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Q: Who does not love a good fairytale? Especially one that features pure, incorruptible love between an amiable prince and a pretty princess, who trapped by ruthless fate, experience a series of many cruel and unexpected turns of events and yet still manage, against all odds, to reach a happy ending? Come in Danny Boyle, the one of Trainspotting (1996) fame, who brings the same raw vividness, an acute power of observation and an exhilarating pace into the Indian slums taking us on an entirely different trip. Slumdogs pauper-to-prince hero Jamal Malik is an everyman and an underdog, brilliantly channelled by newcomer British-born Dev Patel, whose mother dragged him to an audition in London. As a young boy Jamal meets Latika (Freida Pinto), like himself just another orphan on the streets of Mumbai. Against the wishes of his wicked older brother Salim (Madhur Mittal), he invites her to share their shelter away from the rain - in a dunny can. Thus a triangle of affections forms and its tensions are explored throughout the film, the plot of which is framed by a TV gameshow scenario, where Jamal ends up in a desperate attempt to reconnect with Latika after many years of separation.
Love it or hate it, Who Wants to Be a Millionaire it is with all its sweat and tacky gore, adding an irresistible element of suspense and mcfamiliarity to an otherwise exotic reality for mainstream Western eyes. The catchy and timeless story was based on Indian diplomat Vikas Swarup's debut novel Q and A, written in England over 2 months to kill time while wrapping up his official post: I'm not one of those writers who wants to spend four pages describing a sunrise. There are so many of them in India. I'm a sucker for thrillers and I wanted to write one. I'm much more influenced by Alastair MacLean and James Hadley Chase. I'm no Arundhati Roy. Boyles cinematic adaptation seems to share these sensibilities, and is strangely reminiscent of the visceral imagery and favela themes of City of God (2002) and the magic realism of Emir Kusturicas Time of the Gypsies (1988), combined to form an emotionally affecting tale, which effectively draws the viewer into its characters world.
The charming Ayush Mahesh Khedekar as little Jamal before he gets into big trouble in Slumdog Millionaire
While the films quizshow premise is rather tenuous, Boyles unapologetic, vibrant direction focuses on the wider tapestry and contrasts of modern Indian life in their glorious detail. The film is confrontational, as to be expected of Boyle, in its unswerving and uncompromised portrayal of the country, somehow absent from Bollywood fare. Religious turmoil, caste conflicts, rampant exploitation, child slave-labour including prostitution, maiming and torture, is interspersed with flashes of humour, like making fun of the gullibility of Western tourists alongside chuckling at the Indian propensity to set up shop on the spot, selling whatever can be sold to get by as the young brothers do at the Taj Mahal, offering their very unofficial guide services right next to the official ones, unnoticed in the surrounding chaos.
Love conquers all: Dev Patel and Freida Pinto in Slumdog Millionaire
Oscar Wilde once said that were all in the gutter, but some of us are looking up at the stars. Jamal chooses Latika as his guiding star and his tireless pursuit of love becomes a focused ray of light in a world so smelly, corrupt, and cruel, that it drives his brother to consciously choose a survival of the fittest path, leading him to become a rising star of the criminal underbelly. Does ones birth predetermine and limit fate? Do we have any control over our circumstances, or has it all already been written? Jamals story is an attempt to filter the culturally rich, complex and diverse spice-mix that is India into an essential oil, including as its basis the elusive ingredient of spiritual enquiry, which has met with Deepak Chopras approval (he wrote a review, funnily enough focused on
politics). A tale of two brothers, Slumdog Millionaire can be philosophically interpreted as a portrayal of two widely divergent sets of values and attitudes towards life, epitomised by a long list of dual opposites: optimism vs. cynicism, vulnerability vs. violence, faith vs. religion, love vs. money - all ultimately meeting on the far off common ground of redemption. While this vision may appear simplistic, it allows for shades of gray, emphasizing the importance of individual choice and hinting at the underlying mystery of the human existential predicament.
A: Like a fairytale, Slumdog Millionaire ultimately espouses a hopeful, childlike belief in the miraculous power of love to overcome insurmountable obstacles life presents us with, a message ever popular as evidenced by worldwide box office success and dozens of awards, including 3 Golden Globes, 7 BAFTAs and 8 Oscars.
