Slumdog Millionaire (Film Review)

Made in: Great Britain, India (location)
Language: English, Hindi
Synopsis: Based largely on the novel Q & A by Vikas Swarup.

Jamal Malik (Dev Patel) has somehow made it onto India's version of Who Wants to be a Millionaire?, and he's answered every single question correctly. He's about to win it all - 20 million rupees - which is something that even the brightest contestants, which have included doctors and lawyers, have failed to do.

Yet Jamal is a poor, uneducated assistant working at a call center. And he's had a turbulent, rough-and-tumble childhood in one of Mumbai's worst slums.

On the night before he's about to answer the final question, Jamal is arrested on the suspicion of cheating. After he is subject to treatment that's far worse than anything that ever happened at Guantanamo Bay, Jamal is questioned by a burned-out police inspector (Irrfan Khan).

From there, we learn about Jamal's childhood in the slums, his troubled brother Salim (Madhur Mittal), and Latika (Freida Pinto), the girl he loves. And through experiences of both heartbreak and triumph, we learn how Jamal was destined to be a winner after all. But will his amazing story be enough to convince the police to let him go? Will he ever be reunited with his love?

Remarks: At its core, Slumdog Millionaire is an underdog love story. And what sets it apart is the way in which director Danny Boyle tells it. If you haven't seen the movie yet, let me just say it's very clever.

The structure of the movie is one of its greatest strengths, and if you've seen Boyle's previous works (such as Trainspotting, Shallow Grave, and 28 Days Later), you'll notice the kinds of stylized shots and lighting/color choices that mark his style.

I was a never a fan of Who Wants to be a Millionaire, but Danny Boyle incorporates that game show very well here, and manages to make it very suspenseful. Dev Patel, who's not a glossy-looking pretty-boy, is nonetheless a strong protagonist. He's truly believable as an ordinary guy, and possesses a subtle but natural charm that wins us over.

As you watch Slumdog Millionaire, it becomes very clear that the film was geared to be accessible to western audiences. Some have celebrated the idea that a movie ,which takes place in modern-day India, took home the Academy Award for Best Picture (as well as 7 other Oscars), while others have criticized Boyle for its portrayal of life in Mumbai.

One can argue the point that India is unfairly depicted as a place of rampant poverty, gangsters, random rioting, and general chaos. And many in India found the scenes which take place in the slums to be romanticized and inaccurate (and it should be noted that some of the child actors actually came from real slums). I haven't gone to India yet, so I don't know for sure. However, I do encourage you, the viewer, to discuss this point with your friends and come up with your own conclusions.

But what I can say is that, once again, Slumdog Millionaire is mainly a love story about a young man going against considerable odds to get the girl. Although it clearly makes India's social problems visible to the viewer, the film is not primarily meant to be social commentary. So keep in mind that Danny Boyle was not trying to make the Indian equivalent of City of God.

Whether the film was Oscar-worthy or not is debatable, but to discuss that would be to talk about the operating structure of the Academy itself (which is for another article). But as a narrative, the film is tightly written, very well-paced, and entertaining.

Who would like this movie: As far as Academy Award winning movies go, Slumdog Millionaire will reach a wide audience, young and old. The romantic element cuts across cultural lines, as does the inspirational idea that the difficulties one encounters in life are generally the very same resources needed in order to achieve success.

For the most part, it's a feel-good movie with a very much-needed edge. I suppose it counts in the category of foreign films, and one that I'd recommend. It's not so sad that it'll depress you, and it's not so sweet that it'll make you cringe.

(3 and 1/2 out of 4 stars)

Director: Danny Boyle, Loveleen Tandan (Co-Director: India)
Starring: Dev Patel, Freida Pinto, Madhur Mittal, Irrfan Khan, Saurabh Shukla, Anil Kapoor, Ankur Vikal

Year: 2008

Joe Yang is film reviewer specializing in foreign films. You can find more of his reviews at his website: http://www.foreign-films-for-you.com
The site is often updated- please visit often!
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New DVD - James Bond - Quantum of Solace

Quantum of Solace continues on where Casino Royale left off. Through his boss, M Bond (Daniel Craig) finds out that his former lover from the first movie was killed by her boyfriend and that he is still alive. Bond swears he will get him for it.

In the film's first sequence, we witness an intense car chase. After evading the henchman, Bond reaches Siena Italy, opens his trunk, and lets out Mr. White, who is still inside! Bond and M interrogate Mr. White about a secret organization he is part of called Quantum. After receiving a cryptic response from White about the members of the Quantum being everywhere across the world, M's bodyguard Mitchell begins shooting at M and Bond, revealing that he, too is a member of the Quantum. White escapes but Bond tracks down Mitchell and kills him.

