Slumdog Millionaire, in its simplest terms, is a rags to riches story, set around India's version of Who Wants to be a Millionaire?, that is centered around three people - Jamal, Salim, and Latika.
Through a series of unfortunate circumstances and events - orphaned through violence from religious unrest, taken captive by an unscrupulous con artist, just to name two - Salim becomes a hit man for Mumbai's biggest gangster, Latika becomes that same gangster's prize girl (against her will) , and Jamal, who has and always will love Latika but was obviously separated from her, uses India's biggest game show as a means to reunite with her.
Although I don't think Slumdog Millionaire was worthy of this year's Best Picture, it is a good movie, and I'd definitely recommend you watch it if you haven't already.
PS- As my brother-in-law is currently in India, bonus points have been awarded.
Rating: 7.5/10
Saturday, February 28, 2009
Saturday, February 7, 2009
Death at a Funeral
Death at a Funeral is a perfect example of British comedy at its finest. Whether it was an extramarital lover blackmailing the grieving family, the bathroom scene, or the multiple instances of acid use (which, let's be honest, was a theme played out during most of the film), I guarantee that you will be laughing long after the credits roll on this one.
Having said that, it probably won't come as a surprise, then, when I tell you that you absolutely, absolutely, absolutely need to see this movie.
Rating: 8.5/10
Having said that, it probably won't come as a surprise, then, when I tell you that you absolutely, absolutely, absolutely need to see this movie.
Rating: 8.5/10
Tropic Thunder
Good parts to this movie:
1) Tom Cruise's dancing.
2) Robert Downy Jr. Seriously, he was so good, he even got an Oscar nod for his role as Kirk Lazarus.
Overly hyped to the point it was disappointing parts to this movie:
1) Everything else.
Rating: 6.5/10
1) Tom Cruise's dancing.
2) Robert Downy Jr. Seriously, he was so good, he even got an Oscar nod for his role as Kirk Lazarus.
Overly hyped to the point it was disappointing parts to this movie:
1) Everything else.
Rating: 6.5/10
Saturday, January 31, 2009
Gran Torino
Walt Kowalski, played by Clint Eastwood, is an abrupt, set-in-his-ways man. Having served in the Korean War, worked a blue collar job at the local Ford plant for decades, and having recently become a widower, Walt has led a tough life. Unofrtunately for him and those closest to him - inlcuding his two sons - these experiences grizzled the old man to the extent that he has willingly pushed his loved ones away.
Without a wife, and with a family that only feels obligated to check in on him, Walt is left with only his dog Daisy, a harsh racism he developed from serving in the war, and, to make matters worse, an increasingly diverse and dangerous neighborhood closing in around him.
Fortunately for Walt, whose own health gradually deteriorates throughout the film, he learns something from a young neighbor, an outspoken Thai girl who just doesn't seem to want to leave him alone: he has more in common with his neighbors than he would ever have thought.
With a growing respect for his neighbors, Walt begins to see a them as a loving family, but one with unfortunate ties to a dangerous lifestyle. Before he knows it, the old man begins to take action to help the children make something better of themselves. The only question, however, is will it be enough before those negative influences lead the children down a similar path of wasted hatred, not much unlike the one Walt has already taken?
A definite Oscar snub this year, Gran Torino is an absolute must-see.
Rating: 8/10
Without a wife, and with a family that only feels obligated to check in on him, Walt is left with only his dog Daisy, a harsh racism he developed from serving in the war, and, to make matters worse, an increasingly diverse and dangerous neighborhood closing in around him.
Fortunately for Walt, whose own health gradually deteriorates throughout the film, he learns something from a young neighbor, an outspoken Thai girl who just doesn't seem to want to leave him alone: he has more in common with his neighbors than he would ever have thought.
With a growing respect for his neighbors, Walt begins to see a them as a loving family, but one with unfortunate ties to a dangerous lifestyle. Before he knows it, the old man begins to take action to help the children make something better of themselves. The only question, however, is will it be enough before those negative influences lead the children down a similar path of wasted hatred, not much unlike the one Walt has already taken?
A definite Oscar snub this year, Gran Torino is an absolute must-see.