Review by Patricia Bieszk
© Copyright P. Bieszk 2009
The Academy has not disappointed this year with its occasionally offbeat choices, political stands, the obligatory glitz and glamour and the singing and dancing Hugh.
Hugh Jackman effortlessly steals the audiences' hearts at 2009 Academy Awards
Best Motion Picture of the Year Nominees:
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (2008): Ceán Chaffin, Kathleen Kennedy, Frank Marshall
Frost/Nixon (2008): Brian Grazer, Ron Howard, Eric Fellner
Milk (2008): Bruce Cohen, Dan Jinks
The Reader (2008): Anthony Minghella, Sydney Pollack, Donna Gigliotti, Redmond Morris
Slumdog Millionaire (2008): Christian Colson
Prediction: Correct. This was a slam dunk.
Sean Penn plays it queer with bravado in Milk
Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role Nominees:
Richard Jenkins for The Visitor (2007)
Mickey Rourke for The Wrestler (2008)
Brad Pitt for The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (2008)
Frank Langella for Frost/Nixon (2008)
Sean Penn for Milk (2008)
Prediction: Miss. The biggest surprise of the evening was Sean Penns Oscar win. Mickey Rourke was robbed in professional terms, but this year the Academy decided to support gay rights, specifically gay marriage, plainly illustrating the cultural forces at play beneath the glitzy surface.
Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role Nominees:
Anne Hathaway for Rachel Getting Married (2008)
Angelina Jolie for Changeling (2008)
Melissa Leo for Frozen River (2008)
Meryl Streep for Doubt (2008/I)
Kate Winslet for The Reader (2008)
Prediction: Miss. After endless nominations for Sense and Sensibility, Titanic, Iris, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind and Little Children Kate finally hit the home run, ironically for a role arguably least memorable out of this line-up. One gets the feeling she was awarded as the most deserving overall, and not so much for The Reader. Another stand out performance in Revolutionary Road probably contributed as well.
Kate Winslet as a seductress in The Reader
Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role Nominees:
Josh Brolin for Milk (2008)
Robert Downey Jr. for Tropic Thunder (2008)
Philip Seymour Hoffman for Doubt (2008/I)
Heath Ledger for The Dark Knight (2008)
Michael Shannon for Revolutionary Road (2008)
Prediction: correct. Another slam dunk. A class act by the Academy.
Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role Nominees:
Amy Adams for Doubt (2008/I)
Penélope Cruz for Vicky Cristina Barcelona (2008)
Viola Davis for Doubt (2008/I)
Taraji P. Henson for The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (2008)
Marisa Tomei for The Wrestler (2008)
Prediction: Correct. Penelopes efforts in Hollywood couldnt remain unrecognized for long, and this was one charismatic role. This way she and Javier Bardem can have a balanced mantelpiece set.
Best Achievement in Directing Nominees:
Danny Boyle for Slumdog Millionaire (2008)
Stephen Daldry for The Reader (2008)
David Fincher for The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (2008)
Ron Howard for Frost/Nixon (2008)
Gus Van Sant for Milk (2008)
Prediction: Correct.
Best Writing, Screenplay Written Directly for the Screen Nominees:
Frozen River (2008): Courtney Hunt
Happy-Go-Lucky (2008): Mike Leigh
In Bruges (2008): Martin McDonagh
Milk (2008): Dustin Lance Black
WALLE (2008): Andrew Stanton, Pete Docter, Jim Reardon
Prediction: Correct.
Best Writing, Screenplay Based on Material Previously Produced or Published
Nominees:
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (2008): Eric Roth, Robin Swicord
Doubt (2008/I): John Patrick Shanley
Frost/Nixon (2008): Peter Morgan
The Reader (2008): David Hare
Slumdog Millionaire (2008): Simon Beaufoy
Prediction: Correct.
Best Achievement in Cinematography Nominees:
Changeling (2008): Tom Stern
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (2008): Claudio Miranda
The Dark Knight (2008): Wally Pfister
The Reader (2008): Roger Deakins, Chris Menges
Slumdog Millionaire (2008): Anthony Dod Mantle
Prediction: Miss. Slumdog takes it all.
