Persecuted

Persecuted

Rated PG-13 and Released in Grand Rapids 7/18/14

Reviewed 7/19/14 at Celebration North Theatre

with Brandon

2 out of 5 Js in QUIET Rating System

With a 2 J rating, it may seem that I am not a fan of this film, which is not quite the case. I liked it enough; it just seemed to be very made-for-TV quality. The faith based films of late - Heaven is for Real, God's not Dead and Son of God - have raised the bar so the expectation has been elevated.

John Luther (James Remar) is a big name sincere TV evangelist and while he reaches millions of viewers, his following has piqued the interest of some powerful people. When Luther doesn't play ball with devious Senator Harrison (Bruce Davison) to help get a religious bill passed, he is duly warned of the consequences. Never imagining the extent some crooked leaders will go to, John is the target of some very grave allegations that cause him to go on the lamb and dig for the truth himself. On the run with authorities at every turn looking for him, he seeks out his father who is also a Catholic priest, Dr. Charles Luther. Dr. Luther is superbly played by Fred Thompson so he really adds some quality to the cast.

Very disturbing is the persecution by the government, media and even those close to him that leave John Luther in some pretty dire circumstances. The final showdown unfortunately reminds me of a bad soap opera with the silly acting and outcome. With that being said, it is worthy of a cheapie theatre visit or for home viewing when it's released. Let's hope the attributes of faith based or Christian films picks back up a bit as we want more of these movies made.

QUIET Rating system: 2  Js

Quality: Jj

Understood story:  JJ

Interest: JJj

Entertainment:  JJ

Time:  JJJj

The Purge: Anarchy

The Purge: Anarchy

Rated R and Released in Grand Rapids 7/18/14

Reviewed 7/19/14 at Celebration North Theatre

with Brandon

3 out of 5 Js in QUIET Rating System

Not normally my kind of movie, this was a big surprise - a big surprise! This is an upgrade sequel to the first, although it is just as disturbing. Bran and I both liked this so much better! I only had two pop ups, with one being worthy of a good popcorn loss all over the aisle. I really felt like this was what the audience wanted, although not necessarily me or the clean up crew!

Once a year anything goes for 12 hours. No police, no hospitals or ANY sort of help at all. This weeds out all the "dead weight" so to speak on the system. The government strongly endorses this new way of purging - very legally. This is troubling from any angle, but doesn't take away from the go-to factor. Go see The Purge: Anarchy if you are in for an over-the-top intense film but just HANG on to your popcorn please!

QUIET Rating system: 3  Js

Quality: JJj

Understood story:  JJJ

Interest: JJJ

Entertainment:  JJJ

Time:  JJJJ

Begin Again

Begin Again

Rated R and Released in Grand Rapids 7/11/14

Reviewed 7/15/14 at Celebration North Theatre

with Cindy

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

Who would have known Kiera Knightly (portraying Greta) has a great voice. She stars in this surprisingly sweet lovely film and sings her way through it smartly! it is billed as a comedy but it is a drama with some comedy, which is fine but good to know. Cindy and I both adored this movie.

Adam Levine (Dave) as her BF and special appearance by Cee Lo Green add to the appeal. Loved every second they were on screen except when Levine sported a beard. Yucko!

Rocker, crooner Dave comes to fame just as the lovebirds' hits come to fruition, but that of course has negative repercussions on their relationship. Then as his fame "hits" so does their relationship. Hits the rocks, that is. A drunken ex-music exec Dan (Mark Ruffelo) discovers Greta strumming along in a bar and the rest is history. All over NYC they record the alternative Greta's music with her makeshift band. A HIT - at least with the movie audience. This is an endearing story that I promise will leave you feeling schmaltzy. If you DON'T see this in the theatre, then no promises!

QUIET Rating system: 3 1/2  Js

Quality: JJj

Understood story:  JJJJ

Interest: JJJj

Entertainment:  JJJj

Time:  JJJJ

Dawn of the Planet of the Apes

Dawn of the Planet of the Apes

Rated PG-13 and Released in Grand Rapids 7/11/14

Reviewed 7/12/14 at Celebration North Theatre

with Jerry

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

The previous installment of Planet of the Apes was about three years ago, so if you do not recall much, never fear! The writers do an adequate job with the backstory right off the bat. It's a bummer there's no James Franco this time, but the lead Jason Clarke as Malcolm does a good job. But the real star in this one is Caesar, resilient leader of the apes.

