Slumdog Millionaire

So as per request from my sister, today I'll be talking about 2008's best picture winner.....
Slumdog Millionaire.

2008: Slumdog Millionaire

Beat Out: Milk, Frost/Nixon, The Reader and The Curious Case of Benjamin Button

Well-known quotes: "I thought we'd be together only in death" "What the hell can a slumdog possibly know?" "God is great!"

I really hate when people say that Slumdog Millionaire didn't deserve to win. Like really?? Did you see the movie? I definitely think that this movie deserved to win. It reminds me of The Departed - not in the story obviously, but in the fact that to me it feels like the epitome of a best picture.

The overall story is so unique, so greatly conveying a powerful message. No one actor proves to be the "star," instead they all take a back seat to the message and work together to tell the amazing story. I love movies like that.

This movie is a unique kind of love story, filled with flashbacks highlighting the life of Jamal (played by Dev Patel). The concept of this life story is to explain how Jamal knew all the answers to the questions given to him on India's version of "Who Wants to be a Millionaire?"

The concept of this movie should already be able to draw viewers in because it's different, and a sort of breathe of fresh air.

As the movie moves through each question, we see Jamal's life unfold, as pivotal moments of his life are the reasons for his knowing the answers. For example, the third question asked of Jamal is "What weapon does Lord Rama hold in his right hand?" His reasoning for knowing the answer comes with the story of his mother's death.

As the story unfolds we learn about the two most important people in Jamal's journey: his older brother, Salim (played by Madhur Mittal) and his childhood love, Latika (played by Freida Pinto). For most of his childhood the three struggle to survive, with no parents and no means of food or shelter. However, Jamal is separated from the two when Salim gets involved with the wrong kinds of people and betrays Jamal, leaving him on his own and taking Latika. This betrayal explains why Jamal knows the answer to question 6: "Who invented the first commercially-successful revolver?" 

Jamal and Latika's love story is what you're rooting for in the end. You're anxiously waiting for their reunion and when you finally get it, you're anxiously waiting for their happy ending. His love for her is so genuine and pure, you never really question it. Along the way you hope to see the fallout between Salim and Jamal. Even though Salim is the reason for most of the movie's angst and problems, the portrayal of the character shows his humanistic side, his internal struggles. 

In the end, the whole story comes full circle, with the present time and the flashbacks finally meeting at a single point, the point of Jamal's last question. The question, having to do with the names of the three musketeers connects back to when Jamal and Salim were young children in school. They considered themselves to be 2 of the musketeers, never knowing the name of the last one because they never had a third member. Jamal desperately wanted a final member, while Salim did not. Jamal always saw Latika as that third and final member, so she unknowingly being his phone call for help with the last question, is so meaningful and symbolic.

The uniqueness of the story presented here is, what I think, makes this movie best picture worthy. It stands out from your normal love story...from your normal movie. It's message is perfectly conveyed through the story and the characters. And, I mean in the end there's an awesome music video to a song that will be stuck in your head for days. Well done, Slumdog Millionaire. 

American Beauty (look closer)

I've always told people that I have 4 favorite movies: Good Will Hunting, The Shawshank Redemption, The Departed and The Town. I have different reasons for each one, and every time I watch them my choices are confirmed even more. But there is one movie that I usually forget to mention, but is honestly one of the best movies I've ever seen for so many reasons. It contains my favorite movie line of all time and some of my favorite cinematic scenes. So, let's talk about 1999's best picture winner.... American Beauty.

1999: American Beauty

Beat Out: The Cider House Rules, The Green Mile, The Insider and The Sixth Sense

Well-known quotes: "This will be the high point of my day; it's all down hill from here" "I don't think there's anything worse than being ordinary" "Sometimes there's so much beauty in the world, I feel like I can't take it, and my heart is just gonna cave in"

When trying to describe this movie and what it's about I usually use the word "profound." That's the only word I can think of that encompasses the movie's strangeness as well as its powerful message. The movie's tagline: "look closer" really explains what the movie is trying to get out. Look closer at your life and the world around you, that's what its basically asking of its audience.