Best Achievement in Editing Nominees:
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (2008): Angus Wall, Kirk Baxter
The Dark Knight (2008): Lee Smith
Frost/Nixon (2008): Daniel P. Hanley, Mike Hill
Milk (2008): Elliot Graham
Slumdog Millionaire (2008): Chris Dickens
Prediction: Correct. If an Indian version of Who Wants to Be a Millionaire doesnt keep you at the edge of your seat, not much will.
Best Achievement in Art Direction Nominees:
Changeling (2008): James J. Murakami, Gary Fettis
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (2008): Donald Graham Burt, Victor J. Zolfo
The Dark Knight (2008): Nathan Crowley, Peter Lando
The Duchess (2008): Michael Carlin, Rebecca Alleway
Revolutionary Road (2008): Kristi Zea, Debra Schutt
Prediction: Correct. If not completely successful on all levels, David Finchers film was an art directors dream.
Best Achievement in Costume Design Nominees:
Australia (2008): Catherine Martin
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (2008): Jacqueline West
The Duchess (2008): Michael O'Connor
Milk (2008): Danny Glicker
Revolutionary Road (2008): Albert Wolsky
Prediction: Miss. We were rooting for Australia, but the big wigs took it away, as usual.
Best Achievement in Makeup Nominees:
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (2008): Greg Cannom
The Dark Knight (2008): John Caglione Jr., Conor O'Sullivan
Hellboy II: The Golden Army (2008): Mike Elizalde, Thomas Floutz
Prediction: Correct.
Best Achievement in Music Written for Motion Pictures, Original Score
Nominees:
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (2008): Alexandre Desplat
Defiance (2008): James Newton Howard
Milk (2008): Danny Elfman
Slumdog Millionaire (2008): A.R. Rahman
WALLE (2008): Thomas Newman
Prediciton: Correct.
Best Achievement in Music Written for Motion Pictures, Original Song
Nominees:
Slumdog Millionaire (2008): A.R. Rahman, Gulzar("Jai Ho")
Slumdog Millionaire (2008): A.R. Rahman, ("O Saya")
WALLE (2008): Peter Gabriel, Thomas Newman("Down to Earth")
Prediction: Miss.
Best Achievement in Visual Effects Nominees:
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (2008): Eric Barba, Steve Preeg, Burt Dalton, Craig Barron
The Dark Knight (2008): Nick Davis, Chris Corbould, Timothy Webber, Paul J. Franklin
Iron Man (2008): John Nelson, Ben Snow, Daniel Sudick, Shane Mahan
Prediction: Miss. Apparently the members of the Academy did think that turning Brad Pitt into a garden gnome (as pointedly referred to during the awards show) was worthy of gold. One hopes they were being a little ironic.
Best Animated Feature Film of the Year Nominees:
Bolt (2008): Chris Williams, Byron Howard
Kung Fu Panda (2008): John Stevenson, Mark Osborne
WALLE (2008): Andrew Stanton
Prediction: Correct. Who doesnt love little robots with big hearts?
Best Foreign Language Film of the Year Nominees:
Der Baader Meinhof Komplex (2008)(Germany)
Entre les murs (2008)(France)
Revanche (2008)(Austria)
Okuribito (2008)(Japan)
Vals Im Bashir (2008)(Israel)
Prediction: Miss. An obscure choice by the Academy, but this way maybe the film will receive a wider international distribution.
Best Documentary, Features Nominees:
The Betrayal - Nerakhoon (2008): Ellen Kuras, Thavisouk Phrasavath
Encounters at the End of the World (2007): Werner Herzog, Henry Kaiser
The Garden (2008/I): Scott Hamilton Kennedy
Man on Wire (2008): James Marsh, Simon Chinn
Trouble the Water (2008): Tia Lessin, Carl Deal
Prediction: Correct.
Overall results: hits 12, misses 7, equals not too bad. Were aiming to improve these ratios next year.
Slumdog Millionaire takes away a multitude of little bald men at 2009 Oscars
© Copyright P. Bieszk 2009
The Academy is known for its excessess and notorious unpredictability due to the political campaign tactics involved in the trophy race. Obviously not all deserving parties are awarded each year, however the worthwhile films are remembered long after - regardless of the actual results. I kind of wish money was involved in this betting! Oh wait. There is. In the meantime play we may, with a degree of wishful thinking. My bets are highlighted below. Feel free to comment, especially if you violently disagree  An update discussion will follow after the awards.
