I thought I would take a day to look at what’s coming out of the UK and hitting our shores in the next few months. Warning though, this post is restricted in some ways to what appeals to me as an anglophile. So, for example, if Big Brother UK is going to be on here, I probably won’t talk about it, because I don’t honestly care..
Films:
The Deep Blue Sea starring Rachel Weisz and Tom Hiddleston (aka Loki from Thor). Not to be confused with the Samuel L. Jackson movie of the same name.
This trailer isn’t anything spectacular, but the cast is. According to Wikipedia, it is from a play by Terence Rattigan, about the wife of a judge who falls for a pilot in the RAF. Intriguing, could be good. Lots of good quotes on the trailer, but no telling if that translates to an actually good film. But it has been out since November in the UK, and currently has an 88% on Rotten Tomatoes, so I’m guessing it’s going to be fairly good. It comes out in limited release here March 30th.
Salmon Fishing in the Yemen. Could there possibly be a more boring title? I can’t think of one. But, then you look at the cast: Ewan McGregor (doing his native Scot accent for once), Emily Blunt, and Kristin Scott Thomas. And I’m in.
Seriously, though the subject of salmon fishing in the Middle East could not be of less interest to me for many reasons, this looks like a really good heart-warming sort of film that I love. This one is coming out quite soon; limited release this coming weekend! I am definitely looking forward to this film.
The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel
This is it! I don’t think there’s any movie that I’m more looking forward to this year. Can you believe the cast? Maggie Smith (Downton Abbey, HP), Bill Nighy (HP, Underworld, Love Actually), Judi Dench (every period drama ever, the new Bond movies), Dev Patel (Slumdog Millionaire), Penelope Wilson (Downton Abbey, Dr. Who), and Tom Wilkinson (tons of stuff, most recently Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol). Seriously though, when the US does a movie with this many superstars, it is some absolute trash like Valentine’s Day or He’s Just Not That Into You. But this is going to be brilliant, because not only are they quite famous in England, but they are famous for being actually good actors. Cannot wait for this movie! But I will have to, as it doesn’t come out until May 4th.
Books:
Some titles I’m looking forward to in the coming months include:
Britain, etc.–A nonfiction, light, trivia-based jaunt through Britain from A-Z. Hopefully I’ll learn something and be entertained at the same time.
The English Monster–It’s historical fiction, it’s a murder mystery, it’s based on a true story. Set in the early Regency period, based on some real murders. Difficult to think of dreadful murders going on at the same time Jane Austen was penning her lovely novels. I have decided lately to get more into crime fiction and this may be one of my first forays into that oeuvre.
And of course, the unnamed J.K. Rowling book will be at the top of my reading list, no matter what it is about or when it comes out. That’s just how it is.
TV:
Life’s Too Short: I’m watching this right now on HBO. It’s a lovely and ridiculous comedy starring Warwick Davis (Willow, HP films, etc.) as a warped and foul version of himself. It’s yet another Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant project, and expect a full review once the series is done. It’s brilliant.
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Whitechapel: This one is a modern police procedural starting with a Jack the Ripper copycat. I am starting to be rather obsessed with Jack the Ripper! This was actually on BBC America last fall, but I missed it with the holiday rush. So I’m going to try to watch it now.
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Top Gear!: Anyone that doesn’t know about this show has my pity. Ok, I should preface this by saying that cars are not of much interest to me. I started watching this show with my bf because he loves cars and I love England, so it was a good fit. But it is hilarious, one of the most popular shows in the UK, and lots of fun even if you’re not a ‘petrolhead’ as they call it. Season 18 starts in April. Also, do not confuse this with the American version, which has more cars and less class.
Here is a best of montage to wet your appetite:
britishaisles 
Hopefully this year would have more awesome films!
Well, I was just looking at films coming out in the US in the next few months. I’m hoping there will be more later in the year.