KELCE (Released on Video On Demand (VOD) in the USA 2023)

 

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 4.3|5.0 Starsìììì 

Kelce— good watch—becomes a bit slow and boring during the middle of the movie but overall is a good watch for the sports movie fan. It has some exceptionally realistic footage of family interaction and talks about the injuries sustained by professional football players. The camera work is great.   

Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images 

Storyline 

Two brothers play professional football. 

Additional Thanks 

Thank you to Director Don Argott for directing effort. Thank you to Executive Producers Connor Barwin, Keith Cossrow, David Ellison, Pat Kelleher, Ross Ketover, Larry Platt, Jesse Sisgold, and Jon Weinbach for making the film possible. Cast includes Connor Barwin, Angelo Cataldi, Brent Celek, Dr. Colleen Dempsey, Ryan Gladstone, Todd Herremans, Lane Johnson, Bennett Kelce, Donna Kelce, Ed Kelce, Ellotte Kelce, Jason Kelce,  Kylie Kelce, and Travis Kelce. 

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? 

Yes. This movie does not compare to the sports movie, Bye Bye Barry, but will satisfy Philadelphia Eagles fans and fans of football in general. Good work for all involved. 

Video Critique Available Here: 

Ben Meyers

SWEET GIRL (Released on Video On Demand (VOD) in the USA 2021)

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 3.8|5.0 Starsììì 

Sweet Girl— interesting film—has a twisted basic premise and a conclusion  completely unexpected. No fault found in presentation or acting. The storyline is a bit weak but the action shows strong. Be aware this movie is not a loving or compassionate movie…it is about revenge and shows an extreme amount of violence. Jason Momoa and Isabela Merced work well as team actors. 

Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images 

Storyline 

A man and his daughter's wife/mother dies and the man begins taking revenge for her death. 

Additional Thanks 

Thank you to Director Brian Andrew Mendoza for directing effort. Thank you to Producers Jason Momoa, Brian Andrew Mendoza, Brad Peyton, and Jeff Fierson for making the film possible. Cast includes Jason Momoa, Isabela Merced, Manuel Garcia-Ruffo, Adria Arjona, Raza Jaffrey, Justin Bartha, Lex Scott Davis, and  Michael Raymond-James. 

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? 

Yes. Overall, it is a good watch for persons not queasy with violence. 

Video Critique Available Here:

 Ben Meyers

RABBIT EVERY MONDAY (Released in Theaters in the USA 1951)

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 4.0|5.0 Starsìììì 

Rabbit Every Monday—good Yosemite Sam and Bugs Bunny short, animated toon—becomes one of the better toons as Yosemite Sam hunts rabbit to eat. This toon has been crafted well. Watch for the surprise ending.

 Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images 

Storyline

Yosemite Sam gets Bugs Bunny as far as his oven. 

Additional Thanks 

Thank you to I. Freleng for directing effort. Thank you to Producer Eddie Selzer for making the film possible. Cast includes Mel Blanc.

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? 

Yes. This toon is a good watch for both the child and adult. 

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

 

TWEET TWEET TWEETY (Released in Theaters in the USA 1951)

 Ben Meyers’ Rating: 4.0|5.0 Starsìììì 

Tweet Tweet Tweety— cute, short, animated film—tells another story of the interaction between Sylvester the Cat and Tweety bird. A simple storyline follows the usual ‘cat and bird’ format. It ends bluntly but there is not much more they could expand on within the time frame given. Worth watching. 

Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images 

Storyline 

Sylvester Cat decides to hatch a bird’s egg and out comes Tweety bird. 

Additional Thanks 

Thank you to Director I. Freleng for directing effort. Thank you to Producer Edward Selzer for making the film possible. Cast includes Mel Blanc. 

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? 

Yes. A cute afternoon break watch. 

Video Critique Available Here: 

Ben Meyers

GOOFY GYMNASTICS (Released in Theaters in the USA 1949)

 

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 4.0|5.0 Starsìììì 

Goofy Gymnastics—creative and relatable short toon film—entertains general audiences well, but especially appeals to the Goofy toon fan and exercise fans. Good work for all involved. 

Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        Storyline 

Goofy decides the cure to tiredness is to work out. 

Additional Thanks 

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

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? 

Yes. This film is worth watching and worth seeing for exercise and Goofy fans alike. 

Video Critique Available Here: 

Ben Meyers

BYE BYE BARRY (Released on Video on Demand (VOD) World-Wide 2023)

 

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 4.4|5.0 Starsìììì 

Bye Bye Barry— wonderful film—shows personal integrity, moral integrity, and a high priority placed on family and future family interests.  This is one for the home video library whether one is a sports movie fan or not. It has impressive camera work that amply catches the Sanders playing style. The interviews are wonderfully done and include interviews with Tim Allen, Jeff Daniels, and Eminem. 

Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images 

Storyline 

This documentary film is about how Barry Sanders played the game of football, his contributions to football, and his moral values as well as his decision to self-retire. 

