The Giver

The Giver

Rated PG-13 and Released in Grand Rapids 8/8/14

Reviewed 8/18/14 at Celebration North Theatre

with Gary

3 out of 5 Js in QUIET Rating System

The Giver reminds me of another book-based movie Divergent, which I really loved. In this film everyone is living in a futuristic near-perfect world, where freedom and choices are removed. Your career is chosen for you based on what the elders choose and no one questions any of this. No crime, no lying, no feelings - everything is manufactured for the good of the people. Meryl Streep does a fine job playing Chief Elder. Her role is not quite Oscar contention, but still worthy of her.

Chief Elder wants to keep life and existence status quo. The Giver (Jeff Bridges) who is given the task of passing down the memories to one person, is secretly very radical. Twelve-year-old Jonas (Brenton Thwaites) has been chose to receive the memories. He, like The Giver, feels there is more out there and oppressing the vital information from the rest of society is a big misfortune. But breaking free is more difficult than either can handle on their own. This is an interesting but somewhat odd movie that is not as exciting as Divergent, but it has a haunting edge to it that certainly makes you think about what is taking place.

QUIET Rating system: 3 Js

Quality: JJj

Understood story:  JJj

Interest: JJJ

Entertainment:  JJj

Time:  JJJj

Expendables 3

Expendables 3

Rated PG-13 and Released in Grand Rapids 8/15/14

Reviewed 8/18/14 at Celebration North Theatre

with Gary

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

Sylvester Stallone is back as Barney Ross in Expendables 3. This is just a newer version of the same predictable story. But the story doesn't really matter in this action-packed guys movie. Stallone, who I deem as the worst actor ever, is in a tight race with Arnold Schwarzenegger for the title. Thank goodness for Arnold's small role. Although I wouldn't go so far as to say "don't see this ever" because we weren't bored. While Harrison Ford and Mel Gibson add the much-needed quality to the credentials it is not necessarily enough to save this flick. Antonio Banderas as Gaglo is a pleasant surprise in his very comedic role.

Barney (Stallone) and Christmas (Jason Statham) are the leaders of this secret crew of government hired operatives. They, with their small force, are always outnumbered 100 to 1 but that doesn't slow them down. Recruiting younger savvy individuals brings the tech world and recklessness teaming up with old school brute force to fight against the very personal enemy Stonebanks (Gibson). The "usual" is sometimes comforting, so if you are in the mood for silly and ridiculous, plus against all odds shoot 'em up non-stop action...this one is for you.

QUIET Rating system: 1 1/2 Js

Quality: J

Understood story:  JJ

Interest: JJ

Entertainment:  JJ

Time:  Jj

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles - Mini Review

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles

Rated PG-13 and Released in Grand Rapids 8/15/14

Reviewed 8/17/14 at Celebration North Theatre

with Gary and Leigh

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

This action fantasy is an adequate remake of the 90s series. Megan Fox as TV reporter April O'Neil sure looks good,

but a big thumbs down on the acting. Sorry! I am guessing most that will actually like this movie are under the age of 10 and they probably won't care what April looks like. The city of New York is not necessarily looking for vigilantes, but they have them with the turtle mutant foursome that look like puffed up dolls with creepy faces. They karate chop their way around Manhattan foiling plans of the evil Shredder. Maybe I am being a bit harsh (as it's not the worst film of the year), but if you are really desperate go see it now. Instead this could be saved for a Sunday afternoon where you catch parts of it in between flipping TV stations. So in 10 years you piecemeal all your viewings, finally completing the whole movie and that's just fine.

QUIET Rating system: 1 1/2 Js

Quality: J

Understood story:  JJ

Interest: Jj

Entertainment:  Jj

Time:  JJ

The Hundred Foot Journey - Mini Review

The Hundred Foot Journey

Rated PG and Released in Grand Rapids 8/8/14

Reviewed 8/14/14 at Celebration North Theatre

with Gary

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

The Hundred Foot Journey stars Helen Mirren who superbly portrays a snooty restauranteur Madame Mallory. In a quaint village in the South of France a renowned Michelin star restaurant is the only "show" in town. That is until the Hassan family, straight from India,  erupts into the village. They were just passing through but patriarch of the family Papa has a brilliant idea of staying put and starting an eatery across the street from Madame Mallory's famed establishment. He has every intention, with the help of his talented cooking family, of competing with their specialty cooking and distinctive Indian spices. The relationship between the neighbors is initially explosive but slowly evolves into something unique. The exchanges with the village mayor with both sides trying to win him over are silly and witty. Mirren is her usual poised quality self but she has some competition in the scene stealers from the many unknown actors. This is a sweet combination of humor, romance and drama that make this adorable film a favorite of ours - especially of late.

