Steve Martin, Owen Wilson and Jack Black - All In One Movie

The Big Year (2012), directed by David Frankel (The Devil Wears Prada (2006), Marley & Me (2008)), can seem like it's more or less a parentheses. After all, a film about a race in ornithology to spot the most species of birds which goes on for an entire year? Yeah, it doesn't sound like something worth the time.

This is likely when you make the wrong assumption, though.

It's not a drag - not something mundane with forced jokes. Inspired by the book The Big Year by Mark Obmascik this movie adaptation has something - or things, or persons, if you like - that gives it that little extra that makes a film worthwhile. And if you are a fan of either Steve Martin, Owen Wilson or Jack Black you are likely to enjoy this film. Even if you have caught none of these actors' works you have a good chance still of enjoying this piece.

This film is entertaining with a sense of realism - something quite rare - and it feels very down to earth. It is a bit like a story that has happened to someone you know - or perhaps one that could happen to you - because it has that realistic feel to it. And it has this without growing uninteresting. The story never feels as if though it comes to a stand still and it gets you to feel engaged about these three characters and their journey.

All in all this is nothing spectacular or extraordinary. It's not a grand adventure, a laughing-so-hard-your-side-hurts kind of comedy nor a thrilling action. It's something close to home and though the spectacular films inspire us the smaller ones like The Big Year are the ones that reminds us that it is possible. And also not to lose sight of what truly matters.

Therefore I warmly recommend it to you and I do hope you will like it!

A Bit of Humour

If you per chance feel up to watching film today I would like to recommend two slightly silly ones: Robin Hood: Men in Tights (1993), directed by Mel Brooks, and Monty Python and the Holy Grail (1975). They should both be proper suitable for a day such as this. They are most silly and for those who enjoy this type of folly they are quite entertaining to watch. Monty Python is a bit more subtly clever in their humour but both should ensure a good deal of laughter!

Hope your New Year's Eve was a good one and that you find these two films to be good ones to start off your film year 2013!