HAWAII (Released to Theaters USA 1966)

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 4.3|5.0 Starsìììì  Hawaii—classic watch—WOW! The movie is exceptionally well done. Lovely to see Max Von Sydow, Julie Andrews, and Richard  Harris in the casting line up. This movie shines. Watch for an outstanding native Hawaiian cast. The acting is really good and believable.  Film Poster Courtesy of IMDb Storyline  A strict Bible preaching minister is sent by his church to help the Hawaiian natives convert to Christianity and finds that humanitarian kindness can be as needful as strict religious doctrine.  Additional Thanks Thank you to Director George Roy Hill and Arthur Hiller for directing effort. Thank you to Producer Walter Mirisch, and Associate Producer Lewis J. Rachmil for making the film possible. Cast includes Julie Andrews, Max von Sydow, Richard Harris, Gene Hackman, Carroll O'Connor, Jocelyne LaGarde, Manu Tupou, Ted Nobriga, Elizabeth Logue. Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. Wonderful movie  that shows the groundwork that eventually lays the foundation for welcoming Hawaii as a full-fledged state of the United States. 

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

THE JOURNEY OF NATTY GANN (Released to Theaters USA 1985)

 

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 3.9|5.0 Starsììì  The Journey of Natty Gann—really good writing, great story, great acting— becomes an instant 'add it to the family home video' library. The presentation may be a little slow at times, but the story is so strongly written that this small observation can be completely overlooked. A faster frames per second could take care of some of the timing and pacing. Ray Wise, Meredith Salenger, and John Cusack are good...the realism is there with facial closeups that really work well. Wise, Salenger, and Cusack can catch emotion and have the gift of transferring that to the audience. The extras who fill the scenes are particularly notable...they completely support the story and the hopelessness of trying to find steady work. Costuming did an outstanding job in picking period clothing. Props department? Again, outstanding even down to the scrape on the side of a period transportation bus. Vehicles are wonderfully chosen as well as the living conditions of loggers in logging camps. This film is a good pick. Don't pass it up. It's the real thing. No gimmicks...just life.  Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images Storyline  During the 1930s job crisis, Sol Gann gets a job in Seattle as a logger and has to leave his tom boy daughter, Natty,  in Chicago for the apartment manager to take care of until he can make arrangements for Natty to travel to Washington State to live with him. But when Natty finds that her father has gone to Washington, she hitches a train as a hobo, and begins the journey to find him. Additional Thanks Thank you to Director Jeremy Kagan for directing effort. Thank you to Executive Producer Mike Lobell, Associate Producer Jeanne Rosenberg, Co-Associate Producer Les Kimber for making the film possible. Cast includes Jed, Meredith Salenger, John Cusack, Ray Wise, Lainie Kazan, Scatman Crothers, Barry Miller, Verna Bloom, Bruce M. Fischer, and John Finnegan.  Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. This is a good show and tells a wonderful story. Good work for all involved in production. Don't miss it. Video Critique Available Here: Ben Meyers

SISTER ACT 2: BACK IN THE HABIT (Released to Theaters USA 1993)

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 4.2|5.0 Starsìììì  Sister Act 2: Back in the Habit takes a little of this and a little of that to make a 'kind of' creative movie that ends on a high note of positivity. Watch through the concluding credit roll for a nicely done song and dance routine. Whoopi Goldberg performs at her usual level of professionalism. It's interesting to see James Coburn cast in this movie. This is one of his later performances. The script is really well written and allows very good presentation and portrayal. There are suggestive scenes in the introductory scenes of the film. But the movie works as an easy-on-the-mind entertainment piece. Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images Storyline  A Vegas headliner gets a request to help her friends at a Catholic school to re-establish opportunity for young people via teaching music class.    Additional Thanks Thank you to Director Bill Duke for directing effort. Thank you to Executive Producers Mario Iscovich, Laurence Mark, and Co-Executive Producer Christopher Meledandri for making the film possible. Cast includes Whoopi Goldberg, Kathy Najimy, Bernard Hughes, Mary Wickes, James Coburn, Michael Jeter, Wendy Makkena, Sheryl Lee Ralph, and Maggie Smith.  Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?  Yes. The movie shows Whoopi Goldberg as a Las Vegas headliner and then as a teacher in a school classroom of failing students. Video Review Available Here: Ben Meyers

 

RESIDENT EVIL: THE FINAL CHAPTER (Released to Theaters Canada 2017)

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 4.2|5.0 Starsìììì  Resident Evil: The Final Chapter—This movie is a great conclusion to the Resident Evil movie series and even though it says final chapter there is a type of cliff hanger at the end of the film that could provide for that later addition of another film. The acting, presentation, and portrayal are good. The storyline is great. Milla Jovovich reprises her role for this movie.  Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images Storyline  Alice wraps things up on the Zombie apocalypse and additionally, finds some personal memories from her past.  Additional Thanks   Thank you to Director and Producer Paul W.S. Anderson for directing effort. Thank you to Executive Producer Victor Hadida, Martin Moszkowicz, for making the film possible. Cast includes Milla Jovovich, Iain Glen, Ali Larter, Shawn Roberts, Eoin Macken, Fraser James, Ruby Rose, William Levy, Rola, Ever Anderson. Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?  Yes. This movie has a great concept and storyline. It deserves addition to the home video library as an anthology. This entire series of movies has been a fun ride. Video Critique Available Here: Ben Meyers

