COLUMBIANA (Released to Theaters USA 2011)

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 4.2|5.0 Starsìììì  Columbiana—really good film—has a greatly written story with a surprising beginning and conclusion. Zoe Saldana, gritty, adds new flavor to the tough girl actress lineup. This film, not too violent, adds caliber to the thriller, action movie. It's a fun watch. Look for good acting by Cliff Curtis.  Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images Storyline  A young girl living in Columbia loses her father to drug henchmen. She travels to America to find an old friend of her father who raises her and gives her strong covert action skills.      Additional Thanks  Thank you to Director Olivier Megaton for directing effort. Thank you to Producer Luc Besson and Ariel Zeitoun for making the film possible. Cast includes Zoe Saldana, Jordi Molla, Lennie James, Michael Vartan, and Cliff Curtis.  Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?  Yes. This film is more than worth watching and a fun watch. Video Critique Available Here: Ben Meyers

 

THE MUSIC BOX (Released to Theaters 1932)

 

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 3.9|5.0 Starsììì  The Music Box—comical short film—has a unique  story that entertains and earns its watch.   Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images Storyline Laurel and Hardy attempt to deliver a piano up a long series of stairs. Additional Thanks  Thank you to Director James Parrott for directing effort. Thank you to Producer Hal Roach for making the film possible. Cast includes Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy.  Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?  Yes. This short film is a one-time, quick watch that is comical and tells a good story. Know that it can be a bit redundant in places. Video Critique Available Here: Ben Meyers

GREEN BOOK (Released to Theaters USA 2018)

 

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 4.3|5.0 Starsìììì  Green Book—more than worth watching—becomes one of the better films from 2018. Viggo Mortensen and Mahershala Ali make a great casting team for this show. The story shows incredible writing skill and catches small nuances that greatly enhance the value of the movie. The content is highly original. The movie makes an outstanding addition to the home video library.  Film Poster Courtesy of IMDb Storyline This drama film is about an African American piano player who needs a driver and a man who can help him get out of trouble so that he can survive travel in the south while playing piano for high class audiences in the 1960s.    Additional Thanks  Thank you to Director Peter Farrelly for directing effort. Thank you to Producers  Jim Burke, Brian Hayes Currie, Peter Farrelly, Nick Vallelonga, and Charles B. Wessler. Cast includes Viggo Mortensen, Mahershala Ali, and Linda Cardellini. Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?  Yes. This is a wonderful watch for the teen/adult audience and has grand acting. Video Critique Available Here: Ben Meyers

HARD LUCK (Released to Theaters USA 1921)

 

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 4.0|5.0 Starsìììì  Hard Luck—Buster Keaton short film—exceeds expectations due to a well-written story that touches the human spirit. This film is worth watching.  Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images Storyline   A  man, out of work and homeless, believes life is not worth living and wants to die.  Additional Thanks  Thank you to Director Edward F. Cline and Buster Keaton for directing effort. Thank you to Producer Joseph M. Schenck for making the film possible. Cast includes Buster Keaton, Virginia Fox, Joe Roberts, and Bull Montana.  Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?  Yes. Good watch for all ages, relates to human experience. Video Critique Available Here: Ben Meyers

DESPICABLE ME 4 (Released to Theaters USA 2024)

 

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 4.3|5.0 Starsìììì  Despicable Me 4—another great film that marks Illumination Studios as king of the animation world—WOW! This movie may not stand out quite as much as part 1, 2, and part 3 of the series, but its colorfulness and flair for catching family life can be well received. This is a 'no shab' watch that emphasizes original and creative character development and the impact good writers can make to a movie. Fun watch.    Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images Storyline  Gru is a special agent who takes down criminals. But an old villain wants revenge for Gru ruining his award reception and putting him in prison.  Additional Thanks  Thank you to Director Chris Renaud for directing effort. Thank you to Producers Chris Meledandri and Brett Hoffman for making the film possible. Cast includes Steve Carell, Kristen Wiig, Pierre Coffin, Joey Cosgrove, Stephen Colbert, Sofia Vergara, and Will Ferrell.  Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?  Yes. This is great watch and has the Illumination Studios stamp for a quality, wonderful story.  Video Critique Available Here: Ben Meyers

ONE GOOD TURN (Released to Theaters USA 1931)

