Brooklyn Nine Nine (not a film)

 

I am sure that the 12 individuals that read the blog would notice that I have not posted in quite some time now.  I can blame it on the hustle and bustle of life, but in reality I just needed a break.  

When I started this blog it was my intention to re-animate my brain and get me out of the monotony with which I had been passing time.  I had been out-of-shape mentally and I was looking to get back into a new, fresh routine.  As it turns out, your brain is a muscle that needs to be exercised. and if you only use it once in a while, it will cramp up.  I had a cramp, but I'm better now.

So during the past couple weeks my brain needed a break from movies and I took the advice of a trusted co-worker and I started watching a series.

The series is Brooklyn Nine-Nine, and I am well aware that I am late to this fantastic party.  

Prior to my viewing of Nine-Nine I was turned off my the leading man, Andy Samberg.  While Mr. Samberg is the creator of some of my favorite digital shorts from his Saturday Night Live days, he is also the creator of some of the lowest-browed pieces of attempted "humor" that I have come across.  I anticipated watching some of the first episode and then turning if off due to the crass humor.

That is what I expected, but instead I found my new favorite show.

Brooklyn Nine Nine is, at its core, The Office set in a police station.  This comes as no surprise considering the creator of Brooklyn Nine Nine is also the creator of Parks and Recreation, Michael Schurr.  You might best know him best from his portrayal of  "Mose", Dwight Schute's sheltered cousin.  Michael Schurr knows how to make a mockumentary-style series.   

I enjoy the characters that are portrayed in 99th Brooklyn precinct.  Brooklyn Nine Nine has some of the best defined characters of any sitcom I have seen recently.  Samberg's character leads the pack with as a 12 year old in a 30 year old body.  His colleagues range from an emotionless and tough-as-nails detective (Rosa) to an overly strong father of two that loves yogurt. The combination is hilarious.  It makes me laugh out loud so much that I restrict myself from eating or drinking during viewing.

On a recent weekend I had the opportunity to get back to watching films and writing some reviews for my blog.  Instead I binged on the entire second season of Brooklyn Nine Nine, and I a LOVED it!

If real life were to imitate TV shows, I would be elated if my life was more like the quirky, quick-talking group of detectives down at the "nine nine".  That was my life would be hilarious!

I categorize this series as:

Hilarious

Entertaining.
Binge-worthy.

4/5 Stanley Cups.  Up to episode 9 in season 3.  I hope the series continues to excel.

Format: Netflix and HULU

Viewing Period: Any time I could spare.

Inspired me to: Watch Parks and Recreation. I probably won't, but I have the inspiration.

Pan

 

PAN

Sometimes an idea sits and cannot find the traction that is needed to turn into a full feature-length film.  Other times, that same idea can be harvested and it is put on the big screen ahead of its time and it revolutionized what we expect from the cinema.  There is also a third thing that can happen.  It is possible that an idea is harvested in a timely manner and brought to fruition in a flurry of visual stimulation and effect only to leave the viewer with more questions than answers upon exiting the theatre.  I'm sure you can understand where I am coming from by now because I feel like Pan falls into the third category.

We went to see Pan on its opening weekend.  We went in with little knowledge of the film aside from the trailer that we saw a number of weeks prior.  I am a big fan of the Peter Pan-inspired film Hook from 25 years ago.  I enjoy the story.  I played John in a musical when I was 13.  The Peter Pan ride in Disneyland is the first Disney ride I ever rode.  Needless to say, I enjoy the tales of Neverland.

I really liked how Pan started.  It gave Peter an interesting origin and he starts off as an adventurous boy looking for a home to call his own.  I very much prefer that to Peter Pan in the Disney cartoon.  Peter in Pan was likable.  The film showed some magical elements that reminded me that I was watching a fantastical story, and I couldn't take anything too seriously.  I was all on board in the first 1/2 hr of the film.

Then the confusion came.

