View Full Version : Potential for Pure Win: New SF Film (District 9)
So this South African dude named Neill Blomkamp makes this trippy short about aliens slumming on Earth. Literally living in slums and tapping into the power grid illegally. Great short film, which you can see here: Alive in Joburg (http://www.boardsmag.com/screeningroom/shortfilm/2175/).
Well, this flick gets all sorts of attention, and the guy is pushed forward as the director for the Halo film, which doesn't happen, but here's where it gets cool: Looks like they made a feature film out of Alive in Joburg, which you can see here: District 9 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WZnpzfcMheA).
This looks like good SF, which is a rarity. Let me know what you think. Is it worth my while to get excited?
Reverend Joe
05-03-2009, 04:36
I... can't really tell what the hell's supposed to be going on. :shrug:
That's 'cause you're probably drunk.
Aemilius Paulus
05-03-2009, 06:24
Wow, that is brilliant. Superb. I love SF.
Megas Methuselah
05-03-2009, 09:45
Wow, it looks like you hit the jackpot, Lemur 'ole boy. :yes:
KukriKhan
05-03-2009, 17:33
The short is brilliant. Great find, Lemur :thumbsup: You can see why Blomkamp got the nod for HALO. He'd have given that game-film genre the push it needs to do more story-telling.
Reverend Joe
05-03-2009, 17:54
That's 'cause you're probably drunk.
What I don't get is, why are they in the slums to begin with? Why not richer neighborhoods? And if they're capable of interstellar travel, why not just try to conquer the world?
Not that it's necessarily a bad idea, it's just rather odd.
What I don't get is, why are they in the slums to begin with? Why not richer neighborhoods? And if they're capable of interstellar travel, why not just try to conquer the world?
Not that it's necessarily a bad idea, it's just rather odd.
Yup, it is odd. But I'll reserve judgment until I've seen where they're going with it. In the short, you hear an Afrikaans police official talking about how the aliens showed up in ships that are "completely dilapidated and run-down," so it looks like they've given some thought to it.
Anyway, it's the most original take on the alien invasion theme that I've yet seen.
I found it brilliant since it takes a documentary approach, where the actors all seem to be really living the situation rather than playing something foreign to them. It really has the potential to be something great.
Crazed Rabbit
05-03-2009, 20:25
Oh my, that looks excellent.
CR
Reverend Joe
05-03-2009, 21:45
Yup, it is odd. But I'll reserve judgment until I've seen where they're going with it. In the short, you hear an Afrikaans police official talking about how the aliens showed up in ships that are "completely dilapidated and run-down," so it looks like they've given some thought to it.
Anyway, it's the most original take on the alien invasion theme that I've yet seen.
Oh, yeah, I'm not arguing it's not original; and I missed the "dilapidated" line, so that would be a good explanation.
@jolt: the documentary aspect is my favorite part of this movie.
Here's some details from a guy who saw some completed footage (http://www.aintitcool.com/node/40618) (warning, potential spoilers):
We’re shown a shot of an alien ship hanging low in the sky. This caused gasps from the older theater owners behind me. The design wasn’t CLOSE ENCOUNTERS spectacular, but more Ridley Scott working, used ship, but the impact comes from Blomkamp’s ability to integrate effects. It’s bright daylight when we see this ship and it looks just as if you’d look out over the horizon one day and saw this thing in the sky.
It’s established that the aliens have been living among us, known to everybody, immigrants to this world and treated like such. Out of fear they’re essentially given one area to call their own, District 9. I got my first glimpse at the aliens themselves as a government agent serves an eviction notice to one of the aliens.
Again, Blomkamp doesn’t try to show off the effects or give the reveal a hero moment. The door opens and this bipedal creature maybe 8 feet tall walks out to meet the official and when served gets angry and slams the clipboard out of his hands, causing some craziness as he runs, jumping a great distance… his knees are backwards, like a dog’s knee.
Then we change focus a bit and follow a thirty-something reporter as he covers the mass evictions of District 9, saying that he believes the government’s only ever really tolerated these beings because they hoped to gain weapons technology from them and he believes the evictions are a sign of them looking. The guy is doing his report to camera and is showing a little canister with alien writing on it.
