District 9: DVD Review

District 9: DVD Review

District 9
Released by Sony Home Pictures
Rating: M
Cast: Sharlto Copley
This is the film which rocked everyone's world in 2009 - and it's finally out on DVD.
It made multiple films of the year lists, the majority of which had it near the top - but looking back on the release of District 9 by director Neill Blomkamp, the film's still got a lot of its freshness - and looks stunning in its Blu Ray release format.
Basically the story is of aliens as refugees - they came to Earth one day 20 years ago - and instead of landing in Manhattan or New York, they chose Johannesburg in South Africa. The huge alien craft sat in the skies above the city - and in was only when the powers that be broke into the ship that they found millions of aliens alive and malnourished within. So while the equivalent of the United Nations discussed what to do with these refugee creatures (affectionately given the racist term "prawns" because of their appearance), they were brought down to earth and put in slum areas, segregated away from the rest of humanity.
As private company MNU (Multi National United) investigates the alien technology to no avail, it's decided to rehome the Prawns from their settlements, which have now become riddled with crime and Nigerian gangs. District 9 follows the unraveling of events as a doco crew follows MNU worker Wikus van der Merwe (Sharlto Copley) who's given the job of overseeing the evictions - and who inadvertently sets in motion a series of events which change the equilibrium of the last 20 years.
This film still packs the same kind of punch it did on its initial release - and has even improved with a second viewing. Initially the effects and the story blew me away in the cinema - but now with the benefit of home viewing, there's much much more to savour in the richness of the story and the subtle satire on show.
As I said at the time: "It's hard to pigeonhole is as one particular genre - it's sci-fi, it's guns and explosions, it's unexpected humour, it's geek overload in places, it's Predator, it's reminiscent of Black Hawk Down, Aliens, Robocop - and amazingly, it's buddy cop movie a la Fly - but none of it is derivative. What Blomkamp's come up with is a real mash up of genres - and with a lead who's pretty damn impressive for a first time actor."
I really can't add much more to that - District 9 remains as rewarding as it did in the cinema.

Extras: A whole heap of behind the scenes stuff just adds to the overall brilliance - even better on BluRay. You get Director's Commentary, Deleted Scenes,Koobus Big Gun, The Alien Agenda: A Filmmaker's Log -- Three-Part Documentary,The Alien Agenda: A Filmmaker's Log,The Alien Agenda: A Filmmaker's Log - Chapter 3: Refining District 9,Metamorphosis: The Transformation of Wikus, Innovation: Acting and Improvisation, Conception and Design: Creating the World of District 9, Alien Generation: Visual Effects

Rating: 9/10

Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief: Movie Review

Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief: Movie Review

Percy Jackson and The Lightning Thief
Rating: See below
Cast: Logan Lerman, Pierce Brosnan, Sean Bean, Catherine Keener, Brandon T Jackson, Steve Coogan, Kevin McKidd, Rosario Dawson, Uma Thurman
Director: Chris Columbus
From the book series by Rick Riordan comes the latest attempt to launch a new franchise as we prepare to farewell Harry Potter.
Helmed by the director who did the first three Potter films, you'd expect the film was in safe hands.
Lerman is teenager Percy Jackson, a dyslexic ADHD kid who sees himself as a loser and is constantly surprised by his mum's (Catherine Keener) decision to stay with a deadbeat loser (the ever great Joe Pantoliano).
One day when on a school trip, Jackson's attacked by a creature determined to get The Lightning Bolt from him. You see, it turns out that Jackson is the demi god son of Poseidon (Kevin McKidd), the Greek god of the sea and nephew of Zeus (Sean Bean.)
But someone's stolen Zeus' lightning bolt - and unless it's returned in 14 days, Zeus will bring down all manner of furious vengeance upon the world.
So with the help of a wise cracking protector Grover (Jackson) and a potential love interest daughter of Athena, Percy sets about to prove his innocence and rescue the world from an angry god, hell bent on exacting vengeance.
If you're a Greek mythology fan and know a bit about ancient myths (I'm looking at myself here) you may get a bit more out of Percy Jackson and The Lightning Thief than the average punter - references to ancient stories are scattered throughout the film in a fairly clever and subtle way (aside from the jarring revelation that Hell is in Hollywood).
There are some pretty impressive effects - and some slightly shonky ones too - as the film goes through its two hour run.
However, that's possibly where the enjoyment may end unless you're of a younger disposition.
With his Zac Efron-esque looks, Lerman (best known for cancelled drama Jack and Bobby) is perhaps not the strongest lead for the film - his friendship with Grover grates after a while - mainly thanks to the continuing wise cracks from his so-called protector. Also Percy's self revelation of what he is (a demi-god) comes with a lack of depth or context - and while he spends a lot of time feeling like a loser rather than a hero, it's hard to feel for him because there's no context and you don't see him struggle on a day to day basis.
As ever, with the launch of a potential franchise, I thought it was best to take along some younger viewers to stave off the cynicism.
16-year-old Connor (who recently finished reading the first book) thought it was pretty good in places - and loved the depiction of hell and Hades (Steve Coogan) on the screen. He thought the effects were good but felt the plot was a little rushed. He's also decided that it suffers from what he's termed "Harry Potter syndrome" where chunks of exposition were jettisoned to propel the plot along. His feeling was that it led to scenes being thrown together and felt as if some of them jarred a little and didn't exploit some of the subtleties of the book's storyline. Overall, it was a 6/10 for him.
10-year-old Jackson decided it was "quite good" - and could really remember the beginning which sees Poseidon rise from the sea and walk onto the land. He was impressed with those effects - and then went off on a tangent about what powers he'd have if he could control the elements; ultimately he decided on electricity. Overall it's 8/10 for him.
Percy Jackson is perhaps a muddled start to the franchise (there are four other books) and may disappoint some of the legions of its fans. As a piece of cinematic entertainment, it's a fairly harmless film that is unfortunately none too memorable.

