2009 Academy Awards: Best Picture director Danny Boyle
Originally uploaded by USA TODAY
As promised, I am adding a blog post regarding the Brunswick Library Film Discussion Group's April assignment. These brief descriptions were adapted from IMDB synopses posted by individuals who have seen the films.
Shallow Grave
Three people living together in a four bedroom flat are looking for a house mate. After conducting some very unorthodox interviews, the three agree on one prospective tenant. He moves in, locks his door, and is not seen again. What the housemates subsequently discover about their new housemate leads them into a dangerous adventure.
Written by djm@sinope.kbs.citri.edu.au
Rated R for scenes of strong grisly violence, and for some language and nudity.
Trainspotting
A wild, freeform, Rabelaisian trip through the darkest recesses of Edinburgh low-life, focusing on Mark Renton and his attempt to give up his heroin habit, and how the latter affects his relationship with family and friends.
Written by Michael Brooke {michael@everyman.demon.co.uk}
Rated R for graphic heroin use and resulting depravity, strong language, sex, nudity and some violence
A Life Less Ordinary
Ewan McGregor stars as a cleaning man in L.A. who takes his boss's daughter hostage after being fired and replaced by a robot. Two "angels" who are in charge of human relationships on earth, offer some unsolicited help to bring this unlikely couple together.
Written by {CherylC894@aol.com}
Rated R for violence and language
The Beach
The film centers on a young nicotine-addicted traveler named Richard, an avid pop-culture buff with a particular love for video games and Vietnam War movies. While at a hotel in Bangkok, he finds a map left by his strange, whacked-out neighbor, who just committed suicide. The map supposedly leads to a legendary island paradise where some other wayward souls have settled. Written by Mike Arndt {clayton@hooked.net}
Rated R for violence, some strong sexuality, language and drug content
28 Days Later
Four weeks after a mysterious, incurable virus spreads throughout the UK, a handful of survivors try to find sanctuary.
Rated R for strong violence and gore, language and nudity
Millions
Ethics, being human and the soul all come to the forefront when a 7-year old finds a bag of Pounds with a few days to spend before the currency is switched to Euros and learns what people are really made of.
Rated PG for thematic elements, language, some peril and mild sensuality
Sunshine
50 years into the future, the Sun begins to die, and Earth is dying as a result. A team of astronauts are sent to revive the Sun - but the mission fails. Seven years later, a new team are sent to finish the mission as they are Earth's last hope.
Written by harpster_2004@yahoo.co.uk
Rated R for violent content and language
Slumdog Millionaire
A Mumbai teen who grew up in the slums, becomes a contestant on the Indian version of "Who Wants To Be A Millionaire?" He is arrested under suspicion of cheating, and while being interrogated, events from his life history are shown which explain why he knows the answers.
Rated R for some violence, disturbing images and language.
I realize all but one of these films are rated R so if violence and some of the more mature themes are not your taste, I would recommend Millions. It is a noticably gentler film, yet it still retains the Danny Boyle sensibilty. If you want to watch more than one movie, Millions would make a good contrast to some of the more violent works. I also recommend Slumdog Millionaire if you can get your hands on it, because the violence is not gratuitous, in my opinion.
We will be meeting to discuss Boyle's oeuvre (how pretentious!) on April 23 at 6:30 at the Brunswick Library (Ohio). Hope to see you there.
