The Way, Way Back

The Way, Way Back

Rated PG-13 and Released in Grand Rapids 7/19/13

Reviewed 7/25/13 at Celebration North in Grand Rapids, MI

with Gary

3 out of 5 Js in QUIET Rating System

I love to leave the theatre feeling good! This is one of those movies. I liked it a little more than Gary, although we both laughed a lot. This is the first time I watched a Steve Carell movie where I didn't like his character; not one bit. I like him better in Dan in Real Life type roles. Allison Janney as jabber jaws Betty and Sam Rockwell playing aging playboy Owen, who manages a water park, are comical in every scene they are in.

Trent (Carell), who has a snotty teen daughter, is dating Pam (Toni Collette). Her son is Duncan (Liam James) and all four are heading out for the summer to spend some time together working on being a family. Trent and Duncan do not get off on the right foot after Trent very bluntly deems the poor kid as a "3" out of 10 and wants him to work on improving his score. The neighboring cottage welcoming committee is drunken Betty who is the life of the party, no matter the time of day. She readily accepts her title as bad mother to her son and cutie teenager Susanna (AnnaSophia Robb). The awkward and shy Duncan is forced to hang with the girls and his dorkiness is almost too much to watch. Things change rapidly for Duncan as he breaks into an unusual friendship with super funny Owen at Water Fizz. Duncan sneaks to the park every day riding off on a little girl's bike after his mentor Owen hires him at the park.

Parents are too busy to notice I guess, getting to know each other and hanging with their wild friends. Things get a little heated after Duncan finally has had enough of wannabe stepdad Trent being a jerk one too many times. The summer is not all lost though, because Owen has had just enough time to transform Duncan into a now confident and almost cute 14-year-old guy. You will laugh, get mad here and there, but for the most part The Way, Way Back is charming down to the end. We loved the movie and it's worthy of a trip.

QUIET Rating System: 3 Js

Quality: JJj

Understood story:  JJJ

Interest: JJJj

Entertainment:  JJJj

Time:  JJJ

R.I.P.D.

R.I.P.D.

Rated PG-13 and Released in Grand Rapids 7/19/13

Reviewed 7/23/13 at Grand Haven 9 in Grand Haven, MI

with Gary

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

At 96 minutes, I gave this a 3 in the time category and that's because thank goodness it wasn't too long! Gary thinks the movie deserves a little better overall rating, maybe a 2 or 2 /12. But listening to Jeff Bridges' (Ray Pulsipher) accent made me cringe every time he spoke. Not much redeeming about this film except the end, and that was because it was over!

Nick Walker (Ryan Reynolds) plays a Boston police detective killed while on duty. He and his partner Hayes (Kevin Bacon) had socked away some gold they acquired illegally and Nick was having second thoughts just before he died. Too late though, because now Nick is half way to heaven. But that's good news because it means he didn't go the other way. He has a second chance at redemption as he is partnered up with Ray to hunt down "deados" on Earth. Deados are monstrous creatures that are dead humans that have disguised themselves and are trying to survive, for a reason that is not clear. The movie shows Reynolds and Bridges playing the duo, but break away from them and cleverly show that to everyone on Earth they are seen as a Chinese man and a sexy model. It's pretty cute, but that's about it.

The duo scrape clumsily around and cross paths with shady sleaze bag Hayes still acquiring gold while "comforting" Nick's widow Julie (Stephanie Szostak). They chase around for awhile with not much plot and concluding very predictably with a final showdown among Nick and Ray and the deados. R.I.P.D. was trying (yet failing) to be a Men In Black with a chance to be okay. It just wasn't - at all. This flick is definitely a skipper.

QUIET Rating system: 1 1/2 Js

Quality: J

Understood story:  Jj

Interest: J

Entertainment:  Jj

Time:  JJJ

Red 2

Red 2

Rated PG-13 and Released in Grand Rapids, MI 7/19/13

Reviewed 7/19/13 at Celebration North in Grand Rapids, MI

with Gary and Denny

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

Pleasantly surprised at this light-hearted action comedy, Gary, my dad and I agreed we thought it was slightly better than the first one. It had kind of a comic book strip feel to it on how they jumped from scene to scene. The cast of Bruce Willis, John Malkovich, and Helen Mirren are all pretty amusing playing off each other. If you don't want to get to the theatre soon, this would be a good one for the cheapie theatre or OnDemand.

