BORREGO (Internet Release Canada 2022)

 

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 4.3|5.0 Starsìììì 

Borrego—good thriller—easily earns its watch. The stage setting alone is worth seeing and the story works at the very realistic level.  Worth watching. Well-written story that works on better than average dialogue. 

Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images 

Storyline 

A desert botanist's life gets a nasty turn as it becomes involved with a drug runner whose plane has crashed in the desert. 

Additional Thanks 

Thank you to Director Jesse Harris for directing effort. Thank you to Producers Jesse Harris, Tiziano Tucci, Greg Lauritano, Nancy Cartwright, Nancy Cartwright, Monica Gil-Rodriguez, Fernando Bofill, Gabriel Carratu. Cast includes: Lucy Hale, Leynar Gomez, Nicholas Gonzalez, Olivia Trujillo, and Jorge A. Jimenez. 

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? 

Yes. This movie is not one that is easily forgotten. The casting is more than perfect. 

Video Critique Available Here: 

Ben Meyers

47 RONIN (Theatrical Release USA 2013)

 

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 4.1|5.0 Starsìììì 

47 Ronin—outstanding witch story—has exceptionally good special effects. Better than average witch story about the fight between good and evil.  Keanu Reeves makes this Japanese film. 

Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images 

Storyline 

A boy is chosen by a secret martial arts organization to rear. Years later he runs away and the story is on. 

Additional Thanks 

Thank you Director Carl Rinsch for directing effort. Thank you to Producers Pamela Abdy and Eric McLeod for making the film possible. Cast includes: Keanu Reeves, Hieoyuki Sanada, Tadanobu Asano, Rinko Kikuchi, and Ko Shibasaki. 

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? 

Yes. Good Keanu Reeves movie. 

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

MAYBERRY MAN (Released World-Wide 2021)

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 3.9|5.0 Starsììì 

Mayberry Man—cute, simple, nostalgic—does not catch the realism of the original televised Andy Griffith Show.  Despite that, it serves as a lightweight watch for a lazy afternoon and serves as an important reminder of staying connected to the simple lifestyle that includes parents, siblings, and family. Mayberry Man is a good, lowkey watch. 

Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images 

Storyline 

A judge sentences a movie star to stay in Mayberry until the annual festival holiday is over. 

Additional Thanks 

Thank you to Director Stark Howell for directing effort. Thank you to Executive Producers Kevin Burgess, James Wade, Richard Wheeler, William Wright, BB Hudspeth, Pam Kumming, and John David Moe for making the film possible. Cast includes: Brett Varvel, Allan Newsome, Rik Roberts, Jakob Winter, Ashley Elaine, Gregory Schell, Chris Hudson, Jay J. Bidwell, and Chris Bauman. 

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? 

Yes. The movie serves as a good reminder that simple rituals of family and community function to keep us connected to the balance of the good life. 

Video Critique Here:

Ben Meyers

BOB ROSS: HAPPY ACCIDENTS, BETRAYAL & GREED (Video on Demand (VOD) USA 2021)

 

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 4.4|5.0 Starsìììì 

Bob Ross: Happy Accidents, Betrayal & Greed—great behind-the-scenes documentary—tells a surprisingly candid story of the 1983-1994 television painter, Bob Ross (The Joy of Painting). This movie relies on great interviews to tell an interesting, albeit one-sided, story. The movie brings a great deal of nostalgia to the screen and is worth watching. 

Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images 

Storyline 

The television painter, Bob Ross, his life, and his career get an examination. 

Additional Thanks 

Thank you to Director Joshua Rofe for directing effort. Thank you to Producers Steven J. Berger, Divya D’Souza, Ben Falcone, Melissa McCarthy, Joshua Rofe, and Lukas Cox for making the film possible. Cast includes Bob Ross, Steve Ross, Vicky Ross, John Thamm, and Dana Jester.

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? 

Yes. This presents an honest, but one-sided, look at the situations a public figure can be involved in. This insightful documentary earns its watch. Thank you to all involved in its production.

Video Critique Available Here:

 

Ben Meyers

EXTRACTION II (Video on Demand (VOD) World Wide 2023)

 

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 4.2|5.0 Starsìììì 

Extraction 2—Chris Hemsworth—may not quite equal the first film’s vitality but still offers good thrills with good special effects. It’s worth a watch. 

Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images 

Storyline 

A mercenary takes a task of extracting a woman and her two children from a Georgian prison. 

Additional Thanks 

Thank you to Director Sam Hargrave for directing effort. Thank you to Producers Joe Russo, Anthony Russo, Chris Hemsworth, Patrick Newall, Sam Hargrave, Angela Russo-Otstot, Eric Gitter, Peter Schwerin, and Mike Larocca for making the film possible. Cast includes: Chris Hemsworth, Golshifteh Farahani, Adam Besse, Tornike Gogrichiani, Tinatin Dalakishvili, Daniel Bernhardt, Olga Kurylenko, and Idris Elba. 

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? 

Yes. Good watch for action movie fans.

Video Critique Available Here: 

Ben Meyers

65 (Theatrical Release USA 2023)

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 3.8|5.0 Starsììì 

65—interesting conclusion—contains numerous twists and turns in its story that make it unique. Read a plotline before watching as some connecting and transition points in the story are missing or easily misunderstood.  Adam Driver and Ariana Greenblatt drive the story. At no point does this movie allow comfort or give an easy solution to the main dilemma. The movie has an upside-down presentation that makes it a one and only space travel story. 

Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images 

Storyline 

A space pilot takes a 2-year position to transport passengers on a lengthy voyage to earn funds to treat a daughter's medical condition.

Additional Thanks 

Thank you to Directors Scott Beck and Bryan Woods for directing effort. Thank you to Producers Sam Raimi, Deborah Liebling, Zainab Azizi, Scott Beck, and Bryan Woods for making the film possible. Cast includes: Adam Driver and Ariana Greenblatt. 

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? 

Maybe. The movie presents itself as just another space movie with asteroids and a crash landing, but it is much more than that. 

Video Critique Available Here: 

Ben Meyers

DAY SHIFT (Video On Demand World-Wide 2022)

 

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 4.1|5.0 Starsìììì 

Day Shift—fresh vampire story—opens with a terrific vampire versus human fight scene. Expect Jaime Foxx and Snoop Dog as well as Dave Franco to present a fun watch outside the norm of the usual vampire story. The movie’s script is well-written and the movie deserves its watch.

Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images

Storyline 

A vampire hunter needs a larger paycheck to cover unexpected expenses. 

Additional Thanks 

Thank you to Director J. J. Perry for directing effort. Thank you to Producers Shaun Redick, Yvette Yates Redick, Chad Stahelski, and Jason Spitz for making the film possible. Cast includes: Jamie Foxx, Dave Franco, Snoop Dog, Natasha Liu Bordizzo, Meagan Good, Karla Souza, Steve Howey, and Scott Adkins. 

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? 

Yes. A good, light vampire movie worth watching. Good work for all involved. 

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

THE OMEGA CODE (Theatrical Release USA 1999)

 

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 3.7|5.0 Starsììì 

The Omega Code—flat, weak story—lacks depth and honesty. It needs strength in presentation and portrayal to make it believable and interesting. 

Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images 

Storyline 

The idea of a code built into the Bible that tells future events gets a fictional adaptation to the movie format. 

Additional Thanks 

Thank you to Director Rob Marcarelli for directing effort. Thank you to Producers Matthew Crouch, Lawrence Mortoff. and Rob Marcarelli for making the film possible. Cast includes: Casper Van Dien, Michael York,Catherine Oxenberg, and Michael Ironside. 

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? 

Maybe. The first movie of two films on the Torah code seems flat and uninformed, almost as if someone wrote a movie about the code, but did not really understand what they wrote about. 

Video Critique Available Here: 

Ben Meyers

MACARTHUR (Theatrical Release USA 1977)

 

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 3.7|5.0 Starsììì 

MacArthur—rushed—suffers from the small presentation of ten very important years in General MacArthur’s life. In addition, the casting choice of Gregory Peck to act the part of MacArthur creates confusion due to Peck’s lack of power to relay the personality of MacArthur’s personality well. This movie lacks impression and impact. 

Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images 

Storyline 

MacArthur’s life from 1942 to 1952 gets a biographical-type treatment. 

Additional Thanks 

Thank you to Director Joseph Sargent for directing effort. Thank you to Producer Frank McCarthy for making the film possible. Cast includes: Gregory Peck, Ed Flanders, and Dan O’Herlihy. 

