Star Trek Into Darkness

Star Trek Into Darkness 

Rated PG-13 and Released in Grand Rapids 5/17/13

Reviewed 5/17/13 at Celebration North Theatre in Grand Rapids, MI

BY GUEST REVIEWER GARY

with Jen, Leigh, Denny and Reilly

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

The latest edition of a Star Trek movie did not disappoint me at all. As a good summer thrill ride should have, Into Darkness had more than its share of chase scenes, fight scenes, blow 'em up scenes, and save the world scenes. This is what I like most about modern incarnations of the old stuff. It's simply done better, at least when it comes to the exciting stuff. Thinking back to the original Star Trek series with all the cheesy fight scenes and lame special effects, it's a wonder so many trekkies ever fell in love with the series. I was one of those trekkies. All I can say to explain the attraction and appeal of that original series, is that it was the best thing going at the time in the world of sci fi. I suppose it had a lot to do with the characters and their relationship with each other and the inspired plots and situations the Enterprise's crew got themselves into. But today's updated versions are more rewarding, because they seem so much more real. There's nothing like a jiggling paper maché rock to ruin the scene for you. Given all of today's computer assisted graphics, you can put on the screen pretty much whatever you can imagine.

Into Darkness has some of the unexplained inconsistencies as some of the old series and movies, and for that matter seem to crop up in a lot of outer space movies. But who cares, this is the movies! If we thought it was real we wouldn't have to gravitate to reality shows like Survivor to get some pure unadulterated reality on the screen, right?

Into Darkness is a prequel with a young Kirk (Chris Pine) and Spock (Zachary Quinto) and the rest of the gang engaged in some of the same sort of personal relationships that made the original series special. Much of the movie reminds us of the love affair going on between Spock and Uhura (Zoe Saldana) which, while probably appealing to some, I found not so interesting or critical and rather annoying. Uhura is quite peeved with Spock for not really considering her feelings and their relationship when he decides it's better to die and save a planet, and of course abide by the "Prime Directive". Hello, he's a Vulcan! No emotions, remember!? If you're gonna fall in love with a Vulcan you gotta remember that part! Of course he's half human and the movie makers can use that fact when they get to a super emotional and pivotal scene, but not most of the time because he's a VULCAN! Okay? Someone needs to explain to Uhura that Vulcans are going to be a major pain in the butt especially when there are big picture issues at play like the Prime Directive!

Like the series and some of the Star Trek movies, they love to dust off the Prime Directive (explained in the movie if you are so deprived as to not know what it is) when it's time to make a big point about following the rules at all costs and putting the good of the underdeveloped over those of people who are  advanced and get to fly around in star ships and use really cool weapons. There's gotta be at least one rule, after all, that the Enterprise gang can agree with because all of the rest of the star fleet rules, at least for Kirk, are up for grabs. He has no problem breaking them all (never has) and simply asking forgiveness rather than permission when the crap hits the fan. Of course he always gets his ship back and flies away to break more rules to save the universe again. So what the heck? A mere tongue lashing from some over the hill star fleet admiral is not really a deterrent. Rules are for sissies any way.

So I've not really told you what the movie is about. It has an evil guy who wants to destroy Earth, and who knows what else, but he's starting with Star Fleet Command. It has the whole Enterprise crew and excellent special effects and lots of fight scenes and at least one really decent chase scene. It has a love story that I can always do without in any sci fi movie. It has, of course, the tried and true interplay between the various crew members that has survived since day one of the series. Yes, there is still McCoy (Karl Urban) yelling stupid things that would otherwise get him cuffed a good one if they weren't in the middle of taking care of some do or die situation. That's what you get for letting the doctor on the bridge, I guess. And yes, Kirk continues to score his share of tail. In this movie his tail even have tails! The unforgettable green babes from the original series have consistently been outdone over time but I gotta say, the tails were a nice touch!

If you like a good sci fi action adventure flick, this is a good one for you. Are there some holes? Yes, the sci fi kind where things like the vacuum of space and gravity are ignored when convenient. There are other Star Trek holes, but not so bad and no real need to worry about them. All in all you should have a very enjoyable time with this one!

QUIET Rating system: 3 1/2 Js

1. Quality: JJJj

2. Understood story:  JJJ

3. Interest: JJJJ

4. Entertainment:  JJJJ

5. Time:  JJj

The Great Gatsby

The Great Gatsby

Rated PG-13 and Released in Grand Rapids 4/26/13

Reviewed 5/9/13 at Celebration North Theatre

with Gary

4 out of 5 Js in QUIET Rating System

Quite a few of my friends and family beat me to see this. Rare I admit, but it did happen. Reports streaming in - they all didn't like it. Aaron and Danelle didn't stay through the whole thing, but they stayed for The Devil Inside. I don't understand it. I am afraid we have a difference of opinion on this one. Gary and I really liked Gatsby. A lot! This cinematic splendor plays out like a musical on screen that doesn't have any singing. I realize that some are not going to like this at all. Leonardo DiCaprio plays J. Gatsby sensationally and Tobey Maguire as Nick Carraway was a charming surprise. The story really follows the book, maybe even a little too close. If you are interested in the pure story captured, then you won't be disappointed in how the story plays out.

Nick Carraway is narrating the recollection of his experience with the mysterious J. Gatsby. They are neighbors on Long Island, NY, Gatsby in a beautiful estate and Nick in a tiny rented cottage next door. No one is quite sure on how peculiar and almost recluse Gatsby has come in to all this money to sustain his lifestyle. The parties, oh the parties! Every weekend all summer long everyone in NYC heads to the estate in fictional West Egg of the aloof and disinterested Gatsby. Nick's cousin Daisy (Carey Mulligan) is at the center of Gatsby's real attention and most obvious, his affection.

The problem is she is in a souring marriage to a very "old" money heir, philandering but dominating Tom Buchanan (Joel Edgerton). Tom and Gatsby both use Nick to get what they want. Tom's married strumpet mistress Myrtle (Isla Fisher) brings all their tangled lives to a disastrous head. For those that don't know the story, don't be surprised by the realization that all four in the love "square" are not going to come out intact. Be warned; this flick is long like most of late, but still a captivating 1920s love story set to modern music. There is a flamboyancy about The Great Gatsby that will draw in fans of this eccentric movie. It may not be the blockbuster Hollywood hoped for, but that's okay by me.

QUIET Rating system: 4 Js

Quality: JJJJ

Understood story:  JJJJj

Interest: JJJJ

Entertainment:  JJJJj

Time:  JJj

Mud

Mud

Rated PG-13 and Released in Grand Rapids 4/26/13

Reviewed 5/9/13 at Celebration North Theatre in Grand Rapids, MI

with Gary and Denny

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

Watching Mud does remind me of a modern day Huck Finn. Instead of Huck and Tom, we have Ellis (Tye Sheridan) and Neckbone (Jacob Lofland) who are so darn cute. Gary gave it closer to a 3 out of 5 and my dad was more like a 2. It had hints of sweetness to it and we all liked it, but at 130 minutes it was about 20 minutes over my limit in the strum along drama.

Playing out in a small town in Arkansas, the two boys encounter a guy they call Mud, played by the cosmetically altered Matthew McConaughey. I didn't like that look one bit. Ellis and his parents live in a riverboat house on the Mississippi which creates an easy avenue for their adventures. Parking their small boat on a nearby island to check out a stranded boat they want to claim, they stumble on the grubby drifter Mud, hiding out. Mud easily befriends Ellis and Neckbone and it takes no convincing in enlisting their help.

Mud needs the battered boat to aid his law evasion. As it turns out, half of the town is looking for the fugitive caught up in a love triangle that turned south. Enter the 2nd point in the love triangle, Juniper (Reese Witherspoon) who is hiding out in town waiting instructions from her man Mud. The problem is she is pretty flaky and fickle. While this shouldn't come as a surprise to Mud, he certainly is still shaken by his Juniper. Just when the trio endearingly start to grow on you, the storyline winds down. Nothing really turns out quite like it should and it shouldn't with Ellis, Neckbone and Mud planning a rendezvous and the great escape without anyone in the small town noticing. Not to mention the manhunt occurring while Juniper is being watched every move by a lot of people with a vested interest. I was eagerly awaiting the ending not because it was so riveting, but more like, "end this mess already!" With that being said I would still recommend seeing it now, maybe even in the cheapie theatre as it will probably be headed there soon with all the summer blockbusters around the corner. I can't wait for this season!

QUIET Rating system: 2 1/2 Js

Quality: JJ

Understood story:  JJJ

Interest: JJj

Entertainment:  JJJ

Time:  Jj

Iron Man 3

Iron Man 3

Rated PG-13 and Released in Grand Rapids 5/2/13

Reviewed 5/6/13 at Celebration North Theatre in Grand Rapids, MI

with Gary

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

I am not sure why this happens with sequels: the first one can be amazing, the second is historically weak and if they make a third, like Iron Man 3, it is back to remarkable status. Gary and I really liked it, although we felt like it could have been called "Tony Stark" as not enough "Iron Man" was in the film, but we were still entertained.

Robert Downey Jr. plays Iron Man and he is as funny as ever with his quippy lines out of uniform as Tony Stark. His now committed girlfriend Pepper Potts (Gwyneth Paltrow) is his weakness as repetitively drums, "he will do whatever it takes to protect her" and then...he slips. It could be from boredom or his lack of concentration from sleeplessness or...the nutty nemesis Mandarin (Ben Kingsley) that emerges. He is a raging terrorist striking around the world and headed right for Stark after Stark begs Mandarin to come and get him. Too bad because that Malibu cliff home was pretty cool. The apparent leader of an eccentric gang, Mandarin teams up with a couple of acquaintances that have resurfaced from Stark's past. Their intentions are a little unclear on their terror request; taking over the world, destroying it, or making a point to environment destroyers. Also, it was hard to embrace the melting bomb bad guys that were dispatched from Team Mandarin.

Stark is rundown and ventures out on a couple of quests that bring it together in the end. Overlook the holes in the plot and regard it as a superhero movie that it is supposed to be. Iron Man 3 didn't hit a home run on every mark, but Robert Downey Jr. pretty much rounds third as he certainly makes it worthwhile and an enjoyable movie.

QUIET Rating system: 3 1/2 Js

Quality: JJJ

Understood story:  JJJj

Interest: JJJJ

Entertainment:  JJJJ

Time:  JJJ

The Big Wedding

The Big Wedding

Rated R and Released in Grand Rapids 4/26/13

Reviewed 5/2/13 at Celebration North Theatre in Grand Rapids, MI

with Lynne

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

With all the good actors in this movie, the expectation is a little higher, but with forced random profanity and a lot of raunch, it doesn't produce too many laughs. Armed with our newly purchased popcorn buckets for the season, Lynne and I got to the theatre for a late afternoon flick. We both thought there were a few funny moments, but overall it's pretty forgettable.

Divorced couple Don and Elie (Robert DeNiro and Diane Keaton) are forced to reunite for their adopted son Alejandro's (Ben Barnes) and fiancé Missy's (Amanda Seyfried) wedding. This is due to Alejandro's strict Catholic birth mother and sister who are coming to the wedding from his birthland Columbia. Divorce is something mother doesn't tolerate and her birth son has not told her Don and Elie have been split up for 10 years. It was just easier to keep up the lie over the years but with her coming to the wedding it is a little too late to divulge the truth. Don's current feisty wife Bebe (Susan Sarandon) has to step aside to keep up the farce and she is justifiably a little hurt and resentful. Brother and sister to the groom played by Topher Grace and Katherine Heigl are a big disappointment in this. Not all their faults, just so-so parts for them. Robin Williams playing the marrying priest provides the only worthwhile humor during his counseling sessions and ceremony duties.

Wedding day arrives at the homestead and it all unravels rather rapidly and the plot is as predictable as my birthday. It comes every year, but I would really rather ignore it. This movie is only an hour and a half, and I am a big fan of the shorter ones, so 90 minutes for this was plenty! Watch it at home, if...at all.

QUIET Rating system: 1 1/2 Js

Quality: J

Understood story:  JJ

Interest: J

Entertainment:  J

Time:  JJJ

The Company You Keep

The Company You Keep

Rated R and Released in Grand Rapids 4/26/13

Reviewed 4/30/13 at Celebration North Theatre

with Gary

3 out of 5 Js in QUIET Rating System

Robert Redford stars and directs this latest film which has a twinge of political statement, although it is hard to really grasp this unlike Redford's All the President's Men. Both Gary and I agreed we liked the mystery and intrigue in this, although slowish, and it did keep our interest. This will probably appeal to the 40+ age group, as I don't see Danelle or Brandon liking it at all.

Redford stars as small town attorney Jim Grant, who is a widower and single dad to his young daughter. Grant, along with his other radical cohorts, have been on the run since the 70s following a bank robbery that left one dead. The recent arrest of fellow fanatic Sharon Solarz (Susan Sarandon), spurs a chain of events that starts the unraveling of the mystery. A fresh faced reporter, Ben Shepard (Shia LaBeouf), gets some notoriety after cracking the story that catapults Grant to seek out the members of the gang spread across the country.