This is a bit of a spoiler, so consider yourself warned.

When the introduction of Blackbeard comes up, I was impressed by the character.  I am amazed that Mr. Sexy Australian, Hugh Jackman, was underneath the beard, wig and makeup.  Blackbeard is charismatic, evil and cruel.  He is an excellent villain searching for immortality.  Unfortunately for him, there was an artistic choice by the director that made me feel so confused.  The miners and pirates sing contemporary songs in Neverland.  This is nothing to be shocked at, but they only sang 2 contemporary songs.  They sing Nirvana's "Smells Like Teen Spirit" brilliantly, and then come out with a rendition of "Blitzkrieg Bop" by The Ramones.   This would have been fine for me if only all of the songs in the film were done in the same manner.  That would bring some continuity to my brain and it would help me understand the world that I am watching.  Unfortunately, those 2 songs were the only contemporary songs in the film.  There is another song or two that is performed, but it was nothing that I recognized or remembered.  A part of me left the film at that point and just started enjoying the visual aspects of Pan.

That brings me to a major aspect of this film.  The world that is created by the artists in Pan is amazing.  We saw it in 3D and by the end of the film my eyes were actually aching due to the overwhelming stimuli in a beautiful-looking film.  This is something that I would like to emphasize.  Even though I was lost in the middle of the movie due to some creative choices, this should not diminish the great look of this film.  It is worth the watch just to experience the world that is created.  Seriously, rent it in a couple months when it comes out on DVD.

There was another item that bothered me with this film, but it was related to the fact that I was already out of the fantasy of this film so any additional magic was lost on me.

The acting was enjoyable.  I enjoyed all of the main actors and I think Levi Miller is excellent in his screen debut.  I feel bad saying anything bad about this film for his sake.  I look forward to his next project.

I categorize this film as:

Visually stunning.

Confusing.
Missed the mark.

2.5/5 Stanley Cups. 

Format: 3D in the Theatre

Viewing Period: All in one shot on a Saturday night.

Inspired me to: Watch Hook, a tried and tested Peter Pan film.

Duck Soup

Duck Soup

I had recently listened to a podcast that featured Gilbert Gottfried talking about classic comedy films.  He used most of his time speaking about the Marx Brothers.  He spoke about how they were the funniest guys around.  If I had stopped listening to Mr. Gottfried at that time and went to watch Duck Soup, I would have been sorely disappointed.

To compare Duck Soup to any modern comedy would be a mistake.  You have to see the movie in the context of its release date.  Let's take a trip back to 1933...

The cars looked like this:

The televisions looked like this:

 

And it was called a radio.

Finalley, movie theatres looked like this:

 

1933 was also the year that classic films, King Kong and The Invisible Man were released.  The Academy award were in their infancy.  No supporting actor/actress category existed and the Best Picture award was know as the Outstanding Production award.

Now that we can look at Duck Soup through our 1933 goggles, it is a provocative, witty and edgy political comedy.  It is a perfect length at 68 minutes and it does not shy away from some adult humor (which seems extremely tame for 2015) while showing us what great mimes and vaudevillian performers can do.

I particularly enjoy Groucho Marx in the film.  He is the most recognizable of the brothers and his humor makes me feel validated in making "dad jokes".  Every word that comes from Groucho is a set up for a punny punchline that is delivered with such a deadpan inflection that it is easy to miss them.

One of the reasons I wanted to watch a Marx Brothers film was to see the comparison that many people made when The Beatles came to the United States in 1964.  The witty, cheeky, and downright lame answers to questions that The Fab Four gave to reporters is undeniably similar to arguments that the Marx Brothers have on and off camera.  After watching Duck Soup, a viewing of The Beatles' film,  A Hard Day's Night  would be an excellent way to fully appreciate the Marx family for what they did for comedy.

So I'll check it off of the list.  One of the top 100 films of all time, and I have seen it, and enjoyed it!

I categorize this film as:

A Classic.

