Dev Patel – the real game show contestant!

Have you heard the rumours? It sounds like the main star of the Oscar winning movie Slumdog Millionaire is set to star in a real, live version of Who Wants To Be A Millionaire.

Dev Patel shot to fame when he played the lead character Jamal, a young man growing up in the slums of Mumbai. The character famously appears on the Indian version of Who Wants To Be A Millionaire in order to find his lost love. And now it’s been rumoured that Dev, along with Slumdog director Danny Boyle will be sitting in the chair opposite Chris Tarrant sometime this year.

It’s said they will be taking part in a charity show to raise money and awareness for children’s charity, The Railway Children. Here’s hoping Dev knows all the answers like his onscreen counterpart!

 

Slumdog

Jamal and Latika in Slumdog Millionaire

A huge hit amongst critics and cleaning up on the red carpet, I had to get involved with the ‘Slumdog whirlwind’ and see what all the fuss was about. So arming myself with chocolate and wine, I slumped onto the cinema seat for a Saturday night out to the movies. And now I totally get it. I get why the Brit movie went down a storm at the Baftas and took home 8 Oscars last night. I get why Freida Pinto is in all the gossip magazines wearing stunning floor length gowns. And now i understand why people are rushing out to buy the book.

Directed by Danny Boyle, the movie follows the life story of Jamal and Salim, two brothers growing up in the slums of India. Orphaned at an early age, the two boys struggle to survive, and find themselves travelling throughout the slums, busking and begging their way.

They meet a young girl, Latika, who instantly becomes their sidekick and who Jamal has an immediate connection with. Latika is left behind after a run in with the villans of the story, and after they are separated on the train tracks, Jamal spends most of his teenage years searching for her. To gain exposure and assuming she may be watching the show, Jamal becomes a contestant on Who Wants To Be A Millionaire. Throughout the questioning, heartbreaking events from his past are revealed and the audience are left wondering whether his appearance on the show will bring Latika back to him.

I wasn’t sure what to expect when I started my viewing experience. All I know is I was left with a stream of tears down my face for a variety of reasons. The romance between Jamal and Latika is fantastically understated – with tender looks throughout the entire movie that ensure you empathise with their tragic love story. And the harsh, gritty scenes of Muslim’s in the Slums being raided by Hindu’s and a young Salim hoarding a gun for protection are sadly realistic.

 Overall, Slumdog deserves every one of the Oscars it was awarded with. With some fantastic acting from Dev Patel, thought provoking scenes and intricate relationships, I think the Slumdog whirlwind won’t be leaving town for a while. 

 

He’s just not that into you

He said what?

Ok, I have to say, the thought of bundling some tissues and popcorn into my bag and heading down to the cinema with my best mate to watch a movie about how guys just aren’t that interested, slightly freaked me out. Did I really need a movie to tell me something I already knew, and quite frankly, did not want to imagine? I for one have fallen victim to falling too quickly for a guy and sleeping on top of my phone – just incase he did try to call at ridiculous o clock. But before I perched on the cinema seat I had given the concept of the movie a lot of thought. Originally inspired by a scene from season 6 of Sex and the City, I realised that a) it’s a fictional concept made for entertainment and b) who cares if it’s true? So what if a guy you spill your cosmopolitan on decides to ask for your number, but surprise surprise never calls? So what if the bloke next door promises to take you out for dinner but never actually goes through with it. Because, at the end of the day, the bloke that does matter, will follow through on all of those things and more. And until you find your prince, why not kiss a few frogs along the way? So with this is mind, I sat back and enjoyed the movie. And I have to say, it was a scarily realistic chick flick with a lot of highs and a bunch of lows! Directed by Ken Kwapis and starring an all show biz cast, the story follows Gigi – a girl who’s unlucky in love – and the people around her. It’s an emotional story about lives that interconnect, in both the right and wrong way. Jennifer Aniston looks amazing as per usual, as does Scarlett Johanssen who plays the seductive girl next door. The eye candy for us ladies includes Justin Long, Ben Affleck and Bradley Cooper. Besides the complexity of the movie and gorgeous stars, there is also plenty of good clothes to feast your eyes on. A definite must see – but maybe leave your boyfriend at home…