Ride Along

Ride Along

Rated PG-13 and Released in Grand Rapids 1/17/14

Reviewed 1/23/14 at Celebration North in Grand Rapids, MI

with Gary

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

The very funny comedian Kevin Hart makes this flick worthwhile...almost. He plays meager Ben Barber who is a high school security guard and police academy wannabe. Hart plays opposite Ice Cube who is the serious cop James Payton, that does things his own way. There isn't much smoothness to the chemistry between these two, but that's okay. For the police farce Ride Along can't really be taken too serious.

Ben is dating and living with James Payton's sister Angela (Tika Sumpter). This is where it ends between Ben and James in what they have in common. Dating his sister gives Payton no reason to give boyfriend Ben any respect, even slightly. In spite of this, James devises a plan for Ben to "ride along" with him on patrol for the day. Ben who desires to be "real" law enforcement feels this is his chance. This can give him the edge to get into the academy while earning the respect from his girlfriend's hard-nut-to-crack brother. Let the adventure begin. James has planned ahead though, as throughout the day he has some zany road blocks setting up the pitiful Ben to fail. The plot is not essential to the movie and the ending is oh-so expected. But amongst all the ridiculousness, there is humor flooding from Hart that actually makes this enjoyable. He does idiot well. If you are looking for brainless comical action, then this is for you. But knowing this, not everyone will think this is worthy of a trip to the big screen. I would definitely say this is passable for OnDemand at home.

QUIET Rating system: 2 1/2  Js

Quality: Jj

Understood story:  JJj

Interest: JJJ

Entertainment:  JJJ

Time:  JJJ

Jack Ryan - Shadow Recruit

Jack Ryan - Shadow Recruit

Rated PG-13 and Released in Grand Rapids 1/17/14

Reviewed 1/17/14 at Celebration North in Grand Rapids

with Gary

3 out of 5 Js in QUIET Rating System

This continues the Tom Clancy franchise that has starred three different actors - Alec Baldwin, Harrison Ford, and Ben Affleck. Now we have Chris Pine and it's hard not to adore him. He makes an impressive young Jack Ryan. Gary and I both enjoyed this movie and Gary said this is exactly the type of movie he likes. Kevin Costner is adequate playing the low key role of William Harper, the CIA boss who recruits clever Ryan from a destined mundane desk job to something a little more enticing.

Jack Ryan enlists in the Marines after 9/11 and his helicopter is shot down on a routine mission. He has a long recovery which gives him some physical limitations, but he is receiving good care getting nursed back to health by soon-to-be doctor Cathy Muller (Keira Knightley). Enter Naval Commander William Harper who doubles as a CIA recruiter. He has his eye on Ryan, who is still recuperating at Walter Reed military hospital. Harper is convincing and finally gets Ryan to agree to enter the CIA. It's just a desk job after all, right? Ryan's cover is at a big Wall Street firm fronting as a financial analyst, but his real job is to keep an eye out for money laundering by terrorists. Jumping ahead a few years, he is now engaged and living with Cathy but she does not know of Jack's real occupation. When he discovers some irregularities, he is ordered to go to the source in Russia to uncover secrets.  He goes from desk job to an active field agent in one swoop. It gets thrilling right away for Ryan in his first crack at a field operative whether he likes it or not. Although there's not much creativity in the plot as the story jumps right into it in Russia. With all the usual chases and covert operations this is no Bourne Identity, but it captures the excitement. Jack Ryan - Shadow Recruit is an entertaining flick that gives us much anticipation of Chris Pine as the future Jack Ryan - for at least a few more films.

QUIET Rating system: 3  Js

Quality: JJj

Understood story:  JJj

Interest: JJJj

Entertainment:  JJJj

Time:  JJJ

Her

Her

Rated R and Released in Grand Rapids 1/3/14

Reviewed 1/15/14 at Celebration North in Grand Rapids, MI

with Gary

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

This is a movie I've heard quite a bit about since the Golden Globes and being out a few weeks. The reviews are positive, so when Gary and I went to see this I wasn't sure what to expect. Much of the time "Hollywood" embraces strange and this would fall into that category. There are some films that I rate a 2 or 2 1/2 that are still enjoyable and worth seeing, but this is not the case with Her. Joaquin Phoenix plays Theodore Twombly and I acknowledge he does a fine job, but I just can't get past the premise of this movie.

