Review: Moon

Moon is the story of astronaut Sam Bell (Sam Rockwell) who is close to the end of a 3 year stint digging into the Moon in order to transfer energy to Earth. Sam's main contact on the Moon is GERTY, a computer voiced by Kevin Spacey.

Personally I think Moon is a major milestone in terms of taking a chance on a first time director. Duncan Jones has created not only a solid sci-fi film for his first effort but also a film that is now recognised as "one the Oscars snubbed"

Duncan Jones made Moon for $5 million, Which for a Sci-Fi film especially is a miniscule budget. He worked extremely well with what he was given and had a leading actor that was willing to give the film everything he had.

Sam Rockwell's performance is fantastic, He spends all of the film practically acting with himseld and shows major potiental for upcoming films. I can't really go into much detail about the film as less than an hour in something happens that flips it straight onto its head. The twist like move does make the rest of the film kind of trippy but you can follow it.

I urge you to watch Moon. Even if you don't consider yourself a Sci-Fi fan simply watch Sam Rockwell's performance. I know I'm not the only one to say this but it's a travesty that Moon and Sam Rockwell aren't up for Oscars this year.

****

Film Review: Strange Days

Strange Days comes from the minds of then couple Director Kathryn Bigelow and Writer James Cameron.

Strange Days sees Lenny (Ralph Fiennes with a sometimes terrible American accent) selling a police technology to the citizens of Los Angeles in 1999. Which when the film was released (1995) was the not to distant future. The technology Lenny is selling is called SQUID, which manipulates the users senses so he/she believe they are in a certain scenario and in te body of someone else. This is achieved by wiring someone up so that their cerebal cortex is recording everything that is happening. Still following?

Lenny is your basic city rat type character, what he has is illegal in his hands but all he wants to do is sell it on and make a bit of money. Things take a slight turn for the worst as Iris (Brigitte Bako), A friend of Lenny's is killed whilst wearing a wire. Iris trys to warn Lenny of the conspiracy surrounding the act of "Playback" and fallen rapper Jeriko One (Glenn Plummer) but fails to do so as those involved get to Iris quicker than she thinks.

Before her demise, Iris told Lenny to inform Faith (Juliette Lewis) that "they" are coming for her and she's in trouble. Faith is Lenny's ex girlfriend who doesn't take to kindly to Lenny attempting to help her. The film moves at a sometimes slow pace but introduces characters we can relate to like Angela Bassett's Mace and characters we love to hate; Michael Wincott's Philo Gant.

Strange Days is an effective and thoughtout Science Fiction film and has alot of similarities with Blade Runner and it's clear to say it inspired Minority Report. Ralph Fiennes as Lenny works, He's funny and if the situation calls for it can be completely serious. Juliette Lewis began to bug me during the film as I've never really rated her as an actress and think that in parts she spoilt the film.

One thing I have to say is that the hugely underrated William Fichtner has a small role in this film in which he was perfect in. Fichtner deserves alot more credit than he gets for his acting ability.

I'd recommend Strange Days if your a fan of films like Blade Runner but be warned: You can tell it had Cameron involvement as the film is a lengthy 2 Hours and 25 Minutes.

****

District 9

Dir. Neill Blomkamp
Starring: Sharlto Copley & Jason Cope

First off i enjoyed District 9. Not as much as I thought I would but I enjoyed it none the less. The film, for me, was split into 3 parts; obviously the beginning, middle and end.

The opening scenes of D9 were probably the best way to introduce a film i've seen in a while. Set in a sort of Mockumentary way, D9 introduces you to Wikus Van De Merwe (Sharlto Copley) who is given the role of leader in the quest to evict all Aliens or "Prawns" out of District 9. The whole opening sequence is shot via handicam ala Cloverfield and provides a realistic and gritty tone to begin the film. Sharlto plays his character very well by trying to be very camera friendly and reacting to alot of situations to which the audience will think "What will I do in that situation?" Out of nowhere comes the traditional disruption to set the tone for the rest of the film.

The middle section is where D9 dragged off for me really. I enjoyed the plot lines and everything but the whole seemed to long winded and drawn out just to get to the near excellent finale. A whole bunch of characters are introduced to the film out of nowhere in order to make Wikus more down to earth and relatable to the audience.

The finale brought the whole film back to life for me in term of action and character emotion. This is where the audience finally get to relate to the prawns and can understand what is driving a certain prawn to remain in District 9. This finale contain everything from light hearted jokes, explosive action and a completely thought about ending.

I was reminded of a alot of things while i was watching District 9, like the opening scene in a sort of Slum setting reminded me of City of God and probably unintentionally Wikus' final battle attire reminded me of a Backstreet Boys video.

I enjoyed the first and final parts of District 9 but thought it would be a bit better than it was. In terms of Oscar buzz i would say that Sharlto Copley would be on the shortlist for a Best Actor nomination and the film itself has a good chance of gaining a Best Picture nomination now that the Academy have increased the nomination field from 5 to 10.

****

(All reviews can be given a maximum of 5 *'s and i will not give 1/2's and 1/4's. I will write reviews on films i have recently seen and will review other films upon request)