Monday, March 8, 2010
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
Slumdog Millionaire (2008)
Director: Danny Boyle
Screenplay: Simon Beaufoy (Based on the novel "Q&A" by Vikas Swarup)
Cast: Dev Patel, Freida Pinto, Anil Kapoor, Saurabh Skukla, Rajendranath Zutshi, Azharuddin Ismail, Ayush Khedekar, Rubina Ali & Madhur Mittal
Oscar wins (8): Best Picture, Best Director, Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Film Editing, Best Cinematography, Best Sound, Best Original Score & Best Original Song ("Jai Ho")
In an honest notion, I really have to say that Danny Boyle's Slumdog Millionaire was definitely not only one of the best produced films in 2008, but the best feel-good movie of that year. There is a sense of inspiration that unfolds in the story that Slumdog ends up being an irresistible motion picture. Though its definitely not my favorite movie of 2008 it comes really, really close. The film is hard to get over. It truly is wonderful.
What I love about the movie is that its an odd pick for Best Picture. The story, set in Mombay in India, follows the life of poor slumdog Jamal (Dev Patel) who has miraculously reaches the 20 million mark in the Indian version of "Who Wants to be a Millionaire?". Suspected of cheating, Jamal is then arrested and tortured to answer how an uneducated kid from the streets would know all the correct responses.
In a remarkable tale, the story unravels to find Jamal telling the story of his life and how "the slums" had taught him more then just answers, but how to live. We go through childhood with Jamal and his brother Salim, and the love of his life, the beautiful Latika (Frieda Pinto). In the end, we discover Jamal's true motives to join the TV show and how "destiny" is the most important thing to believe in.
Danny Boyle's perfect direction gives Slumdog Millionaire what it really needed. He captures the sights and sounds of India, but also captures the raw emotion of the unknown actors he casted in his leading roles. Though different from his other films, Boyle makes a landmark film, which in my opinion, is the best of his career (YES, better then Trainspotting (1996) too!).
However, I do feel that the whole base of the film's beauty comes from Beaufoy's fantastic adapated script. It amazes me so much, how a British man can adapt an Indian story and make it into a new age masterpiece. The screenplay and dialougue was pitch-perfect, and the film has only minor dialogue flaws. The teaming of him and Boyle is deffiantely a match made in heaven. The photography is another plus point.
As far as the acting goes, absolutely no one was terrible. But I must note that the little kids used to play the younger of the major characters out shined the older ones completely. Though they obviously were playing themselves, Boyle's guidance is hardly seen in the children's performances. And that's a good thing.
The film is a really touching one. It does not only inspire you, but it uplifts you to the highest form of happiness (or "feel-good"). The story is put together in a perfect narrative that is visually stunning and very emotionally capturing as well. I'm glad that the Academy choose a film that not only appeals to critics, but to the general public too. Though not my favorite of the year, I'm completely fine with Slumdog Millionaire's Best Picture win and I stay a fan.
Picture: Jamal (Dev Patel) and Latika (Frieda Pinto) dance to the Oscar winning song "Jai Ho" in the film's finale.
Ordinary People (1980)
Director: Robert Redford
Screenplay: Judith Guest (Based on the novel by Alvin Sargent)
Cast: Donald Sutherland, Mary Tyler Moore, Timothy Hutton, Judd Hirsch, M. Emmet Walsh, Elizabeth McGovern, Dinah Manoff, Fredric Lehne & Scott Doebler
Oscar wins (4): Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actor in a Supporting Role (Timothy Hutton) & Best Adapted Screenplay
Who knew an actor could be so brilliant as a director? Robert Redford pulls out all the raw emotions into the performers of the suburban drama Ordinary People. He makes us experience such a roller coaster of emotions, that the film has no dull moments. We think to ourselves: who are the good guys? Who is the bad one? Redford gives us a story in where we choose our own sides, and this is top notch film making.
In a little town in America, we met the "ordinary" Jarrett family. As they try to live past the death of their oldest son Buck (Scott Doebler), we see the depressing lives of father Calvin (Donald Sutherland), Beth (Mary Tyler Moore) and their remaining son Conrad (Timothy Hutton in his Oscar winning role).