He holds it up to his face as he’s giving his report and a black mist sprays out of it onto his face, looking very much like an outtake on a regular news program.
We leave the camera as our POV, but keep the documentary style as the reporter goes about his life… but when he’s eating suddenly his nose starts bleeding. Black blood.
There are many flashes of him in the hospital and then in a (presumably) government research facility. Whatever sprayed into his face has changed him somehow. Not physically, but it’s clear something about his chemistry has changed and the government wants it.
So we get a little action as the dude escapes and flees to District 9, the only place he can find any sort of safe haven. We saw a bunch of aliens together, viewing this guy as an outsider still, I would venture to guess. Their eyes are strangely human, but on a very large scale.
Anyway, while there the reporter witnesses these creatures being abused by the authorities. He says to one of them something along the lines of “I had no idea this was happening to you” as we see police or army rifle butts striking alien faces.
There are also glimpses of the reporter in action, sweating black liquid, and firing a rather large gun at somebody, that doesn’t shoot a projectile it looks like, but rather energy that throws whoever he just shot back. I could be wrong on that, it was just a glimpse, but that was my impression. And yes, we do get the aliens putting on metallic battle suits, but they’re not as big or bulky as the ones in Joberg.
Alex Billington at FirstShowing.net loved the footage and has started comparing it to CLOVERFIELD, which isn’t super far off, but I don’t want the wrong impression. This is very much documentary style, but the whole movie doesn’t seem to be told from a cameraman’s perspective. Their wasn’t nearly as much shaky-cam going on and the production value was a bit higher than the consumer digital camera style of CLOVERFIELD.
Again, it was the grounded aspect I found most appealing. If this movie works or doesn’t, I think it’ll be unique, unlike anything else coming out this summer or this year. It looks to be a serious sci-fi flick with action and spectacle, but also carrying a heart and a brain.
Color me excited.
:yes:
The site is also very well made.
http://www.d-9.com/
Plus http://www.multinationalunited.com
Quite the backstory that are forming, eh?
Megas Methuselah
05-04-2009, 01:30
I found it brilliant since it takes a documentary approach, where the actors all seem to be really living the situation rather than playing something foreign to them. It really has the potential to be something great.
Yeah, I like that very much. It brings a greater sense of realism to the movie and allows you sink into it more than other movies.
I am also against the fact that you completely plagiarised my quote in your sig. :clown:
Am seeing Halo's shorts. ...I can't say anymore then this (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wQ5iFQv1KaE)
I of the Storm
05-04-2009, 09:29
This looks very very promising, thank you for sharing!
I watched a preview for this when I went and saw the Wolverine movie last week. The preview didn't really make me interested in the movie. Just left me with a "what the hell is this" feeling, and generally annoyed me. After reading a bit about it though seems like it may actually be worth watching. Thanks Lemur.
Since the original thread about the movie is no longer available, I decided to open a new thread to discuss the film as it nears its debut. [You just need to set the timescale of threads at the bottom left of the main Frontroom screen—Lemur]
For those of you who don't know two weeks ago, a new trailer was available. This shows hat there will be blood, and plenty of it, in District 9.
District 9 is based on a shortmovie made by Neil Blomkamp. It is the same Neil Blomkamp that is directing District 9, under the supervision of "Lord of the Rings" Director, Peter Jackson.
The original shortmovie Alive in Joburg (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iNReejO7Zu8)
District 9 Official Trailer 1 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WZnpzfcMheA)
*NEW* District 9 Official Trailer 2 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d6PDlMggROA)
I'm really excited to see the movie!
Hooahguy
07-29-2009, 23:53
i was wondering when someone would make a post about this movie.
i, for one, am very excited for this movie and i am really glad im 17 so i can see it by myself/with friends and not a parent to ruin the fun.
but the movie does make reference to a topic that would make this thread backroom material.
