"Positively Dickensian"
"Driven by fantastic energy and a torrent of vivid images of India old and new, Slumdog Millionaire is a blast," says Variety's Todd McCarthy, finally posting from Telluride this morning at 9:49 am after catching pic on Saturday. "Danny Boyle's film uses the dilemma of a poor teenager suspected of cheating on the local version of 'Who Wants to Be a Millionaire' to tell a story of social mobility that is positively Dickensian in its attention to detail and the extremes of poverty and wealth within a culture.
"Originally a Warner Independent title, the picture has just been acquired by Fox Searchlight for release in the U.S., where it will open at Thanksgiving, although Warner Bros. retains an interest. Tasty item looks to catch on in a big way with young, adventurous and merely curious viewers in wide specialized release."
Yeah, but as "btwnproductions" sardonically wrote last night, Slumdog Millionaire seems "kind of foreign." Don't kid yourself that red-state audiences won't be muttering this sentiment to each other once the Slumdog roll-out begins.
Still nothing from L.A. Weekly critic Scott Foundas.
Posted by Jeffrey Wells on September 1, 2008 at 10:46 AM
comment #1
Aris P
says ...
Was having a conversation recently about the generally sad state of filmaking, and the question arose: Which directors, no matter what subject matter, make must-see films for me? The answers: Scorsese, Mann, the Coen Bros, Fincher. I would also add, of late, Eastwood. But Boyle never crossed my mind, until i thought about it... I don't think he's made a film I havent enjoyed (including The Beach). Solid filmaker, sold films. I eagerly await to see this one.
I'm sure I've missed one or two directors... Additions?
Posted by Aris P
at September 1, 2008 11:12 AM
comment #2
Aris P
says ...
PTA as well, naturally.
Posted by Aris P
at September 1, 2008 11:18 AM
comment #3
Mark G.
says ...
I woud add Luc Besson, Ridley Scott and Tom Tykwer (and strike Mann off the list)
Posted by Mark G.
at September 1, 2008 11:20 AM
comment #4
broadstreetbully
says ...
Definitely not Scorcese - in the last 15 years or so, he's become so unrelentingly middle-brow that I can predict every beat coming in his films. There's absolutely nothing challenging about his films anymore; they're staid, predictable, bland.
Posted by broadstreetbully
at September 1, 2008 11:43 AM
comment #5
source188
says ...
definitely Mann but definitely not Ridley Scott, it's his films that have become staid, predictable and bland....with one exception though and that's the DC of Kingdom of Heaven, everything else he did in the 90's and after Gladiator is forgettable. Additions: Spielberg, Aronofsky, Lynch, Nolan.
Posted by source188
at September 1, 2008 1:03 PM
comment #6
Edward
says ...
I have to add Jean-Pierre Jeunet.
Posted by Edward
at September 1, 2008 2:17 PM
comment #7
JaggedUnderpants
says ...
Wow, the abbreviated URL for this post will certainly draw some interesting new traffic if pasted into a couple chat rooms...
Posted by JaggedUnderpants
at September 1, 2008 5:24 PM
comment #8
NotImpressedYet
says ...
Pretty much all the ones mentioned, plus I'd add Christopher Nolan, Paul Greengrass, Ang Lee and Bryan Singer (even with his last misfire). I'm sure there are at least a few others I'm missing here.
Posted by NotImpressedYet
at September 1, 2008 7:10 PM