Want To See Me Pull Le Lapin Out Of My Chapeau?

The Illusionist (2010)
Directed by Sylvain Chomet (Triplets of Belleville), we have a masterpiece of animated sleight of hand and heart based on a script by famed French director, Jacques Tati. Tatischeff is The Illusionist whom we meet performing his feats before motley groups of old ladies and children. He never makes it to the States and Ed Sullivan, although his skills are astounding. After he’s summarily replaced by an English rock and roll band (semi-reminiscent of The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, etcetera) our “hero” travels to Scotland where his talents make a large and effective impression on a girl named Alice. The relationship is bittersweet and overlooks their lives like the moors outside of Edinburgh. There is very little dialogue or decipherable language used throughout the film. More is said in gestures and expressions than ongoing monologues and conversations. This is an animated dramedy about relationships. It’s not computer generated, but simple and elegant at the same time and deserves more than a quick look. Rating: Une, Deux, Trois Stars

How Much Is That Elephant In The Window?

Water For Elephants
I read the book and was totally excited when I heard it was being transformed for film. The characters and story are a broad sketch of the book. The actors, most notably Messrs. Pattinson, Waltz, and Ms. Witherspoon receive my vote of confidence for pulling off a great star attraction. There may be a sucker born every minute, but I totally loved my evening at the circus. The attention to detail is amazing...kudo's to Jack Fisk. If this doesn't win Oscars for costume, set design, cinematography next year, I'd be doubly amazed. Rosie (Tai) is the world's smartest elephant and deserves an award for her performance. This isn't a real live version of "Dumbo" so it's not for the kids. If you love animals and have issues with animal cruelty, then this isn't the film for you, but realize, of course, it's acting. It's based on a real event, by the way. Rating: 4 Stars

HOP

A long, long time ago, about 56 years to be exact, this writer remembers waking up on Easter morning and going into the living room to find a basket full of chocolate, jelly beans, marshmallow eggs that turned your mouth blue, hot pink, purple, orange, red, green or yellow, and a molded bunny that looked suspiciously like Peter Rabbit. Besides feeling like I’d immediately developed juvenile diabetes after eating most of the marshmallow eggs, it was one of my favorite holidays. My sister and I would get dressed up in our new duds which included white gloves, a hat, and patent leather mary janes, go to church and then head home to a dinner or to a relative’s house in Sedro Woolley for an Easter Egg hunt with my cousins, a whole bunch of cousins. HOP brought back those memories in full force.

Our hero, E.B. (voiced by Russell Brand), is the son of the Easter Bunny and he has different ideas about his destiny, fame and fortune (cue the song “Bang On The Drum” by Todd Rundgren) instead of taking over the family business, you know, one night a year the Easter Bunny flies around the world delivering Easter eggs to all the children of the world, but he’s got chick power instead of reindeer. E.B. takes a powder from his responsibilities and heads to Hollywood to fulfill his dreams. In the path of his pursuit is one Fred O’Hare (James Marsden), his human counterpart. Fred has been out of work for a year, living at home with his folks and sisters…everyone is fed up and he’s sent packing to, of course, Beverly Hills. What ensues is funny, extremely colorful, and surprisingly, a satisfying comedy for both children and adults. Kids under the age of about 8, might not get the jokes and the “potty” humor is a bit twisted, but it’s well worth the time spent and you’ll never look at a jelly bean the same again. Rating 3 stars