Best Picture Nominee: DISTRICT 9

2009
Directed by Neill Blomkemp
Written by Neill Blomkemp and Terri Tatchell
Produced by Peter Jackson
TriStar Pictures

From Producer Peter Jackson and Director Neil Blomkemp comes District 9. The trailers may be a bit misleading. A portion of the footage used in the teasers is never seen in the film itself but despite that fact the rogue footage remains loyal to District 9's integrity.

The scene is set in Johannesburg, South Africa in the not-so-distant future. Over 20 years after an alien spacecraft arrived hovering over the city the area of slums known as Distrcit 9 contains the alien immigrants referred to as Prawns because apparently they look like shrimp if Rick Moranis started a seafood market. They are monitored and controlled by the MNU, a company only interested in making money off of what the aliens can offer at any expense. Filmed first in mockumentary style the film carries us from the past as it reels through what would be archive news footage of events leading up to the present. We are introduced to Wikus van der Merwe who is at first glance very unlikely to be the main character. After watching the first 20 minutes I half expected there not to be a main character but instead a sequence of conflict following conflict featuring a mosaic of different characters. The initial angle from which we observe Wikus, it creates the sense that he is a lamb for an imminent slaughter. The ominous interviews with his co-workers and rising action in the slums build to what would seem to be an early twist. Wikus' introduction doesn't help his case either. He comes off as a cross between Michael Scott from The Office and Leland Orser from ER. Nevertheless the story carries on with him on the front lines. As much as I enjoyed this movie, it's difficult to find the main character amiable. From the beginning you receive enough of an impression that lets you know exactly who Wikis is and you believe him to remain that way until he's killed or the movie ends. He is a man of self-preservation, or in this case species preservation. However it tricks you. Wikus does not start off as the protagonist, he becomes the protagonist after experiencing what is often known as a scapegoat's role. After his mutation and being subjected to experimentation and torture Wikus begins to reform and adapt to the hand that has been dealt to him (no pun intended). Maybe it's because I empathize more with the Prawns at first that it's harder to empathize with him. The way he is portrayed within the first half hour I didn't expect him to last to the end of the movie.

When I walked of the theater I realized that more than anything else this was a character study, one that I found particularly extraordinary. It concentrated on an average, timid, corky man faced with extreme circumstances and how he overcomes them. Eventually you realize that this is not the Prawn's story, this is Wikus' story. Hurray for you. Now watch as he persistently makes an ass of himself and burns nearly every bridge he has left. It's because of this that I find myself empathizing with Chris, the Prawn more than Wikus. Sorry, there's only so many times you can betray the friends that are trying to help you and completely embarrass yourself before you're two stoolies short of Nixon. It's interesting since a majority of the time you're watching a character that is detestable to a point until you draw closer to the climax. I wanted to like this character a lot more but I couldn't, he was still too much like his old self even once he was seeking refuge within District 9. Wikus' reminiscence of his wife helps soften that up for you I'm sure.

The cinematography remains subtle when the movie transitions itself between it's documentary and filmmaking POVs. District 9 is filmed as if it is structurally a mockumentary film however the camera remains on Wikus even after the cameramen have left. In it's delivery you often feel like your still watching a mockumentary film. The cinematography and the editing doesn't sporadically jump suddenly from a documentary look to traditional film angles and cuts. It remains consistent in maintaining its visual style and continuity. Unlike many films these days it actually compliments the digital look that filmmakers have been experimenting with. It's a digital film that is made to look digital in a very flattering manner. Digital is continually being considered a replacement for film and while it may satisfy their standards, much of that technology fails to meet mine. It's not there yet and film still reigns supreme when it comes to it's aesthetic and manipulability.

In the end, District 9 leaves us knowing that Wikus finally made the sacrifice we all wanted him to make, putting something bigger before himself or what he worked for. Even the actual mockumentary leaves us with a bittersweet epilogue. I'm uncertain as to whether they plan a sequel to this yet or whether they will leave it as it lies and I'm uncertain whether I'd prefer it either way

As far as the Oscars go, here is my official two cents: It's an admirable nomination for a film of it's kind and we rarely have the opportunity to experience a story like this especially within the Sci Fi genre. That being said, I still stand by my previous statement; being that I would not reward District 9 with Best Picture. I just find it too difficult to really admire the main character for his rather loathsome actions. I empathize with Wikus the same way I empathize with a rabid dog that has to be put down. Perhaps we were not meant to look at Wikus the same we we perceive every other main character but that still doesn't mean I like him. You can make the main character of your story Hitler and buffer him all you want, in the end he's still fucking Hitler. Not to say that Wikus is anti-semitist he's just anti-prawnist.

The 2010 Oscar Nominations

One side note before I begin: I will attempt to as many of the films I haven't reviewed yet that are mentioned here in the coming weeks before the Oscars.

For the record I have invested little in the Academy Awards because of their politics and their inherit compromise for the sake of public appeal. While I understand their economical reasoning behind extending the Best Picture category in their desperation for a larger audience, that still doesn't change the fact that they are, in part, sacrificing their integrity as an award show. This is why I've never gone into watching the Oscars with more than curiosity; it's become less about the films really deserving the awards and more about ratings. It makes the Academy look less like a faceless panel of judges and more like a faceless panel of hookers who give trophies to the wingmen who bring them their best customers. Not to mention once you get down to it, it's technically just the directors, actors, producers, writers and so forth giving awards to themselves.

