Did you see Slumdog? I have seen it three times and I liked it very much. I thought it did deserve best picture, not only for the directing but for the incrediblly good performances, especially by the children and young people, and for the music and writing. The way the television studio shots were interwoven with the flashbacks was extremely well done IMO. Also, I loved the use of glass and iridescent and sparkling colors that conrasted with the mud (and worse!) of Mumbai's slums. I could say more about this film, but there is a thread for that.
While Milk is also an excellent film, I thought Sean Penn had to carry too much on his shoulders. The actors who played Scott, Jack, and the lesbian campaign manager were very good too, as was Josh Brolin. There were too many scenes that left you wondering. What was the point of the christening scene, or the long zoom out of Harvey and Scott hugging while squatting in the street? The crowd scenes seemed excessively choreographed IMO, as were the scenes of gays being herded into paddy wagons. The last scene was one of the worst endings I have ever seen on film (I won't describe it in fear of spoiling). The thing that bothered me most was excessive use of the "Ken Burns" effect...the long slow zoom of a grainy, sepia-toned scene. C'mon, Gus, this was a colorful time in San Francisco, not some old Western!! The music was forgettable and to make a film from that era without using the music was IMO inexcusable! But I'm being too harsh...it is a good film and one everybody should see! Feel free to debate me on these points!