Conrad becomes disconnected with his family and friends as he feels responsible for the death of Buck in one of their boating trips. As he begins to see a Dr. Berger (Judd Hirsch), we begin to see another side of Conrad as him and his shrink unlock his deepest darkest secrets and thoughts. But it won't be that easy. With family life decaying at home, will Conrad's arrogant and pretentious mother help her son realize that "everything will be okay"? Or will she continue blaming him for the death of her favorite child.
As brilliant as Mary Tyler Moore, Donald Sutherland and Judd Hirsch are, the true star of this picture is the young Timothy Hutton. Hutton surprised me the first time I saw him in this performance. He was so raw, so emotional and so outstanding that I believe he deserves to win an Oscar for Best Actor, rather then his category-fraud win for Best Supporting Actor. His performance was so truthful and is clearly one of my favorite performances of all time. His Conrad acting is so intense and subtle in the same time, that Hutton goes beyond any other "professional" veteran actors in this once in a lifetime performance. Kudos to him.
Robert Redford leads his band of actors into film making victory with this film. I suppose its because actors understand other actors. He knew what to do with them and he knew how to project that. He knew what to do with the brilliant script of Judith Guest and he knew how to show it on screen.
In my opinion Ordinary People is not the best film of the 1980s (We have Tootsie (1982) for that), but it is certainly the best acted one. I stand my ground when I say that all the actors, principal or supporting, were extremely good. They were on top of their game. All the scenes in the film were captivating and so emotionally touching that the movie becomes a gem of the 1980s. It's acting heaven.
Picture: Conrad Jarrett (Oscar winner Timothy Hutton) is out-of-this world, confused and blames himself for his brothers death.
The Godfather (1972)
Director: Francis Ford Coppola
Screenplay: Mario Puzo & Francis Ford Coppola (Based on the Mario Puzo novel)
Cast: Marlon Brando, Al Pacino, James Caan, Richard S. Catellano, Robert Duvall, Sterling Hayden, John Marley, Ricard Conte, Al Lettieri, Diane Keaton, Abe Vigoda, Talie Shire, Gianni Russo & John Cazale
Oscar wins (3): Best Picture, Best Actor in a Leading Role (Marlon Brando) & Best Adapted Screenplay
As soon as the score of The Godfather began playing and the face of that man appeared before me on the screen, I knew right away that this would be one of my favorite films of all time. Not minding the length of the picture, I truly and genuinly enjoyed the movie from start to finish. Yes, hard to understand at tmies, but their is absolutely no crime drama like this classic masterpiece.
Master actor Marlon Brando wins an Oscar for playing Don Vito Corleone, the head of the organizational crime family the Corleone's in which he does everything and anything for those he consder's as his "god sons". But after a bad deal which involves narcotics goes out of hand, Don Vito is attentively assassinated and his family wants justice.
As his sons go furious with revenge, we focus on the young Michael (Al Pacino), who is different from the rest of the family. Instead of being part of "the family business", he is a decorated war hero with a lovely girlfriend named Kay (Diane Keaton). Here we watch his transformation from good Ivy League student to the next Don, as he gets influenced by his brothers and his father's enemies.
In a way, The Godfather teaches us a lot of lessons. Apart from the basic themes showed in the movie, we are shared the values that the Corleone's posses in the 3 hours that the film runs. We learn that family is above everything and that people change. Maybe for the better, maybe for the worst, but its taught there alright. And we learn these in the most entertaining and beautiful way.
The film may be a cliche, but there is a reason for it. It has reason to be iconic because it really is brilliant. The story is told with perfect dialogue and good direction, and the actor's are in their finest hours. Brando stand out in the lead role. He delivers one of his most subtle performances and it suits him well. His Don Vito posses all the qualities we'd want in a Don, which only improves his relationship and the narrative on how different each and everyone of his sons are to him. He's outstanding.
