Salmon Fishing in the Yemen Review

Salmon Fishing in the Yemen: Emily Blunt, Ewan McGregor, and the always underrated Kristin Scott Thomas star in this quirky film about salmon fishing and dare I say …faith. A very wealthy Sheik has a dream of bringing the pastime of salmon fishing to his people in Yemen. The plan gets helped along when the Press secretary for the Prime Minister of Great Britain is looking for a positive story from the middle east. She is looking to combat the negative bombing stories that are normally in the news. Emily Blunt plays Harriet, a representative of the sheik who hires a fisheries expert - played Ewan McGregor, to help the Sheik realize his dream. McGregor’s character thinks the plan is rubbish at first glance. After spending time with the Sheik and Harriet he slowly begins to believe in the idea. Of course Blunt & McGregor strike up a romantic relationship along the way( This is a romantic comedy, not fishing documentary). The script is fun….lighthearted and silly, yet at the same time has some more serious themes swimming upstream. I do feel there were too many lose ends at the end of the movie to give it a proper ending. As a result the conclusion is choppy and a bit rushed. That said I love the creativeness of the story and Kristin Scott Thomas’s performance is hilarious!

Rythemovieguy’s grade 2.5 Jaws / B -

If this movie had Parents: Field of Dreams & A River Runs Through it.

Rythemovieguy's Top 10 of 2011

2011 has come to a close.....it may not have been the strongest year for movies, but it did have its share of "must see films." We saw the end of Harry Potter, another Hangover, giant transformers destroy Chicago, and some Bridesmaids crap in their dresses. Yet it is a silent black & white film that is stealing the spotlight late in the year. Movies really do offer something for everyone. Below I have listed my Top 10 Movies of the Year and like always I was lucky to see them all with my "best half" - so I have included Jen's list below mine...as a second opinion is always good to have.

10) The Descendants - A Difficult story to tell, but George Clooney's performance makes it work.

9) The Help - It is meant to be a little lighter on the subject matter, yet it still packs a powerful punch.

8) The Tree Of Life - The Most Ambitious film in the past 30 years.

7) Martha Marcy May Marlene - The hidden Olsen sister "Elizabeth" stars in a movie that will stick with you long after you see it.

6) Beginners - The Best movie about love this year!

5) Drive - The most stylized movie of the year is a fun ride!

4) War Horse - Seeing all the different lives the horse touched worked for me.

3) Warrior - Cliche? Yes.....but ultimately this is a story about family that had me cheering in the aisle.

2) The Artist - Refreshing to see a simple story told in such a creative way.

1) Shame - The Best movie of the year tackles a difficult subject matter with grace. Michael Fassbender is brilliant as is the cinematography and the score.

Jen's Top 10 -

10) Martha Marcy May Marlene

9) Midnight In Paris

8) Beginners

7) The Debt

6) The Artist

5) A Dangerous Method

4) The Help

3) Jane Eyre

2) Shame

1) Warrior

Honorable mention of both Ry & Jen: 50/50

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Midnight in Paris

Midnight In Paris: Woody Allen's 44th feature film is a true charmer! Owen Wilson plays Gil, a writer who is engaged to Inez (Rachel McAdams). They are in Paris with her Family for some vacation. Gil Loves Paris, but longs to go back to the 1920s when the city was the vibrant artistic capitol of the world. Low and behold when Gil goes out for a walk alone, at midnight he is transported back in time. He is able to meet such young artists that were in Paris in the 20s such as Ernest Hemingway, F. Scott Fitzgerald, Cole Porter and Salvador Dali (played hysterically by Adrian Brody). Each day he comes back to present time and spends the day with his wife. The city of Paris looks fabulous in the movie - The opening sequence reminded me of the way Allen showed New York in his 1979 masterpiece Manhattan. Owen Wilson delivers Woody's lines perfectly - it is easy to see the Allen character in him, but at the same time he makes it all his own. This is not so much a love story as it is a tale of appreciation for a golden age of art. I could not help think that one day we will look back at this time in cinema as a golden age of the art form. A time when legends such as Scorsese, Spielberg, Coppola, and Woody Allen made films that stuck with us for generations....

Rythemovieguy's Grade: B

If this movie had parents they would be: Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure and Before Sunrise