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swatkatIn January 1, 2007, I posted The Measure of a Man, which is slightly cracktastic Chase/Cuddy. In January 1, 2008 I posted Sidekick, which is also slightly cracktastic Kutner, Amber and Thirteen. And in ’09 I posted So Swing Up On This Little Horse, not-so-cracktastic House/Wilson.
I think I have a personal tradition.
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Meanwhile, I’ve stayed up till 2:30 last night reading Watchmen—still have two left, will post my thoughts after that. But this? Is awesome.
I also watched Slumdog Millionaire last night. It was excellent! The cinematography, in particular, was spectacular. And, of course, the music, which I have been listening to for a couple of weeks now (if you’re curious, google A. R. Rahman—and then listen to everything he’s ever done). For a man who had never been to India before the movie, Danny Boyle did a very good job with the representation of Bombay, so much that the film could very well fit in within the genre of Bombay-centric ‘city’ films, language notwithstanding (and it’s not as though the Bombay film industry doesn’t produce English-language cinema). The riot scenes gave me flashbacks of Bombay, for instance; the scenes in the police station… pretty much every Hindi film ever. And so on. Then there were these neat little references, like the fact that Salim’s ringtone was the Swades theme (also by A.R. Rahman), made very ironic by the fact that the movie (Swades, that is) was sub-titled 'We, the People'. Or that Jamal was an Amitabh Bachchan fanboy, and Anil Kapoor (the actor playing the host of the game show) did a dead-on Amitabh Bachchan impression throughout the movie (this will make sense if you know the AB hosted the first, incredibly popular version of Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? here; I remember watching it with rapt attention, along with the rest of the country. It was later taken over by Shahrukh Khan, and I’ve read a few reviews which claim AK was doing a SRK impression, which is odd, because the mannerisms and the language used was very definitely not SRK or his version of the show. But I digress).
I didn’t find it an uplifting movie, because, you know, their little fairytale story was undercut by the fact that the brother died, but I did find it smart, funny, and very, very moving. The soundtrack was awesome, the actors were superb, the camera was awesome, and the song and dance in the end credits made me melt a little bit. I think I might watch it again.
ETA: And if you enjoyed this movie, and want to read a similar enjoyable book about Bombay's underbelly, you might try this: Maximum City, by Suketu Mehta. The reviews in Amazon are rather too glow-y, ignoring the fact the book is not a documentary but a very sex, drugs, rock 'n' roll representation of the Bombay underworld, with a little bit of Jain asceticism thrown in. But it *is* a fun, racy read, and I remember finishing it in two days.
I think I have a personal tradition.
*
Meanwhile, I’ve stayed up till 2:30 last night reading Watchmen—still have two left, will post my thoughts after that. But this? Is awesome.
I also watched Slumdog Millionaire last night. It was excellent! The cinematography, in particular, was spectacular. And, of course, the music, which I have been listening to for a couple of weeks now (if you’re curious, google A. R. Rahman—and then listen to everything he’s ever done). For a man who had never been to India before the movie, Danny Boyle did a very good job with the representation of Bombay, so much that the film could very well fit in within the genre of Bombay-centric ‘city’ films, language notwithstanding (and it’s not as though the Bombay film industry doesn’t produce English-language cinema). The riot scenes gave me flashbacks of Bombay, for instance; the scenes in the police station… pretty much every Hindi film ever. And so on. Then there were these neat little references, like the fact that Salim’s ringtone was the Swades theme (also by A.R. Rahman), made very ironic by the fact that the movie (Swades, that is) was sub-titled 'We, the People'. Or that Jamal was an Amitabh Bachchan fanboy, and Anil Kapoor (the actor playing the host of the game show) did a dead-on Amitabh Bachchan impression throughout the movie (this will make sense if you know the AB hosted the first, incredibly popular version of Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? here; I remember watching it with rapt attention, along with the rest of the country. It was later taken over by Shahrukh Khan, and I’ve read a few reviews which claim AK was doing a SRK impression, which is odd, because the mannerisms and the language used was very definitely not SRK or his version of the show. But I digress).
I didn’t find it an uplifting movie, because, you know, their little fairytale story was undercut by the fact that the brother died, but I did find it smart, funny, and very, very moving. The soundtrack was awesome, the actors were superb, the camera was awesome, and the song and dance in the end credits made me melt a little bit. I think I might watch it again.
ETA: And if you enjoyed this movie, and want to read a similar enjoyable book about Bombay's underbelly, you might try this: Maximum City, by Suketu Mehta. The reviews in Amazon are rather too glow-y, ignoring the fact the book is not a documentary but a very sex, drugs, rock 'n' roll representation of the Bombay underworld, with a little bit of Jain asceticism thrown in. But it *is* a fun, racy read, and I remember finishing it in two days.
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Date: 2009-01-03 10:33 pm (UTC)I loved Slumdog Millionaire too! I completely agree with the cinematography; it was gorgeous. I was so worried it would end badly for Latika and Jamal, but. Even though I felt for the brother, I still really liked the ending, because I'm a GIANT SAP.
And the soundtrack! I've been listening to it non-stop as well. I keep meaning to google to dude for more of his work.
no subject
Date: 2009-01-04 03:57 am (UTC)You know, maybe I can help... Hmm.
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Date: 2009-01-04 05:02 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-01-04 05:30 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-01-04 09:40 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-01-05 08:33 pm (UTC)And I didn't know you were into Bollywood or maybe I did know but I forgot? But ok anyway, I suck! But YAY another Bollywood person on my f-list :D
no subject
Date: 2009-01-06 05:18 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-01-06 06:13 am (UTC)