It tells the story of Lester Burnhman (played by Kevin Spacey) and his strange and unique "mid life crisis." He leads a seemingly normal life with his wife, Carolyn (played by Annette Bening) who cares way too much about appearances and his frustrated angry daughter, Jane (played by Thora Birch).

But eventually he gets sick of it all, and starts reevaluating the important things in his life. He quites his job, realizing it never really made him happy, and starts working at the fast food joint he worked at as a teenager. Kevin Spacey is perfect as the sarcastic beaten down husband, who gets a burst of new energy. He deservedly won the Oscar for best lead actor for his performance.

 

His family is less than thrilled with his "transformation" especially Carolyn, whose own inner struggles lead her into an affair. She is unable to detatch herself from the materialistic things in her life, that add onto a picture perfect image she is so desperate to have. 

"This isn't life, it's just stuff. And it's become more important to you than living. Well honey, that's just nuts," Lester says to her. 

Meanwhile Jane and the boy next door, Ricky (played by Wes Bentley who recently starred in the Hunger Games) start a relationship. Ricky is strange, as he always is video tapping Jane and her family through his window. Ricky's introverted nature and strange philosophies may seem extreme to the viewers, but his character plays an important role in the movie's message. He serves as a sort of salvation for Jane, teaching her to see things in a different way. The thing I love about Ricky is that he does this in a non cliche and corny way. He makes you want to listen. He contributes to the film's most well-known scene...the plastic bag scene. 

 

I know that many people who see this movie might not get the message it's trying to convey...and I mean that's understandable. It presents it in a strange way, making the viewer work hard to understand. But I like that. I think if the message was really straight forward or overt, it would just be corny and feel forced. 

I love this movie a lot because of the way it's written. The screenplay is absolutely fabulous here, written by Alan Ball (the creator of True Blood!) He won the Oscar for best original screenplay.The words are so profound, yet relatable, I envy the fact that he was able to come up with such strong messages. That's another thing I love. There are so many strong important messages you could get out of this movie. You don't have to find the whole movie profound, but I guarantee something said will impact your life in some way. 

For me, the message came with my favorite movie quote ever. When Lester is narrating he says, "It's a great thing when you realize you still have the ability to surprise yourself. Makes you wonder what else you can do that you've forgotten about."

And with that, I'll let you all get your own message from this awesome movie. If nothing else, I'm sure the ending scene will make you reflect on the important things in your life.

Titanic

Since I just talked about Good Will Hunting, let's not discuss the movie that beat it out for best picture. 1997's best picture winner....Titanic 

1997: Titanic

Beat Out: As Good As It Gets, The Full Monty, Good Will Hunting and L.A. Confidential

Well-known quotes: "I'll never let go" "I'm the king of the world""I'm flying, Jack!"

Titanic is probably one of the most well-known and popular movies ever made. And I think that's awesome, because I think it's so popular for all the right reasons. The great directing, awesome special effects, sweeping love story, attractive Leonardo DiCaprio, beautiful Kate Winslet.

 

I find it hard to review this movie, because you can't deny that it is a great movie for a lot of reasons, but I do feel like it is over rated at times. Maybe it's just me and my preferences when it comes to movies. I prefer simple movies that I can relate to, but still have a great message. Titanic is a grand movie, telling a grand story about this horrible accident as well as the great sweeping love. It's awesome entertainment, don't get me wrong. But I find it hard to pick out parts or aspects that really got to me.

I find it really impressive, though, how if you watch the movie every once in a while, you can become completely engrossed in it again and again. I mean the movie is like 3 hours long... I'll never forget how when I was younger I was always so intrigued as to how the movie was on 2 VHS tapes. But it's weird, because every scene really is important. 

I don't mean to knock this movie, James Cameron did an amazing job. But it's definitely not my favorite movie, and there were other movies that I think I would have picked to win over this. But I feel like it's the kind of movie that people think HAS to win, because they see it as the epitome of a "best picture."

There were a few scenes that I thought stood out. First there was the captain's suicide. Such a powerful scene displaying the captain going down with his ship. This scene along with the band continuing to play as the ship goes down, really tugs on our heart strings. I think it's because it's showing people at their best, even in the face of a crisis. I love movies that display people as innately good and brave.  Like really though, try not to cry....

