The Secret Life of Walter Mitty

The Secret Life of Walter Mitty

Rated PG and Released in Grand Rapids 12/25/13

Reviewed 12/25/13 at Celebration North in Grand Rapids, MI

with Garrett, Brandon, Landon, Gary

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

This is a fun, lighthearted and all-around sweet holiday movie to satisfy the whole family. Walter Mitty is a unique film that was full of surprises. It's slowish at times, but Ben Stiller really is the perfect Walter and who doesn't love Kristen Wiig!? She plays Cheryl Melhoff, the object of Walter's affection. With our ages ranging from 16 to 58, we all said about the same - we liked it, but it's far-fetched in many areas. But aren't they all? It was entertaining and the ending was just about right.

The ever dull Walter works at the dinosaur Life Magazine which is about to run its course after 75+ years. To spruce up his monotonous life, he checks in and out fantasizing doing the most courageous and superhero-like moments. But his time at the magazine is about to come to an end. The close down team enters the picture, calling on Walter to provide the picture for the last cover. He works in the negative development area where photographers send him pictures, he develops them, and then passes them onto the honchos for consideration. But there is a first for Walter, he has lost the cover shot they are demanding from famed photographer Sean O'Connell (Sean Penn).

Tracking the negative down is almost as hard as finding Sean himself. Although this does not stop Walter from going on a quest - to find either one. But is the adventure in Walter's mind or is it real? Well...you are going to have to see this one to find out. You will find The Secret Life of Walter Mitty entertaining enough with a sweet ending, leaving you feeling warm and fuzzy.

QUIET Rating system: 2 1/2 Js

1. Quality: JJj

2. Understood story:  JJJ

3. Interest: JJj

4. Entertainment:  JJj

5. Time:  JJj

Saving Mr. Banks

Saving Mr. Banks

Rated R and Released in Grand Rapids 12/20/13

Reviewed 12/20/13 at Celebration North in Grand Rapids, MI

with Gary

4 out of 5 Js in QUIET Rating System

We saw a lot of previews on Saving Mr. Banks before going to see this. We both didn't expect to like it much, but we actually really loved it. It's a sweet story that will be enticing to the entire family. Tom Hanks as Walt Disney and Emma Thompson as P.L. Travers, author of the book Mary Poppins, were fantastic. They worked so well together and had the appropriate chemistry. If Tom Hanks is in it, it's going to be good and this surpassed good in our opinion.

Walt Disney has been pursuing Travers for 20+ years to obtain the rights to her book, Mary Poppins. He wants to make it into an animated musical. She has been resistant, but her agent is advising the cash strapped author to at least consider Disney's offer. She travels to California with all the bells and whistles.

The story toggles back and forth between her two week visit in the wonderland and her childhood that is filled with sadness and memories she is trying not to relive. Her drunken father, played by Colin Farrell, leads to most of her disappointment. Travers' aunt enters the home to save the day as the nanny and household general to get everything back in order. But saving her father proves to be a task that could be impossible for anyone.

The pain from her childhood is the source of withholding the rights to her story and until the Disney staff, the Sherman brothers, break down her barriers she is as stubborn as a mule. Bantering back and forth between Travers and Disney provide some humorous scenes that you don't want to end. They are both adorable. We all know Mary Poppins was finally made, but the magic behind the film lead to one of the sweetest movies of the season, if not the year. If you just like shoot 'em ups or action movies like Thor, you might want to skip this. Gary and I both say go see this one right way and if you leave without using your Kleenex, then you better stick to Thor movies.

QUIET Rating system: 4  Js

Quality: JJJJ

Understood story:  JJJj

Interest: JJJJ

Entertainment:  JJJJ

Time:  JJJJ

Hobbit 2 The Desolation of Smaug

Hobbit 2 The Desolation of Smaug

Rated PG-13 and Released in Grand Rapids 12/18/13

Reviewed 12/21/13 at Celebration North IMAX/3D in Grand Rapids, MI

with Denny, Brandon, Gary

3 1/2 out of 5 Js in QUIET Rating System

The much anticipated second part to the Hobbit movie far surpassed the first one, we all thought. It was a delightful adventure that Director Peter Jackson picked up the pace from the first Hobbit. Long...yes...but it didn't have the feel of being overly lengthy. Most said it wasn't possible to make three movies out of the book, but if the third and final part is as strong as this film, then it will be the epic blockbuster success the creators desired. This was Brandon's second time seeing this film and he thought it was really worth seeing the IMAX version this go around.

The story picks up with Bilbo (Martin Freeman) and Thorin (Richard Armitage), the leader of the group of dwarves, all on a quest to place a visit to the fire breathing dragon Smaug. They are traveling under the leadership of Gandolph (Ian McKellen) for a time before he diverts to another quest. Bilbo of course is hiding the fact that he has the ring, although it comes in handy several times.

Of course their adventure faces off with many foes including the elves. The battles between these two natural enemies are amazing. I would take the elves with the fast-acting bows anytime. Pretty good they are! Captured and escaping the clutches of the elves, they are forced to team up to fight off the pursuing grotesque Auks led by the mystical evil-evolving Sauron. The barrel chase scene down the river between these groups is not the time for the refills as you don't want to miss this. But the showdown with Bilbo and Smaug the Dragon is a never-ending finale, but you don't necessarily want it to end. And end it does. With us hanging on for another year, this unforgettable sequel in the franchise is worth every minute. Even pay a little extra for the Imax if you have a chance. We all agreed it's worth the bucks this time around.

