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

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