The above scene truly is amazing. I do believe that movie deserves all the praise and attention it has gotten over the years. So in the end I do think it deserved to win best picture. But in my own opinion, I prefer other types of movies to ones like this. But in the end, lets just listen to some Celine Dion...

the movie that made me love movies

I figured today we would talk about the movie that kind of started this all. The movie that made me love movies....Good Will Hunting

1997: Nominated for Best Picture

Beat By: Titanic

Starring: Matt Damon, Robin Williams, Ben Affleck, Minnie Driver

Well-known quotes: "How do you like them apples?" "Real loss is only possible when you love something more than you love yourself" "I gotta see about a girl"

I remember the first time I watched Good Will Hunting. It was the first time I got that feeling, the one that tells me that I'm watching an awesome movie. It signifies that the movie is better than your average movie, the ones I was used to seeing at the point. It says that there's something special about it. 

I think for Good Will Hunting that something special is the writing. Now don't get me wrong, there are many things about this movie that I find awesome. But it's the words, the way the characters say them and the interactions that really got me. I just love how in the end, everything connects, and everything makes sense. 

The screenplay was actually written by Matt Damon and Ben Affleck, two of the movie's stars. They won best original screenplay, which to this day is one of my favorite Oscar moments. Ben Affleck became the youngest person to win the Oscar, at the age of 25. I found the win extremely endearing, especially because they were such young, modest men. Also, their real friendship can be seen so clearly, it's a great thing.

In the movie the two play best friends Will (Damon) and Chuckie (Affleck). They live in Boston and go about their daily routine of hanging out, going to bars and living the lives that were dictated to them as children. They don't try or expect to go anywhere in life besides where they've always been. But Will has a brilliant mind, being able to solve mathematical equations that no one else can with ease.

The struggle that Will goes through as to if he should take advantage of this gift or stay in his mundane life with his best friends is what makes this movie so great. I know that most viewers over look this, but Will and Chuckie's friendship is one of my favorite aspects of the movie....responsible for my favorite scene in the movie.

To me, Affleck is the star here. I love how he's not even really in the movie that much, not really considered a "main character," be he contributes so much to the movie. I love when secondary characters play important roles, I prefer that over a movie with only a few main characters. Ben Affleck is one of my favorite actors, and he's totally under rated.

Robin Williams is also a standout star here, playing Sean, Will's therapist that he's forced to go to after being arrested. He has his moments of great subtlety, sitting quietly as Will insults him and gives him a hard time. But his real contribution to the movie, is his scenes when he's talking about his deceased wife. Williams is so good at portraying wisdom, and making it seem so simple. He gives endless profound advice about love and soul mates, and it gives a sort of hope to those of us watching, that love really is that simple.

 

 

Well done Robin Williams, no wonder he won the Oscar for best supporting actor. 

The way this story is told is extremely profound because it showcases simple people going through their lives and portraying an amazing message. Friendship, love, settling and the lives we strive to have. In the end, everything is connected and you can see that lessons are learned by all the characters. 

So, even though Good Will Hunting didn't win best picture, I still think it deserved to. And in the end, it doesn't matter, because this is still one of the best movies I've ever seen. And my favorite.

Rom Coms

Like romantic comedies? Well I don't. First of all, they just make us feel depressed, like we'll be forever alone, like we need to find someone to spend the rest of our lives with ASAP, like this...

Besides making us feel entitled to sit on a couch and eat a bunch of junk food while feeling depressed about our lives, I also don't really like them because they're very predictable. There's nothing I hate more than a predictable movie. I mean, I don't feel accomplished when I can guess the end of a movie, I just feel mad.

Poor and/or unpopular girl falls for rich and/or popular boy. With the help of her best friend whom she's known since birth, she gets him to notice her. He defies his friends cruel judgments and they kiss and get together. Sometimes it's a poor guy who loves a rich girl, and she ignores her family's disapproval. Sound familiar....

