Quartet

A lovely movie. A gentle look at ageing in a British seniors home for those with musical backgrounds. I found myself seeing emotional glimpses of my parents in their final years, while recognizing much of the music, and remembering the nerve-wracking hustle and bustle of preparing for a performance that are captured well here.

Apparently this is Dustin Hoffman's directing debut. He does a nice job - I have a few quibbles about the progression and development of some of the relationships, but generally it all rings true. (Sir) Tom Courtenay (The Loneliness of the Long Distance Runner 1962 and Dr Zhivago) gives a very strong performance, as do Pauline Collins (Shirley Valentine) and Michael Gambon (the HP series). And of course, Maggie Smith (the underrated Ladies in Lavender, with Judi Dench) is herself, and superb.

Not a 'great' movie - it is, after all, showing in January which are the 'dog days' of the movie year. But solid and I'd see it again for the performances and to catch the nuances I missed the first time.

Promised Land

I liked this movie. But then, I like just about anything with Matt Damon (The Adjustment Bureau) in it - I find that he is compelling, down to earth, telling it like it is - maybe he only plays various shades of himself (as opposed to Johnny Depp who appears able to re-invent himself in different roles). But I still like his character(s).

It's a good story, about 'fracking' for oil (look it up). But there is something that is bothering me about the movie. Some critics call it too contrived, with a lame ending. Well, I like contrived; and, a lame ending is in the eyes of the beholder I'd say. Cannot put my finger on it...

There are good performances - John Krasinski (Office); Rosemarie DeWitt (The Company Men, in which she was  very solid support for Ben Affleck - in this movie I would describe her as 'wholesome'); and Hal Holbrook (All the President's Men - 1976). And the vistas of landscapes are quite lovely to watch.

A good rental, I'd see it again. And I gave it an extra 1/2 star for Damon.