Water For Elephants the Movie!!!

I try hard not to ever judge a movie by the book.  Mainly, because I try to think of it as two separate forms of entertainment and I don't want to combine or compare the two.  I have read books and thought they were okay then saw the movie and loved it, and of course loved the book and saw the movie and hated it.  In this case I LOVED both.  I thought the movie was wonderful!!!!

After sitting through the torture of the Twilight movie, I was not sure what to make of Robert Pattinson playing the part of Emile.  He was perfect for the role of the shy veterinarian who, after losing his parents, ends up working with the circus as a vet and falling in love with Marlena. I have to say he can act. I think this movie will allow him more serious roles and get out of the "teen heartthrob" role.

Reese Witherspoon was beautiful in the part of Marlena.  Although I didn't think this was her best acting, she played the part  well and believably. Actually, she seemed comfortable on an elephant which I can't imagine is easy. Although she was the headliner in the movie I don't believe this will be her most remembered role.

By the far, the best actor of the movie was Christoph Waltz, who was Marlena's husband August and the owner of the circus. You want to hate him and you want to like him and at one point you even start to feel a little sorry for him.  I thought he defined what the movie was about and really played August as he was portrayed in the book to a "T." 

Whether you have read the book or not, this movie is amazing - from the animals to the costumes and the storyline, I loved it and can't wait to buy the DVD (which, if you don't know me, I don't watch DVDs so that is saying something).  AWESOME!!!!!!

Every Last One

Mary Beth Latham is a mother of three teenage children: Ruby, 17, and twin boys Alex and Max,14. She has a career as a landscaper and her husband is a doctor. Taking care of her family is what her life is about and when her children have trials or wins in life she experiences those along with them. An act of violence shakes Mary Beth to her very soul and her sense of who she is and what her life will be is truly tested.

The very details of the everyday life hit very close to home and allowed me to feel as though I was in the kitchen or at the doctor's office as I read the thoughts that were going through Mary Beth's mind. I found myself feeling the tension between the characters in the story and as the violence happened I was shocked and mesmerized  by what happened next. I liked the characters and I love how they evoked emotion as they developed; some I grew to like and some even let me down. A worthwhile read with masterful storytelling that stays with you.

I found this book a great read and definitely a book to pass along. I give it a 4 1/2 stars out of 5.

Kara