Ok. So I actually have a soft spot in my heart for science fiction. Now before you start inquiring about my Klingon-speaking abilities and if I'm always Princess Leia for Halloween, let me explain!
I grew up watching the Alien movies where the protagonist is a strong and intelligent woman. She didn't have to wear a metal bikini (ahem, like Princess Leia) to kick some serious alien butt. I watched Star Trek, the Next Generation where women also had the same rank and importance as men. I realized that these pop culture staples actually were quite ahead of the curve and it was a good thing I was consuming them on a regular basis as a girl.
Science fiction has always been a good and "safe" arena for Hollywood to fit in political and social commentary. I mean, how many people are actually gonna have a discussion about the state of the Decepticons in Transformers and how they represent American excess and the recession?
But some movies are so well done and so blatantly in-your-face political, that is makes my little heart go pitter-patter. District 9 is a movie everyone should see...well, everyone that can handle gratuitous use of the f-bomb and exploding body parts. But, please don't let that deter you!! District 9 is a smart and fast-paced movie that will have you engaged and thinking from the opening scene.
From the snarky dialogue about why the aliens chose Johannesburg to the way the aliens look, all were well thought out and extremely pointed to a number of social issues we have faced as a planet. Just watch it, it's so good. And then let's talk about it!
This may or may not speak to your soul: http://www.vanityfair.com/culture/features/2009/09/vanities-paltrow200909
ReplyDeleteDamn. Let me try that again:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.vanityfair.com/
culture/features/2009/09/vanities-paltrow200909
I freakin' LOVED that movie! My husband *dragged* me to it - I'm not usually a fan of sci-fi movies but it was his turn to pick (my actual response was "oh goody. another alien movie.") - but I found it so funny, sad, poignant... needless to say I was VERY pleasantly surprised. I have been recommending it to everyone I know!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the link, Lisa. It did indeed speak to me.
ReplyDeletexo