Exodus: Gods and Kings

Exodus: Gods and Kings

Rated PG-13 and Released 12/17/14

Reviewed 12/17/14 at Celebration North Theatre

with Gary

3 out of 5 Js in QUIET Rating System

If you are looking for the biblical account of Moses then you will be disappointed with this film. Christian Bale is a great actor and does a fine job playing Moses. He even reminded Gary of Charlton Heston at times from the 1950s TV movie, Ten Commandments.

Moses is raised as Egyptian royalty by Pharaoh's sister. He and Ramses (Joel Edgerton) grow up together as brothers and despite Ramses being Pharaoh's son, it is Moses who finds favor. Meanwhile the Hebrew people have been brutally enslaved by the Egyptians for 400 years laboring endlessly. After the beloved Pharaoh dies, the arrogant Ramses begins his regime. The new Pharaoh is soon confronted with the discovery on his "brother" after the truth about his birth is revealed. Moses is banished and he ends up wandering the desert, finds a wife, and starts a family. God seeks Moses out, although very strangely in this movie. He converses with Moses about leading the Hebrew people. Plagues have been disposed on Egypt in such a way to to convince Pharaoh to let "His" people go.

The crossing of the Red Sea by the Hebrews, with the Egyptians in hot pursuit, is my favorite scene. That being said, there are some bizarre ways the film's creators explain away some aspects of the story. Exodus doesn't follow its namesake per se but neither does the TV epic Ten Commandments that we know and love. Plan on an entertaining film and know that it is all Hollywood through and through!

QUIET Rating system: 3 Js

Quality: JJJ

Understood story:  JJJ

Interest: JJJj

Entertainment:  JJJ

Time:  Jj

Hobbit 3: The Battle of Five Armies

Hobbit 3: The Battle of Five Armies

Rated PG-13 and Released 12/17/14

Reviewed 12/17/14 at Celebration North Theatre

with Gary

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

It isn't so much that I didn't like this film, I think part of the problem I have with this one is the lapses in the three different parts of the movie trilogy. Looking to Gary during the film only got me shrugs, so no help there. It would have been better for us to see this with someone that could help fill in the gaps. Though we enjoyed this one, we thought #2 was more exciting. That was our favorite of the three.

Thorin and his team of dwarves have created a safe haven in the cave of treasure after the dragon Smaug leaves from guarding it to get his revenge on the town below. Bilbo the Hobbit and the rest of the heroes (mix of elves, wizards, and villagers) must abandon their desire to battle each other to team up to fight off the legions of Orcs sent by the evil Sauron. This 3rd installment concludes the story that is based on the book The Hobbit. Long at 2 1/2 hours, as were the other two, they really stretched this one out and it somewhat diminishes the story. They could have kept it to one or two parts, but it certainly wouldn't be much of a money maker, would it?

QUIET Rating system: 2 1/2 Js

Quality: JJJj

Understood story:  JJ

Interest: JJJ

Entertainment:  JJJ

Time:  Jj

The Good Lie

The Good Lie

Rated PG-13 and Limited Release in Grand Rapids 12/5/14

Reviewed 12/7/14 at Celebration Woodland Theatre
with Gary

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

Gary admits he wasn't overly excited about going to see this film. It just didn't appeal to him right off the bat. But being the trooper that he is, he settled in. Afterwards, as I am drying my wet face, he said "powerful"! I was planning on being inspired and getting into it and I was not disappointed by the tug-at-your-heartstrings story based on the "Lost Boys of Sudan". Reese Witherspoon was adorable playing strumpet Carrie Davis, the not-so-welcoming committee for the endearing refugees.

The Sudanese "siblings" are amongst the civil war having their home ravaged while their family is gunned down and killed before their eyes. The young group is now on their own along with thousands, if not millions, of other children. For the thousand plus mile trek across Africa to get to somewhere that will have them, they must eat and drink the unthinkable for life preservation. It is really unfathomable the circumstances they find themselves in. Eventually the tight group makes their way to Kenya but with high costs to get there. Endless children refugees are pouring into these camps near the Kenya borders, not for days or weeks, but for years!