Trailer #2 makes it look like a more conventional movie, which makes me want to see it less. I'm hoping for cinema verite SF weirdness, not another Michael Bay explosion festival.
Tratorix
07-30-2009, 01:01
Trailer #2 makes it look like a more conventional movie, which makes me want to see it less. I'm hoping for cinema verite SF weirdness, not another Michael Bay explosion festival.
Trailers can often vary, making good movies look bad and bad movies look good. I'm probably going to give this a chance, if only because there's been so little good sci-fi in the last few years.
Hooahguy
07-30-2009, 03:02
Trailer #2 makes it look like a more conventional movie, which makes me want to see it less. I'm hoping for cinema verite SF weirdness, not another Michael Bay explosion festival.
even so, i like the novelty of the situation. we usually hear of aliens bent on our destruction, but rarely, if ever, hear of us bent on the aliens destruction.
even so, i like the novelty of the situation. we usually hear of aliens bent on our destruction, but rarely, if ever, hear of us bent on the aliens destruction.
I'll admit that's a big part of why this movie intrigues me as well. It's a fairly unusual premise for a mainstream film.
I've still not decided if I'm going to watch it yet, but right now I'm definitely leaning that way. :yes:
A new promotional video (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v7Cy9u_-O54) with some interesting details. Okay, okay, I'm excited about this movie again.
LeftEyeNine
07-30-2009, 22:10
It took me around 20 minutes to figure out that SF stands for "science fiction", not "street fighter".
Edit: I should've checked the links before reading all through the thread.
Samurai Waki
07-30-2009, 22:13
I have to see this movie now.
LeftEyeNine
07-30-2009, 23:03
Oh and this (http://www.firstshowing.net/2009/05/06/new-look-at-the-district-9-trailer-with-subtitles-and-no-blur/) is a "revision" of the first trailer with the blur on the face of the alien removed and his speech subtitled.
Review in (http://www.aintitcool.com/node/41892), very positive. Contains spoilers.
The lack of studio intervention here is plain as day. No standard studio film would go as far as this goes nor do the things this film does to its characters. You have never seen a film like it before. You’ve nothing to compare it to. Nothing but other films that have no compare – like ALIENS, THE THING and 2001. [...]
This film is SMART. Incredibly smart. There’s so much going on at all times, so much to process, and so many well constructed little set pieces in the background that everyone walks out having focused on a few particular aspects – and the after film discussion as a result is riveting. DISTRICT 9 is a film that begs to be discussed. Sure people will toss out “wow”s and “****** awesome”s riddled with the occasional “how great were those special effects”, but that’s all before they begin grilling one another on what they thought about the aliens, the ending, the way the government reacted, the socio-political commentary, the small touches, the death scenes…hell, the brutality. This film is unflinching. It is harsh. And it’s going to send people in the lobby a little shell shocked and dying to talk about it.
This is the very type of sci-fi we’re always begging for; the type that imagines a completely different world than we’ve ever experienced. Despite comparisons, it is not V, and it is definitely not ALIEN NATION. The effects are incredible, even before you realize how little was spent on the film, and the impact is undeniable. This movie is a clenched fist ready to beat your psyche to a pulp, leaving you a bit punch drunk as you stagger out into the lobby to try and process it all. There’s so much (satisfyingly) unanswered that you’ll spend days sifting through what ifs and writing your answers to questions the film doesn’t feel needs to be answered. At least not yet.
All the reviews and opinions so far I have read about District 9 are 100% unanimous. The film is spectacular. Since that is so, I bet 20th Century Fox is gonna allow Neil to resume directing the Halo movie, much to the pleasure of the Halo fans.
Reverend Joe
08-02-2009, 01:24
Review in (http://www.aintitcool.com/node/41892), very positive. Contains spoilers.
The lack of studio intervention here is plain as day. No standard studio film would go as far as this goes nor do the things this film does to its characters. You have never seen a film like it before. You’ve nothing to compare it to. Nothing but other films that have no compare – like ALIENS, THE THING and 2001. [...]
