Salmon Fishing in the Yemen

Yes, the title wouldn't exactly 'invite you in'. Saw this on the big screen and it is a very nice film. It has: Emily Blunt (The Adjustment Bureau which I loved), Ewan McGregor (is there anyone who has been thanked from the Academy Awards stage more often than he, for being a delight to work with?), Kristin Scott Thomas (Four Weddings and a Funeral, which was great as was she), and Amr Waked as a very rich sheikh (of whom I know nothing, but I liked his performance).

The title is about the sheikh's desire to create something, with a 'commentary' on British politics being the driving force, and a budding friendship / romance as well. There is also a funny bedroom scene that still makes me chuckle (let me know if you agree).

I found the shooting style unusual: long shots that are 'cropped' tightly on one side of the shot but show extraneous visuals on the other e.g. looking into the glass windows of an office from afar as the key visual, with the lower floor totally empty, but the upper floor showing people's legs at their desks or tables - certainly this must have been deliberate?

I'd see it again.

Miss Potter

As in Beatrix (no relation to Harry.) I recall the trailer of this in 2007 and recently found it on one of the movie channels. It features Renee Zellweger (whom I had forgotten was in the 1998 One True Thing*) and the delightful Ewan McGregor (wonderful and great voice in Moulin Rouge and underrated in The Ghost Writer, which I recommend). This is an interesting story about the publishing of Peter Rabbit  as well as a commentary on women's rights, which I applaud. (There is a peculiar drift into animation in some spots which I'm not sure adds to the story and of which I would like to know more.)

A very nice rental.

*P.S. To my relatives - The final movie I ever saw with my mother, who had already started to deteriorate.

A Good Year

I love this movie. It is from 2006 and I recently saw it again on TV. It features Russell Crowe (not my favourite actor but suitably crusty in this), Albert Finney (whose talent I have admired and followed forever, most recently in Erin Brockovich), Freddie Highmore (excellent young actor in Finding Neverland, which was great and August Rush, which was a good idea not delivered on), and Marion Cotillard (whom I have never heard of but is tres sympatique).

As with many movies I really enjoy, this is a story of redemption - stockbroking scoundrel in rainy, dreary London is left a vineyard in sunny Provence by his uncle, which sparks flashbacks of his visit(s) as an 11-12 year old. Recently got the book out from the library and it is not surprisingly fluffy. But this would be a good rental if you can find it.

Big Miracle

Not much to talk about in Big Miracle. This is a half hour story, at most, that is stretched excruciatingly to 90+ minutes. Features Drew Barrymore (50 First Dates, a very romantic movie, trust me, and E.T. a gazillion years ago) in a forgettable performance. John Krasinski (Office, which I don't watch) is ok.

But generally it's a movie about a whale stuck in the ice with a few other little stories surrounding it. Wait til it's on TV, when you're planning to do cooking or housecleaning, with this on in the background, otherwise don't waste your time or money (as I did).

The Vow

Well, The Vow is hard to figure out. Rachel McAdams is adorable as always (Sherlock Holmes, Wedding Crashers, The Notebook, etc etc), she is very easy to watch. (One of the intriguing things in this movie is to watch her different haircuts). Channing Tatum is not so easy to watch or rather listen to - I cannot warm to him as his performances seem consistently 'wooden'.

The script and delivery are uneven. There are warm, intriguing, flowing parts that are a pleasure to view. Then there are the halting and stiff scenes that don't seem to have a natural fit or relationship to a previous or future scene. Whether the whole thing could have been better done I have no doubt (but I have no idea how...).

Wendy Crewson, whom I admire, is almost unnoticeable in a non-descript part. And Jessica Lange, (Tootsie, eons ago) whom I have also long admired, is good. And in a quirk of fate, my wife and I were surprised while watching credits to discover that a family friend, Dharini Woollcombe, has a two or three word part as a receptionist (I assume she was cast because part of the movie was shot in Toronto) - very cool!

Would I see it again? I think so (in part to watch Dharini again!). But I don't think I'd pay. Rental.