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Precious Review Round-Up

craigsternberg — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 20:43:57 +0000

The top award winner at this year’s Toronto International Film Festival was the Oprah Winfrey produced Precious: Based on the Novel Push by Sapphire. Precious took home the festival’s “People’s Choice Award” that Best Picture Oscar winner Slumdog Millionare earned last year. Critics have praised the movie throughout its run in various festivals and the movie is gaining major Oscar buzz.

The film’s story revolves around an illiterate girl named Precious and her struggles throughout her everyday life. The film is a brutally honest portrayal of the young woman’s perseverance over the most inhumane obstacles.

Check out what people are saying about the indie darling, Precious…

Both Mo’nique and Gabourey ‘Gabby’ Sidibe deliver Oscar Worthy Performances…

Gabby Sidibe sparkles as Precious – Obsessed with Film
Comedienne Mo’Nique is the epitome of maternal evil as Precious’ mother Mary, ranging from sadism to self-pity through a kaleidoscopic spectrum of abusive behavior, and the performance is so complete that her malignance is utterly compelling and utterly believable. – Obsessed with Film
As Precious, Sidibe is superb, allowing us to see the inner warmth and beauty of a young woman who, to her world’s cruel eyes, might seem monstrous. As Precious’ hideous mother, Mo’Nique is cruelty incarnate. It’s an astonishingly powerful performance. – The Hollywood Reporter

It’s Dark, Gritty, and Uncompromising…

“Precious” has no bounds. It’s a disturbing, overwhelming story of one Harlem girl’s merciless degradations. – The Hollywood Reporter
An urban nightmare with a surfeit of soul, “Precious: Based on the Novel ‘Push’ by Sapphire” is like a diamond — clear, bright, but oh so hard – Variety

Lee Daniels juggles emotional extremes brilliantly…

Director Lee Daniels sagely navigates the story from Precious’ cavernous inner world through her synaptic flashes of fantasy that momentarily allow her to transcend her personal hell. – The Hollywood Reporter
Second-time helmer Daniels demonstrates a remarkable, balletic ability to juggle emotional extremes. – Variety
Under Lee Daniels’ stewardship the movie segues from atrocity to escapist fantasy and life-affirming positivity with ease – Obsessed With Film

So what do you think? Will you be checking this out? How excited are you for this movie?

Slumdog Millionaire Child Star Gets Home

Anet Hovhanesian — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 21:39:02 +0000

After all that neigh saying, finally we get some positive news about some of the child actors in Slumdog Millionaire. Azharuddin Mohammed Ismail (featured above) and his mother moved into a new home today thanks to Director Danny Boyle. Instead of just giving him money which everyone knew would either go to the parents or wasted away, Boyle set up a way for Ismail to have security in the future and a new home now.

If Ismail continues his education and graduates from school, the home will be transferred to his name when he turns 18-years-old. The trust was set up by the filmmakers (Boyle and Christian Colson) to secure an education, housing and a living allowance for Ismail and his co-star Rubina Ali, 9.

Showing his appreciation, the 11 year old said:

“I want to thank Danny Boyle for giving us this flat.”

The apartment is on the ground floor of a seven story brown concrete apartment building called “Harmony,” which sits on a quiet cul-de-sac in the Santa Cruz West section of Mumbai, a far cry from Garib Nagar where they used to live. Garib Nagar translates to “City of the Poor” and is one of Mumbai’s more wretched slums. They will share the flat with Ismail’s brother and his wife who will sleep on a mattress in the kitchen. However, his father, Mohammad Ismail will remain in their old apartment.

What do you think of Boyle and Colson’s gesture to help the child star?

Source: Yahoo

Danny Boyle Buys Film Rights to Bombay Lost and Found

Laura Aguirre — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 00:15:54 +0000

It seems that Danny Boyle will keep his Mumbai streak going for longer than we might of expected. After the great success of his Oscar-Winner Slumdog Millionaire, Boyle now owns the film rights to Suketu Mehta’s “Maximum City: Bombay Lost and Found,” a book of essays on Mumbai life, also a 2005 Pulitzer Prize finalist.

According to the Wall Street Journal, Boyle purchased the rights in May, but the prize is unknown.

What did Boyle have to say about Maximum City…

“[It] became my bible, really,” Boyle told Seattle Weekly last year during the making of Slumdog Millionaire. “I took the book with me everywhere. I felt part of the time we were adapting that.”

The book of essays consists of multiple narratives of evidence gathered by Mehta by Mumbai’s policemen, crime lords, dancers and religious figures; a research that was surely as difficult to find as it reads.

This might set a new record for Boyle in the distant future, and as for leaving Mumbai, I doubt Boyle will anytime soon.

What do you think? Might this be another Slumdog Millionaire success?

Slumdog Millionaire DVD’s Missing Special Features

Krystal Clark — Wed, 01 Apr 2009 20:00:21 +0000

Watch out guys, Slumdog’s got issues! Fans of the Academy Award winning film Slumdog Millionaire, have noticed an important element missing from retail copies of the recently released DVD. According to /Film, there are no special features found on the discs. A while ago we reported on how 20th Century Fox planned on removing all extra content from future DVD’s. That means no special features, outtakes, nada. Over at Amazon.com, they have received complaints regarding a large quantity of defective copies that seem like a follow through from the studio.

Several major retailers plan on rectifying this situation as soon as possible including web based Amazon. They have posted a notice on their site and are offering an exchange program as compensation.

DVD Alert:We are aware that special features were missing from a number of Slumdog Millionaire DVDs. This issue does not occur on the Blu-ray version. Fox has set up a hotline telephone number (1-888-223-4FOX) for those consumers who may have purchased a DVD version that does not contain special features. Upon calling the hotline, these consumers will be able to have their disc replaced for one containing special features. Fox regrets any inconvenience this has caused.

This stinks on so many levels. Fox hasn’t released any statement about this being an intentional move, but I wouldn’t doubt it. What is with them today? First we have the X-Men Origins: Wolverine leak, and now this. Fox has had a rough year, but they’ve done some questionable things over the past few months. Would you call this karma?

Have any of you had issues with your copies of Slumdog Millionaire?

Freida as the Femme Fatale in the Next Bond?

sergiosoto — Sat, 14 Mar 2009 00:15:37 +0000

There are some speculations (mostly from the uncredible source TheSun) that Freida Pinto (Slumdog Millionare) is being considered for the next Bond movie.

The only reason this is a possibility is because, Freida Pinto is a very attractive and sexy lady. As we have concluded in the past, The Sun is full of shit.

There is most likely no validity to this, but maybe if the build up enough hype it will come to be. I mean they are still holding to the idea that Danny Boyle is set to direct this new bond film even though he has denied any interest in it.

Story goes that she was considered for Quantum of Solace, but was thought to be too young at the time. Now, however, she is a big star and a couple years older. I think she would fit the role well but since we can’t know for sure, fans of hers can look forward to the upcoming Woody Allen film she will star in.

Would you like to see Freida Pinto in a new Bond movie?

Boyle. Danny Boyle

sergiosoto — Tue, 10 Mar 2009 17:15:01 +0000

Maybe you’ve heard, but there’s been a rumor circulating that Danny Boyle (of Slumdog Millionaire fame) was to direct the new Bond film! From this rumor’s moment of conception, I was in disbelief. This is not a director who is looking to cough up a blockbuster. His resume attains to as much, anyway.

So who started this filthy lie? One source who sowed the seed was none other than The Sun. Boyle, himself, set the record straight at an interview with Entertainment Weekly. He is quoted saying, “I have no plans to direct one…I don’t know who came up with the story, but please tell them I’m very flattered to be thought of!”

The status of The Sun can only be synonymous to The National Inquirer. Don’t trust it.

Weekend Box Office: The Watchmen Tops the Charts… Kinda

Mali Elfman — Mon, 09 Mar 2009 16:00:07 +0000

Although the Watchmen came in at the top of the chart , it didn’t create the HUGE box office splash that Snyder had probably hoped for. Now we’ll have to see how long until they’ve made back the $150 million they spent. I personally thought that the film broke new grounds, but that’s not always enough for the box office. Except in the case of Slumdog Millionaire, which in it’s 17th week on the charts you can still find roaming around the top 5 spots. Go Slumdog!

Sadly, what this list also shows is that films like Madea Goes to Jail and Paul Blart have legs, which is BAD, BAD news for the future of filmmaking. Although on the plus side the Jonas Brothers film seems to be dying a quick death, so there is some hope there.

Check out this weeks box office numbers below…

Watchmen | New | Weekend Gross $55,655,000 | Average Per Theater $15,413 | Total Gross $55,655,000 | Production Budget $150 | Week 1
Tyler Perry’s Madea Goes to Jail | LW 1 | Weekend Gross $8,800,000 | Average Per Theater $4,091 | Total Gross $76,505,000 | Week 3
Taken | LW 4 | Weekend Gross $7,450,000 | Average Per Theater $2,470 | Total Gross $118,049,000 | Week 6
Slumdog Millionaire | LW 3 | Weekend Gross $6,925,000 | Average Per Theater $2,396 | Total Gross $125,441,000 | Production Budget $15 | Week 17
Paul Blart: Mall Cop Sony | LW 6 | Weekend Gross $4,200,000 | Average Per Theater $1,642 | Total Gross $133,643,000 | Production Budget $26 | Week 8
He’s Just Not That Into You | LW 5 | Weekend Gross $4,020,000 | Average Per Theater $1,644 | Total Gross $84,647,000 | Week 5
Coraline | LW 7 | Weekend Gross $3,313,000 | Average Per Theater $1,691 | Total Gross $65,680,000 | Week 5
Confessions of a Shopaholic | LW 9 | Weekend Gross $3,121,000 | Average Per Theater $1,363 | Total Gross $38,356,000 | Week 4
Jonas Brothers: The 3D Concert Experience | LW 2 | Weekend Gross $2,785,000 | Average Per Theater $2,183 | Total Gross $16,791,000 | Week 2
Fired Up | LW 10 | Weekend Gross $2,600,000 | Average Per Theater $1,446 | Total Gross $13,360,000 | Production Budget $20 | Week 3

Poll: Do You Want to See More Bollywood Movies?

Kara — Mon, 02 Mar 2009 23:00:31 +0000

The sweeping success of Slumdog Millionaire, both at the Oscars and in theaters, made me wonder whether there will be an insurgence of Bollywood-style films in the U.S. The story and style of the movie was fantastic (If you haven’t seen it already, I highly recommend it). What do you think? Will the Bollywood-style film gain popularity within the U.S.?

Note: There is a poll embedded within this post, please visit the site to participate in this post's poll.

Weekend Box Office: Madea Ain’t Going No Where

Mali Elfman — Mon, 02 Mar 2009 17:00:48 +0000

Wow. Tyler Perry’s Madea Goes to Jail has held the number one spot for two weeks in a row. Not even the tiny teens could take Madea down with Jonas Brothers: The 3D Concert Experience. The only good news is that Slumdog Millionaire continues to move up the charts after being on them for 16 weeks, thanks to several Oscars wins. No too shabby for a Slumdog. Street Fighter: The Legend of Chun-Li, ended up right about where is needed to, about to fall of the edge.

Check out this weekends numbers below…

Tyler Perry’s Madea Goes to Jail | LW 1| Weekend Gross $16,500,000 | Average Per Theater $8,041 | Total Gross $64,850,000 | Week 2
Jonas Brothers: The 3D Concert Experience | New|Weekend Gross $12,700,000 | Average Per Theater $9,992 | Total Gross $12,700,000 | Week 1
Slumdog Millionaire | LW 5 | Weekend Gross $12,150,000 | Average Per Theater $4,128 | Total Gross $115,148,000 | Budget $15 | Week 16
Taken | LW 3 |Weekend Gross $9,950,000 | Average Per Theater $3,221 | Total Gross $107,882,000 | Week 5
He’s Just Not That Into You | LW 4 | Weekend Gross $5,875,000 | Average Per Theater $2,056 | Total Gross $78,525,000 | Week 4
Paul Blart: Mall Cop | LW 7 | Weekend Gross $5,600,000 | Average Per Theater $2,076 | Total Gross $128,106,000 | Budget $26 | Week 7
Coraline | LW 2 | Weekend Gross $5,252,000 | Average Per Theater $2,546 | Total Gross $61,145,000 | Week 4
Street Fighter: The Legend of Chun-Li | New | Weekend Gross $4,650,000 | Average Per Theater $4,093 | Total Gross $4,650,000 | Week 1
Confessions of a Shopaholic | LW 8 | Weekend Gross $4,490,00 | Average Per Theater $1,772 | Total Gross $33,662,000 | Week 3
Fired Up | LW 9 | Weekend Gross $3,800,000 | Average Per Theater $2,098 | Total Gross $10,137,000 | Budget $20 | Week 2

What do you think? Do you agree with this order?

Pinto and Watts Join Woody Allen Film

Krystal Clark — Tue, 24 Feb 2009 19:00:52 +0000

Fresh off of the ensemble win for Best Picture, Slumdog Millinaire star Frieda Pinto is taking advantage of her new found success. The Indian born model-turned actress has just signed on to co-star in the latest project from famed director, Woody Allen. According to Variety, Pinto has been cast in the “ingenue” role of the yet to be titled film. In typical Woody Allen fashion this project has been shrouded in mystery, and we only know a few key things.

Find out what they are after the jump.

What we do know is that the cast will be filled with Academy Award winners and nominees. Anthony Hopkins, Josh Brolin, and Naomi Watts are already signed on to star in the project. Watts, was recently seen in the thriller The International alongside Clive Owen, and has just signed on to star in the Doug Liman drama, Fair Game with Sean Penn.

Mediapro, the studio behind the film Vicky, Cristina, Barcelona will finance the project and Letty Aronson, Steve Tenenbaum and Jaume Roures will produce. In an interesting twist, Cinemablend claims that Sacrlett Johansson was originally set to play the role, but was replaced by Pinto. Johannson previously worked with Allen on the 2005 film Matchpoint.

