PASSPORT TO THE WORLD: ROUTE 66 (Released in United States 2019)

 Ben Meyers’ rating: 3.7|5.0 Starsììì

Passport to the World: Route 66—good documentary—introduces the car, a 1976 AMC Matador Brougham station wagon, that makes the trip but fails to introduce the narrator/driver. The film is somewhat informative and minorly worth watching. It tells about all the places, mostly historic,  where one can dine and lodge along this highway. The movie works as a good to okay watch unless one has a tremendous interest in Route 66.

 Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images

Storyline 

A man travels Route 66 from Chicago, Illinois to Santa Monica, California. 

Additional Thanks 

Thank you to Director Nicolas Breton for directing effort and the assistance of Jean-Francois Dufault. Cast: Donna Bouche. 

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? 

Maybe. The film is a good to okay watch.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

 

OUTSIDE THE WIRE (Video Release World -Wide 2021)

 Ben Meyers’ rating: 4.3|5.0 Starsìììì 

Outside the Wire—unusual film—has a similar concept and feel to the 1984 film, Terminator, that also used androids to interact with humans. This movie’s android, however, is more autonomous, professional, sophisticated, and human-like than Terminator. Anthony Mackie and Damson Idris form a terrific team. Watch for Michael Kelly. The movie more than earns the investment of time and money for its watch.

 Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images

Storyline 

A human and an android team together to fight crime. 

Additional Thanks 

Thank you to Director Mikael Halstrom for directing effort. Thank you to Producers Brian Kavanaugh-Jones, Anthony Mackie, Ben Pugh, Erica Steinberg, Jason Spire, and Arash Arnel for making the film possible. Cast includes: Anthony Mackie, Damson Idris, Emily Beecham, Michael Kelly, and Pilou Asbaek. 

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. The movie has high professionalism throughout, is very watchable, and runs on a solid, action, military format. Great work for all involved. 

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

15:17 TO PARIS (Theatrical Release USA 2018)

 Ben Meyers’ rating: 4.2|5.0 Starsìììì 

The 15:17 to Paris—good movie—is interesting to watch and worth watching. This is an unusual Clint Eastwood directed film where he uses the actual heroes to reenact their feat of taking down a terrorist on a train on its way to Paris from Amsterdam. The story is well written and well-acted. The presentation is odd in that the characters are so matter-of-fact about their acting…but this presentation somehow works better than the fictional re-enactments that substitute actors/actresses for real persons. This unique presentation works so well that the Ben Meyers' team would like to see the technique mastered and used more frequently, as applicable, in movies as it adds a certain flavor to a film that rings a refreshing trueness.

Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images 

Storyline 

This terrorist drama film is about a terrorist, a train, and three heroes.

Additional Thanks 

Thank you to Director Clint Eastwood for directing effort. Thank you to Producers Clint Eastwood, Jessica Meier, Tim Moore, and Kristina Rivera for making the film possible. Cast includes: Anthony Sadler, Alek Skarlatos, and Spencer Stone. 

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? 

Yes. This movie uses an odd presentation to its content and manages to achieve a realism not often found in movies. This ‘different-ness’ is very welcome by Ben Meyers International Movie Critics. It earns its watch. The value is in place and correctly placed. Thank you for an experiment that worked quite well. 

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

HEROES: SILENCE AND ROCK AND ROLL (Internet Release Spain 2021)

 Ben Meyers’ rating: 4.4|5.0 Starsìììì 

Heroes: Silence and Rock and Roll—Spanish documentary—shows a complete story of a Spanish rock band: Heroes Del Silencio that started in 1984,  ran to 1996, and then made a comeback in 2007 for a 20^th anniversary appearance. The movie is a little hard to follow as the individual characterization is not as well presented as the group characterization. This makes it difficult to follow the band mates’ names as well as the persons who were involved in their rise to fame. The movie is in Spanish with great English subtitles. It is an interesting documentary to follow to see the similarities in musical artists’ work effort as it relates to other internationally known groups.

 Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images

Storyline 

The story of a Spanish musical group and their path to fame. 

Additional Thanks 

Thank you to Director Alexis Morante for directing effort. Thank you to Executive Producer Miguel Angel Lamata for making the film possible. Cast includes: Pedro Andreu, Enrique Bunbury, Joaquin Cardiel, and Juan Valdivia. 

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? 

Yes. The movie shows the realistic lifestyle, the hard work, the dedication, and the venues even the most well-known of groups will play to gain an international audience. 

