THE WISE QUACKING DUCK (Released to Theaters 1943)

 

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 3.9|5.0 Starsììì The Wise Quacking Duck—good, animated short film—has good presentation and portrayal.  Film Poster Courtesy of IMDb Storyline  A man's wife wants duck for dinner, so the man goes to get one and targets Daffy Duck.  Additional Thanks  Thank you to Director Robert Clampett for directing effort. Thank you to Producer Leon Schlesinger for making the film possible. Cast Include: Darrell Payne and Mel Blanc. Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?  Yes. It is a good watch and works from a nicely written story. Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

FREDDY THE FRESHMAN (Relased to Theaters USA 1932)

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 3.9|5.0 Starsììì  Freddy the Freshman—early black and white animated feature—provides a good study in early animation efforts and also shows small beginnings of  the evolution of later much beloved cartoon characters. It's a sweet portrayal of college football.  Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images Storyline   Freddy is a freshman who becomes a football star.  Additional Thanks  Thank you to Rudolph Ising for directing effort. Thank you to Co-Producers Leon Schlesinger, Cast Include Rudolph Ising, The Kings Men, and Johnny Murray, for making the film possible.  Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?  Yes. Despite its age and generally lower quality of animation, it retains watch-ability as a historical part of United States entertainment in the early 1900s. Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

THE BIG GREEN (Released to Theaters USA 1995)

 

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 3.8|5.0 Starsììì  The Big Green—formula story—provides suitable, clean family entertainment. Expect a linear, shallow story that runs on the concept that starting a small town sports team can save the day when everything is going quite wrong. Most of the actors are little to not known. The movie is similarly written to Angels in the Outfield where a miracle is needed but this time the miracle is formed through hard work and effort rather than divine intervention.  Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images  Storyline  A British exchange teacher brings life to a small Texas town by starting a soccer team.  Additional Thanks  Thank you to  Holly Goldberg Sloan for directing effort. Thank you to Executive Producer Roger Birnbaum, and Producer Dennis Bishop for making the film possible. Cast includes Steve Guttenberg, Olivia d'Abo, Jay O. Sanders, John Terry, Chauncey Lapardi, Patrick Renna, Billy L. Sullivan, Yareli Arizmendi, Bug Hall, Jessica Robertson, and Anthony Esquivel.  Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?  Maybe. It re-tells an old story with a different stage setting and characters. It's a simple, suitable watch that can be a good family share  movie. Video Critique Available Here: Ben Meyers

FRESH HARE (Released to Theaters USA 1942)

 

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 3.9|5.0 Starsììì  Fresh Hare—early work of Bugs Bunny and Elmer Fudd's interaction—offers the very different look of these two cartoon characters. It's a good watch.   Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images Storyline   Elmer Fudd plays the part of a Canadian Mounty who hunts Bugs Bunny to bring him to justice for multiple traffic violations and other related crimes.    Additional Thanks  Thank you to Director I. Freleng for directing effort. Thank you to Leon Schlesinger for making the film possible. Character interpretations include Mel Blanc and Arthur Q. Bryan.   Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?  Yes. This is a good show. and has a good story. Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

CASABLANCA (Relased to Theaters USA 1942)

 

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 4.2|5.0 Starsìììì  Casablanca—WOW! classic movie—exemplifies the importance of high quality writers in building good movies. The portrayal and  presentation run from great to good. Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid Bergman show extremely well in close facial shots. The film may get a little slow at times but that does not hinder the overall feel of the film and the 'take-home' satiation that money and time are well invested in viewing this movie. This film is in black and white but that adds to the quality of the film. The camera work is exceptional as it optimizes the sense of suspense and emotion with excellent timing.  Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia Storyline   A man runs a club in Casablanca, Morocco, Africa during WWII. A former girlfriend walks in, memories flood back, and the story is on.  Additional Thanks Thank you to Director Michael Curtiz for directing effort. Thank you to Executive Producer Jack L. Warner, and Producer Hal B. Wallis for making the film possible. Cast includes Humphrey Bogart, Ingrid Bergman, Paul Henreid, Claude Rains, Conrad Veidt, Sydney Greenstreet, and Peter Lorre. Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?  Yes. It is a B-grade film but it works for its money by telling a creative, high quality story. Video Critique Available Here: Ben Meyers

THE GENTLEMEN (Released to Theaters USA 2020)

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 3.7|5.0 Starsììì  The Gentlemen—odd, complicated story—is a movie that even with a plotline read is difficult to follow. It drags its audience through a crime-driven, murder-solution, unwholesome and low thinking, drug-oriented life-style. It may work in films where one can learn what not to be. But in this film, one comes away thinking 'why do we care?' The movie begs the question, 'Why was this film financed and given the green light?' Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images  Storyline   A USA man wants to unload his marijuana business, located in England, which activates a chain of unwanted con men who want a 'piece of dirty pie'.     Additional Thanks Thank you to Director Guy Ritchie for directing effort. Thank you to Producers Guy Ritchie, Ivan Atkinson, and Bill Block for making the film possible. Cast includes Matthew McConaughey, Charlie Hunnam, Henry Golding, Michelle Dockery, Jeremy Strong, Eddie Marsan, Colin Farrell, and Hugh Grant. Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?  Maybe. It is what it is. It works outside the general mafia-styled movie and does not entertain. It plays too deeply into the gross realities of its world and drags it audience through the mud with it. Its complicated plotline does not allow its audience to comfortably and easily understand its storyline but superficially talks about the worst parts of this world with exceptionally graphic violence, It allows no room for audience comfort. A misnomer to title this movie "The Gentle-Men." Video Critique Available Here: Ben Meyers

