My Movies, My Thoughts: "Anonymous" is interesting twist on Shakespeare

My Movies, My Thoughts: "Anonymous" is interesting twist on Shakespeare: I had heard about the movie, "Anonymous," some time ago, but it had simply slipped my mind until I saw it in the video rental store last eve...

"Anonymous" is interesting twist on Shakespeare

I had heard about the movie, "Anonymous," some time ago, but it had simply slipped my mind until I saw it in the video rental store last evening. How delighted I was to find this (I am an English major after all) movie, and how very unenthused my husband was that I did (he's not an English major!).

This story claims to be the real story of the works attributed to Shakespeare (notice I did not say "by Shakespeare"), and was an interesting telling of how the plays that are so very famous came to be. As the movie supposes the writings are that of the Earl of Oxford Edward De Vere, who because of his station in life and that playwriting was nearly a sin, could not be known as the author.

I warn you however that Shakespeare himself is not portrayed well in this movie and does come off as somewhat of a lying, cheating oaf! If what you are looking for is something that makes you rethink everything...okay not everything, just some things...you knew about literature and wonder just a little, then this movie is for you! 

Now, I'm feeling guilty that I haven't read any Shakespeare since college. Maybe it's time to take in a sonnet or two!

My Movies, My Thoughts: "Salmon Fishing in Yemen" is not as unlikely as it...

My Movies, My Thoughts: "Salmon Fishing in Yemen" is not as unlikely as it...: As summer generally goes, there is little movie watching going on at our house. I do admit, we have seen all the summer blockbusters at the...

"Salmon Fishing in the Yemen" is not as unlikely as it seems

As summer generally goes, there is little movie watching going on at our house. I do admit, we have seen all the summer blockbusters at the theater...it's the television that has been getting a good long rest during the warm months as we are busy outside indulgening in the long days and loads of sunlight. As such, I thought an eight month break in blogging was extrememly unacceptable, and it was time to get back to my project of moving watching as a hobby. I know, some people doing flower arranging and model building, but taking in a good story with all the drama that comes with the big screen has been my favorite since the first time I can remember going to the theater as a child. It was "Snow White," I believe, the original Disney version which was my first. After that, it was "Star Wars" with my brother sitting in the back of my grandmother's borrowed stationwagon at the drive-in with my parents. 

So, tonight I decided it was time to warm up the set and watch a movie: "Salmon Fishing in The Yemen." I know that it's not on the AFI Top 100 Movie List, but I wanted to start small and work my way back into the project :) As luck would have it, it was a delightful movie with excellent performances from Emily Blunt and Ewan McGregor (always a favorite of mine). 

It is a story of the impossible becoming possible, both with the fish and with life. What seems unreal is real. What is real is not really once you take a closer look at it. It is also the story of faith. Faith in God. Faith in humanity. Faith in each other. 

It moved me to think about my own life and the impossibilities I find there. Recently, I took a new position at a local college. I was asked to build a building which many had come to believe was an impossible task. As I look at this movie, and what it tells me about faith and belief and doing something real, I am moved by it. Thank you Emily. Thank you Ewan.

"Salmon Fishing" is this movie lover's summertime inspiration and hope that she can build something that until now has been merely a dream.