Skop for making the film possible. Characters/cast include: Lena (Lucija Sando), Dida (Nils Ole Oftebro), Alex (Alex Rakos), Sven (Sven Barac), Lena (Petra Polnisova), Tata (Frano Maskovic), Una (Lana Hranjec), Maja (Tonka Kovacic), Majina Prijateljica (Gita Hajdarhodzic), and Majina druga Prijateljica (Lucija Fresl). 

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? 

Yes. It‘s got a certain classiness that a story within this genre would not usually have and serves as  a good look into films coming out of Croatia. 

Video Critique Available Here: 

 Ben Meyers