Directors Series

Let me start off by saying hello. My name is Lindsay and I write most of the content here at FTS, along with a very lovely lady named Jessica. The content has been slow the last week because I have been sick, but I have still been working on all sorts of FTS endeavors.

Good news is:

• the Scavenger Hunt List has been completed as well as most of the organization for it. After we decide on a date I will have all the details up, and a downloadable copy of the list. Start making a team now because the more people that play, the more fun the challenge is. 
• Also, we will be moving our podcast hosting over to another site soon: libsyn.com. Podomatic.com has been very good to us but does not offer as much space as we need. 
• In addition, I have a little but of aesthetic ADD so I may be changing the site layout and design very soon. As soon as I have time that is.

Ok now on to the post. What is Directors Series? Well as an obvious huge fan of film, there’s still always so much more to watch. In fact, there’s tons of classics I haven’t even see. Now that may make me a noob to you, but I have limited time and only recently got into movies. So sometimes its hard to sit down and commit to watch hours of a very long trilogy. Nevertheless, besides the hundreds of movies already floating in my netflix queue, I decided to write up a comprehensive list of famous director’s work. My attempt is to weed out the few here and there that may be unimportant (or I really have NO interest in watching) and watch all of the staple movies from that directors career. It’s been rewarding so far because it gives me a great perspective on the type of film I truly enjoy and helps me find out more about my personal tastes in film.You can check out my whole list here to see what I’ve seen and need to see.

Now it didn’t take me long to realize Danny Boyle is an amazing filmmaker, and a personal favorite of mine. Millions was my last film to check out by Boyle besides Shallow Grave which is currently unavailable through Netflix:

• Slumdog Millionaire
• Sunshine
• Millions
• 28 Days Later…
• Vacuuming Completely Nude in Paradise
• The Beach
• A Life Less Ordinary
• Trainspotting
• Shallow Grave

9-9=0


Millions, although an obvious departure from most of his work (it’s a kids movie), does not stray from Boyle’s noticeable camera work and style.

What’s It About?

After moving into a new house, a young boy named Damien, who is obsessed with Saints, comes into a large sum of money after it is thrown from a train. Damien believes the money is from God and wants to give it to the poor, but his slightly older and more savvy brother, Anthony, wants to spend it on more material items in an attempt to get the most out of the money for themselves.

What I Liked:

I really enjoyed this movie from start to finish. The young actors playing the boys are perfect. They play into their characters with extreme ease and are incredibly likable in their own way . With the constant mention of Saints and God, this movie never ever felt like a heavy handed Christian movie. In fact, the concept was done so well I was really able to buy into all the imagery and messages. The messages relate to anyone with conflicts or right and wrong, no matter what your faith or religious beliefs.

What I Could Have Done Without:

I don’t really have much of anything to complain about. If anything, there is one scene that describes a robbery that took place. It’s probably the most Boyle part in the film but in order to make the colors in the scene pop, there is a saturated filter added, which in contrast to the rest or the movie (very clear, bold, beautiful colors) seems a little hazy. The scene is still very cool though.

Who Would I Recommend This To?

I really would recommend this film to kids and adults. I think in all honesty it would probably work better for an adult even. The movie is funny and touching and was a real treat.

How Does This Compare To The Director’s Other Work I’ve Seen So Far?

I think it is right up there at the top. A beautiful film that never disappoints. Putting this script into another directors hands and you would have never been able to see the simplistic beauty of this film. It makes you feel for all the right reasons. Its not sappy, its poignant. Compared to all his others films I think its a wonderful accomplishment. If you are not familiar with Danny Boyle’s work, please take time to watch one or a few. They are all very different and awesome in their own way.