THE VERY EXCELLENT MR. DUNDEE (Released to the Internet Australia 2020)

 

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 4.1|5.0 Starsìììì  The Very Excellent Mr. Dundee—comical—earns a watch. Typical Paul Hogan fare that provides his unique flavor that audiences grew to love in his entertainment. This movie is by no means perfect but it is a satisfying watch especially for audiences who wish there would have been more output from this actor from 'down under.'  Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images Storyline  Paul Hogan tries to live a normal life, but his movie life gets in the way.    Additional Thanks Thank you to Director Dean Murphy for directing effort. Thank you to Producers Dean Murphy and Nigel Odell for making the film possible. Cast includes Paul Hogan, Chevy Chase, and John Cleese.   Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?  Yes. This is a good Paul Hogan movie and worth a watch. Video Critique Available Here: Ben Meyers

PROPHECY (Released to Theaters USA 1979)

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 3.9|5.0 Starsììì  Prophecy—worth a sequel as a horror movie—does a fairly good job of being horrifying. It is a suitable watch. Know that this story tells an environmental story that exaggerates and enlarges outcomes of mutations to shock its audience. Because this is an important subject, rather than telling it in this way, it would be better to handle it in a documentary format and tell the truth without exaggeration. The Native American theme works very well.  Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images Storyline   Dr. Robert Verne is tasked by the environmental protection agency to write a report on an ongoing dispute between Native Americans and a paper mill.  Additional Thanks  Thank you to Director John Frankenheimer for directing effort. Thank you to Producers Robert L. Rosen and John Frankenheimer  for making the film possible. Cast includes Talia Shire, Robert Foxworth, and Armand Assante. Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?  Yes.  It's original and can earn a sequel.  Video Critique Available Here: Ben Meyers

 

THE TREASURE OF THE SIERRA MADRE (Released to Theaters USA 1948)

 

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 4.3|5.0 Starsìììì  The Treasure of the Sierra Madre—simple story—has great  acting that accesses the skills of Walter Huston (father of John Huston), Tim Holt, and Humphrey Bogart. This is a sit down and watch film that relies on simple southwestern scenery. Wait for the terrific, unexpected concluding scenes.  Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia Storyline  Two men, trying to make a dollar, meet an old timer who dreams of wealth from mining gold and knows where to find it.    Additional Thanks Thank you to Director John Huston for directing effort. Thank you to Executive Producer Jack L. Warner, and Producer Henry Blanke, for making the film possible. Cast includes Humphrey Bogart, Walter Huston, Tim Holt, Bruce Bennett, Barton MacLane, Alfonso Bedoya, Arturo Soto Rangel, Manuel Dondé, and José Torvay.  Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?  Yes. This is a good watch and tells a simple story. Video Critique Available Here: Ben Meyers

IN THE NAME OF THE KING 2: TWO WORLDS

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 3.5|5.0 Starsììì  In the Name of the King 2: Two Worlds—long way to go to be a quality or suitable watch—has little relative status to the original movie: In the Name of the King: A Dungeon Siege Tale. This film ends bluntly but has a cliff hanger for the entrance of part 3. The movie seems to be produced like a television film.  Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia Storyline  A former special ops and karate teacher is taken to save an ancient world.     Additional Thanks Thank you to Director and Executive Producer Uwe Boll for directing effort. Thank you to Executive Producer Dale A. Andrews, Karyn Edwards, Jonathan Shore, Shawn Williamson, Producer Dan Clark, and Assistant Producer Bob Van Ronkel for making the film possible. Cast includes Dolph Lundgren, Natassia Malthe, and Lochlyn Munro.  Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?  Maybe. The acting is weak. The story has some intrigue. Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

SEVEN BRIDES FOR SEVEN BROTHERS (Released to Theaters USA 1954)

