Q-Tips Reviews

WHIPLASH – Cast: Miles Teller as Andrew Neyman, J.K. Simmons as Terence Fletcher, Melissa Benoist as Nicole, Paul Reiser as Jim, Austin Stowell as Ryan, Nate Lang as Carl

Andrew Neyman is an ambitious young jazz drummer, single-minded in his pursuit to rise to the top of his elite east coast music conservatory. Plagued by the failed writing career of his father, Andrew hungers day and night to become one of the greats. Terence Fletcher, an instructor equally known for his teaching talents as for his terrifying methods, leads the top jazz ensemble in the school. Fletcher discovers Andrew and transfers the aspiring drummer into his band, forever changing the young man’s life. Andrew’s passion to achieve perfection quickly spirals into obsession, as his ruthless teacher continues to push him to the brink of both his ability-and his sanity.

Q-Tips say: Great movie. Mrs. Q says: She thinks the young jazz drummer, Miles Teller should have also been nominated for an Academy Award not just J K Simmons. Strong performances from both.

THE IMITATION GAME – During the winter of 1952, British authorities entered the home of mathematician, cryptanalyst and war hero Alan Turing (Benedict Cumberbatch) to investigate a reported burglary. They instead ended up arresting Turing himself on charges of ‘gross indecency’, an accusation that would lead to his devastating conviction for the criminal offense of homosexuality – little did officials know, they were actually incriminating the pioneer of modern-day computing. Famously leading a motley group of scholars, linguists, chess champions and intelligence officers, he was credited with cracking the so-called unbreakable codes of Germany’s World War II Enigma machine. An intense and haunting portrayal of a brilliant, complicated man, THE IMITATION GAME follows a genius who under nail-biting pressure helped to shorten the war and, in turn, save thousands of lives.

Q-Tips say: A great movie about cracking the unbreakable codes of German’s World War II and the personal lives of the people involved. Detailed account of the process and government difficulties encountered while building a machine that could crack the code. Yes, he was gay but a gay genius. No nudity, bad language, etc. Enjoy, we did!

THE NORMAL HEART – This drama tells the story of the onset of the HIV-AIDS crisis in New York City in the early 1980s, taking an unflinching look at the nation’s sexual politics as gay activists and their allies in the medical community fight to expose the truth about the burgeoning epidemic to a city and nation in denial. Cast: Mark Ruffalo, Matt Bomer, Taylor Kitsch, Jim Parsons, Julia Roberts,
Alfred Molina.

Q-Tips say: A HBO Movie. An interesting graphic movie about HIV-AIDS and the struggle to get government funding in the early days of the disease. Was interesting to see the early struggle and watch as the gay men began to die from the disease, and no help anywhere in sight. WE have come a long way from then. Not for little ones, but older teens to see the struggle depending upon parental guidance.

Mrs. Q says: She is really not a fan of Julia Roberts, but she did a decent job in this movie as the Dr. There is a lot of screaming by the lead character, Ned, and after a while you start to tune him out. But the screaming probably was due to the frustration of not getting any response for help for those afflicted with HIV-AIDS.

The Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (The history of ISIS/ISIL) by Charles River editors

Mrs. Q says: A extremely detailed book about Isis/Isil and their beginning and continued progress. I found it a bit difficult to read but it is full of important information should you want to understand the history and present situation as this group is more capable, dangerous, and more organized than most governments, intelligence agencies and media outlets have long believed possible. What will happen next?

GHOSTS caught on film (photos of the paranormal) by Dr. Melvyn Willin

Mrs. Q says: Enjoyed this book. Interesting reading about every aspect of the paranormal is explored from early images of psychics, mediums and ghostly happenings, to more recent examples of the unexplained and the most famous and argued over ghost photos.

Most are from towns in England, a few from other places as Austria, Chicago, etc.

You can’t help but be drawn into the mystery.

BIG EYES – BIG EYES is based on the true story of Walter Keane (Christoph Waltz), who was one of the most successful painters of the 1950s and early 1960s. The artist earned staggering notoriety by revolutionizing the commercialization and accessibility of popular art with his enigmatic paintings of waifs with big eyes. The truth would eventually be discovered though: Keane’s art was actually not created by him at all, but by his wife, Margaret (Amy Adams). The Keanes, it seemed, had been living a lie that had grown to gigantic proportions. BIG EYES centers on Margaret’s awakening as an artist, the phenomenal success of her paintings, and her tumultuous relationship with her husband, who was catapulted to international fame while taking credit for her work.