Best Motion Picture of the Year Nominees:
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (2008): Ceán Chaffin, Kathleen Kennedy, Frank Marshall
Frost/Nixon (2008): Brian Grazer, Ron Howard, Eric Fellner
Milk (2008): Bruce Cohen, Dan Jinks
The Reader (2008): Anthony Minghella, Sydney Pollack, Donna Gigliotti, Redmond Morris
Slumdog Millionaire (2008): Christian Colson
Heres betting on the Slumdog. Its confrontational, innovative and features a lovable underdog hero. Plus the voters will have actually sat all the way through it.
Danny Boyle and Dev Patel are clearly happy with themselves - with good reason
Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role Nominees:
Richard Jenkins for The Visitor (2007/I)
Frank Langella for Frost/Nixon (2008)
Sean Penn for Milk (2008)
Brad Pitt for The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (2008)
Mickey Rourke for The Wrestler (2008)
Brad wanted to prove he can also act when ugly (the jury is still out on that one, lets just say it wasnt quite Charlize Theron in Monster caliber performance), Sean did well, but if Mickey doesnt get it theres going to be a WWF protest and nobody wants that. Its Mickey all the way. Go Mickey!
Mickey Rourke as The Wrestler: a face that speaks volumes
Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role Nominees:
Anne Hathaway for Rachel Getting Married (2008)
Angelina Jolie for Changeling (2008)
Melissa Leo for Frozen River (2008)
Meryl Streep for Doubt (2008/I)
Kate Winslet for The Reader (2008)
Melissa who? Oh my, all of Brangelina got nominated, that must make for a hell of household tension! Angelinas already got one however, and Meryl has several little naked golden men (lets face it the Academy feels obliged to nominate her by now, shes sort of like the female Eastwood a monument that is still breathing). Its a tough call though: it could be Anne, that talented doe-eyed beauty and recently so ubiquitous, or Kate, whos been nominated before and is deserving, but no one has had a chance to see The Reader. Have to go with Anne.
Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role Nominees:
Josh Brolin for Milk (2008)
Robert Downey Jr. for Tropic Thunder (2008)
Philip Seymour Hoffman for Doubt (2008/I)
Heath Ledger for The Dark Knight (2008)
Michael Shannon for Revolutionary Road (2008)
Philip got one for Capote, everyone loves Robert, Michael was a standout and Josh had a really bad haircut in Milk something Hollywood loves to award as a sign of great acting as evidenced last year by Javier Bardems win for No Country for Old Men. Who can deny sorely missed Heath though, were all still in mourning and one things for sure: Hollywood is sentimental.
Going out in style: Heath Ledger as the Joker will have the last laugh
Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role Nominees:
Amy Adams for Doubt (2008/I)
Penélope Cruz for Vicky Cristina Barcelona (2008)
Viola Davis for Doubt (2008/I)
Taraji P. Henson for The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (2008)
Marisa Tomei for The Wrestler (2008)
Penelope is our wishful thinking dark horse bet here. Shes zesty and vivacious in Woody Allens film, but the laurels might get stolen by Amy, the Hollywood darling, or Marisa, whos got an Oscar for My Uncle Vinny ages ago, but her performance opposite Rourke is affecting.
Best Achievement in Directing Nominees:
Danny Boyle for Slumdog Millionaire (2008)
Stephen Daldry for The Reader (2008)
David Fincher for The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (2008)
Ron Howard for Frost/Nixon (2008)
Gus Van Sant for Milk (2008)
Heres thinking Danny will get it. But Gus has a good chance too, as the Academy likes to distribute the awards evenly between deserving films the director can miss out if the film already got the best picture nod
Best Writing, Screenplay Written Directly for the Screen Nominees:
Frozen River (2008): Courtney Hunt
Happy-Go-Lucky (2008): Mike Leigh
In Bruges (2008): Martin McDonagh
Milk (2008): Dustin Lance Black
WALLE (2008): Andrew Stanton, Pete Docter, Jim Reardon
As above. The bet is on Milk, but WALLE is a favourite and Mike Leigh could also steal the show.
Best Writing, Screenplay Based on Material Previously Produced or Published Nominees:
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (2008): Eric Roth, Robin Swicord
Doubt (2008/I): John Patrick Shanley
Frost/Nixon (2008): Peter Morgan
The Reader (2008): David Hare
Slumdog Millionaire (2008): Simon Beaufoy
This is an eeny, meeny, miny, moe situation. But since the winner usually takes it all, the bet is on Slumdog.