But yes, it's that time of the year again and per usual, I'm not without complaints. Now the Best Picture category has 10 current nominee slots. Out of those 10, I've seen 7 and at first and second glances, there are a few nominations that I would be more than happy to see expunged from this list. The current nominees for Best Picture are as follows:

Avatar. Yes we all know the successful revenue this headache-inducing eye gorge is bringing in and kudos to Mr. Cameron for introducing another profitable, slightly less gimmicky technological innovation to the market. Now I implore him to spend his fortune on actually rebuilding the Titanic, setting sail and find a nice ice barge to use for an anchor. As much of a golden goose this nest egg turned out to be I firmly believe that it should not be anywhere near this list, let alone win. If the Academy believes that a more than reasonable profit and innovative special effects deserve Best Picture, they need to be forced to sit in a room and watch Schindler's List in 3-D for a week, non-stop. Don't get me wrong, Avatar is relatively decent. It has a plot, it's more visually stunning than Angelina Jolie's right nipple and it's a fun adventure. That being said, it does not belong on best picture but since the Academy has to suck the big one this year it seems only fitting to put the highest grossing and widely seen movie of the year up for the pedestal.

District 9. I thoroughly enjoyed this film (to a point) but even after sorting through this year's debris I wouldn't exactly put it up for Best Picture. However that is not to say I curse it's existence like I do Avatar's. I think District 9 is a gem we rarely have the pleasure of seeing these days; A Sci-Fi film with a original story, shot in an unconventional visual style but still creating a strong dynamic. It becomes difficult to keep liking the main character and therefore loses some of it's appeal. District 9 makes for an admirable nomination but I wouldn't put it on the winner's podium.

A special note goes out to Inglourious Basterds. As I have stated before, I liked this film a lot but like most of the others nominees on my list of amendments it does not deserve the Oscar. Putting this as delicately as I can, this film is very enjoyable but it's directed by Quentin Tarantino which means that there are moments where I spontaneously become completely disengaged and follow up with a palm to my forehead. It's like a video game you don't want to stop playing because it's too fun but any arbitrary moment the game may deliver an electroshock to your balls whenever it feels like.

The Hurt Locker. This is one I'm betting on to win. It's the first film to take place in the current scuffle in the middle east and have absolutely nothing to say politically. Just a bomb squad in Afghanistan trying to survive the last days of their rotation. It's such a simplistic premise but with very complicated and immersing characters. Other than a few logistical problems I'd say throw your money down because you've got a winner but then again remember who I am and who we're dealing with...

A Serious Man. If you haven't seen this one yet (I assume few of the masses have, considering it's very selective release and advertising) this is the Coen Bros. newest film. It has a particular feel (and no I don't mean it's only for Jews, you fascist prick), meaning that it embodies a sense of humor with a very bitter aftertaste. The historical references and messages make it a movie you have to want to see. Granted, it still does many of the things a comedy is supposed to do; it makes you laugh, giggle, all that fun stuff but it's laced with very dry and black comedy. It's a film resembling the Coen Bros.' earlier style; less laid back and much more dramatically satirical instead of being satirical in a way more people can relate to. Again, I liked this film for what it was and I enjoyed the moments it had to share but I wouldn't, by any means, make it number 1.

Up. This is the first animated movie ever to be nominated for Best Picture and if it weren't for the nominee extension we most likely wouldn't even see it on the list. This is one of those animated movies that is more for adults then for kids. It's colored with the playful look and feeling of a kids movie but layered with many rather dark, strong adult themes. However as far as choosing an animated movie to put onto this category I don't think they could have chosen a better candidate.

Up In The Air. Other than The Hurt Locker, I would bet this film to win. There are times when a film comes out that presents a realistic concept in an attempt to connect with the audience on a personal level. I've rarely seen any film do this as well as Up In The Air. The characters are very persuasive and draw you into the story as you ask yourself why this man carries this solo mentality. Or if you're like me and actually understand where he's coming from in his misanthropic, career-domineering lifestyle, you've got a very lovely debt in self-esteem after watching it and start going through liquor bottles like an Irish pub but I digress.

I'd go on, but I'd rather not make many preconceived notions about the rest of the nominees I haven't seen. The remaining three nominees include The Blind Side, An Education and Precious. I mentioned earlier that there are a few nominations that I'd like to see removed from the Best Picture list and they are A Serious Man, Inglourious Basterds, The Blind Side and Avatar. Again, I know I haven't seen The Blind Side yet but given the competition and my impression from the trailer I doubt it's good enough to win or be on the list. However that's to decide after actually watching it.

I was asked by a friend that since I'd consider removing nominations from Best Picture, what would I put in their places. So what would I replace these movies with? Nothing. I don't like that their are 10 spots on the category to begin with. Why would I replace mediocre movies with more mediocre movies? The whole idea is that I think this list should be condensed so you only have the best of the best occupying it. But with 10 we're invaded by films who outright don't deserve Best Picture let alone be in consideration. You're probably rebutting "but sir, this is a lot of complaining on something you said you could give less than two shits about so why complain?" Because on the chance a film I'm rooting for does win it's nice to know it received proper recognition for it's achievement. Just because I barely watch sports anymore doesn't mean I still can't root for my team to win.

The chance one of the three films does change my opinion about the rest of the nominees I'll be sure to mention it in the review for it.

Tally ho.