Usually there’s a speech and/or profession of love in a very public place and at a random time thrown in there. That’s one of the many generic plot lines of a romantic comedy. It usually goes something like this... and well you know how they all end. They end up together, everything's awesome. <3

However, I get really happy when I can find a good, not annoying, slightly less cliche and corny than others, romantic comedy. I mean hey, sometimes we just wanna watch people fall in love, and I'm not gonna lie, sometimes I love my cliche romantic comedies that make me feel alone and depressed. But what I want everyone to know is that there is a way to make a romantic comedy into an awesome movie. There is a right way to do it!!!

So let's talk about my favorite romantic comedy....My Best Friend's Wedding.

Released in: 1997

Starring: Julia Roberts, Dermot Mulroney, Cameron Diaz, Rupert Everette

Well-known quotes: "Maybe there won't be marriage...maybe there won't be sex...but, by God, there will be dancing"

I really love this movie because it's everything a romantic comedy should be (funny, cute, endearing) but it's actually real.

It tells the story of two best friends, Julianne (played by Julia Roberts) and Michael (played by Dermot Mulroney). They dated briefly when they were younger, but broke it off due to Julianne's fear of commitment. However, they remained best friends since. But once Michael tells Julianne he's getting married, she realizes that she really does love him and sets out to break up the wedding.

I know the story sounds cliche when reading it, and believe me it has it's "romantic comedy moments" like this..

But with the help of Michael's fiancee Kim (played by Cameron Diaz) and Juliann's gay best friend George (played by Rupert Everette) the funny and endearing moments of the movie outweigh any cliche and corny parts. Especially Everette, he's gold.

Now the reason I love this movie so much is because it's realistic. So, needless to say (SPOILER ALERT) Julianne does not win Michael in the end. But they make it okay. And for those of us, like myself, who do have a best friend that's a guy, this scene really does warm our hearts. The scene where after Michael's wedding, and he's leaving with Kim, he comes back to give Julianne (his best friend) a hug goodbye.

I really think that this movie is for anyone who has loved someone at the exact wrong time, and has had to get over it and move on. It's for the people who don't get the romantic comedy movie ending... who just get the real life ending. I think it shows that there's nothing wrong with that, that most people don't get the cliche perfect ending and that's totally fine.

And, well, the ending is just perfect thanks to George. In case you didn't watch the above clip all the way through...here it is:

Shakespeare in Love

So this week things are going to be a little bit different than they have been for these past 2 weeks. First let’s start it off by talking about a movie that I DIDN’T think deserve to win. 1998’s best picture winner Shakespeare in Love.

1998: Shakespeare in Love

Beat Out: Elizabeth, Life is Beautiful, Saving Private Ryan, and The Thin Red Line

Well-known quotes: "I would stay asleep my whole life, if I could dream myself into a company of players." "I know something of a woman in a man's profession. Yes, by God, I do know about that"

I mean, I bet you can see my reasonings for not agreeing with this victor just from the movies it beat out…(Saving Private Ryan???? Life is Beautiful?????)

But no, I don’t judge whether a movie should win based on the other nominees. I like to look at the movie on it’s own and see if it had elements that made it desrve to win…not if it was better than all the other nominees. I mean some years there are just a bunch of awesome movies that get nominated. Only one can win, but that doesn’t mean that they all didn’t deserve it.

In my opinion, Shakespeare in Love didn’t deserve to win, and there were other movies nominated that I think did, which makes it that much more annoying.

This was the first movie I watched as a part of my quest that I 100% thought didn’t deserve to win. For a while, I just figured I was a dumb teenager whose opinions didn’t really mean anything and who knew nothing. I mean if it won it must be good right? But then as I got older I saw articles around Oscar time giving lists of movies that didn’t deserve to win, and this one is always on there. So I felt validated in my opinion.

The movie is a comedy about William Shakespeare's (played by Joseph Fiennes yes Ralph Fiennes younger brother) struggles to find inspiration for his next play. He eventually falls in love with Viola (played by Gwyneth Paltrow) a woman who pretends to be a boy in order to be an actor. He is eventually inspired to write Romeo and Juliet. Ugh it’s just boring. There was no actor that stood out to me, no scene or message. Just blah.

Lets talk about the two actors from this movie that won oscars for their roles....there are some interesting things to say about each

First, Gwyneth Paltrow won best lead actress for her role as Viola. But what I think most people remember about this win isn't her role or her acting....it's her acceptance speech. Very emotional. I've heard different things about this speech, but I'll just let you guys watch and form opinions. Be ready for some crying.  

