And remember, a smile is cheaper than a bullet.

District 9

2009 was a great year for sci-fi. Some high quality work was released, District 9 being one of them. The film is incredibly realistic and heartbreaking, and introduced audiences to a great new talent, Sharlto Copley.

The film is gritty and realistic. It goes back and forth between a conventional fiction film and a mockumentary. This change in style keeps the film fresh and engaging, it isn't distracting. The action sequences are well done and heart racing. The story doesn't get lost in the action sequences, which so often can happen. The director had a clear vision which he keeps alive throughout the whole film.

The thing that struck me the most is District 9's realism. I imagine that if aliens did land on earth, events would've unfolded like District 9. The government's reaction to the aliens and Wikus (Sharlto Copley) is incredibly realistic. I'm sure a government would do experiments on the aliens and torture them, and treat them as second class citizens.

What a debut from Sharlto Copley! He spent a lot of the film acting opposite a CGI alien and I heard he improvised a lot of his lines. He's great at portraying the "Everyman," just trying to live a happy life. He's a bit of an ass and smug, until he begins to become the thing he didn't like, an alien. Copley shows great character change and growth throughout the movie, as Wikus physically and emotionally does a 180. I look forward to Copley's acting future.

One part of the film I could do without was the subplot of the Nigerians. It was stereotypical, overdone, and just unnecessary. The film would've been just as strong without it.

This is a great debut film by Neill Blomkamp. He's definitely benefited from Peter Jackson as a mentor and Jackson put a lot of faith in the young director. I'm excited for whatever his next project is, but District 9 will be a tough act to follow.

Scarlett Johansson in Girl with a Pearl Earring

Scarlett Johansson sucks when she opens her mouth. Her line delivery is weak, she sounds the same every time. But she spoke seventeen lines in Girl with a Pearl Earring, and that let her focus on her physicality. It was very strong and she conveyed so much in her character's shyness and submissive actions. But her inner strength juxtaposes the shyness and radiates through as well. She needs to do more films where she rarely speaks.


Netflix

In the Loop-Nominated for Best Adapted Screenplay. It's supposed to be hilarious.
Gentleman Broncos-It has Jermaine from Flight of the Conchords, I'll give it a try.
The Edge of Heaven-Netflix Instant keeps recommending it, and I enjoy German cinema.