IF (Released to Theaters USA 2024)

 

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 4.2|5.0 Starsìììì

If— unusually kind and gentle—earns its watch recommendation. Its poignant reminder that everyone needs their childhood imaginary friend all through life is sweetly delivered and can be well received. Director John Krasinski (A Quiet Place and A Quiet Place Part 2) also acts in the movie along with Cailey Fleming, Ryan Reynolds and Fiona Shaw. It's a complicated watch that more than deserves its addition to the home video library. Be aware there is a bit of 'language' that may need some editing before watching as a family share. This is a terrific example of a movie that provides good, after viewing discussion time. 

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

A young girl loses her mother to cancer and her father later needs heart surgery. Traumatization leads to a whole world of imaginary friends who materialize into her universe.  

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director and Producer John Krazinski for directing and producing effort. Thank you to Executive Producer George Dewey, John J. Kelly, Kimberly Nelson LoCascio, for making the film possible. Cast includes Cailey Fleming, Ryan Reynolds, John Krasinski, Fiona Shaw, Steve Carell, Phoebe Waller-Bridge, Louis Gossett Jr., Alan Kim, Liza Colόn-Zayas, Bobby Moynihan, Catherine Daddario, and Audrey Hoffman.

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

 Yes. This movie rates high on the creativity scale and has been exceptionally well-written. Do a reading of the plotline and perhaps a little research into imaginary friends before diving in to watch. It's a high level share movie that works for the whole family...no time to go get popcorn as the movie completely engages the intellect and relies on multiple flash-back scenes to tell the story. Good work for all who cooperatively produced this highly needful movie.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

DREAMGIRLS (Released to Theaters USA 2006)

 

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 3.9|5.0 Starsììì  Dreamgirls—good musical—swings like a fictional story of the legendary Supremes. Listen for terrific music (some of which is original work released for this film), watch very good stage dancing, and view some great costuming. It's difficult to keep some characters in place and understand how they are moving the film forward due to scenes that run very fast. It's a good, inside view of how musical careers peak and trough. Film Poster Courtesy of IMDb Storyline   A pop women's singing group takes on a new manager, who takes their career to the top.  Additional Thanks Thank you to Director Bill Condon for directing effort. Thank you to Executive Producer Patricia Whitcher, Producer  Lawrence Mark, Co-Producer Jonathan King, and Associate Producer Leeann Stonebreaker for making the film possible. Cast includes Jamie Foxx, Beyoncé, Eddie Murphy, Danny Glover, Jennifer Hudson, Anika Noni Rose, Keith D. Robinson, Sharon Leal, Hinton Battle, and Mariah Iman Wilson.  Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?  Yes. Some of our best musicians sing and dance their way through this movie. For music lovers, this film is a very good choice. Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

OVERLORD (Released to Theaters USA 2018)

 

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 3.8|5.0 Starsììì  Overlord—cringeworthy violence toward conclusion of film—has mostly unknown actors with the exception of Pilou Asbӕk from Ghost in the Shell, who plays in this movie, Overlord, as Captain Wafner. The story is 'run-of the mill' with weak portrayal and  unrealistic acting. The movie, overall, is a suitable watch, but works more as a time-killer than as a good entertainment piece.   Film Poster Courtesy of IMDb Storyline  A group of WWII soldiers, in the late 1940s, parachute from a crashing plane and find themselves landing in German-controlled territory. The ones who survive the parachuting and the German troops patrolling the area head to a church where the objective is: make friends with a French woman who is willing to take them to her house to hide from the Germans.  Additional Thanks  Thank you to Director Julius Avery for directing effort. Thank you to Executive Producer Jo Burn, Jon Cohen, and Cory Bennett Lewis for making the film possible. Cast includes Jovan Adepo, Wyatt Russell, Mathilde Ollivier, Pilou Asbӕk, John Magaro, Iain De Caestecker, Jacob Anderson, Dominic Applewhite, Gianny Taufer, and Joseph Quinn. Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?  Maybe. This film is what it is—not great, but there. Video Critique Available Here: Ben Meyers

OUT FOR A KILL (Released to DVD/VHS USA 2003)

 

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 3.4|5.0 Starsììì  Out for a Kill—the usual action film—suffers from atrocious transitions. The script is cliched to a fault. Fight scenes are either under-choreographed or over-choreographed with no easy rhythm for their reason for being and not realistic enough to matter either way. Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images Storyline An archeology professor is hunted down by an Asian drug ring.  Additional Thanks Thank you to Director Michael Oblowitz for directing effort. Thank you to Executive Producers Boaz Davidson, Danny Dimbort, Avi Lerner, Trevor Short, and Co-Executive Producer Phillip B. Goldfine for making the film possible. Cast includes Michelle Goh, Steven Seagal, Corey Johnson, Tom Wu, Ozzie Yu, Bruce Wang, Chike Chan, Hong Ping Tang, Dave Wong, Chooye Bay, Elaine Tan, Michael J. Reynold, and Kata Dubό.  Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?  No. The film does not earn its time or money to watch. The transitions from scene to scene are poorly done and the movie adds nothing new to the action film genre. Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