We continue on to watch Bond travel to track down Quantum. He meets Camille Montes who is dating a man that was actually hired to kill her.

Bond inadvertently messes up the murder, and as he watches as Camille returns to Dominic, demanding if he is the one who is trying to kill her. While watching, Bond learns that Greene is helping Bolivian General Medran overthrow his government in exchange for a seemingly barren piece of desert. Camille leaves with the General as part of the agreement between Green and General Medran, and an exciting boat chase ensues in which Bond saves Camille.

Camille, now partners with Bond, work to uncover the truth that both Greene and Vesper's boyfriend Yusef Kabira have something to do with the Quantum. And General Medran, who murdered Camille's family, also has something to do with Greene and his plans. General Medran viciously murdered Camille's family years before, and Camille is also out for revenge. This is an especially exciting plot twist, because we get to see Bond and his love interest both out for brutal revenge. The film is action packed and full of surprises; a must have for any Bond aficianado!

The James Bond Quantum of Solace can be bought at CDWow and is a cool gift for friends. James Bond Quantum of Solace is amazing and full of action and is definitely a must see.
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The Blu-ray Version of Taken is Great

Taken had a great run at the box office. It is a mystery thriller about an ex-spy who has to find his daughter that was kidnapped by modern day slave traders.

On paper, it sounds a little weird casting Neeson as an action hero, but it works surprisingly well and Neeson pulls it off. The movie is highly energetic and tense and is surprisingly good. The Blu-ray includes the theatrical release as well as an extended directors cut with additional scenes. There are the expected deleted scenes and extended directors commentary as well as commentary with the stunt coordinator and screenwriter.

The Blu-ray even has a digital copy that you can download. This way you can watch it in a different format. It is rated PG-13 because of violence, drug use and profanity.

Neeson does a great job with this part. He plays a father who is enraged and searches for his abducted daughter.

There is no reason not to give this movie a try, Any fan of thrillers and action movies will like the action packed movie. The DVD is also available in an extended version with all the same features except for the additional digital download which is only available with the extended Blu-ray version of the movie. This movie is a great addition to your DVD or movie collection. It is a parents nightmare come true and this movie shows how one man deals with the situation, on his own terms.

today blue ray are becoming more popular than ever before. If you are looking for a blue ray dvd then check at CDWow to buy one.
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Transformers Movie 2 Leader Optimus Prime Review

The Transformers Movie 2 Leader Optimus Prime is one of the coolest robot-to-toy Transformers figures ever created. It moves, looks, and talks exactly like the CGI version which is great for both casual fans and hardcore enthusiasts alike.

Looks-wise this toy is unbeatable. When you look at it from afar or if you see a picture of it, you will be in doubt as to how such a detailed replica can possibly exist, especially for a toy. But, holding it in your hands will make you believe. And it looks great in robot mode and in truck mode. Now who can beat that?

Since we are now in modern times, a new innovation was made in the creation of this toy. You can actually see the gears move when you transform the robot from one form to another, and it makes that cool sound that almost won an Academy Award during one of the recent Oscar nights.

Electronic speech voiceovers are also done by the original actor himself. What's more, the robot's eyes light up, and it has multiple detachable weaponry such as energy swords. There is no doubt that a lot of hard work has been put into making this toy as close to perfect as possible. Imagine playing with your photorealistic Optimus Prime figurine, while imagining the movie version of the robot in action.

But wait, you don't have to imagine it anymore because what you have in your hands is so close to the real thing. That's what's so great about this toy. If you want the coolest and most realistic Optimus Prime figure to play with or to display on your collector's shelf, then you must buy yourself the Transformers Movie 2 Leader Optimus Prime.

For more information, check other Transformers Movie 2 Leader Optimus Prime toy reviews.
Erika Ayala works part time for a consumer review company.
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Underworld: Rise of the Lycans Blu-ray Movie

Underworld: Rise of the Lycans delves into the origins of the centuries-old blood feud between the aristocratic vampires, known as Death Dealers, and the barbaric Lycans (werewolves). A young Lycan, Lucian (Michael Sheen), emerges as a powerful leader who rallies the werewolves to rise up against Viktor (Bill Nighy), the cruel vampire king who has persecuted them for hundreds of years. Lucian is joined by his secret lover, the beautiful vampire Sonja (Rhona Mitra), in his battle to free the Lycans from their brutal enslavement.

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