Nobody Knows Anything - The SLUMDOG Story

[devincf]

http://chud.com/articles/articles/17...ING/Page1.html

[Domingo]

Interesting point. It's so easy to say "Oh, they should have done this at that point, instead of making this incredibly poor decision!" But I'm sure it's not as easy as that.

It's becoming increasingly obvious to me that I don't care about genres over each other or special effects as much as I may have used to. I want the human emotional experiences that move me very personally and very deeply. Jesse James, Let The Right One In, and now hopefully Slumdog if the trailer is any indication.

[mcnooj82]

It really pisses me off the way a film's fate is often completely decided on a whim by people who had almost no real creative stake in it. Beaufoy talked a tiny bit about how the film was almost lost when Warner Independent shut down in the Creative Screenwriting podcast.

Watching the joy on the faces of Danny Boyle and his cast and crew tonight, I thought about how all that could've easily not happened. Slumdog could've easily been one of those movies that ended up having an ignored limited theatrical run followed up by an unceremonious home video release. You know the kind... where each rental store has only 1 or 2 copies of it sitting amongst a limitless wall of DTV crap? And as Devin kinda suggests, this could've even happened had Warner Independent not shut down and treated it a little more preciously.

It's annoying how much influence timing and luck has when it comes to releasing a film.

[Bucho]

The ultimate point being that a different film can do the business is both encouraging and a downer. Because the glory Slumdog is basking in now is so beautiful, but so many others over the years that should have had the same light thrown on them just never did.

I'm guessing the darker likes of The Assassination Of Jesse James will always struggle to find the mainstream push they deserve (unless they successfully No Country it at Oscar time, and only one film a year gets that nudge) but dare to dream that those like Slumdog which mesh the dark with the light might ride the coat-tails of Boyle's Bolly Wood and make the world a better place.

[Marc Wrz]

wait...Fox did something right? Weird, didn't see that coming, but damn, I'm hoping to catch this movie soon, thank you Globes for pretty much guaranteeing a wide release.

[devincf]

Don't confuse Fox Searchlight with Fox.

[Luca S.]

Am I mistaken or was there a "Fox Atomic" or something as well?

[devincf]

There once was.

[Domingo]

It folded? I thought it still had Jennifers Body to put out?

[mcnooj82]

There was a Fox2000 too, I think.

If The Wrestler and Slumdog Millionaire get to be the big winners this year, Fox Searchlight could be this year what Paramount Vantage was to last year. Each independent branch of a studio seems to get their moment to bask in the spotlight, it seems.

[Chris Anthony]

Speaking of Paramount Vantage, what happened to them this year? How does one go from NO COUNTRY FOR OLD MEN, THERE WILL BE BLOOD, and INTO THE WILD to REVOLUTIONARY ROAD and DEFIANCE? Were they banking that much on the Leo and Kate reunion special?

Here's a sentence just so my post isn't all questions.

[KidNtheHelmet]

Good article Devin. I'm so happy for Boyle that this movie is catching on the way it is. Hopefully this means the studios become more willing to support small films.

[jack_rabbit]

It's a shame some people will need the award's validation, before they go see it, as opposed to just wanting to see it, because it's "different"

[Ahoatam]

Originally Posted by KidNtheHelmet

Good article Devin. I'm so happy for Boyle that this movie is catching on the way it is. Hopefully this means the studios become more willing to support small films.

Unfortunately, it's not that unusual for small films to clean up with awards. I think the problem is that there are so many small films out there that the biggest problems studios have is deciding which films to back. Which goes back to "Nobody knows anything."

[Jeb]

I hope we see some good coverage of its Indian opening. I saw it the weekend right after the Mumbai terrorist attacks, in a packed theater at least half-full of Indian patrons, and it was an absolutely electric experience.

[mcnooj82]

Originally Posted by Jeb

I saw it the weekend right after the Mumbai terrorist attacks, in a packed theater at least half-full of Indian patrons, and it was an absolutely electric experience.