A piece of history.

4.5/5 Stanley Cups.  A little lagging at times, but brilliant still.

Format: On my iPhone.

Viewing Period: Many different times while I was in the gym at work on the bike or eliptical.

Inspired me to: Watch A Hard Day's Night

Six Days Seven Nights

 

Six Days Seven Nights

Does anyone else remember when this film came out?  I distinctly recall hearing a lot of hype about it.  There was a big deal made about the age gap between Harrison Ford and Anne Heche, but now, it seems a moot point considering that Harrison Ford is ageless.

When I was watching this film, I had to remember when it was made.  1998 was the peak of popularity for pop music like Britney Spears and Backstreet Boys.  It was the year when we forgot about steroids in sports and celebrated Mark McGuire and Sammy Sosa.  Cinematically, it was a year removed from Titanic and Spice World.  Needless to say, it was a different world.

As I remember it, 1998 was a year when Star Wars was back in the zeitgeist. It was a year after the "special edition" versions of the original trilogy were released and it was a year away from the highly anticipated new film (The Phantom Menace).  Harrison Ford was what people were talking about.  I think he had a bit of a renaissance of his early-80s hero-type roles, which I have no problem with.  For much of my childhood, Harrison for was my favorite actor even though I had only seen him in the Star Wars films and Raider of the Lost Ark.  I am very much a Ford fan.

I attempted to cut this film a lot of slack due to the aforementioned reasons, but I can still come to the conclusion that it is a silly film that could have been better. Here's how I would have made it better.

First of all, David Schwimmer is in this film.  There is no need to have David Schwimmer in a film unless he is lending his voice to an animated giraffe.

Second of all, without the discovery of the pirates, this could have been a cute little chick-flick with the lovers finding common ground while they work to get off of the island.  It would be like Hell in the Pacific, but without the racial tension.

Thirdly, This film could have become and adventure film with some romantic undertones.  This would be in the same genres of some classics like: The Star Wars Trilogy or The Indiana Jones Trilogy both trilogies just so happen to feature a charismatic actor named Harrison Ford.

When the pirates show up in this film I was excited for an adventurous romp with my childhood Cinematic hero, but this film only holds on to the action sequence a method of keeping you awake while the middle section of the film drags on.

It could have been great.  It could have been be good.  It could have been, but wasn't.

Final thought: the final dialogue seems to have been dubbed in afterward as a method to end the film in a comedic manner.  Lame.

By the way, why is it called Six Day, Seven Nights?  Vacations are usually six nights, seven days.  It doesn't make sense.

I categorize this film as:

A missed opportunity.

Full of potential.

2/5 Stanley Cups

Format: On my iPhone.  You can download it off of Youtube.com! 

Viewing Period: Many different time while I was in the gym at work on the bike or eliptical.

Inspired me to: Hate David Schwimmer.

Life of Pi

Life of Pi

Ready for a journey to an exotic locale? Maybe you are looking for an exciting adventure that also brings with it an existentially thought-provoking story?  If this is what you seek, Life of Pi is your film tonight.

I had heard about this film a lot since it came out in 2012.  I had heard that the book was excellent, I heard that it was a beautiful film, and I had heard about the Oscar-winning digital effects company that had gone bankrupt because of this film.

All of what I heard was true.  The film is stunning.  It goes from the colorful country of India to the sandy beaches of Mexico, and it covers the Pacific Ocean in between.  This film really takes you into a wonderful world full of open-ended questions.  Pi, the main character, talks about his life journey and how he lost his family, but never lost hope.

I can't say much else about the film other than it was a pleasure to watch.  It made me think, but not so much that I am going to change my life entirely.  It did make me cry, and it made me laugh.  It helped me have a greater respect for animals and for engineers.  Why engineers?  Pi's journey forces him to built some impressive contraptions with limited resources.  It makes you appreciate the genius that is contained within an engineer.