Video Critic Available Here:

Ben Meyers

GABRIEL IGLESIAS: STADIUM FLUFFY (Internet Release USA 2022)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 4.2|5.0 Starsìììì 

Gabriel Iglesias: Stadium Fluffy—good comedy routine for the adult audience—revolves around the subject of Gabriel Iglesias’ comeback after the Covid 19 pandemic. This routine is above and beyond the usual Iglesias routines, shows a lot of heart, and reveals Martin to the public. Good work for all involved. 

Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images 

Storyline 

Gabriel Iglesias gives a good, full overview of the challenges one can encounter when pursuing a dream. 

Additional Thanks 

Thank you to Gabriel Iglesias for giving above and beyond the Netflix time allowed for the routine and thank you to Netflix for not cutting the last part of the routine and for making the film possible. 

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? 

Yes. It’s a celebration of an accomplished dream. 

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

AVATAR (Theatrical Release USA 2009)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 4.3|5.0 Starsìììì 

Avatar, the imaginative culture and the world this culture inhabits, is vibrant with color. The movie touches the emotions at repeatedly high levels throughout the film. The acting and voicing are very good. At times, one forgets that one is watching a ‘motion capture’ movie. The writing is solid and blurs the lines that separate reality from fiction. Enjoy Sam Worthington, Sigourney Weaver, Michelle Rodriguez, Zoe Saldana, and the rest of the cast in this audience-captivating movie.

 Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images

Storyline 

A man is assigned to serve on a planet inhabited by native flora and fauna highly deadly to human survival. 

Additional Thanks 

Thank you to Director James Cameron for directing effort. Thank you to Producers James Cameron and Jon Landau for making the film possible. Cast includes: Sam Worthington, Zoe Saldana, Stephen Lang, Michelle Rodriguez, and Sigourney Weaver. 

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? 

Yes. The movie has spectacular special effects that use color well. It works on an epic scale. While the basic storyline could use improvement, there is no denying the outstanding use of color, the originality of the movie’s special effects, and the creativity of the culture and its environment. It earns its watch.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

FAT MAN AND LITTLE BOY (Theatrical Release USA 1989)

 Ben Meyers’ rating: 4.1|5.0 Starsìììì 

Fat Man and Little Boy, at certain junctures, can be a bit obtuse in its storyline as it lacks uniform transitioning. However, its ability to link story with educational value cannot be denied. Casting department chose Paul Newman, John Cusack, John C. McGinley and Laura Dern to make the main acting team. That mix works for this movie. Watch for Dwight Shultz who played Murdock on the 1980s A-Team television series. This movie is an interesting interpretation about the making of the atomic bomb.

Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images 

Storyline 

This documentary-type film is about two atomic bombs, their development, and destination. 

Additional Thanks 

Thank you to Director Roland Joffe for directing effort. Thank you to Producer Tony Garnett for making the film possible. Cast includes: Paul Newman, Dwight Schultz, Bonnie Bedelia, John Cusack, Laura Dern, and John C. McGinley. 

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? 

Yes. The movie can be interpreted as dark at times, but it is educational. Thank you to all involved in making the film. 

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

RUSH HOUR 2 (Theatrical Release USA 2001)

 Ben Meyers’ rating: 4.3|5.0 Starsìììì 

Rush Hour 2 teams Jackie Chan and Chris Tucker. While the movie increases its comedic elements over the last film, it also greatly increases sexual scenes not appropriate for most audiences. There is no lack to action scenes throughout the story. The timing is exceptionally well-done.

Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images 

Storyline 

Two law enforcement agents become involved in violent interaction with Hong Kong mobsters. 

Additional Thanks 

Thank you to Director Brett Ratner for directing effort. Thank you to Producers Roger Birnbaum, Jonathan Glickman, Arthur Sarkissian, and Jay Stern for making the film possible. Cast includes: Jackie Chan, Chris Tucker, John Lone, Ziyi Zhang, Roselyne Sanchez Alan King, and Harris Yulin. 

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? 

Yes. This movie upped the suggestive scenes over the first Rush Hour movie to a highly mature, sophisticated level. The comedy element increased, but there is a price paid due to sexual content. 

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

COSMIC SIN (Theatrical Release USA 2021)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 3.7|5.0 Starsììì 

Cosmic Sin starts as a bona fide 4.1|5.0-Star film then slowly dissolves to a 3.7|5.0-Star film. When realization sets in that the movie is ending, the audience is left with the sinking feeling that they just watched a short story that was artificially expanded into an 88-minute watch. There is no sated feeling that entertainment value has been served on a full plate. There are holes in the plot. This movie needs to flesh out its characters and provide good reasons for mass killing, if there could ever be a reason for this military exercise. 

Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images 

Storyline 

This science fiction action film is about a man who earns a dishonorable military discharge for dropping a Q-bomb that kills 70 million people. He is later offered a pardon if he will take on an exceptionally dangerous mission. 

Additional Thanks 

Thank you to Director Edward Drake for directing effort. Thank you to Producer Corey Large for making the film possible. Cast includes: Bruce Willis, Frank Grillo, Brandon Lee, Corey Large, Perrey Reeves, C.J. Perry, Lochlyn Munro, and Costas Mandylor. 

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? 

Maybe. The story is good to some extent but be aware that what you purchase is a short story expanded to approximately 90 minutes. The story is oddly formulated with not much happening and does not represent the usual style of Bruce Willis. The audience may throw their hands up in despair and ask, Why?

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

3 NINJAS: HIGH NOON AT MEGA MOUNTAIN (Theatrical Release France 1998)

 Ben Meyers’ rating: 3.9|5.0 Starsììì 

3 Ninjas: High Noon at Mega Mountain —good concept—has a PG-rating and presents the child actors better than the last films in this series. Victor Wong reprises his role as Grandpa. The added ‘treat’ is the casting of Hulk Hogan. The story is fairly well written; the acting is good to okay. The movie operates at a little higher level than the first film in the series. It is a good send-off for the series.  

Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images 

Storyline 

Two of the three Ninjas decide against returning to martial arts training next year. Circumstances arise that require them to use the skills they learned to fight evil. 

Additional Thanks 

Thank you to Director Sean McNamara for directing effort. Thank you to Producers Arthur Leeds and Shin Sang-ok for making the film possible. Cast includes: Hulk Hogan, Loni Anderson, Victor Wong, Mathew Botuchis, Michael J. O’Laskey II, James Paul Roeske II, and Jim Varney. 

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? 

Yes. This is a good PG-rated film and a good send-off as the fourth film in this series. Good work for all involved. Good storyline overall. Worth a watch. 

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

EIGHT MEN OUT (Theatrical Release USA 1988)

 Ben Meyers’ rating: 3.4|5.0 Starsììì 

Eight Men Out—odd cast combination—complicates its storyline and needs a rewrite. Exceptionally low character development (sparse to none) leads to a cold, almost non-human, computer-like presentation. The brightest interest in the movie is seeing Christopher Lloyd, Clifton James, and Michael Rooker on screen. 

Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images 

Storyline 

A ball team becomes involved with the mob. 

Additional Thanks 

Thank you to Director John Sayles for directing effort. Thank you to Producer Sarah Pillsbury for making the film possible. Cast include: John Cusack, John Mahoney, Michael Rooker, Clifton James, Michael Lerner, Christopher Lloyd, Charlie Sheen, D. B. Sweeney, and David Strathairn. 

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? 

No. A better baseball movie is: The Natural with Robert Redford.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

OPRAH + VIOLA: A NETFLIX SPECIAL EVENT (Video Release World-Wide 2022)

 Ben Meyers’ rating: 4.4|5.0 Starsìììì 

Oprah + Viola: A Netflix Special Event—short film—seems a little rushed and that ‘rush’ adds a coolness to the presentation. Despite this, Oprah still delivers a thorough interview that provides a good review of Davis’ memoirs. It’s professional and provides a good watch. 

Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images 

Storyline 

Oprah reviews Viola Davis’ book and also, in this interview, asks difficult questions about Ms. Davis’ childhood. 

Additional Thanks 

Thank you to Oprah Winfrey and Viola Davis for making the film possible. 

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? 

Yes. This is a good interview and worth watching. 

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

I USED TO BE FAMOUS (Video Release World-Wide 2022)

 Ben Meyers’ rating: 4.3|5.0 Starsìììì

I Used to Be Famous—one of those ‘gotta love’ films despite its low-budget presentation—serves up a sincere story. The movie strengthens itself by casting British actors/actress: Ed Skrein, Leo Long, and Eleanor Matsuura. 

Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images

Storyline 

A young musician discovers a young, autistic drummer and finds a new life. 

Additional Thanks 

Thank you to Director Eddie Stern for directing effort. Thank you to Executive Producers John Grindey and Damien Jones for making the film possible. Cast includes: Ed Skrein, Eleanor Matsuura, Leo Long, Eoin Macken, Lorraine Ashbourne, Neil Stuke, Kurt Egyiawan, and Stanley Morgan. 

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? 

Yes. The film may not run as an A-grade theatrical release, but the storyline about finding one’s highest purpose in life is told well here. It is worth watching. 