I KNOW! It was the 2nd time I saw the film, but seeing it with a mostly Indian crowd really refreshed the experience.

[Andre Dellamorte]

There is absolutely no science to it, though there are tells (opening a big picture on July 4th is not a bad idea). That's why box office never says anything about quality, only about advertising. Especially these days, though SM may be a WOM hit.

[RCA]

Ha! I saw this when it was only playing in one theater in Chicago. Place was almost empty too. I did the same thing when Sunshine came out, and it was gone the next week. Glad that this is getting all the awards and a lot more people are seeing it. Pretty sure he can easily get Porno and 28 Months Later going, which would be awesome.

Who knows though, if it gets the Oscar he may be able to get any movie he wants to make done so we might see Boyle do something completely different and on a much bigger scale. Either way, I think this guarantees that we will be seeing a lot more of Danny Boyle and that is definitely a good thing.

Funny thing about the word of mouth on this is that before all the awards talk started, I overheard several older people, like 50-60's, at two completely separate times (once at a restaurant and once at the theater) talking about how much they loved the movie and how beautiful it was. I kind of figured the audience for this would skew a bit younger, but it seems to appeal to everyone, which rocks.

[Jeb]

Originally Posted by RCA

Funny thing about the word of mouth on this is that before all the awards talk started, I overheard several older people, like 50-60's, at two completely separate times (once at a restaurant and once at the theater) talking about how much they loved the movie and how beautiful it was. I kind of figured the audience for this would skew a bit younger, but it seems to appeal to everyone, which rocks.

We took my wife's 77-year-old aunt, and while she was certainly horrified by a couple of scenes, she absolutely loved it.

[mcnooj82]

My mom falls asleep at everything but she stayed completely awake for this. This is a success on 2 levels because it's one of those rare instances when a crowd-pleaser pleases both the audience and the critics who usually look down upon crowd-pleasers (often with good reason, but still).

[Count Floyd]

Maybe this is just 20/20 hindsight but I'm surprised Warner Independent was so hesitant. It's an amazing movie but not a difficult one at all--there are some scenes that are tough to watch but it really seems to have "critical and commercial hit" written all over it.

I don't even think the current campaign is conveying how mainstream and accessible it really is.

[mcnooj82]

I saw the trailer after having seen the film. I don't remember it much at all other than the fact that I don't remember it particularly making me want to see the movie again. It was a very forgettable trailer, which is odd because Searchlight (if they handle all their trailers) did such a great job with the trailer for The Wrestler.

Also, the movie stars a whole buncha brown people!!!! Equals NOT ACCESSIBLE! Hahaha.

[Iron Maiden]

I really can't wait to see this. I wish independent films would get more chances to shine, but god forbid that there would be less than two screens per theater playing the next Larry the Cable Guy movie.

[Will Kane]

Originally Posted by jack_rabbit

It's a shame some people will need the award's validation, before they go see it, as opposed to just wanting to see it, because it's "different"

I tried selling this film on a friend of mine. She saw the trailer and said "I don't like foreign independent movies." She then asks if there are any subtitles and I say that yes, there are at some points but its not a big deal. Her response: "Fuck that, I don't go to the movies to read." A big argument ensued and hopefully our friendship is over (she's an annoying cunt and I think she just uses me for comfort--always bitches and complains to me, makes every conversation about her...plus she is a 100% right wing nutjob).

[James Kimbell]

Originally Posted by mcnooj82

Also, the movie stars a whole buncha brown people!!!! Equals NOT ACCESSIBLE! Hahaha.

That's probably a big part of it, really. I mean, from the distributors' point of view. I hope they're wrong, but I don't know.

Originally Posted by Will Kane

I tried selling this film on a friend of mine. She saw the trailer and said "I don't like foreign independent movies." She then asks if there are any subtitles and I say that yes, there are at some points but its not a big deal. Her response: "Fuck that, I don't go to the movies to read." A big argument ensued and hopefully our friendship is over (she's an annoying cunt and I think she just uses me for comfort--always bitches and complains to me, makes every conversation about her...plus she is a 100% right wing nutjob).

hahahaha. I love posts that turn into stories that turn into hatepoems.