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 4.2|5.0 Starsìììì  Seven Brides for Seven Brothers—great music—has a realistic and believable story that more than lends itself to watching and adding to the home video library. Howard Keel, Jane Powell, and Russ Tamblyn are great actors for this film. This film is fresh, creative, and rich...do Not miss this movie, This is what we go to movies to see.  Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images Storyline  A woodsman/farmer needs to get married and goes to town expecting to get married the same day. He accomplishes his goal but fails to tell his new wife that he has six brothers at home that need cooking, house cleaning, and laundry done.  Additional Thanks Thank you to Director Stanley Donen for directing effort. Thank you to Producer Jack Cummings for making the film possible. Cast includes Howard Keel, Jeff Richards, Russ Tamblyn, Tommy Rall, Marc Platt, Matt Mattox, Jacques d'Amboise, Jane Powell, and Julie Newmar. Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?  Yes. This is a wonderful film with original, powerful,  and good music and tells a timeless, thoughtfully written story. No surprise scenes here...tastefully written to describe male/female interaction. The acting is great and the pacing very well done. Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

THE PAINTER (Released to Theaters USA 2024)

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 3.8|5.0 Starsììì  The Painter—works like a television movie—has lower end presentation, needs realism in its fight scenes, and becomes one of those afternoon-fill-in-time movies. Watch for Jon Voight, Charlie Weber, Rryla McIntosh, Madison Bailey, and Marie Averopoulos. Film Poster Google Images Storyline  A CIA agent is found off the grid by a daughter he thought died at birth and his world turns upside down when the CIA turns against him for information about dirty business among its operatives.     Additional Thanks Thank you to Director Kimani Ray Smith for directing effort. Thank you to Executive Producer Charles Cooper, Wayne Marc Godfrey, Scott Karol, for making the film possible. Cast includes Charlie Weber, Jon Voight, Madison Bailey, Max Montesi, Marie Averopoulos, and Rryla McIntosh. Buy a ticket Yes? No? Maybe?

Maybe. It is a suitable/okay film that tells a suitable to okay story.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers 

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE (Released to Theaters USA 2017)

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 4.0|5.0 Starsìììì  Thank You for Your Service—Miles Teller and Beulah Koaler—sports some very good serious-themed acting skills from the entire cast. It's believable, realistic and refreshingly deals with the aftermath of war, not the 'glory of war' prequel to the reality. The film has some adult content that borders on the unnecessary. But, besides that, works at a much higher level than Home of the Brave (2006). It is an ode to the importance of supportive, long-term marriages to aiding recovery and a return to stability after real-life exposure to warfare. It's a human story that well deserves its watch and money investment. Good work for all involved in production.  Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images Storyline   A young military man and his military colleagues try to find ways to re-enter society after dealing with traumatic war events in Iraq during the 2000s decade.   Additional Thanks Thank you to Director Jason Hall for directing effort. Thank you to Executive Producer Jane Nerlinger Evan, Ann Ruark, for making the film possible. Cast includes Miles Teller, Beulah Koale, Joe Cole, Scott Haze, Haley Bennett, Amy Schumer, Omar J. Dorsey, Kiesha Castle-Hughes, Brad Beyer, and Kerry Cahill.  Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?  Yes. Important 'must see' to evaluate the realities of outcomes for veterans who come home from serving in war zones. This film is original and worth its watch. Video Critique Available Here: Ben Meyers

THE MALTESE FALCON (Released to Theaters USA 1941)

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 4.0|5.0 Starsìììì  The Maltese Falcon—unique—shows the acting capability of Humphrey Bogart to good advantage. Even though the movie is aged and uses black and white color, its classic feel still shows effect. It is well-written.  Good work for all involved in production of this mystery/detective movie. Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images  Storyline  A detective is visited by a woman who wants to get in touch with her sister.     Additional Thanks  Thank you to Director John Huston for directing effort. Thank you to Executive Producer Hal B. Wallis and Associate Producer Henry Blanke for making the film possible. Cast includes Humphrey Bogart, Mary Astor, Gladys George, Peter Lorre, Barton MacLane, Lee Patrick, Ward Bond, Jerome Cowan, Elisa Cook Jr., James Burke, and Murray Alper.   Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?  Yes. This film noir movie concludes oddly, but earns its watch.  Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers 

