LION DOWN (Released in the USA 1951)

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 4.1|5.0 Starsìììì 

Lion Down— Goofy the Dog toon—has it all. It is comical, has a great storyline, and is very relatable to the hammock experience of trying to find a place to install it for use. This short film is worth watching. 

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia 

Storyline 

A mountain lion competes for his share of a hammock. 

Additional Thanks 

Thank you to Director Jack Kinney for directing effort. Thank you to Walt Disney for making the film possible. Cast includes Pinto Colvig and Jimmy MacDonald. 

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? 

Yes. This toon is comical and more than fun to watch. 

Video Critique Available Here:

 

Ben Meyers

OUT OF SCALE (Released to Theaters in the USA 1951)

 

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 4.1|5.0 Starsìììì 

Out of Scale— Donald Duck and Chip and Dale toon—has an exceptionally sweet and cute story to tell. This short film has good presentation, portrayal, story, and acting. It’s a good watch for the whole family. 

Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images 

Storyline 

Donald Duck’s outdoor ‘to scale’ railway has a problem with a tree that is not to scale. 

Additional Thanks 

Thank you to Director Jack Hannah for directing effort. Thank you to Walt Disney for making the film possible. Cast includes Clarence Nash, James MacDonald, and Dessie Flynn. 

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? 

Yes. This toon has a wonderful conclusion.

 Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

VERA CRUZ (Released to Theaters in the USA 1954)

 Ben Meyers’ Rating: 3.8|5.0 Starsììì 

Vera Cruz— better story than Silverado—becomes constipated toward the end of the film. The movie relies on actors Gary Cooper, Burt Lancaster, Jack Elam, and Cesar Romero to tell its western story. Look for Ernest Borgnine and appearances of Charles Bronson in the movie. This movie should satisfy western movie fans well. 

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia 

Storyline 

During the war between France and Mexico, many different kinds of people travel to Mexico looking for employment or ways to profit from the country’s upheaval. 

Additional Thanks 

Thank you to Director Robert Aldrich for directing effort. Thank you to Producer James Hill for making the film possible. Cast includes Gary Cooper, Burt Lancaster, Denise Darcel, Cesar Romero, and Sara Montiel. 

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? 

Yes. This is a good story that acquaints an audience with history and how people may act during different situations related to a war. 

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

SILVERADO (Released to Theaters in the USA 1985)

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 3.8|5.0 Starsììì 

Silverado—western—has Scott Glenn as a front runner in the film. He is supported by Kevin Kline, Kevin Costner, Linda Hunt, and Brian Dennehy. Look for the interesting presence of Jeff Goldblum in this movie and the presence of Danny Glover before his television western movie, Buffalo Soldiers. This is a suitable watch and worth watching.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia 

Storyline 

A dirty town gets cleaned up. 

Additional Thanks 

Thank you to Director Lawrence Kasdan for directing effort. Thank you to Producer Lawrence Kasdan for making the film possible. Cast includes Kevin Kline, Scott Glenn, Rosanna Arquette, John Cleese, Kevin Costner, Brian Dennehy, Danny Glover, Jeff Goldblum, and Linda Hunt. 

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? 

Yes. The movie is suitable fare for the western fan. It runs on the traditional western theme of establishing justice where there is none. 

Video Critique Available Here:

 

Ben Meyers

NOTES TO YOU (Released to Theaters in the USA 1941)

 

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 4.1|5.0 Starsìììì 

Notes to You—toon—is a better watch than its remake Back Alley Oproar. Notes to You has Porky Pig as the person trying to get some sleep instead of Elmer Fudd. This animated feature comes in both a colored version and a black and white version. Both films are still watchable and it is interesting to compare the colored version to the black and white version.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia 

Storyline 

Porky Pig has plans for a good night’s sleep but not everyone has the same plan as he. 