Retired CIA operative Frank (Willis) and Marvin (Malkovich) are partners who escape capture and death more than the normal ridiculous. Thanks to some back-stabbing, this dup is now on the international terror list and they are being hunted - so dead or alive doesn't matter. With Frank's girlfriend Sarah (Mary Louise Parker), they are off to clear their names. There are assassins at every turn trying to "off" them, including old friend and stuffy English retired agent Victoria (Mirren), plus sultry Catherine Zeta Jones pops in and out as a Russian spy either helping or hunting them, depending on her mood. The real focus seems to be with a mad scientist played by Anthony Hopkins. He has been locked up for 30+ years holding the answer to a secret deadly weapon that is being sought out by many unsavory characters. After Hopkins seizes an opportunity to spring from his cell, it's hard to tell which side he and the other players are on. Right down to the end, in spite of all its silliness, Red 2 is a decent popcorn movie that you will find enjoyable.

QUIET Rating system: 2 1/2 Jj

Quality: JJ

Understood story:  JJ

Interest: JJj

Entertainment:  JJJj

Time:  JJj

Girl Most Likely

Girl Most Likely

Rated PG-13 and Released in Grand Rapids 7/19/13

Reviewed 7/22/13 at Celebration! RiverTown in Grand Rapids, MI

with Cindy

3 out of 5 Js in QUIET Rating System

This was the only theatre in town playing this limited-release film. Hopefully it will spread out because Cindy and I both thought it was really cute and pretty funny. How can you think Kristin Wiig, who plays sullen Imogene, is not funny!? She kind of has that Bridesmaids humor going on in this one, but why not? It works so well.

The desperate Imogene (who thinks of herself as a New Yorker), has been dumped by her boyfriend Peter, has shallow snooty friends, and the topper - loses her going-nowhere job. She wants the very uninterested Peter to come over and comfort her. She impulsively decides to stage a suicide and though it's kind of dark, it does produce some laughs as the whole scheme backfires and she ends up in a mental hospital. Her eccentric New Jersey mother Zelda (Annette Bening) is forced to come pick her up and take her back "home" to New Jersey. The house, to Imogene's horror, is full of males: her sweet and oddish brother Ralph (Christopher Fitzgerald), her mother's lover and over-the-top story teller Bosche (Matt Dillon), and a cutie Lee (Darren Criss) who has taken over her bedroom. This group's adventures take them in and out of New York. They try to retrieve Imogene's belongings, which is a dead end, and then they're off to search for their thought-to-be-dead father. This leads to heartbreak and yet all these sad moments keep you rooting for the pathetic group, and somehow keep you laughing along the way. Wiig, Bening, and Dillon really pull it off, even the ridiculous ending. I am not saying this is Bridesmaids, but seeing this gals gal movie is worth it if it makes it to other stops.

QUIET Rating system: 3Js

Quality: JJ

Understood story:  JJJ

Interest: JJJj

Entertainment:  JJJj

Time:  JJJj

Despicable Me 2

Despicable Me 2

Rated PG-13 and Released in Grand Rapids 7/5/13

Reviewed 7/14/13 at AMC at Easton in Columbus, Ohio

with siblings Taylor, Lindyn, Treyton

BY GUEST REVIEWER BAILEY

4 out of 5 Js in QUIET Rating System

Hi! I’m Bailey and I recently turned 16 years old! This past week, while on vacation, my family and I viewed Despicable Me 2. Once we finished we were all so thrilled to discuss this cute kid’s movie. So, I interviewed my siblings and asked them what their feelings were on the movie.

First of all, just a clip of the film: Despicable Me 2 is a funny story on how Gru, the once evil scientist, and his minions, along with his “three so-called daughters” get back to business.

