[Snowflake]

Snow Flower and the Secret Fan - gorgeously filmed by Wayne Wang. I found the modern story uninteresting and the historical not engrossing enough. I expect that was because they kept switching back and forth between eras. Joy Luck Club was much better in that regard. I understand the book is very good. The binding of feet, barbaric!

The Descendants - I got nothing out of this movie and came away really wondering what was the big deal. I found the basic premise to be contrived, sterotypical and the execution pedestrian. I like George Clooney, but did not see how this was such an award winning piece of work. Much better in Michael Clayton IMO. The actors playing the daughters were pretty good, though. The younger one was really good.

The Iron Lady - I am an unabashed and unashamed Streep fan. I thought she really nailed the elder, dottering Thatcher, as I imagine the aging dottering Thatcher to be. The make up was skilled and I completely forgot I was watching Streep, no mannerisms. The take on the retelling on Thatcher's highlights was interesting and curiously uninvolving for me. In the end I did not know more about Thatcher and it really did not make me interested enough to seek out more. I also adore Jim Broadbent in anything. If his was an accurate portrayal of Denis Thatcher, all the better. Strange movie, but I did enjoy it.

The Young Visiters - More Jim Broadbent with this and a dash of Hugh Laurie and Bill Nighy. Based on the Daisy Ashford book, this had enough whimsy and pathos to amuse me. It came close to reflecting the 9 year old author's view of social life of her protagonist Mr. Salteena in Victorian England. Absurd, silly and a little sad, it was well acted. Bill Nighy was an absolute HOOT and spot on.