Water for Elephants (2011)

When it’s over, what I most remember about this film was the costumes, the sets, and the spectacle of a traveling circus during the 1930’s.  All these elements really set the mood and tone of this story about a young man who becomes homeless and penniless and by fate, ends up taking a job as a veterinarian in a traveling circus.  I was hesitant about Actor Robert Pattinson playing the lead role since everything synonymous to his name is associated with the Twilight franchise, but I was surprised and impressed by his portrayal of Jacob Jankowski, the narrator in Water for Elephants.  Actors Christoph Waltz (August) and Reese Witherspoon (Marlena) completed the romantic triangle.  However, I was slightly disappointed with Witherspoon, not that her acting wasn’t good, but more that she was miss-casted alongside Pattinson.  I think a younger actress would have fit the role better, since the book described Marlena to be relatively young.   I saw this film as a coming-of-age story about a young man who became a real man, and what sets this story apart from other films was really the backdrop.  Since coming-of-age stories are so common in films, having it take place on a train as the circus traveled from one city to another was rather interesting to watch.  I liked the way the film showed how animals were treated, how the performers and workers lived, and how the whole troupe was considered a “family.”  Lastly, I can’t forget to mention Rosie, the elephant.  She served to play an important role in the film, and without her character, the film wouldn't have come together.


My rating: 3.5 out of 5

Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol (2011)

When it’s over, Tom Cruise looks in top form returning as secret agent, Ethan Hunt.  In this fourth installment, the tensions between the US and Russia are high, and when the Kremlin is bombed, the IMF is implicated leaving the US President no choice but to declare Ghost Protocol leaving Hunt and his team unaided.  The team goes rogue and must continue their mission to stop a terrorist from using nuclear weapons against the US.  Joining the team are Jeremy Renner as William Brandt and Paula Patton as Jane Carter, both delivering solid performances.  Simon Pegg returns as Benji, the computer wizard who has been promoted from desk job to field officer.  Benji adds just the right amount of humor and comic relief to make MI – GP from drowning itself in too much action.  This film was non-stop from beginning to end with just enough breathing space to get the story told as the plot hopped from one continent to another.   The stunts were impressive especially the chase scene in the sand storm in Dubai and the car factory extravaganza in Mumbai.  These lengthy scenes were very well choreographed and thought out.  I can’t recall the last time I saw stunts that expertly put together.  And of course, no spy film would be complete without the gadgets, and this film had a slew of cool stuff that sets the bar for future spy thrillers.   


My rating: 4 out of 5

 

War Horse (2011)

When it’s over, the horse is the true star of the show.  Director Steven Spielberg does a wonderful job at telling the story from the perspective of Joey, the horse that goes from the ploughing fields to the battlefields of WWI.  Sold into the army and separated from his owner, Joey sees and learns the hardships, devastation, and brutality of war on his fellow horses as well as on the humans that ride them.  I found this change in perspective captivating and refreshing, because it offered a different perspective of war, one I don't think as an audience we often see – through the eyes of animals.  In many ways, this film is a coming of age story for Joey - from pony, to work horse, to war horse.  I thought the cinematography was fabulous, thanks to Janusz Kaminski’s keen eye for lighting using a grey palette to emulate despair and the bleakness of war.  The film not only looked believable, but it also successfully pulls you in emotionally, like the scene where Joey becomes tangled in barbed wire in the battle at No Man’s Land.  My heart just went out to Joey, because he had come so far and endured so much, it was hard seeing him suddenly be taken down by barbed wire.  Working with animals on a set is never an easy task, and Spielberg skillfully made it look effortless.  I really enjoyed every minute of it.  Definitely one of Spielberg’s better films.


My rating: 4 out of 5

Hot Tub Time Machine (2010)

When it's over, this is truly a film about the 80's, the fashion, the music,and the mentality.  John Cusack,  Rob Corddry, and Craig Robertson play three high school friends (Adam, Lou, and Nick), who are all down on their luck and who travel back in time to 1986 to relive a fateful night that may or may not change the course of their future lives.  Along for the ride is Adam's nephew, Jacob, who will not exist if the three men fail to do exactly what they did that one night.  I didn't particularly like this film, but I didn't dislike it altogether.  I think the set and costume design were accurate to the decade, and having grown up in the 80's, I can relate to some of the jokes and find humor in some of the scenes, but overall, the film was  rather absurd, much like the title.  If you're looking for some brainless fun and don't mind the culture of the 80's, then you might just "Ohh my gawd!" squeeze some laughs out of this film.

My rating: 2 out of 5

The Hangover - Part 2 (2011)

When it's over, the cast of the original Hangover return for another night of drug induced amnesia. The film feels like a horror film that's had too many sequels.  Instead of trying to invent new ways to kill people, the Hangover Part 2 tries to find new ways to be more crude, more obnoxious, more "over the top."  There's nothing original or fresh about this film.  It's the same stuff rejigged, and the only difference is the setting.  Instead of Las Vegas, it's Thailand.  I was disappointed the producers didn't take advantage of the returning cast by giving them new material to work with which would have developed their characters making the film a true sequel.  I think it would be interesting to see the characters pay for their stupidity, instead of having everything end "fine and dandy." However, the film is first and foremost, a comedy, so while the Hangover was fun the first time around, the second time's just redundant. 


My rating: 1.5 out 5