They work vigorously to uncover an evil mastermind with a plot to poison all of Gru’s minions to keep them as an army. Along the way, Gru finds true love at his side and then realizes what being in love is really like. He learns that having someone running along through life by his side makes things a whole lot more enjoyable. Plus, his daughters can call her mom! My sister, Taylor, who is 13, replied to my interview by saying, “It was a very funny flick, and it was a beyond perfect follow up to the first movie.” My 8 year old sister, Lindyn, is very opinionated and she rated this movie at the top of her list. She answered, “The movie was great, and the little minions played an excellent humor role throughout the whole movie.”

I would look over at her every so often and she was always glued to the screen. That is a good sign for parents looking to take their kids to the movies. My other sibling, Treyton, who is 4, enjoyed the humor.

He laughed at almost every scene. This means that the humor appealed to everyone is my family: young and old.

Now, for my own opinion! Even at 16 years old, I thought the film was great. The humor, like I said previously, was not only based on one age group. Also, it was a perfect length. Unlike Monster’s University, Despicable Me 2 was only 90 minutes long. The plot had me gut-laughing with the humor, but still captivated with the mystery included. I think this is a must see for all ages!

I would give this 4 out of 5 J’s. I say this because I am not a huge fan of animations, but this was absolutely wonderful! 

Pacific Rim

Pacific Rim

Rated PG-13 and Released in Grand Rapids 7/12/13

Reviewed 7/15/13 at Celebration North in Grand Rapids, MI

with Gary, Mark and Karen

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

I felt like we were trapped in a bad video game; a futuristic version of rock 'em sock 'em robots. Karen and I both took a snooze at different times so we had to piece together the ending, but I don't think we missed much. The guys thought we were a bit hard on this flick, but it's kind of a guys movie. Mark and Gary gave it a little more credit, but not much. This might be more suited for eight-year-old boys, except the lengthy jump around plot needs to be cut by 20 minutes.

Raleigh Beckett (Charlie Hunnam) is the go to pilot and one of the few believers of the robots they call Jaegers. There is a war going on with the hellish creatures Kaiju and mankind is losing faith in the overmatched Jaegers to eradicate this powerful enemy. A recruited team of ace pilots gather in Hong Kong for one last ditch effort led by rigid general Stacker Pentecost (Idris Elba).

Two pilots work together in the head of the robot in a simulation effort, but they seem to be no contest for the Kaiju that is gaining strength. While Raleigh partners up with mysterious Asian woman Mako (Rinko Kikuchi) that he gravitates to, two weirdo scientists are clumsily working away to find a weakness that can be used to defeat the beasts. It all comes crashing to a head with the hotshots in the final battle. The special effects are worth noting, although none of us thought there was enough 3D for the extra price. My advice is skip Pacific Rim for now and save it for DVD. My bet is that you will be fast forwarding to the end...which is what we all wanted to do in the theatre.

QUIET Rating system: Jj

Quality: J

Understood story:  Jj

Interest: Jj

Entertainment:  JJ

Time:  J

Grown Ups 2

Grown Ups 2

Rated PG-13 and Released in Grand Rapids 7/12/13

Reviewed 7/16/13 at Celebration North in Grand Rapids, MI

with Denny

1 out of 5 Js in QUIET Rating System

You can tell how we felt about this one by the amount of Js awarded above. There were a couple very brief funny moments, but the grossness and stupidity negate any slight redeeming quality in Grown Ups 2. It is getting a 1 because we did laugh a few times.

Adam Sandler (Lenny), Kevin James (Eric), Chris Rock (Kurt), and David Spade (Marcus) all play longtime friends who grew up together.

All can be very funny on their own but all together in this flick, their humor is dated and corny. A very immature teenage guy might think this is funny, but just maybe. Lenny has returned to his hometown with his kids and wife (Salma Hayek). All four friends now live in the same town and can't wait to spend time with each other; terrorizing, burping, farting, and living out their juvenile fantasies. Trudging around town they run into cutie Taylor Lautner. He plays an over done frat boy leading a group of amped up zealots trying to drive out the "old" guys off their swimming turf.

Much to do about nothing, they finally end this ridiculous plot with a party of friends and family at Lenny's with everyone in town attending, including a couple of policeman. One of which is Shaq!