This is set in the San Fransisco area 10 years after the last film took place. A viral epidemic has killed off millions of people and with all the chaos that erupts, Earth has been set back 100 years. There is no power, food shortages, and pandemonium widespread. Contrary, the apes are living the high life (by their standards) in a nice woodsy setting with plenty of food and shelter to go around. They are led by Caesar, one of many escaped apes that was part of horrific lab experiments. As we learned in the last film, this has caused the animals to be able to communicate and adapt far surpassing the typical. A clash of humans and beasts ensue when their paths cross as mankind needs what the apes have - resources. This leads to war, traitors, and alliances. Lots of battles keep the audience engaged, especially in the latter half of the movie. The movie concludes with turmoil still waging, leaving it wide open for the next film. There have been many so-so versions since the unforgettable 1968 original with Charlton Heston. Be patient through the initial scenes with apes signing and subtitles to decipher. It picks up the pace to be an entertaining version and for sure good enough to see now or down the road.

QUIET Rating system: 2 1/2  Js

Quality: JJj

Understood story:  JJj

Interest: JJJ

Entertainment:  JJJ

Time:  JJ

Jersey Boys

Jersey Boys

Rated R and Released in Grand Rapids 6/20/14

Reviewed 7/7/14 at Celebration North Theatre

with Gary

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

This story begins in 1959 with four young boys from a rough and tough area of New Jersey coming together to form the rock band The Four Seasons. This is unlike the Broadway show where it is more singing than dialogue, but the film has plenty of singing which makes it so much fun. It's a fascinating account of the rise and very rocky road of this group, which seems commonplace amongst many bands. The film is a little lengthy but we were so captivated that neither one of us wanted to get up. We were afraid of missing something!

The innocent underage teen Frankie Valli (John Lloyd Young) is taken under the wing and protection of older and no-stranger-to-the-law Tommy DeVito (Vincent Piazza). Tommy mixes with gangsters, but one nice guy mobster Gyp DeCarlo (Christopher Walkin) recognizes what Tommy sees -  the voice and talent of Frankie. As a result Tommy, who has good intentions, brings on Frankie in his struggling band.

When the fourth member - gifted Bob Gaudio (Erich Bergen) - strikes a deal to write and sing with them, they get closer to making their big break. They become a 1960s sensation with smash hits, but they are all on one big roller coaster. Money struggles become a huge issue as Tommy (who can't break  away from his seedy connections) keeps dipping into the community money to stay above water. The hero in the story is most definitely Frankie as he becomes the savior to Tommy. It's a fascinating conclusion as the film fast forwards to 1980 when the group is inducted into the Rock n Roll Hall of Fame and they join up again after many years of being apart.

Jersey Boys doesn't necessarily capture the songs and music quite like the Broadway musical version, but I think Clint Eastwood does a fine job directing this. Gary and I left feeling as though we really saw an enjoyable film!

QUIET Rating system: 3 1/2  Js

Quality: JJJj

Understood story:  JJJ

Interest: JJJj

Entertainment:  JJJJ

Time:  JJj

Tammy

Tammy

Rated R and Released in Grand Rapids 7/2/14

Reviewed 7/2/14 at Celebration North Theatre

with Anette

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

Since I liked Bridesmaids and The Heat so much, both due to the hilarious Melissa McCarthy, I couldn't wait to see this. Tammy is a comical movie throughout and we laughed a lot, but I really didn't embrace the mixing in of the love story with McCarthy's "rough around the edges" usual character type. Both Kathy Bates and Dan Aykroyd have small parts that are a pleasant surprise. McCarthy's  husband Ben Falone (who co-wrote, directed and played a small role in the film), should stick with what works with McCarthy.

Tammy (McCarthy) is having a bad day, beginning with wrecking her car. She then loses her job, and the topper - finds her husband cheating. She wants to get out of town to run from it all, which she has a habit of wanting to do too often. A couple houses down is her sassy, hard-drinking grandmother Pearl (Susan Sarandon).

Grandma bribes Tammy with cash to go on a road trip to get out of the house from her family. It doesn't take Tammy long to think about it and they set off on a combative road trip. Foolish and ill-judged adventures along the way seem to be their theme. The pair connects with a father/son combo that leads to a little romance for both. Doldrums on that part of the story, but thankfully it was not the focus of the movie. Grandma and Tammy eventually circle back to where they started after learning some life lessons the hard way. McCarthy's lines will make you laugh and it may seem like much of the same. Nonetheless that's okay...that is what audiences like from her...and that is what they want to see.

