Posts Tagged ‘director’
Thursday, February 19th, 2009
Review
As an aspiring film maker and a critic I sometimes forget what it is that makes me love movies, because seeing so many bad ones puts you off. Slumdog millionaire reignited that flame for me two fold. The movie is an inspiration to filmmaking, a masterpiece, a shining light in a dull room. If you watch one movie this year it has to be Slumdog Millionaire.
The story of a man who came from the slums of India to be on Who wants to be a Millionaire?. He’s just one question away from the twenty million rupee grand prize. However the authorities can’t see how a slumdog could know the answer to questions that doctors and lawyers couldn’t answer. They pull him in for questioning and an amazing life story unfolds before their eyes. Could it be that it’s this man’s destiny to win the grand prize?
From the opening minutes you can just feel that there’s something special about this movie. The cinematography is fantastic and the score awe inspiring but all of that is blown away by fantastic acting, especially from the kids, and an amazing story. I’ve said it countless times; many movies should never have left the screenplay stage. The screenplay is the most important thing. Without an amazing story you can’t get an amazing movie. What really brings this story to life is that it’s so real. It’s not trying to prove a point or change a perception, it’s telling an amazing story from start to finish.
That doesn’t mean to say the story isn’t done in style. Danny Boyle has put together an amazing movie and deserves all the recognition this film is giving him. The acting is raw, real and crisp. All the elements have come together perfectly.
Hollywood has forgotten to a large extent why movies are made. It’s not all about money; it’s about the age old art of telling great stories, where the tribe gathers around the fire to hear the best stories over and over again. This movie gets that right.
What makes this movie more real is the reality that this is a story that in actuality takes place in our own country, within our own townships. It tackles those universal questions of is it ever OK to do wrong and when will we ever get over our discrimination of all kinds?
This is a tribute to Indian film making and an honouring of the hard lives slumdogs live. It’s hard not to fall head over heals in love with Slumdog Millionaire.
Tags: A.R. Rahman, Anil Kapoor, British, cast, Christian Colson, composer, Danny Boyle, Dev Patel, director, Drama, Fox Searchlight Pictures, Freida Pinto, genre, Irrfan Khan, Jamal Malik, Madhur Mittal, Marc Williams, producer, release date, review, Runtime, sa, screenwriter, Simon Beaufoy, slumdog, Slumdog Millionaire, South Africa, starring, street kid, studio, USA, Who Wants To Be A Millionaire
Posted in Drama, Movies, Reviews | No Comments »
Wednesday, January 28th, 2009
Review
Drug abuse is something that continues with the entire world around us telling us it’s wrong. It’s a serious reality and Rachel Getting Married takes a look at how it affects families and the people themselves.
Anna Hathaway is brilliant as the drug addict undergoing rehabilitation. We are used to seeing her in coming of age roles but this gritty look at reality shows she can really act. The other actors and actresses are fine but this movie is really Hathaway’s show. Jenny Lumet takes the writers chair for the first time as the plot follows Kym (Anne Hathaway) returning home from rehab for her sister, Rachel’s (Rosemarie Dewitt), wedding. Among all the celebrations, friends and music Kym brings a history of crisis and tragedy.
The film carries shaky camera work and extremely irritating music which, I hope, is intentional on the part of the crew. By adding that irritating undercurrent you become uncomfortable from the opening credits, helping you to connect with what the characters are experiencing at the time.
The movie is depressing, real and at times heart wrenching. This movie is definitely one for passionate movie goers but for a main stream audience this movie smacks you over the head with reality. Most people go to the movies to escape reality but this rollercoaster emotional ride is far from relaxing. In fact it can unnerve you for the day.
This movie may get a nod for being bold, different and telling a story but it won’t do much at the box office. When people see Hathaway like this they won’t be impressed with what she looks like or how she behaves. People don’t want to see their favourite actresses as ugly, smoking, swearing drug addicts and the box office numbers will prove it.
8/10
Tags: Anisa George, Anna Deavere Smith, Anne Hathaway, Bill Irwin, box office, composer, Debra Winger, director, Donald Harrison, Drama, drugs, film, genre, Jenny Lumet, Marc Platt, Mather Zickel, movie, Neda Armian, Rachel Getting Married, rating, review, Rosemarie Dewitt, smoking, Sony Pictures Classics, South Africa, swearing, Tunde Adebimpe, Zafer Tawil
Posted in Drama, Movies, Reviews | No Comments »
Thursday, December 18th, 2008
Review
It’s refreshing to see that the Pixar team, who have literally taken control of the Animation department at Disney, are having a good influence. Bolt is one of the most refreshing, enjoyable, laugh out load movies Disney’s own studios have created in a long time. And the best news is it’s even better in 3D.
The movie follows BOLT, the star of an action, adventure television program where he has super powers. What he doesn’t know is that it’s all fake. After a tense scene where his beloved owner, Penny, is kidnapped Bolt takes off in search of her only to be accidentally shipped off from his Hollywoodhome to New York City. The movie follows his journey back across the country to save Penny. With two oddball travel buddies the movie is set for some hysterical moments, and it delivers.
The opening sequence to Bolt is mesmerising, showing that Disney’s studio is perfectly capable under the right leadership. His journey is familiar and not exactly original but what makes this movie shine is its unique and entertaining characters. With the voice talents of John Travolta, Miley Cyrus, Sussie Essman and Mark Walton the movie’s characters have a warmth and sparkle to them.
Bolt has now officially sold me on Disney Digital 3-D. Watching the movie in 3D takes your experience to a new level. Ster-Kinekor made a statement when they first released the 3-D movie houses, saying that this is as big a difference as black and white to colour. Although I wouldn’t go that far, it certainly makes any movie that much more enjoyable for both adults and kids. This isn’t 3-D that we’re used to. The picture is crystal clear, no more blurry movies that give you headaches, and the new technology allows for complete comfort. You will still have to wear 3-D glasses, but these are perfectly comfortable and plastic – not cardboard rubbish. In fact they are so comfortable I’ve seen people wearing them as a fashion statement. Needless to say that are definitely not sunglasses but it goes to show how comfortable they are.
Bolt is not the best animated movie ever, but it’s easy to recommend to anybody as a relaxing and entertaining holiday film for the whole family. Don’t miss this one.
8.5/10
Notes
Chris Williams and Byron Howard worked on Disney’s 36th animated feature “Mulan” – Williams was a member of the story team, and Howard was an animator.
The film marks Miley Cyrus’ feature-film debut as an animated character.
Before bringing any pet into your family be sure to learn about the breed and always consider adoption from a reputable shelter or rescue program.
Tags: 3D, Animation, cat, Chris Williams, city, Clark Spencer, cross-country, Diedrich Bader, digital, director, disney, gallery, genre, hamster, hollywood, John Travolta, Malcolm McDowell, Miley Cyrus, mittens, New york, oddballs, penny, Pixar, producer, rated, Rhino, roadtrip, starring, ster-kinekor, studio, Susie Essman, synopsis, Theatrical Release, trailer
Posted in Animation, Movies, Reviews | No Comments »
Monday, September 22nd, 2008
Tags: Anant Singh, bones, cast, director, Durban, gallery, Gray Hofmeyr, Hekule, Helena Spring, Kaseran Pillay, Kuvuki, Kuvukiland, Leeanda Reddy, Leon Schuster, Meren Reddy, Mr. bones, producers, Redcoat, South Africa, springbok, synopsis, Tongayi Chirisa, writers
Posted in Comedy, Movies, Reviews | No Comments »