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

BAHUBALI: THE BEGINNING (English version All-Medias USA 2016)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 4.3|5.0 Starsìììì 

Bahubali: The Beginning—Indian film—shows strong screen presence of all performers. There is no lack of action or shortness of storyline. The movie contains unusual fantasy and action scenes that are a treat to view. The acting is remarkably good but has a slight tendency to waiver in some scenes. The story works at the epic level, gives good insight into Indian story-telling capability, and illustrates battle when the odds of winning are formidable. The movie is a good watch. 

Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images 

Storyline 

A woman attempts to preserve royal offspring from pursuing royal military. 

Additional Thanks 

Thank you to Director S. S. Rajamouli for directing effort. Thank you to Producer Shobu Yarlagadda and Prasad Devineni for making the film possible. Cast includes: Prabhas, Rana Daggubati, Anushka Shetty, Tamannaah Bhatia, Sathyaraj, Ramya Krishnan, and Nassar. 

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? 

Yes. This epic-sized Indian story is available in an English speaking version on Netflix along with the Hindi version and supports that with great English subtitles. The movie features exceptionally charismatic actors and actresses, moves along well, and deserves its sequel. 

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

ERNEST SCARED STUPID (Theatrical Release USA 1991)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 3.8|5.0 Starsììì 

Ernest Scared Stupid—one of Jim Varney’s better films—once again relies on the tremendous versatility of Varney. Simple story, that a family (10-years old and up) can enjoy as a Halloween share-watch, contains great special effects and has terrific makeup. Cute, fun, and perfect for Ernest movie fans…the movie earns its watch. 

Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images 

Storyline 

Ernest releases forces of evil and must find a way to appease them. 

Additional Thanks 

Thank you to Director John Cherry for directing effort. Thank you to Producers Stacy Williams and Martin Erlichman for making the film possible. Cast: Jim Varney 

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? 

Yes. This is the perfect Jim Varney movie that should completely satisfy his fandom. The make-up of the troll is great; the storyline is fresh and creative. It serves as a ‘not too scary' Halloween watch. The movie entertains, provides humor, and has the typical happy ending of Varney movies. 

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers 

17 AGAIN (Theatrical Release USA 2009)

 Ben Meyers’ rating: 4.3|5.0 Starsìììì 

17 Again highlights the personable Zac Efron’s acting skill. It’s one of his best films since High School Musical and emphasizes him as a high-profile actor. It’s good to see Matthew Perry, Leslie Mann, and Jim Gaffigan in the movie.  The basic storyline of this film is not new and not creative, but the message has been so skillfully woven into the dialogue and timing of the scenes that the movie serves at a much higher level than others that have dealt with this subject matter. The resolution is better and seems to reflect a reality nearer to truth than similarly made films. It’s a refreshing watch and a good holiday watch.

Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images

Storyline 

A man gets his wish to go back and make a few different choices in life, thinking it will change his current place in life. 

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director Burr Steers for directing effort. Thank you to Producers Adam Shankman and Jennifer Gibgot for making the film possible. Cast includes: Zac Efron, Matthew Perry, Leslie Mann, Thomas Lennon, Tyler Steelman, Allison Miller, Sterling Knight, Michelle Trachtenberg, Adam Gregory, and Hunter Parrish.

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. This movie is a surprisingly well-written Zac Efron film.  Although not a new or fresh film idea it has been presented in such a way that leaves a powerful message about first love, keeping marriages together, and keeping priorities straight in life. Great watch for late teens and adults. Provides good after-viewing discussion material.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

THE MUNSTERS (Video Release World-Wide 2022)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 4.3|5.0 Starsìììì 

The Munsters—nostalgic return to the 1964 television series, The Munsters—does not quite capture the quirky otherworldly personalities and speech of the original show. The script has been written in such a manner that the personalities are more like regular people with reactions to situations being more like normal human reactions. This softens this movie and makes it a bit less eccentric. The movie works and is a good watch with good acting, good presentation, and good portrayal of story as written.  

Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images

Storyline 

The story behind how Hermann Munster met Lilly, their marriage, and choice of living quarters. 

Additional Thanks 

Thank you to Director Rob Zombie for directing efforts. Thank you to Producer Rob Zombie for making the film possible. Cast includes: Jeff Daniel Phillips, Sheri Moon Zombie, Daniel Roebuck, Richard Brake, Jorge Garcia and Sylvester McCoy. 

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? 

Yes. A Rob Zombie movie that delivers a good Halloween tale that adequately covers the prequel story to how Hermann and Lily began their life together. Supporting cast members do a terrific job. The story has its chuckles and does not incorporate too much horror and terror. A satisfying watch for Munster fans that works on the lighter side of a true Munster story.

Video Critique Available Here:

 Ben Meyers