Unusual Oscar and a big day for India

This time the Oscar was entertaining… not because my favorite, Slumdog has won 8 out of the 8 categories it was nominated in. Hugh Jackman’s vision of a “more show less biz” Oscar turned this year’s Oscar as one of the best. Especially I liked it better than the normal version where comics try their old beaten comedy lines that are sometimes more disgusting than entertaining. Hugh’s theatrical talents were seen in couple of acts. Yes – As a host, Hugh Jackman is a big winner in this Oscar. I hope Academy will call him again the next year.

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Slumdog Millionaire

Few days back I saw the movie “Slumdog Millionaire”. Today I came across Priyadarshan’s statement ‘Slumdog Millionaire’ is mediocre, trashy.. That made me write this blog. I respect Priyadarshan and loved some of the movies he made. With no disrespect I would say that Priyadarshan’s movies are entertainers not Academy Award material.

A artwork becomes great when the artist puts in a lot detail in the background. Artwork with plain canvas is not amazing. The same way a movie becomes great when there is a lot of vibrant background. A story without a colorful background is not Oscar material. That is the same reason the ‘Gone with the Wind’ is a great book. It takes us through the civil war era with a simple love story. Similarly with a simple story, Slumdog shows the environment an orphan kid has to go through in India. It made me remember another great movie “Life is Beautiful” by Roberto Benigni.

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