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? 

Maybe. It is what it is. The movie lacks interest.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

Creed III (Theatrical Release USA 2023)

 

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 4.4|5.0 Starsìììì 

Creed III—WOW!—shows remarkable workmanship by Director Michael B. Jordan. The movie works for its watch and earns its watch.  The storyline is very good. The movie is a great boxing film for boxing fans and deserves its watch.

Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images 

Storyline 

This boxing film is about two friends who live very different lives but share a common interest in the boxing sport. 

Additional Thanks 

Thank you to Director Michael B. Jordan for directing effort. Thank you to Producers Irwin Winkler, Elizabeth Raposo,  Charles Winkler, William Chartoff, David Winkler, Ryan Coogler, Michael B. Jordan, Jonathan Glickman, and Sylvester Stallone. Cast includes: Michael B. Jordan, Tessa Thompson, Jonathan Majors, Wood Harris, Mila Davis-Kent, Florian Munteanu, and Phylicia Rashad. 

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? 

Yes. This movie is the next chapter in the Creed series and is more than worth watching. Thank you to Michael B. Jordan for directing the movie. 

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

RUN TOTTI RUN (Released at the Warsaw Film Festival, Warsaw, Poland 2022)

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 3.9|5.0 Starsììì 

Run Totti Run—unusual short film—seems to work more as a thinking film that engages thoughtfulness. It has been very well put together with a tight storyline. It makes an audience think about animals and their eventual fate. Shad Bradbury’s vision wisely chooses computer generation to animate but uses a light, water color-type texture to the animation effort. The short movie serves as a good watch for a full range audience. 

Film Poster Courtesy of YouTube 

Storyline 

A rice farmer loves his dog. 

Additional Thanks 

Thank you to Pixar for helping the short film come to fruition on YouTube. Thank you to Shad Lee Bradbury and team for making the film possible. 

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? 

Yes. The story is short, sweet, simple, and plumbs the relationship that can develop with a beloved pet and its owner very well. The Cambodian rice paddy setting serves well in its ability to add uniqueness to this short film. 

Video Critique Available Here: 

Ben Meyers

BEETHOVEN’S TREASURE TAIL (DVD Release USA 2014)

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 3.8|5.0 Starsììì 

Beethoven’s Treasure Tail—cute—has a better script than either Beethoven 6 or Beethoven 7. The storyline works from the Beethoven 6 story as Beethoven loses his mojo for Hollywood film making.  It’s good to see a treasure hunt story set in a small seashore village. Jonathan Silverman reprises his role as Beethoven’s trainer. Watch for the nice stage presence of David DeLuise, Dom DeLuise’s son. Bretton Manley has a wholesome presence in this movie and does well as a child actor for the role of Sam Parker. 

Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images 

Storyline 

Beethoven has an adventure in a place where a treasure was hidden 200 years ago. 

Additional Thanks 

Thank you to Director Ron Oliver for directing effort. Thank you to Producers Lisa Gooding and Albert Dickerson III for making the film possible.  Cast includes: Jonathan Silverman, Kristy Swanson, Bretton Manley, Jeffrey Combs. Alec Mapa. Jayne Eastwood, David DeLuise, Brian George, Udo Kier, Colin Mochrie, and Richard Dumont. 

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? 

Yes. The movie serves as a simple afternoon watch. It has a ‘laid-back,’ quiet presentation and works on the good to okay for acting and presentation.

 Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

MISSING IN ACTION II: THE BEGINNING (Theatrical Release USA 1985)

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 3.8|5.0 Starsììì 

Missing in Action II: The Beginning—run-of-the-mill—has a simple storyline. It’s surprisingly light despite its not so light thematic matter. Nothing new here. It can run in the background of a party or serve as a watch while doing other work. The first film Missing in Action is a better watch.   

Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images 

Storyline 

This action film is about Vietnam War missing in action (MIA) soldiers searching for a way to get out of a prison of war camp and return home. 

Additional Thanks 

Thank you to Director Lance Hool for directing effort. Thank you to Producers Menahem Goals and Yoram Globus for making the film possible. Cast includes: Chuck Norris, Soon-Tek Oh, Steven Williams, Bennett Ohta, Cosie Costa, and Joe Michael Terry. 