I categorize this film as:

Beautiful

Thoughtful

An adventure

4/5 Stanley Cups

Format: DVD 

Viewing Period:3-4 parts during nap times and early mornings

Inspired me to: Read the book.

Reason? Who said anything about reason?

An Organized Randomization

I was asked last night if the films that I review are simply random viewings done by a roll of a die.  I informed my inquisitive friend that my choices are random, but there is somewhat of an organization to it all.

My wife and I have accumulated a large number of DVDs over the years and we keep them in one of three large binders in an attempt to organize them all.  At times I will take a smaller DVD carrying case and pick 10 films that I would like to watch in the near future.  They are a mix of films that I love, ones that I have forgotten about and others that I have simply never seen.

Aside from my DVD collection I have also done a lot of searching on Netflix for films that intrigue me, but I do not want to go out and buy them.  Netflix is smart enough to have "My List" where I can add and organize the films that I want to see.  Using these two methods I have a huge selection of films that I am interested in and I can watch at any time.

As many may have noticed, I do go to the cinema quite a bit too.  I enjoy the experience of going to the theater and spending an evening with a crowd of people watching a big movie screen.  I always attend with my wife, so the movies I watch on the big screen are usually animated or produced by Disney in one way or another.  The theater experience is by far my preferred method of consuming film.

That is a brief explanation of my method and madness.  I hope that helps.

Next

Next

Everyone is aware that Nicolas Cage is insane, right?  If you are not aware, please refer to this video or this video, or even this video.  In fact, watch episode 2 of season 5 of Community.  It is based upon a class that debates if Nicolas Cage is good or bad.  Hilarity and insanity ensue.

Nicolas Cage.  He is a cultural phenomenon, but he is more like a car wreck than a work of art.  It is inexplicable why he makes the high number of films that he does, but it gives us the opportunity to turn off our minds and watch a movie for the simple reason of entertainment.  Nic Cage films are the universe's answer to dance mixes: they ruin a good thing, but we keep wanting them and buying them.

I decided to take in the film entitled Next.  This film stars Jessica Biel and Julianne Moore alongside Mr. Cage.  I can understand Jessica Biel taking the chance to be in an action film to boost her career, but I don't understand why Julianne Moore is in this movie.  The money must have been really good.

We are lucky that Moore was in the film because she is the most enjoyable part of this train-wreck that made $18 million at the domestic box office, but it was made for $70 million.  In fact we are the luckiest that the foreign market enjoys the films of Nic Cage, because although this film was a flop domestically, it made $58 million overseas.  Someone wanted to watch it.

I may rag on Nic Cage and this movie, but you might be surprised that I really enjoyed this movie.  I really enjoy PG-13 action movies.  As it so happens, Mr. Cage stars in a number of films in this niche genre.

Next is fun and entertaining.  It is shot in an interesting way that shows how Nic Cage's character can change his circumstances because he can see 2 minutes into the future.  The film will go into alternate timelines (which also reminded me of Community) to show what might have happened if one choice is made in lieu of another.  I thought this was a really fun and that is about it.  It is a film that I can enjoy while my kids are in the same room and I don't need to worry about damage to their brains. Since I watched the film with my kids in the same room, I must give the film a decent rating. Of course this is despite a lack of chemistry between the leads, an outrageous premise and a lack of consequence at the end (spoiler!!).

Sometimes I just need to be entertained.

P.S.  Next also features Peter Faulk second-to-last film appearance.

I categorize this film as:

Ridiculous

Cage-riffic

Nic-tastic

 

3.5/5 Stanley Cups

Format: Netflix 

Viewing Period: One shot all the way through.  The boys played cars and I watched a movie.

Inspired me to: Watch more Nic Cage movies in small doses as instructed by my doctor.

Alexander and The Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day.

 

Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day

There are movies that cause reviews to be polarizing; either you love it, or you hate it.  Usually this occurs in separate individuals where one person will have the opposite opinion of the other. I find this polarization happening within my own brain.  Alexander's Day (as I will refer to the film from now on) has me conflicted.