Full List of 2009 Oscar Winners

Mali Elfman — Mon, 23 Feb 2009 16:30:56 +0000

It’s been quite an award show. We twittered the Oscars live from inside the Kodak theater. We posted all the best moments on the red carpet and the big winners of the night. Just in case you were looking for a full list of all the nominees and all the winners, here it is!

*Winners are bolded*

ACTOR IN A LEADING ROLE
Richard Jenkins – The Visitor
Frank Langella – Frost / Nixon
Sean Penn – Milk
Brad Pitt – The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Mickey Rourke – The Wrestler

ACTOR IN A SUPPORTING ROLE
Josh Brolin – Milk
Robert Downey Jr. – Tropic Thunder
Phillip Seymour Hoffman – Doubt
Heath Ledger – The Dark Knight
Michael Shannon – Revolutionary Road

ACTRESS IN A LEADING ROLE
Anne Hathaway – Rachel Getting Married
Angelina Jolie – Changeling
Melissa Leo – Frozen
Meryl Streep – Doubt
Kate Winslet - The Reader

ACTRESS IN A SUPPORTING ROLE
Amy Adams – Doubt
Penelope Cruz – Vicky Cristina Barcelona
Viola Davis – Doubt
Taraji P. Henson – The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Marisa Tomei – The Wrestler

ANIMATED FEATURE FILM
Bolt
Kung Fu Panda
Wall-E

DIRECTING
Danny Boyle – Slumdog Millionaire
Stephen Daldry – The Reader
Gus Van Sant – Milk
David Fincher – The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Ron Howard – Frost/Nixon

BEST PICTURE
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Frost / Nixon
Milk
The Reader
Slumdog Millionaire

WRITING (ADAPTED SCREENPLAY)
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Doubt
Frost/Nixon
The Reader
Slumdog Millionaire

WRITING (ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY)
Frozen River
Happy-Go-Lucky
In Bruges
Milk
Wall-E

MUSIC (SCORE)
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Defiance
Milk
Slumdog Millionaire
Wall-E

MUSIC (SONG)
“Down to Earth” – Wall-E (Peter Gabriel)
“Jai Ho” – Slumdog Millionaire (A.R. Rahman)
“O Saya” – Slumdog Millionaire (A.R. Rahman & Maya Arulpragasam)

DOCUMENTARY FEATURE
The Betrayal (Nerakhoon)
Encounters at the End of the World
The Garden
Man on Wire
Trouble the Water

DOCUMENTARY SHORT SUBJECT
The Conscience of Nhem En
The Final Inch
Smile Pinki
The Witness – From the Balcony of Room 306

SHORT FILM (ANIMATED)
La Maison en Petits Cubes
Lavatory – Lovestory
Oktapodi
Presto
This Way Up

SHORT FILM (LIVE ACTION)
Auf der Streke (On the Line)
Manon on the Asphalt
New Boy
The Pig
Spielzeugland (Toyland)

FOREIGN LANGUAGE FILM
Der Bader Meinhof Komplex
The Class
Departures
Revanche
Waltz with Bashir

ART DIRECTION
Changeling
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
The Dark Knight
The Duchess
Revolutionary Road

CINEMATOGRAPHY
Changeling
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
The Dark Knight
The Reader
Slumdog Millionaire

COSTUME DESIGN
Australia
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
The Duchess
Milk
Revolutionary Road

FILM EDITING
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
The Dark Knight
Frost / Nixon
Milk
Slumdog Millionaire

MAKEUP
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
The Dark Knight
Hellboy II: The Golden Army

SOUND EDITING
The Dark Knight
Iron Man
Slumdog Millionaire
Wall-E
Wanted

SOUND MIXING
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
The Dark Knight
Slumdog Millionaire
Wall-E
Wanted

VISUAL EFFECTS
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Iron Man
The Dark Knight

OSCARS: Best Picture!

JC — Mon, 23 Feb 2009 05:50:07 +0000

Surprise Surprise! Slumdog Millionaire SWEPT the Oscars with eight wins, including the highly anticipated award for Best Picture. With it’s outstanding ensemble cast, kick-ass soundtrack, and obviously genius direction by Danny Boyle, Slumdog Millionaire just put India on the map!

It’s been an incredible year in story-telling. Every single Best Picture nominee (The Curious Case of Bemjamin Button, Slumdog Millionaire, The Reader, Frost/Nixon, and Milk) was endearing and had incredibly relevant themes – each bringing something completely fresh to the table. In fact, any of these five films seem worthy of the award in my book.

Bravo to another brilliant year in film. And let’s start counting down ’til next February!

ScreenCrave.com » slumdog millionaire

Precious Review Round-Up

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