Average rating from the tvnz.co.nz kid reviewers - 7/10

Silent Wedding: Movie Review

Silent Wedding: Movie Review

Silent Wedding
Rating: 6/10
Cast: Doru Ana, Meda Victor
Director: Horatiu Malele
Set in 1953 Romania, Silent Wedding is perhaps one of the strangest, most haunting films I've seen so far this year.
It's the tale of Iancu and Ana - whose lusty relationship is the talk of the small farming village where they live - Iancu's been with other women but the elders of the village want him to settle down with Ana.
So, following negotiations in a pub, a date's set for the pair to marry - and preparations begin.
However, during the start of the ceremony, a visitor to the village tells them Stalin is dead - and consequently declares seven days of national mourning, where nothing can happen.
That includes Ana and Iancu's wedding - but the villagers scheme a way to get through the big day. They will hold the wedding - but it'll all be done in silence so as not to attract any attention.
Silent Wedding is a surreal piece in places - and is outrageously inventive. There's a kind of nuttiness to it which actually seems in context with the story.
And yet it's based on quite a sad premise - intially the story is told because the film begins with a camera crew coming across an abandoned factory in a wasteland with elderly people scattered (alive) along the road. As the crew investigates and talks to them, the mayor recounts to them how the factory came into being - and how the village was left behind.
So it's a bittersweet tale which also appears to be diametrically opposed to the comedy of The Three Stooges and Laurel and Hardy during the wedding. The villagers use rags around the cups to toast the couple - and a toast is passed on in the form of Chinese whispers.
These are part and parcel of the odd moments which are littered through the film and which give it an overall feel of something a bit different and a little quirky.
Silent Wedding is all about the characters - the richness and hilarity of their emotional connections within the confines of their village life- so it's a particular jolt at the end when it comes back to the wasteland where they used to be.
Silent Wedding won't be to everyone's taste - though if you give it 90 minutes of your day, you'll probably feel like you've seen something different, a bright and breezy alternative and antidote to what's currently at the cinema.

