My Take

Salmon Fishing in the Yemen

If there was an award for most unfortunate title - this movie would win hands down. Does anything in that title tell you to run to the theater? A shame it is because the movie was really good. Not Oscar really good - but sit in a theater and get your money’s worth good. Everyone in the cast was marvelous (can Emily Blunt do anything wrong!?). Ewan McGregor  again showing how multi-facted his talent is and who knew Kristin Scott Thomas was so funny!? She needs to do more of that! There was also some marvelously placed integration of title animation and social media that felt fresh while at the same time came off as a wink to the past of the split screen phone call. Along the way some dialog that actually made you think and feel. Was glad to know they can still make a romantic comedy where you are rooting for the couple … and in this case, also for the fish!

The Vow

This wasn’t as bad as I thought it would be. The whole romantic movie genre has been plagued by truly sappy, unhinged stories that ironically enough have often been devoid of heart. And while I wouldn’t run out to see this movie for the amazing acting (Rachel McAdams again having to play down her actual talent, though anyone else in that role would have rendered the movie unwatchable) it at least has some heart and some really sweet moments. So if you are wondering ‘The Vow’ or a night of flipping through channels - go ahead and stream it. [I saw this over a month ago, a bit behind.]

Oscar Picks 2012

Well, here we are the night of nights! And likely a night with a few surprise in store.

Best Picture: The Artist (brilliance and momentum)

Best Actor: Jean Dujardin (showing that actions do speak louder than words)

Best Actress: Meryl Streep*/Viola Davis (this is the nail-biter, * is my pick)

Best Supporting Actor: Christopher Plummer (wonderful and worthy)

Best Supporting Actress: Octavia Spencer (though several could be spoilers)

Best Director: Michel Hazanavicuis

Writing - Original: Midnight in Paris, Woody Allen (though I’m pulling for Bridesmaid duo)

Writing - Adaption: The Descendents, Alexander Payne, Nat Faxon, and Jim Rash

Cinematography: Jeff Cronenweth, The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo

I’ll be tweeting throughout the broadcast at @bethtemple4u

Albert Nobbs

Squeezing in a viewing to round out the major nominations list for tonight’s Oscars! Can certainly see why Janet McTeer is up for supporting - she is one of those brilliant artisans of the film that rarely gets the credit deserved. Her understated performance is both compelling and propelling; subtle and sublime. As for Glenn Close as Albert, yes a woman playing a man deserves some kudos - but she was under-served by the direction which constantly relied on close-up (no pun intended) where a wide shot would have better kept the secret of her gender crossover. Great supporting cast and I enjoyed the various storylines all coming together quite nicely at the end. Also, thankful that despite a slow start, by movie’s end it seemed shorter vs longer in length (something that can’t be said about some of the other nominated roles and movies).

Iron Lady

Much has already been said - and all of it true - this is a movie to see only for Meryl Streep’s performance. So much is missing that could have made this movie better - but why go into that at all, what is done is done. Buy yourself some popcorn (or my fav Raisinets) and watch how a truly outstanding (Oscar nominated and hopefully winning) actor makes a role her own!

Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close

I had reservations about this movie going in and a few were realized early on. How can you have the tragedy of 9/11 at the center of a movie and not feel remorseful? I’ve heard of a few people walking out because the beginning was too much of the boy with his antics, there was a sense it wasn’t going anywhere. I felt the same but was glad I stayed because in the final ‘reveal’ a decent story became a heartwarming one. I give director Fincher kudo’s for finding the ‘hope’ in a day that left many of us hopeless.

War Horse

Another film I was really looking forward to (I need to stop with the expectations). I was one of those young girls with a horse crush and this movie about a horse crushed me. It’s a good enough story - but overwrought with sentimentality. We all know (spoiler alert) the boy and the horse get back together - but the road there was too rocky for me. I had some empathy issues with watching the horse(s) go through their ‘torture’. I was spent mid-way through. On a brighter note - if you are in NYC or coming this way do try to see War Horse the play - it is magical.

The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo

Here was another nice surprise - a movie I liked better than the book (but thank goodness I’d read the book to know when to close my eyes)! Most of this is due to an outstanding (and now Oscar nominated) performance by Rooney Mara. Fincher did a great job pacing the story and his brooding way of film-making was perfect for this story (beautifully styled as well). Bonus points for Craig and Plummer (who is just getting better with age). If you like a mystery wrapped in psychology and accentuated with cunning - see this one.

Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy

I was really looking forward to this movie - with a cast including Oldman, Firth, (Toby) Jones, Hines and (John) Hurt, how could it go wrong? Well, maybe it was me but the first hour was so full of activities being executed by the same people but at different times in a span of maybe 5-10 years (thank goodness Oldman’s character had different glasses - that helped) that by the time it got to the end where it was rapidly wrapped up I had no idea who did what or why. Next time I’m bringing some paper to take notes (not like I can boot up my Evernote app in a theater!)

Mission Impossible - Ghost Protocol

It is a rare thing to have a 3rd in a series be as good as the first one (maybe better!). With all of recent stumbles of Mr. Cruise (aka Knight and Day and Valkyrie) it was nice to see him back on his game and surrounded by a great cast including Jeremy Renner and Paula Patton. It was action packed as always and plenty of good humor between cohorts. In the line up of movies I saw the last week of December (I am horribly behind in posting) this was surprisingly one of my favorites. Go. Enjoy. Not impossible.