Review
It’s finally arrived. A South African movie that is not only good, but one that can hold it’s own at the US box office. The numbers speak for themselves, but let’s take a look at why District 9 has been so well received.
For the first time ever Aliens forgot about their usual landing pad in the US and stopped over Johannesburg, South Africa. These aliens aren’t here to take over the world or kill every human but are refugees from another planet. When humans don’t know what to do with them and their strange behaviour they separate them by putting them in a place they call District 9. But when plans to move the Aliens further away from the city begin to go forward things take a turn for the worse.
The movie switches from a documentary style to the usual 3rd party observer effortlessly and constantly throughout the film, creating a very interesting and unique feel. The cast is, for the most part, excellent and unknown. Special mention of Sharlto Copley as the endearing Wikus must be made. He balances the character beautifully with a charm and intelligence below the surface of idiocy.
The effects, created by Peter Jackson’s own company are stunningly done, from the gritty aliens to the huge spaceship hovering over the city.
What is most commendable about the movie is that even though it had a low budget in terms of the usual Hollywood Blockbuster, it’s brilliantly pieced together to better any big budget sci-fi film this year.
There has been a lot of talk over the political agenda of the movie. Basing it in South Africa, a country once ravaged by Apartheid and more recently Xenophobia, heightens the sub-plot following equality. The light hearted tone, mixed with extreme violence throws the senses around and makes for enthralling entertainment. This is a must see popcorn extravaganza. Don’t miss it.
9/10
TO BE PRESENTED EXCLUSIVELY FOR TWO-WEEK LIMITED ENGAGEMENT AROUND THE WORLD;
INTIMATE PORTRAIT OF MICHAEL JACKSON AS YOU’VE NEVER SEEN HIM BEFORE TO HIT THEATERS WORLDWIDE OCTOBER 28
CULVER CITY, Ca., August 20, 2009 – Sony Pictures Entertainment and Sony Music Entertainment announced today that Michael Jackson THIS IS IT will be released exclusively for a special, limited, two-week engagement worldwide, with the studio pushing up the debut of the film by two days, to Wednesday, October 28th. Due to the anticipated demand for this film, tickets for the two-week presentation will go on sale in most cities beginning on Sunday, September 27th.
Separately, the producers of Michael Jackson THIS IS IT announced that Kenny Ortega has been set to direct the motion picture. The film is being produced with the full support of The Estate of Michael Jackson.
Commenting on the announcement, Ortega, director of and Jackson’s creative partner on the THIS IS IT concert, said, “This film is Michael’s gift to his fans. As we began assembling the footage for the motion picture we realized we captured something extraordinary, unique and very special. It’s a very private, exclusive look into a creative genius’s world. For the first time ever, fans will see Michael as they have never seen him before – this great artist at work. It is raw, emotional, moving and powerful footage that captures his interactions with the THIS IS IT collaborators that he had personally assembled for this once in a lifetime project. This film shows a consummate performer working with and guiding singers, dancers, band members, choreographers, special effects creators and countless other creative members of the team as we all assemble this historic concert. I can think of many words to describe Michael as he rehearses for and creates THIS IS IT– inspirational, dynamic, generous, dedicated, loving and the guiding force—you see him as the true architect and driving force of this project – a true master of his craft, the Entertainer of Entertainers. I’m proud of the many years of friendship and creative association I shared with Michael and I’m happy that people will get a chance to see his spirit and drive in action. THIS IS IT may go down as the greatest concert that no one got a chance to see, but with this film, we get a rare portrait of Michael as he prepares for his final curtain call and what I believe was going to be his master work.”
Michael Jackson THIS IS IT will offer Jackson fans and music lovers worldwide a rare, behind-the-scenes look at the performer as he developed, created and rehearsed for his sold-out concerts that would have taken place beginning this summer in London’s O2 Arena. Chronicling the months from April through June, 2009, the film is drawn from more than one hundred hours of behind-the-scenes footage, featuring Jackson rehearsing a number of his songs for the show. Audiences will be given a privileged and private look at the singer, dancer, filmmaker, architect, and genius as he creates and perfects his final show.
“I have never been partners with a more creative, innovative or groundbreaking entertainer than Michael Jackson,” said Randy Phillips, President & CEO, AEG LIVE and producer of Michael Jackson THIS IS IT. “While the concerts would have been the greatest shows in the history of music, our film will provide a historic event for Michael’s fans to see for themselves the genius that he was and the creativity, talent and imagination that the entire cast devoted to create the ‘greatest concert that never happened’.”
In the coming weeks, additional information about the film will be available at www.michaeljackson.com.
Dubbed the Billion Dollar Maestro by Daily Variety, Kenny Ortega has conquered Feature Films, Television, Stage, Concerts and massive Live Events such as The Olympics with equal excellence. As Michael Jackson’s director and creative partner on THIS IS IT as well as the previous Jackson concert tours DANGEROUS and HISTORY, Mr. Ortega has been a friend, trusted colleague and collaborator of Michael Jackson’s for over 20 years.
Kenny will segue from directing the film version of THIS IS IT to directing the Paramount feature film Footloose this fall. The multiple Emmy Award winner famously directed and visualized Disney’s billion-dollar High School Musical franchise of films both for Television and as a Feature Film. Kenny directed the fastest selling concert tour in history, the Hannah Montana / Mile Cyrus “Best of Both Worlds Tour” featuring The Jonas Bros. This tour broke numerous records and extended its sell out tour by more than 20 shows. He also directed to tremendous praise the Opening and Closing Ceremonies for the 2002 Winter Olympic Games in Salt Lake City, Utah.
Review
After the huge success of the first Pink Panther, and my absolute adoration for it, I had high hopes for the sequel. They had the right ingredients, a great cast, and a huge history to create a good story from but too my great dismay this sequel isn’t even slightly entertaining.
Filled with slap stick comedy and an extremely boring plot line the movie fails to take off before crashing miserably with a horrifically predictable ending. There’s no presence in the film because the actors are totally underutilised and diminished to stupid conversations about nothing. Gone is the originality and unpredictability of the first film. We know what’s coming and this time, it’s not funny.
The Pink Panther 2 can’t hold it’s own for a diverse audience anymore. It’s taken a step down and began catering for young kids with repeated pie in your face jokes that anyone over eight is officially sick of. I would like to speak to whoever came up with the script; they must have some serious form of writers block.
1/10