This film is SMART. Incredibly smart. There’s so much going on at all times, so much to process, and so many well constructed little set pieces in the background that everyone walks out having focused on a few particular aspects – and the after film discussion as a result is riveting. DISTRICT 9 is a film that begs to be discussed. Sure people will toss out “wow”s and “****** awesome”s riddled with the occasional “how great were those special effects”, but that’s all before they begin grilling one another on what they thought about the aliens, the ending, the way the government reacted, the socio-political commentary, the small touches, the death scenes…hell, the brutality. This film is unflinching. It is harsh. And it’s going to send people in the lobby a little shell shocked and dying to talk about it.
This is the very type of sci-fi we’re always begging for; the type that imagines a completely different world than we’ve ever experienced. Despite comparisons, it is not V, and it is definitely not ALIEN NATION. The effects are incredible, even before you realize how little was spent on the film, and the impact is undeniable. This movie is a clenched fist ready to beat your psyche to a pulp, leaving you a bit punch drunk as you stagger out into the lobby to try and process it all. There’s so much (satisfyingly) unanswered that you’ll spend days sifting through what ifs and writing your answers to questions the film doesn’t feel needs to be answered. At least not yet.
Read the review, sounds impressive. But I was a bit nonplussed by his reference to Aliens; I always thought he accepted classic was Alien. I mean, Aliens is great and all, but it's just a basic action movie at its core; Alien was the truly inventive movie.
Read the review, sounds impressive. But I was a bit nonplussed by his reference to Aliens; I always thought he accepted classic was Alien. I mean, Aliens is great and all, but it's just a basic action movie at its core; Alien was the truly inventive movie.
Not sure I agree; Alien is just a haunted-house movie at its core. But that doesn't stop it from being a freaking classic, man. Likewise, Aliens is a shoot-em-up, but it's also a classic.
Anyway, I am officially psyched about seeing District 9 now.
I didn't find Alien to have a lot of shoot 'em up action as much as it did as horror and mystery/thriller (with a tinge of gun play).
And I read the review up to.... gory... I got freaked out about spoilers and didn't read on haha... But the previews alone make it look awesome! I personally cannot wait for this movie.
I didn't find Alien to have a lot of shoot 'em up action as much as it did as horror and mystery/thriller (with a tinge of gun play).
Not Alien, Aliens. One was based on the horror model, the other on the war movie model.
Another over-the-top positive review, this time from Hollywood Reporter (http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/film-reviews/district-9-film-review-1003998000.story). Spoiler-free bits posted below:
Bottom Line: A genuinely original science fiction film that grabs you immediately, not letting go until the final shot.
Combining the very best of the postwar sci-fi movies with their trenchant political undertones and pulse-pounding dynamism and contemporary movie technology that can blend aliens seamlessly into a realistic human world of urban and moral decay, "District 9" flirts with greatness. This science fiction film from South African-born Canadian Neill Blomkamp, a protege of Peter Jackson, who produced the film, stumbles in a few crucial areas but even so it's a helluva movie. No true fan of science fiction -- or, for that matter, cinema -- can help but thrill to the action, high stakes and suspense built around a very original chase movie. [...]
The story, written by Blomkamp and Terri Tatchell, comes at you via different media components: Some is raw black-and-white surveillance footage; an MNU corporate video delivers interviews with staffers and other participants, including Wikus; real footage from news agencies provides crowd scenes; finally, cinematographer Trent Opaloch's use of everything from handheld to mini-cameras to shoot much of the action as if it were happening beyond his control, a thing caught on the run. [...]
Most of the action takes place over 74 hours. Blomkamp catches its frantic activity with all the raw authenticity of a documentary, egged on by the rhythmic drive of Clinton Shorter's magnificent score.
"District 9" is smart, savvy filmmaking of the highest order.
Hooahguy
08-05-2009, 03:53
anyone play the D9 game? its quite a time killer.
Yeah I did. Finished the non-Human game quite quickly. The Human is much harder though.
Not Alien, Aliens. One was based on the horror model, the other on the war movie model.
