THE GOLD RUSH (Released to Theaters USA 1925)

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 4.0|5.0 Starsìììì  The Gold Rush—full-length (1 hour, 35 minute) Charles Chaplin film—is a black and white silent film that provides full comedy based on very good writing. Even though the film released 99 years ago, there is no lack of talent here for entertainment. Watch for the spectacular special effect of a cabin getting ready to fall over a snow cliff with residents inside. It's a cliff hanger well worth watching. Expect a sweet story about the Alaskan Gold Rush. Film Poster Courtesy of IMDb Storyline   The Lone Prospector is a gold miner caught in a blizzard and has to stay in a nearby cabin with a another gold miner and the story is on.  Additional Thanks  Thank you to Director and Producer Charles Chaplin for directing effort. Cast includes: Charles Chaplin, Mack Swain, Tom Murray, Henry Bergman, Malcolm Waite, and Georgia Hale.  Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?  Yes. This is a very good film and tells a good story with full character development and good presentation and portrayal. Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers 

ALBUQUERQUE (Released to Theaters USA 1948)

 

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 4.0|5.0 Starsìììì Albuquerque—Randolph Scott—works like a cookie cutter movie. While it serves as an afternoon, easy-on-the-mind western themed movie, it is interesting enough to finish due to its story which is strong enough to follow. Without the presence of Gabby Hayes the film could have some bland parts. Randolph Scott is stronger and better than he was in Canadian Pacific, and plays a good part for the lead actor. The movie is no worse or better than other B-grade films.  Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia  Storyline   Cole Armin travels by stage to work in his uncle's mining business. He soon finds that his uncle is corrupt and changes positions.  Additional Thanks Thank you to Director Ray Enright for directing effort. Thank you to Producers William H. Pine, and William C. Thomas, for making the film possible. Cast includes: Randolph Scott, Barbara Britton, George 'Gabby' Hayes, Lon Chaney Jr., Russell Hayden, Catherine Craig, George Cleavland, Irving Bacon, and Bernard Nedell.  Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?  Yes. Overall, it's a simple watch that does not tax emotion or mental effort to watch and provides a view of early western movie stars to include George 'Gabby' Hayes, a very nice addition to this film. Video Critique Available Here: Ben Meyers

THE BEAR THAT COULDN'T SLEEP (Released to Theaters USA 1939)

 

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 3.9|5.0 Starsììì  The Bear That Couldn’t Sleep—Barney Bear animated feature—provides cute, creative entertainment. Be aware that the animation is worn, but still watchable. The portrayal and presentation of story are good.  Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images Storyline Barney Bear is trying to sleep for the winter. But several things happen that do not help that effort.   Additional Thanks Thank you to Director and Producer Rudolf Ising for directing effort. Thank you to Producer Fred Quimby and Associate Producer William Hanna for making the film possible. Cast includes Marion Darlington, Jeanne Dunne, Rudolph Ising.  Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?  Yes. It is cute and 'kind of' worth watching. It's good for a light watch. Video Critique Available Here: Ben Meyers

ROOM SERVICE (Released to Theaters USA 1938)

 

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 4.1|5.0 Starsìììì  Room Service—one-of-a-kind, fun watch—provides the enjoyable, creative comedy of the Marx Brothers: Chico, Harpo, and Groucho Marx.  This film relies on limited stage setting which kindly allows the audience to focus on story and dialogue. Audiences can appreciate this rarely seen technique for a theatrical release. Watch for Lucille Ball's appearance in this film. It's great to see the brothers again.  Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images Storyline  Three men try to stall the manager of a hotel so they don't get kicked out of the hotel for not paying their room fee and related expenses. They desire to perform at the hotel but the financial backer for their stage play has not arrived and the story is on.  Additional Thanks  Thank you to Director William A. Seiter for directing effort. Thank you to Production Manager Pandro S. Berman, for making the film possible. Cast includes: Groucho Marx, Chico Marx, Harpo Marx, Lucille Ball, Ann Miller, Frank Albertson, Cliff Dunstan, Donald MacBride, Philip Loeb, Philip Wood, Alexander Arso, and Charles Halton.  Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? Yes. This good watch is both creative and original. Great work for all involved in production. Video Critique Available Here: Ben Meyers

