Tonight's movie night movie will be, "District 9 (2009)." The last time I saw this movie was in the theater when it came out, I think. I remember the vibe sticking with me a long time, but not any of the details. Will be interesting to see how it goes.
District 9 is a brutal but fascinating movie. I forgot how gruesome it was, tbh, but we've seen a lot of nasty stuff by now. It's one of those movies where there really aren't any good guys but it tricks you into believing there's one by the end only because a bad guy happens to become slightly less bad and it somehow feels like a ray of sunshine compared to all of the other crap going on.
The effects have aged surprisingly well considering how effects-heavy it is, although the aliens aren't perhaps as convincing as they could be if it were made today - but that's a minor criticism.
The movie ends with a lot of unanswered questions that the kids enjoyed discussing and speculating about.
I sort of like that it leaves you wanting answers that probably aren't going to come, but I dislike the uncomfortable feeling that the whole situation is depressingly plausible and realistic.
@bigzaphod Such a good movie.
@bigzaphod It’s a great one!
@bigzaphod mind blowing plot. Well done.
@bigzaphod Great movie, even for today's standards.
@bigzaphod When it came out, I was working with a white South African who was generally apologetic, but BOY this movie triggered every defensive "we weren't that evil!" response from him.
Also there's some heavy slander of Nigerians in it. Like, wow.
@mdhughes @bigzaphod
A quick look at Musk should dispel any doubts about how evil apartheid South Africans can be.
@bigzaphod plans to watch Elysium and Chappie since they’re technically in the same “universe”?
@jgns not sure! Possibly eventually. Might depend how this one goes down with everyone else.
@bigzaphod very gritty movie for kids. but also great.
@bigzaphod I’ve been meaning to revisit Elysium. I don’t remember it being amazing, but there’s something about the grittiness of Blomkamp’s future that just speaks to me right now.
@codybrom haven't seen Elysium, but it was tentatively on the list for awhile. Might have to move it up to a more firm position.
@bigzaphod @codybrom
The way some of these films are so on the nose about current and emerging trends makes them a bit harder for me to enjoy.
@bigzaphod kids let's talk about South African apartheid!
@Eggfreckles @bigzaphod
Actually this seems like a great way to immunize them against the current wave of fascist propaganda sweeping the US.
@freediverx @bigzaphod DEPORT THE PRAWNS
@bigzaphod hey just wanted to say that I love re-living all these old films through your family watch reviews
@jmissig I'm distressed that these movies are now "old" but... well... sigh..
@bigzaphod same! but 2009 is 2009 is … 5 years ago right?
@jmissig yes. 5 years. I will not be consulting a calculator to verify this.
@bigzaphod That is the main negative, if you're looking for an escape: the plausibility is depressing.
Personally, I love an ambiguous ending with lots of questions. My partner… not so much , though as I've exposed her to more movies like that it doesn't bother her as much as it used to.
…I think
@montyhayter oh no, the ambiguity is spreading to her now!
@bigzaphod It's so fun watching movies and tv shows with her. I love how angry she gets sometimes when characters make bad choices.
"WHY?!?!?!”
“…because it makes the show more interesting.”
"I KNOW! But they still shouldn't have done it!”
@bigzaphod Fascinating is the right word. And that lack of clear lines is one of the main reasons why.
Our pick this week was, even though we knew it would leave us hanging, “Mission Impossible: Dead Reckoning”. It was exactly what we expected.
@montyhayter the Mission Impossible movies are just a fun time. We enjoyed them!
@bigzaphod
I always confuse this with District B13, also good and dispiriting for similar reasons
@bigzaphod have they seen CE3K?
And if they have, did you have mashed potatoes the next day?
@sanguish yep we’ve watched it. And I think we did intentionally have mashed the next day. Or may have been two days later, but I remember it coming up. lol