WATER FOR ELEPHANTS

First, let me say that I have never seen a TWILIGHT movie and didn't get what all the hoopla was for Robert Pattinson. I had never read Sara Gruen's great novel. I was never a huge fan of the circus. I went to see WATER FOR ELEPHANTS simply because the star was Reese Witherspoon. I knew that Christoph Waltz was an Academy Award winner as well so, I figured it wouldn't be that much of a waste of time and money.

Robert Pattinson is not just a "Vampire" in my eyes anymore. I know what the fuss is all about. And, did I once think he was creepy looking? I'm smitten. He wasn't top billed, second to Reese but, I can't think of any other actor who would have been more perfect for this role. This too was a Robert Pattinson movie.

Gruen's story was of a depression era young man who on the eve of his graduation from Cornell becomes an orphan and penniless due to a tragic accident. He wanders on foot to find a new life and hops aboard a train not knowing it is the one of the Benzini Brothers Circus. His training in veterinary medicine soon make him a a valued member of the troupe. He is respected by the Circus' ruthless owner (Waltz) even though he does not cower to him as others do. Another bold move is to fall for his "STAR" wife, Witherspoon, who shares his love for animals. The supporting cast added delight to this story and, I have a new appreciation for the CIRCUS.

ARTHUR

"If you get caught between the Moon and New City
The best that you can do................. best that you can do is fall in love".

First and foremost this Christopher Cross song is what I most remember about the first ARTHUR from 1981. Wisely, the remake found it important to include a version of this tune in its closing credits.

Thirty years ago when I first saw this movie, I was well aware of Dudley Moore's talent as "10" was fresh in my mind. I was entertained by this picture but, since that day I had never watched it again. So, going in to this 2011 remake my memory had to be jogged a bit and, this current creation brought it all back.

First, let it be known......I am a huge fan of Russell Brand and his wife, Katy Perry. If you watch closely there is one scene where "Arthur" is checking his speed dial and Katy is listed. I found Brand's version of the lovable, wealthy drunk very much as charming as Moore's.

Changing Sir John Gielgud's butler to Helen Mirren's nanny was quite delightful. God love the acting of the Brits. As always, they steal the show. The other supporting cast did not vary that much from the original version. Jennifer Garner's portrayal of Susan was played pretty much the same as Jill Eikenberry's in 1981. However, the fatal flaw in this movie was casting Greta Gerwig to reprise the great Liza Minnelli's Linda. In this '11 romp Linda became Naomi and totally as bland as her name. They might have done better casting Katy Perry in this role as there might have been some chemistry.

I enjoyed the movie but, like the original, it is a one time watch for me.

SOUL SURFER

Every one has heard of Bethany Hamilton. "SOUL SURFER" is her courageous story. Very few people lose one of their arms due to a shark attack and even fewer don't allow it to change their lives. This girl did both. It's hard to believe that it has been eight years since this, then, 13 year old girl was in the ocean doing what she loved, savagely attacked and went on to do business as usual.

When I heard of this movie, my first thought was why no producer had picked up on this story until now. Stories of remarkable women are the basis of so many great movies and TV mini-series. But, DUH, how on earth would you make a movie about a woman who lost her arm and lived in a swim suit? Where would you find an actress, the right age and body type who had also lost her arm?

I can't phathom the imagery it took make AnnaSophia Robb fit this description. We do live in amazing times. Other than Ms. Robb's wonderful performance as Bethany, we got to enjoy the work of some of our favorite actors.........Dennis Quaid, Helen Hunt and Kevin Sorbo. Carrie Underwood made her movie debut and, everyone will know now that Lorraine is Jack's daughter.

If you are a sun and sand person with a particular passion for Hawaii, this movie will take you there.

I've read other reviews calling this a "Lifetime" movie. Maybe so.....the F word was never uttered or was there a steamy sex scene. Heck, when these people weren't surfing they were in church.

This was not a first pick of my movie to see this week but, I am sure glad I did. A great picture for everyone!

THE KENNEDYS

I can't tell you how disappointed I was to learn that "The History Channel" had shelved its presentation of "The Kennedy's". I had been waiting a long time to see it. I had been enthralled by the Kennedy mystique since I was a little girl. An odd thing for a girl who was brought up middle class, Republican and, certainly not Catholic.

