Maleficent

Maleficent

Rated PG and Released in Grand Rapids 5/30/14

Reviewed 6/15/14 at Celebration North Theatre

with Gary and Leigh

2 1/2 out of 5 Js in QUIET Rating System

Angelina Jolie is perfectly cast as the title character. This film is the story of what is behind the wicked fairy that curses Aurora, aka Sleeping Beauty, to fall into the fateful slumber. Although it's a little dark for a PG rating, it kept our interest and we thought overall it was worth the trip.

Maleficent lives in a forest full of peaceful winged creatures and some unusual animals. They are protected from outsiders by a forest barrier. The cheery fairy encounters a male human named Stefan that crosses accidentally into the forest. They strike up a friendship that seems to be everlasting. Nevertheless Stefan is faced with a choice and he chooses greed that causes him to betray Maleficent. The result is he inherits the kingdom and becomes king. When Princess Aurora is born to the happy king and queen, no one can protect the baby from the revenge of Maleficent. The monarchs send Aurora away to protect her from the curse.

Jolie's daughter is darling while briefly playing young Aurora and if she was on screen longer she could have easily stolen the show. Elle Fanning is remarkable as the older Aurora who has most of the interaction with Maleficent in the forest as they grow very fond of each other. Their curious relationship hits a major bump when the truth trickles out and then circles back when all the facts come to light. Maleficent's sidekick Diaval (Sam Riley) is a hoot toggling between a bird and human, adding some needed humor now and then. While I would say young children beware, for the most part anyone can see this anything-but-boring family movie.

QUIET Rating system: 2 1/2  Js

Quality: JJj

Understood story:  JJj

Interest: JJj

Entertainment:  JJj

Time:  JJJ

Edge of Tomorrow

Edge of Tomorrow

Rated PG-13 and Released in Grand Rapids 6/13/14

Reviewed 6/18/14 at Celebration! Cinema at Rivertown Crossings in Grandville, MI

with Gary

3 out of 5 Js in QUIET Rating System

Tom Cruise and Emily Blunt are both big stars and they make this clever action thriller bigger than it would have been. Gary and I thought it was entertaining, but you can lose interest now and then with the Groundhog Day repetitiveness. However, it's part of the storyline and intentional so you just have to be patient.

Lt. Bill Cage (Cruise) keeps waking up to the same day and it is up to heroine Rita Vrataski (Blunt) to enlighten him. Futuristic with aliens predictably sucking up Earth's resources and killing what's in their path does make for some excitement, despite the same ole same ole. Cage and Rita must figure out a way to beat the creatures by using their fortuitous knowledge. Cruise delivers and Blunt adds the wit to balance this blockbuster into more than expected. Go see it, but just plan on a little déjà vu.

QUIET Rating system: 3 Js

Quality: JJJ

Understood story:  JJJj

Interest: JJ

Entertainment:  JJJj

Time:  JJj

22 Jump Street

22 Jump Street

Rated R and Released in Grand Rapids 6/13/14

Reviewed 6/17/14 at Celebration North Theatre

with Gary

1 1/2 out of 5 Js in QUIET Rating System

This is #2 with Channing Tatum and Jonah Hill following up to the 2012 film 21 Jump Street. Although the first one had ridiculous humor, it was worth catching. I cannot say the same about 22. With too much forced silliness and clichés, it was hard to sit through to the end. Hill has really grown as an actor and audiences really appreciate him, and who doesn't like Tatum!? However, maybe I am wrong but the demographic of this film limits to the 16- to 25-year-old males and they probably love it!

This time around Jenko (Tatum) and Schmidt (Hill) are sent deep undercover to a local college to catch some major drug ring. Ice Cube as Captain Dickson actually has a few scenes that cracked me up, scoring a few points. Other than that, it is the predictable clamoring around campus, drinking and wreaking havoc wherever they go. Maybe if this was free at home, I would be more forgiving and give 22 Jump Street a break. But I doubt it!

QUIET Rating system: 1 1/2  Js

Quality: Jj

Understood story:  JJ

Interest: J

Entertainment:  Jj

Time:  Jj