There is a window of opportunity in our history, when our country had programs in place that allows placement of a very select few of the Sudanese to journey to America. Naivety kicks in, as I can't help but feel that if they can overcome such personal tragedy with life-threatening physical and mental roadblocks then the modernization transformation should be a breeze, right? Not so - as you will see in their very inspiring story. The transformation everyone encounters by the influence of these young men is moving and compelling. Believe in The Good Lie and see this with a pocket full of Kleenex and you will make it through!

QUIET Rating system: 3 1/2 Js

Quality: JJJ

Understood story:  JJJ

Interest: JJJJ

Entertainment:  JJJj

Time:  JJJj

The Theory of Everything

The Theory of Everything 

Rated PG-13 and Released in Grand Rapids 11/28/14

Reviewed 12/1/14 at Celebration North Theatre

with Gary

3 out of 5 Js in QUIET Rating System

Just because I liked this movie doesn't mean I agree with subject Steven Hawking and his views. This is an interesting story of an extremely intelligent man. In the early 60s while in college, Hawking had devastating news when he was told he had Lou Gehrig's disease. The doctor conveyed he had two years to live, which is not much different than a diagnosis today. Defying the odds, Hawking is still living in 2014 at the age of 73. Amazing story! Eddie Redmayne gave an Oscar winning performance playing Hawking. Felicity Jones is impressive portraying patient girlfriend and wife Jane.

Steven Hawking had a lot going for him with his intelligence and attending the esteemed Cambridge University. Then slammed with the diagnosis of his terminal illness, he - with the help of a great support system - kept living. Using his mind without the use of his body, he went on to become one of the most famous physicists of our time. The Theory of Everything is a well done movie that is inspiring to the max. While I don't agree with his views on God and evolution, I can't help but think what someone like this could do if he did believe in God as the Creator!

QUIET Rating system: 3 Js

Quality: JJJj

Understood story:  JJJ

Interest: JJJ

Entertainment:  JJj

Time:  JJj

Horrible Bosses 2 - Mini Review

Horrible Bosses 2

Rated R and Released in Grand Rapids 11/25/14

Reviewed 11/25/14 at Celebration North Theatre

with Gary

2 out of 5 Js in QUIET Rating System

The people that thought this film was the funniest were the cast themselves. Stay for the outtakes and you will see what I mean. They cracked themselves up. Relying on raunchy humor to carry them through, the trio is back to put up a fight in this sequel. They - Jason Bateman, Jason Sudeikis and Charlie Day - are all very funny actors; they just need the right movie. When Jennifer Aniston talks, plug your ears. We were amused at some ridiculousness but it was the put-a-bag-over-your-head-while-you-laugh kind. This one is not meant to see with the family.

QUIET Rating system: 2 Js

Quality: J

Understood story:  JJ

Interest: JJj

Entertainment:  JJj

Time:  JJJj

Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 1

Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 1

Rated PG-13 and Released in Grand Rapids 11/21/14

Reviewed 11/21/14 at Celebration North Theatre

with Gary and Denny

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

I loved the originality of the first Hunger Games; Number 2, Catching Fire had improved greatly in the quality. The first of this 3-part series of the 3rd installment was somewhat of a disappointment. I felt like it was just the big setup for the second part. I think the next one will have all the action because the first part of the book was kind of a snoozer. The verdict...they should have made ONE movie out of this third part.

Toughest teen ever Katniss Everdeen (Jennifer Lawrence) awakes after her rescue from the powerful Capital. Her home District 12 has been leveled by the Capital and now District 13 is her new mundane underground home. She is being pressured at every turn to decide if she really wants to be the Mockingjay, a symbol which represents the liberator of the world. Plutarch (Philip Seymour Hoffman) is trying to convince District 13 leader President Colin (Julianne Moore) that she is not the "one", she is definitely the ONLY one!

Meanwhile back at the Capital, her love Peeta (Josh Hutcherson) whom she has grown to love from her time being teamed up with in the Hunger Games, has been left behind and according to the broadcast airing, he is brainwashed by the leader of the dominating Capital, President Snow (Donald Sutherland). He is a tool to promote the ill propaganda that the Capital wants to use to squelch the rising anarchists of the Districts. There just isn't much progress in the story to make it a must-see-now. While that being said, you have to see it eventually before moving on to Part 2.

QUIET Rating system: 2 1/2 Js

Quality: JJj

Understood story:  JJJ

Interest: JJj

Entertainment:  JJ

Time:  JJJ