Then of course there is of course the great Dame Judi Dench, who won the oscar for best supporting actress for her role as Queen Elizabeth. Now, I'm not knocking her work at all, she's an amazing actress. But what makes this win so interesting is that she was only in the movie for 8 minutes...

It’s not even that the story was “simple,” I love simple movies. Those action packed mob movies that I’ve been talking about are definitely not my favorite kind of movie. If you’ve noticed, the reasons I think they deserved to win is because of the underlying simple story within them, like struggles within a family. 

Shakespeare in Love was definitely not the worst movie I've ever seen, and at times I did find it endearing. But, at the end of the movie I didn't really feel anything. It didn't have that WOW factor that I think every best picture should have. I guess the message they were trying to send out was something about love? But I didn't get it. 

So yeah, I’m happy for Shakespeare and that he was in love or whatever, but not a best picture, in my opinion. 

The Departed

So keeping up with these awesome mob movies, lets talk about 2006's best picture winner...

The Departed

2006: The Departed

Beat Out: Babel, Letters from Iwo Jima, Little Miss Sunshine and The Queen

Well-Known Quotes: "I don't want to be a product of my environment. I want my environment to be a product of me." "I'm the guy who does his job. You must be the other guy."

To me The Departed is like the epitome of what a "best picture" should be. It gets really confusing to think about what makes a movie a best picture winner, what makes it a best screenplay winner, or a best direction winner. Like what's the difference? Movies are all different so how can you pick a winner? I never really knew the answer to this, I mean there is no answer. But after watching The Departed I just couldn't help but being absolutley sure that this movie deserved to win. I couldn't really figure it out. I mean I didn't think there was this great message or a break out star....it was the story. For me thats what makes a best picture, the story that it tells and the way that the different characters and elements of the movie contribute and interact to tell it. I think the story in The Departed was told exceptionally well. I mean, that's what movies are right? They're stories.

The Departed tells the story of two "rats" Billy Costigan (played by Leonardo DiCaprio) and Colin Sullivan (played by Matt Damon). Billy is an undercover cop working as a worker for mob boss Frank Costello (played by Jack Nicholson), while Colin is a loyal follower of Costello working as a cop.

This film is unique because all the characters are extremely important. To me there is no "star." Sure you might think DiCaprio or Damon act as the movie's main characters...but the way I see it the story being told is way bigger than any one character.

In fact, if I HAD to pick the characters/actors that stood out to me, it'd probably be Mark Wahlberg (yeah yeah, Marky Mark from the 90's) and Martin Sheen. Both play police officers working with Billy, and both contribute greatly to the story. Walhberg earned himself a best supporting actor nod for his role. Damn he's come a long way...

I just love how basically for the whole movie you're watching the stories of two seperate people, who are really complete opposites in their characteristics and goals...yet they share so much. They share the same woman, interact with the same people, and are both desperate to find the other one. All this built up tension and anticipation is let out perfectly in the scene where Billy and Colin talk on the phone. Actually, they barely talk, they just breathe and acknowledge that they are both talking to rats. So little actually happens in this scene, yet I found my heart racing and my eyes closing in fear. Both actors do an amazing job here portraying to us how pivitol this moment is expressing all the trouble they have gone through in being a rat, and finding one. 

One of the main reasons I loved this movie is because it had the ability to surprise me. I mean (SPOILER ALERT) basically everyone dies...and I don't know about you guys but I did NOT expect this to happen at all....

my jaw literally dropped, and I started freaking out. Just when you finally think Colin has been caught, this happens. Not only does he get away, the only person who knows he's the rat is now dead. UGH!

But of course, in the end this movie kicks butt. I love love love Matt Damon (this love will be explained in later posts), but in the end he got his and I was so happy. As the credits started rolling, there was a huge smile on my face. I just love how basically every scene was instrumental in finally catching him, every scene mattered...in the end it all mattered. OH! and notice the rat on the ledge at the end...SO GOOD!

You go Mark Wahlberg! 

So in case you guys couldn't tell...I definitely think that The Departed deserved its Oscar. 

