If you don’t know Danny Boyle or his films by now, you don’t know what you’re missing. Today is a unique day here in the SB Festival Hood with a complete Retrospective of the incredible work of filmmaker Danny Boyle, including Millions, Sunshine, Trainspotting, 28 Days Later and the newly acclaimed Slumdog Millionaire.

This morning the Metro 4 screened Millions, with the aforementioned films to follow, check www.sbiff.org for schedule times.

Saturated in brilliant color, special effects and enhanced by the vividly surreal imagination of “Damian,” our protagonist, Millions jumps to a quick start, taking the audience along for the journey … When Damian finds a bag o’ cash, that he believes God has sent directly to him, he and his brother struggle with what to do next.

This unpredictable film is quintessential Boyle as he contrasts emotion with desire and of course, adding humor.

Danny Boyle appears this evening at the Lobero Theater in conversation with Santa Barbara International Film Festival’s Executive Director Roger Durling after a 7:30 p.m. screening of Boyle's latest hit, Slumdog Millionaire.

Being the only person this side of the Mississippi who hasn’t seen Slumdog until last night, I’m glad I waited. First of all, I’m wondering how and what Danny Boyle does to get the performances out of his actors that he does, especially the kids. Incredible falls short in description, Sensational inadequate at best, and why the younger actors failed to be included in the nominations, in any category, this year is a mystery to me.

Having Danny Boyle at our disposal for a Q & A afterward to describe the film’s process only expanded the horizon of the movie experience. His openhearted candor and willingness to discuss the film offered audience members insight to the difficulties, highs and challenges of filmmaking. Danny Boyle is a consummate artist, a personable guy and pretty damn funny. Watch out Danny, my husband’s on notice and you’re now top of my celebrity clause list!

by Kimberly Deisler
Kimberly writes for the Official Santa Barbara Blog on fest21