As someone who likes to get past conflict, I will voice both of my opinions of this film.  I can't justify keeping one of them silent.

The first review is positive, the second is not.

Review #1

Are you looking for a fun family film that you can laugh at and enjoy with all the family?  Do you want to feel like your life is not as bad as the life of someone else?  I suggest you turn you movie-viewing eyes over to the Disney release Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day.  I really enjoyed this film.  It is full of one-liners, likable characters and of course, oddball individuals that make you want to rewind the film and watch it again.

The movie is based on the book of the same title that I enjoyed reading in my elementary school days.   Whenever a movie is made based on a children's book, I am always curious to see how the film will expand from a 15 minute book to a 90 minute film. (full disclosure, this film is 81 mins long)

I really enjoyed the characters of Alexander's family.  His father (Steve Carell) is funny while falling apart and struggling as a stay-at-home dad.  I feel for him and I appreciate his methods to survival with children.  I found him to be charming, as always. (except in The Way Way Back)

Jennifer Garner's character is likable and believable as a well-to-do mom that is breaking into the corporate world of children's literature.  The kids, other than Alexander are a mixture of stereotypes that are used in almost every family movie, but that is because they are accurate.  The siblings in this film are like regular siblings.  They fight, they yell, they tattle, and then they hug at the end of it all.  No so far from the real thing.

All in all I enjoyed this wholesome film and it was a lovely way to spend an afternoon with my family.  Our oldest son has referenced it a number of times in his daily conversations, so it must have made a great impression.

Review #2

How long will it take for the world to just stop making movies where everything goes wrong?  We all saw Meet The Parents, and some people brave the viewing of the sequels.  Now you might say, "come on, Tyler.  That is one movie.  You can't say that this is an over-used plot device over one other movie!"  On the contrary, please consider this list:

RV

Fun with Dick & Jane

Any any of the Vacation movies

Any Steve Martin comedy

Any Judd Apatow "comedy"

Any family movie starring Ice Cube, Martin Lawrence, or Eddie Murphy

In fact there are so many of this type of movie that I found a part of a web site listing them off.  Find it here.

I understand that there were few options for a different plot when the film's title contains adjectives describing the type of day that will be had, but it could have been something different.  I am starting to get tired of it.

I found this film exhausting due to the predictable story, one-dimensional characters, and lame....

Wait a minute.

I can't do this anymore.

***

Re-do

Let's face it.  I enjoyed this film.  It has a lot of predictable plot holes and some unrealistic situations, but there were some moments that charmed this movie into my brain.

Some moments that brought the charm:

• I enjoyed the older brother's response to missing his junior prom, ("it's only the junior prom.").  He left his jerk of a girlfriend.  Awesome!!
• The sister's drunken rendition of Peter Pan.  Hilarious!
• Donald Glover's appearance as part of a group developing a video game.  I know a number of people like him and the scenes turned out just as they would in real life.
• The condition of the van after the driving test.  It just made me smile.
• Jennifer Coolidge being a partially normal character.  A rare treat! 

I have a soft spot for silly family films.  They are what we watch as a family because I don't have to worry about my sons being scarred for life due to violence or explicit material. I'll have a couple other reviews like this because I have a number of films that are truly awful, but I will watch them over and over again against my good judgment.  Stay tuned for those beauties!

I categorize this film as:

Ridiculous

Fun

Family friendly.
 

2.5/5 Stanley Cups

Format: Netflix 

Viewing Period:  2 separate periods.  The periods were a couple weeks apart.  Our older son didn't want to finish the movie.  He eventually warmed up to it. 

Inspired me to: Appreciate the simplicity of my life.  Watch more Steve Carell on The Office.

Man From U.N.C.L.E.

 

The Man From U.N.C.L.E

 

Period piece.  This is a phase designated for a film  that is set in another era.  I enjoy period pieces.  I especially enjoy them when they are done in a way that transports me to that time period.  An example of this is The Man From U.N.C.L.E.
 