Best Achievement in Cinematography Nominees:
Changeling (2008): Tom Stern
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (2008): Claudio Miranda
The Dark Knight (2008): Wally Pfister
The Reader (2008): Roger Deakins, Chris Menges
Slumdog Millionaire (2008): Anthony Dod Mantle
Button has to go home with at least one award, overnominated as it is, and Mirandas work is breathtaking and nuanced, especially in the early New Orleans scenes. All the nominations are strong here though.
Best Achievement in Editing Nominees:
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (2008): Angus Wall, Kirk Baxter
The Dark Knight (2008): Lee Smith
Frost/Nixon (2008): Daniel P. Hanley, Mike Hill
Milk (2008): Elliot Graham
Slumdog Millionaire (2008): Chris Dickens
Button was under-edited as far as this reviewer is concerned, Frost/Nixon has a good chance but Slumdog has that millionaire tension going for it and the Boyle rhythm, so thats our bet.
Best Achievement in Art Direction Nominees:
Changeling (2008): James J. Murakami, Gary Fettis
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (2008): Donald Graham Burt, Victor J. Zolfo
The Dark Knight (2008): Nathan Crowley, Peter Lando
The Duchess (2008): Michael Carlin, Rebecca Alleway
Revolutionary Road (2008): Kristi Zea, Debra Schutt
Changeling does an amazing job of recreating the period and The Dark Knight draws us into the darkness and leaves us there, but Button will probably take it.
Best Achievement in Costume Design Nominees:
Australia (2008): Catherine Martin
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (2008): Jacqueline West
The Duchess (2008): Michael O'Connor
Milk (2008): Danny Glicker
Revolutionary Road (2008): Albert Wolsky
Since Australia got snubbed out of everything else (see Baz, you cannot bribe them with Over the Rainbow), heres hoping itll get a nod as a consolation prize. But costume dramas are notorious in this category, so Duchess has an advantage.
Best Achievement in Makeup Nominees:
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (2008): Greg Cannom
The Dark Knight (2008): John Caglione Jr., Conor O'Sullivan
Hellboy II: The Golden Army (2008): Mike Elizalde, Thomas Floutz
Who do you think was uglier: the Joker or the Button? Button it is. One thing is for sure, Hellboy will be ignored (but we love him anyway in all his hornlesness).
Best Achievement in Music Written for Motion Pictures, Original Score Nominees:
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (2008): Alexandre Desplat
Defiance (2008): James Newton Howard
Milk (2008): Danny Elfman
Slumdog Millionaire (2008): A.R. Rahman
WALLE (2008): Thomas Newman
Slumdog will probably take it, in one big sweep, unless it gets the award in the category below.
Best Achievement in Music Written for Motion Pictures, Original Song Nominees:
Slumdog Millionaire (2008): A.R. Rahman, Gulzar("Jai Ho")
Slumdog Millionaire (2008): A.R. Rahman, ("O Saya")
WALLE (2008): Peter Gabriel, Thomas Newman("Down to Earth")
Strangely enough its probably going to be WALLE, against the odds. The Academy happens to loooove cartoon songs.
Best Achievement in Visual Effects Nominees:
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (2008): Eric Barba, Steve Preeg, Burt Dalton, Craig Barron
The Dark Knight (2008): Nick Davis, Chris Corbould, Timothy Webber, Paul J. Franklin
Iron Man (2008): John Nelson, Ben Snow, Daniel Sudick, Shane Mahan
Its going to be the Knight. Quite frankly its not such an interesting (or attractive) achievement to show us how Brad will age.
Best Animated Feature Film of the Year Nominees:
Bolt (2008): Chris Williams, Byron Howard
Kung Fu Panda (2008): John Stevenson, Mark Osborne
WALLE (2008): Andrew Stanton
Where is the nomination for Igor I ask? The Panda was cuddly and Bolt featured one ferocious hamster, but its WALLE that has the most heart and a pertinent message.
Watching the stars: WALLE will be a bright light on Oscar night
Best Foreign Language Film of the Year Nominees:
Der Baader Meinhof Komplex (2008)(Germany)
Entre les murs (2008)(France)
Revanche (2008)(Austria)
Okuribito (2008)(Japan)
Vals Im Bashir (2008)(Israel)
Waltz with Bashir has had the strongest distribution and exposure, so we are going with this one. Not the strongest category for the Academy.