AT THE CIRCUS ( Released to Theaters USA 1939)

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 3.9|5.0 Starsììì  At the Circus—not one of the best films for the Marx Brothers—maintains interest and comedy value despite its age. Know that at times it drags but has a few memorable one-liners. It's a fair afternoon watch.  Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia Storyline  A circus owner has been stolen from and the Marx Brothers try to help him get the money back.   Additional Thanks  Thank you to Director Edward Buzzell for directing effort. Thank you to Producer Mervyn LeRoy for making the film possible. Casting includes: Groucho Marx, Chico Marx, Harpo Marx, Kenny Baker, Florence Rice, Eve Arden, Margaret Dumont, Nat Pendleton, Fritz Feld, James Burke, and Jerry Maren.  Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?  Maybe. It is interesting to see the Marx Brothers performing in a lower grade film. Video Critique Available Here: Ben Meyers

SUPERPOWER (Released to Video on Demand USA 2023)

 

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 3.6|5.0 Starsììì  Superpower—odd film—follows no known, definable documentary protocol. An audience may have great difficulty finding the purpose of making this movie, why Sean Penn is in the Ukraine, why the leader of the Ukraine writes the movie script, and why it stages itself mostly in safe places. It does not follow normal format for persons who are war journalists and does not seem very informative. The real reason seems hidden and may be has to be for reasons a general audience may not need to know at this time. The camera work is good. But know that only the last 30-50 minutes of this film seem to justify the effort and monetary investment for making the movie. Film Poster Courtesy of IMDb Storyline  Actor Sean Penn goes to Ukraine to investigate the progression of events in the Ukrainian-Russian war.  Additional Thanks Thank you to Director Aaron Kaufman and Sean Penn for directing effort. Thank you to Executive Producers Jesse Angelo, Marina Bespolov, Sasha Cherniavsky, Subrata De, Andrew Freston, Anthony Gudas, Katie Peck, Jay Rosenzweig, Fernando Sulichin, Chad A Verdi, Kate Ward,  and Co-Executive Producer Mitchell Worsoff for making the film possible. Cast includes Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Andrii Yermak, Steven Pifer, Christopher Miller, Volodymyr Jerrmolenko, Alex Frishberg, Vitali Klitschko, and Iryna Matviyishyn.   Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?  Maybe. It is what it is. It seems to have no definable purpose and provides little after viewing discourse material. There is no power, no feeling of 'real' in the documentary. Video Critique Available Here: Ben Meyers

RETURN FROM WITCH MOUNTAIN (Released to Theaters USA 1978)

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 3.8|5.0 Starsììì Return from Witch Mountain—okay film—does not show the  novelty of the first film in this series. It's a bit slow and has a weaker story. Watch for reprised actors with some new additions. The movie works best as a light afternoon watch. There are no unwanted surprises. Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images  Storyline   Tony and Tia are back for another adventure that involve a con man, his female associate, and her nephew.  Tony and Tia have to bring them to justice.   Additional Thanks  Thank you to Director John Hough for directing effort. Thank you to Producers Jerome Courtland, Ron Miller, Associate Producer Kevin Corcoran for making the film possible. Casting includes: Bette Davis, Christopher Lee, Kim Richards, Ike Eisenmann, Jack Soo, Anthony James, Richard Bakalyan, Ward Costello, and Denver Pyle. Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?  Maybe. It has an overall, okay interest for the young audience. Video Critique Available Here: Ben Meyers .

