Whiplash

Whiplash

Rated R and Released 11/14/14

Reviewed 11/17/14 at Celebration North Theatre

with Gary

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

I never heard of Whiplash until perusing the movie list trying to decide what to see. We saw everything but this one and we almost didn't go (not because of the unknown movie, but the looming blizzard that no one should've been out in). I'm glad the weather didn't hold us back, or we could have missed this gem. Gary and I were both genially surprised. Who would believe a story about a young guy aspiring to be a drummer could be riveting? It's off-beat and low budget, though it didn't come across cheesy as these types of films often do. The acting led by Miles Teller and J.K. Simmons (from the infamous Farmers Insurance commercials) is superb!

Awkward Andrew (Teller) is a first-year music student at a fiercely competitive NYC music school. He has his sights on being chosen for the most prestigious jazz band at school led by the fearsome maestro Terrence Fletcher (Simmons). There are a few descriptives that come to mind when describing Terrence and they are not pleasant.

Meanwhile Andrew's strength pushes him to practice all night and sacrifice relationships, enough to get him into the right spot. Or does it? How far will a teacher push his students? How far will one student in particular LET a teacher push him? This resonates with me and probably many others on different levels on what is right, and the crossroad decisions made to get the desired end result. There are some aggressive editing jumps through a few scenes, but this can easily be overlooked. Go see this quality film and don't be caught off guard by the edgy suspense these two characters put you through.

QUIET Rating system: 3 1/2 Js

Quality: JJJ

Understood story:  JJJ

Interest: JJJJ

Entertainment:  JJJj

Time:  JJJJ

Dumb and Dumber To

Dumb and Dumber To

Rated PG-13 and Released 11/14/14

Reviewed 11/14/14 at Celebration North Theatre

with Gary

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

We don't usually see movies on Friday nights, especially around 7:00 during prime movie time. Consequently we had to share our theatre with hundreds of other movie goers and most heading to see this flick. The name Dumb and Dumber still sticks with this senseless follow-up to the original some 20 years later. But I have to say, in spite of our low expectation, we actually laughed quite a bit. I don't know what this says about the audience, but they applauded when the movie ended.

The ridiculous storyline is trivial, but it basically picks up where the two characters left off. Utter goofy lunacy. After springing Lloyd (Jim Carrey) from his 20 year hospitalization, Harry (Jeff Daniels) divulges that he is in need of a kidney transplant. This jumpstarts their cross-country quest to find Harry's long-lost daughter to see if she would be a suitable donor. The gags and gross-out humor start spewing. A few times it felt embarrassing to be laughing, but luckily all chuckles were drowned out in the jammed theatre. Well I can't say Dumb and Dumber To was the "dumbest" movie ever, because there has been a lot worse. Slapstick haters beware - this one is not for you!

QUIET Rating system: 2 1/2 Js

Quality: J

Understood story:  JJJ

Interest: JJJ

Entertainment:  JJJj

Time:  JJj

Interstellar

Interstellar

Rated PG-13 and Released 11/7/14

Reviewed 11/8/14 at Celebration North Theatre

with Gary

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

After taking a few months off (still seeing movies, just not reviewing), I am back at it! I chose to start with big buzz sci-fi Interstellar and it's a long one at 169 minutes. In spite of the length, Gary and I still thought it kept our interest to the end. It's no Gravity though, as that was jammed with excitement in an hour and a half. This story is much more than a typical science fiction with lots of attention to detail and the focus on the bond between father and daughter. With the sometimes slowish plot, they could have cut out a good half hour and it would have been an improvement. Matthew McConaughey does a fine job playing Cooper but he is really more convincing as the farmer than the astronaut.

The widower Cooper is raising two children (daughter Murph and older brother Tom) in a post-apocalyptic Earth. For some reason the planet is being consumed by dust. The crops are dying out and instead of finding a solution to save the population from starving, scientists believe the answer is not only in outer space but a different solar system altogether.

This sets up some outlandish space travel for Cooper and a couple of other astronauts including Dr. Brand (Anne Hathaway). Cooper's crew decides to "beat" space travel by journeying through a galactic wormhole. One improper decision can cause dire consequences for the voyagers, and everyone back at home, which does make for some excitement.

While they are out exploring the planet options for the survival of mankind, Dr. Brand's father (Michael Caine) remains on Earth at a top secret NASA location mysteriously trying to solve gravity with some heavy duty physics. Yes the improbability is expected over and over, but this is science fiction after all. However without spoiling too much, I wish they would have gone in a different direction with the conclusion. See it for yourself and decide. IMAX is recommended, but realizing you have to carve out about 3+ hours out of your day you might decide it's worth waiting this one out.

QUIET Rating system: 2 1/2 Js

Quality: JJJJ

Understood story:  JJj

Interest: JJJj

Entertainment:  JJj

Time:  J

A Little Break...

I know lots of you have missed my reviews, and I wanted to let you know that I will be back to reviewing movies consistently by the end of November.

In the meantime, I'm enjoying Brandon's last season of soccer

and getting lots of quality time in with Danelle and Aaron's little guy - my first grand baby!

See you all very soon!