Pacino, gives a solid performance as Michael. As the film progresses he only gets better and better. In the beginning, Michael is just boring old Michael. But by half way of the film, we begin to root for him in every way possible, whether his actions are good or bad. This is all Pacino. But in a tough Oscar year (*ehem* Joel Grey in "Cabaret *ehem*), I'm not sad to see that Pacino did not win an Oscar for this role. Though however brilliant, he is no Joel Grey.
The score is another thing in this movie. It's timeless, haunting and forever playing in my head! It gives the film a good final touch because music is always very important. It sets the mood of the motion picture and this one is set from the very beginning. Hands down for writing one of the best movie scores of all time.
Finally hands down to director Francis Ford Coppola. He creates a film so intense and so brilliant that I often forget about every little movie out there when I think of The Godfather. The film sells itself too. And don't listen to the cliches! The Godfather is more then a gangster, crime movie. It's a masterpiece about family and change.
Picture: The Godfather, Don Vito Corleone (Oscar winner Marlon Brando) listens intently to a man asking for a "favor".
West Side Story (1961)
Director: Jerome Robbins & Robert Wise
Cast: Richard Beymer, Natalie Wood, George Chakiris, Rita Moreno, Russ Tamblyn, Simon Oakland, Ned Glass, William Bramley & Tucker Smith
Screenplay: Ernest Lehmen (Based on the Broadway play by Arthur Laurents)
Oscar wins (10): Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actor in a Supporting Role (George Chakiris), Best Actress in a Supporting Role (Rita Moreno), Best Film Editing, Best Cinematography, Best Costume Design, Best Art Direction-Set Decoration, Best Scoring of a Musical Picture & Best Sound
The musical version of Romeo and Juliet is clearly a gem of a film with amazing everything. From the acting to the singing to the dancing to the direction and even the smallest piece of detail on a costume is what West Side Story is all about. It sweeps you off your feet and brings you into the hearts of the characters, their affairs and life on the "every buggin' streets" in a heartbreaking motion picture.
Following the same pattern of the classic Shakespearean play (but with a twist), we are transported into the Lower West Side of New York City, where two young gangs, The Jets (the Caucasian gang) and the Sharks (the Puertoricans), are fighting for glory and ownership of the area. As the leaders Riff (Russ Tamblyn) and Bernardo (Oscar winner George Chakaris) prepare for a big rumble, the unexpected happens under their noses.
Under the rage of the gang wars, two lovers meet and instantly fall in love. The man is Tony (Richard Beymer), the right hand man and co-creator of the Jets. And the women is Maria (leading lady Natalie Wood), the sister of Shark's leader Bernardo. With all their might, the lover's hide their love until eventually (like Shakespeare's tragic play), they have a bitter end to their love story.
With that tragic story, we are given the most unremarkable score by composers Leonard Bernstien and Steven Sondhiem. Without the music, there would be no West Side Story. The songs are absolutely exquisite and fits the entire context without a single wrong note. "Maria", "America", "Tonight", "The Quintet" and "Cool" are a few major standouts with groundbreaking choreography that will blow you away. The performers blast onto the screen as a united group with the perfect physical forms and dance moves that gives the musical a little something more then others.
Without a doubt, the one outstanding and brilliant performer was the lovely Rita Moreno. She, who played the supporting role of Anita (in which she won an Oscar for) was FLAWLESS. She was born to act, sing and dance thing role. She is the definition of a "triple threat". Watching the show on Broadway, it is obvious that Anita is really created to be the standout character, and Moreno perfectly catches that. She brings out the Puertorican flavors of Anita and is just as raw, enriching and amazing as she was originally written. She fully deserved that Oscar. Chakaris...was okay. So were the two leads (well, they were enough...I guess. HA.).
In a world where one man always prevails, I'm happy to see that both directors of West Side Story got their due in the Academy Awards. They make a perfect team that crafted a remarkable musical picture that is near perfect. It does justice to the Broadway play (actually, its even better!) and everyone was in place here. You can't deny a masterpiece and I don't deny this one at all. Don't miss this.
Picture: Maria (Natalie Wood) holds her lover Tony (Richard Beymer) in her arms in their in their final moments together.
