Stephen Berkman/Roadside Attractions
The annual ritual of best-of lists can seem arbitrary, obsessive-compulsive or even narcissistic. When any aspiring critic can set up a blog or a Flixter account to get his or her two cents in, do readers even care if a critic has credentials or expertise? Do people even read movie reviews anymore, when they’ve become reliant on listicles or quotables that appear in ad copies and on Rottentomatoes? As publications around the country rush to meet the bottom line to appease shareholders, some of the most brilliant and erudite voices have become orphaned in the process. Those who are serious about a career in film criticism have probably all paused to ask whether this is still honest work or just a frivolous pursuit.
Continue reading “Before You Forget” »
Ishika Mohan/Fox Searchlight Pictures
The introductions to these lists – meant to summarize a year at the movies – tend to adopt one of two perspectives: They either bemoan the disappointments of the past 12 months of cinematic fare or they celebrate the proof that, against all odds, great movies still exist. Both seem like obvious ways out, so by way of a preface I’ll simply say that these were my 10 favorite films of the year, and I hope I’ve made a good case for why each meant something special to me.
Continue reading “River Deep, Mountain High, Life Goes On and So Does Death” »
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Angelo Valentino/British Independent Film Awards
Danny Boyle found himself in an especially cold and wet part of London on the evening of Nov. 30 but his thoughts were clearly further afield. One would have expected him to be entirely jubilant, considering he had just picked up both the “Best British Film” and “Best Director” prizes at the British Independent Film Awards for “Slumdog Millionaire.” The film was shot on location in Mumbai which had made headlines the previous week for far more tragic reasons as real life scenes of terrorist violence were played out on its streets. Mr. Boyle was mindful that his film had gained a sense of topicality that no sane man would ever have wished for.
Continue reading “‘Slumdog’ Has Its Day at British Independent Film Awards” »
MOVIE REVIEW
Slumdog Millionaire (2008)
Ishika Mohan/Fox Searchlight Pictures
If nothing else, “Slumdog Millionaire” should prove that Danny Boyle is no fluke. He injects so much adrenaline into a classic Dickensian storyline that it will sweep moviegoers away long before they have a chance to catch a breath or even realize just how familiar it all is – this story of an orphan who grew up in the slums becoming a contestant on “Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?” in hopes of reconnecting with his childhood sweetheart. Indeed, even with a title that nearly spoils everything, one would still have to be made of stone to not walk out of this film with chills up the spine and tears down the face.
Continue reading “A Love Less Ordinary” »