NAVAJO (Released to Theaters USA 1952)

 

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 4.0|5.0 Starsìììì  Navajo—represents the Navajo nation well—uses a very good, semi-drama technique to tell a welcome story for the early 1950s and current movie audiences. It's an important, original watch that is not usually seen in cinema. The acting is good to great. The presentation is very good. The portrayal is great. The actors have been well chosen. The narrator, Sammy Ogg, is outstanding. This docu-drama does not have interviews but interviews would undermine the strength of story. Know that the film works with a black and white format that adds terrifically to its heavily-laced, cinematic views of Navajo lands. WOW! What a concept for a film! The movie can be rented currently for $1.99 from Amazon.  Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images Storyline   A Navajo boy tries to live on the land with his mother, sisters, and adoptive grandfather, but this aspiration soon changes.  Additional Thanks Thank you to Director Norman Foster for directing effort. Thank you to Producer Hall Bartlett for making the film possible. Voice casting includes Francis Kee Teller, John Mitchell, Mrs. Kee Teller, Hall Bartlett, Virgil Miller, Cozy McSparron, Sammy Ogg, Eloise Teller, and Linda Teller. Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?  Yes. This original content movie bases on what it means to be a good human being. The movie tells a good story, emphasizes valuing life, and caring for the needs of others. Good work for all involved. This is a good integrity watch that provides good after viewing discussion for the entire family. Video Critique Available Here: Ben Meyers

SNAKES ON A PLANE (Released to Theaters USA 2006)

 

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 3.9|5.0 Starsììì  Snakes on a Plane—suitable—relies highly on the screen presence of Samuel L. Jackson. Some adult content, nudity, and the variety of snakes striking people precludes its ability to be a family share movie.   Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia Storyline  An FBI agent transfers a witness to a crime from Hawaii to Los Angeles to testify. Henchmen load the world's most venomous snakes on the plane to end that flight with the intention of disrupting the successful completion of that flight and the story is on.    Additional Thanks  Thank you to Director David R. Ellis for directing effort. Thank you to Executive Producers Stokely Chaffin, Toby Emmerich, Penney Finkelman Cox, Justis Greene, Sandra Rabins, and George Waud for making the film possible. Cast includes Samuel L. Jackson, Julianna Margulies, Nathan Phillips, Rachel Blanchard, Flex Alexander, Kenan Thompson, Keith Dallas, Lin Shaye, Bruce James, and Sunny Mabrey.  Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?  Maybe, The movie does provide its moments of horror as snakes are invading compartments loaded with people. Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

KUNG FU PANDA 4 (Released to Theaters USA 2024)

 

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 3.9|5.0 Starsììì Kung Fu Panda 4—fourth film in this DreamWorks' series—tries to keep the quality of the third film in place, but this movie lacks the spirit of the third series' film. While it is much more fun than DreamWorks 2023 release of Ruby Gillman, the Teenage Kracken, it still borders on the edge of its final acid test. Voice actors reprise their roles and the animation maintains its quality. Overall, the movie earns its money and time for viewing.  Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images Storyline   Po fights a shape shifting, villainous chameleon who wants all power. Additional Thanks Thank you to Director and Executive Producer Mike Mitchell and Co-Director Stephanie Stine for directing effort. Thank you to Producer Rebecca Huntley for making the film possible. Cast includes Jack Black, Awkwafina, Viola Davis, Dustin Hoffman, Bryan Cranston, James Hong, Ian McShane, Ke Huy Quan, Ronny Chieng, and Seth Rogen. Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?  Yes. Overall, this is a good child/adult share movie. Video Critique Available Here: Ben Meyers