Theodore is recently divorced and he is having trouble bouncing back, which is cause for his loneliness and isolation. He is good at some wacky video games, which is how he passes his free time. Although an eloquent writer of love letters for his job, this doesn't help in his relationships. He comes across an ad for an Operating System (OS) companion and after not much hesitation he signs up. The OS is named Samantha and she is played by the sexy voice of smartly cast Scarlet Johansson. They get to know each other by communicating through his earpiece. Theodore puts it on and Samantha is instantly there. It gets weirder. He tells everyone he has a girlfriend named Samantha and she is an Operating System. Set in the near future, I guess it's more commonplace because no one blinks an eye. As a matter of fact, he goes on a double date with Samantha and a co-worker Paul (Chris Pratt) and Paul's girlfriend. Theodore has Samantha on loudspeaker so they all enjoy conversing and getting to know each other. I love the very funny Pratt on Parks and Recreation so what little he is on screen, he is the most entertaining and I was hoping for more.

It is unsettling to watch everyone walking around talking with earpieces while looking down with no eye contact or social skills, just communicating with whomever or whatever is on the other end. This could be what's in store for our society and maybe that is what's so alarming. Putting me over the edge though is when Theodore has a "physical" relationship with Samantha the OS.

Meanwhile Theodore is neighbors and friends with Amy (Amy Adams) who breaks up with her husband and then also strikes up a friendship with an OS. They both have this in common, but why don't Amy and Theodore just go out with each other? They're both lonely, so wouldn't that be better? For some reason they stick to what is comfortable, this type of connection. But "all good things must come to an end" and the relationship has run its course. Theodore is in despair because Samantha is "breaking up" with him. He learns that Amy's OS is leaving her too. Apparently they are all shutting down and this isn't really explained well. Or maybe I was losing interest by this point. If there is supposed to be some underlying message in the movie Her, I didn't get it. I am sorry, it is just too bizarre for me.

QUIET Rating system: 1 1/2  Jjs

Quality: JJJ

Understood story:  JJ

Interest: J

Entertainment:  j

Time:  J

Legend of Hercules

Legend of Hercules

Rated PG-13 and Released in Grand Rapids 1/10/14

Reviewed 1/13/14 at Celebration North in Grand Rapids, MI

with Gary

2 out of 5 Js in QUIET Rating System

You can see the highest I rated this is in the Time category, because it is only 99 minutes. Kind of TVish quality, we both thought it adequate enough and not a complete waste of time. The story seems to mimic the story of Samson with a little Gladiator thrown in (lacking in originality), not that we were expecting a showy plot or anything. Kellan Lutz as Hercules is fine to look at, but he was much more suited in the Twilight movies probably because it was supporting and not a lead role.

Hercules is a demi-god (half god/half man), father is Zeus and mother is the queen of Greece, which lends for her husband, the warmonger King Amphitryon (Scott Adkins), to really not care for baby Herc. So no surprise when he grows up, Herc is despised by both his half-brother Iphicles (Liam Garrigan) and King Amphitryon.

It is no secret that Hercules and the beautiful Hebe (Gaia Weiss) are in love spending lots of time frolicking around together. The time has come though, and the vile king and his weak and despicable son Iphicles have had enough of Hercules and plot against him. While their intentions are for him to end up dead, Hercules ends up being sold into slavery with another soldier Sotiris (Liam McIntyre). Meanwhile Hebe is hopeless thinking her love Hercules is dead, and is despondent that she will soon be forced to marry brother Iphicles. Nothing will get in Hercules's way, captive or not, to return to his love Hebe before the loathsome wedding takes place.