QUIET Rating system: 2 1/2  Js

Quality: JJ

Understood story:  JJ

Interest: JJj

Entertainment:  JJJ

Time:  JJJJ

Transformers: Age of Extinction

Transformers: Age of Extinction

Rated PG-13 and Released in Grand Rapids 7/3/14

Reviewed 7/3/14 at Celebration North Theatre

with Gary and Anette

3 out of 5 Js in QUIET Rating System

Mark Wahlberg stars, and is well cast as Cade Yeager, in this latest installment of the Transformers franchise. This is the first of a new trilogy that picks up sometime after the third one ended, with Yeager uncovering one of the autobots by mistake.

Country guy/inventor Cade and his daughter Tessa Yeager (Nicole Peltz) along with her boyfriend Shane (Jack Reyner) were the primary heroes. The biggest mistake of this was making the film 165 minutes - way too long. Other than that, we all thought it was full of all the typical yet very thrilling action.

Cade brings home another piece of junk for his science technology barn lab. His truck turns out to not be the rust bucket he thought, but is actually Optimus Prime - the worshipped leader of the auotobots. The government has turned on the once metal friends and they are hunting them down. Humans and Transformers were once side by side but things have quickly turned, primarily due to being misled by super villain Harold Atinger (Kelsey Grammer). The story gets a little muddled during some of the battles because it is sometimes hard to tell which side everyone is on. Transformers: Age of Distinction is an action packed movie and if you can sit through the lengthy flick you will certainly feel like you got your money's worth.

QUIET Rating system: 3  Js

Quality: JJJj

Understood story:  JJj

Interest: JJJj

Entertainment:  JJJj

Time:  Jj

The Fault in our Stars

The Fault in our Stars

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

Reviewed 7/1/14 at Celebration North Theatre

with Anette

3 out of 5 Js in QUIET Rating System

I did not read the book prior to seeing this but heard plenty about it, so I started crying practically before it even started. There really wasn't any reason to, but it was that "pre-knowledge" of what's to come. The theatre was filled with all females and that came as no surprise. Guys might disagree with me on this, but I would say this is not just a chick flick.

Hazel Grace (Shalene Woodley) and Gus Waters (Angel Elgort) are teenagers that are sadly afflicted with different forms of cancer. This is miserable for sure, but in spite of this the writers do a good job at making this film charming and even witty. The pair meets up at a support group for teenagers that Hazel's mom (Laura Dern) forces her to attend. It changes her life as Hazel meets her soul mate Gus. They are adorable together and it is hard to believe that they are supposed to be high school age, but their life circumstances make them seem more mature. One criticism is when they go on an international quest to Amsterdam. It is a disturbing visit which the creators make an attempt to later tie in an explanation, but the scenes just seemed to be missing some vital information. Maybe it's in the book? While knowing you need some tissues, don't be scared away at seeing The Fault in Our Stars. It is well worth it.

QUIET Rating system: 3  Js

Quality: JJJ

Understood story:  JJj

Interest: JJJj

Entertainment:  JJJ

Time:  JJ

Chef

Chef

Rated R and Released in Grand Rapids 6/20/14

Reviewed 6/30/14 at Celebration North Theatre

with Anette

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

If you are hungry this movie will only torture you. A lovely display of food throughout will make you sprint to the nearest restaurant after the popcorn gorge, if that wasn't bad enough. Anette and I both were caught off guard on how much we really loved this feel-good comedy. The cast was perfect with Jon Favreau playing hard-working but mouthy Chef Carl Casper. Robert Downy Jr. as Marvin, another ex-husband of Sofia Vergara (Inez), could have stolen the show if allowed more time with his tiny, but hilarious part.

Chef Carl Casper was not the perfect husband to Inez or the best father to cutie son Percy. A change in direction on his career allows Carl to hit the road with Percy and assistant chef Martin (John Leguizamo). They acquire an old beat up truck from Marvin to start their own mobile food truck featuring Cuban sandwiches. Little Percy gives us all some humorous lessons on the importance of how to use social media for promotion which dad Carl missed the boat on earlier. The trio's cross country road trip is adorable and makes this down to earth movie well worth it. My only advice before seeing Chef...eat a sandwich!

QUIET Rating system: 3 1/2  Js

Quality: JJJ

Understood story:  JJJj

Interest: JJJj

Entertainment:  JJJj

Time:  JJJ