Additional Thanks 

Thank you to Director I. Freileng for directing effort. Thank you to Producer Leon Schlesinger for making the film possible. Cast includes Mel Blanc. 

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? 

Yes. This is still, despite its age, good to watch and worth watching.

 Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

SAFE HOUSE (Released to Theaters in the USA 2012)

 

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 4.2|5.0 Starsìììì  Safe House— espionage thriller—has a story that supports a higher rating, but the actors are not at their usual skill levels. Watch for Robert Patrick in the earlier part of the film.  Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia  Storyline  A housekeeper of a CIA safe house becomes more involved in field operations than the safe house.  Additional Thanks  Thank you to Director Daniel Espinosa for directing effort. Thank you to Producer Scott Stuber for making the film possible. Cast includes Denzel Washington, Ryan Reynolds, Vera Farmiga, Brendan Gleeson, Sam Shepard, Ruben Blades, Nora Arnezeder, and Robert Patrick.  Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?  Yes. Despite the lower performances of its actors, the film still deserves a watch due to its storyline.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

THE CLOCK WATCHER (Released to Theaters in the USA 1945)

 

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 3.9|5.0 Starsììì  The Clock Watcher— cute—has a storyline where the employee does not do any job well and engages in activities that are not helpful to his place of employment. This toon is what it is but does not teach a good lesson about work.  Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia  Storyline  Donald Duck works as a store’s gift wrapper but is not as diligent as he should be.  Additional Thanks  Thank you to Director Jack King for directing effort. Thank you to Producer Walt Disney for making the film possible. Cast includes Clarence Nash and John Dehner.  Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?  Yes. It is suitable and has good presentation, but the lesson taught is not a good one.  Video Critique Available Here: Ben Meyers

CHIP AN’ DALE (Released to Theaters in the USA 1947)

 

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 3.9|5.0 Starsììì  Chip an’  Dale—cute and better than Clock Watcher for a Donald Duck short film—has Chip and Dale interacting with Donald Duck. When compared to modern toons for children, like Dora the Explorer, one can see that these toons are from an era gone by as many children’s watches run along the lines of educating and expanding borders now. But, these short films definitely still have their place with their simplistic view of life and handling problems and challenges. This toon still has watchability and is worth watching. The artwork in this film has become much more sophisticated and colorful than the toons of the early 1900s.  Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia  Storyline  While camping, Donald Duck cuts down a tree that is Chip and Dale’s home. The story is on as the chipmunks try to get their home back.  Additional Thanks  Thank you to Director Jack Hannah for directing effort. Thank you to Producer Walt Disney for making the film possible. Cast includes Clarence Nash, Jimmy MacDonald, and Dessie Flynn.                  Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?  Yes. It’s a suitable watch with a good story.  Video Critique Available Here: Ben Meyers

BACK ALLEY OPROAR (Released to Theaters in the USA 1948)

 

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 4.0|5.0 Starsìììì  Back Alley Oproar— creative short film—has a good story, presentation, and portrayal. Elmer and Sylvester the Cat star in this toon which is a remake of the 1941 animated short film Notes to You which stars Porky Pig. This is a good watch for the whole family.  Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia  Storyline                                                                                                                                    Elmer wants to sleep but an alley cat has other plans.  Additional Thanks  Thank you to Director I. Freleng for directing effort. Cast includes Mel Blanc, Gloria Curran, and Arthur Q. Bryan.  Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?  Yes. It is a treat to see  Elmer Fudd with Sylvester the Cat in the same film.  Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

SNOWMAN IN JULY (Released in Germany 1944)

 

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 3.7|5.0 Starsììì  Snowman in July—German toon—has good animation with a simple story.  The film came from the World War II era.  Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia  Storyline  This German toon is about a snowman who wants to experience the month of July.  Additional Thanks  Thank you to Director Hans Fischerkoesen for directing effort.  Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?  Maybe. For an academic study about Nazi Germany-produced toons during World War II, it works. But it seems pointless in its general story and does not run on the usual comedic level expected from a cartoon.  Also known as Der Schneeman  Video Critique Available Here: Ben Meyers

