A Not-So-Precious Slumdog

Let me start by sharing two images with you:

Confused?

While the similarities might not be readily apparent, they are there. Both Slumdog Millionaire and Precious: Based on the Novel PUSH by Sapphire are films depicting protagonists struggling to overcome wretched circumstances predominantly involving poverty. Both were critically acclaimed, with Metacritic ratings of 86 and 79 and Rotten Tomato scores of 93% and 91%, respectively. And in the months following its release, Precious seemed to be on the Slumdog track as a strong Oscar contender.

But now? A(n incredibly well-deserved) Best Supporting Actress win for Mo’Nique, a token Best Picture nomination (even more token now that there are ten nominees and we will never know whether it was in the top five of those), and millions of enthralled viewers left bemused.

…What happened?

2010 French Open (Day 10): A Viewer’s Version

Roger Federer is amazing. Roger Federer is the Master. With 16 Grand-Slam titles, the most all time among male players, no one can doubt he’s the king of tennis’ immortal nobility. Yet, 16 Grand Slams may not even be his most astounding record. He has reached 23 consecutive Grand-Slam semifinals. Not since the 2004 French Open, when he lost in the 3rd round, did he fail to make it to the Big Four’s final four. Fortunately or unfortunately for Federer, I have never been one of his admirers who sat with bulging eyes and a gaping mouth ogling him shot after shot. To me, his most endearing aspects come when he’s lost, when he can’t solve the puzzle. Make no mistake though, I respect his talent more than most any other living being’s. However, today that talent and its owner’s remarkable streak broke facing a formidable and frequent foe, Sweden’s Robin Soderling.