Additional Thanks 

Thank you to Directors Paul Monusky, Micaela Powers, Angela Torma for directing effort. Thank you to Executive Producers Patrick Kelleher, Ross Ketover, Ken Rodgers, and Brian Rolapp for making the film possible. Cast includes Tim Allen, Bill Belichick, Jeff Daniels, Eminem, Kevin Glover, Jemele Hill, Calvin Johnson, Herman Moore, and Dan Patrick. 

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? 

Yes. The film is more than worth watching for sports fans and football fans alike.

Video Critique Available Here:

 Ben Meyers

LEO (Released on Video On Demand (VOD) in the USA 2023)

 

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 3.9|5.0 Starsììì 

Leo—very good watch for the entire family—is a great Adam Sandler animated movie that introduces very sweet and lovable animated characters to the big screen. The presentation is really good.  Listen for the voice of Adam Sandler as Leo the Iguana and Bill Burr as the voice for Squirtle the Turtle. The names of the two animals are well chosen, but the names of the classroom children are not unique enough to be able to attach to the children. This film is comical in its own way but mostly is compassionate and kind in dialogue and presentation. 

Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images                                                             

Storyline 

A talking lizard helps classroom children to reconcile difficulties in their lives. 

Additional Thanks 

Thank you to Directors Robert Marianetti, Robert Smigel, and David Wachtenheim for directing effort. Thank you to Executive Producers Barry Bernardi, Allen Covert, and Paul Sado for making the film possible. Cast includes Adam Sandler, Bill Burr, Cecily Strong, Jason Alexander, Rob Schneider, Allison Strong, Jo Koy, Sadie Sandler, and Sunny Sandler. 

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? 

Yes. It’s a very good watch for families and dishes out much compassion and understanding of children’s dilemmas and challenges. 

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

THE GREAT WALDO PEPPER (Released in Theaters in the USA 1975)

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 4.0|5.0 Starsìììì 

The Great Waldo Pepper—good watch not a great watch—despite using A-line actor Robert Redford and a well-organized script does not meet entertainment standards. The conclusion to this film seems like an odd attachment that does not fit well or comfortably with the rest of the story. The movie is what it is. 

Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images

Storyline 

An ex-military airplane fighter becomes a stunt flier after the war. 

Additional Thanks 

Thank you to Director George Roy Hill for directing effort. Thank you to Executive Producer George Roy Hill for making the film possible. Cast includes Paul Satterfield, Hamilton Camp, Claudia Christian, Marc Alaimo, Shari Shattuck, Armin Shimerman, Brett Porter, Charles Tabansi, and Michael Deak. 

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? 

Yes. It’s a movie about stunt airplane flying. It tells the story of stunt flier, Waldo Pepper. 

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

ARENA (Released on video in the UK 1989)

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 3.6|5.0 Starsììì 

Arena survives on a small storyline and a suitable and/or predictable conclusion. This film has a strong cult classic movie feeling.

Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images 

Storyline 

In a time when aliens fight aliens in the fighting arena, a human opts to fight for a living. 

Additional Thanks 

Thank you to Director Peter Manoogian for directing efforts. Thank you to Executive Producer Charles Band for making the film possible. Cast includes Paul Satterfield, Hamilton Camp, Claudia Christian, Marc Alaimo, Shari Shattuck, Armin Shimerman, Brett Porter, Charles Tabansi, and Michael Deak. 

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? 

Maybe. The movie does have a fresh concept and some creative alien fighters for the fighting arena but it maintains its suitable to okay watch throughout with a predictability in many scenes. It has, at times, a feeling of a Star Wars movie with its reliance on the mixing of alien worlds and their unique costuming. 

Video Critique Available Here:     

                                  

Ben Meyers

SECOND IN COMMAND (Released on DVD in the USA 2006)

 Ben Meyers’ Rating: 3.4|5.0 Starsììì 

Second in Command—wanna-be action flick—has enough budget to afford big budget items like tanks and military trucks and Jean-Claude Van Damme, but not enough to write a decent script with believable dialogue and a supporting cast to compliment Van Damme’s efforts. The dialogue is almost comical at times and does not work for the situation at hand. However, for Van Damme fans this movie may work. 

Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images 

Storyline 

A man is given the assignment of keeping a President alive during a citizen insurrection. 

Additional Thanks 

Thank you to Director Simon Fellows for directing effort. Thank you to Producers Brad Krevoy, Donald Kushner, and Pierre Spengler for making the film possible. Cast includes Jean-Claude Van Damme, Julie Cox, Alan McKenna, William Tapley, Raz Adoti, and Velibor Topic. 

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? 

No. this can be skipped for the (2013) film Lone Survivor. That movie is a better choice if one is looking for a film that shows the enemy surrounding the protagonist. 

Video Critique Available Here: 

Ben Meyers

BLADE OF THE 47 RONIN (Released on DVD USA 2022)

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 3.7|5.0 Starsììì 

Blade of the 47 Ronin decides to be boring toward the middle and end of the film This creates a ho-hum presentation that causes interest to flag. 

Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images                                                                             

Storyline 

A witch wants to destroy the last of the seed of the 47 Ronin. 