Wait... the Weaver one is Aliens??... I'm seriously confused :wall: :dizzy2:
Hooahguy
08-05-2009, 14:20
pity that it costs so much. (http://cgi.ebay.com/District-9-Arc-Gun-Movie-Props_W0QQitemZ230363044840QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item35a2b51be8&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14)
Samurai Waki
08-06-2009, 18:50
Wait... the Weaver one is Aliens??... I'm seriously confused :wall: :dizzy2:
Yeah. Alien was released in '79, and I think Aliens (with Weaver) was released in '86.
or maybe the movies are in reverse
Hooahguy
08-06-2009, 18:59
on facebook on the official D9 fan page there are a bunch of exclusive vids. its pretty cool.
Yeah. Alien was released in '79, and I think Aliens (with Weaver) was released in '86.
or maybe the movies are in reverse
Let's sort this out before any heads explode:
Alien is the one where the big cargo hauler responds to a distress beacon, and the civilian crew fights a losing battle against a single alien on their ship.
Aliens starts on Earth and involves a group of Colonial Marines traveling with Ripley to LV-426 to investigate a terraforming colony that has lost contact. "Sir, is this gonna be a stand-up fight or a bug hunt?" Hilarity ensues when the Marines discover hundreds of aliens infesting the remains of the colony.
Both star Sigourney Weaver.
on facebook on the official D9 fan page there are a bunch of exclusive vids. its pretty cool.
I'll wait on how good the movie is before delving into the now usual extra movie stuff, like the stuff that came out for Dark Night for example.
Let's sort this out before any heads explode:
Alien is the one where the big cargo hauler responds to a distress beacon, and the civilian crew fights a losing battle against a single alien on their ship.
Aliens starts on Earth and involves a group of Colonial Marines traveling with Ripley to LV-426 to investigate a terraforming colony that has lost contact. "Sir, is this gonna be a stand-up fight or a bug hunt?" Hilarity ensues when the Marines discover hundreds of aliens infesting the remains of the colony.
Both star Sigourney Weaver.
Thanks... you saved my fuzzy little head :2thumbsup:
Samurai Waki
08-07-2009, 06:47
Let's sort this out before any heads explode:
Alien is the one where the big cargo hauler responds to a distress beacon, and the civilian crew fights a losing battle against a single alien on their ship.
Aliens starts on Earth and involves a group of Colonial Marines traveling with Ripley to LV-426 to investigate a terraforming colony that has lost contact. "Sir, is this gonna be a stand-up fight or a bug hunt?" Hilarity ensues when the Marines discover hundreds of aliens infesting the remains of the colony.
Both star Sigourney Weaver.
Man, I need to brush up on my Alien(s) Lore :embarassed:
Most people I know think Aliens is the better movie, but I've always preferred Alien, honestly.
Very different movies, would be hard for me to pick a favorite, they are on par imho. Alien 3 was also pretty good, but it's bewildering that Aliens had better special effects. Let's forget about everything that happened afterwards. Alien resurrection was made by one of my favorite directors, but he should have stayed in France.
Now for Destrict 9, the trailer is very clever, one to watch for sure.
Gregoshi
08-08-2009, 16:24
How did I miss the existence of this movie up until now? Looks really good. :2thumbsup:
I just noticed the release date in Portugal: 24 September 2009 :O
Hooahguy
08-09-2009, 03:03
ooo that must be annoying....
Opens nationwide in the U.S this Friday. I think it's time to get a babysitter ...
Only starts October 22nd here. :juggle2:
Hooahguy
08-12-2009, 14:03
im so glad im 17. but does anyone know if i can take friends who arent as old with me, seeing that im 17 and can see R movies without an adult?
Centurion1
08-12-2009, 15:32
^ When i saw the hangover we brought my buddies little brother with and they didn't ask. mind you we look a bit older than 17 and our movie theater is retarded and don't check your ids just how physically old you look.
When i saw the trailer i was a little confused. i actually couldn't decide if it was a movie or a video game until it showed the rating. After reading some of the reviews (without peeking at spoilers) i am pretty excited
Opens tomorrow in the U.S. -- yay! (Of course, I prolly won't see it 'till Sunday, so don't go posting any spoilers, you cretins.)
