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 This is just a newer version of the same predictable story.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