Reel Life with Jane -- May 2011
by Jane Louise Boursaw
A magical warrior, some kind-hearted stable animals, and Captain Jack Sparrow arrive in theaters this month. Here’s a sneak peek at what’s new on DVD and the big screen in May.
WATER FOR ELEPHANTS
Reel Rating: 4 out of 5 Reels
MPAA Rating: PG-13 for moments of intense violence and sexual content
Released in Theaters: April 22, 2011
Genre: Drama, Based on a Book
Runtime: 122 minutes
Directed by: Francis Lawrence
Cast: Reese Witherspoon, Robert Pattinson, Christoph Waltz, Paul Schneider, Jim Norton, Hal Holbrook, Tai the Elephant
Official Site: http://www.waterforelephants.com/
SYNOPSIS: Based on the book by Sara Gruen, Water for Elephants follows the Depression-era story of Jacob Jankowski (Robert Pattinson), a young veterinary student whose parents die in a tragic car accident, prompting him to quit his studies right before graduating from Cornell University. He joins a traveling circus, where he meets star performer Marlena (Reese Witherspoon), her abusive husband August (Christoph Waltz) and a gentle elephant named Rosie.
Sex/Nudity: Jacob and Marlena dance with each other, flirt, and eventually make love, but we only see them kiss and get into bed. Marlena and her husband August hug and kiss in front of other people. August, fearing that something is going on, forces Marlena and Jacob to dance closely to prove they have feelings for each other. Burlesque dancers strip and dance provocatively, but only bare backs are shown. Flirting and kissing between a stripper and Jacob. References to Jacob not being able to “perform” due to drunkenness. After getting drunk one night, Jacob wakes up in a trunk dressed in burlesque and clown clothes, including pasties.
Violence/Gore: August is cruel and abusive to his wife, the circus animals, and his employees. In a few scenes, he uses a sharp training hook, causing an elephant to bleed and run away. The elephant is later treated by kindly people who give him whiskey and care for his wounds. A man nearly strangles his wife to death. Jacob is beaten badly more than once, suffering multiple wounds and bruises. In one scene, Jacob nearly kills a sleeping man with a knife. A man is violently killed in one scene, and we see him on the ground with blood dripping down his face. A practiced called “redlighting” is mentioned throughout the film—it is, we learn, the practice of throwing circus employees from a moving train. In one scene, Jacob is nearly tossed off by August’s thugs; in another, we see people who’ve died after being tossed onto rocky ground. Two characters are shown in a morgue. Jacob is forced to shoot an injured circus animal; we see him point the gun at the animal’s head and then hear the gunshot off-screen.
Profanity: “Sh*t,” “goddamned,” “hell,” “damn,” “balls,” “ass.”
Drugs/Alcohol: Much drinking and drunken behavior. Whiskey is given to animals to soothe their nerves and wounds, and to help lull them to sleep. A hungover Jacob wakes up one morning in a trunk dressed in burlesque and clown clothes. Characters are shown smoking cigars and cigarettes.
Which Kids Will Like It?: Kids 15 and older who like Robert Pattinson or Reese Witherspoon, or who enjoy dramatic historical narratives.
Will Parents Like It?: It’s an excellent movie, but veers towards an R rating because of the violence and human/animal cruelty.
REVIEW: Water for Elephants is the sort of movie that leaves a lasting impression, partly because it takes place during the Depression when times were tough and people were desperate, and partly because it takes place in a circus setting. It wasn’t a pretty era. It was dark and sad, and people were forced to do things they didn’t want to do in order to survive. But people also tried to make the best of things, which meant going to the traveling circus when it came to town.
But we soon learn that behind the colorful big tops, smiling performers, and exotic animals of the Benzini Bros. Circus, it’s a dark, dangerous, depressing place, especially given that it’s owned by an abusive, sadistic man named August (Christoph Waltz). The movie isn’t entirely unsympathetic to this guy, painting him as someone desperate to compete with the famous Ringling Bros. Circus and trying to make ends meet during the Depression. But look, he beats animals and throws his employees off trains in the dead of night. August is a bad man any way you look at it.
But the real story here revolves around 23-year-old Jacob Jankowski (Robert Pattinson), who hops a train after his loving parents die in a tragic car accident. It’s only later that he realizes it’s a circus train, which is kismet considering that he was a veterinary student at Cornell University, just shy of graduating when his parents died. So Jacob becomes the circus’ animal caretaker, which also means spending time with the star act — August’s wife Marlena (Reese Witherspoon).
Marlena and Jacob are immediately attracted to each other, especially given their love for the circus animals and efforts to protect them from August’s unsavory training methods. August is especially cruel to the newest act, a lovely elephant named Rosie, and some upsetting scenes show him using a sharp prod to train Rosie, causing her to bleed, fall over, and at one point, run away. August is also abusive to Marlena, even as he proclaims his love for her, and then there’s his unpleasant methods of firing employees to cut the budget. He simply has his thugs throw people off the train in the dead of night, not caring whether they live or die.