Good article packed with foul language: 7 Reasons Why You Should See District 9 (http://www.filmschoolrejects.com/features/7-reasons-to-go-see-district-9-colea.php).
Hooahguy
08-14-2009, 17:42
tomorrow in the US? i thought it was today- the 14th?
tomorrow in the US? i thought it was today- the 14th?
Its today for you guys.
Hooahguy
08-14-2009, 18:19
yeah but lemur lives in the US...
IMDB - USA 14 August 2009
yeah but lemur lives in the US...
Yes, but Lemur is easily confused. For some reason I thought today was Thursday, not Friday. I blame one too many phone conferences.
Ironside
08-14-2009, 23:48
Only starts October 22nd here. :juggle2:
28:th of August here (had saw a tv comercial about it, was quite surprised). Subtitles beats translation. ~;p
I presume that's the reason of the late premiere right?
Crazed Rabbit
08-15-2009, 02:36
Saw it. :beam:
A great film.
CR
Marshal Murat
08-15-2009, 02:49
I saw it and was suitably impressed. It definitely changes the "Aliens and Human" perspective in several ways.
It places aliens in a setting unlike Independance Day, Cloverfield, or any other "Major American Metropolis" and the director and writers pull it off perfectly.
The Aliens don't "stay and conquer" or "up and leave" or anything like that. It's not a "short-term action flick" where aliens arrive, are defeated, humanity survives. It takes on aliens arrive in South Africa, live here, have to deal with humanity and all human prejudices.
It doesn't make a "big deal" about "corporate greed". You don't see immediately the "corporate perspective" like in Syriana or Constant Gardener.
It takes a dark, realistic, but humorous view of mankind's interactions with the "other" be they aliens or Nigerian gangsters.
The alien weapons aren't shiny ray-guns but machines that KILL PEOPLE and look like they should actually KILL rather than be a shiny prop.
Agreed with Marshal Murat and the other two guys. It was a good movie.
For those who saw it:
Do you guys think there is a possibility for a second movie? I left feeling like, "it's not over" ya know?
Hooahguy
08-16-2009, 07:19
the guys over at the The Escapist loved it. (http://www.escapistmagazine.com/videos/view/escape-to-the-movies/876-District-9)
heck, even AO Scott loved it.
im going to see this. ASAP.
EDIT: after a grueling 5 hours of doing summer reading, i am finally going to see D9!
Saw it, loved it. Kept waiting for that hard-to-define moment when it's okay to duck out to pee. You know, the lull when there's nothing important happening and you feel like you won't miss anything. It never came. Every darn scene was packed with information. Do not get a soda when you see this film unless you're packing a catheter.
Not perfect, but who cares? D9 does what it does extremely well, and it reeks of originality. Not a single scene or shot that feels like a tribute to another movie; it's entirely it's own creature. That alone makes it must-see. Plus it has some of my favorite ingredients: small budget, original concept, masterful execution and a total lack of stars.
Decker: Yes. Clearly.
Saw it, loved it. Kept waiting for that hard-to-define moment when it's okay to duck out to pee. You know, the lull when there's nothing important happening and you feel like you won't miss anything. It never came. Every darn scene was packed with information. Do not get a soda when you see this film unless you're packing a catheter.
Lmao that's why I don't drink fluids before movies anymore :laugh4:
Not perfect, but who cares? D9 does what it does extremely well, and it reeks of originality. Not a single scene or shot that feels like a tribute to another movie; it's entirely it's own creature. That alone makes it must-see. Plus it has some of my favorite ingredients: small budget, original concept, masterful execution and a total lack of stars.
And agreed on all of it. And actually only very briefly did part of the mother ship remind me of Independence Day but that was as far as it went :2thumbsup: Hey, you like the same stew I do! :yes: I like the beginning when they subtle shoot down the "cliches" haha. Btw, am I the only one who felt like they were witnessing Unreal Tournament weapons being put to use in a movie :inquisitive:
And actually I recognized only two people in the movie. The big SWAT team looking member who had the shotgun and his assistant who was interviewed at the end in the "correctional facility." Those two are from the movie Totsi (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0468565/) (which a good movie in my book)
Decker: Yes. Clearly.