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
Gigi (1958)
Director: Vincente Minnelli
Screenplay: Alan Jay Lerner (Based on the novel by Collette)
Cast: Leslie Caron, Louis Jordan, Maurice Chevalier, Hermione Gingold, Eva Gabor, Jacques Bergerac, Isabel Jeans & John AbbottOscar wins (9): Best Picture, Best Director, Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Film Editing, Best Cinematography, Best Costume Design, Best Art Direction-Set Decoration, Best Scoring of a Musical Picture & Best Original Song ("Gigi")
I often wonder how the general public of film experts could dislike such an amazingly wonderful film. The movie is not only well acted, directed and produced but it is lavish and chic. Clearly one of the most stylish and elegant movies I've ever seen produced on to the silver screen. Lerner and Lowe's score provides the glamorous musical with great music and brings it up to a top-notch rating.
It is the tale of Gigi (Leslie Caron), a young girl living in turn of the century Paris, where marriage and catching a rich man is all that is important to her Grandmother (Hermione Gingold) and her Aunt Alicia (Isabel Jeans). Here she takes lessons on becoming a lady in preparation for her to try and catch a man (or a Duke or a King) of her own.
Also in the tale is the very rich (but bored) socialite Gaston Lachaille (Louis Jordan) who has everything in the world he wants, except one thing: happiness. The only place he finds himself truly happy is when he is in the company of the young Gigi and her persistent Grandmother. As they play cards and drink tea together on countless afternoons, Gigi and Gaston grow a bond as strong as that of family.
But as Gigi turns into a woman, her Grandmother and Aunt only has one idea with her and her best friend, Gaston Lachaille. As the days go by, Gigi must now choose if she wants to follow the steps of her social climbing family or that of love. And will Gaston treat Gigi like every other mistress he's had in his life?
As one of the first songs in Gigi goes, "it's a bore!", the film definitely is not one. It is charming and as I mentioned chic. The entertainment value of Gigi is non-stop, giving us a picture which will make you laugh, cry and fall in love. The outpouring glorious colors of Paris and the pallet used in the art direction and costume design is first rate, making the movie a sight for sore eyes. It's all eye candy!
Though I know a lot of film buffs will disagree with me on this one, but I believe that the four principals cast members (Jordan, Caron, Chevalier and Gingold) all deserves Oscar nominations. I did not say wins, I said nominations. They were all entertaining and good! I did not cringe once on their performances. Jordan is the obvious standout. We see Gaston transform before us, and not physically like Gigi does, but emotionally. His knockout rendition on the Oscar winning song "Gigi" sold the whole performance to me. He was fantastic!
Caron improved so much from her An American in Paris (1951) days and gives a worthy performance. Chevalier is charming and unconventional in his supporting performance as Gaston's womanizing Uncle.
Minnelli paints Paris again with all is luster and grandeur. He is not a people's director (though he can obviously direct), but Minnelli focuses on the the aesthetics of the production. This is what Gigi needed and had. He gave us a peek into 19th century Paris perfectly. And this, in my opinion, is his best work.
The way they closed the film was extremely cheesy, but very effective. Sometimes people have to remember (especially the Academy) that movies should be entertaining as well as good. They have to connect with people and Gigi gives the people that. It was such a joy to watch and I'll never get sick of it. "Thanks heavens" for such a glorious musical film!
Picture: Gigi (Leslie Caron) listens to her Aunt as she discusses the ways of Fine Dining.
Gone with the Wind (1939)
Director: Victor Flemming
Screenplay: Sidney Howard (Based on the novel by Margaret Mitchell)
Cast: Vivien Leigh, Clark Gable, Olivia de Havilland, Leslie Howard, Hattie McDaniel, Butterfly McQueen, Thomas Mitchell, Barbra O'Neil, Evelyn Keyes, Ann Rutherford, Oscar Polk, Alicia Rhett, Rand Brooks, Carroll Nye, Laura Hope Crews, Harry Davenport & Ona Munson
Oscars wins (8): Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actress in a Leading Role (Vivien Leigh), Best Actress in a Supporting Role (Hattie McDaniel), Best Editing, Best Screenplay, Best Cinematography & Best Art Direction
This is by far my favorite movie of all time. It has all the elements I want in a movie: good acting, a great story, its a sight for sore eyes, music's fantastic, it's inspirational. It's a masterpiece. Vivien Leigh head's the powerhouse cast into movie with that Old South tale which is Gone with the Wind. From its technicolor shots to the details on the costume, the film is perfect in every way and a feast for a movie goers sight and soul.