The enslaved pair fight others Gladiator style and trick their owner into going back to their homeland Greece. Easily fighting their way to freedom there, Hercules and Sotiris begin stirring things up by terrorizing the evil king and his soldiers. The people of the land are rallying behind Hercules because of the severe oppression they are enduring. The king and his evil counterpart son get wind that Hercules is behind the rebellion. So back and forth, back and forth, on who has the upper hand. They duke it out until the final showdown, but not without sacrifice and sorrow for all, even if you are a demi-god. The fight scenes are fairly exciting and have some of the characteristics of 300 with some of the edgy cinematography. Even though we saw this in 3D, it is still better suited for at-home viewing. Legend of Hercules reminds me of one of those you catch while flipping through channels on a Sunday afternoon. Even though you've picked it up halfway through, you haven't really missed anything.

QUIET Rating system: 2 Js

Quality: Jj

Understood story:  JJ

Interest: JJ

Entertainment:  JJ

Time:  JJJ

Lone Survivor

Lone Survivor

Rated R and Released in Grand Rapids 1/10/14

Reviewed 1/11/14 at Celebration North in Grand Rapids, MI

with Gary

4 out of 5 Js in QUIET Rating System

Just like Jordan Belfort of Wolf of Wall Street, I had the opportunity to hear Marcus Luttrell of Lone Survivor speak a few years ago and subsequently read the book. The movie pretty much follows the book and Luttrell's speech. All were enthralling and this film is definitely a must-see. Gary loved it and thought it was a 4 1/2 -5, while I gave it a 4, though I agree it was close to that caliber.

This is a story of a Navy Seal team sent on a mission in Afghanistan based on the 2007 book of the same name. The title of the film reveals the ending, but does not make it any less exciting. You will be glued to the screen for the entire two hours even though some scenes are hard to watch. Mark Wahlberg was impressive as the low key Marcus Luttrell. Another one of the heroes of this Seal team is Matthew "Axe" Axelson played by Ben Foster, who not only resembles Axe but was brilliant in his portrayal.

Hindsight is 20/20, but one could say that about every aspect of war. If you knew the outcome, decisions would be based likewise. The mission is to infiltrate an Afghan village located in the treacherous mountains near the Pakistan border and kill a high ranking Taliban leader. Piece of cake for four exceptionally trained Navy Seals. They are dropped out of the sky in Pakistan and push their way across the border into Afghanistan. Hunkered down, their precise orders are the target. Rules of engagement is the mission and the mission only.

It's bad luck for the group when they encounter Afghan mountain goat herders. The four have a heated dispute on what to do with them. The choices are:

1. Let the goat herders go, knowing they will race down to the village and release their whereabouts to the Taliban
2. Tie them up and leave them to be found, aware of the fact they could easily die before someone finds them
3. Just kill them and buy the time needed to radio out of the compromised mission 

Choice 2 or 3 is the 20/20 decision that could have saved more lives...maybe. The leader of the Seal team is another brave soldier Sgt. Michael Murphy (Taylor Kitsch) and it's his call, while he sees no other choice but to follow orders. Letting the villagers go doesn't sit well, but no more questions asked they move out quickly. With communication severed to home base by faulty equipment, they have to keep going. It doesn't take any time at all for the now informed Taliban to descend on the mountain to squeeze out the Americans. The enemy has one goal and that is to kill them. The battle that ensues on the mountain is one of the most remarkable war sequences on the big screen. If you are not moved by the courage of these heroes and the code the four adhere to,  then you closed your eyes too much.

They are battered, bloodied, and half dead but still keep going, as if instinctively engrained, undoubtedly from the vigorous training Seals go through to get this far. Very unfortunate, a misguided rescue goes wrong from home base that is costly, adding to the death toll on this operation which makes it go from bad to worse to devastating. Another noteworthy aspect of this film is nearing the conclusion on how Luttrell gets out of Afghanistan. The significance of what happens can make you believe there are good people, even in circumstances like these. Watching what unfolds is truly fascinating. The true story ends with the last scene of the movie (same scene used in the beginning), Marcus Luttrell being hoisted out of the chaos half dead. Excitement from beginning to end, this is worth seeing right now. Even if you have to wince, or turn away now and then, Lone Survivor is one incredible story.

QUIET Rating system: 4 Js

Quality: JJJj

Understood story:  JJJj

Interest: JJJJ

Entertainment:  JJJJ

Time:  JJJJ