The Time Traveler's Wife

A Chicago librarian suffers from a rare genetic disorder that sends him hurtling through time whenever he is under extreme duress; despite the fact that he vanishes at inordinately frequent and lengthy intervals, he attempts to build a stable future with the beautiful young heiress he loves. Eric Bana and Rachel McAdams star in this dramatic fantasy, which is directed by Robert Schwentke and based on the best-selling book by author Audrey Niffenegger. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide

Movie Review: District 9

District 9 was made by a first time feature filmmaker, stars a guy no one outside of his family (and hometown) know much about, and was done for a budget of around $30 million. That combination of elements adds up to one of the best sci-fi films of the decade and one of the most entertaining movies of 2009. Writer/director Neill Blomkamp shows talent and imagination as he delivers one of the more intelligent, engaging, and original films to hit theaters in quite a while.

Back in 2006 Neill Blomkamp had been tapped to direct a Halo movie for Universal Studios and 20th Century Fox, with Peter Jackson producing. Blomkamp had only directed commercials and short videos prior to being handed what looked like the opportunity of a lifetime, but before long 20th Century Fox put the Halo film on hold. That move, fortunately for moviegoers, didn't signal the end of a Blomkamp and Jackson collaboration.

Jackson asked Blomkamp if he had any other ideas for movies and Blomkamp suggested this story of aliens stranded in Johannesburg. And after watching District 9, you can't help but wish Blomkamp had been allowed to move forward with Halo. What he does with $30 million on District 9 rivals any CG effects film Hollywood's popped out in the last dozen years. And effects aside, District 9 shows real heart and soul, something sorely lacking in most 2009 big-budget summer releases. See Hollywood, this is what can be accomplished for a reasonable budget at the hands of a true storyteller.

The Story

27 years ago an alien spacecraft came to a halt over Johannesburg. Breaking into the ship, it was discovered the extraterrestrial creatures onboard were in horrible shape and had to be evacuated from their ship to a special fenced-in area (detainment camp/ghetto) referred to as District 9. Flash forward to the present and these 'prawns' (a derogatory nickname based on their crustacean-like appearance) are being forced to vacate their camp by the Multi-National United (MNU) corporation, the entity charged with overseeing alien affairs.

A scene from 'District 9.'

© TriStar Pictures

Civil unrest has made it no longer safe for the aliens to be in such close proximity to the citizens of Johannesburg. MNU agents - backed by heavily armed security personnel - go door to door informing the aliens they're being moved, obtaining their signatures on eviction forms to prove they've been notified. This operation is led by Wikus van der Merwe (Sharlto Copley), a by-the-book young man just promoted to the job of overseeing the transfer of the prawns to District 10. Wikus has a loving wife who just happens to be his boss' daughter, an optimistic attitude, and a thorough knowledge of the rules and regulations regarding all things alien. MNU has a vested interest in keeping the aliens close; they want the powerful weapons the creatures brought with them. But thus far they haven't been able to get a weapon to fire when it's held by a human (they're configured to activate only when in contact with an alien).

Through documentary-style footage, we hear Wikus' friends and co-workers talking about the man, and we watch as Wikus conducts his campaign of notifying the aliens they're to be relocated. He's proud as punch to uncover weapons stashes, and equally thrilled to show off how to abort alien babies.

But in one shack, Wikus makes a discovery that changes his life forever. Without disclosing any spoilers (the less you know about District 9 going in, the more you'll enjoy the film), suffice it to say Wikus, a corporate yes-man who toed the party line and committed atrocities against these creatures, learns what it's like to be on the receiving end of his company's mistreatment of aliens.

The Acting

Sharlto Copley does a positively amazing job portraying this twitchy, even unlikable, mid-level manager. Copley's performance is riveting, his commitment to his character's strange arc is nothing less than award-worthy. Wikus goes through an emotional and physical transformation and Copley conveys every change completely convincingly. And you would never know watching the film that Copley was most often acting opposite absolutely nothing. Never once does he waver from making this District 9 world feel like reality.

The Bottom Line

Blomkamp chose to shoot much of the film documentary-style, using handheld cameras and telling the story from the filmmaker's point of view. Many scenes have a news scroll on the bottom portion, adding to the film's gritty realism. Blomkamp's visual style makes you believe this aggression between humans and unwanted alien visitors is going down right here, right now.

A 'District 9' alien

© TriStar Pictures

Blomkamp shot the film in his native South Africa and of course it's a commentary on apartheid and the oppression of South Africans under that system. You could substitute any oppressed people for the aliens, but this is in no way a preachy, pushy film. It has many layers, but you can accept it just as an entertaining sci-fi film and be fine with that.