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 4.0|5.0 Stars ìììì  One Good Turn—good Laurel and Hardy short film—has a solid story and deserves its watch.   Film Poster of Google Images Storyline During the great depression, Laurel and Hardy are reduced to living in the woods and begging for food.   Additional Thanks  Thank you to Director James W. Horne for directing effort. Thank you to Producer Hal Roach for making the film possible. Cast includes Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy. Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?  Yes. This is a good film and tells a good story. It works. Video Critique Available Here: Ben Meyers

BELOW ZERO (Released To Theaters USA 1930)

 

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 3.9|5.0 Starsììì  Below Zero—Laurel and Hardy short film—is a simple film that provides a comical watch.  Film Poster Courtesy of IMDb Storyline  Two street performers during a hard winter have a tough time making money. Additional Thanks  Thank you to Director James Parrott for directing effort. Thank you to Producer Hal Roach for making the film possible. Cast includes Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy.  Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?  Yes. This is one of Laurel and Hardy's better watches.  Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

THE BASHFUL BUZZARD (Released to Theaters USA 1945)

 

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 4.0|5.0 Starsìììì  The Bashful Buzzard—highly original animated short film—is more than worth watching and leaves its audience with a 'feel good' feeling after viewing. It's a classic that will not soon be forgotten, a good addition to the family home video library.  Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images Storyline A Mother Buzzard sends her children to look for food but the last one is very reluctant to go. until she kicks him out of the nest to make him do what she wants. and the story is on.  Additional Thanks Thank you to Director Robert Clampett for directing effort.  Thank you to Producer Edward Selzer for making the film possible. Cast includes  Mel Blanc, Kent Rogers, and Sara Berner. Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?  Yes. The Bashful Buzzard is a classic and tells a great story. Good work for all involved. Video Critique Available Here: Ben Meyers

TOWED IN A HOLE (Released to Theaters USA 1932)

 

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 3.9|5.0 Starsììì  Towed in a Hole—comical Oliver Hardy and Stan Laurel short film—does not lack in its ability to provide quick amusement.  Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images Storyline Stan and Ollie are fish sellers but when Stan tells Oliver about doing the fishing themselves, Oliver thinks that is a great idea and wants to buy a boat.   Additional Thanks  Thank you to Director George Marshall for directing effort. Thank you to Producer Hal Roach for making the film possible. Cast includes Stan Laurel, Billy Gilbert, and Oliver Hardy.  Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?  Yes. This short film is creative and provides a quick, good watch. Video Critique Available Here: Ben Meyers

ALL I WANT FOR CHRISTMAS (Released to Theaters 1991)

 

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 3.9|5.0 Starsììì  All I Want for Christmas—great stage settings—is a somewhat sweet story. This is an odd film; it is interesting to watch but by the end of film the movie lacks a Christmas feeling. Its mixing of several romances creates confusion. Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images Storyline  A little girl wants her parents to  get back together. She asks a mall  Santa for help.   Additional Thanks  Thank you to Director Robert Lieberman for directing effort. Thank you to Producer Marykay Powell for making the film possible. Cast includes Harley Jane Kozak,  Jamey Sheridan, Ethan Randall, Kevin Nealon, Thora Birch, Leslie Nielsen, and Lauren Bacall.  Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?  Yes. Overall, the basic idea is good. But it lacks a Christmas feeling and becomes convoluted in switching back and forth between several romances.  Video Critique Available Here: Ben Meyers

DANTE'S PEAK (Released to Theaters USA 1997)

 

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 3.9|5.0 Starsììì  Dante’s Peak—low-key, easy-on-the-mind film—has its own tone that makes it a good watch for persons who enjoy disaster movies. Pierce Brosnan and Linda Hamilton play realistic roles and work quite well as a team. A better volcano movie is the 1997 Volcano,  maybe because it has more lava than smoke and ashes.   Film Poster Courtesy of IMDb Storyline  Harry Dalton, who specializes in volcano activity, is sent to Dante's Peak to investigate new activity from the local 'dormant' volcano.  Additional Thanks Thank you to Director Roger Donaldson for directing effort. Thank you to Producer Gale Anne Hurd and Joseph Singer for making the film possible. Cast includes Pierce Brosnan, Linda Hamilton, and Charles Hallahan.  Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?  Yes. This film is surprisingly involving partially due to some good casting choices, good staging, and low-key presentation. Video Critique Available Here: Ben Meyers