The Fifth Estate

The Fifth Estate

Rated R and Released in Grand Rapids 10/18/13

Reviewed 10/24/13 at Star Theatre in Grand Rapids, MI

with Denny

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

Even though this is based on true events, it is a one-sided account from the book written by Daniel Domscheit-Berg (Daniel Bruehl). Benedict Cumberbatch plays WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange lending a creepiness factor to Julian that made for a perfect choice. It was too long for me at 128 minutes, plus it was dull through the middle stretch and the plot jumped around a bit making it somewhat confusing at times. My dad thought it was more like a 3 or 3 1/2, but we both felt satisfied that The Fifth Estate did make for a worthwhile enough movie.

Back in 2007, technology wizard/activist Daniel comes in contact with the hardworking but very wacky WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange. To be fair, Julian's nuttiness seemed to evolve being fed by his ego and eventual instability. In the beginning, the pair are the only two working the WikiLeaks site. The initial purpose was to provide a forum for whistle blowers to anonymously leak information to a secure site to take down evil regimes, crooked banks, and unethical corporations, etc. They slowly take on a few other radicals to work the growing popular site. This makes the aggressive Julian more paranoid and suspicious of those around him. He does have good reason though, but for the time being the information war is being won by "Team Julian". Eventually the group is at a crossroads when Julian decides to take on the United States government. Big mistake, as we soon find out. Giving up the bad guys is one thing, but this is the U.S. after all! At the onset, I feel Julian did have respectable objectives but his extreme unbending stubbornness jade his view on putting innocent lives in danger. This is what Daniel and a few others in the ring can't live with. We don't actually see in the movie what resulted from Julian's ultimate last action, but some interesting facts roll with the credits so stick around for that. Go see The Fifth Estate - in the theatre or at home - and for the most part you will be fascinated with this story.

QUIET Rating system: 2 ½ Js

Quality: JJ

Understood story:  JJj

Interest: JJJj

Entertainment:  JJJ

Time:  J

Escape Plan

Escape Plan

Rated R and Released in Grand Rapids 10/18/13

Reviewed 10/21/13 at Celebration North

with Gary

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

I have said this before - it's time for Sylvester Stallone and Arnold Schwarzenegger to give up the action movies like this. Please, cast them in something with no dialogue! The storyline itself wasn't that bad, but if they would have Vin Diesel playing Stallone's part it would have been a huge improvement.

Ray Breslin (Stallone) works for a futuristic security company that infiltrates the prison system, literally. Ray is incarcerated and his job is to break out, which he proves time and time again why he is the world's leader in this task. Too bad his trusted partners Abigail (Amy Ryan) and Hush (50 Cent) weren't on screen more as they lend the most talent to this film. Their job is to keep tabs on Ray with high tech surveillance. CIA calls with a new assignment, seemingly impossible especially if someone double crosses you. The Tomb is the nickname for this lock-up and it is meant for inmates to just disappear. Ray is taken to this secret location hooded so he has no idea where he is at. His team back home has been blocked from tracking him. But never fear - Breslin quickly transitions from enemy with the king of the prison Swan (Schwarzenegger) to teaming up with him for their escape. Warden Hobbes (Jim Caviezel) is the pair's biggest foe and he is trying to keep Ray in The Tomb at all costs. Although this is proving to be Ray's toughest challenge yet, he does have Swan. The movie has expected results, but the twist at the end is supposed to pacify the predictability and make you feel satisfied. You can save this for home. Or if you have exhausted all other choices, you can be adequately entertained. My hope is for Arnold and Sylvester to stick to roles that are geared toward the grandfathers that they are, like the retirees in the much more sufferable The Expandables and make us believe!

QUIET Rating system: 1 ½ Js

Quality: j

Understood story:  JJ

Interest: JJ

Entertainment:  JJ

Time:  J

Grace Unplugged

Grace Unplugged

Rated PG and Released in Grand Rapids 10/11/13

Reviewed 10/18/13 at Celebration North in Grand Rapids, MI

with Cindy

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

This is one of those films that the acting wasn't the highest class and it almost felt like a TV movie, but Cindy and I both still really liked it. A good message for all and a PG rating opens up this film to the whole family. It is nice to have family options like this, so I encourage others to support this by seeing Grace Unplugged.

Only child Grace Trey (AJ Michalka) is 18 and lives in Alabama with her conservative Christian parents. Her father, former pop star Johnny Trey (James Denton), is the helicopter parent of the two and is pushing Grace away with his overbearing ways. Michele Trey (Shawnee Smith) is a pretty low key mother and wife and I can't help but wish her to speak up more and intervene.

Grace and her father sing in the praise band together at church and both are talented. They keep butting heads on the direction of the music and the viewer can quickly see where this is headed. While mom and dad are pushing her to go to college in the Fall, Grace yearns for more. Leaving her bubble world for the first time is not a roadblock for the stubborn teen. She heads to California hell-bent on one goal...making it big. She connects with her dad's former manager Mossy Mostin, played by talented Kevin Pollak. He quickly becomes her new, yet permissive father figure. Her parents track her down but Grace is not going anywhere. Innocence in Hollywood, we can all predict where this can head fast. Although I'm sure the portrayal is a pretty tame version of the industry. Grace Unplugged is a story of parents letting go and trusting God as it is in His hands. But for the rebellious teen you are not off the hook. In Grace's case, following your dream is one thing, but making compromises and concessions that go against what you believe eventually catches up sooner or later. There is a little twist in the end that is probably the best scene of the movie. I think parents will be especially touched by Grace Unplugged and I suggest bringing a Kleenex or two for the criers. For the most part, know what you are seeing and enjoy this film.

