Water For Elephant

1920's Benzini circus diaster is recalled by Hal Holbrook who, a young animal vet, who signed on with the traveling show. Resse Witherspoon, the star performer, married to the alcoholic and abusive owner falls for the Vet with serious complications. Colorful but somewhat drawn out story. 2 bananas

Atlas Shrug

Interesting but sometimes confusing take on Ann Rand's novel sent in 2016 where big business is bad business according to our government. Take from the rich and spread to the masses. Story centers around a Colorado railroad co and a steel company with a newly designed steel that the government does its best to destroy both. Well acted for a low budgeted film. Unfortunately this is part one of three and there is no telling if parts 2 & 3 will ever be produced. 3 bananas

Scream 4

Mass mayhem in this continuing blood bath of slasher movies. Most of the deaths deserved it for being so STUPID as is the movie. 1/2 banana only because I didn't fall a sleep.

Conspirator

Well done factual drama centers around trial of a Southern woman who owned the boarding house where John Wilkes Boothe stayed before he shot President Lincoln. Just retired Captain from Northern Army is charged with impossible task of defending this woman against a biased military judge and jury who believe she conspired with the murders. Directed by Robert Redford. Sad part of our history. See it. 3 1/2 bananas

Hanna

Good action thriller. Young girl whose DNA has been altered sets out to kill the person who is responsible. Fast paced and fun. Beautifully photographed. Good movie to see when nothing else is inviting. 2 1/2 bananas

Barneys Version

Paul Giamantti ,as Barney, lives a life of booze and women until he meets his true love at his wedding. Story goes back and forth in Barney's life with some indication that he may be responsible for his best friends murder. Another great acting job by Giamantti with a terrific supporting cast. 3 bananas

Source Code

Really good action packed sci-fi thriller with great shots of Chicago and the new Glen train station. Through mysterious means a helicopter pilot is constantly sent back 8 minutes in time, before a metra train bound for Chicago blows up, to find the origin of the bomb. The same scenes play out over and over but faster and with more intensity as the searches get closer to the truth. Great ending. Definitely worth the time. 3 bananas

Win Win

Fun movie that has a bit of everything though mostly laughs; Paul Giamatti is a struggling middle age lawyer who sees a way to add some income by becoming the legal guardian of an aging client. What he doesn't for see is what comes with his client, a grandson who has run away from his druggy mother. The young runaway turns out to a terrific wrestler and it so happens that Giamatti is the coach of the hapless high school wrestling team. Many hysterical moments ensue. Great supporting cast makes this the sleeper of the year, so far! 3 1/2 bananas.

Cedar Rapids

Wisconsin small town insurance saleman/nerd is sent to the annual Insurance Convention in Cedar Rapids to vie for a coveted award. Unfortunately he is roomed with partyman Charles C. Riley, who is hysterical, and soon he finds himself doing the nasty, smoking pot, drinking and snorting. Great supporting cast with Anne Hecht and Singorny Weaver. Starts slow but Riley livens things up quickly. 3 bananas

Lincoln Lawyer

Great adaptation of Michael Connelly's book. Lawyer Mathew McConaughey whose office is his car, who usually defends dirt bags is called upon to defend a high profile defendant that has a lot more baggage than he bargained for. Well done murder mystery which also stars Marisa Tomei. 3 bananas