QUIET Rating system: 3 1/2 Js

Quality: JJJj

Understood story:  JJJJ

Interest: JJJj

Entertainment:  JJJj

Time:  JJJ

Into the Storm - Mini Review

Into the Storm

Rated PG-13 and Released in Grand Rapids 8/8/14

Reviewed 8/13/14 at Celebration North Theatre

with Gary

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

Twister with a documentary "twist" best describes this action film. We thought it was entertaining with great special effects, but the acting and storyline could use a little help. A couple of high school students along a group of storm chasers documenting the aftermath of disastrous tornados are not deterred by the mayhem. Worsening conditions don't slow down the chasers from pursuing the big one. It only fuels their fire. This is worth seeing now, or a perfect one for OnDemand.

QUIET Rating system: 2  1/2 Js

Quality: JJ

Understood story:  JJj

Interest: JJj

Entertainment:  JJj

Time:  JJJ

Guardians of the Galaxy

Guardians of the Galaxy

Rated PG-13 and Released in Grand Rapids 7/31/14

Reviewed 8/1/14 at Celebration North Theatre - 3D IMAX

with Gary and Brandon

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

Seeing the trailer for this sci-fi comedy, I expected this to be kind of juvenile. It was, but we were all genuinely surprised at how much we liked it. Even though Gary and Brandon thought it was closer to a 4, this is my favorite movie of the summer. Chris Pratt (Star-Lord) was super funny and he was simply meant for this part. Sure the plot was jumpy and wasn't clear at times, but it doesn't matter as it is filled with laughs throughout. This is probably worth seeing in the IMAX, but I'm not sure if 3D made that much of a difference.

Junkyard robber Peter Quill, aka Star-Lord, finds himself the object of a manhunt after stealing a mysterious orb. What is somewhat befuddled are the reasons behind small child Peter being stolen away from Earth. This leaves some gaps in the story. Maybe that will all be explained away in the next one, and rest assured there will be another. The now immature adult Star-Lord teams up with a hilarious band of misfits, most notably Groot (Vin Diesel) a talking tree, and Rocket (Bradley Cooper) the sassy raccoon. This group has a race around the galaxy fighting off the villains to get the precious orb into the right hands. A little Star Wars flare mixed with some Raiders of the Lost Ark, and you get Guardians of the Galaxy - a delightful, senseless movie. We loved every minute of it!

QUIET Rating system: 3 1/2 Js

Quality: JJJ

Understood story:  JJJj

Interest: JJJj

Entertainment:  JJJJ

Time:  JJJ

Get On Up - Mini Review

Get On Up

Rated PG-13 and Released in Grand Rapids 8/1/14

Reviewed 8/2/14 at Celebration North Theatre

2 1/2 out of 5 Js in QUIET R

Get On Up does a fine job capturing the journey and story of The Godfather of Soul, singer James Brown (Chadwick Boseman). Although at 2 hours and 18 minutes, it's about a half hour too long. You get the sense from Brown's very turbulent violent upbringing that he was the product of his environment. He was easy to despise at times. He didn't treat those around him with much respect, even those very loyal. He had three to four wives (fourth was controversial and wasn't legitimized) which produced many children, but boy could he pump out the songs. I feel like the film just skimmed the surface of his turbulent life beginning in the 1930s, but I already thought it was lengthy so Im not complaining. Quality acting through and through, this biopic is not going to appeal to everyone. But this movie has a lot of toe tapping songs everyone knows, so it's good enough to see.

