ALIKE (Released to the Gijon International Film Festival Gijon Spain 2015)

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 4.0|5.0 Starsìììì Alike—short film—is cute, inspirational, important, and well-written. It's worth a watch. Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images  Storyline  A dad gets his son ready for school, takes him to school, and then goes to his job across the street.  Additional Thanks Thank you to Director Daniel Martinez Lara and Rafa Cano Mendez for directing effort. Thank you to Producers Daniel Martinez Lara and Nicolas Matji for making the film possible.  Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? Yes. This short story evaluates breaking out of assembly-line thinking. Video Critique Available Here: Ben Meyers

 

WILD AMERICA (Released To Theaters USA 1997)

 

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 3.9|5.0 Starsìììì  Wild America—outdoor adventure—provides a 'low-noise' production that is incredibly suited for the family share movie. It has a welcome conclusion. Watch for the end credits that tell how each boy's adult career unfolded. Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images Storyline Three brothers travel across the USA to gather film footage on wildlife and experience more than they planned.    Additional Thanks Thank you to Director William Dear for directing effort. Thank you to Producers James G. Robinson, Irby Smith, and Mark Stouffer for making the film possible. Cast includes Jonathan Taylor Thomas, Devan Sawa, and Scott Bairstow.  Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?  Yes. This is a suitable to good watch. It has a relatable story and provides good entertainment for the whole family. Easy-on-the mind film involves nature and three boys who explore nature. Video Critique Available Here: Ben Meyers

CONTAGION (Released to Theaters USA 2011)

 

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 4.1|5.0 Starsìììì  Contagion—disorganized—relies on the usual formatting style of this movie's genre. The 1995 film, Outbreak  is a better story than this one. Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images  Storyline A United States business woman gets sick after a trip to Hong Kong. Her sickness becomes a pandemic in the United States and medical personnel need to solve it.  Additional Thanks Thank you to Director Steven Soderbergh for directing effort. Thank you to Producers Michael Shamberg, Stacey Sher, and Gregory Jacobs for making the film possible. Cast includes Marion Cotillard, Matt Damon, Laurence Fishburne, Jude Law, Gwyneth Paltrow, Kate Winslet, Bryan Cranston, Jennifer Ehle, and Sanaa Lathan.  Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? . Yes. This is a good watch overall and has a believable portrayal; however, the 1995 movie Outbreak comes from the same genre and has higher entertainment value than this film. Video Critique Available Here: Ben Meyers

THE SPONGEBOB MOVIE: SPONGE OUT OF WATER (Released to Theaters USA 2015)

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 3.8|5.0 Starsììì  The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge Out of Water—starts well but loses steam after that—runs slow. Children will like it; adults will find it less interesting than the first movie.   Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images Storyline SpongeBob is trying to pry the Krabby Patty secret formula from Plankton hands and it vanishes.  Additional Thanks  Thank you to Director Paul Tibbett for directing effort. Thank you to Producers Paul Tibbett and Mary Parent for making the film possible. Cast members include Antonio Banderas, Tom Kenny, Clancy Brown, Rodger Bumpass, Bill Fagerbakke, Carolyn Lawrence, Mr. Lawrence, and Matt Berry. Buy a ticket?  Yes? No? Maybe?  Maybe. It is not as good as the first film and is not a sequel to the first film. It is a new story that stands alone. Video Critique Available Here: Ben Meyers

 

SNOWMAN'S LAND (Released to Theaters USA 1939)

 

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 4.0|5.0 Starsìììì  Snowman’s Land—good animation with comedy—uses the voice of Pinto Colvig. This story presents well with good portrayal for a short film.    Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images Storyline  A Canadian dismounted policeman is given assignment to arrest a high profile criminal.    Additional Thanks Thank you to Director Chuck Jones for directing effort. Thank you to Warner Brothers for producing the film. Cast includes Pinto Colvig and Mel Blanc.  Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?  Yes. It's creative and comical.  Video Critique Available Here: Ben Meyers

ME AND MY PAL (Released to Theaters USA 1933)

 

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 3.8|5.0 Starsììì  Me and My Pal—cute, suitable to okay short film—was probably better on paper than it actually is on screen. It fails the comedy test. Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images  Storyline Stan Laurel starts a puzzle and Oliver has to get to a wedding to be married but starts helping Laurel and the story is on.   Additional Thanks Thank you to Directors Charley Rogers and Lloyd French for directing efforts. Thank you to Producer Hal Roach for making the film possible. Cast includes Stan Laurel, Oliver Hardy, James Finlayson, and Marion Bardell.  Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? Maybe. It's a cute, simple story that most audiences will forget, but it holds some interest while watching.  Video Critique Available Here: Ben Meyers

