Water for Elephants

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Plot:  Vet student Jacob (Robert Pattinson) joins the circus after his parents die suddenly. He falls in with circus boss August (Christoph Waltz) and his performer-wife Marlena (Reese Witherspoon). August is under pressure to save the circus from bankruptcy, and he is also brutal and jealous. Water for Elephants becomes a romantic triangle with a depression era circus theme.

Review: Water for Elephants is uneven with a painfully slow introduction. So slow that I was thinking I'd sneak out and watching Ringo.    


After Christoph Waltz got in the story it got better. He has such great intensity. Reese did a nice job. I was not thrilled by Robert Pattinson. The sound track was forgettable.

Director Francis Lawrence needs to get prodded with the bull hook to keep the story movie moving.  He had a couple good moments: he made raising the circus tent at the beginning  seem epic, and he could make Jacob and Marlena kisses and near-kisses so dramatic and evocative. 


Cast: Robert Pattinson, Reese Witherspoon, Christoph Waltz

Directed by: Francis Lawrence, based on the novel by Sara Gruen

Rating: 2.0 stars - a very slow start and a smattering of good performances

More: Animal lovers will like this movie. There are great horse and elephant scenes. Although the animals have hard times, the characters are always trying to help them.

Even more: Who knew that circuses were so violent? How many guys got killed?

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Top Movies of 2010

Now that Oscar season is over and Spring is here; it is time to archive my reviews for 2010.

It was a good movie year. I really liked my top picks Black Swan and The Town. Scott Pilgrim vs the World is one I'd like to buy on Blu-Ray though -- very innovative and fun-to-watch. I need to get Inception too, because it is visually so great -- the beginning is slow.

I also liked Kick-Ass a lot in reflection about it -- I should have given it another half star.

Over rated movies that I don't want to see again are The Social Network and True Grit -- sometimes I get carried away by critical praise. Yeah the acting was good, but sometimes unremarkable movies need to be taken down.

4.0 Black Swan
4.0 The Town
3.5 The Social Network
3.5 The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo
3.5 Scott Pilgrim vs. The World
3.5 Toy Story 3
3.5 The Ghost Writer
3.5- The Kids Are All Right
3.0+ Inception
3.0 True Grit
3.0 Iron Man 2
3.0 Kick-Ass
3.0 Despicable Me
3.0 Alice in Wonderland
3.0 Edge of Darkness
3.0 Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps

Bridesmaids

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Plot: Lillian (Maya Rudolph) is getting married and best-friend Anne (Kristen Wiig) is the maid-of-honor. Annie is jealous of rich, pretty, new friend Helen (Rose Byrne.) Their rivalry starts with toasts, continues enroute to the bachelorette party, and at the shower. Anne gets crazier and crazier, but she makes some new friends, fellow bridesmaid Megan and a cute cop.

Review: Bridesmaids is a very funny movie. The funniest movie so far this year. It is like Mean Girls -- most of the humor is about catty relationships. Kristen Wiig does a great job exaggerating her emotions in these scenes that happen all the time, but not bigger than life as they do in this movie.  Unlike Mean Girls, it is not all sitcom humor, Mean Girls has regular jokes and visual gags too.

The writing is clever, especially since this movie is bridging different genres.  Maya Rudolph does a great job - very engaging and likable; and I usually did not like her on SNL, but she was great here. 


The best two scenes were when Annie, at her jewelry store job, talks customers out of buying engagement rings and friendship necklaces because of her own issues. The second scene with the high school girl is a reason to buy the Blu-Ray.

There is a scene at the engagement party which is cringe-worthy as Annie and Helen embarrass each other giving tributes. Funny and memorable; although embarrassingly hard-to-watch. 


A special note is needed for Melissa McCarthy who plays the heavy butch bridesmaid. She steals every scene she is in, and she has great intensity.

Cast: Kristin Wiig, Maya Rudolph

Directed by: Paul Feig; Written by Kristin Wiig and Anne Mumolo

Rating: 3.5 stars. The rating revolves around two things, first it was fun to watch throughout, and second it had a serious side concerning how friends get along with each other. This movie is not going to get any Oscar nominations, although Kristen Wiig may deserve one.


More: The best thing I want to say about Bridesmaids is that I want to buy the Blu-Ray when it comes out.

Even more: Great shots of Milwaukee


Yet more: Bridesmaids is my highest rated comedy in two years.

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