Spring Break
And the Oscar goes to...
DC Staff Reports
Issue date: 2/20/09 Section: Focus
Best Picture
Slumdog
Millionaire
Is this really even a fair prediction? Everyone has got to be thinking that Boyle's Bollywood homage is a shoo-in to win, right? All signs indicate that this fantastic film is going to be the big winner. "Slumdog" has taken home so many honors at the Golden Globes, Screen Actors Guild Awards and many other ceremonies that the Academy would be foolish to ignore the magic of this film. Best Picture goes to the film that hits all the right notes and leaves nothing out. The Best Picture is ideally supposed to be most flawless film of the year. "Slumdog" has an excellent cast that pours its heart out on screen, led by the young, but surprisingly mature, Dev Patel. It works as both an entertaining love story, Cinderella story and a social commentary revealing some of the ugliest and the most beautiful truths hidden in the slums of India. The film also has a great musical score, mixing classic Bollywood sounds with more contemporary hits that compliment the excellent cinematography as well. Convinced yet? If not, check out this movie, because you will not be disappointed. Sorry Brad Pitt but it looks like "Slumdog" just might steal your thunder.
-Paresh Jha
Best Director
Frost/Nixon
"Frost/Nixon" has proven to be the most well-presented and entertaining action-less film known to man. This movie is a prime example of what an expert director can do with what is, quite simply, a conversation. Ron Howard paces each scene effortlessly, luring the viewer in somewhat deceptively. We barely even realize we are being pulled into such a rousing experience until we are already knee-deep in dramatic entertainment. While Danny Boyle and his "Slumdog Millionaire" could make a case for this category, Ron Howard's veteran expertise should make for a more solid case. "Slumdog" was about many different things coming into line (even though Mr. Boyle's directing was superb) while "Frost/Nixon" was simply defined by the way Ron Howard constructed the film (and the two lead actors.). Howard essentially made a 10th-grade history lesson entertaining. We all know that our teachers tried to teach us about Watergate and Nixon and all the nonsense he did, but they really could not catch our attention the way "Frost/Nixon" was able to. UConn should enlist Howard as a new history professor.
Slumdog
Millionaire
Is this really even a fair prediction? Everyone has got to be thinking that Boyle's Bollywood homage is a shoo-in to win, right? All signs indicate that this fantastic film is going to be the big winner. "Slumdog" has taken home so many honors at the Golden Globes, Screen Actors Guild Awards and many other ceremonies that the Academy would be foolish to ignore the magic of this film. Best Picture goes to the film that hits all the right notes and leaves nothing out. The Best Picture is ideally supposed to be most flawless film of the year. "Slumdog" has an excellent cast that pours its heart out on screen, led by the young, but surprisingly mature, Dev Patel. It works as both an entertaining love story, Cinderella story and a social commentary revealing some of the ugliest and the most beautiful truths hidden in the slums of India. The film also has a great musical score, mixing classic Bollywood sounds with more contemporary hits that compliment the excellent cinematography as well. Convinced yet? If not, check out this movie, because you will not be disappointed. Sorry Brad Pitt but it looks like "Slumdog" just might steal your thunder.
-Paresh Jha
Best Director
Frost/Nixon
"Frost/Nixon" has proven to be the most well-presented and entertaining action-less film known to man. This movie is a prime example of what an expert director can do with what is, quite simply, a conversation. Ron Howard paces each scene effortlessly, luring the viewer in somewhat deceptively. We barely even realize we are being pulled into such a rousing experience until we are already knee-deep in dramatic entertainment. While Danny Boyle and his "Slumdog Millionaire" could make a case for this category, Ron Howard's veteran expertise should make for a more solid case. "Slumdog" was about many different things coming into line (even though Mr. Boyle's directing was superb) while "Frost/Nixon" was simply defined by the way Ron Howard constructed the film (and the two lead actors.). Howard essentially made a 10th-grade history lesson entertaining. We all know that our teachers tried to teach us about Watergate and Nixon and all the nonsense he did, but they really could not catch our attention the way "Frost/Nixon" was able to. UConn should enlist Howard as a new history professor.
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