                                                                         

QUIET Rating system: 3 1/2 Js

Quality: JJJj

Understood story:  JJJ

Interest: JJJJ

Entertainment:  JJJJ

Time:  JJJ

Anchorman 2

Anchorman 2

Rated R and Released in Grand Rapids 12/13/13

Reviewed 12/19/13 at Celebration North in Grand Rapids, MI

with Gary and Brandon

2 out of 5 Js in QUIET Rating System

A challenge is presented, with the enormous amount of hype Anchorman 2 has. It's been making the media blitz for a couple of months hard. Honestly the cast interviews, especially Will Ferrell, are incredibly funny and I think more entertaining than the movie. Don't get me wrong, there are some laugh out loud moments in the two hours, but it digressed in the latter half and got wacky to the point that we wanted it to end already. Unfortunately the creators really squandered the power of special cameos by all the amazing guests. Every time a new star wold pop, it would be a "wow" moment, then quickly turned to "oh".

Ron Burgundy (Ferrell) has been on the air with his wife Veronica Corningstone (Christina Applegate) entering the new decade of the 80s. Ron's boss Mack Harken (Harrison Ford) divulges he is the worst anchorman on television, fires Ron, and gives lead anchor to his wife Veronica. This causes a riff for the couple that leads to a split. Never fear, Ron rallies the old team and takes on a new job that's the first of its kind - 24 hour news. Brick Tamland (Steve Carell) is dopey funny that probably made me laugh the most. Champ Kind (David Koechner) and Brian Fantana (Paul Rudd) were okay and definitely took a backseat. The group are awful newsmen but they captivate their audience with their impulsive style, spiking the station's ratings enough to secure their jobs. Ron's nemesis at the station takes a backseat for awhile but then he is victorious at stalling the foursome. Rendered blind for a time, Ron's son and now ex-wife rally around him which brings him back to reality and devours his arrogant ways. The ending, trying to be somewhat sentimental, is not to be taken too serious and Ron is faced with a recurring dilemma - career or family. He has to choose his path once again. If you are on the edge of your seat to find out, hold your breath for a bit more. While some of the jokes rattling off leave you chuckling, at the same time you wonder if you should really be laughing. If temptation doesn't get you, save this one for the cheapie theatre or watch at home and you will be just fine.

QUIET Rating system: 2 Js

Quality: JJ

Understood story:  J

Interest: JJ

Entertainment:  JJj

Time:  JJ

Dallas Buyers Club

Dallas Buyers Club

Rated R and Released in Grand Rapids 11/29/13

Reviewed 12/6/13 at Celebration North in Grand Rapids, MI

with Gary

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

Matthew McConaughey lost a lot of weight for this role and boy does he need to put it back on. Although he wasn't playing Mr. Heartthrob by any stretch. On the contrary, he was a wild rodeo hand who was loose and non-disceerning in his partners and as a result contracts AIDS. Dallas Buyers Club is a biographical drama, but now and then McConaughey lends some comedic talents to this otherwise serious topic. This helped us like the movie more, although it was very monotonous through the middle stretch which forced me to knock the Quality rating down a bit.

This movie is a loose adaptation of true life risk taker Ron Woodruff (McConaughey). In 1985 at the height of the discriminating AIDS epidemic, he learns from Dr. Eve Saks (Jennifer Garner) and Dr. Sevard (Dennis O'Hare) that due to his diagnosis he has 30 days to live. Which wouldn't be so far off in the mid-80s. He could just wait around and die but he decides to be aggressive and take this into his own hands. Access to drugs in drug trials were preventing Ron from getting the medicine he believed he needed so he hatches a half-baked plan. He learns of experimental drugs that he can obtain from Mexico. While illegal in the U.S., the drugs are not that difficult to bring in. Thus, the Dallas Buyers Club is formed. He provides access to illegal drugs to all that can get to him, but the catch is a $400 yearly club membership. Word gets out and they line up and down around the corner. It doesn't take long for the DEA to be on to Woodruff and they attempt to do everything within their power to shut him down. Even though people are getting better, feeling better and lives are prolonged - illegal is illegal.

He strikes up an unusual friendship with Rayon (Jared Letto) who is an AIDS afflicted transvestite druggie that brings out the best, even compassion, in the very-hetero Ron. Along the way Ron even charms Dr. Saks enough to play along and cover his antics now and then. As the saying goes "all good things come to an end". But the Club adds years to many lives in the meantime, including Woodruff, and to the very discriminated gay community. While Gary and I thought the story of Woodruff's life was very interesting, we wished they would have added some backstory to his character so you could really embrace him. While not highly recommending this one, the stellar performances of McConaughey and Letto do make it worth your time. Just be aware of the heavy content, as it's not for the masses.

QUIET Rating system: 2 1/2 Js

Quality: JJj

Understood story:  JJJ

Interest: JJj

Entertainment:  JJj

Time:  JJ