Slumdog Millionaire -- The Best Movie of 2008

[AndyDursin]

A little bit late to the party but I loved it. Virtuoso filmmaking from Boyle, I loved the cinematography, the editing, and -- yes -- even the score. Very much a modern fairy tale set in the slums of India and one of the most memorable films I've seen in the last couple of years. I found it compelling and it kept me glued from start to finish, with excellent performances across the board. At its heart it's just a movie about a boy and a girl and...complications...like all kinds of fables. But the payoff was worth it, and the film itself is haunting and just splendid filmmaking.

I truly hope it sweeps all the major Oscars, including Original Score, and I get the feeling it will. It's the one Oscar nominated film that seems to really have audiences buzzing with word of mouth and, after today, I can finally see why.

[JSWalsh]

It's nice to see so many people enjoy a movie but I can't even imagine going to see this. I picture myself sinking down in my seat and thinking I'd have a better time at that Mall Cop movie.

This movie has a very FOREST GUMP tone about it in the reviews I've read--the critics think you're brain damaged if you have no interest in seeing it.

[Eric W.]

Hmmm... I really had no interest whatsoever in seeing this but if Andy comes away this impressed with it then that means I'll have to rent it on Blu some day down the road or something like that.

[AndyDursin]

This movie has a very FOREST GUMP tone about it in the reviews I've read--the critics think you're brain damaged if you have no interest in seeing it.

"FORREST GUMP tone"? No way, LOL this movie is absolutely NOTHING like FORREST GUMP in any way, shape or form. (BENJAMIN BUTTON is FORREST GUMP -- it's even written by the same guy!).

And I don't think you're brain damaged if you don't like it either, I just found it a blast of great filmmaking personally. I've run hot and cold on Danny Boyle but 28 DAYS LATER, the original, was terrific, as was MILLIONS, and this one is just the perfect project for him. I'm not saying it's a classic but it's easily the best movie I saw in 2008.

And it's not a nice glossy feel good movie at all -- it's ultimately uplifting but you go through hell to get there, this movie's R rating was deserved. It's a fairy tale with an edge, it's not some weepy, soft film which is the vibe you seem to be getting JS and the movie isn't like that whatsoever.

[AndyDursin]

Hmmm... I really had no interest whatsoever in seeing this but if Andy comes away this impressed with it then that means I'll have to rent it on Blu some day down the road or something like that.

It's worth seeing in theaters. But don't take my word for it -- $77 million and growing in the US alone, with almost no week-to-week drops. Audiences love it, which tells you something given the movie's lack of stars, subject matter, etc.

[JSWalsh]

This movie has a very FOREST GUMP tone about it in the reviews I've read--the critics think you're brain damaged if you have no interest in seeing it.

"FORREST GUMP tone"? No way, LOL this movie is absolutely NOTHING like FORREST GUMP in any way, shape or form. (BENJAMIN BUTTON is FORREST GUMP -- it's even written by the same guy!).

As I said, it's "in the reviews I've read" not the movie itself--the attitude is that EVERYONE simply MUST like it. That's a turnoff. I don't get these critics who seem to see liking or disliking certain movies as moral commentaries on the viewer.

[Eric W.]

Hmmm... I really had no interest whatsoever in seeing this but if Andy comes away this impressed with it then that means I'll have to rent it on Blu some day down the road or something like that.

It's worth seeing in theaters. But don't take my word for it -- $77 million and growing in the US alone, with almost no week-to-week drops. Audiences love it, which tells you something given the movie's lack of stars, subject matter, etc.

That says something. I'll see what I can do but I'll probably just wait for it to the home video market.

[AndyDursin]

I know where you're coming from JS. If you take that attitude in with you, though, you're basically being preconditioned to disliking it.

As it is, I'm usually pretty good at being able to distance what I've heard from what I'm about to see. If I find something is overrated, I can sense it immediately. But this movie is as good as its reception indicates, I became wrapped up in it immediately and never thought about anything else while it was running except for the film.

Boyle's filmmaking sensibilities clicked with this material, resulting in something quite special IMO. And I also think it confirms him, more than Mendes or any of these other "young guys," as being one of the most exciting, offbeat and compelling filmmakers out there today.

[JSWalsh]

I like Boyle, even if I don't like all of his movies. His movies have always interested me, and he doesn't have a specific type of movie that he does every time out--you don't know what you're going to get, only that he isn't some generic hack.

I've just seen nothing that will compel me to even rent this. I just don't care, and am long past the age where I see anything just on a critic's say-so.

[AndyDursin]

Well if you don't care about watching excellent movies, it's your loss.

I'm actually really excited about this film being nominated for BP. First time I've really cared who wins this award in many years.

[JSWalsh]

Well if you don't care about watching excellent movies, it's your loss.

That's kind of a silly remark, don't you think? I just don't care about watching what other people claim are excellent movies. It just doesn't appeal to me. How is that different from the way anyone chooses movies to watch?

[John Johnson]

Well if you don't care about watching excellent movies, it's your loss.

I'm actually really excited about this film being nominated for BP. First time I've really cared who wins this award in many years.

There's a good chance it could. It recently won BP at the BAFTAS

[John Johnson]

Pathé Distribution Ltd. have announced the UK DVD and Blu-ray Disc release of Slumdog Millionaire on 1st June 2009. From director Danny Boyle, Slumdog Millionaire is the story of an 18 year-old orphan from the slums of Mumbai who finds himself just one question away from winning a life-changing 20 million rupees on India’s Who Wants To Be A Millionaire. Starring Dev Patel and Freida Pinto, the film cleaned up at this year’s Academy Awards taking home 8 awards including Best Picture and Best Director.

Both the DVD (£19.99 RRP) and Blu-ray (£24.99 RRP) offer more than three hours of special features, including commentaries, featurettes and deleted scenes.

DVD and Blu-ray Extras:
Commentary from director Danny Boyle and Dev Patel
Commentary from producer Christian Colson and writer Simon Beaufoy
Deleted Scenes
Slumdog Dreams: Danny Boyle and the making of Slumdog Millionaire
Jai Ho Remix – Slumdog Cutdown
UK Theatrical Trailer

Additional Blu-ray only special features:
Slumdog Guru – an interactive option of watching the film that gives the viewer access to special features directly from the film. Contains exclusive picture in picture interviews.
From Script to Screen: The Toilet Scene
Indian Short Film: Manjha
Bombay Liquid Dance

http://www.dvdtimes.co.uk/content/id/70 ... -june.html

[John Johnson]

Here's the announcement for the R1 DVD/BD release.

http://www.dvdtimes.co.uk/content/id/70 ... march.html

[Edmund Kattak]

I just watched the first 10 minutes of SLUMDOG and I'm hooked - I can't wait to watch the rest. The cinematography alone is excellent, really bringing out the visual depth of the poverty that is Mumbai. Then, there's the story. all in ten minutes. I did not seek this movie out, but I'm glad that I've seen at least this much so far.