I'll admit that I was skeptical of this film.  I did not have a desire to see it in the theatres after learning that the two starring actors consist of a guy who hardly spoke in his last film (Henry Cavill, Man of Steel) and a guy who was part of a huge literal and figurative train wreck (Armie Hammer, The Lone Ranger).  What drew me in was the director and the trailer, not to mention that the film is not R-rated, but boasted a lot of action and intrigue in a 1960s setting.

Like any period piece, the costumes, sets and cars were accurate, and done very well.  But unlike other period pieces, The Man From U.N.C.L.E. not only transports you to the 1960s, but it also takes you back and puts you into the genre and direction of a 1960s spy film.

Here are some elements from this film that might intrigue you:

There is a handsome and suave American spy:

There is a vulnerable and brutal Russian spy:

 

There is a beautiful, young woman:

 

There is a director that knows how to make an exciting film:  

 

With all the of these elements combined with a twisting plot line and car chases that make you forget about any Fast or Furious movie, you have on heck of a fun movie that I highly recommend.  

A big "Thank you" goes out to my wife from whom the suggestion came to watch the film.  An excellent choice.

I categorize this film as:

Action-packed

Fun

Exciting
 

4/5 Stanley Cups

Format: On the big screen at the theatre. 

Viewing Period: One shot all the way through.

Inspired me to: See The Man From U.N.C.L.E  again.  I really enjoyed it!

Pacific Rim

 

Pacific Rim

 

Have you ever looked at your Netflix list and seen some selections that make you think, "well, I haven't seen that one yet.  I guess I'll give it a try." ?  That is what happened to me this past week.  I hope it never happens to me again.  Once bitten, twice shy.

One should always go into a movie-watching experience anticipating good things.  I happened to be looking on Netflix and was checking out "My List".  For those who are not aware, "My List" on Netflix is a list of movies that you, the user makes so that you can easily and readily choose the movies that you have been waiting to watch.  On my list I had Pacific Rim.  I am confident that I put Pacific Rim on my list due to the simple fact that I had never before watched it.  There was nothing else drawing me in to watch it.  I had never seen a film directed by Guillermo del Toro, nor had I seen any of the classic monster versus monster movies such as Godzilla, King Kong, or Cloverfield.   My closet encounter with a giant monster fight was the music video to "Intergalactic" by Beastie Boys.

 

Needless to say, I had no reason to be watching this movie and it shows in my apathetic review.  This movie has its audience and nothing that I can say or point out will change that fact that some people with love this movie and others will simple not care, So I'll just highlight some moments that I enjoyed.

I loved Charlie Day as the monster-obsessed scientist.  He was a relief to watch and I do wish that he was in more of the film.

 

I enjoyed the Australian accents.  Everyone loves Australian accents!  (They could be New Zealand accents, but I am no expert.

 

Cool monster battles, but I wanted to see them.  Too bad sea monsters only attack at night.

 

Well, that's about it!  I won't able to sway you to like it or not.  You either do or you don't.

I categorize this film as:
 

Ridiculous

Fun

No my cup of tea, but it could be yours.

 

2/5 Stanley Cups - Technically impressive, but not much else.

Format: Netflix, on the big screen in the basement.

 

Viewing Period: One shot all the way through at 6-8am.

Inspired me to: Watch one Godzilla movie.  That's all I need.

Raiders of The Lost Ark

 Raiders of The Lost Ark

What do you do on a Sunday night with your sons?  Maybe you have dinner, play games, or read a book.  We decided to watch a classic movie and make a memory.

Don't worry, I know what you are thinking: "Tyler, have you never seen Raiders of The Lost Ark before today?"   The answer is: of course!  This is one of my favorite movies of all time.  It is timeless and fun, but it wasn't until today that I realized the real reason why it is a brilliant film.

