Salmon Fishing in the Yemen

Proved captivating with dimensions of romance and comedy. This tale of a fisheries expert that proves the impossible, absurd and unachievable, moving salmon upstream, a journey of faith and fish for a sheik who is willing to spare no expense, is actually possible! A movie I will readily purchase on dvd and would repeatedly watch. British actress, Emily Blunt is well cast as is Scottish born Ewan McGregor. I score this film 8 (10 is high)

THE BEST EXOTIC MARIGOLD HOTEL

An ideal mix of established and well known actors are cast in this film: Maggie Smith(Muriel) Judi Dench(Evelyn) Bill Nighy(Douglas) Penelope Wilton(Jean) Dev Patel(Sonny) as well as Tom Wilkinson(Graham) Some wonderful throw away lines and situations captivated me whilst watching what proved to be a film with plenty of humour, that in some places even touching moments. Some British retirees decide to spend the next chapter of their lives in exotic India, tempted by ads for a newly restored Marigold Hotel. On arrival to it they find the palace is just a shell and needing much love and care. As their sense of adventure unfolds, alongside new discoveries and experiences, so viewers are very much entertained. A must see and a film I will search out when available on dvd. I score this film 8 (10 is highest)

Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close

It is so, so clever. I didn't realise until I went to see the film that it's an adaption of the novel by Jonathan Safran Foer, which I must now read. Tom Hanks plays the role of a Jeweller, who is a Father of an eleven year-old boy (name Oskar played by Thomas Horn) who sets varying challenges to help his son to embrace life and extend his ability to problem solve besides nurturing him to confront his wildest fears. In doing so, there is a true bond and mutual respect between Father & son. The son seems to be ahead of his years. Thomas Horn will go far! Then the most horrific and unthinkable happens... the boys Father dies in the World Trade Centre! After the boys "worst day", he discovers a key amongst his Father’s belongings. Once discovered, the boy can not help himself but to search across the city for the lock it will open. Along the way he meets quite an assortment of people. He produces an amazing record of those he meets and a system for tracking down where or whom the key belongs.

His Mother (played by Sandra Bullock) is in the background intially, but you can see there is true chemistry between husband and wife. Her intuition shines through... There is "The Renter" played by Max Von Sydow who you may recognise as being in many previous films such as: "Three Days of the Condor", "The Exorcist" and "Shutter Island". Another brilliant role for him. Having experienced grief first-hand, the acting is very realistic and how the story is hinged is absolutely ingenuis. A film I will buy on dvd. FANTASTIC...... Go and see it for yourself. I found it captivating and I feel it will also be for those going to the cinema in the right frame of mind, who also demonstrate a depth of character. I score this movie 9 (10 is top)

The Vow

Magnificant acting by Rachel McAdams and Channing Tatum with realistic emotional dimension. They had the ideal chemistry, embracing life when an accident struck and had a huge impact on these newly weds when his wife wakes up from a coma and does not recollect who the man is at the end of her bed or their marriage. A frosty Father and accepting Mother took the accident as an opportunity to blank out her husband and entice their daughter to return home. The couple enjoyed a marriage of love and true friendship which was a recipe for passion as well as genuine spontaneity. Does her husband win his fight to win her heart all over again, is the question? Watch it and find out! The Mother was played by Jessica Lange who also had a leading role in "Tootsie". An hour and three quarters of captivating storyline inspired by a true story that generates tears as well as empathy. A must to view in my opinion, and a film to own on dvd. I score this film 9 (10 is top)

The Descendants

A film I watched at the cinema 31st May 2012... George Clooney has the main role as a Honolulu-based lawyer who is the sole trustee of a family trust. His job has dictated time away from home. His wife (Elizabeth) has a boating accident which results in her going into a coma. It makes him reflect and wish he had invested more time in his marriage and family. There is so much that he wants to do when she recovers. During his wife's time in a coma, he is forced to confront his youngest 10-year-old daughter, Scottie's inappropriate behaviour with other children and his eldest 17-year-old daughter, Alex's drinking. The viewer can readily relate to what he is going through as he attempts to manage homelife and gets his head around his wife's situation. Alex tells her father that Elizabeth was having an affair at the time of the accident. George responds by confronting two family friends, Kai and Mark, and learns who Elizabeth's lover is and sets out to meet this man. He initially wishes to see this man and his response to Elizabeth's accident. George wants to give him the opportunity to say his goodbye to her as the hospital can no longer maintain her life support. When anger rears its head, he seeks to establish whether this man loved his wife. This film is apparently based on a novel by Kaui Hart Hemmings. Be prepared to journey through a rollercoaster of emotions... This film is well paced given the storyline and is thought provoking. Always remember... What you sew, you reap! Invest in who you hold dear. I score this film 8 (10 is top) Don't see it without tissues! I will not buy this on dvd though.

The Adjustment Bureau

My kind of action thriller... A politician experiences glimpses of his planned future (played brilliantly by Matt Damon) that he chooses to fight. He has an affair with a ballerina (played thoughtfully by Emily Blunt) which is affected by mysterious forces making every effort to keep the two lovers apart. The outcome of the politician's choices are quite gripping throughout. It is based on a story by Philip K. Dick. I found it thought-provoking in terms of issues of fate. I score this film 8 (10 is top) A dvd I am glad to own.

HUGO

An alternative kind of story to watch that proves hilarious in parts. A brilliant performance by Ben Kingsley, but what else would you expect? In 3D this adventure is about a resourceful boy Hugo (played by Asa Butterfield) who ultimately finds himself a loving home as a result of resolving a conundrum that remained with him after his Dad died. Fascinating mechanisms and technicalities... Glad I went to see it and had the 3D experience however I will not purchase the dvd, when it becomes available. I score this film 7 (10 being the top score) according to my taste - technical merit is vastly better.

The Iron Lady - Meryl Streep

Meryl Streep portrays Margaret Thatcher so well. The walk... the talk... the mind... the clothes... the expressions... Meryl Streep has achieved the level of zeal, fervour and attention to detail that portrays so realistically, the real Lady Thatcher. I can well see how she is attaining awards such as the very recent "Best Actress - Drama" at the 2012 Golden Globe Awards.

The film includes quite an account of Margaret's life... her ambition... her foresight... her handling of adversity! Worth viewing. A dvd that I will purchase when available. To think I lived during Lady Thatcher's rise and fading. I score this film 9 (10 being highest)