Fun Fact: Director Martin Scorsese won his first oscar for achievement in directing for this movie (crazy I know). Previously he had been nominated 7 times, 5 of which were for directing. Since then he has been nominated another time for achievement in directing. 

The Godfather...Part II

Now on to the second installment of the Godfather trilogy, and 1974's best picture winner....

The Godfather Part II.

1974: The Godfather Part II

Beat Out: Chinatown, The Conversation, Lenny and The Towering Inferno

Some well-known quotes: "I know it was you Fredo" "Keep your friends close, but your enemies closer"

I remember being in target with my dad around the time that my love of movies and the oscars began. I was looking at them all, thinking about which winners I wanted to buy. I spotted the Godfather Part II, and knowing that it had won best picture I picked it up. I remember him telling me that it was said to be the best sequel ever made.

The Godfather Part II is the only sequel to win an academy award for best picture. It's actually pretty impressive if you think about it. I mean, think about all the bad sequels out there that are horrible and have sometimes ruined a great first movie 

So, as I watched it I had some pretty high expectations. Expectations that were definitely met. 

The film is comprised of a present story of the Corleone family with Michael as the Don, as well as a back story of how his late father, Vito, became the original Don.

The movie is opened with a young Vito in Italy, whose father and brother have just been killed by a mob boss named Don Ciccio. Vito is ordered to be killed because the Ciccio is certain that he will one day seek revenge. However, his mother intervenes and is killed, and Vito escapes.

The young Vito is played by none other than Robert De Niro, who won the oscar for best supporting actor. He is no doubt the star of this movie. He is absolutely perfect, being the main contributer to some of the movie's best scenes

Two of my favorite scenes in the movie actually involve Vito killing someone (I'm not a violent person I swear...) The first is when Vito kills mob boss Don Fanucci. And the second being when he gets his revenge years later on the man who killed his family in Sicily

It's awesome how it all comes full circle, with Vito fulfilling the prediction that if he were allowed to live he would eventually seek his revenge.

Another reason why this movie is so awesome is because of the story it tells...a story about family. It's interesting to see how a family with such power has such dysfunction. You can see how it all starts with Vito, so intent on revenge and power..willing to kill whoever, thinking that it will satisfy him.

I will admit that I cared little about the present story going on with Michael, I was much more enthralled by the backstory of Vito. However, those present moments involving and showcasing the struggling family were amazing.

This struggling family is presented perfectly to the audience with Kay's (Michael's wife, played by Diane Keaton) words that she got an abortion to prevent another child from coming into the family.

And, of course, when Michael orders the killing of his own brother Fredo, played by John Cazale. UGH I can't even take how amazing this scene is. It's actually a montage of a few deaths. The two others being people involved in the more "mob politics" story that I cared little about.

But Fredo's death has him out fishing on his boat....saying the hail mary. Something that he explains he used to do as a young child with the hopes of catching a fish. He is shot in the back of the head while Michael looks on from afar. Its amazing to look back to the first movie and see how much Michael has changed...how much the family has changed.

This change is truly shown in the last scene of the movie...which is a flashback of a surprise birthday party for Vito. The children are similar ages as they were in the first movie, and Sonny is still alive. In the scene, we see Michael telling his family that he wishes to drop out of college and join the marines. His entire family, except Fredo, do not support his decision.

It took me a while to actually decide which Godfather movie I preferred, both were so great and told different stories. However, for me, The Godfather Part II is the better movie. I like it better mainly because I literally could not stop caring about the back story. De Niro's performance was so enthralling. I like how they kept the character of Vito alive in such a unique way, making me care about how he rose as Don, even though he no longer was in the present story.

So, is The Godfather Part II worthy of being the only sequel to win best picture? I definitely think so...do you?

Fun Facts:

• John Cazale, who played Fredo, died in 1978 after making only 5 films...all of which were nominated for best picture (2 of which won) You broke my heart Fredo!

• Marlon Brando was originally supposed to return for the flashback that was the ending scene of the movie. However, he felt that he was mistreated my Paramount, and didn't show up for shooting. Francis Ford Coppola, the director and co screen writer, had to rewrite the scene that day.