Rating: 8/10
Sunday, January 25, 2009
Be Kind Rewind
When Jerry (Jack Black) attempts to "sabotage" the local power plant, but is instead electrocuted and magnetized, it seemed like the end of the road for an already fledgling video store when, after his debacle, he accidentally erases all the tapes. However, in an attempt to please what few customers "Be Kind Rewind" still has, Jerry convinces his more sensible buddy Mike (Mos Def) that they should remake the store's inventory of movies themselves.
Someway, somehow, their new video movement catches on with the locals and, much to store owner Elroy Fletcher's (Danny Glover) surprise, his tiny video store - shrugged off as a slum building by the city and scheduled to be demolished- has a chance to save itself.
I won't give away any more of the plot in case you haven't seen it, but if indeed you haven't, I would recommend doing so. Even if you have watched it, I think it's time to watch it again.
Sweded!
Rating: 7/10
Someway, somehow, their new video movement catches on with the locals and, much to store owner Elroy Fletcher's (Danny Glover) surprise, his tiny video store - shrugged off as a slum building by the city and scheduled to be demolished- has a chance to save itself.
I won't give away any more of the plot in case you haven't seen it, but if indeed you haven't, I would recommend doing so. Even if you have watched it, I think it's time to watch it again.
Sweded!
Rating: 7/10
Schindler's List
Understandably, any movie that chronicles the holocaust is going to be difficult to watch. It may make one feel angry, hopeless, or any range of tense, exhaustive emotions, but it is the ultimate message of Schindler's List- that of hope in the human race- that makes this movie so great.
You may be thinking to yourself that it seems paradoxical to add a message of hope to a movie that includes the story of the senseless murder of millions of people, but when you see just what Oskar Schindler accomplished in the face of such oppression, you can't help but feel hopeful.
Schindler himself, although the hero of this movie, was far from a perfect person. An unfaithful husband with the intent of becoming a war profiteer, the fact that he was able to become wealthy, only to turn around and spend all of his money to bring the persecuted people under his protective wing makes is what makes this film so compelling.
Based on a true story, and a film that will undoubtedly have an impact on you, you absolutely need to own it and watch it.
Rating: 9.5/10
You may be thinking to yourself that it seems paradoxical to add a message of hope to a movie that includes the story of the senseless murder of millions of people, but when you see just what Oskar Schindler accomplished in the face of such oppression, you can't help but feel hopeful.
Schindler himself, although the hero of this movie, was far from a perfect person. An unfaithful husband with the intent of becoming a war profiteer, the fact that he was able to become wealthy, only to turn around and spend all of his money to bring the persecuted people under his protective wing makes is what makes this film so compelling.
Based on a true story, and a film that will undoubtedly have an impact on you, you absolutely need to own it and watch it.
Rating: 9.5/10
Saturday, November 15, 2008
When Harry Met Sally
Avid readers of my blog, meet Harry. He's laid back, but kind of a pig who speaks his mind with reckless abandon.
Avid readers of my blog, meet Sally. She's up-tight, structured, and conservative.
Harry and Sally, two polar opposites who share a fateful car ride from Chicago to New York City after college graduation, think they'll never see each other again. Fortunately for each, that's a thought they're both comfortable with.
What neither one considered that day, though, was that fate could have other plans for them. Despite different career paths and seemingly happy relationships for both of them, they do live in the same city (no matter how big), and eventually run into each other. As they grow a little older and a little wiser, and as their respective relationships crumble, each finds a unique comfort in the other's company and the initially strained acquaintance blossoms into a close friendship and ultimately love.
True, it's a romantic comedy, but it's a good movie just the same. Guys, give this one a shot.
Rating:7/10
PS - Based on my recent posts, I think I've developed a crush for old women.
Avid readers of my blog, meet Sally. She's up-tight, structured, and conservative.
Harry and Sally, two polar opposites who share a fateful car ride from Chicago to New York City after college graduation, think they'll never see each other again. Fortunately for each, that's a thought they're both comfortable with.
What neither one considered that day, though, was that fate could have other plans for them. Despite different career paths and seemingly happy relationships for both of them, they do live in the same city (no matter how big), and eventually run into each other. As they grow a little older and a little wiser, and as their respective relationships crumble, each finds a unique comfort in the other's company and the initially strained acquaintance blossoms into a close friendship and ultimately love.
True, it's a romantic comedy, but it's a good movie just the same. Guys, give this one a shot.
Rating:7/10
PS - Based on my recent posts, I think I've developed a crush for old women.
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