Moment #3-Slumdog Millionaire

Film:

Slumdog Millionaire

The Players:

Dev Patel

Freida Pinto

Rubina Ali

Madhur Mittal

Anil Kapoor

Danny Boyle

In 2009, director Danny Boyle got what many thought that he whole-heartedly deserved. The director of Trainspotting, Sunshine, Millions, and 28 Days Later, all films which each have their own dedicated fan base won his very first Oscar. Slumdog Millionaire one both Best Director and Best Picture, along with six other awards on the big night in 2009.

Slumdog as a whole is a very strong film. And there are two other scenes from the film which could easily make it onto the list, and may rather soon. It is the story of a boy named Jamal Malik, who is on India's version of Who Wants To Be A Millionaire. He is arrested for being suspected of cheating on the show, and must explain to the police officers how he knows the anwers to the questions by telling portions of his life, and why he came on the show in the first place.

The film has an extraordinary cast. Both Freida Pinto, and Dev Patel give amazing performances, and many were shocked that they were not nominated for acting awards as well. Boyle is an excellent director, and plays the scene beautifully. As Latika is running to answer the phone, we do not hear the background noise of the many people she is running past. We do not hear her feet hitting the ground. All we hear is the Who Wants To Be A Millionaire music, and the ringing of the phone. It adds incredible tension, and makes her answering the phone that much more important. Her answering the phone is the most important thing to Jamal, not her knowing the answer to the question, but the fact that she is there and he knows she is okay. It is an incredible tale of love that never dies, even as years pass. A truly incredible tale, and one that every couple should watch together.

Moment #2-Oldboy

Film:
Oldboy

The Players:

Ji-tae Yu

Yeon-suk Ahn

Jin-seo Yun
Hyun-jung Shim
Chan-wook Park

The second film in director Chan-wook Park's Vengenance Trilogy is in the form of Oldboy. The 2003 realese has greatly been observed as one of the best Asian films of all time. It follows the story of Dae-su Oh, a man who has been locked in a hotel room for fifteen years and mysteriously realesed one day for no apparent reason. Upon his realese he is given five days to figure out who kidnapped him, and more importantly, why they let him go.

In this scene we flashback to the Dae-su Oh's teenagehood, where he has been spreading the word that Woo-jin Lee and his sister Lee Soo-ah have been having an incestusous relationship, and that Woo-jin Lee is pregnent, even though she isn't. So much to the point that she begins having a ghost pregnancy, and starts showing symptoms. This causes her to commit suicide by throwing herself over the edge of a dam, only to be saved at the last minute by Woo-jin. I wish that this clip would have subtitles, but I could unfourtanetly not get them. But the quick translation is basically the same over and over again.

Lee Soo-ah: Please, let me go just let me go.

Woo-jin Lee: No! No! I'll never let go.

The scene comes toward the end of the film as part of an amazing reveal. This isn't the complete end to the film, which is split up into about three sections, each with their own amazing moments. This one is my favorite however. With some obvious reasons as you can see.

Firstly, by way of the story, which is showing how deep these two truly care for each other, and how through simple words someone's life can be changed forever. the relationship that the two have is so deep and true, the lengths by whch they go to save (and ultimatley end) it, are truly phenomanal. The way that Chan-wook Park directs the scene is amazing as well. How we see her fall multiple times in different, though unique angles. How within the same flashback, we see him in the present and past, not to mention the amazing score in the background: 'Cries and Whispers' by Hyun-jung Shim. As well asthe great acting, and very well done violence and blood. The final look on Woo-jin Lee's face after he has died is truly spectacular. A reaction to his final thoughts. A mixture of depression, anger, but mostly, relief.

Moment #1-Donnie Darko

Film:
 Donnie Darko

The Players:

Jake Gyllenhaal
Jena Malone

James Duval
Richard Kelly

Richard Kelly's film debut was in the form of a dark teenage drama entitled Donnie Darko. The film centers around a troubled young boy who suffers from apocalyptic visions of the future. These come in the form of a rabbity creature named Frank, telling Donnie of far to many impossible things, that some how have the ability to come true. Taking place in 1988 Kelly fully captures the teenage want for rebellion, but their need for stabilty.

In this scene Donnie and his girlfriend go out for a night of Evil Dead, as she falls asleep Frank appears once again, asking Donnie to complete another act of violence. In return, this is the first time we learn of Frank's true ability, name, and many other attributes that will lead to the films later elements and reveal.

Donnie Darko as a whole was a very intense film for me. Having first saw it as a teenager, it left a lasting impression of doom, darkness, and depression, but had an overlapping layer of hope. This scene in particularly affeted me greatly because of its sense of calm. Having seen this film as an outsider and depressed about many things (much like Donnie) it gives you a great contrast of two different emotions. Donnie is out simply having a good time with his girlfriend, at the same time being told to tear the world apart. Keeping Donnie and Gretchen as the only two in the theatre was smart. It made me feel isolated, and alone all the while Frank is there. The music sets the mood for terror and sadness and Kelly casts shadows across the walls adding an even more eerie effect, and Franks hoarse whisper leaves us wanting more. The fact that Donnie leaves his girlfriend all alone in the theatre shows that he is willing to go to unbearable lengths to continue whatever it is Frank says, and to keep what is right in place.