Laughter and pain in entertainment

Robert Pattinson and Reese Witherspoon star in ‘Water for Elephants’.

Film Reviews

By Rama Gaind

These films will suit a variety of tastes and make for some entertaining times.

Water for Elephants: Good memories come hurtling back of watching the circus under the Big Top with this edgy film starring Robert Pattinson, Reese Witherspoon and Christoph Waltz.

Set primarily during the Depression, Pattinson is the hero who comes to life from a novel written by Sara Gruen.

This is a captivating tale of an orphaned boy who ends up in the circus and becomes trainer to Rosie, a clever elephant who performs with Marlena (Witherspoon), wife of August (Waltz), the explosive owner of the circus.

The Hangover Part II: If a formula works the first time, then don’t mess with it which is the case with this film. Director Todd Phillips has just switched the scene to Bangkok in this one.

After the bachelor party in Las Vegas, Phil, Stu, Alan and Doug jet off to Thailand for Stu’s marriage. However, plans for a restrained pre-wedding brunch get seriously out of hand.

Bradley Cooper, Ed Helms and Zach Galifianakis (who steals the scenes) are all over the place, but don’t expect any taste and intellectual stimulation from this sequel.

Pirates of the Caribbean: As Captain Jack Sparrow, Johnny Depp is in his element. It’s quite amazing how he manages to keep his cool while everyone around him appears to lose the plot!

Something Borrowed: Kate Hudson, Ginnifer Goodwin, Colin Egglesfield and John Kransinski star in a film that explores the guilt and pain of falling in love with your best friend’s fiancé.

While the film gives us a reality check at times, there are some silly scenes – and Krasinski has the best lines.