 

ANGELS IN THE INFIELD (Released to ABC USA 2000)

 

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 3.7|5.0 Starsììì  Angels in the Infield—okay—gets off to a rough start with its reliance on several tropes that lead to weak portrayal and presentation. Know that this movie does get better toward its conclusion but the collage made from other Hollywood-built movies has definitely hindered its ability to shine. Expect an easy-on-the-mind film that can be a family-share movie with no hidden surprises. It is a television-released film so do not expect the quality of a  theatrically-released movie. Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia  Storyline  A baseball player's ex-wife leaves his daughter with him. Additional Thanks Thank you to Director Robert King for directing effort. Thank you to Executive Producer Roger Birnbaum for making the film possible. Cast includes Patrick Warburton, Britt Irvin, Kurt Fuller, Rebecca Jenkins, Duane Davis, Beau Starr, Colin Foxx, Peter Keleghan, Dan Duran, and David Alan Grier.  Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?  Maybe. It does not have a high quality portrayal or presentation. The acting is okay to suitable. This is the last film in this series.  Video Critique Available Here: Ben Meyers

I'LL BE HOME FOR CHRISTMAS (Released to Theaters USA 1998)

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 4.0|5.0 Starsìììì  I’ll be Home for Christmas—Jonathan Taylor Thomas—works on two well-known story themes: 1) Displacing interest on self desire for spending holiday time 2) Difficulties encountered when deciding to go home for the holidays. It's a good reminder about importance of family time. Overall, it's a sweet story. Good work for all involved.  Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images Storyline   A California teenager is told by his father that he will get the 1957 Porsche 356 that is stored in the family's garage if he makes it home for Christmas Eve by 6:00 PM.  Additional Thanks  Thank you to Director Arlene Sanford for directing effort. Thank you to Executive Producer Robin French, Producers David Hoberman, Tracy Trench, and Co-Producer Justis Greene, for making the film possible. Cast includes Jonathan Taylor Thomas, Jessica Biel, Adam LaVorgna, Gary Cole, Eve Gordon, Lauren Maltby, Andy Lauer, Sean O'Bryan, and Lesley Boone. Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?  Yes. This is a good show and tells a good story. Video Critique Available Here: Ben Meyers

THE ELECTRIC EARTHQUAKE (Released in 1942)

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 3.9|5.0 Starsììì  The Electric Earthquake—early Superman short, animated film—doesn't have much time to present its story. The presentation and portrayal are suitable to good.  The concept is interesting. The film is available for viewing on YouTube Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia   Storyline   A Native American man wants the land of Manhattan back. When he is turned down, he creates an artificial earthquake. Super-Man is on the case.  Additional Thanks Thank you to Director Dave Fleischer for directing effort. Thank you to Producer Max Fleischer for making the film possible. Cast includes Bud Collyer, Joan Alexander, Julian Noa, and Jackson Beck. Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? Yes. It shows early efforts to develop the Super-Man character. Video Critique Available Here: Ben Meyers Yes. This is a good afternoon short film to watch and tells a suitable storyline.

ARTHUR THE KING (Released to Theaters USA 2024)

 

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 3.9|5.0 Starsììì  Arthur the King—Mark Wahlberg—works on the slow side of  storytelling but does give good insight to endurance cross country racing and the enormous amount of skill it takes to do this sport. The movie allows an almost miraculous performance of the dog who keeps showing up in the lives of one team of racers. Watch for Simu Liu from the Marvel movie Shang Chi.  Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images Storyline A man gets financial sponsors to enter the Dominican Republic cross country race with a team composed of former colleagues. Along the way he makes friends with a stray dog who finds him and his colleagues later in the race. Additional Thanks  Thank you to Director Simon Cellan Jones for directing effort. Thank you to Executive Producers Michael Brandt, Dorothy Canton, Zev Foreman, Jen Gorton, Mikael Lennord, Greg Renker for making the film possible. Cast includes Mark Wahlberg, Simu Liu, Juliet Rylance, Nathalie Emmanuel, Ali Suliman, Bear Grylls, Paul Guilfoyle, Rob Collins, and Alani IIlongwe. Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? Maybe. the film is slow and bland at times, but provides a good look at this sport. The best part of the film is the last 15 to 20 minutes. Video Critique Available Here: Ben Meyers

GOPHER GOOFY (Released to Theaters USA 1942)

 

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 3.9|5.0 Starsììì  Gopher Goofy—cute, animated short film—has Mel Blanc using a different version of the voice of Bugs Bunny for one of the gophers in this film. Listen for it. Watch for gophers instead of chipmunks for the antics.  Film Poster Courtesy of IMDb Storyline  A man fights gophers to keep his garden in tip top shape.    Additional Thanks  Thank you to Director Norman McCabe for directing effort. Thank you to Producer Leon Schlesinger for making the film possible. Thank you to Mel Blanc for voicing.   Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?  Yes. This is a good watch and  relies on good writing for its story. Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

THE IRON MAN (Released to Theaters USA 1931)

 

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 3.8|5.0 Starsììì  The Iron Man—cute, short, animated film—shows early pen and ink, black and white cartooning. This small film is an example of early effort to incorporate sound into animation.   Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia Storyline  A man gets a robot in the mail.  Additional Thanks Thank you to Directors John Foster and Harry Luske for directing effort. Thank you to Producer The Van Beuren Corporation for making the film possible.    Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?  Maybe. It is a good academic study but not as entertaining as other short films from the 1930s era. Video Critique Available Here: Ben Meyers