Slumdog Millionaire

I know I know.. everyone has seen Slumdog. Well guess what? not me. I wanted to see it when it was still in its indie release. As the momentum grew, it started to push me off the movie rather than entice me. After the Oscar win for Best Picture, I said okay, I'll queue it on Netflix. Everyone I knew was shocked that I hadn't seen the movie and then the backlash began. Many folks who saw the movie during its hype started expressing their lack luster reviews to me. I said, ok, now I have a balance of opinion to judge the movie on its own merit. So what did I think?

Danny Boyle is one of my favorite directors. Trainspotting, 28 Days Later and Sunshine are amazing films within their genres. They all contain this energy that only Danny could truly create. Slumdog is no exception.

The cinematography and directing are beautiful. The frantic camera work and thumping score delivers the reality of the slums. The highlight of the entire movie is really the young actors who portray their older counterparts. These are talented children who sadly have been caught in a real life mess due to their global fame. Dev Patel and Frida Pinto are wonderful actors. They have a genuine chemistry that shines through.

Although the film seems to be grounded in reality, there are some moments of melodrama that didn't quite work for me. In fact, one scene ruined some of what I was feeling for the characters. I know it was done deliberately to get the story moving but it felt abrupt. I can see why it won best picture. It was a story of love and overcoming the odds set against an environment most have never seen or experienced. It has an originality that set it apart from the other nominees.
My Grade: B+

Let the Right One In

Vampire mythology in film has evolved over the years with interesting, thought provoking and frightening entries. Movies like Bram Stoker's Dracula, Interview with a Vampire, The Hunger, and the lovable but cheesy Twilight. Every film tries its best to add a new facet to the legend of the undead.

The swedish import, Let the Right One In, is a breath of fresh air. It is violent tale with a touch of warmth and a fascinating irony.

Oskar (Kare Hedebrant) is a shy, frail boy who is constantly tormented by bullies at school. One night he is befriended by his new neighbor, a young girl named Eli (Lena Leandersson). A strong relationship is born between the two youths but Oskar begins to realize that his new girlfriend has a insatiable thirst for blood.

The film takes its time but is superbly directed and very well written with one the best endings I've seen in a very long time. My Grade: A

Wonder Woman

The WB has helped evolve animation for children to animation for teens and beyond. Under the Warner Premiere/DC Universe Banner they have already launched great animated films like Superman: Doomsday and Justice League: New Frontier. However, the one I have been waiting for finally arrived, Wonder Woman.

For many years DC has tried to bring Wonder Woman to life either via TV (a hit series thanks to Lynda Carter) or film. Unfortunately, the amazon princess hasn't been able to make her leap to the silver screen just yet. She has, however, been updated in the TV series Justice League and its second incarnation Justice League: Unlimited. In it, she shares much of her screen time with her male counterparts but here its finally time to learn who Diana of Themyscira really is. This is the story of how wonder Woman came to be the heroine we all know.

Wonder Woman is voiced by Keri Russell and she does very well. She gives Diana a noble charm and bold strength. Nathan Fillion voices Steve Trevor, the lone pilot who crashes upon the island of the Amazons. While his work was good, at times it was played a little too much for comedy. He did add a lightness to some scenes that required it. The other voice cast includes Alfred Molina as Ares, God of War, Rosario Dawson as Artemis and Virginia Madsen as Queen Hippolyta. Madsen offers a regal and resilient tone to the Queen which rounds out the character very well.

The movie is filled with action, drama and great moments of awe. The animation is stunning and fluid with well executed direction. The director, Lauren Montgomery, was also responsible for Superman:Doomsday and this summers next DC DVD, Green Lantern (which looks awesome btw and is getting his own live action movie in 2010). Overall, Wonder Woman is a solid work with a very cool ending for fans. We finally see more of the greek mythology used which is a real bonus. It doesn't disappoint and if anything, makes me crave a sequel. My Grade: B+

P.S. I Love You

Is there an undying love within all of us? If the person you love so much was taken away from you, How would you cope?

P.S. I Love You is the film based on the novel by Cecelia Ahern. The story of Holly (Hilary Swank) who loses her husband Gerry (Gerard Butler) to a brain tumor. Before his death, Gerry created an elaborate plan to help his wife deal with his eventual death. He would send letters to her and her friends to slowly ease her out of grieving.

I found the movie to be a bit disjointed. You have colorful comedic characters among this sad storyline. I understand that you want the audience to celebrate life by offering a light-hearted story. What ends up happening is that your are not really allowed to connect with Hilary Swank and what she is going through. They throw the friends in all the time to allow comic relief. The movie has some great moments of heart especially the scenes with Kathy Bates, who plays Holly's mother. Overall an enjoyable film about a solemn subject and the performances from Gerard and Hilary are pretty good. I felt the movie could focus more on our main character and downplay the friends a bit more. My Grade: C+

Into the Wild - DVD

How many times have you felt like leaving society behind? Most of us fear leaving the confines of the everyday world. Our routine is what keeps us safe and taking chances are few and far between. Some might say that people who live without a care in the world are foolish and lazy. How can you go through life not caring about money, shelter, food, or human connection?