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? 

Maybe. This is the prequel to the Missing in Action movie. It is interesting to see a reason for keeping the MIA soldiers alive but know that the writing, acting, and portrayal of story are not high quality. The movie serves Chuck Norris fans and they will get an eyeful of their favorite actor behind a gun more than behind martial arts combat. 

Video Critique Available Here: 

Ben Meyers

INSTANT FAMILY (Theatrical Release USA 2018)

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 4.3|5.0 Starsìììì 

Instant Family—strong, sound storyline—makes a good and honest presentation of foster care, adoption, and the diligence necessary to make a family work within that scenario. Mark Wahlberg and Rose Byrne give an exceptionally realistic and worthy acting performance with their establishment of boundaries, acceptable behavior, and loving interest that consistently hold place through tumultuous family adjustment periods. The child actors/actresses have been well-chosen. Watch for some wonderful random appearances by Joan Cusack. This movie makes a good family share that offers quality after-viewing discussion. 

Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images 

Storyline 

This family comedy drama film is about a husband and wife who decide to adopt three siblings. 

Additional Thanks 

Thank you to Director Sean Anders for directing effort. Thank you to Executive Producers Allegra Clegg, Helen Pollak, for making the film possible. Cast includes: Mark Wahlberg, Rose Byrne, Isabela Merced, Gustavo Escobar, Juliana Gamiz, Octavia Spencer, Tig Notaro, Tom Segura, Allyn Rachel, and Britt Rentschler.

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? 

Yes. Instant Family is a terrific extension of Mark Wahlberg’s talent in film with its great story, presentation and portrayal. Good teen/adult share movie. 

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

TENET (Theatrical Release USA 2020)

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 4.4|5.0 Starsìììì 

Tenet—intellectually appealing, mind-bending, backed with fabulous writing, not for the mindset that the world is covered in beautiful daisies—has great acting, presentation, and infinitely terrific portrayal potential for many media formats. Read a plotline before watching to get the most from this movie. Casting offsets John David Washington and Robert Pattinson and adds the interesting Kenneth Branagh and Elizabeth Debicki to sweeten the touch of its quality. Watch for Michael Caine’s welcome cameo performance. Superb watch. 

Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images 

Storyline 

A man is recruited by a highly technological secret organization that allows backward time travel. 

Additional Thanks 

Thank you to Director Christopher Nolan for directing effort. Thank you to Producers Christopher Nolan and Emma Thomas  for making the film possible. Cast includes:Juhan UlfsakIvo, Uukkivi, Andrew Howard, John David Washington, Rich Ceraulo, Jonathan Camp, Wes Chatham, Robert Pattinson, Michael Caine, and Kenneth Branagh.

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? 

Yes. This story requires intense audience involvement and is difficult to follow unless one has done a pre-watching plotline read. Quality drips from this movie. WOW! What a film! Worth more than a single watch. 

Video Critique Available Here: 

Ben Meyers

AVATAR: THE WAY OF WATER (Theatrical Release USA 2022)

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 3.9|5.0 Starsììì 

Avatar: The Way of Water becomes an ode to visually stimulating special effects while forgetting storyline and emotional appeal are as integral a part of producing the satisfying entertainment experience as visual stimulation. Avatar: The Way of Water becomes Avatar rerun, except it changes its stage setting to underwater and adds green to the coloration of a tribe with different life ways. Once one has seen Avatar, the second showing seems superficial. The animation? Off the charts. The presentation, acting, and portrayal are good. If the audience is as interested in technological improvement as much as a Hollywood insider, then this movie may work.  Know that editing cuts were not well done and the film becomes an overwhelmingly long watch. 

Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images 

Storyline 

This science fiction film is about: Earth dying and sending Recombinants to conquer Pandora. 

Additional Thanks 

Thank you to Director James Cameron for directing effort. Thank you to Executive Producers Richard Baneham, and David Valdes, for making the film possible. Cast includes: Sam Worthington, Zoe Saldana, Sigourney Weaver, Stephen Lang, Kate Winslet, Cliff Curtis, Joel David Moore, CCH Pounder, and Edie Falco. 

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. The movie works well as an immersive artistic presentation, but the story works superficially and takes a 3.2 hour time investment to complete. 

Video Critique Available Here: 

Ben Meyers