A big drunken brawl adds to the insanity when the frat boys confront all at the party. If you think the $10 or $12 is worth laughing at twice, then go see Grown Ups 2. Or if you watch the trailer here and laugh slightly, then trust me...you got your money's worth.

QUIET Rating system: 1

Quality: j

Understood story:  JJ

Interest: J

Entertainment:  J

Time:  Jj

The Bling Ring

The Bling Ring

Rated PG-13 and Released in Grand Rapids 6/28/13

Reviewed 7/3/13 at Celebration North in Grand Rapids, MI

with Gary

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

We saw this a few days before they profiled it on 20/20. After seeing the actual story and the people involved, director Sophia Coppola pretty much nailed the portrayal of events and characters. Gary and I both thought it was an interesting movie; maybe worth seeing in the cheapie theatre if you miss it in the new releases.

It is hard to believe dumb criminals sometimes on what they think they can get away with and for how long. These four teenage gals and one guy, who all attend the same L.A. area high school, are no different. It seems they should spend more time in school and less on their phones, computers, and keeping up with the Hollywood fantasy they so desire. Beginning as petty thieves snagging items from unlocked cars, they quickly graduate into burglarizing homes. These are not just any homes. They are homes of well-known "stars" and actors. I wouldn't necessarily call Paris Hilton either of these, so I guess she falls into the "famous people for no reason" category. This group keeps it up and are crazed finding the next easy target. It is almost as if an invitation is sent out. At least these young criminals see it that way. This group of five is focused on drugs, partying, and especially obtaining high end designer brands. Hmmm...I guess this doesn't necessarily have to be Hollywood. Not surprising, this group trips up. It's hard to believe the arrogance and lack of remorse. They don't even pretend and seem to be spilling over with pride. The Bling Ring is troubling from every standpoint. Even though I know this could take place anywhere, I'm content to be as far away from Hollywood as possible...at least to live..and we can still watch their movie.

QUIET Rating system: 2 1/2Js

1. Quality: JJJj

2. Understood story:  JJj

3. Interest: JJj

4. Entertainment:  JJ

5. Time:  JJJ

The Lone Ranger

The Lone Ranger

Rated PG-13 and Released in Grand Rapids 6/28/13

Reviewed 7/3/13 at Celebration North in Grand Rapids, MI

with Gary

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

Even the talented Johnny Depp (Tonto) can't rescue this too long movie at 2 1/2 hours. Save this one for OnDemand! There were a few funny moments (all while Depp was on screen), awkwardly mixed in, during the first half of the story that shifted between very dark and very dry. Some rambunctious paced scenes were finally placed in the latter half, but they waited too long to get there and lost the audience in the meantime.

Armie Hammer is an unusual choice for John Reid, eventually known as the Lone Ranger. The heart of the story is how John, a staunchy rule-following lawyer evolves into the namesake. He sets out with a team of rangers led by his brother Dan (James Badge Dale) to hunt down the terrible murderer Butch Cavendish (William Fichner). John has to shift his goals abruptly to avenge his brother and seek justice. While crossing paths with Tonto, who also wants Butch, John agrees reluctantly to team up and their combative nature lends to some humorous moments. Trekking across the West on his horse Silver, with Tonto in tow, Dan quickly transforms from anti-gun passive lawyer to gunslinging, very capable ranger. They soon discover who is really being the efforts and that greed is the ultimate driving force. No surprise. Obtaining silver and laying railroad across America while trampling on the Indians are just a few of their hatched plans. The new pair, Tonto and Lone Ranger, throw many wrenches into the plans up the despicable bad guys' sleeves - right up until the finale. With the "Hi-yo Silver"...finally chiming away.

