Slumdog Millionaire (cinema)

Beautifully shot and moving. Not sure about the choice of music with some of the early scenes, yep I enjoy M.I.A generally, but I don’t think it really had much to do with the plot.

This film had me properly laughing at times, and at others I was devastated by what I was seeing.

The film seems to be aimed at getting a standard cinema audience to watch what could be a more complicated foreign film.

I have no doubt it will win lots of prizes, but I wonder how well it will do in pulling the crowds in. It’s had enough publicity that’s for sure.

rating – 8/10

image courtesy of Richliu on the Creative Commons license on FlickR

4 months, 3 weeks, 2 days (dvd)

I was expecting this Romanian film about abortion to be terribly harrowing and gruesome.  Fortunately it wasn’t.

The film happens over just one day, and tells the story of two student friends – one of whom needs an abortion (illegal in Romania – at the time).  They book a hotel room and meet with Mr Bebe, a doctor who accepts a few thousand lei and some sexual favours to insert a probe and cause the girl to miscarry.

The main character Otilia helps her friend the whole way through the process, even disposing of the foetus.  The only time she seemingly lets Gabita down, is when she visits her boyfriends home to celebrate his mums birthday.  She doesn’t want to go, but does for him.  This film shows the selflessness of some people.  Mr Bebe, the doctor is generally unpleasant, but he is risking jail to help Gabita, who wants to stop the pregnancy.

Under the films main plot is the story of a divide in generation, and class.  Otilia is from the a small village in the country, but now lives in the city.  Although she says “we’re not peasants” at one point to Gabita, during the party with her boyfriends parents and friends, she’s reminded she isn’t part of the middle class.

If you like simply made, beautifully shot films, then you, like me will enjoy this one.  It’s one that leaves you thinking.

4 months, 3 weeks, 2 days = 7.5/10

image courtesty of Richliu on FlickR

Hi.. this is what it’s about

This year I intend to watch a lot of films…

… and will write a short review after each one to let you smart people know if I think it’s worth seeing…

Not hugely original, but should get me writing at least!

If you find any of it useful or interesting, or if you disagree – let me know.

I’d appreciate your feedback.

Thanks, N x