Water for Elephants

Water for Elephants (2011)
Starring: Robert Pattinson, Reese Witherspoon, and Christoph Waltz
Directed by: Francis Lawrence
SC=4 V=7 C=3
Grade: A+

The only reason I watched this movie was, of course, because of Robert Pattinson. He's hot, he's Edward...what's not to love? In this movie, he plays Jacob Jankoski, a man who's parents recently died in a car accident. He jumps on board a train, not knowing that this train is carrying a traveling circus called the Benzini Brothers. After being hired as a vet, he gets to know August (Waltz), the owner and leader of the circus and his wife Marlena (Witherspoon). August has an awful temper, which Jacob experiences first hand, especially after he and Marlena grow closer. After August finds an elephant to add to the show, Jacob is in even more demand, having to take care of the elephant. As the circus falls apart around him, Jacob watches as August starts to lose control and tries to keep Marlena out of harm's way.

How Do You Know

How Do You Know (2010)
Starring: Reese Witherspoon, Paul Rudd, and Owen Wilson
Directed and Written by: James L. Brooks
SC=6 V=2 C=4
Grade: B+

I love Reese Witherspoon (as anyone who has read my info will know) and she was great in this movie. She is such a strong, confident woman and she is such a neat actresses to watch. Paul Rudd is equally enjoyable. Owen Wilson...eh, but hey, it's Owen Wilson. Lisa (Witherspoon) is a great softball player, but the coach decides she's too old. So he cuts her. She's kind of going out with a famous ball player named Matty (Wilson), who is stuck on himself and hardly ever listens to her. One day, a couple days after she meets Matty, she meets George (Rudd), who is a lawyer who has just been informed that he's being indicted. Lisa has more in common with George, so when she breaks up with Matty, she turns to him. It isn't long before Matty has talked her into coming back to him, but George thinks he might be in love with Lisa. But, of course, things get worse for George before the get better...much worse, in fact. Oh, and Jack Nicholson is Paul Rudd's dad. Just thought I'd mention...

Movie Review: A Far Off Place

A Far Off Place (1993)
Starring: Reese Witherspoon and Ethan Embry
Characters: Nonnie Parker and Harry Winslow
Directed by: Mikael Saloman
Tagline: A far off land, a far off journey, a far off adventure
Grade: A++

I've loved this movie for a long time. It's just a great feel good movie. One of Reese's first movies. She's a great actress and Ethan Embry is great as Harry, the spoiled boy. The only other movie that he was in after this that anyone even heard of was That Thing You Do!, where he played TB Player (The Bass Player). At least he got a name this time. This movie is about Nonnie, who's parents are Americans, but she's been raised in Africa. Her dad works to get rid of poachers and, because of the work he does, he, his wife, and his wife's friend (Harry's dad, the two were visiting the Parkers). Nonnie, her dog Kensa, and Harry are helping Nonnie's bushman friend Xhabbo when all of this happens, so nothing happens to them but Nonnie goes back to the house and sees the evidence of what happened. So, they decide to cross the Kalahari ("The wind can do it, we can do it.") with the bad guys in pursuit. Then they find out that the bad guy isn't at all who they expected. Another great family friendly movie with lots of heart and even some star power. I would reccomend this to anyone who loves great heart warming movies.
-MOT

Just finished: Ferris Bueller's Day Off
Watching now: The Terminator
Excited to see: Tomorrow, When the War Began