December 20, 2008

• Movies I've seen recently...

  
  Slumdog Millionaire (2008)  A-

  Have you ever watched some of those TV game shows and go "I know the answer to that!" no matter how supposedly difficult it's suppose to be? Well "Slumdog Millionaire" plays on that concept by having Jamal Malik go for the big win in India's version of "Who Wants To Be A Millionaire." The movie follows Jamal's life from when he was a child, to his young teenage years, to present time, showing us that his experiences in India have provided him the knowledge to answer the questions. "Slumdog" is a story about overcoming adversity, the sibling dynamics, the different paths life can take you, and the love of a girl that can overcome obstacles. This movie is also great as a peak on how life is in India, from the point of view of people who aren't as well off as others, including some incredible cinematography. Based on the novel "Q&A" by Vikas Swarup, screenplay writer Simon Beaufoy, director Danny Boyle, and co-director Loveleen Tandan has made a very memorable, adventurous, and dramatic film in "Slumdog Millionaire" despite some moments that does require some suspension of disbelief. I suppose I should also mention that a good portion of the movie is subtitled.

  
  Seven Pounds (2008)  C

  Enlightening, tragic, and tearjerker are three words that some people can describe "Seven Pounds." Oh wait, I forgot one other word, melodrama. Wow does this movie want to make you feel sad, that it can't help but hit you over the head with it's sadness and tragedy. From the first minute and some quick flashbacks intersperse throughout the film you should be able to figure out why Will Smith's character is looking to help people. The problem starts with the direction by Gabriele Muccino, who makes all the attempts in the world to try and keep the "why" a secret, even though it got ridiculously obvious. With it's admitedly inspiring message on helping others and a very memorable leading character, "Seven Pounds" is a relatively decent dramatic film that has flaws that includes some plot holes. The movie actually became a drinking game for me, to take a shot whenever somebody cries in this, or whenever Will Smith looks very distraught. In fact that drinking game should be called "The Pursuit of Unhappyness."

  
  Frost/Nixon (2008)  A-
   
  For a movie that's pretty much nothing but conversation scenes, "Frost/Nixon" is pretty darn captivating to watch, and it's all thanks to the direction by Ron Howard. As someone who never saw the real life interview between David Frost (played wonderfully by Michael Sheen) and Richard Nixon (excellent work by Frank Langella) or the broadway play this was based off, I was mesmerized at the process of how the whole thing happened. This film really played off like a David vs Goliath story, with Frost literally risking everything he has to make the interview work. Anticipating to see how Nixon eventually admits to being involved with Watergate got pretty exciting, especially since the former President really lives up to the nick name "Tricky Dick."

  
  In Bruges (2008)  A-

  Director / Writer Martin McDonagh has got himself a possible cult gangster film classic here with "In Bruges," that will probably bring him comparisons to Quentin Tarantino or Guy Ritchie. This is one of those movies that dares to bring the world of hitmen and the ultra violence that they bring, into a very serene and calm setting like Bruges, Belgium. Brendan Gleeson as Ken and Colin Farrell as Ray are great playing an odd couple type, and Ralph Fiennes stands out as the very angry and incredibly foul mouthed boss Harry Waters. What's so entertaining about "In Bruges" is how casual life as hitmen seem to be, like in some scenes when they actually negotiate where they do their gun shootout because the place they are at is just too "inappropriate" for it. I probably had the most fun listening to the conversations and opinions that comes out of the mouth of the characters because they feel like such non-sequiturs, however the movie holds it's ground from getting to the point of pretentiousness.

  • 7:38 am
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