I have mentioned before about my experience watching Casablanca.  If you forgot, don't worry, click here.  Casablanca is the most "classic" film I have yet to see.  It have lines that you remember, characters you love, and humor sprinkled throughout tense, dramatic scenes.  This is exactly what draws me in to the adventure when I watch any Indiana Jones film, but especially Raiders of the Lost Ark.  While I was watching Raiders today I realized how brilliantly this 1981 film was made in the style of 1940s adventure films.  What? You don't believe me? Please let me show some examples:

The entrance of the hero:

We don't even see Dr. Jones' face until he rips a pistol out of a traitor's hand with his whip, and at that point we get the hero shot:

 

Here is a video and blog entry that goes into how this shot was set up.  It really helps you to appreciate the vision that good directors have.  Video     Blog

The use of shadows and silhouettes:  This helps to keep characters mysterious and to avoid showing violence.  this style is used in Dick Tracy, a film based in a similar era.

There is simple, stylized, and obviously-staged fighting with gags.

 

These are just a few of the elements that make Raiders of the Lost Ark an absolute classic film.  Not only is it a classic for modern times, but it hearkens back and pays homage to the giants on whose backs it stands.

I love this movie for being fun and exciting while displaying elements of old serials that I am only now starting to notice.  Raiders warrants a watch if you are unfamiliar with it and it warrants another watched if you have seen it before, just to appreciate the brilliance of Steven Spielberg's direction.

I categorize this film as:
 

Classic

Fun

Adventurous

Worth a deeper look

5/5 Stanley Cups - only a true dynasty can measure up to this film!

Format: DVD (a birthday present from the Lopez family. One of the best gifts I've ever received!)

Viewing Period: One shot all the way through while Miles played with toys and Gavin slept through half.  Gavin woke up in time for the truck pursuit sequence.  He thought it was hilarious when Indy knocks the Nazis off the side of the truck.

Inspired me to: Watch the rest of the Indiana Jones Trilogy. (and Crystal Skull to complete the set.)

Salmon Fishing In The Yemen

 

Salmon Fishing in The Yemen

I remember the first time that I heard the title of this film.  I was confused.  It sounded as though some one wanted to write a story about things that don't match.  It could have been called "Mountain Climbing in the Netherlands" or "Igloo Building in Ecuador" and I would have the same reaction.  I thought that this film was a straight drama about a fisherman trying to achieve his goal and someone told him that fulfilling his goal was impossible, like going salmon fishing in the Yemen.

I had no interest in this film due to the unfortunate title.  My disinterest was tamed when I found out that Emily blunt was in it.  Now, you may ask: "is Emily Blunt your celebrity crush?"  The answer would be "no".  Since I reviewed Edge of Tomorrow I stated that I was looking for an Emily Blunt movie that was of any value.  I was lead to Wild Target by a friend of mine, but I was not taken by it.  One of the reasons for my dislike of the film was that the age difference between the leads is 23 years.  Also, I found Emily Blunt's character unlikable.  It was not my cup of tea.

Now let's get back to the film that I am reviewing.

The two leads in the film are 12 years apart in age.  I can deal with that.  Emily Blunt's character is likable and full of the British charm.  That is what I was looking for.  Ewan McGregor uses his actual Scottish accent and is a lovable loser.  That is perfect.  To top it all off, the character of the Sheikh is kind, philosophical and charming.  There are likable characters, an unorthodox story, and a number of fine actors in this film.  I am a little disappointed that it took me so long to find it.

Lesson learned:  don't judge a movie by its title.

I categorize this film as:

Very British
Charming

3.5/5 Stanley Cups - Take out the minor swearing and I'd give it a 4.

Format: Netflix

Viewing Period: The first 10 minutes I watch a month ago.  I watched the next hour one morning on the TV.  I finished the film on the iPad early in the morning.

Inspired me to: Go fishing and continue to fall in love with my wife.  (not at the same time.)