The fact of the matter is that Water for Elephants treads dangerously close to an R rating because of the violence, and I don’t recommend it for kids younger than 15. Between the tragic car accident, the cruel circus owner, and the desperate times, it’s an unsettling, sometimes shocking movie.
This isn’t to say it’s a bad film. Even with the violence, it’s a romantic story about finding magic and beauty in the midst of filth and poverty. And you just know from the beginning of the movie (an elderly Jacob telling a modern-day circus manager about his life as a young man) that you’re going to need a few Kleenex by the end.
Even though he doesn’t have much chemistry with Witherspoon, Pattinson is a good choice to play the younger Jacob, although I’d love to see him do something besides a brooding character caught in a tragic life—he played very similar roles in the Twilight movies, Remember Me, and Little Ashes.
Still, I left Water for Elephants feeling like I’d really watched a great movie, something with some depth and attention to detail. It fills your heart and mind with colorful images and interesting people, and because of that, I urge you to go see it. Just be wary of the PG-13 rating, especially if you have impressionable kids with a passion for animals.
THOR
Not yet rated; likely PG-13. In theaters 5/06. OK for kids 13+. In 2D and 3D. Reel Preview: 4 out of 5 Reels. http://thor.marvel.com/
This film finds Chris Hemsworth playing the powerful but arrogant warrior, cast out of the magical realm of Asgard and sent to live amongst humans on Earth, soon becoming one of their finest defenders. The cast in this movie is terrific, including Natalie Portman (Jane Foster), Anthony Hopkins (Odin), Ray Stevenson (Volstagg), Idris Elba (Heimdall), Stellan Skarsgard (Professor Andrews) and Rene Russo (Frigga). Even if you’re not a comic book fan, this Kenneth Branagh-directed movie is fun for teens and adults.
SOMETHING BORROWED
PG-13 for sexual content, including dialogue and some drug material. In theaters 5/06. OK for kids 14+. Reel Preview: 3 out of 5 Reels. http://www.somethingborrowedmovie.com/
Rachel (Ginnifer Goodwin) is a talented New York attorney, a generous and loyal friend, and a still-single woman. But after one drink too many at her 30th birthday party, she ends up in bed with the guy she’s had a crush on since law school, who happens to be her best friend Darcy’s (Kate Hudson) fiancé. Meanwhile, Rachel’s confidante Ethan (John Krasinski) is harboring a secret of his own, and womanizer Marcus (Steve Howey) can’t keep his mind out of the gutter. In a sea of relationship movies, it’s unlikely this one will stand out—especially since we can see the ending coming a mile away—but the fun cast makes it a must-see for romantic comedy fans.
PRIEST
PG-13 for intense sequences of violence and action, disturbing images and brief strong language. In theaters 5/13. OK for kids 14+. Reel Preview: 3 out of 5 Reels. http://priest.spe.com/
This western-infused, post-apocalyptic thriller is too intense for kids younger than 14, but video-gaming teens will very likely find something to love here. Set in an alternate world ravaged by centuries of war between man and vampires, the story revolves around a legendary Warrior Priest (Paul Bettany) who now lives in obscurity among the humans in walled-in dystopian cities ruled by the Church. When his niece (Lily Collins) is abducted by a pack of vampires, Priest breaks his sacred vows to venture out on a quest to find her before they turn her into one of them. He’s joined by his niece’s boyfriend (Twilight’s Cam Gigandet) and a former Warrior Priestess (Maggie Q) who possesses otherworldly fighting skills. Based on the Korean series of graphic novels by Min-Woo Hyung.
THE LION OF JUDAH
PG for some mild thematic elements. In theaters 5/20. OK for kids 7+. Reel Preview: 3.5 out of 5 Reels. http://www.lionofjudahthemovie.com/
Ernest Borgnine, Scott Reeves, and Michael Madsen are just a few of actors lending their voices to this cute animated movie with a Biblical theme. When a lamb named Judah (Georgina Cordova) faces the possibility of being sacrificed at the annual town festival, his stablemates leave their cozy barn and embark on an adventure to find and free their friend. In the process, a story emerges about the King born in their stable more than 30 years earlier. Characters include a lovable pig, a faint-hearted horse, a finicky rat, a rambling rooster, a motherly cow, and a downtrodden donkey.
PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN: ON STRANGER TIDES
Not yet rated; likely PG-13. In theaters 5/20. OK for kids 13+. In 2D, 3D and IMAX 3D. Reel Preview: 4 out of 5 Reels. http://www.disney.com/pirates
Get ready for installment four (two more are in the works!) of the popular franchise that finds Johnny Depp returning as Captain Jack Sparrow and crossing paths with the beautiful Angelica (Penelope Cruz). But is she just a ruthless con artist who’s using him to find the fabled Fountain of Youth? Foul play seems likely when she forces him aboard the Queen Anne’s Revenge, ship of the legendary pirate Blackbeard (Ian McShane). The cast includes franchise vets Geoffrey Rush as the vengeful Captain Hector Barbossa and Kevin R. McNally as Captain Jack’s longtime comrade Joshamee Gibbs, plus Sam Claflin as a stalwart missionary and Astrid Berges-Frisbey as a mysterious mermaid.