Additional Thanks 

Thank you to Ron Yuan for directing effort. Thank you to Producer Tim Kwok for making the film possible. Cast includes Anna Akana, Mark Dacascos, Teresa Ting, Mike Moh, Dustin Nguyen, Yoshi Sudarso, and Chris Pang. 

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? 

Maybe. It has almost everything going for it. The presentation in many places of this film is not in place as it should be and the presentation seems boring though much of the movie.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

DUMB HOUNDED (Theatrical Release USA 1943)

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 3.8|5.0 Starsììì 

Dumb Hounded— cute short toon—features Droopy the Basset Hound. This short film has a redundant theme that causes the film to run its course long before the allotted time concludes. Monotony makes the audience want to move on but the film has not yet concluded. There is a distinct feeling of relief when the final credits roll.  

Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images 

Storyline                                                                                     

 Droopy, a blood hound, pursues an escaped prisoner. 

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director Tex Avery for directing effort. Thank you to Producer Fred Quimby for making the film possible. Cast includes Bill Thompson and Frank Graham. 

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? 

Maybe. It is good to see the big bad wolf and Droopy in the same movie. The writing  needs to move away from the repetitive scenes into original and more varied situations.                                                                               

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

REASON AND EMOTION (Theatrical Release USA 1943)

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 4.0|5.0 Starsìììì                                                                                                                             

Reason and Emotion—Disney World War II short film designed for the American audience—is a message film, but as applicable today as it was then. A good watch to remind that calmness of mind and emotion is always a good choice. This works more as an intellectual watch rather than entertainment. It is well-organized and solidly built.

Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images 

Storyline 

A Word War II short film that talks about keeping calm, reason news events out, and do not give in to fear-mongering. 

Additional Thanks 

Thank you to Director Bill Roberts for directing effort. Thank you to Producer Walt Disney for making the film possible. Cast includes Frank Graham, Sarah Selby, Mary Lennon, Harry E. Lang, and Ward Kimball. 

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? 

Yes. This short film is exceptionally well-written and well-organized—a good watch.                            

Video Critique Available Here:           

                                              

Ben Meyers

LIFE WITH FEATHERS (Theatrical Release USA 1945)

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 4.1|5.0 Starsìììì 

Life with Feathers—original and comical short film—uses ample character development within a short time and gives its audience within a few short minutes a better story than many movies give within 90 to 120 minutes of film time. Good work for all involved in production. 

Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images 

Storyline 

Sylvester the cat is asked by a bird to eat it. 

Additional Thanks 

Thank you to Director I. Freleng for directing effort. Thank you to Producer Edward Selzer for making the film possible. Cast includes Mel Blanc, Sara Berner, and Dave Barry. 

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? 

Yes. This short toon is a sweet watch with good creativity and fresh storyline. 

Video Critique Available Here: 

Ben Meyers 

SNITCH (Theatrical Release USA 2013)

 Ben Meyers’ Rating: 4.2|5.0 Starsìììì 

Snitch—Dwayne Johnson—becomes interesting because it portrays a man who is not going to allow the bad side of  'life' to happen to his son. This film is a thrilling, wild ride into the underworld of drugs.  It is great to see Barry Pepper and Susan Sarandon in this film. 

Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images 

Storyline 

A father attempts to shorten his son’s prison sentence by turning in drug lords. 

Additional Thanks 

Thank you to Director Ric Roman Waugh for directing effort. Thank you to Producers Dwayne Johnson, Nigel Sinclair, Matt Jackson, Jonathan King, Dany Garcia, Alex Brunner, Tobin Armbrust, and  Pargat Gill for making the film possible. Cast includes Dwayne Johnson, Barry Pepper, Jon Bernthal, Michael K. Williams, Melina Kanakaredos, Nadine Velazques, Rafi Gavron, David Harbour, Benjamin Bratt, and Susan Sarandon. 

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? 

Yes. This is a good watch for fans of Dwayne Johnson and Jon Bernthal. 

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers 

MORTAL KOMBAT (Theatrical Release USA 2021)

 

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 3.8|5.0 Starsììì 

Mortal Kombat—overall a better watch than the first two films— seems a little monotonous toward the middle and toward the end of the film, but it moves to a good conclusion and the film can be especially appreciated by Mortal Kombat fans. The movie is exceptionally realistic when it depicts gore. The gore is over the top in some scenes. Watch for the animated Goro in this movie. 

Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images 

Storyline

The question of who will rule Earth Realm ends in battle.

Additional Thanks 

Thank you to Director Simon McQuoid for directing effort. Thank you to Producers James Wan, Todd Garner, Simon McQuoid, and E. Bennett Walsh for making the film possible. Cast includes Lewis Tan, Jessica McNamee, Josh Lawson, Tadnobu Asano, Mehcad Brooks, Ludi Lin, Chin Han, Joe Taslim, and Hiroyuki Sanada.

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? 

Yes. This film is better than the previous two films, uses stronger actors, has a higher level of writing, good presentation and acting. 

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers