This is the End

This is the End

Rated R and Released in Grand Rapids 6/7/13

Reviewed 6/13/13 at Celebration North Theatre

with Mark, Karen and Gary

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

The outrageousness and some of the super "R" moments knock it down for me, but with insanely funny scenes it almost makes it worth seeing. We all laughed hard at times, so we all thought the film was worth the trip to the theatre.

Full disclosure. We met for dinner close by at Licari's (next to the Crushed Grape) for a nice quickie dinner. It was looking a little dark outside, but that's a common occurrence in West Michigan these days. But then we lost power at the theatre before the ending! We probably had 20 or so minutes left, but...that was probably the weakest part of the film. Not like they were going to wrap up a clever plot!

Seth Rogen co-wrote and directed this movie starring himself, Jonah Hill, Craig Robinson, Michael Cerra, Jay Baruchel, and James Franco. They all play themselves and are basically spoofing their own characters. After a series of events, they all end up at the party house of James Franco, which is going strong. Suddenly Apocalyptic events start spewing around LA, a cross between what seems to be an alien invasion and catastrophic meteor effects. That doesn't stop the dim witted, partied up guests from fleeing the house, all the while getting impaled by objects and fire balled on. And the jokes keep rolling. This is the End is really making fun of the actors and their stardom and if they are the persons that the public sees or just bogus personalities, it's not much of a stretch. After all, they are actors. Get ready to crack up, but also wear a bag over your head when you leave so no one sees you leaving this very R movie.

QUIET Rating system: 2 1/2Js

Quality: Jj

Understood story:  JJj

Interest: JJj

Entertainment:  JJJ

Time:  JJJ

Hangover III

Hangover III

Rated R and Released in Grand Rapids 5/31/13

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

with Brandon

2 out of 5 Js in QUIET Rating System

Number I was clever and amusing, II bombed and Hangover III was somewhere in between. The first two were pretty raunchy, but surprisingly this film had minimal raunch. I guess they were trying to clean it up quite a bit. Brandon and I thought it was worth seeing, but I advise you wait to see it in the cheapie theatre or OnDemand.

Phil (Bradley Cooper), Alan (Zach Galifianakis), and Stu (Ed Helms) are still headlining the story with Doug (Justin Bartha) taking a backseat again. This time the group is escorting crazy Alan to a much needed detox facility in Arizona. Along the way the unfortunate Doug is kidnapped by a gangster drug  dealer named Marshall, played by funny man John Goodman. Goodman has played this role in recent movies Argo and Flight and it seems to work for him.

Of course this would not be Hangover without Chow (Ken Jeong), who is at the root of the kidnapping. Marshall will let Doug go if the trio recoups the $21 million in gold from Chow. Thus, the bumbling retrieval launches full speed ahead which lands them (where else!?) in Vegas. From here on, it is pretty much Alan and Chow. While both have some funny moments, the story just seems desperate with the same ole same ole. Time to retire the franchise! I hope they don't go for 6 like Fast and Furious; three of these are enough.

QUIET Rating system: 2  Js

Quality: Jj

Understood story:  JJj

Interest: JJ

Entertainment:  JJj

Time:  JJj

Now You See Me

Now You See Me

Rated PG-13 and Released in Grand Rapids 5/31/13

Reviewed 6/2/13 at Celebration North Theatre

with Aaron and Danelle

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

Yes - Now You See Me is unrealistic, and unbelievable, but so are pretty much all movies. But I find the film entertaining and original. I can't help it, I really liked it...a lot. Maybe 10 or 15 minutes out of the 116 minute reel was somewhat diminished in spite of the creative lofty plot and it's too bad because it could have been the ultimate plot ruse. Aaron liked it and give it a 3J, which is a little more than Danelle, as she is the ever skeptic.

Jesse Eisenberg (J. Daniel Atlas) in the right role can be dazzling, like in The Social Network, and Now You See Me is another for him. He shines. And Woody Harrelson as the mentalist Merritt McKinley? Who doesn't like his crypt, dry humor!? Sometimes these stars are enough and...this...almost is.

The final two of dubbed group "The Four Horseman" are Henley and Jack (Isla Fisher and Dave Franco) completing the magical team. Some unknown is calling in all the "cards" for the magician quartet - answering the same call, at the same location, while getting some spell binding directive they jump on board with. After receiving their marching orders, the story leap frogs ahead one year in Las Vegas to jump start their stunts. Robin Hood here we come: steal from whomever and drop it on whomever for the taking!

Mark Ruffelo, playing Detective Dylan Rhodes, in hot pursuit leads the bumbling team of investigators. It's a pretty stereotypically lame portrayal of the NYPD. We do have more competent law enforcement, right? Throw in a little Michael Caine and Morgan Freeman and we are in the blender for a hodge podge mix that blends these characters into really stellar performances. Twists are supposed to catch us off guard, but having them is not really any surprise, but what they choose for the twists is where the film drops a bit. But stick with it to the end, keeping all this in mind, and you'll enjoy being magically entranced with Now You See Me!

QUIET Rating system: 3 1/2  Js

1. Quality: JJJj

2. Understood story:  JJj

3. Interest: JJJJ

4. Entertainment:  JJJJ

5. Time:  JJJ

After Earth

After Earth

Rated PG-13 and Released in Grand Rapids 5/30/13

Reviewed 6/1/13 at Celebration North Theatre in Grand Rapids, MI

with Denny

2 out of 5 Js in QUIET Rating System

This flick reminds me of the overblown Tom Cruise flop Oblivion: light on characters with little action, and being nothing like we anticipated. It is accurately described as an Adventure, although it appears there is going to be some Sci-fi mixed in...but not so much. The premise has potential and we were waiting for some "wow" that we never really felt.

The Smith father-son combo team up and father Will Smith plays emotionless veteran space officer Cyper Raige and his son Jaden Smith as cadet aspiring son Kitai. Not much development or back story, the movie jumps right into the strenuous relationship that they slowly divulge throughout the film. In the future and living on another planet due to Earth's abandonment 1000 years prior, they embark on an unexplained mission together in space. Finding themselves back on Earth alone, which is dire enough, they need to rely on Kitai to save them both.

The story here on is pretty much Kitai with a little dad thrown in. After Earth needs Will Smith, with his lofty humor and special entertainment skills. Jaden would be better off (and we would be better off) sticking to the remakes of Karate Kid II and III, father and son teaming up no more.

QUIET Rating system: 2  Js

1. Quality: JJ

2. Understood story:  JJj

3. Interest: Jj

4. Entertainment:  Jj

5. Time:  JJJ

Fast and Furious 6

Fast and Furious 6 

Rated PG-13 and Released in Grand Rapids 5/24/13

Reviewed 5/30/13 at Celebration North Theatre in Grand Rapids, MI

with Gary

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

Generally with half-witted movies like the Fast and Furious (FF) franchise, you can catch up fast and don't necessarily have to see the previous ones to grasp the plot. Following racing cars around doesn't strain the mind too much. Although there were some snippets from the previous movie that were interwoven, Gary and I felt a little lost. Ehh...did it really matter? Not too much. Fast-paced like its namesake, this was fun but I really liked the the last one best of all the FF movies. Frivolous to the max, just accept it and enjoy it for the high energy that speeds out of the screen. That is, if you are watching the 3D version.

Paul Walker (Brian) has taken a backseat to some other characters, Vin Diesel (Dom) and now The Rock (Hobbs), in the last few movies. It's too bad because Walker is pretty pleasant on screen. Big mistake as far as I'm concerned. There's not much to say about this movie. There's fast cars and chase scenes over and over and over throughout the DC landscape. A few hot girls thrown in fighting now and then and the usual dubious characters, but without help from a possible "snitch" it just wouldn't go down the same.

Same ole, same ole, but we still see these Fast and Furious movies apparently, as #6 skidded off the track with its strong opening weekend. Big money. Guys like these movies, what can I say!? They have had enough seeing the chickie movies and it's their time to strain their brains for the strong acting, over the top thickened plot, and thought-provoking dialogue...haha. Entertaining with not much character building, but we expected that. I have to say...it might be time to retire the franchise and recycle these guys into something else. Whatever that may be.

QUIET Rating system: 2 1/2 Js

Quality: JJ

Understood story:  JJJ

Interest: JJJ

Entertainment:  JJJ

Time:  Jj