Q-TIPS SAY: See it! Based on a true story. Big Eyes has some humor during, of all places, in the courtroom. A tad slow at the beginning but the pace does pick up. Mrs. Q says: See hubby as the controlling, lying, conniving, SOB that he really was. There are many types of abuses, this is just one of many types.

DOGS THAT KNOW WHEN OWNERS ARE COMING HOME (and other unexplained powers of animals)
by Rupert Sheldrake

Mrs. Q says: Is it just that they know the routine or is it something else?
Great book about not just dogs, but cats, birds, horses that even tho the routines change by their masters/owners they have some type of sense that their owners are coming home.

What about when the owner misses their train, or comes home in a cab, or those in the Armed Services who arrive home earlier/later than expected? Are the animal’s senses such as hearing, smell that keen that they hear, smell the owners coming? Or is it some other sense that is involved? This is an excellent book and enjoyable reading, especially for animal lovers. If what you read in this book is true, it puts a whole new perspective on our animal friends.

“The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies,” “The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies” brings to an epic conclusion the adventures of Bilbo Baggins, Thorin Oakenshield and the Company of Dwarves. Having reclaimed their homeland from the Dragon Smaug, the Company has unwittingly unleashed a deadly force into the world. Enraged, Smaug rains his fiery wrath down upon the defenseless men, women and children of Lake-town. Obsessed above all else with his reclaimed treasure, Thorin sacrifices friendship and honor tohoard it as Bilbo’s frantic attempts to make him see reason drive the Hobbit towards a desperate and dangerous choice. But there are even greater dangers ahead. Unseen by any but the Wizard Gandalf, the great enemy Sauron has sent forth legions of Orcs in a stealth attack upon the Lonely Mountain. As darkness converges on their escalating conflict, the races of Dwarves, Elves and Men must decide – unite or be destroyed. Bilbo finds himself fighting for his life and the lives of his friends in the epic Battle of the Five Armies, as the future of Middle-earth hangs in the balance.

Q-Tips say: Long slow moving movie at times. Mrs. Q says: The movie really does not pick up till Bilbo Baggins put on his ring to become invisible. I know you will see it if you are a Tolkien Hobbit fan. Interesting ending for BB. Not for little ones since some fighting scenes are very graffic with heads are cut off and flying everywhere.

Seymour Marine Discovery Center– 100 Shaffer Rd, Santa Cruz, CA 95060, (831)459-3800, seymourcenter.ucsc.edu Hours: Tuesday – Sunday, 10 AM to 5 PM July and August open on Mondays also. Adults $8, Seniors (65 and older) $6, Students (with ID) $6, Child (3-16 years old) $6, 2 and under Free. Plus they offer FREE DAYS but not during April, May, June, July or August.

Q-Tips Say: GREAT Discovery Center for little and big kids. Very Hands on for kids – they offer all types of programs for all ages and levels of education and families. The little ones get a “treasure hunt” map to mark the creatures they find. If they can’t find one, there are young marine students who are eager to explain and assist. If they don’t know the answer, they happily go ask a “seasoned veteran” for the answer. They offer tours for inside and outside the Discovery Center.

Mrs. Q says: Great place to take the kids. Get the “treasure hunt map” and let them have fun learning about marine life, eco system and science.

Mrs. Q asks? Did you know that they mark certain marine life for tracking purposes with “hair dye”. Who would have thought! Go and enjoy, we did.

BOVINE BAKERY 23 Kentucky St., Petaluma, CA 94952, (707) 789-9556, thebovinebakery.com

Q-TIPS SAY: DEEEELICOUS!! Organic, handmade pastries, organic coffee and espresso. Great cookies, Mrs. Q had the oatmeal/raisin/coconut and Mr. Q had the chocolate chip and also Peanut butter. Went back twice and enjoyed our cookies as our dessert after dinner. Others placing their orders said the absolute best cakes,cookies and gluten free baked goods. When back in Petaluma we will be back for our cookies and other baked items at Bovine Bakery.

Mrs. Q says: They offer a 10% discount for those silver tipped hair kids (you know who you are).