G and I met up with willariah and Denyse yesterday afternoon at a very busy Bayview Village (which continues to be my least favourite mall in the City … so wasp-ish) to see Miss Potter. Afterwards, frustrated by the endless crowds and line-ups at any eating establishment there, we headed over to Don Mills and Lawrence for sushi dinner at Made in Japan.
The Exorcism of Emily Rose
This 2005 film, directed by Scott Derrickson and starring Tom Wilkinson, Laura Linney and Jennifer Carpenter, wasn’t what I thought it would be. I was expecting a horror movie-alla-Carrie but what I got was a courtroom drama with some horror thrown in for good measure. The courtroom has parish priest Father Moore on trial for negligent homicide in the death of Emily Rose following an exorcism. Linney’s character is defending him against, of course, a rightwing holier-than-thou public prosecutor. Told in flashbacks, it shows Emily’s initial possession by the demon, her subsequent slide into freakiness, and the exorcism. There’s the (yawn) redemptive moment when Emily see the Virgin Mary and decides to accept her lot as possessed for the betterment of mankind … or some such rubbish like that. I’m sorry, if I’m possessed and the Virgin Mary asks me, ‘hey, you wanna come to heaven with me now, or continue to suffer possessed?’, I know what I’m saying! We’ve seen this stuff before and while the courtroom angle approach is promising at the outset, it doesn’t make the movie any better in the end. My rating: 6 out of 10.
Miss Potter
I am tempted to rate this film low simply for that horrible faux moustache they’ve pasted on poor Ewan McGregor! That said, this is a harmless little film constructed in a feel-good fashion about one of the world’s most famous children storytellers, Beatrix Potter and her Tales of Peter Rabbit. Directed by Chris Noonan (“Babe”) and starring Renee Zellweger (doing her usual forced English accent and pinched face), the film recounts Potter’s childhood, unique (for the time) women’s perspective and drive, and her relationship with publisher Norman Warne. The one dramatic moment in this film (and sorry, there is just one) comes when the engaged Potter hears her betrothed, Norman (played by Ewan) is dying. She rushes to London from the Lake District a day too late. Sigh. This film is quiet, occasionally humorous, often pretty (the shots in the Lake Counry are brilliant), but ultimately forgettable. It did, however, give me some insight into someone I knew nothing of and for that my rating: 7 out of 10.
AppsScraps 
Bayview Village is “wasp-ish” ?… i thought it was more “j**ish”, at least it seems that way to me.
I saw Emily Rose a while back also and was disappointed as well.
I really don’t get Renee Zellweger. She looked like she sucked on one too many limes last night at the GGs in that emerald green dress. (hahaha – sorry, i’m being Joan Rivers here on your blog )
I saw Exorcism of Emily Rose – it seemed to be missing something to make it a great movie. (not much of a movie critic am I?). The only thing I hate about sushi places are those imitation crab.
When i saw Miss Potter there were about 90% women. That might be an indication of its target audience. I’m just saying.
i’m so happy u weren’t too harsh on Miss Potter. it was v. endearing. hope all is going well with nero; thanks for the lift back! to be honest, the platter looked a lot more delish than it was:p mee hee
i’m not watching any horror movies!
i’m reading to kill a mockingbird ( i know you have). it’s really great and i can’t put it down.
mm… i haven’t had sushi in a while, and now you’ve made me crave it! ryc: yum! chocolate!
The food looks wonderful. I did see the Exocism of Emily Rose. I agree the opening raised hopes that were quickly dashed. I would only give it a 4 out of 10. Have not seen Miss Potter but I have it on my list.