KINGDOM OF THE PLANET OF THE APES (Released to Theaters USA 2024)

 

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 4.3|5.0 Starsìììì  Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes—one of the best films made in the lineup of remakes of the Planet of the Apes stories—almost to the point of rewatchable. It not only asks a very important question of its audience but has superb animation that acts seamlessly with its live action actors. WOW! What a conceptually well done movie. Watch for Actor William H. Macy, a tremendously well-placed cast member. Listen for the voice of Raka the Orangutan sounding much like the voice of the late James Earl Jones but is actually the voice of Peter Macon. Wonderful imitation. This Planet of the Apes movie will more than satisfy audiences who followed the series from its beginning until now. Fun watch.  Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia Storyline  The Chimpanzee Noa, belonging to a clan who trains Falcons. When his village ravaged by a Gorilla and his henchmen. Noa sets out on a mission to find the remaining parts of his village who were taken captive.   Additional Thanks  Thank you to Director Wes Ball for directing efforts. Thank you to Producers Wes Ball, Joe Hartwick Jr., Rick Jaffa, Amanda Silver, Jason T. Reed, and Matt Reeves. Cast includes Owen Teague, Freya Allan, Kevin Durand, Peter Macon, and William H. Macy.   Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?  Yes. Buy that ticket. This is a great movie to conclude the series even though there are hints there will be a sequel. The movie is bountiful and full. No lack found here. Its story is well-balanced and moves along well. Great work for Director Wes Ball.   Video Critique Available Here: Ben Meyers

OUTBREAK (Released to Theaters USA 1995)

 

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 4.2|5.0 Starsìììì  Outbreak—outperforms many pandemic movies—is believable due to very good acting and pacing. It builds to a climax that is well orchestrated and has a welcome conclusion. The makeup department deserves kudos for the facial makeup of infected persons. This is a good watch for audiences looking for  pandemic-styled entertainment. Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images  Storyline   A man, working in a laboratory, takes a female Capuchin monkey and tries to get a profit for her at a pet store in the USA, but the owner needs a male Capuchin monkey. So, the lab man releases the monkey into the wild within the USA not knowing that it carries a serious disease that easily transfers to humans.   Additional Thanks  Thank you to Director Wolfgang Petersen for directing effort. Thank you to Producers Gail Katz, Arnold Kopelson, and Wolfgang Petersen for making the film possible. Cast includes Dustin Hoffman, Rene Russo, Morgan Freeman, Cuba Gooding, Jr., Patrick Dempsey, Donald Sutherland, and Kevin Spacey. Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?  Yes. It is good to see this film in full and it may be rewatchable.  Video Critique Available Here: Ben Meyers

GAME OVER AND OVER (Released to Internet USA 2024)

 

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 4.0|5.0 Starsìììì  Game Over and Over—fun short animated watch—works for the whole family. The animation is great. The film is featured on the DVD version of Despicable Me 4 and on the Internet. Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images  Storyline  A minion find a controller prototype that has not been fully tested. Even though there is sign that says 'do not touch,' the minion can't wait to try it and finds that it controls other minions.  Additional Thanks Thank you to Directors Christophe Delisle, Christophe Lourdelet, and Ludovic Roz for directing effort. Thank you to Producer Christopher Meledandri for making the film possible. Cast includes Pierre Coffin.  Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?  Yes. Cute animated short film serves the needs of the whole family.  Video Critique Available Here: Ben Meyers

DARK WATERS (Released to Theaters USA 2019)

 

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 4.3|5.0 Starsìììì

Dark Waters—good exploration of big money versus small money—easily becomes one of the better films on the market because of story and the way the story is presented. WOW! It doesn't run like the Erin Brockovich movie but it does move along well, has good characterization, and makes its point without preaching.

Film Poster Courtesy of IMDb

Storyline

A farmer approaches Lawyer Rob Bilott and claims that his cows are dying unexpectedly. He claims that the creek near his house is contaminated by a nearby industrial plant runoff. 

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director Todd Haynes for directing effort. Thank you to Producers Mark Ruffalo, Christine Vachon, and Pamela Koffler for making the film possible. Cast includes Mark Ruffalo, Anne Hathaway, Tim Robbins, Bill Camp, Victor Garber, Mare Winningham, and Bill Pullman.

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. This is a great watch. The scenes move along well. Although it is environmentally-themed, it uses scenes in the story to make its point rather than argumentation.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers