Holiday Movie Reviews - Slumdog Millionaire, Four Christmases, Valkyrie

As part of my New Year's Resolution Post I said I wanted to "Bring Balance to the Blog" well here's step one of that resolution, 'Film Fridays.' Since I love the movies so much and I can't seem to watch enough of them I'll attempt to do a bi-weekly column on the movies. It will be either a review of a film(s) out in the theater or some that have been on the "Netflix Queue."
So without further ado...

--SPOILER ALERT-- Some of my review(s) may give away plot points within the individual films

"Slumdog Millionaire" - Starring Dev Patel, Freida Pinto, Madhur Mittal, Tanvi Ganesh Lonkar, Ashutosh Lobo Gajiwala, Tanay Chheda, Rubiana Ali, Azharuddin Mohammed Ismail, and Ayush Mahesh Khedekar. Directed by Danny Boyle, and co-directed by Loveleen Tandan, written by Simon Beaufoy (screenplay) and Vikas Swarup (novel "Q & A") This movie is one of my top 5 of 2008 and is quickly rising up the charts of all time favorite movies. This story is, at its core, a love story but it encompasses so much more. Jamal Malik (Patel, Chheda, and Khedekar) a humble "tea-maker" finds himself a contestant on the Indian version of "Who Wants to be a Millionaire." He has made it to the final question but during a break is now being accused of cheating his way to the top. The Indian police then question Jamal on how he knows the answers to all of the questions. The ensuing chapters of the movie tell of Jamal's life with his brother Salim (Mittal, Ismail, and Gajiwala) and of the girl he loves, and looses, Latika (Pinto, Ali, and Ganesh). His life displaying the answers to all of the questions of his accusers. Satisfying the authorities, Jamal is then allowed to partake in the final question. The heightened drama culminates in a breathtaking climax that is both unexpected and inspiring. In a film that encourages even this cynical skeptic's soul the performances by all of the actors, especially the younger ones, are top notch and at the top of their game and draw so much more to present. Boyle and Tandan are to be commended for the direction that extracts so much from all of the actors within this film. A powerful story that warms the heart and truly gives you a reason to cheer. 5/5 Remotes

"Four Christmases" - Starring Vince Vaughn, and Reese Witherspoon, with Robert Duvall, Sissy Spacek, Jon Voight, Jon Faverau, Mary Steenburgen, Dwight Yoakam, Kristen Chenowith, and Tim McGraw. Directed by Seth Gordon and written by Matt Allen , Caleb Wilson, Jon Lucas, and Scott Moore. This lighthearted holiday comedy was a fun twist on the generic holiday theme of family. "Brad" and Kate skip out on Christmas every year to avoid their families, however due to a 'natural disaster,' fog in San Francisco, their flight gets cancelled. When they are found out by their families and forced to visit all 4 sets of parents (due to divorce) on Christmas day, the great comedy ensues. Most of the laughs in this film come from physical prat falls and vomit jokes but the real humor lies in the reality of a couple visiting 4 Christmases in one day. Coming from a person, who at last count has 8 Christmases, I can relate. In the end it's a modern day fable about the values of honesty and family with belly laughs sprinkled within. 3.75/5 Remotes

"Valkyrie" - Starring Tom Cruise, Bill Nighy, Tom Wilkinson, and Terence Stamp, with Kenneth Branagh, Eddie Izzard, Kevin McNally, and Jamie Parker. Directed by Bryan Singer written by Christopher McQuarrie and Nathan Alexander . Based on the events of the July 20th, 1944 attempted coup by German officers, Valkyrie tells the back story and planning for this failed attempt on Hitler's life. My greatest concern for the film was the potential over-dramatization and "Hollywood-izing" of the events. I feared an intertwined love story or false added drama between the characters this fear, luckily, was not realized. While there were liberties taken with the motives of some of the figures within the piece the audience was not subjected to blatant falsities that are sometimes presented in historical works, this was a relief. However, for whatever reason, the work failed to grab my attention and hold it all the way through. I found myself looking around the theater or wondering whether I should leave and grab some more popcorn. A historical telling but not an exciting character drama or suspensful thriller I've come to expect from Singer. 3/5 Remotes