So...I just went to go and see District 9, and I wondered why there wasn't a film-review section here on the forums. I took it upon myself to correct this horrendous and unforgivable injustice. So, now, if you've seen a movie and can't wait to rave about how awesome it was, or rant about how much it sucked, or blah about how mediocre it was, you have me to thank. Yes, yes. Large bills only, please.

Anyway, District 9. What can be said? It got an average of 8.75 out of 10 from my personal reviewing committee (of which I am head), although there was some room for improvement, primarily in the writing. There's a (not-so) fine line between having the characters swear in the heat of the moment (Admittedly, there were many heated moments) and having them use the word ":censor:" like it's a punctuation mark. Also, Sharlto Copley, who played as the main character, perhaps could have done a bit of a better job - but that's not to say he didn't do a smashing performance.

These complaints pale next to the highlights of the movie. First and foremost is what makes any great movie great - a unique and creative storyline (which Hollywood could use more of). While this retains some staples of alien movies (superior technology especially, but also, the aliens are, well, rather gross), it also adds in a not-often-seen twist - we humans actually dominate and bully the aliens.

The cinematography is also fresh and unique. The camera angles especially draw you into the action and help to give an already-gripping film an added edge. An hour into the movie, I was ashamed of my humanity; I'm looking for more of this kind of immersion in the future, Hollywood!

I'd recommend going to see this, and it gets the official Thumbs-Up of Approval. (which, coming from an amateur film enthusiast, really means nothing. If you don't want to take my word for it, Gina Carbone wrote an excellent and accurate review here.)

The movie looked very interesting. Just how gory is it though?




Not that gore bothers me. No.. Of course not.

Not awful. When people get shot they tend to explode. And a few times it hits the camera. But it isn't over the top gore as much as getting hit with a weapon that's super heating someone is probably going to cause them to sort of explode.

Is this a district 9 thread or a movie thread? Cause I saw GI JOe and would love to talk about it.

Looks like a movie thread.

Wha-What are these movies of which you speak of?

...

Jeez I've been on my computer longer than I though

Yeah, it's a movie thread. I thought about making it a District 9 thread but decided to be a bit more eclectic.

Pretty gory.

I knew nothing about the movie before going to see it, it was not what I expected. It was, however, an amazing movie - the use of aliens as an analogy makes the message even more effective and allows for some amazing special effects/action sequences which you wouldn't get in a straight movie about apartheid/racial stereotyping and Joberg slums.

I also disagree with Karel on the performance of the lead actor, I thought the parody was executed perfectly and the swearing plays on South African steoreotypes beautifully.

D9 was godly.

If you go to the theaters, see it.

Yeah, but Chade, he seemed to be forcing it quite a bit at times...

...this coming from the man who watches Sam Raimi films like there's no tomorrow. (that is, his horror films)

I thought the whole point was that his character was forced by design? He was a relatively weak and pathetic character working in a world of hard men and trying to gain some form of acceptance/respect by impersonating them, that bad impersonation done long enough is going to become his true character isn't it?

He was never forcing it as a actor, maybe as a character, but not a actor.The character as a person was pretty fake and forced. Pretending to be tough to fit in with the soldiers, trying to be everyones best friend in the office, putting on for the camera when they went around D9, and the gifts to his wife were him seeking approval from her. And if you're talking about when he was fighting, imagine most people who have no training and are turning into a alien as they break into a weapons complex. You'd be a blubbering swearing mess too.

That's what I meant. So maybe the blame lies with the writers, not the actor...my bad.

I wish to see this.

So thus I must drag someone to this.

I'm currently making plans for someone to come visit, this could work.