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This Just In - 12/22/09

Few films this past summer were as beloved by critics and audiences as DISTRICT 9. The directorial debut of South African native Neil Blomkamp, the film centers on a government relocation of aliens living in refugee camps. 

This premise was the subject of Blomkamp’s short film “Alive in Joburg,” which is still available to view online. (more)

DISTRICT 9 was shot on the moderate budget of $30 million and featured a cast of relative unknowns. This led many critics to refer to the film as a ‘sleeper hit,' as it would end up bringing in over $200 million worldwide. (more)

Claudia Puig of USA TODAY commented upon this in her original review, finding that the budget and cast work in the film's favor.  “DISTRICT 9 proves that sci-fi thrillers don't have to be star-studded or mega-budgeted to be visually compelling and thoroughly entertaining.” (more)

Other critics appreciated the films allegorical elements, examining the parallels between the treatment of aliens in the film to the treatment of Blacks in South Africa. WASHINGTON POST writer John Anderson states, “The poison that permeates the phenomenal DISTRICT 9 is the same toxin that has defined so much of human history: The oppression of the Other. In this case, that means scaly aliens with feelers for faces who are confined to South African-style ‘townships,’ and who, in director-writer Neill Blomkamp's allegorical thrill ride, represent every tyrannized population since the institution of the pogrom. A sci-fi-fueled indictment of man's inhumanity to man -- and the non-human – DISTRICT 9 is all horribly familiar, and transfixing.” (more)

Adding to the film’s praise is a Golden Globe nomination for Blomkamp and co-writer Teri Tatchell for Best Screenplay, which is leading many to speculate that  Blomkamp and Tatchell may also earn an Academy Award nomination as well. (more)

Guitar and rock aficionados will enjoy the music documentary IT MIGHT GET LOUD, a film that explores the history of the electric guitar through the styles and personalities of famous guitarists Jimmy Page (Led Zeppelin), The Edge (U2) and Jack White (The White Stripes). Directed by Davis Guggenheim (AN INCONVENIENT TRUTH), the film premiered at the 2008 Toronto Film Festival and received a primarily positive reaction from critics.

Owen Gleiberman of ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY calls it, “pure candy for the guitar hero in all of us.” (more)

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