QUIET Rating system: 2 1/2Js

Quality: JJj

Understood story:  JJJ

Interest: JJ

Entertainment:  JJ

Time:  J

The Heat

The Heat

Rated PG-13 and Released in Grand Raids 6/28/13

Reviewed 7/1/13 at Celebration North in Grand Rapids, MI

with Cindy

again with Gary and Denny

4 out of 5 Js in QUIET Rating System

Talented funny women Melissa McCarthy (Detective Shannon Mullins) and Sandra Bullock (FBI agent Sarah Ashburn) pair up in this over the top hilarious movie. Foul language overload is not normally my thing, but McCarthy pulls it off so you might just have to suck it up for this one. She is just so funny. Cindy and I laughed our way through and thought it was worthy of the full and hearty x!#%^&*((()*&$#@! Thumbs up - enough for me to see it agin three days later with Gary and my dad. It was almost funnier the second time.

Agent Ashburn is rather up tight and longing for a much deserved promotion - in her mind, anyway. She has to prove herself in her new assignment in Boston to catch some big time drug dealers. She crosses paths pretty quickly with Det. Mullins and they are an instant hit with each other. Well...not really. The only "hitting" off is maybe at each other - in the face. They are forced to work the case together with Det. Mullins being the rule breaker and abrasive foul mouthed hard ass street detective that you instantly fall in love with. They are quite a pair. Mullins is the only girl in her typical Boston "Southie" family and their severe accents and stereotypes will crack you up. Honestly, the plot doesn't even matter. The lines that McCarthy spews off at warp speed will leave you reeling with laughter and wondering, "did she really say that!!??" You might have to cringe a little or plug your ears now and then, but it's worth it. If you haven't seen this yet, get to the theatre to see it! But bring your soap because you will probably need a cleansing of tongue, and maybe more appropriately the ears, afterwards. It might make you feel better to not see it on a Sunday!

QUIET Rating system: 4 Js

Quality: JJJ

Understood story:  JJJJj

Interest: JJJJj

Entertainment:  JJJJj

Time:  JJJj

White House Down

White House Down

Rated PG-13 and Released in Grand Rapids 6/31/13

Reviewed 7/1/13 at Celebration North in Grand Rapids, MI

with Gary

3 out of 5 Js in QUIET Rating System

White House Down is not only a similar premise to the recent Olympus Has Fallen, but it's pretty much the same movie with different actors. We both thought this one has the edge but at 132 minutes the ending dragged on a little long.

Channing Tatum is a delight (at least to look at) playing John Castle, a DC police officer trying to get his dream job with the Secret Service (SS). With his daughter Emily (Joey King) in tow, he has a desperate interview, almost pleading with a White House SS agent (Maggie Gyllenhaal) for a chance. Departing, John and Emily are asked piggy back on a last minute tour of the first family's home. The two get separated just in time for the takeover to begin. The President is played by talented Jamie Fox and he nailed some of the Obamaisms, I'm sure by design. The terrorists easily overtake every bumbling SS and military personnel that tries to put a halt to their plans. Their intentions are a little muddled at first with who is really in charge and of course there has to be a Judas or two in the mix to aid the bad guys. John doesn't single handedly wreak havoc into the plans to get their hands on the President. He has his daughter and that might be enough. Special effects in this film are a little computerized or cartoonish, as I heard someone call it which is a good description. But don't let this dissuade you from seeing this implausible yet satisfying movie. Good popcorn and this action-packed movie with some surprising humor thrown in from Fox and Tatum, will let you enjoy without a lot of thinking or figuring out. Sit back and be entertained!

QUIET Rating system: 3 Js

Quality: JJj

Understood story:  JJJj

Interest: JJJ

Entertainment:  JJJj

Time:  Jj

Man of Steel

Man of Steel

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

Reviewed 6/5/13 at Cinema Carousel Theatre in Muskegon, MI

with Gary, Leigh and Denny

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

This one lived up to its expectations. In spite of the 143 minutes, we all really liked it and are willing to admit we didn't notice the excessive length...too much. This is definitely the new era in Superman, similar to how we felt with the new Batman's of late. The special effects add to the excitement and bring it to a whole new level. Clark Kent, played by Henry Cavill, was adorable and got cuter as the movie went on. :) :)

The rest of the cast was splendid, with the exception of Amy Adams. I think she is normally a fine actress and I like everything she's been in, but maybe they missed the mark by casting her as Lois Lane.