THE MUSIC MAN (Released to DVD 2003)

 

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 4.1|5.0 Starsìììì  The Music Man—television remake—bases its story on the 1962 theatrical motion picture which originally appeared as a Broadway play in the late 1950s. The Wonderful World of Disney released this Matthew Broderick film in Season 47 Episode 11 and then it was taken as a stand alone movie. This Matthew Broderick film is a musical and a good one at that. This is filmed like a television release, almost like a sitcom in some places. Watch for a very good performance by Matthew Broderick and the rest of the cast.  Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia Storyline  A conman unifies a small town through promises of a town band.  Additional Thanks Thank you to Director and Co-Executive Producer Jeff Bleckner for directing effort. Thank you to Executive Producer Neil Meron and Craig Zadan and Producer John M. Ekert, for making the film possible. cast includes: Matthew Broderick, Kristen Chenoweth, Victor Garber, Debra Monk, Molly Shannon, David Aaron Baker, Clyde Alves, Cameron Adams, Cameron Monaghan, Linda Kash, and Patrick McKenna,  Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?  Yes. Good character development and a fresh, creatively written story make this a good watch. Good work by all involved in production.  Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

A QUIET PLACE: DAY ONE (Released to Theaters USA 2024)

 

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 4.1|5.0 Starsìììì  A Quiet Place: Day One—good watch—does not have the same quality of the first two films but this prequel still is a very good watch. Look for a good performance by both Lupita Nyong’o and Joseph Quinn. The writing and pacing of the movie are well done and manage to thrill in all the right places.  Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia  Storyline  A young woman finds herself in a world of aliens who terminate humans who make any kind of sound.   Additional Thanks  Thank you to Director Michael Sarnoski for directing effort. Thank you to Executive Producers Vicki Dee Rock and Allyson Seeger, for making the film possible. Cast includes: Lupita Nyong'o, Joseph Quinn, Alex Wolff, Djimon Hounsou, Eliane Umuhire, Takunda Khumalo, Alfie Todd, Avy-Berry Worrall, and Ronnie Le Drew. Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. This film provides steady, well-timed thrills that satisfy. Watch for Djimon Hounsou, with his cameo appearances, who reprises his role from part two of this story.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

THE WILD LIFE (Released to Theaters USA 2016)

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 3.2|5.0 Starsììì  The Wild Life—odd, animated film—tells a story as old as time. The computer animation is suitable; the voice actors, while not well known domestically, are good. The movie is challenged in portrayal and writing. The character development is good but not good enough for an audience to care about the progression of events.  Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images  Storyline  A man, Robinson Crusoe, is shipwrecked on an island, makes friends with animals, and tries to survive on that island.   Additional Thanks Thank you to Director Vincent Kesteloot and Mimi Maynard for directing effort. Thank you to Executive Producers Olivier Courson and Eric Dillens for making the film possible. Cast includes: Matthias Schweighöfer, Kaya Yanar, Ilka Bessin, Dieter Hallervorden, Aylin Tezel, Ghadah Al-Akel, Tommy Morgenstern, and Melenie Hinze.  Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? No. This is a "shipwreck."  Try the 1960 film Swiss Family Robinson instead. Video Critique Available Here: Ben Meyers

 

THE TIGER'S APPRENTICE (Released to Video on Demand USA 2024)

 

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 3.7|5.0 Starsììì  The Tiger’s Apprentice—starts strongly—has a story that can be understood more by an eastern audience than a western audience. The movie delves strongly into Asian concepts of demonology and witches and begins to greatly complicate its story when Tom is taken in by Tiger to train. The computer animation and voicing are good.  Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia Storyline  A young, high school teen's world changes when his grandmother's friend visits and soon he becomes aware of witchery and shape shifters who claim they help him. Additional Thanks  Thank you to Directors Raman Hui, Jong Duk Jhun, and Paul Watling for directing effort. Thank you to Executive Producer Carlos Baena, Maryann Garger, Kane Lee, and Roy Lee for making the film possible. Voice casting includes: Henry Golding, Brandan Soo Hoo, Lucy Liu, Sandra Oh, Michelle Yeoh, Bowen Yang. Leah Lewis, Kheng Hua Tan, Sherry Cola, and Deborah S. Craig.  Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?  Maybe. It is an interesting film. But the story and presentation are not clear enough for its viewers. Video Critique Available Here: Ben Meyers