Grant wants to get one in particular and the ultimate goal is to clear his name so he can proceed on with his life raising his daughter. Why didn't he do this sooner or wait 30+ years if he felt so innocent? This never really is explained. The police are on Grant's tail at every turn while Shepard is doing his own detective work to conclude the big story he started. There is a line of great actors besides Redford and Sarandon that have some screen time: Terrence Howard, Stanley Tucci, Nick Nolte, Richard Jenkins, Julie Christie, Chris Cooper. Too bad they didn't ramp up any of these fine actor's roles. To call this movie thrilling is a stretch, but certainly the chase and puzzle trail has enough excitement. If director Redford would have loosened the reins, especially in the ending, it could have been a needed improvement. But Redford is known to act and direct with insane restraint - so there it is!

QUIET Rating system: 3 Js

Quality: JJj

Understood story:  JJJ

Interest: JJJ

Entertainment:  JJJj

Time:  JJj

Pain and Gain

Pain and Gain

Rated R and Released in Grand Rapids 4/26/13

Reviewed 4/29/13 at Celebration North Theatre in Grand Rapids, MI

with Gary

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

Gary and I thought it helped to see the Dateline segment days before we saw the Hollywood version on the big screen. The backstory really filled in where needed and made it a bit more exciting. Although the events are so hard to believe, it might be reason enough to see this flick. During the movie a few times they put lines like, "really based on true events" or "yes this really happened". Have you ever seen Jay Leno's headlines that he comically reads, "stupid criminals..."? This is a whole movie about super stupidity on steroids. Pun definitely intended.

Mark Wahlberg plays juiced up, pumped up, personal trainer Daniel Lugo at the Sun Gym in 1990s Miami. I think Lugo has taken one too many pills (or he's as small-minded as he is big bodied) because he comes up with a ludicrous scheme to kidnap and steal all of Victor Kershaw's (Tony Shalhoub) assets, one of his top wealthy clients. If you are thick-headed and going to enlist the help of a couple others, you should make sure they are smarter than you. But as you could guess, Lugo doesn't. His friend Adrian (Anthony Mackie) and new acquaintance Paul (Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson) jump on the crazy train. All of the antics they do to execute their endeavor are beyond belief and it gets pretty comical. They pull this off for awhile after torturing the tough old bird Victor, to take away everything, and take over everything. The more you watch it, you can't believe how long they keep it up. The group of course blows through the stolen assets and they are now on the next scheme. More scenes of stupidity roll on and their next victims don't fair as well. This leads to their eventual capture and arrests. Veteran director Michael Bay directed this for a reported miniscule 25 million. While I don't think you really need much more to get this strange story out, the movie does have a low budget feel. Pain and Gain is way too long at 130 minutes. But if you enjoy watching very humorous cluelessness or just want to be entertained by Wahlberg, Mackie and Johnson, they do a pretty good job portraying the dumb trio. I am hoping none of them do anything like this again. Move on.

QUIET Rating system: 2 1/2 Js

Quality: JJ

Understood story:  JJJ

Interest: JJJJ

Entertainment:  JJ

Time:  Jj

Trance

Trance

Rated PG-13 and Released in Grand Rapids 4/12/13

Reviewed 4/24/13 at Celebration North Theatre

with Gary 

2 out of 5 Js in QUIET Rating System

Unraveling the layers of puzzle pieces seems to be the hot ticket theme in movies Hollywood is pumping out these days. Figuring out the plot in films like Inception and Oblivion is labor; probably more than I am willing to work at. Trance was just this type. Gary and I thought it was OK, but we recommend saving it for the cheap theatre or On-Demand. 

Simon (James McAvoy) works for a thief-proof art auction house in London. Simon, working from the inside, helps a group of thieves led by Frank (Vincent Cassel) to pull off a disappearance of a very pricy Francisco Goya "Witches in the Air."

Something is amiss after the dust settles and Simon doesn't remember what happened to the painting during the chaos of the robbery. This leads the gang to enlist the help of Elizabeth, a hypnotherapist, played by the lovely and talented Rosario Dawson. The layering begins, toggling back and forth between present and past, awake or sleeping, during Simon's hypnotic state. It's quite a trip to follow!

Trying to get to the bottom of the mystery is a challenge for the increasingly impatient Frank, during Elizabeth's many sessions with Simon. You know there is going to be a twist, and there is a couple, but it was blurry on which ones to follow. I think Trance might be better the second time around, but we are definitely saving it for the TV screen and not the Big screen.

QUIET Rating system: 2 Js

Quality: Jj

Understood story:  JJ

Interest: Jj

Entertainment:  JJ

Time:  JJJj