MOOSE HUNTERS (Released to Theaters USA 1937)

 

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 4.0|5.0 Starsìììì  Moose Hunters—comical and funny short film—portrays Goofy, Donald Duck, and Mickey Mouse combined in one toon. It has well-colored animation and good presentation.  Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images Storyline Goofy the Dog, Donald Duck, and Mickey Mouse go moose hunting.    Additional Thanks Thank you to Director Ben Sharpsteen for directing effort. Thank you to Walt Disney for making the film possible. Cast includes Pinto Colvig and Clarence Nash.  Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?  Yes. This is a nice mix of three cartoon characters who usually appear in their own toons. The mix provides a good watch.   Video Critique Available Here: Ben Meyers

BEDTIME FOR SNIFFLES (Released to Theaters USA 1940)

 

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 4.0|5.0 Starsìììì  Bedtime for Sniffles—short animated film—sweet, lovable, and cute story that is told very well. The animation is good.  Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images Storyline  Sniffles the Mouse wants to see Santa, but Sniffles is also tired.  Additional Thanks   Thank you to Director Chuck Jones for directing effort. Thank you to Producer Leon Schlesinger Studios for making the film possible. Cast includes Margaret Hill-Talbot.  Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?  Yes. This is a good watch, sentimental, and comical. WOW! What a sweet storyline. Video Critique Available Here: Ben Meyers

MIGHTY JOE YOUNG (Released to Theaters USA 1998)

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 4.0|5.0 Starsìììì Mighty Joe Young—Charlize Theron—is different from other interpretations of this story. Watch for the late Bill Paxton. The movie is worth a watch, if for nothing else, the twist in interpreting the original story.   Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images  Storyline A small girl grows up in an African village and makes 'friends' with a baby gorilla. The gorilla grows to an immense size and becomes the target of poachers. She fears for the gorilla's life and makes a decision to move him to a 'safe' place.  Additional Thanks  Thank you to Director Ron Underwood for directing effort. Thank you to Producers Ted Hartley, Tom Jacobson for making the film possible. Cast includes Bill Paxton,Charlize Theron, Rade Serbedzija, Naveen Andrews, Peter Firth, Regina King, and David Paymer.  Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?  Yes. This movie is a pleasant surprise from the usual stories that have been produced along this story's line.  Video Critique Available Here: Ben Meyers

DRAGONKEEPER (Released to Theaters Spain 2024)

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 3.7|5.0 Starsììì  Dragonkeeper—slow and difficult to interpret—does not cross international borders well. It is a Spanish and Chinese collaboration that at times seems written for a teen audience. The movie seems boring and tiring to watch. Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images Storyline  A baby girl is given to an elderly servant woman to raise and the baby grows to a young girl who is a special one who can work with dragons.  Additional Thanks  Thank you to Directors Salvador Simo and Li Jianping for directing efforts. Thank you to Producers Larry Levene for making the film possible. Cast includes Bill Nighy, Bill Bailey, Anthony Howell, and Mayalinee Griffiths. Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?  Maybe. This film is intriguing but it does not cross international borders well. The story feels like it belongs in an anthology, a collection of stories.  Video Critique Available Here: Ben Meyers

THE SMURFS: 'TIS THE SEASON TO BE SMURFY (Released to Television USA 1987)

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 3.9|5.0 Starsììì  The Smurfs: 'Tis the Season to Be Smurfy—cute, short, animated film—has a simple, straight forward story that teaches a heart-felt lesson about helping those in need. The concept is sound. The story is well-written.  Film Poster Courtesy of IMDb Storyline  A puppet salesman cannot sell puppets. He needs to provide a good Christmas for his ailing wife. The Smurfs come to help.  Additional Thanks Thank you to Director Ray Patterson for directing effort. Thank you to Executive Producers Joseph Barbera, William Hanna, and Freddy Monnickendam for making the film possible. Cast includes  Charlie Adler, Lucille Bliss, William Callaway, Hamilton Camp, Julie McWhirter, Jeff Doucette, Bernard Erhard, June Foray, Justin Gocke, Danny Goldman,  Kip King, Don Messick, Pat Musick, Noelle North, Alan Oppenheimer, William Schallert, Les Tremayne, Peggy Webber, Frank Welker, and Jonathan Winters. Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?  Yes. The movie represents the Smurf stories well with this cute story.  Video Critique Available Here: Ben Meyers