The Wolfman: Movie Review

The Wolfman: Movie Review

Rating: 7/10
Cast: Benicio del Toro, Emily Blunt, Anthony Hopkins, Hugo Weaving
Director: Joe Johnston
In 1880s London, Lawrence Talbot (del Toro) is summoned to the family home after the disappearance of his brother Ben.
Talbot is reunited with his father (Anthony Hopkins) - something that he hadn't planned on after fleeing domestic life after the death of his mother. After being called back by Ben's wife Gwen (Emily Blunt), the hunt soon turns to a funeral after the discovery of Ben's mutilated body.
Talbot begins an investigation into the brutal slaying of his brother - and even Scotland Yard's finest (including Hugo Weaving) are called in. But as Talbot digs deeper into claims an animal killed his brother, he's drawn into a dark world and finds himself facing his deepest fears.
The Wolfman is a straight forward remake of the 1941 film - complete with gory blood letting moments and some spine chilling scenes.
And quite frankly after the recent Twilight shenanigans of the wolves with their rippling abs and easy transformation, it's refreshing to see a Wolfman which is primal and angry. Rick Baker's creature work is pretty impressive - and the time-lapse photography when del Toro changes gives the whole thing a spooky dark feeling.
Del Toro himself, apparently a fan of the original film, is perfectly cast in this - his knack of carrying off a troubled character works wonders in Talbot as he questions his own sanity and the reality around him - by keeping Talbot away from too much emotion, Del Toro's created the perfect Gothic horror.
Emily Blunt acquits herself well and provides really the only humanity on display - although she feels a little wasted in the role; Hugo Weaving's glowering and deadpan Aberline has some great lines - but it's Anthony Hopkins who veers a little too close to Hammer horror hamminess which threatens to derail the proceedings. Fortunately though he's reigned in and just about manages to carry it off.
There's a moody malevolence to this Wolfman - it's dark all throughout blending a Gothic atmosphere with some edge of the seat shocks and plenty of gore.
Granted, you could argue this has been done before (it is a remake after all) and that you know exactly what's coming (one scene with Talbot inside an asylum examination room full of doctors as the full moon rises is one example) but it's how these scenes play out that is to be commended.
There are some disappointments though - the ending feels a little rushed and a bit of a mess; almost as if the writers weren't sure how to end the whole film. But with some great initial scenes when the Wolfman attacks and some horror gore, the cons are balanced nicely with the pros.

All in all, it's great to see an old school horror remake like this on the big screen; it doesn't rely too much on FX trickery and plays on your fears of what's out there in the dark- there's a real menace and Gothic horror to this Wolfman which deserves 90 minutes of your time.

Edge Of Darkness: Movie Review

Edge Of Darkness: Movie Review

Edge of Darkness
Rating: 6/10
Cast: Mel Gibson, Ray Winstone, Bojana Novakovic
Director: Martin Campbell
Back on the big screen for the first time in 7 years, Mel Gibson returns in conspiracy revenge thriller, Edge of Darkness helmed by NZ's very own Martin Campbell.
Based on a BBC mini series (which was directed by Campbell back when it was initially broadcast in the 1980s) Gibson stars as Boston detective Tom Craven, whose daughter Emma (Bojana Novakovic) comes home to visit.
However, Emma becomes sick and after vomiting blood, Craven decides to take her to the hospital. But barely out of the front door, she's shot dead in a drive by.
The police are convinced he's the target of the shooter, but Craven begins his own investigation - and gradually begins to realize he's slap bang in the middle of a massive conspiracy which has wider implications than he could ever realize.
So it's a return for Mel Gibson in front of the camera - and perhaps this world weary cop with his steely eyed determination is a suitable role to announce he's back. Gibson manages to convey Craven's simmering anger at his daughter's death and resolve to get to the truth in an excellent way (you're never quite sure exactly when he's going to explode) but unfortunately he's mired in a rather formulaic film which has all the trappings of your everyday thriller.
The problem with this is that the central story of corruption is nothing new and is not really told in an entirely original way. There's Ray Winstone's mysterious government agent Jedbergh, who mumbles and menaces his way through the story; he tries for enigmatic and ends up confused as to which side he's on; there's a sinister shadowy cabal who meet to decide how it'll pan out - and there's betrayal aplenty.

Aside from some jolts to your nerve moments (which are obviously coming), there's little original in how this pans out. .That's not to say it's not good - it's merely middle of the road, generic, formulaic thriller with chases, scenes of suspense and twists aplenty.

At the end of the day, Gibson's probably the main reason to see this - it's a welcome return to form for the man whose private life has overwhelmed his acting abilities.

