Qs Reviews
James Quillinan, known primarily for his expertise in the areas of Estate Planning, Probate, Trusts, Conservatorships and related Litigation is also an avid movie-goer. His reviews started in the Law Office around 1998 when associates and clients began asking him about the movies he had seen. He began sending his reviews by email to a list of friends and movie fans which now has grown to include world-wide distribution.
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Monday, June 17, 2013
Man of Steel. Superman (Henry Cavill) is back again and someone forgot that Superman is supposed to be fun. This is a darker, moody and brooding Superman that obsesses about his past and his role on earth. We get a newish backstory about Superman’s origins on Krypton and a bunch of arch-villains out to get Kal-El (Superman’s real name) and to take over earth. The film has a stellar cast: Russell Crowe, Amy Adams, Michael Shannon, Diane Lane, Kevin Costner, Lawrence Fishburne and many, too many others, who participate in seemingly endless battles as Superman finally finds his mojo and dispatches the omnipotent General Zod in Grand Central Station. The film is tedious, ear hurting loud and way too long. Just when you think it is at its climax and relief is nigh, there is a lot more to come. Rated PG-13 for intense sequences of sci-fi violence, action and destruction, and for some language. Peggy walked out of the film.
Much Ado About Nothing. Shakespeare is alive and well in modern day Santa Monica. The classic comedy of love and marriage is brought to the silver screen with its original Elizabethan script that seems odd at the beginning and then fully appropriate and even desirable as the comedy reaches its crescendo. Leonato, Don Pedro, Don John, Benedick and Claudio all seem quite contemporary. Claudio falls for Leonato's daughter Hero. Benedick verbally spars with Beatrice, Leonato’s niece. The palpating love between Claudio and Hero has them headed to the altar; but Don John, the villain of the play, uses tricks and deception to disrupt the nuptials before they can say, “I do”. Benedick’s and Beatrice’s banter is really their way of expressing love. All of these events erupt in seeming tragedy but quickly become a grand comedy of manners and error. All of the misunderstandings are solved as all ends well and everyone that should be in love is. Rated PG-13 for some sexuality and brief drug use. It is a Peggy’s Pick and loads of fun to listen to the beautiful language.
The Kings of Summer. Three boys in the midst of teenage angst, decide to build a house in the forest and live on their own away from their parents. Joe, Patrick and Biaggio all have their reasons to flee their families. While in the forest they find something special in their relationship. Whether its youthful exuberance, discovering new abilities or foraging for food these boys are having an adventure that will eventually affect them deeply. At times quite funny, at times poignant, sometimes too melodramatic but never dull the film will remind us all of those heady days of discovery. The film’s misstep is when that green-eyed monster, jealousy, is introduced into the summer idyll. In limited release, but seek it out as a great indie flick. Rated R for language and some teen drinking.
