“District 9” has a definitely unique take on the alien invasion sub-genre that switches the tables on the old dichotomy between humans and aliens and it does it so well and in such a unique method that it is in a constant struggle searching for a protagonist to spotlight. But as most political situations involving illegal immigration and government, we rarely have someone we can root for or find empathy for. “District 9” is that skewering of illegal immigration and lower class struggles that makes it definitely one of the best films of 2009 and without a doubt one of the best science fiction films ever made. Blomkamp and company take the premise and fit it in to the sub genres of found footage films and alien invasions and rarely ever misses a beat between the changes in gear.
Tag Archives: Thriller
Orphan (2009)
Collet-Serra may not have the best track record but he manages to accomplish a lot in “Orphan.” The camera work is often very disturbing and he manages to evoke the true definition of insanity through stunning imagery that always tries to surpass words that can best describe what we’re seeing. From character Esther’s basic psychopathic habits right down to her ability to conceive the darkest of imagery through her paint brush (as we see throughout the film), Collet-Serra leaves almost no stone unturned. Without wanting to ruin the twist, Collet-Serra gives us enough hints sprinkled around the general mystery to keep us guessing and anxious to discover what’s wrong with Esther. Is she the anti-Christ? Is she a demon? Is she the manifestation of the past? Is she Satan? Or is she merely a disturbed child?
The Day the Earth Stood Still (2008)
I’ve either pretty much come to terms with the fact that Hollywood will remake anything, even the heavyweights of the film world. Or maybe I’m just too numb (and am coming down with Stockholm Syndrome) to care about treasured movies being given botched remakes. I should be angry, but I’m not. I came to terms with Hollywood’s xerox machine a long time ago. I instead have chosen to take modern remakes and look at them as their own entities, a copy that doesn’t necessarily have to stick to the original source material to be good. How do you remake a nearly seventy year old movie and stick in modern times? It can’t be too easy, and if you’ve seen this remake you’ll realize that most times it’s nearly impossible.
Justice League: The Complete Series (2009) (DVD)
Though marketed as “The Complete Series,” the Justice League complete sets provides fifteen DVD’s that actually boasts two highly different television series’. I say that because the creators eventually reached a limit to what they could do with one version of their show and eventually provided a second series that was obviously an extension of the show but approached the source material with a different tone altogether. So while reviewing the show I had to take in to consideration that I was reviewing two series based on a single idea stuffed in to a very beautiful boxed set that is protected by a dazzling tin display case.
With the plethora of special features we get to see “Justice League,” a show based around the comic books dressed in Bruce Timm’s signature art style and storytelling. Here we follow seven of DC’s flagship heavyweights who take hold of the first series through epic storylines based around two parter episodes that are often more epic than most of the animated series ever made.
Jennifer’s Body (2009)
At this moment and time I’m still not sure what I thought of “Jennifer’s Body.” I mean it has its high points but in the end I was left completely unimpressed and just all around apathetic to what I’d seen. For one thing I enjoyed “Jennifer’s Body” more when it was called “Ginger Snaps.” Director Kusama’s story of two sister-like friends (who find themselves in a supernatural situation that’s bigger than themselves one of whom is a freak while the other friend is a looker) has already been covered and with much more effective storytelling to boot. That being said, “Jennifer’s Body” is definitely not the worst movie I’ve ever seen, it’s just not going to re-invent the wheel.
Boogeyman 2 (2007)
If you recall, the original “Boogeyman” was a steaming pile that seemed to put up so much effort for an end product that would ultimately mean nothing, and this is because of the phenomenally bad writing that took the interesting concept and went nowhere fast. What “Boogeyman 2” does is take the typical route and makes all the obvious moves: It becomes a slasher movie, one that basically follows in continuity with the first without reminding us too much how much it stunk. Call me an apologist, proclaim my taste as being awful, but “Boogeyman 2” isn’t so bad. Sure it’s far from perfect but what it lacks in originality and scares it makes up for in creativity and hitting most of the right chords as a slasher film… and yes some of the performances manage to be pretty decent in the meanwhile.
Trick 'r Treat (2007)
Inspired by Michael Dougherty’s short horror film “Season’s Greetings,” our favorite trick or treater Sam returns to remind us of the further tricks he has up his sleeve as Dougherty introduces a film comprised of interwoven sub-plots a la “Go” (where everyone is out for the occasion but only a select few experience the true heinous clutch of Halloween evil) along with the comic book format in the vein of “Creepshow” where we’re bombarded with comic panels of what’s to come .