Reel Time, 4 September: Don't miss the best action sci-fi film for years
A few weeks ago I mentioned that a new breed of science fiction was on its way, one that might change the way we view the genre forever. No, I'm not talking about the 3D spectacle that is Avatar, but the distinctly down-and-dirty District 9, opening today in cinemas.
Set in Johannesburg, featuring prawn-like aliens whose dialogue needs on-screen subtitles to be understood and a leading character who is racist (or is that speciest?) towards the aliens, this isn't your typical feelgood film.
But throw in some clever parallels to South African politics, a brilliant central performance from Sharlto Copley as desk-bound paper pusher Wikus Van De Merwe and a smart script which slowly builds up the tension as things go from bad to worse for Wikus, and you've got something special.
Add an executive producer in the shape of Lord of the Rings director Peter Jackson and some of the best CGI you'll see this year – the aliens look like they're interacting with the humans in many scenes and watching the various guns and gadgets in action is intense – and District 9 becomes a contender for best action/sci-fi film of the year, if not the last few years.
What do Carry On films, zombies, Bollywood and 1970s American films have in common? They're all part of the University of Edinburgh's next season of film-related Open Studies courses due to start in a few weeks.
An excellent way to learn more about cinema from around the world and through the ages, courses with titles such as Zombies, Cat People & Body Snatchers - The RKO Horror Films of Val Lewton sound great fun - and you don't have to take any exams!
Finally, if you like to search out something different, look out for a rare season of films from Japanese director Nagisa Oshima at the Filmhouse from today. Best known for his 1983 film Merry Christmas, Mr Lawrence, Oshima is one of Japan most celebrated directors and this is an opportunity to see some interesting works, in particular In the Realm of the Senses on Friday 9 October.
Set in Johannesburg, featuring prawn-like aliens whose dialogue needs on-screen subtitles to be understood and a leading character who is racist (or is that speciest?) towards the aliens, this isn't your typical feelgood film.
But throw in some clever parallels to South African politics, a brilliant central performance from Sharlto Copley as desk-bound paper pusher Wikus Van De Merwe and a smart script which slowly builds up the tension as things go from bad to worse for Wikus, and you've got something special.
Add an executive producer in the shape of Lord of the Rings director Peter Jackson and some of the best CGI you'll see this year – the aliens look like they're interacting with the humans in many scenes and watching the various guns and gadgets in action is intense – and District 9 becomes a contender for best action/sci-fi film of the year, if not the last few years.
What do Carry On films, zombies, Bollywood and 1970s American films have in common? They're all part of the University of Edinburgh's next season of film-related Open Studies courses due to start in a few weeks.
An excellent way to learn more about cinema from around the world and through the ages, courses with titles such as Zombies, Cat People & Body Snatchers - The RKO Horror Films of Val Lewton sound great fun - and you don't have to take any exams!
Finally, if you like to search out something different, look out for a rare season of films from Japanese director Nagisa Oshima at the Filmhouse from today. Best known for his 1983 film Merry Christmas, Mr Lawrence, Oshima is one of Japan most celebrated directors and this is an opportunity to see some interesting works, in particular In the Realm of the Senses on Friday 9 October.
posted by Administrator at
21:26
E-mail newsletter
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
Subscribe to Post Comments [Atom]
<< Home