QUIET Rating system: 2  1/2 Js

Quality: JJJ

Understood story:  JJj

Interest: JJj

Entertainment:  JJ

Time:  J

Wish I Was Here - Mini Review

Wish I Was Here

Rated R and Released in Grand Rapids 8/1/14

Reviewed 8/1/14 at Celebration North Theatre

2 out of 5 Js in QUIET Rating System

Billed as a comedy, like many flicks we find out it's really drama with some comedy. Dramedy should be a legit category and this would fall into that. Aidan Bloom (Zach Braff) is examining his life after pursuing his lifelong dream of an acting career. His wife Sarah Bloom (Kate Hudson) carries the family financially in the job she hates. Because of fiscal reasons, they have to pull their two kids from Jewish private school. Instead of public school, Aidan is going to give a shot at homeschooling. Why not? Humorous exchanges with his trailer living gamer brother and his dying Jewish father lend for some laugh out loud moments. With that being said, this is most assuredly a renter when it hits OnDemand which will probably be sooner than later.

QUIET Rating system: 2 Js

Quality: JJ

Understood story:  JJJ

Interest: JJj

Entertainment:  JJ

Time:  JJ

A Most Wanted Man

A Most Wanted Man

Rated R and Released in Grand Rapids 7/25/14

Reviewed 8/1/14 at Celebration North Theatre

3 out of 5 Js in QUIET Rating System

This is the late Phillip Seymour Hoffman's (Gunther Bachman) last movie and what an amazing actor he was! His films were always a little offbeat or not mainstream, but he always stood out in them and this is no different. This modern day spy film takes place in Germany but it has an older film feel to it. This makes for a bit slowish movie. This is no Mission Impossible with all the stunts and super spy excitement, but it is worth seeing at some point.

A tortured Russian man, and possibly terrorist, is seeking asylum in Germany. No one wants to give it to him except human rights lawyer Annabel Richter (Rachel McAdams). There are deals to be struck with alliances that have to be trusted, to accomplish what all the vested parties want. Gunther, the German police, and Americans all want different outcomes, so either everyone gets what they want or no one gets anything! It is not anywhere in between.

QUIET Rating system: 3  Js

Quality: JJJj

Understood story:  JJj

Interest: JJJj

Entertainment:  JJj

Time:  JJj

Hercules - Mini Review

Hercules

Rated R and Released in Grand Rapids 7/25/14

Reviewed 7/29/14 at Celebration North Theatre

with Gary

2 out of 5 Js in QUIET Rating System

This movie is meant for The Rock who plays the demi-god Hercules. This has a made-for-TV quality but still we enjoyed the action packed drama to the end. This story has the usual tyranny, kings and double crosses that lead the Samson-like Hercules battling his way out of situations with a sword or whatever weapon is closest. Knowing that this is not extremely original, you will not be let down watching the hero that we expect.

QUIET Rating system: 2  Js

Quality: Jj

Understood story:  JJ

Interest: JJ

Entertainment:  JJ

Time:  JJJj

And So it Goes - Mini Review

And So it Goes

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

Reviewed 7/28/14 at Celebration North Theatre

with Cindy

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

Michael Douglas plays aging Oren Little, a self-centered realtor that is a SOB to everyone. Kind of sounds like Michael is playing himself. His neighbor is nicey nice Leah (Diane Keaton) and she tries over and over again to soften him up. But it takes his granddaughter that he has never met to do the trick. 94 minutes was about right for this film and it actually reminded me and Cindy of the Jack Nicholson/Diane Keaton Something's Gotta Give. We liked And So it Goes, but felt it was cute yet predictable to the end.

QUIET Rating system: 2  1/2 Js

Quality: JJ

Understood story:  JJJ

Interest: JJ

Entertainment:  JJ

Time:  JJJJ

Lucy - Mini Review

Lucy

Rated R and Released in Grand Rapids 7/25/14

Reviewed 7/28/14 at Celebration North Theatre

with Gary and Bran

3 out of 5 Js in QUIET Rating System

Scarlet Johansson kicks butt as Lucy. A woman caught up in the dark world of drug dealing, it seems there is no way out for Lucy. But then there is the brain capacity factor of Lucy that she uses better than the other poor souls. This flick was very entertaining, especially for the first half. Although it got a little weird towards the end, it's well worth the weirdness.

QUIET Rating system: 3  Js

Quality: JJj

Understood story:  JJj

Interest: JJj

Entertainment:  JJJ

Time:  JJJJ