MINARI (Released to Theaters in the USA 2020)

 

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 4.4|5.0 Starsìììì  Minari—one of those films that scores all the way around—has deeply delved into the power of uniting the family, melding the young with the elderly, and surviving as a unit better than they could apart. It completely deserves addition to the home video library for all members of the family to watch. Please note that the primary language is South Korean, but the movie has terrific English subtitles. This is a wonderful story that deserves its watch.                                                                                                                         Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images  Storyline  An immigrant family decides to pursue the American dream through self-employment.  Additional Thanks  Thank you to Director Lee Isaac Chung for directing effort. Thank you to Producers Dede Gardner, Jeremy Kleiner, and Christina Oh. Cast includes Steven Yeun, Han Ye-re, Alan Kim, Noel Kate Cho, Youn Yuh-jung, and Will Patton.  Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?                                                                              Yes. This film scores high on the common human experience, completely crosses international borders, and has a wonderful storyline with great presentation and acting.  Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

GRAN TURISMO (Released to Theaters in the USA 2023)

 

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 4.4|5.0 Starsìììì  Gran Turismo— one of the better 2023 theatrical films—has freshness and creativity built in. It can easily be added to the home video library especially if one has racing fans or gamers in the family.  The presentation and portrayal are great. The movie completely engages its audience and is a great example of how life-long dreams can be met. It has classic written all over it and can easily be watched twice. Watch for David Harbour, Orlando Bloom, and  Archie Medekwe in the movie. This movie is worth watching.  Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images  Storyline  The professional racing community decides to use the best video game performers in real racing performances.  Additional Thanks  Thank you to Director Neill Blomkamp for directing effort. Thank you to Producers Doug Belgrad, Asad Qizibash, Carter Swan, and Dana Brunetti for making the film possible. Cast includes David Harbour, Orlando Bloom, Archie Madekwe, Darren Barnet, Geri Halliwell Horner, and Djimon Hounsou.  Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?  Yes. This movie earns its watch.  Video Critique Available Here: Ben Meyers

ASTEROID CITY (Released to Theaters in the USA 2023)

 

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 4.1|5.0 Starsìììì  Asteroid City—outstandingly creative writing—supports that terrific writing and presentation on an all-star cast. The movie uses Brian Cranston as the announcer of each scene. The coloring of the scenes reminds one of the outlandish coloration found in the movie Speed Racer except not as neon bright. The movie’s presentation is similar to other Wes Anderson-directed films (like Poison) and intertwines several lifestyles into one conglomeration that disjointedly examines topics of aliens, military-asserted power over private information, the entertainment industry, life and death, and the brightest of our children who have deep interest in science. Be aware there is some graphic nudity in this Avant Garde movie and some sexual references, but besides that, the movie provides a disjointed look at the current concerns of humans while placing it within a 1950s setting. The presentation appeals to persons who enjoy difference and simple stage settings that are more stage than movie oriented.  Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images  Storyline  A small group of tourists and science students are detained after seeing an alien.  Additional Thanks  Thank you to Director Wes Anderson for directing effort. Thank you to Producers Wes Anderson, Steven Rales, and Jeremy Dawson for making the film possible. Cast includes Jason Schwartzman, Scarlett Johansson, Tom Hanks, Jeffrey Wright, Tilda Swinton, Bryan Cranston, Edward Norton, Adrien Brody, Live Schreiber, Hope Davis, Stephen Park, Rupert Friend, Maya Hawke, Steve Carell, Matt Dillon, Hong Chau, Willem Dafoe, Margot Robbie, Tony Revolon, Jake Ryan, and Jeff Goldblum.  Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?  Maybe. The acting is on par; the storyline works. This movie is designed to appeal to the audience who appreciate the nouveau.  Video Critique Available Here: Ben Meyers