In a story of survival, we follow the life of Scarlet O'Hara (Vivien Leigh in her Oscar winning role), a rich spoiled Southern Belle, living in their enormous plantation in Georgia. As Scarlet stays hopelessly in love with her childhood friend Ashley (Leslie Howard), who is to be married to Melanie Hamilton (Olivia de Havilland), the Civil War breaks loose and Scarlet must now face the new harsh realities of life.
As the men go off to war, Scarlet has a love-hate relationship with the unreceived and arrogant Rhett Butler (Clark Gable) who doesn't believe in the Southern "Cause". And as her riches turn into rags, Scarlet does everything she can (even if it means she has to life, cheat, steal or kill...or marry 3 times) in order to survive the horrible war.
Vivien Leigh gives a powerhouse performance as Scarlet O'Hara. In a dream role for any film actress, Vivien Leigh fills in Margaret Mitchell's immortal character so perfectly that this is hands down my favorite performance of all time. She is strong, emotional and you can really feel the eagerness and desperation from her, popping right out of the screen into you. Her screen presence is stronger then anyone, even stronger then any modern day actors.
Leigh's chemistry with male lead Clark Gable is interesting and irresistible. They couldn't have chosen a better choice to play the disgraced Captain Butler. Gable's performance matches Leigh perfectly. He is clever, witty and charming in his own way. De Havilland and McDaniel give splendid supporting performances too.
Victor Flemming and David O. Selznick has a mastermind partnership of a director and producer. They do not miss out a single detail and they create a picture that is actually way before their time. The Art Direction is beautifully presented and its costumes are amazing. So amazing that its snub from the Costume Design category that year is a major crime.
The film's cinematography (presented in glorious technicolor) is breathtaking to watch. Flemming's version of the Old South brings out so much beauty that even though you are not a Southerner yourself, you will appreciate the vast country sides and luminous cotton fields very, very much.
As music plays in the background, we hear magic that is Gone with the Wind's score. It's score is another gem in a film filled with them. Led by the theme "Tara's Theme", the score builds up the story and gives it a perfect to touch to reach its top emotional level. Max Steiner is a genius. Sadly, The Wizard of Oz (1939) was created in the same year.
When the movie wraps up, you feel so many things. You'll feel inspired, breath taken or maybe even sad. But there's one thing that no one can take away from this picture. And that is that it really is beautiful. So beautiful that I can say that this is the best movie of all time. It's really is the best of all gems.
Picture: Scarlet (Vivien Leigh) stares with spite as her precious Ashley walks hand in hand with Melanie Hamilton.
Welcome to the Best Picture project.
So here, I've begun a journey that will not only be fun for me, but quite an accomplishment.
For many years now, I've been a film fan and I've always wanted to complete watching all 80...well now nearing to 81 Best Pictures the Academy Awards has in its prestigious lineup. So here I begin by giving myself a challenge to see all Best Pictures and posting my thoughts here about each and every one of them.
Please spare with me the fact that I really haven't seen all and will take me a while to post everything. I've seen a majority of the films, but I don't wanna write any reviews until a rewatching of the film.
It's nearly summer break here in the Philippines so I'll have plenty of time on my hands. Wish me luck! :D
For many years now, I've been a film fan and I've always wanted to complete watching all 80...well now nearing to 81 Best Pictures the Academy Awards has in its prestigious lineup. So here I begin by giving myself a challenge to see all Best Pictures and posting my thoughts here about each and every one of them.
Please spare with me the fact that I really haven't seen all and will take me a while to post everything. I've seen a majority of the films, but I don't wanna write any reviews until a rewatching of the film.
It's nearly summer break here in the Philippines so I'll have plenty of time on my hands. Wish me luck! :D
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