Best Documentary, Features Nominees:
The Betrayal - Nerakhoon (2008): Ellen Kuras, Thavisouk Phrasavath
Encounters at the End of the World (2007): Werner Herzog, Henry Kaiser
The Garden (2008/I): Scott Hamilton Kennedy
Man on Wire (2008): James Marsh, Simon Chinn
Trouble the Water (2008): Tia Lessin, Carl Deal
It's a toss-up between Herzog and Man on Wire. Betting on the latter pure cheekiness.
Ok, back to watching the stars. Tune in after they roll the red carpet back, for either a bitchfest or a gloatfest...
© Copyright P. Bieszk 2009
Director Sam Mendes burst into the scene in 1999 with his directorial feature debut American Beauty, an instant crossover success with viewers of various ages, nationalities, creeds and degrees of snobbism, the film won a best picture Oscar and (for once) deservedly so. It was a confrontational black comedy that revealed lifes magic alongside its banalities and the ever-present possibility of redemption. These qualities are sorely missing from Revolutionary Road, which is best described as a disappointing 1950s version of Desperate Housewives without an ounce of humour added to the cake mix. Unlike Mike Nichols Whos Afraid of Virginia Woolf (1966) with Elisabeth Taylor and Richard Burton or Stanley Donens Two for the Road (1967) starring Audrey Hepburn and Albert Finney, films tackling the theme of marriage with insight and psychological nuance, Maddens newest project, inspired by a cult 1961 Richard Yates novel, documents lives of quiet desperation by shortcuts, giving the title an ironic resonance on many levels. Apparently, contrary to the myth, there were no happy, functional people in the 1950s. At all.
Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet play it one more time in Revolutionary Road
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The Paper Dolls are gay Filipino expats deemed half women half men. Marginal amongst societys margins, their complex lives are open-heartedly revealed to us. Working in Tel Aviv as caretakers for the elderly in Orthodox Jewish communities, their temporary visas expire the moment they lose their jobs, and as a result, they are constantly hiding from officials eager to deport them. After work they get dismissed by prettier, more mainstream drag queens, who regard them as amateurs, and by club owners, who find new ways to humiliate and exploit them. Homophobia is expected in this environment so any sign of interest and acceptance is treated as a wonderful gift, rewarded with unfailing devotion and care. Despite the general stance of spirited naïveté this documentary enthuses, it stumbles on uncharted territory, much like the director Tomer Heymann, who came across the amateur cabaret troupe The Paper Dolls in an alley, after one of their shows.
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Abderrahmane Sissakos Bamako is one of those rare film-going experiences that educates, challenges preconceived notions and simultaneously manages to express the culture, the feelings and the plight of the people on whose behalf it speaks. Using the conventions of courtroom drama, we are presented with a faux trial of the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund, and their ruthless debt policies in Bamako, Mali. Various representatives of the community, from intellectuals to peasants, are called in as witnesses. Each provides crushing evidence of pervasive injustice and inhumanity experienced on a daily basis and demonstrates the sheer impossibility of a dignified life in this vicious circle of poverty. In the background, life in Bamako continues in its easy sun-bathed rhythm, illustrating the complexities and absurdities of issues discussed in the trial as they affect peoples daily lives. The astounding landscapes and beautiful people clash with the extreme hardship of life surrounding the makeshift open-air court, as a couple marries, families struggle to survive at the cost of their own integrity, and a sick man patiently awaits his death as he cannot afford treatment. All this heartbreak is interspersed with flashes of music and humour Danny Glover, one of the films producers, appears in a mock-spaghetti western depicting a morality tale African style.