Into The Wild is the true story (written by Jon Krakauer) of Christopher Mccandless (Emile Hirsch), a college graduate who decides to leave the world he’s known for a life in the Alaskan wilderness. This is a gripping story that quickly blooms in to something else entirely. Emile reminds me of a young Leonardo DiCaprio. His defiant charm and confidence really opens your eyes to a world we never see. There are several layers at work here, which I don’t want to dissect but unfold nicely. Along the way he encounters some very interesting and beautiful characters. Catherine Keener is the middle aged hippie chick that longs for her son. Kristen Stewart is that young, wide-eyed soul looking for love. Hal Holbrook is the widowed elderly man longing for a final chance at a family. What Chris does along the journey is touch others. He opens their eyes to something special and in turn, they want him to abandon his quest and stay. Unfortunately, Chris is too focused to find his life in the Alaskan wild. Chris’ parents, played by William Hurt and Marcia Gay Harden (amazing actress), have given their boy a life that may seem ordinary to some. But sadly his family is full of secrets, inconsistencies and a lack of genuine love (or so one would think)

This is fantastic story with great performances from Emile and the supporting cast. The soundtrack with songs from Eddie Veder, fit so well into the story and really bring this voyage to life. I do have some issues with the movie though. At 2.5 hours, the film is a little long. Into the Wild is directed by Sean Penn and for the most part he sticks to telling the story. Although at times, he gets a little pretentious with some shots and scenes. I feel that I would need to read the book to do this story justice but this film is quite good. Rent This: B+

Forgetting Sarah Marshall - DVD

I'm so sorry I missed this movie in theaters. I literally laughed out loud throughout. Forgetting Sarah Marshall is a different kind of romantic comedy. One that leads with comedy first and fulfills in the romance category with ease.

Jason Segel is a new favorite (His next film is I Love You, Man). He plays Peter, a tv composer for show called Crime Scene (A really great spoof of CSI) who is dating the shows leading lady, Sarah Marshall played by Kristen Bell. Sarah feels its time to move on from Peter and in turn crushes this poor guy. His downward spiral is so funny but very sad. His step-brother Brian, Bill Hader, convinces Peter to go on vacation to get him out of his depression. So Peter jets off to Hawaii only to find that his ex Sarah and new boyfriend Aldous, Russell Brand, are vacationing at the same resort. Peter feels he should leave but Front Desk Manager Rachel, Mila Kunis, gives him a reason to stay.

Mila Kunis stood out for me here. She impressed me beyond belief. Her acting was great. We'd only seen her in 'That 70's Show' and heard her in Family Guy as Meg but she is a stand out in the movie. Funny and sweet with a lot of charisma. There are a lot of great characters that make up this hilarious movie. Jonah Hill, Paul Rudd, Jack McBrayer and Kristen Wiig all have great moments in the movie. Its not your typical gross out comedy. It rises to a level that I hope more films will try to achieve. Oh and you have to love the 'Dracula puppet musical' Fantastic stuff. Rent This: A

La Misma Luna (Under the Same Moon)

La Misma Luna – 2007 (Spanish with English Subtitles)

In this tale illuminating the plight of illegal aliens, Kate del Castillo plays Rosario, a woman working illegally in the United States to provide a better life for her son Carlitos (Adrian Alonso), who remains at home in Mexico. Longing for his mother, Carlitos stows away on a van that's headed for the border. An already treacherous journey becomes even more so when Carlitos is separated from his smugglers (Jesse Garcia, America Ferrera).

There are times when a film shows you its true heart. There are times when a story surpasses it telling to touch you in the deepest of places. For example: Mi Familia, Fried Green Tomatoes, La Vie en Rose to name a few. These are stories where characters grow right before your eyes yet never lose that sense of familiarity. Just having wiped the last tear of uncompromising joy from my eye… This is one of those films.

The polarizing debate of illegal immigration gets a much needed human touch in this film by Indie director Patricia Riggen. This is not a political tale nor does it preach in support of either side. This is a story of love, separation and courage. A son longs for his mother. A mother longs for the son she left behind. Through unforeseen circumstances, 9yr old Carlitos (played by talented child actor Adrian Alonso) sets out to cross the American border in search of his mother who is living in LA. His journey is often scary and disheartening. He presses on, determined that his faith in love and his mother will get him where he needs to go.

There are many great performances by well known Latino actors. The best of these in my opinion are Kate del Castillo and Eugenio Derbez with honorable mention to Carmen Salinas. Kate gives an honest performance. Her character is motivated by loyalty and love. She will not blinded by anything or anyone when it comes to her son. Her vulnerability peaks toward the end of the film. She is such strong person without being overtly tough that when she does finally succumb to any kind of pain, your heart drops. Eugenio on other hand, adds a nice light to the drama of the movie. He slips in a couple one liners that are funny but not forced. That's the thing, none of these characters are forced. Their motivations are true and sincere not manipulated. (See-Babel, for case in point: WHAT NOT TO DO WITH YOUR CHARACTERS!!!)

I really don't think I can say how much more I loved this movie. I will admit that at times it gets a little sappy but don't worry, it will not ruin the ultimate heart of this film. BTW, I absolutely love the very last shot in the film. It is perfection. The soul that the writer and director put into this movie makes it all the more special. It would be a shame not to see it. La Misma Luna: A+

Thanks- Richard