THE CIRCLE

THE CIRCLE:  This modern day "thriller" stars Emma Watson as a young woman who seems headed for success when she lands a job at a high tech company called 'The Circle.'  With encouragement from her boss (Tom Hanks) she rises in the ranks but soon (well, not too soon) discovers  a nefarious agenda afoot.  In retrospect, this film has "Big Brother is Watching you" written all over it...And that's okay, BUT, it is tedious at times i.e. downright boring. Ms Watson continues to grow as a young leading lady with a bright future and Hanks plays with (and against) type in a small but pivotal role. If I had to sum this film up in one word.... Upsetting.  It makes you think about the future of cyberspace and how it can be used...Or is it already being used?  I'll have to ponder this one for a while.  It was a real love/hate experience.

BORN IN CHINA

BORN IN CHINA:  First of all, I am a sucker for a good nature documentary and when it's done by Disney, I'm in heaven.  This latest offering (they always come out on Earth Day) doesn't disappoint in the least. This is a visually stunning look at three animal family in the China that you and I may never see. From the frigid mountains of the snow leopard to the bamboo forest of the panda and the golden monkey, this is mesmerizing. It is funny.  It is sad.  It is thrilling. And we follow them through all of the seasons and see what hardships and joys these animals experience.  Along the way we meet all sorts of other creatures...elk, cranes, villainous wolves and birds and even a butterfly or two. While it is not the best of this Disney series (Next year..."Dolphins") it will hold your interest for the beauty of the landscape, not to mention a baby panda who  keeps falling down.... And  Kudos to John Krasinski for his wonderful narrative skills.  He helps to make the film what it is.....A joy!

THE ZOOKEEPER'S WIFE

THE ZOOKEEPER'S WIFE:  Jessica Chastain is the title character in this story of a woman who, with the help of her husband (Johan Heldenbergh) rescued hundreds of Jews from the Warsaw ghetto.  In a supporting role, Daniel Bruhl plays a Nazi zoologist with ulterior motives and he is excellent.  And while I have mixed feelings, since there have been numerous similar tales (most notably Spielberg's "Schindler's List), this film does has some flaws.   First off, we seem to care more about the animals than the Jews in the first part of the movie so we get a gloss that feels almost like Disney meets the holocaust.  On the plus side, it is filmed beautifully, but it never quite achieves the horror of what ungodly acts were committed at the time. (There are a few jolts along the way but they pale in comparison.)  Perhaps the film makers knew that we knew the back story and didn't want to dwell on it.  Summing it up, at the end,  it is still very uplifting and a testament to the human spirit but based upon real life, I'd hoped for better.