Slumdog Millionaire (film) directed by Danny Boyle

I am not one to ruffle feathers unnecessarily, but I have to come out and say something honestly. I did not enjoy Slumdog Millionaire. Before the majority of the world rains curses upon me, and the pile of awards obscure my speech (8 Oscars, 4 Golden Globes, 5 Critic’s Choice and seven BAFTA) I would like to qualify a few things: I liked the child actors, they were undoubtedly amazing. The adult actors, on the other hand, outside of the Dev Patel’s portrayal as the lead character, were pretty terrible and over-acting abounded. There was absolutely no chemistry between the two lovers, and when they finally kissed, I wanted to look away rather then revel in the cinematic climax.

Despite all this, I understand the film’s appeal. It’s gritty, well shot, and extremely fast-paced. The soundtrack is killer. Shot on location in India, the scenery is spectacular. I don’t need to recommend the movie, as everyone has perhaps already seen it. But for anyone who wants to see a fairy tale disguised as something more, see this movie.

2 stars

Let the Right One In (film) directed by Tomas Alfredson

Based on the Swedish novel of the same name, Let the Right One In follows the story of a bullied twelve year old boy who befriends and eventually falls in love with a 200 year old female vampire who looks like a thirteen year old girl. They form a symbiotic relationship: she helps him have the courage to stand up his tormenters, and he in turn will eventually be responsible for her well-being. I watched this movie with my seventeen year old brother, who thought the narrative between the vampire and the boy was beautifully romantic, where I was hoping that the vampire would be killed off, saving the world some trouble. While this movie does have teenage protagonists, it is mature enough to be thoroughly enjoyed by an older audience. The little details the filmmakers add in at the edges of the scenes, such as a pretty calm cat in a window turning hideously vicious as the vampire walks by give the film an unexpected richness. Winner of numerous awards, including Audience Award for Best Feature Film at the 2008 Toronto After Dark Film Festival.

5 stars

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory / A Tim Burton Film starring Johnny Depp

Based on the novel by Roald Dahl
C2005
Warner Brothers
Video
The review cited on the cover says “You’ve never seen anything like this before” which, to me, seems a misnomer considering the movie is a remake of the 1971 classic, Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory. It is hard to understand what inspired Tim Burton, a director renowned for his imagination and creativity, to make a new version of this much-loved story about an eccentric candy inventor and the poor little boy who inherits his factory. Beside the addition of a Michael Jacksonesque Willy Wonka, the heavy use of computer animation, and a less interesting soundtrack, this movie often mimics (badly) the original. Only recommended to those who have not seen Wolper’s version. **

Charlotte’s Web by Paramount Home Video, c1993.

Based on the novel by E.B. White
Hanna-Barbera Productions, Inc.,
[and] Sagittarius Productions, Inc., 1972.
Animated
94 min.
Video

“Why are you trembling?” “I’m trembling with the joy of life.” Only after enduring an entire hour and a half of this movie’s persistent and unmistakably pointed message (aka LIFE IS WONDERFUL) will this final conversation between Wilbur and one of Charlotte’s spiderlings not irk you. By then your resistance against teeth-bared optimism will have been completely subsided, so much so that you might even consider getting the phrases printed on a t-shirt. Although I was a huge fan of this book when I was a child, perhaps my adult life has not been sufficient enough in wonder in order to enjoy the movie adaptation, however pretty the animation. Or perhaps I couldn’t get over the cognitive dissonance from hearing sonorous adult voices emerging from the mouths of cute young animals. Or perhaps I simply could not stand the boring songs that came way too often and lasted way too long. All right for children too young to get sarcasm (5-7). ***