Summer Flicks

In the past week I've been to three movies which is more than I would usually see in a month, let alone a week! It is nice to escape the phenomenal heat (it was 42 degrees yesterday) and life in general by going to the cinema.

Slumdog Millionaire

This is a much-hyped about movie. The lead actor Jev Patel is from Skins and is perfect as Jamal Malik, the boy from the slums, who goes onto Who Wants to Be a Millionaire to find the love of his life. His clear run on the program causes the producers to think he's cheating - but he simply knows all the answers from various incidents from his childhood. The film gives you a gritty insight of growing up in the slums - the extreme poverty, the desperation and hunger, the loss of life. Although its essentially a love story about Jamal's search for his childhood sweetheart Latika what really struck me was the relationship between Jama and his brother Salim. They are complete opposites yet Jamal proves that it is possible to overcome adversity with your morality intact. 

Yes Man

Jim Carey is old. His faced is lined and he looks rather world weary. But no matter what Jim Carey has an endearing sweetness that surpases his comedian-actor peers like Ben Stiller and Adam Sandler. In Yes Man, Carey literally says yes to everything in order to take risks to get out of the rut he's been in since his divorce. But like all new age mantras, all the "yes" saying needs a bit of moderation. Yes Man is predictable and sweet but doesn't rise to the level of Liar, Liar. 

Bride Wars

Two best friends become enemies when their wedding gets accidentally booked on the same day at the Plaza Hotel. I love Kate Hudson, I like Anne Hathaway. But although there are some good laughs along the path of bride warfare it just misses the mark. The wedding plotline is a bit similar to SATC and how impending nuptials can make or break the marriage...but less on relationships and more on pre-wedding disasters! My favourite bridal sabotage movie will always be My Best Friend's Wedding, you can't top Ms Julia Roberts and the cast singing "I Say A Little Prayer For You".