As of now, I haven't seen most of the films that were nominated for "Best Picture" before the Academy Awards aired last weekend, but one I did catch was "District 9." "The Hurt Locker" took home the prize, but make no mistake, "District 9" is no loser. In short, it's a sci-fi action movie with a brain. It's the classic "aliens invade Earth" scenario, but instead of coming to New York or London intent on destruction, these aliens arrived in Johannesburg, South Africa, in the 1980's, malnourished, sick, and seeking refuge. They are initially welcomed by the humans and housed in a temporary government camp, called District 9. Twenty years later, the "prawns" as they come to be known, are still living in the camp, which has become a slum, and the humans of Johannesburg are growing tired of their presence. A Nigerian warlord has moved into District 9, where he deals in inter-species prostitution and gives the aliens cans of cat food in exchange for their weapons. The Multi-National United company (MNU) wishes to move the aliens to a "better" camp outside of Johannesburg, but in reality they are more interested in studying alien genetics and weapons than in ensuring their well-being. MNU field operative Wikus van der Merwe is the man charged with moving the aliens to the new camp. When he arrives with his team to serve the eviction notices, he is accidentally exposed to a strange alien fluid. He begins to feel ill, and after collapsing at a surprise party at his home that night, he goes to the hospital and discovers that he is beginning to take on alien characteristics. MNU now wants him for genetic and weapons testing, but Wikus escapes and returns to District 9 to seek help. He teams up with an alien who says he can help Wikus become human again if he'll help him return to his ship and get back to his home planet. I read that the director and writer of "District 9," Neill Blomkamp, based the film on his experiences growing up in South Africa during apartheid. In fact, the set for District 9 in the movie was no set at all. It was an actual South African slum, which the filmmakers risked their safety entering every day. The director's driver reportedly had his car stolen at gunpoint one night while driving to the site. Despite the parallels to the real history of Johannesburg though, I actually found the new take on aliens to the be the most interesting part of "District 9." Most science-fiction films depict aliens as hostile creatures who mean to destroy us and take over our planet. But what if this wasn't the case? What if they did show up as poor, hungry, huddled masses? How would the human race react? Considering how cold we tend to be to people of other races and nationalities, it's hard to imagine we would show any kindness to beings from a completely different planet. I thought the idea of setting up government housing for the aliens was probably a vast overestimate of the welcome they would get in reality. I don't know if I believe in aliens or not, but I do know one thing, if they do exist, they're probably much better off wherever they are, far away from Earth.
Friday, March 12, 2010
This blog post is for humans only
As of now, I haven't seen most of the films that were nominated for "Best Picture" before the Academy Awards aired last weekend, but one I did catch was "District 9." "The Hurt Locker" took home the prize, but make no mistake, "District 9" is no loser. In short, it's a sci-fi action movie with a brain. It's the classic "aliens invade Earth" scenario, but instead of coming to New York or London intent on destruction, these aliens arrived in Johannesburg, South Africa, in the 1980's, malnourished, sick, and seeking refuge. They are initially welcomed by the humans and housed in a temporary government camp, called District 9. Twenty years later, the "prawns" as they come to be known, are still living in the camp, which has become a slum, and the humans of Johannesburg are growing tired of their presence. A Nigerian warlord has moved into District 9, where he deals in inter-species prostitution and gives the aliens cans of cat food in exchange for their weapons. The Multi-National United company (MNU) wishes to move the aliens to a "better" camp outside of Johannesburg, but in reality they are more interested in studying alien genetics and weapons than in ensuring their well-being. MNU field operative Wikus van der Merwe is the man charged with moving the aliens to the new camp. When he arrives with his team to serve the eviction notices, he is accidentally exposed to a strange alien fluid. He begins to feel ill, and after collapsing at a surprise party at his home that night, he goes to the hospital and discovers that he is beginning to take on alien characteristics. MNU now wants him for genetic and weapons testing, but Wikus escapes and returns to District 9 to seek help. He teams up with an alien who says he can help Wikus become human again if he'll help him return to his ship and get back to his home planet. I read that the director and writer of "District 9," Neill Blomkamp, based the film on his experiences growing up in South Africa during apartheid. In fact, the set for District 9 in the movie was no set at all. It was an actual South African slum, which the filmmakers risked their safety entering every day. The director's driver reportedly had his car stolen at gunpoint one night while driving to the site. Despite the parallels to the real history of Johannesburg though, I actually found the new take on aliens to the be the most interesting part of "District 9." Most science-fiction films depict aliens as hostile creatures who mean to destroy us and take over our planet. But what if this wasn't the case? What if they did show up as poor, hungry, huddled masses? How would the human race react? Considering how cold we tend to be to people of other races and nationalities, it's hard to imagine we would show any kindness to beings from a completely different planet. I thought the idea of setting up government housing for the aliens was probably a vast overestimate of the welcome they would get in reality. I don't know if I believe in aliens or not, but I do know one thing, if they do exist, they're probably much better off wherever they are, far away from Earth.
