Slumdog Millionaire

Directed by Danny Boyle.  

Picture this - a young boy named Jamal Malik sits in the hot seat of India's 'Who Wants To Be A Millionaire'.  Rupees and love are on the line.  The questions serve as a table of contents to the young boy's life.  In it we learn about his hardship growing in Mumbai starting at the bottom of the bottom - and we see how destiny brings him to this point.  He's been a lucky boy. 

Although the film is not incredibly surprising, it gives the viewer a chance to see presence of the strong caste system in the emerging country, India.  Films like these are valuable in that the viewer gets a chance to see the day to day lives of developing countries poor folk without feeling the full on guilt one gets from stumbling across a World Vision infomercial.  

The film is generally quite good.  Dare I say that - I wouldn't be surprised if this were somehow nominated for some Oscar? 

P.S. The Bollywood dancing in the credits at the train station kicks arse.

Mon Oncle

'Mon Uncle' is a humorous satirical French film about modernity.  The film had won an Oscar in 1958 for "Best Foreign Film".  It juxtaposes the cold sterility of modern life placed against the warmth of the rustic neighborhood showing the old way of French life.  Although the film does not exhibit a strong story line nor does it have very much dialogue - it is a series of frames showing people's lives living in a pivotal time in the 20th century where one has a choice of whether to live in the 'modern' world or embrace more rustic options.  

One can sense director Jacques Tati's (who also happens to be the main character, Monsieur Hulot ) apprehensive response to cold impractical modernity.  Tati's personal appreciation for older times is seen as he uses a welcoming accordion tune when showing life in an older part of town and the polar opposite silent soundtrack Tati uses when showing modern spaces. In a small way, this film makes to reflect upon my all to eager enthusiasm for the modern objects (i.e. furniture, architecture).  Am I just a poser like Monsieur Hulot's sister?

One thing is certain, through this film I have learned to potentially cause havoc to pedestrians through the means of innocent whistling.

The Diving Bell and the Butterfly

Empathy is one of the rich feelings, one feels when watching "The Diving Bell and the Butterfly". Through Julian Schnabel's crafty directing, I was able to experience a slice of how Jean-Dominique Bauby lived in his final year. Bauby was the former editor of the French Elle Magazine in the 1990's. He was living the successful high life when suddenly his world came crashing down as he was struck with a stroke paralyzing him completely save for one side of his face.

In the movie, we understand his internal thoughts which run the progression of feelings: frustration, fury, self-pity, acceptance, regret and finally empowerment. Bauby's only form of communication post stroke is through one eye alone. He overcomes his grief and self-pity by clinging on to his imagination and memories. His persistence peaks as he writes an auto-biography in the hospital - by painstakingly communicating each letter to his assistant - slowly through one bat of an eye at a time.

All in all the movie was beautiful for its subject matter, music, and cinematography. I would like to read Bauby's book - I imagine I would try to embrace each word. The human mind is a powerful thing.

Smultronstället (The Wild Stawberries)

This 91 min movie was my first Ingmar Bergman film - made in a very appropriate black and white setting.  Prior to watching this film I knew little of Bergman, only knew of his recent death, stiff Swedish background, estrangement with his parents and most of all his notoriety in having created contemplative films.  

This film is almost a non-holiday Swedish 'Christmas Carol' story.  The protagonist, Dr. Isak Borg journeys from his home to the University town of Lund University to receive honors for his 50 years in the medical practice.  Throughout the movie, Dr. Borg encounters a variety of dreams and hallucinations which reveal - despite his reputation on paper  - he is an empty man - in need of reform.  The movie leaves questions in ones mind about how Dr.Borg has reached a point of selfish hollow existence - meant for the viewer to fill in the blanks.  In short, the audience can understand that Dr. Borg has achieved internal change by the end of the film.

Overall, the film has spooky undertones, mostly dark music - the only thing I can equate the film mood to - is a 91 minute long Twighlight zone episode.

Coming from watching mostly and many Hollywood films - I find the need to reach some conclusions about this on the surface uneventful movie.  I am a product of my influences - I have concluded that change can happen despite age and one cannot truly be defined by career - rather should be can be defined by relationships with personal relationships in ones life.