Aïssata Tall Sall and William Bourdon as the attorneys and Assa Badiallo Souko as one of the witnesses in Bamako
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The Cave Of The Yellow Dog is no longer as firmly entrenched in the realm of magical realism as its predecessor The Story of the Weeping Camel (2003) was. If comparisons are unavoidable, Cave holds its own as a worthwhile film-going experience. It is a heartwarming and intimate portrayal of the Batchuluun family and their everyday life on green Mongolian pastures, reminiscent of Nikita Mikhalkovs award-winning Urga (1991). Brilliantly observed and beautifully captured, director Byambasuren Davaas world consists of small details revealing a richness of cultural heritage and admiration for the simplicity of the nomadic existence. The Batchuluuns have a lot of respect for each other, their work and surroundings. The parents adore their children immensely. The kids are charming, especially the little bundle of trouble Babbayar, who appears to have more personality than his small frame can safely hold. His oldest sister and our heroine Nansal has astuteness and wit to boot, adopting a stray puppy for friendship and good fortune, as it turns out.
The Batchuluun family, happy to share their life on the Mongolian pastures
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What makes remakes potentially interesting is the possibility of building on top of existing material in order to update it and reflect the contemporary cultural climate, and the ensuing conversation with the preceding film and the audience. Perhaps that is why good and thought-provoking remakes are so few and far between (such as The Magnificent Seven, The Departed or Diabolique) creating one would require actual engagement with the material on a deeper level and bringing a new element or point of view to the equation. Most remakes however fail at this (think Vanilla Sky, Psycho), and The Day the Earth Stood Still is no exception, despite the promise displayed by director Scott Derrickson in his chillingly effective previous effort The Exorcism of Emily Rose (2005). While the older version of The Day had a sincere and heartfelt pacifist message reflecting the time of the Cold War and racial prejudice, as an update we get colour cinematography and nice digital special effects, but thats about it. I am guessing the main reason for the remake was the timeliness of the environmentally friendly (or rather desperate) but unelaborated on message and the need for a new sci-fi vehicle for Keanu Reeves.
For those familiar with the original - and beloved amongst science-fiction fans - 1951 Robert Wise version of The Day the Earth Stood Still, the plot will hold no surprises: one day the planet wakes up to what looks like an alien invasion and reacts with unevolved violence. Reeves, predictably wooden but nonetheless a pleasure to look at, despite being in his mid 40s and still wearing his suit from The Matrix, portrays the alien Klaatu who has the power to decide the fate of the human race. I shall venture a guess that the big black robot Gort was modeled after him, especially in its capacity to display the full range of emotions: on and off. Kathy Bates looks tired as the presidents secretary (in this film she is doing all the governments work it seems), but Jennifer Connelly lights up the screen a little as the scientist Helen Benson, entrusted with a mission to embody humanitys better side and thus worthy of being saved hey, at least we are represented by a good looking profile
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Thinking of becoming a vegetarian? This film might just push you over the edge! Imagine Wolf Creek and Resident Evil minus the camp, double the gore, and with the gloom dial maxed. Six rather comely lasses venture on a caving trip, which slowly and relentlessly turns into a nightmare, not unlike Dantes hell, which seems never to run out of extra circles here. The adventure is the idea of brunette ego-tripper Juno (Natalie Mendoza), seeking to rekindle her friendship with meek blonde Sarah (Shauna Macdonald). Their four friends join in for a girl-power expedition, and some do kick ass, but hey its a gory horror flick, so most just kick over. Lets just say that the slime in the cave isnt of purely mineral origin. Impressively gory visuals escalate like an unstoppable violent avalanche blood lake included.
Sarah (Shauna Macdonald) goes for a gory swim in The Descent
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A nostalgic trip into the realm of the cult, the trashy and the surreal, this documentary celebrates the unique cinema experiences offered by the midnight movie circuit of the 1970s. Director Stewart Samuels concentrates on 6 movies: Alejandro Jodorowskys Mexican spaghetti western/mystic acid trip El Topo (1970), George Romeros ground breaking zombie horror film The Night of the Living Dead (1968), John Waters bad taste classic Pink Flamingos (1972), in which Divine the drag queen unforgettably consumes dog poo, the camp mega-hit The Rocky Horror Picture Show (1975), The Harder They Come (1972) with its hip Jamaican vibes, and David Lynchs melancholy industrial nightmare Eraserhead (1977). Besides interviews with directors and distributors, critics Roger Ebert, J. Hoberman and Jonathan Rosenbaum recycle their widely published ideas on the subject. Nowadays we can only imagine - with a tinge of jealous longing - what it was like to sit in a pot-infused atmosphere, breathing in countercultural ideas in an era of excitement and transgression on the art scene.
Jack Nance as the embodiment of existential angst in David Lynch's Eraserhead
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