Yesterday we went to see the animated film, Coraline. A couple of free movie passes and some excellent reviews prompted us to go, sans little kids, to see this movie. The animation is impressive and even though the Bowmanville theatre didn't have 3-D glasses it was worth seeing. A warning: it is dark and scary enough that taking young or sensitive children might not be a good choice.
We have seen several films in the past few weeks because the Academy Award nominations seems to flush the good ones out of the heart of Toronto and into the burbs. The Wrestler was gritty and well-acted and an important story about how we are defined by images that may no longer reflect our reality. Frost/Nixon was surprisingly entertaining for a story whose conclusion we knew before we walked into the theatre.
The most intriguing was Slumdog Millionaire, a tale about a child who emerges from the slums to win a fortune on the Indian version of Who Wants to be a Millionaire? We found it to be gripping, and it does have a happy ending.
Slumdog Millionaire was released recently in India to mixed reviews. Some regard it as realistic while others protest that it doesn't reflect the "new India" of economic emergence. There have been protests outside theatres because of the portrayals of poverty and religious conflict. The truth is that there are regular skirmishes between religious groups throughout the country. The movie has a scene of violence between Muslims and Hindus which is disturbing. Unfortunately the minority Christian population of India receives the ire of other groups -- and sometimes retaliates. India has changed dramatically in the past decade, but there is still a long way to go when it comes to religious tolerance.
Have you seen any of these movies, or others which you have enjoyed?
6 comments:
Saw and enjoyed Frost/Nixon and Slumdog Millionaire and looking forward to seeing Coraline. felt like I was at the Air Farce yesterday. Spent the day listening to NDP candidates.
We are off to Florida where it seems we have more time to go and see movies. We want to check out all of them. Have seen Slumdog Millionaire so of course think it should win all the awards! Perhaps seeing the rest will change my mind. We are off to see Paul Bart, Mall Cop tonight. No awards for it but I understand some lighthearted shinanigins (there's word you haven't heard in a long time!)
I will report back!
I saw the reviews for Slumdog and hope to see it. I tend to favor books and movies set in India.
We saw "Milk" based on your good reviews, and weren't disappointed. Sean Penn was remarkable.
The Wrestler is next on our "to see" list, and like you Lynn, Mall Cop, as Bob was a "mall cop" through senior high school so thinks he can relate.
Slumdog has sure captured people's imagination. I share an interest in India, and Rohinton Mistry's novel A Fine Balance is marvellous.
I may miss Mall Cop but enjoy!
Laura...you can give Mall Cop a 'miss'. My 'Valentine' said when it was finished "can we ask for our money back now?" Too bad, I was looking forward to a chuckle but alas it was a groan!
It was no Frost/Nixon!
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