QUIET Rating system: 2 ½ Js

Quality: Jj

Understood story:  JJJ

Interest: JJJ

Entertainment:  JJ

Time:  JJJj

Captain Phillips

Captain Phillips

Rated PG-13 and Released in Grand Rapids 10/11/13

Reviewed 10/13/13 at Grand Haven 9 in Grand Haven, MI

with Gary, Leigh, Rol and Cheryl

4 out of 5 Js in QUIET Rating System

Seeing Captain Phillips was like reliving the story with Phillips and the crew. The real Captain Richard Phillips has been interviewed quite a bit in conjunction with this release and Tom Hanks will blow you away as the captain. Come Oscar time, he will surely be nominated for best actor and should even win. At this point, I don't think there is anyone in contention. We all really liked the movie and all of us agreed it was a 4 or 4 1/2. Rol said he thought it was well done and well performed. Knowing the outcome of the 2009 true story didn't matter, as it was riveting down to the end.

Captain Phillips is commanding American cargo ship Maersk Alabama, that needs to round the Somali coastline. Despite waves of pirating in the area, ships still dangerously sail these waters unprotected. The Somali warlords force their frightening bands to go out in rickety boats to target passing ships. Their main goal is to board these boats to obtain money by holding the ship for ransom. Meanwhile, Phillips is getting jittery commanding the Alabama through the dangerous waters around the horn of Africa. Is it premonition or are there signs he and the crew are ignoring?

The gang of pirates, by default, are led by Muse (Barkhad Abdi). Abdi is a scene stealer and does a great job playing the menacing capturer. They make an attempt to catch the ship but Phillips out maneuvers them and gets out of harm's way - for the time being. The Alabama crew attempts to contact the U.S. maritime emergency line and there is no answer. It must have been the government shutdown. Haha. The pirates have to persevere and make another attempt as they cannot come back empty handed or there are dire consequences that await them. Success in boarding the ship the next time around allow you to realize how easy it was for these guys. But quick thinking by Phillips stalls for time in what could have been swift detrimental results. The tense drama and exchanges between him and the invaders leave you on the edge of your seat. The situation unfolds rapidly as the gunmen force Phillips into the enclosed lifeboat with a goal of getting to the Somali coast as fast as they can. After the lifeboat departs, help finally arrives at the Alabama and the American military ship commander attempts to negotiate with the pirates but efforts remain futile. The Navy SEAL team rescue is already set in motion. Patience and perseverance are mandatory for all involved and outsmarting the other becomes key. There are moments though when you almost feel sorry for the pirates, as no escape for their life or death forced cooperation is inevitable. Captain Phillips is an emotional roller coaster until the end. No bathroom breaks or popcorn runs allowed in this one! Go see this as you will see a superior film with a powerful performance by Tom Hanks...maybe his best!

QUIET Rating system: JJJJ

1. Quality: JJJJ

2. Understood story:  JJJJ

3. Interest: JJJJ

4. Entertainment:  JJJj

5. Time:  JJJJ

Enough Said

Enough Said

Rated PG-13 and Released in Grand Rapids 10/4/13

Reviewed 10/10/13 at Celebration North in Grand Rapids, MI

with Lynne

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

This is a delightful film Lynne and I both really liked. We thought it had a good mixture of funny and sweetness, with some serious moments thrown in. Julia Louis-Dreyfus (Eva) is such a witty actress so it's no wonder we laughed quite a bit, but she can "turn on" the somber face too when needed. James Gandolfini (Albert) was a pleasant surprise. It's sad the big teddy bear won't be in any other movies.

Eva is a divorced massage therapist with an independent daughter Ellen (Tracey Fairaway) that is about  to fly the coop and head to college. Eva seems to be taking it harder than her daughter and is trying to embrace it. Her married couple friends, Sarah (Toni Collette) and Will (Ben Falcone), add some humor each time they are in a scene displaying their disdain for each other in their mundane marriage. They take Eva along to a party where she meets Albert. He divulges he also has a daughter that is heading off to school which leads to a common thread between the two. All of this becomes ironic later on in the film. Albert and Eva begin dating and the two are really starting to have affection for each other. All the while, Eva continues on with her business and she is getting close to one of her clients Marianne (Catherine Keener). Their friendship has some unintentional results. Marianne is poison to the relationship of Eva and Albert, and causes Eva to change somewhat without her realizing it. With a  twist, all their lives cross paths, leading to hurt feelings, and the purpose of honesty really hits home. Sometimes it's easy to make mistakes and correct them, while other times it doesn't work out so painless as in this case. Enough Said is not going to blow you away like The Notebook, but it is a charmer. While I do believe gals will appreciate this movie more, I hesitate to classify this as a chick flick. I think it's safe to encourage everyone to go see it and enjoy!

QUIET Rating system: 3 ½ Js

Quality: JJJ

Understood story:  JJJj

Interest: JJJj

Entertainment:  JJJ

Time:  JJJJ