[mcnooj82]

Hahaha, sounds like Will's really made up his mind already.

[Will Kane]

Originally Posted by James Kimbell

hahahaha. I love posts that turn into stories that turn into hatepoems.

Originally Posted by mcnooj82

Hahaha, sounds like Will's really made up his mind already.

Haha, glad I could entertain! Sometimes I can get off on a tangent, my bad.

[KidNtheHelmet]

The way I look at people who are that closed minded is simple. They don't deserve to see a good movie they can stay in their little world and watch Boondock Saints for the 200th time.

[Domingo]

I think at that point it's Fox News and Bill O'Rielly.

[Admiral Shark]

This movie has transcended underdog status and gone into "overrated" territory remarkably fast. As middling as The Dark Knight was, I would rather it win, just because it would be more interesting. Are you all aware just how many fucking Critics awards Slumdog won?

[mcnooj82]

Nope. How many?

[Admiral Shark]

For Best Picture/Feature/etc.:
WON
Boston Society of Film Critics (Tie with WALL-E)
British Independent Film Awards
Golden Globes
Toronto International Film Festival
St. Louis International Film Festival
National Board of Review
D.C. Film Critics
Broadcast Film Critics
New York Film Critics Online
Detroit Film Critics
San Diego Film Critics
Phoenix Film Critics
Dallas Film Critics
Florida Film Critics
Oklahoma Film Critics
Kansas City Film Critics
RUNNER-UP
Southeastern Film Critics
Central Ohio Film Critics (lol)
NOMINATED
St. Louis Film Critics
Chicago Film Critics
Producers Guild
Vancouver Film Critics
Online Film Critics Society

For Best Director (Danny Boyle)
D.C. Film Critics
Broadcast Film Critics
Golden Globes
St. Louis Film Critics
L.A. Film Critics
New York Film Critics Online
Chicago Film Critics
Southeast Film Critics
Detroit
San Diego
phoenix
Dallas
Houston
Florida
Oklahoma
Central Ohio
RUNNER-UP
New York
Toronto
NOMINATED
London
Vancouver
Online Film Critics
Director's Guild

For Supporting Actor (Dev Patel)
NOMINATED
Screen Actor's Guild

For Ensemble
RUNNER-UP
Central Ohio
NOMINATED
Screen Actor's Guild

For Screenplay or Adapted Screenplay (Simon Beaufoy)
WON
Broadcast Film Critics
Golden Globes
New York Film Critics Online
Houston
Florida
RUNNER-UP
Dallas
NOMINATED
London
St. Louis

For Cinematography
WON
New York
New York Film Critics Online
San Diego
National Society of Film Critics
RUNNER-UP
L.A.
Central Ohio
NOMINATED
St. Louis
Chicago
Online Film Critics
ASC (the cinematographers big awards)

For Editing
WON
Boston
San Diego
Phoenix
NOMINATED
Online Film Critics
ACE (Editors big awards)
For Original Score (A.R. Rahman)
WON
Broadcast Film Critics
L.A.
Golden Globes
New York Film Critics Online
San Diego
RUNNER-UP
Central Ohio
NOMINATED
Chicago
Online Film Critics

For Original Song ("Jaiho")
NOMINATED
Broadcast Film Critics

For Art Direction
NOMINATED
Art Directors Guild (in Contemporary)

For Sound
NOMINATED
CAS (Sound Design awards body)

For Breakthrough Performance/Young Actor/etc. (Dev Patel)
WON
Broadcast Film Critics
National Board of Review
Chicago
D.C.
Phoenix
NOMINATED
Detroit
Online Film Critics

Awards Body Top Ten Lists
New York Film Critics Online
Southeast
Phoenix
Austin
Dallas
Oklahoma
Central Ohio

So.....yeahhh....