It'll be very interesting if they do one.
Hooahguy
08-17-2009, 04:59
ok. i just came back from it.
one word to sum up my experience:
breathtaking.
this was an AMAZING movie. if you do not have plans to see this in theaters, make time to see it NOW!
it is a tad bloody, but thats ok. it really makes the movie even better.
and Decker-
can there be a follow-up movie? yes. will it be as good as the first? im not sure.
Veho Nex
08-17-2009, 05:58
I second Hooahs post. By far the most awesome movie I have seen in a lonnngggg tiimmmeeee.
October 22nd... :furious3:
I'd have to say the best film of the summer, so far, is still The Hurt Locker. District 9 is a close second though.
Well, Hurt Locker is a more perfect film, yeah, but District 9 struck me as more original, and more enjoyable. For example, Mrs. Lemur could barely sit through Hurt Locker, and punched me in the arm repeatedly for taking her to "such a tense movie." She loved D9 without reservations, on the other hand, and wants to go see it again.
So I guess I'm saying, uh ... chicks dig it.
I went and saw it last night. It's not the greatest film of all time, but it was definitely enjoyable. It's certainly the only decent sci-fi movie I've seen recently (since Star Trek was utter rubbish).
Loved the film. The far-reaching-corporation bit was too excessive though. Didn't see a single cop or soldier the entire film, everything was MNU which was just ridiculous. As if a ******** corporation is going to do all the interaction with the alien species as apposed to the actual government. Yeah, the big boys in power are just gonna sit this one out, eh?
That is it. My only complaint. Everything else was great and I love this movie and will see it again before it leaves theaters.
Snite
P.S.: Hurt Locker is tripe. Just ask anyone who's actually been to Iraq
Hooahguy
08-18-2009, 00:28
Loved the film. The far-reaching-corporation bit was too excessive though. Didn't see a single cop or soldier the entire film, everything was MNU which was just ridiculous. As if a *******corporation is going to do all the interaction with the alien species as apposed to the actual government. Yeah, the big boys in power are just gonna sit this one out, eh?
That is it. My only complaint. Everything else was great and I love this movie and will see it again before it leaves theaters.
Snite
P.S.: Hurt Locker is tripe. Just ask anyone who's actually been to Iraq
wasnt the entire idea was that MNU took over from the government when it came to the aliens?
Yeah, but that is not realistically plausible. If you were a government wouldn't let go altogether of your monopoly on alien techonology to a multinational company. Sure, you could jointly finance the research on the aliens, but leaving an alien race's fate all to a private company is too far-fetched.
Hooahguy
08-18-2009, 02:29
Yeah, but that is not realistically plausible. If you were a government wouldn't let go altogether of your monopoly on alien techonology to a multinational company. Sure, you could jointly finance the research on the aliens, but leaving an alien race's fate all to a private company is too far-fetched.
i wouldnt really say so. i mean, if i were a government that was way overstretched in terms of money and manpower, id be more than happy to let some private company take over when it came to controlling a population that was violent and hard to control. think about it. the south african government had to control the humans and the aliens. with MNU, all it had to control was the humans.
Marshal Murat
08-18-2009, 02:33
If you were a government wouldn't let go altogether of your monopoly on alien technology to a multinational company.
The problem with universally controlling the aliens through a international body, that's freaking difficult to coordinate all these national interests in controlling a group of destitute aliens. It'd be alot easier to simply make a company to run the camp. Besides, most if not all of the employees in MNU were South African.
P.S.: Hurt Locker is tripe. Just ask anyone who's actually been to Iraq
Well, there are some other perspectives on that. Yes, the film is full of actions and events that would be impossible in a real EOD unit in Iraq. However, as a piece of filmmaking it's very, very good. Mebbe you'd be better able to appreciate it if it were set in the Crimean War or something like that.
