Slumdog Millionaire

Slumdog Millionaire

Release: January 23 2009

• Director: Danny Boyle
• Leading characters: Dev Patel - Jamal Malik, Freida Pinto - Latika
• Drama
• Rated R for some violence, disturbing images and language
• #1068 on list

After coming within one question of winning it all on the Indian version of "Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?," 18-year-old Mumbai "slumdog" Jamal Malik is arrested on suspicion that he cheated his way to the top. While in custody, he regales a jaded inspector with remarkable tales of his life on the streets and the story of the woman he loved and lost. *taken from Netflix

This isn't a movie I really cared to see when it came out and truthfully I cant remember why. I'm glad it was on the list so I was forced to watch it.

I love how the story is told, very original and pulls you in. The police have the older Jamal in questioning about the game show, they'll show him a clip of the show on a little TV which will then move us to the time he was being asked the question on the game show, then it'll show how Jamal knew the answers by showing us the clip of his life. I couldn't get enough of this shooting, I loved how they did it and the movie wouldn't have been as good done any other way.

The different camera views and color portrayal in the movie really add to its greatness, the director of photography really knew the shots to capture your attention.

The actors are amazing, they really play their roles well. You love, hate and admire the characters they play.

A few interesting tid bits about the movie are that Mercedes-Benz asked that all of its logos be removed when scenes were taking place in the slums. They thought that being associated to the poverty-stricken slums would ruin its image.
 Also it's the first film since Schindler's List (we haven't seen that one yet) to win Best Picture, Director and Screenplay at the Golden Globes, BAFTAs and the Oscars.
I think the story telling of this movie is good enough reason alone to watch it. I would give it 4 out of 5 stars.