[Jared Melton]

Yeah but...doesn't it deserve them?

[mcnooj82]

Haaaahahaha. That is quite a lot. Point taken.

[damimegood]

This movie bursts with heart and energy, I'm a huge fan of it, and it was a joy to watch Boyle and co. beaming at the podium, but there were a few films that I would have liked to see win before this one (non of which were on the ballot *cough* The Wrestler *cough*). However, out of the five best picture nods, I'm glad this one took it home.

[Admiral Shark]

Originally Posted by Jared Melton

Yeah but...doesn't it deserve them?

I can think of something better in every category.
Picture?
Milk
The Fall
In Bruges
WALL-E
Director?
David Fincher
Martin McDonough
Tarsem Singh
Gus Van Sant
Mike Leigh
Andrew Stanton
Ensemble?
Burn After Reading
In Bruges
Tropic Thunder
Benjamin Button
W.
Adapted Screenplay?
Iron Man
Original Score?
In Bruges ( listen here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lY2OR...eature=related )
WALL-E
Benjamin Button

[The Cameo]

The two best directors this year are Boyle and Aronofsky - and I think their two movies are the best of the year. Aronofsky's not going to win any awards for his work because his film is an actor's showcase, and I accept that (and that's where it's winning - Actor and - bonus! - Song). Boyle managed to pull great, movie-carrying performances out of people no one's ever heard of and also managed to give the movie a remarkable style that's decidedly Boyle but perfectly suited for the movie.

Sometimes a movie wins tons of awards because it's really fucking good. Is the movie overexposed if you're paying attention to every single award process that occurs through December to February? Maybe. But that doesn't make it "overrated".

[Alan "Nordling" Cerny]

There's films that deserve backlash - there's certainly enough Oscar fodder out there that definitely deserve reassessment - but SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE isn't one of them. Was it the best film of 2008? Well, no. But it's still really, really damn good. What people should really be picking on is REVOLUTIONARY ROAD and THE READER.

[Andre Dellamorte]

Ha, as if awards have anything to do with quality.

[BobClark]

Originally Posted by Admiral Shark

This movie has transcended underdog status and gone into "overrated" territory remarkably fast. As middling as The Dark Knight was, I would rather it win, just because it would be more interesting. Are you all aware just how many fucking Critics awards Slumdog won?

Theoretically, if a movie is good enough to win Best Picture it should therefore win everybody's Best award, right? I mean, it's either the best or it's not.

I say this to illustrate what a ridiculous endeavor it is to complain about what "deserves" an award. Quantifying a film's artistic worth is impossible, rendering all such debates moot.

[Andre Dellamorte]

Usually, comparing two pieces of art is like comparing an orange to a shovel. A shovel tastes horrible, and an orange can barely move much dirt. That's why remakes and sequels can stand or can merit so much scrutiny, there's a rare baseline to which it can be judged.

[mcnooj82]

I'll reserve judgement till Shovel 2: The Citrussing.

[Admiral Shark]

Originally Posted by Alan "Nordling" Cerny

There's films that deserve backlash - there's certainly enough Oscar fodder out there that definitely deserve reassessment - but SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE isn't one of them. Was it the best film of 2008? Well, no. But it's still really, really damn good. What people should really be picking on is REVOLUTIONARY ROAD and THE READER.

I haven't seen either of those, nor do I plan to. Plus, neither of them really have a shot at Best Picture. It will be Slumdog, TDK, Frost/Nixon, Ben Button, and Milk, with WALL-E and The Wrestler having an outside chance of sneaking in, though I don't know what they'd replace. Probly F/N or TDK.

[Andre Dellamorte]

It's Doubt vs. TDK for the fifth slot, with SAG vs. the PGA, DGA, ACE, etc. showing that. Frost/Nixon, Milk, Button and Slumdog are all locks at this point. Though I think it's safe to say it'll be TDK over Doubt, because I think actors like TDK, but it's not an Ensemble film.