The planet Krypton is rapidly coming to its catastrophic end and the inhabitants are all doomed. Russell Crowe is amazing as Jor El, the father to a miraculously born infant, Cal El. As the planet is about to implode, Cal El is sent into space inside a pod by his parents, in order for him to survive and preserve the race. A mere task for an infant. Just as baby Cal is cast off to space, the hell bent nemesis and outlaw General Zod (Michael Shannon) shows up to try to stop this from occurring. Spiral ahead in time and a great distance to Earth, and Clark (as the baby is now called) is being raised by his adoring adoptive parents played by Kevin Costner and Diane Lane. Clearly his powers are a concern for his dad, and he wants Clark to lay low until the world is "ready".

After escaping their sentence and drifting for countless years, General Zod and his band of criminals eventually find Earth and want an unfair face-off. Apparently though, only the U.S. Army comes into play while Zod demands that Cal El, or Clark, surrender to him or Earth suffers the consequences. After they get through battling for either capture or freedom, it doesn't look like much is left of a city or two. Bring your earplugs because with the sound they pump out in the Hi-Def theatres now, you might leave with a little less hearing than you started with. Summing it up, we expected this wasn't going to be a perfect film. There are holes in the storyline and while there is lackluster chemistry between Clark and Lois, we have to remember this is a superhero blockbuster, not Argo. Take time to go see Man of Steel and you will agree that this is entertaining and fun and the right summer blockbuster movie to see.

QUIET Rating system: 3 1/2Js

Quality: JJJj

Understood story:  JJJ

Interest: JJJJ

Entertainment:  JJJJ

Time:  JJj

World War Z

World War Z

Rated PG-13 and released in Grand Rapids 6/21/13

Reviewed 6/27/13 at Cine Star in Frankfurt, Germany

with Gary

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

Cine Star - Frankfurt,  Germany

Elevators to the theatre

Going to a movie somewhere in another city, state or country is always a unique experience. The theatres always look modern and cool, but we are set in our ways at Celebration Theatres with buttering our own popcorn and filling our own drinks. And Europeans are not fans of ice! When you go out to eat in Europe and and ask for ice, you get a cube or two. And if you ask for lots of ice, you still get a cube or two. I don't get it.

Gary in line for tickets at the busy theatre

Theatre cafe where you can buy beer, wine, or have a nice lunch

We were in Frankfurt, Germany, and after a full day of other tourism "stuff", we decided to get in our favorite pastime. We found the only English speaking theatre in the city, but thought maybe we were mistaken when we nervously watched the dubbed over English previews. Remember the old Japanese Godzilla films? That's what these trailers were like! But come movie time all of the crazed zombies were gnawing away in English. Phew!

Stocking up on snacks!

Brad Pitt needed this one. With him starring and producing the most expensive zombie movie ever made (ballpark $200 million), he had a lot hanging on this. Gary and I loved it. We were on the edge of our seats from the first scene. Very intense, we especially thought the special effects added to the lively scenes. Yes it had all of the ridiculousness, but come on...we're talking zombies.

Pitt plays Gerry Lane, a former UN officer, who is abruptly pulled back into action when a global force is behind an unexplained pandemic that is quickly sucking the life out of the world. Gerry and his family are swept out of Philadelphia via helicopter to a waiting aircraft carrier. Then just as quickly, Lane is being sent out to lead the mission to find ground zero. Globetrotting from South Korea, to Israel, to India, he unravles rather quickly that the killers consuming the humans are actually zombies and it appears to be up to him to save the world. Let's hope other countries have their own team out working the planet also. With the undead brutally consuming almost everything in their path, Gerry barely escapes the fast moving killers. He lands in India and teams up with scientists holing up at the World Health Organization. They are on to something and finally some believable intelligence steps in backing the awkward Gerry Lane. It is not the perfect solution to eradicating, and even more of a band aid, which seems to leave an open door to a second film. This could be titled What's Left of the World - Not Much, because the zombies have sure made a mess of things. If Pitt makes his money back then maybe we will see another. We will definitely be in for that!

QUIET Rating system: 3 1/2Js

Quality: JJj

Understood story:  JJj

Interest: JJJJj

Entertainment:  JJJJ

Time:  JJJj