SCOOBY-DOO! AND THE ALIEN INVADERS (Released to DVD/VHS USA 2000)

 

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 3.8|5.0 Starsììì  Scooby-Doo and the Alien Invaders—good animation—works closely with the basic story of the Scooby-Doo cartoons...no surprises. The cast provides great voicing and the movie runs on the current infatuation with aliens and desire to infiltrate military borders. Nothing new here, a run-of-the-mill movie for the Scooby-Doo fan base.   Film Poster Courtesy of IMDb  Storyline The Mystery Machine gang's van breaks down in the middle of the desert so Fred, Velma, and Daphne head to the nearby town for help, while Shaggy and Scooby stay behind with The Mystery Machine van and story is on.   Additional Thanks Thank you to Director Jim Stenstrum for directing effort. Thank you to Executive Producers Joseph Barbera, William Hanna, Jean McCurdy, Producer/Supervising Producer Davis Dona, and Associate Producer Diana Ritchy for making the film possible. Cast include Scott Innes, Mary Kay Bergman, Frank Welker, B.J. Ward, Jeff Bennett, Jennifer Hale, Mark Hamill, Candi Milo, Kevin Michael Richardson, and Neil Ross.  Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Maybe. It targets a specific fan base and provides a nostalgic walk down memory lane.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

MERCY (Released to the Internet USA 2023)

 

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 3.8|5.0 Starsììì  Mercy—Jon Voight—has poorly computer generated explosive special effects. Nothing new here. Everything works at the okay to suitable level. This film has some nudity.  Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia Storyline  An Irish gangster goes to see his son in hospital.  Additional Thanks Thank you to Director Tony Dean Smith for directing effort. Thank you to Executive Producers Jason Bourque, Scott Karol, Steven Paul, and Producer Charles Cooper for making the film possible. Cast includes Leah Gibson, Jonathan Rhys Meyers, Jon Voight, Sabastian Roberts, Anthony Konechny, Patrick Roccas, Shannon Cooney, Mike Dopud, Marc-Anthony Massiah, Mark Masterton, and Christopher Russell.  Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?  Maybe. It is what it is. Everything is okay to suitable.  Video Critique Available Here: Ben Meyers

THE PALEFACE (Released to Theaters USA 1948)

 

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 4.0|5.0 Starsìììì  The Paleface—cute—pairs Bob Hope and Jane Russell for a little dance with comedy and romance. The movie has good presentation,  story, portrayal, and acting. This is a fun romp and worth a family's   one time watch.  Film Poster Courtesy of IMDb Storyline  Calamity Jane can earn a government pardon from jail time if she accepts a government assignment.      Additional Thanks Thank you to Director Norman Z. McLeod for directing effort. Thank you to Producer Robert L. Welch for making the film possible. Cast includes Bob Hope, Jane Russell, Robert Armstrong, Iris Adrian, Bobby Watson, Jackie Searl, Joseph Vitale, Charles Trowbridge, Clem Bevens, and Jeff York.  Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?  Yes. This movie allows a full swing at comedy and serves as a light, feel good film.  Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

WOOLLY MAMMOTH: THE AUTOPSY * (Released to Television UK 2014)

 

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 3.9|5.0 Starsììì  Woolly Mammoth: The Autopsy—not great, but interesting—informs and educates about animal cloning and current prospects to reinstate extinct species of both animals and plant life to earth. This short film documentary has a suitable to good presentation. The interviews are personable. The excavation and autopsy of this woolly mammoth are an interesting watch.  This is a Smithsonian documentary  Film Poster Courtesy of IMDb Storyline  Scientists find a perfect specimen of a Woolly Mammoth to clone. Let the excavation and autopsy begin.    Additional Thanks  Thank you to Director and Producer Nick Clark Powell for directing effort. Thank you to Executive Producer Alan Hayling for making the film possible. Cast includes Daniel Fisher and Victoria Herridge.    Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?  Yes. This is an interesting science documentary. It educates and informs.   * Also known as: How to Clone a Woolly Mammoth. Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

SCOOBY-DOO MEETS THE BOO BROTHERS (Released to Television USA 1987)

 