Saturday, March 6, 2010
What happens in Vegas makes for entertaining cinema
So let's say you're writing a film about four guys out to have the ultimate bachelor party. At some point in the action, you want the characters to win $80,000 to pay off a crazed Asian high-roller, kidnap Mike Tyson's tiger, and marry one of their friends off to a stripper/escort. What setting do you choose for said film? Boise? You might be able to find a strip club, but it'd be hard to come up with the cash. Minneapolis? No Mike Tyson tigers there. Orlando? Possibly, but too many kids around. No, there's only one place -- Vegas baby! Las Vegas is arguably the best place in America to go crazy in. If you want to enjoy a no holds barred, hang out with your wang out good time, there's no place better than Sin City, and that's what makes it a dream location for Hollywood scouts. "The Hangover" is an example of Vegas cinema at its raunchy finest. Ed Helms (who we all know and love as Andy Bernard on "The Office"), Zach Galifianakis (who has turned the quasi-ruhtard Alan into a household name), and Bradley Cooper (who really needs no explanation because he's EVERYWHERE right now) play three guys who have to hit the streets using missing teeth and hospital wristbands as clues to find their friend Doug after a night of drunken debauchery that none of them can remember. Only in Vegas, folks. What are some other Las Vegas movie classics? "Oceans Eleven" (1960 and 2001 versions): A gang of thieves plans an elaborate casino heist. "Viva Las Vegas": Elvis Presley and Las Vegas, a match made in tacky heaven. "Rain Man": There's only one place to go when you want to exploit your autistic older brother's card-counting talents. "Honeymoon in Vegas": What to do when you can't pay your gambling debts? Trade in your fiance! (P.S. This movie also get a bonus for featuring flying Elvises.) "Casino": Why come up with a money-laundering scheme when you can steal from gamblers legally? "Showgirls": Just one little stripper, who never hurt anyone, who is just trying to make her way in the world -- naked! "Leaving Las Vegas": When you want to drink yourself to death in the arms of a prostitute, again, there's nowhere better. "Fools Rush In" and/or "What Happens in Vegas": After drunken one-night stands, grown men and women learn absolutely no lesson from their mistakes when they fall in love anyway. "Swingers": You're so money baby and you don't even know it. "Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas": Title says it all. "Pay It Forward": A child's do-gooder theory sweeps the nation, but started at his Clark County public school. This is by no means a comprehensive list, but just some highlights (and lowlights) of films set in Las Vegas. And as long as people can still cash their paychecks at the casinos, carry open containers down the street, and get married at drive-through windows, I'm sure there will be many more to come. Viva Las Vegas!
Monday, March 1, 2010
Lifetime: Are you man enough?
Life has been busy lately and I'm afraid I haven't been able to watch many movies, which means I've also been neglecting this blog a bit. But tonight I had a chance to light some candles, draw a nice hot bath, and watch some Lifetime (aka television for women.) Just kidding about the first two, but I did watch a Lifetime movie (hanging head in shame.) As much as it pains me to admit it, this was not my first, or my second, or third -- I pretty much lost count a long time ago. Lifetime is a guilty pleasure of mine, and even better is its sister station, the Lifetime Movie Network, where it's all made-for-tv movies all the time. Now, in my defense, it's not as if I go out of my way to watch these films. It's usually a situation where a) There's nothing better to do or b) I start watching and then can't seem to bring myself to change the channel. Anyone who's ever watched a Lifetime movie can back me up here -- they do seem to suck you in. There seem to be three formulas at work: the true-life drama, the false-life drama, or the completely ridiculous comedy. My favorites are the comedies, because sometimes the plots just get so nuts, you have to admire them for going there. You know how all the great Oscar-worthy films get released around Christmas? Well, if there were an awards show coming up for silly Lifetime movies, here are a few doozies I saw back in December that would be up for the honors:
1. Eve's Christmas: A few days before Christmas, a young woman, played by Elisa Donovan, makes a wish and wakes up 8 years in the past to rethink the decision she made when she left her fiance on Christmas Eve to follow her career in New York City. (I liked this movie better the first time I saw it, when it was called "The Family Man" with Nicholas Cage.)
2. Road to Christmas: Jennifer Grey stars as a woman who hitches a ride across the country to get to her Christmas Eve wedding in Aspen. In a fully predictable twist, she ends up falling for the guy driving her, but it all works out because her fiance turns out to be gay. (Sure ladies, hitch-hiking with strangers could be dangerous...or you could live happily ever after. Worth the gamble?)
3. Secret Santa: A newspaper reporter, played by Jennie Garth, tries to uncover the identity of "Secret Santa" a kind soul who grants a Christmas wish to one lucky person in need every year. As the tagline says, she discovers that "the best gift to open is your heart." (Such a lame movie, but I did find myself sticking it out to the end because I wanted to find out who Secret Santa was.)
4. 12 Men of Christmas: Kristen Chenoweth plays a New York City publicist who ends up in Montana helping some lumberjack-types make a shirtless hunk calendar to raise money for their emergency rescue program. No really, that's the actual plot. (Shameless Lifetime, absolutely shameless.)
That's just to name a few. There are countless Lifetime movies out there that are equally groan-inducing. Anyone want to share one of their favorites?
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