The Curious Case of Benjamin Button November 27, 2008

I greatly enjoyed composer Alexandre Desplat’s work on The Painted Veil film with the fantastic Edward Norton and Naomi Watts. The scenic and exotic music was gorgeous, and there was some fantastic piano work by world phenomenon Lang Lang as well. Now, with Oscar season in full tow, all the studios are scrambling to get their respective films labeled with “For your Considerations” and out to the critics around the world. One film that is touted by many as an Oscar frontrunner is The Curious Case of Benjamin Button with Brad Pitt and the ethereal Cate Blanchett.

Now I loved this book by F. Scott Fitzgerald, and the film does seem to stay close to the words of that short story. Still I wasn’t that excited for it as for some other films, even with two big stars on the movie ticket (Honestly, Pitt never did it for me). But, I stumbled upon this: Warner Bros’ For Your Bafta Consideration website, where they have Alexandre Desplat’s SCORE in its entirety. I must say, I can always count on him to produce some lovely music, just like I can count on Yann Tiersen or Philip Glass. Even though A.R. Rahman deserves to take the cake come Oscar season for his wonderful reinterpretation of Mumbai music and sounds, I think Desplat should be nominated without a doubt.

M.I.A. for Slumdog Millionaire November 25, 2008

Here’s a great article from the L.A. times about the artistic process M.I.A. went through making the soundtrack with renowned Bollywood composer A.R. Rahman for Danny Boyle’s sublime Slumdog Millionaire. Even if you don’t like her music, you have to respect that blur of originality that she practically oozes without trying. Remember in high school, there were a bunch of hipsters trying too hard and one kid who seemed to come out of the womb just supremely different in a cool way? Guess which one M.I.A. was. My favorite quote from the expectant mother:

“This kid is going to be interesting. I think it’s going to rebel against me and end up being an accountant. I’m going to be like, ‘Why aren’t you [expletive]-upped more?'”

SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE FILM REVIEW October 29, 2008

Holy crap, where do I begin? Let me just say it is really sad when a non-Indian director, Danny Boyle, does more justice to REAL India than most Indian filmmakers today. Danny Boyle is the director of modern classics such as 28 Days Later, Millions, and Trainspotting (which taught me not to do drugs more than my teachers did) and returns with this amazing film based in India.

I can’t say enough about this film. How about I start with a summary? Jamal Malik (a fantastic Dev Patel) grows up in the slums of India, and navigates through his torturous and thrilling life simply with one goal, to be reunited with his childhood love, Latika (Freida Pinto). And he discovers that possibly the only way to reunite with her is to go on the nationally beloved show, Kaun Banega Crorepati (which is the Indian Who Wants to be a Millionaire?). That overview seems so dry and flat, it definitely does not to justice to what the film displays.

This film is brought to greater heights by so many various aspects (the acting by EVERY single person is top-notch particularly Patel and the kids), but the director and screenwriter ultimately make this film. Simon Beaufoy, the writer for The Full Monty and other films, structures the film in such an absorbing and new way. Basically the film switches between Jamal on Kaun Banega Crorepati, and a background of his life and why he is able to answer all these questions. It’s a very smart way to engage the audience, there was more than one time where the audience was reacting viscerally to what was going on in the film. It’s a roller coaster emotional ride to say the least, one moment you are laughing hysterically at the character’s situations and then crying or fright for what’s at stake. It’s a testament to what good writing and structure can do a film. I’ll definitely be studying this screenplay for some pointers in the future, and I think the Academy should take note too!

And this fast-paced epic (yes I think it can be aptly named a mini-epic) definitely owes it’s power to Danny Boyle. The opening moments of this film are some of the best I’ve seen in a while, with so many swift crazy shots amalgamated into one exciting scene. Also, there are a couple of montages (not the dreadful Oscar ones), but really good montages set to a really great mix of A.R. Rahman and M.I.A (Oscar please! You gave one to that Mafia group, you can spare one for these people). It sounds confusing, but when you watch it, you’ll understand what I am trying to put it words. It seems nearly impossible, I suppose.

Danny Boyle filming at the Taj Mahal (great scene in the film!)

I was initially ambivalent about this film, but was bowled over. I can’t think of this film being in anyone else’s hands. Danny Boyle, the cinematographer, set designer, and pretty much anyone who worked on this movie to make it what it is, handled the slum situation in India beautifully. You can tell how in love Boyle fell in love with this contradiction that is known as India. I already knew about how life there was like, but it was great to walk out of the theater, and hear people say “That was a great movie, but damn I didn’t know that people lived like that.” It says something about your filmmaking skills when you can produce a movie that people can truly enjoy and get lost in, while getting a reality check at the same time. So even though I am upset that this film got an R rating (how could The Dark Knight get PG-13 and this didn’t?), I really really urge you to go see this film. I definitely say it is the best film, besides Wall-E, that I have seen all year, and you will truly be missing out on this award-worthy classic if you don’t.