 

ULTRAVIOLET (Released in Theaters USA 2006)

 

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 3.7|5.0 Starsììì  NOTE: This critique is on the extended cut, not the original movie cut. Ultraviolet—very creative—tells an odd story that is hard to decipher as there is so much violent and frequent fighting that the storyline itself, despite its straightforward presentation, gets lost in the action. The best of this film sits in its vibrant computer animation, its special effects, and stunt work. Milla Jovovich is the suitable/good choice for the character role of Violet. She plays her role with good acting. Watch for William Fichtner in the film. Read a plot line before going to enable finding the story's thread.    Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images Storyline  An outlaw lab tries to create super human soldiers but the plan back-fires and creates super humans with vampire-like fangs, enhanced minds and strength, and exceptionally fast movement capability. However, they live short lives because of their defective DNA.  Additional Thanks  Thank you to Director Kurt Wimmer for directing effort. Thank you to Executive Producer Sue Jett, Tony Mark, Charles Wang, T.C. Wang for making the film possible. Cast includes Milla Jovovich, Cameron Bright, Nick Chinlund, Sabastien Andrieu, Ida Martin, William Fichtner, David E. Collier, Kieran O'Rorke, Digger Mesch, and Ryan Martin.   Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?  Yes. Despite critics overall low rating of this film, it can easily become a cult classic and can be watched again mainly to find its storyline which hides behind the multiple action scenes.  Video Critique Available Here: Ben Meyers

ALADDIN AND THE KING OF THIEVES (Released to VHS USA 1996)

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 3.8|5.0 Starsììì  Aladdin and the King of Thieves—terrific one-liners—has an exceptionally likeable genie. Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images  Storyline  Aladdin is getting married to Jasmine, but is interrupted by the Forty Thieves.  Additional Thanks  Thank you to Director/Producer Tad Stones for directing effort. Thank you to Associate Producer Jeannine Roussel for making the film possible. Cast includes:Val Bettin, Jim Cummings, Gilbert Gottfried, Linda Larkin, Jerry Orbach, John Rhys-Davies, Scott Weinger, Frank Welker, and Robin Williams.  Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? Yes. This a suitable film and it contains some back story on Aladdin.  Video Critique Available Here: Ben Meyers

 

THE COLOR PURPLE (Released to Theaters USA 2023)

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 3.8|5.0 Starsììì  The Color Purple—music messy—drops song and dance routines into scenes without coherent reasons for that delivery. Delineation between characters has not been rigidly established so that storyline confusion easily sets in. The first presentation of The Color Purple (1985) has heart and far exceeds the entertainment value of this 2023 remake. Audiences look for movies that are memorable and have impact. The 1985 The Color Purple movie establishes both qualities with its jarring realism. The richness of the story, The Color Purple, comes from its tapestry woven from the threads of exceptionally heart-breaking life events that over a lifetime come full circle to types of resolution and compensation.  Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia Storyline  A girl endures a harsh, abusive marriage. Another girl abandons her father's principles and causes life-long distress due to her life choices. Another girl 'finds' her sister's children. These stories interweave and overlap until the pattern, the outcome, comes full circle and meaning begins to establish itself as severe wrongs begin to be covered with a type of healing.   Additional Thanks  Thank you to Director Blitz Bazawule, for directing effort. Thank you to Executive Producers Michael Beugg, Pete Chiapetta, Adam Fell, Carla Gardini, Mara Jacobs, Andrew Lary, Kristie Macosko Krieger, Andrew Tittanegro, Courtenay Valenti, Sheila Walcott, Alice Walker, Rebecca Walker, for making the film possible. Cast includes Fantasia Barrino, Taraji P. Henson, Dannielle Brooks, Colman Domingo, Corey Hawkins, Phylicia Pearl Mpasi, Ciara, H.E.R., David Alan Grier.  Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Maybe. The 2023 movie is somewhat watchable but that watch-ability comes in noise and movement. The original 1985 movie bases itself in many colors that penetrate the soul.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

EIGHT BELOW (Released to Theaters USA 2006)

 

