SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE review

I have found another film worth reviewing. I avoided this one for quite awhile, because I hate going to movies that get this kind of a gushing love fest in the media. Movies seldom live up to the hype of the “Golden Calf” that is created in the media to worship it.

I have finally gone to see Slumdog Millionaire, twice in one week.

This movie captivated me from the opening scene. It is refreshing to see a movie that does not rely on a $60 million dollar budget for just a few big name, overrated and talentless pretty faces to attract people to the box office. Director, Danny Boyle has a knack for creating movies in almost any genre that grab and interest the audience on “Indie” sized budgets. This one had a budget of only $15 million.

Slumdog Millionaire, is the story of a young man who grew up without parents in the slums of Mumbai and Bombay and ends up getting on the Indian version of “Who Wants To Be A Millionaire”. I will not give any more of the story away than that.

Boyle and screenwriter, Simon Beaufoy, illustrate the triumph of love over selfishness and greed. The films locations are amazing, captivating, depressing and scary all at the same time. The music is both foreign and familiar and deserves the Oscar nominations it has received. The actors are all incredible and Boyle has masterfully directed them in this movie. The film oscillates between brutality and tenderness, greed and selflessness, hatred and love in a give and take manner that keeps you engaged throughout.

The religious imagery throughout the film is fodder for much thought and discussion, that I won't go into now, but I will probably revisit down the road sometime after the DVD is released.

For now, if you haven't seen this film yet, make sure you catch it in the theater before its gone, at least once. If you've seen it once see it again, there is so much to unlock in this piece.

Peter Rollins Video Clip

This is a very poignant little video clip I got from a website called The Work Of The People. It is a short thought from Peter Rollins of Belfast Ireland. Check it out.



Check out their website at: http://www.theworkofthepeople.com/

WALL-E: Movie review

Wall-E

Here is my first review for the blog. I chose a critically acclaimed thriller for my first review, well maybe not. It is however a movie I loved. So here is my review of Wall-E, the Pixar Animations release that came out this week on DVD.

Wall-E is a about a little robot left to clean up the planet earth, while the humans have been living on a ship in space for eight hundred years. He is the last remaining robot on the planet and has developed a personality and is lonely. Enter Eve, a highly sophisticated robot sent back to earth search for any living vegetation. Wall-E immediately falls for her.




This movie is an example of masterful writing and directing. The two lead characters have a vocabulary of about five words yet have the ability convey a wealth of emotions. It is a touching and humorous story.

On another level it is packed with symbolism and hidden meaning. The first and most obvious message is that of the over-consumption of mankind and how it could literally bury us. Some may or may not subscribe that viewpoint but it is worth considering.

The next message is symbolized by Eve. It is an obvious reference to the dove sent out by Noah that returned to the ark with the olive branch. She does look very dove like as she flies about searching for life.

Lastly, Wall-E himself is a messianic figure. Everyone he comes in contact with is set free in some way. They begin to follow him and help him. He finally dies and is resurrected as mankind is returned to earth ready for them to start over reign.

This movie is one of the best of the year in my opinion. It's masterfully done. I give this movie 4 stars.

So check out WALL-E.