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 3.5|5.0 Starsììì  Scooby-Doo Meets the Boo Brothers—characters Shaggy, Scooby-Doo, and Scrappy-Doo—could have been edited to a 30-minute movie presentation. The writers gave the time necessary to fill the full-length movie requirement by putting the main characters in a haunted mansion and tasking them with finding the jewels...one jewel at a time. One jewel is found and then the next jewel is looked for and this basic formatting is followed until the full-length movie time requirement is fulfilled.  This round-about way of filling time creates a boring story of running from scare-to-scare with obvious repetition.  Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images Storyline   Shaggy receives an inheritance from a deceased uncle.  Additional Thanks  Thank you to Directors Paul Sommer, Carl Urbano, and Ray Patterson for directing effort. Thank you to Executive Producers Joseph Barbera, William Hanna, and Kay Wright for making the film possible. Cast includes Don Messick, Casey Kasem, Sorrell Booke, William Calloway, Victoria Carroll, Jerry Houser, Arte Johnson, and Rob Paulson.  Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?  No. One can skip this one and watch some of the better films, like Scoob! or Scooby-Doo on Zombie Island. Video Critique Available Here: Ben Meyers

ONCE UPON A TIME IN MEXICO (Released to Theaters USA 2003)

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 3.8|5.0 Starsììì  Once Upon a Time in Mexico—fun, perky, flavorful—is part 3 of The Mexico Trilogy. Watch for Antonio Banderas and Johnny Depp as well as high level, first rate support casting. The movie is not great, but suitable. Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia Storyline A new gunman is in the village and he wants to know where The Mariachi is.  Additional Thanks Thank you to Director and Producer Robert Rodriguez for directing and Producing effort. Thank you to Producer Elizabeth Avellan, Carlos Gallardo, for making the film possible. Cast includes Antonio Banderas, Salma Hayek, Johnny Depp, Mickey Rourke, Eva Mendes, Danny Trejo, Enrique Iglesias, Marco Leonardi, Cheech Marin, Rubén Blades, and Willem Defoe.  Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?  Yes. This movie belongs to a series and becomes a better watch if the viewer begins at the first movie: El Mariachi (1993). The movie relies heavily on Mexico small village stage settings. It is a suitable watch. Video Critique Available Here:

 

Ben Meyers

GOOD BURGER 2 (Released to Video On Demand USA 2023)

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 3.6|5.0 Starsììì

Good Burger 2—Kel Mitchell and Kenan Thompson—has a slightly better presentation over the first story and relies on a type of Jim Varney humor that is clean, a little slapstick, and  bit 'off-the-wall' all rolled into one. It's a fair child/adult share film.

Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images/Wikipedia

Storyline

Dexter needs financial help after a failed attempt at a show and tell event when he burns down a house while showing his new, non-burnable spray product to investors.  

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director and Executive Producer Phil Traill for directing and Producing effort. Thank you to Executive Producer Kevin Kopelow, John Ryan Jr., Heath Seifert, for making the film possible. Cast include Kel Mitchell, Pete Davidson, Kenan Thompson, Sofia Black-D'Elia, Mark Cuban, Lily Mae Harrington, Flula Borg, Emily Hinkler, Elisabeth Hinkler, Anabel Graetz, Alex R. Hibbert, and Kamaia Fairburn.

Buy that ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

 Maybe. There are nearly 26 years between the presentation of Good Burger and Good Burger 2. It's interesting to see this sequel because the main characters and the actors who made the first film reprise their roles. It's been tailored to fit the original movie's format and that affects it ability to be original and creative. But the slapstick-type humor is still there and the reasons we may have enjoyed the first film are still present.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

THE BOY AND THE HERON (Released to Theaters USA 2023)

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 4.2|5.0 Starsìììì  The Boy and the Heron—underrated Japanese animated film—has 'hidden gem' written all over it. It's so good to have Hayao Miyazaki making the animated films we love. Know the movie has excellent voiceovers and animation. Read a plotline before watching. The last 15 to 20 minutes become very complicated and difficult to follow for younger children. The movie has a PG-13 rating and may serve the teen/adult audience better that the younger audience. The movie has finesse, is exceptionally creative, and leaves its audience with an especially happy ending.   Film Poster Courtesy of IMDb Storyline  A boy accesses a magical world with the help of a heron.  Additional Thanks  Thank you to Director Hayao Miyazaki for directing effort. Thank you to Producer Toshio Suzuki for making the film possible. Cast includes Soma Santoki, Masaki Suda, Aimyon Yoshino Kimura, Shōhei Hino, Ko Shibasaki, and Takuya Kimura.  Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? Yes. Thank you to all who made the production of this creative and remarkable Hayao Miyazaki film possible.  Look for the 'eye candy' of the animation. Video Critique Available Here: Ben Meyers