THE BEAVER
PG-13 for mature thematic material, some disturbing content, sexuality and language including a drug reference. In theaters 5/20. OK for kids 14+. Reel Preview: 3 out of 5 Reels. http://www.thebeaver-movie.com/
I’m not sure moviegoers are ready to accept Mel Gibson back into the fold, but maybe this movie will help redeem him a little. He plays Walter Black, a once-successful toy executive and family man who can’t seem to dig out of depression—until a beaver hand puppet enters his life (shades of Lars and the Real Girl). Directed by Jodie Foster (who co-stars), this Summit Entertainment movie also stars Jennifer Lawrence (loved her in Winter’s Bone), Anton Helchin, and Michelle Ang.
KUNG FU PANDA 2
PG for sequences of martial arts action and mild violence. In theaters 5/26. Ok for kids 6+. In 2D, 3D and IMAX 3D. Reel Preview: 4 out of 5 Reels. http://www.kungfupanda.com/
Po is now living his dream as the Dragon Warrior, protecting the Valley of Peace alongside his friends and fellow kung fu masters, The Furious Five — Tigress, Crane, Mantis, Viper, and Monkey. But Po’s new life is threatened when a formidable villain returns, planning to use a secret weapon to conquer China and destroy kung fu. It’s up to Po and The Furious Five to journey across China, face this threat and vanquish it. Of course, there will be plenty of awesomeness!
NEW ON DVD
DORA THE EXPLORER: IT’S HAIRCUT DAY
Not rated. On DVD 5/03. OK for kids 3+. 4 out of 5 Reels. Buy on Amazon.
This four-episode disc follows America’s favorite little explorer on four adventures: “Dora’s Hair-Raising Adventures” finds Boots getting his first haircut; Dora’s twin siblings celebrate their first birthday in “Happy Birthday, Super Babies”; a happy spaceship adventure unfolds in “Baby Winky Goes Home”; and a flying horse constellation plays a large role in “Dora’s Pegaso Adventure.” Lots of fun for little ones!
THE GREEN HORNET
PG-13 for sequences of violent action, language, sensuality and drug content. On DVD 5/03. OK for kids 13+. 3.5 out of 5 Reels. Buy on Amazon.
Seth Rogen plays newspaper heir Britt Reid, a party-hearty slacker who joins forces with martial arts expert Kato (Jay Chou) to fight crime. Edward James Olmos, Edward Furlong, Christoph Waltz, and Cameron Diaz fill out the cast. Not the best superhero movie ever, but a fun installment with lots of laughs and action.
MICKEY MOUSE CLUBHOUSE: MICKEY’S GREAT OUTDOORS
Not rated. On DVD 5/24. OK for kids 3+. 4.5 out of 5 Reels. Buy on Amazon.
Join Mickey, Donald and the gang for fun, surprises and blue skies at the Clubhouse Camp Out. Kids can help pick the right Mouseketools to pitch their tents, catch gooey fish on Circle Lake and earn their camping badges. Then Mickey and Minnie set off on a jungle safari in search of a rare legendary flower. Includes the never-been-seen episode “Mickey’s Fishy Story.”
I AM NUMBER FOUR
PG-13 for intense sequences of violence and action, and for language. On DVD 5/24. OK for kids 13+. 3 out of 5 Reels. Buy on Amazon.
After arriving in a small Midwest town and hitting it off with a gorgeous nonconformist classmate (Dianna Agron), the mysterious John (Alex Pettyfer) must make a stand against a group of alien bounty hunters bent on wiping out him and his fellow exiles in numerical order. It’s no Smallville, but it is an entertaining action flick.
THE LION, THE WITCH AND THE WARDROBE
Not rated. On DVD 5/31. OK for kids 4+. 3.5 out of 5 Reels. Buy on Amazon.
This animated version from BBC Warner follows the four Pevensie children in their adventure through the enchanted kingdom of Narnia. While playing hide-and-go-seek, the siblings climb into a wardrobe that leads them into a world filled with magic and mythical creatures. It’s not all fun and games, though. To defeat the evil witch and restore springtime, the four children must team up with the creatures of Narnia as well as Aslan, a noble lion and the King of the Woods.
JANE’S REEL RATING SYSTEM
One Reel – Even the Force can’t save it.
Two Reels – Coulda been a contender
Three Reels – Something to talk about.
Four Reels – You want the truth? Great flick!
Five Reels – Wow! The stuff dreams are made of.
Jane Boursaw is a family entertainment writer specializing in movies, TV and celebrities. Syndicate her family movie and TV reviews in your publication; visit her at Reel Life With Jane; follow her on Twitter; become a friend on Facebook; email jboursaw@charter.net.