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 3.8|5.0 Starsììì  Eight Below—American rewrite of the 1983 Japanese movie, Antarctica—becomes a suitable watch as it educates about research stations located in Antarctica, the importance of dog teams, ice breaking ships, research grant money sourcing, transporting long distances in dangerous environments, wildlife native to that continent, and the resourcefulness of life that needs to survive. Paul Walker's character seems generic. He has not been assigned the more involved, distinctive role as in the Fast and Furious or Hours films. The movie is a suitable watch that does not require a great emotional or mental involvement.  Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia Storyline  Antarctic researcher looks for a rare rock thought to be present in that continent. An imminent storm requires immediate evacuation with no opportunity to rescue the dog team. The research guide attempts repeatedly to raise funding for the dog rescue.  Additional Thanks Thank you to Director and Executive Producer Frank Marshall, for directing effort. Thank you to Executive Producers Gary Barber, Roger Birnbaum, Christine Iso, Masaru Kakutani, Roy Lee, Todd Lieberman, and Producers Patrick Crowley, and David Hoberman, for making the film possible. Cast includes Paul Walker, Bruce Greenwood, Moon Bloodgood, Wendy Crewson, Gerard Plunkett, August Schellenberg, Jason Biggs, D.J., Timba, Koda, Jasmin, Apache, Buck, and Noble.  Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?  Maybe. The movie is not fancy. It's a 'no frills' telling of an event and the outcome of immediate decisions executed without forethought. This film may have had more impact if it had not flown under the Disney Studio network label and instead installed itself under the, now defunct, Touchstone Pictures studio banner.  Video Critique Available Here: Ben Meyers

RUDOLPH THE-NOSED REINDEER (Released to NBC USA 1964)

 

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 4.0|5.0 Starsìììì  Rudolph the Red-Nose Reindeer—good movie for the child/adult share—has great stop motion animation and, despite its age (1964) is still watchable. The voice actors are well chosen, and the presentation and portrayal are good. The story is well written. This 1964 film was a Christmas short film featured on television on the National Broadcasting Company (NBC) channel. Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images  Storyline   The Reindeer Donner and his Reindeer wife have a son. They name him Rudolph and the story is on.  Additional Thanks Thank you to Director Larry Roemer, for directing effort. Thank you to Producer Arthur Rankin Jr. and Co-Producer Jules Bass for making the film possible. Cast includes Burl Ives, Larry D. Mann, Billie Mae Richards, Paul Soles, Stan Francis, Alfie Scopp, Janis Orenstein, Paul Kligman, Carl Banas, and Peg Dixon.  Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?  Yes. This is a good film for families and 60 years later is still a good watch. Video Critique Available Here: Ben Meyers

RUST (Released to DVD World-wide 2010)

 

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 3.6|5.0 Starsììì 

Rust—interesting to okay—does not 'get off the ground' until Corbin Bernsen's character, James Moore, begins unraveling the story behind the arson of a local home and who really is to blame for that arson. It's a story of justice and rightful assignment of guilt, but it takes over 40 minutes of film to 'get' there.  This Christian film has places where the acting is 'over the top' good and other places where the acting is almost average. Corbin Bernsen works at a surprisingly high skill level, has over 261 film and TV shows appearances with a new 10 credits scheduled. He will be a good actor to follow with that strong work ethic.  

Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images

Storyline 

James Moore returns to his small town and finds it pretty much the same except for an arson incident that police have closed due to a confession. James Moore, despite the confession, does not believe the blame has been placed rightly and pursues the truth on his own time. 

Additional Thanks 

Thank you to Director Corbin Bernsen for directing effort. Thank you to Producer Chris Aronoff, Corbin Bernsen, and Dana Lesiuk, and Co-Producer James Greilick, for making the film possible. Cast include Corbin Bernsen, Lorne Cardinal, Frank Gall, Lloyd Warner, Audrey Lynn Tennent, Kristen Collins, John Hutchinson ,Chesney Caswell, Judith Davies, Cavan Cunningham, and Mike Kernahan.

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? 

Maybe. The movie has a completely unexpected conclusion. It's a light mystery that does not require a great deal of emotional or intellectual involvement.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

MADAME WEB (Released to Theaters USA 2024)

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 3.5|5.0 Starsììì  Madame Web—weak portrayal—sports a story with little to no continuity and little to no character development. Toward the end of the film, an audience may feel like they are running an obstacle course with no training and no guide. The 'origin' part of the story at its introductory scenes does not involve its audience and comes off as cold and irrelevant. The largest faux pas is leaving three teenagers while Madame Web goes into the jungle for a 'soul search' and bases her location on a single picture of a tree. The film is hard to follow and difficult to piece together. Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images Storyline  A pregnant female doctor is deceived by her security guard when he steals the spider she discovers in the jungle. Her baby is delivered by friendly tribals but the doctor, the baby's mother, dies. The baby grows to adulthood and serves as an emergency ambulance driver in New York City.  Additional Thanks Thank you to Director and Executive Producer S.J. Clarkson, for directing effort. Thank you to Executive Producer Adam Merims and Claire Parker for making the film possible. Cast includes Dakota Johnson, Sydney Sweeney, Isabela Merced, Celeste O'Connor, Tahir Rahim, Mike Epps, Emma Roberts, Adam Scott, Kerry Bisché, and,Zoshia Mamet.  Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?  No. This could be skipped for Spider-Man films from Toby Maguire to Andrew Garfield to Tom Holland to the animated Spider-Man films of recent years, Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse and its sequel Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse. Madame Web is messy and unprofessional.. Video Critique Available Here: Ben Meyers