Precious: Movie Review

Precious: Movie Review

Rating: 7/10
Cast: Gabourey Sidibe, Mo'Nique,, Paula Patton, Mariah Carey, Lenny Kravitz
Director: Lee Daniels
As we head towards Oscar season, some films are already emerging as contenders thanks to a clutch of nominations.
Precious is one of those films.
It stars Gabourey Sidibe as Claireece Precious Jones, an overweight, illiterate 16 year old girl in New York's Harlem.
Verbally, mentally and physically abused by her mother on a regular basis and sexually abused by her father, Precious does what she can to get by.
However, she's kicked out of school when it's discovered that she's pregnant for a second time - and is given the chance to enroll in a special school, Each One Teach One, run by Miss Blu Rain (Paula Patton).
Precious takes the chance on the school and gradually starts to improve her life - however, when her domestic situation comes to a head, it's clear Precious needs to make some life changing decisions - whether she likes them or not.
Based on the acclaimed novel, Push, Precious is not an easy film to watch - while it's got an uplifting end, it's sometimes a difficult (albeit darkly humorous) road to travel.
Mo'Nique is horrifying as Precious' mother - a powderkeg of resentment and twisted by abuse, she's just waiting to explode - and there is one particular moment that will horrify some (even if it is obvious that that's what's coming). However, in her final scenes with her daughter, Mo'Nique manages to subtly lift the character from abuser to leave you with your mouth hanging open as she talks of their family life.
Gabourey Sidibe is compelling as Precious - despite a heavy role to take, this first time actress brings an underlying respect and dignity to all that she undergoes, and good grief, it's the gamut of abuse, violence and bullying. Precious chooses to live in a fantasy world in her head when things get really bad - and it's here that Sidibe brings some joy to the character as she dances to music or attends premieres.
Some may feel that the message of Precious is given in a heavy handed way, but, to be honest, this film's not sugar coated and is a horrifying indictment of the reality that some have to endure on a daily basis. And sure, some of it feels like familiar territory as Precious struggles in class, but gradually overcomes the increasingly insurmountable odds against her.

However, it's not all dark - there's a lot of humour scattered throughout and in many unexpected places thanks to a sharp, sassy script. Both Mariah Carey as a social worker and Lenny Kravitz as a male nurse are good - but Precious belongs to Sidibe and Mo'Nique. It's their performances which give the film its power and while some may argue the ending is not upbeat enough given what we've had to endure, it's a churlish complaint about a film which for many will be a harrowing revelation.

Nine: Movie Review

Nine: Movie Review

Rating: 5/10
Cast: Daniel Day Lewis, Penelope Cruz, Judi Dench, Fergie, Kate Hudson, Marion Cottilard, Sophia Loren, Nicole Kidman
Director: Rob Marshall
Based on the Tony musical of the same name (which is itself based on Federico Fellini's 8 ý), director Rob Marshall (Chicago) unveils his version on the big screen.
Daniel Day Lewis stars as Italian film director Guido Contini, the maestro of cinema Italiano, who's under pressure to create his ninth film. Contini's revered in Italy (despite a string of recent flops - a running gag in the film) but is struggling to come up with a script for his ninth outing on the big screen.
But despite seeking inspiration from the women in his life - a prostitute from youth (Fergie), his mistress Carla (a fiery sparky Penelope Cruz), his wife Luisa (an ever dependable Marion Cotillard), his mother (Sophia Loren) and his muse (Nicole Kidman), he's got nothing.
With the studio on his back, sets being built and time running out, Guido's got nowhere to hide - can he get his magic back?
Nine is a sexy, spectacularly lavish affair - with its women giving their all both vocally and physically on the screen, it seemed destined not to fail. And yet, somehow, it manages to do so.
The mark of any decent musical is how well the songs fit into the overall scheme - and to be fair to Nine, the majority of them don't feel shoe horned into the screenplay simply for the film's sake. While Day Lewis is good and verges on farcical at times as he tries to avoid the ever tightening cinematic noose around his neck, it's difficult to empathise with this director who has it all and yet is suffering from writer's block.
The scenery around Rome is stunning and the sets are pretty impressive - but it's some of the musical numbers which fail to stay in the mind hours after you've left the cinema. The opening number as Contini wanders onto his partially built set and is met by the echoes of the women in his mind recalls the final moments of the Muppet Show opening as the gang sang through the arches - only mixed with a Pussycat Dolls audition.
Fergie does well as a prostitute whose influence on Guido's catholic lifestyle shapes him in later life and Penelope Cruz is excellent as the mistress - but they can only go so far as to stave off the quiet moments.
There are lulls throughout the film - and while I'm happy to admit there are always challenges to adapting musicals for the big screen, this one needed a little more effort on the writing front; it hangs together okay but never really grabs the audience.

Ultimately Nine is a case of style over substance; it's a brilliantly, visually dazzling feast but after it's done you'll be hard pressed to remember too much about it.