I remember being in the third grade and ushered in from the playground so our teacher could tell us the President was dead. I remember her saying...."I see the gleam in some of your eyes and that's not good". I was terrified that she might be referring to me because all I knew of this man with a beautiful wife was what I had heard through adult family members and their friends. Which was not favorable in the least. I can't be sure if I was aware of the Bay of Pigs and the Cuban Missile Crisis or just learned of them later. All I knew of Marilyn Monroe was she was a movie star who was found dead in the nude.

After the death of JFK and all the years that followed, I became a Kennedy watcher. As an adult, through the books I devoured about this family and their constant presence in the media made me quite the historian of this clan. I can remember crying uncontrollably as I watched the televised coverage of RFK's body going home on the train. And, in later years wonder how Teddy could have the audacity to run for office when he had essentially committed murder. I saw Joe and Rose's grandchildren, most my contemporaries, go on to do great and scandalous things. There was never a book published about the Kennedy's I did not read or would I let any TV show about them or an interview with them go unwatched.

When I first heard of this latest installment of their story, I was pleased with the casting choices of Greg Kinnear and Katie Holmes as Jack and Jackie. I knew little else of what this series with such a broad title would entail.

Thanks you to the Reelz Channel for giving me this opportunity. I had no idea that you were in my cable package or, had I ever heard of you. I read that some 7 million dollars were spent to acquire this work. I can only think this was a very wise purchase for your network.

I knew "The History Channel's" decision was based on objections from the Kennedy family. After viewing the series I honestly can't figure out why they were so concerned. The facts depicted were nothing that I didn't already know. I think the same pretty much holds true for most.

This eight part saga focused on Joe, Jack, Bobby and, their wives. We saw a little of Joe Jr. and Rosemary and that was it. Ted Kennedy was never mentioned even though most of the series took place at the time his career was beginning. We saw them mourn the death of Joe Jr. but, there was no reference to daughter Kathleen who perished in plane crash just a few years later. They only other sibling referred to was Pat as she was married to actor Peter Lawford and included in a scene about the Hollywood connection.

I thought the depictions of Joe and Rose (Tom Wilkinson and Diana Hardcastle) amazing as a person who had read and viewed so much about them. Joe was a power hungry, womanizer and, Rose was the devout Catholic who put up with it all with such dignity and some spice of her own. The series only showed their love for each other and their children. Even the most meager of families have their ups and downs.

(Barry Pepper and Kristen Booth) as Bobby and Ethel were spot on from all I had ever known about them. Bobby was probably the only devoted husband of the group and the most abrasive. Ethel popped out baby after baby enjoying every minute of it and, her life as a Kennedy. Theirs' was a great marriage.

I was very familiar with the works of Greg Kinnear and Katie Holmes long before this series was ever created. It never occurred to me prior that they were both dead ringers for Jack and Jackie. Again, the work showed them as a loving couple with deep respect for each other. It showed JFK as the great man we all knew he was and, his love for the ladies. The first lady was depicted as an elegant and caring woman.

So........To the Kennedy's, we know everything. We know that some of your children were accused of rape, died of drug overdoses and, slept with their children's babysitters. We also know that others have gone on to do great very things. Why on earth did you find this series offensive?..............To The History Channel you might have given up too easily..............To REELZ, way to go!

LIMITLESS

If I had done the soundtrack for "Limitless" I would have to included the Huey Lewis' song "I Want a New Drug". You know.....

"I want a new drug,
One that won't make me sick
One that won't make me crash my car
Or make me feel three feet thick"

In this movie a down and out Bradley Cooper found this drug through a chance meeting with an ex-brother-in-law. Until that day his adult life had pretty much fallen into the "Loser" category. He looked like crap, lived in crap, lost his wife and girlfriend and his career was at a standstill or worse.

Then he was introduced to the DRUG. Within 30 seconds of it entering his system he was given the gift of unbelievable focus. As stated, the drug worked best on those who were really smart to begin with so Bradley was slated to begin a wild and unforgettable ride. Things that prior to the drug seemed impossible suddenly were completed with gusto and flair. Everything he had ever seen or learned all became clear and the results took him to heights that he never dreamed possible. I especially loved a scene when thugs were getting ready to attack him and every thing he had ever seen or read about fighting came into focus and he fought off a herd.

Of course, as we've always known DRUGS are bad and though great at first, come back to haunt you. The story made you want him to score his next fix as we knew he would be nothing without this little clear pill.

Bradley Cooper was great in his first time at carrying a movie which was enhanced by the always wonderful Robert DeNiro and an interesting cast.