. However, as a piece of filmmaking it's very, very good.
I wouldn't know, it was seen by a few guys in the company and their reports have made the rest of us swear it off. You seem like a reasonably intelligent human being so I'll take your word for it.
Snite
Vladimir
08-18-2009, 16:35
i wouldnt really say so. i mean, if i were a government that was way overstretched in terms of money and manpower, id be more than happy to let some private company take over when it came to controlling a population that was violent and hard to control. think about it. the south african government had to control the humans and the aliens. with MNU, all it had to control was the humans.
You're drinking too much of the anti-corporate kool-aide. It's not like there were alien mega cities floating all over the world. This isn't the kind of work a government would outsource. I think it was an effort to keep the complexity down and focus on the story.
Let's not forget that the filmmaker needed the permission and cooperation of the SA government to get the job done. Do you think he could have gotten that if his script featured the SA government as a villain? Needs must.
Obviously no government would outsource the handling of alien technology, but I'm willing to suspend disbelief.
Crazed Rabbit
08-18-2009, 18:09
And along that line of thought, we're also taking for granted a government would do the most reasonable thing and not be influenced by bribes, kickbacks, rampant stupidity, or plausible deniability;
Spoiler ahead!What do you mean those nasty corporate types were conducting naughty experiments? I am shocked, shocked I say!
CR
Vladimir
08-18-2009, 18:59
Let's not forget that the filmmaker needed the permission and cooperation of the SA government to get the job done. Do you think he could have gotten that if his script featured the SA government as a villain? Needs must.
Obviously no government would outsource the handling of alien technology, but I'm willing to suspend disbelief.
That's a good point. I was aware of the setting of the film but not that it was shot on location.
I wouldn't know, it was seen by a few guys in the company and their reports have made the rest of us swear it off. You seem like a reasonably intelligent human being so I'll take your word for it.
Well, let's take Braveheart as a point of reference. I enjoyed Braveheart as a piece of moviemaking. It was tons of fun. However, a Scot from the period would be forced to point out that:
The princess who seduced Mel Gibson would have been nine years old
The battle of Stirling Bridge (William Wallace's greatest triumph) was never shown
The English knew all about pikes-versus-cavalry, as did every other army in Europe
The Scots stopped wearing woad into battle somewhere around the fall of the Roman Empire
Edward Longshanks never decreed primae noctis
And so on and so forth (http://www.guardian.co.uk/film/2008/jul/30/3)
But it's still a fun movie, and can be enjoyed as a piece of epic filmmaking.
Veho Nex
08-19-2009, 06:03
If you guys asked me, I'd say MNU is very British or American influenced. I think it is perfect reasoning that MNU controls the alien contact BECAUSE the SA govt was pressured by British or American politcal parties. You can't obviously have America or England just show up and go "Hey guys, we're taking over, screw the SA govt." Instead I think in the background you would have had the American or British govt telling the SA govt to let this security and fire arms company control the populace, then you will be shown support from the rest of the world and not weaker for having our troops on YOUR land. But hey... just one mans idea.
Hooahguy
08-23-2009, 05:27
i saw D9 again. it was just as good as the first time, but less suspenseful.
a completely inoffensive name
08-23-2009, 06:01
I saw D9 and I found it refreshing from most action/sci fi movies of recently.
Just saw this today. Sharlto Copley, the non-professional actor who played the main role in District 9 has just signed on a project to play Captain H. M. "Howling Mad" Murdock, in the upcoming movie adaptation of the "A-Team".
http://hollywoodinsider.ew.com/2009/09/15/a-team-remake-casting-update-district-9-star-sharlto-copley-to-play-murdoch-jessica-biel-to-also-star/
This is great news as from the bits I've seen about the movie and from what I've heard, he had a fantastic act in the movie, and I'm thrilled to see him have success in Hollywood, since he came from a non-acting background. :)
Meneldil
10-02-2009, 00:03
The movie was absolutely great. I'd happilly see it a second time.
CountArach
10-02-2009, 07:08
Probably my favourite film of the year.
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