District 9 contains some of the most incredible CG creatures ever integrated into a film. These aliens speak using a series of groans and clicks, and look like huge ambulatory shrimp, yet Blomkamp manages to infuse them with individual personalities. The lead prawn, Christopher Johnson, is even more relatable and humane than Wikus.

District 9 doesn't skimp on the action, but it also doesn't sacrifice character development. Masterfully done and totally engaging, District 9 is the perfect finishing touch to the summer action movie season.

GRADE: A

District 9 was directed by Neill Blomkamp and is rated R for bloody violence and pervasive language.

Theatrical Release: August 14, 2009

GRADE: A

Movie Review: Defiance

Daniel Craig will always be associated with the James Bond film franchise having tackled the lead role in two highly successful Bond movies (with a few more on the horizon). Craig's superb as the super-spy and boy can he handle action scenes. But Craig's not just Bond. He's taken on a diverse collection of film roles over the past 15 years, delivering outstanding performances as a killer in Infamous, a member of the Israeli team assembled after the massacre of Israeli Olympic athletes in Munich, and a business man never referred to by name whose plans for retirement from the drug trade are put on hold in Layer Cake.

Craig adds yet another exceptional performance to his resume with his starring role in the dramatic thriller, Defiance, set in 1941. Directed by Edward Zwick (Glory, Blood Diamond) and adapted for the screen by Zwick and Clay Frohman from the non-fiction book by Nechama Tec, Defiance tells the true story of three brothers - Tuvia, Zus and Asael Bielski - who beat incredible odds and ultimately kept thousands of Jews safe from being murdered by the Nazis and their supporters.

Defiance is an absolutely heartbreaking and heroic tale, and one that hadn't seen the light of day on the big screen prior to this film. The real Bielski brothers never sought fame or recognition for their bravery and so this is one true story that will be new to most moviegoers. And it's definitely one that deserves to be shared with a worldwide audience as the Bielskis accomplished the near-impossible and saved untold lives.

The Story

Tuvia (Craig), Zus (Liev Schreiber), and Asael Bielski (Jamie Bell) escaped into the forest surrounding their family's home in Stankevich (now Belarus) after discovering Nazi collaborators had murdered their parents. Farmers by trade, the brothers were capable, resourceful men able to live off the land. But the Bielskis didn't just want to hide out and try to survive the massacre of their fellow Jewish citizens. The brothers wanted to avenge the deaths of their family and friends and did so by saving men, women, children, and the elderly from falling into the hands of the Nazis and their supporters.

Jamie Bell and Liev Schreiber in 'Defiance.'

© Paramount Vantage

At the urging (basically under the direct order of) Tuvia, the oldest brother, anyone seeking food and shelter was accepted into the Bielskis' shelter in the forest. Zus initially wasn't a supporter of Tuvia's plan to take in all refugees, believing they would weaken the group's chances at survival. But Tuvia prevailed and the gathering grew into a society of 1,000+ people, all tasked with working to help the group survive. Temporary housing was built, booby traps were set out to protect the camp, and those capable of handling a gun patrolled the settlement's perimeter. The refugees survived by dealing with farmers and other merchants sympathetic to their situation as well as stealing resources meant for the army.

Tuvia, the group's leader, did whatever was necessary to keep order in this makeshift community. He had strict rules everyone in the community had to adhere to and punishment for disobeying could be brutal. But whatever Tuvia did, he did for the good of this group which became known as the Bielski otriad. Thousands who would have perished in the Holocaust lived as the direct result of his actions.

The Cast

Surprisingly, the fact Craig, Schreiber, and Bell in no way resemble brothers doesn't distract from the film. Craig and Schreiber play tough as nails men who butt heads but also obviously love and respect each other. Jamie Bell is slight in build and seems slightly out of place, but his presence is strong enough to carry off the part of the younger brother who finds love in this makeshift community.

Mark Feuerstein and Allan Corduner deliver fine performances as intellectuals whose appearances in scenes allow the audience to take a step back from the action and brutality, and to see the situation through the eyes of men who put everything into perspective. And Alexa Davalos, Iben Hjejle, and Mia Wasikowska are each terrific in the film's key female roles.

The Bottom Line

I haven't read Nechama Tec's book, Defiance: The Bielski Partisans, and so I can't say with any certainty how closely Zwick and Frohman stuck to the source material. As with most films based on books, artistic license was probably taken to make the story flow cinematically. In interviews, Craig and Schreiber said in actuality there was much more brutality and killing than is portrayed in the film. And I have to believe Zwick and Frohman added in more romance than Tec's book revealed. But the basic story is supposedly much the same as how it played out back in 1941.

Liev Schreiber and Daniel Craig in 'Defiance.'

© Paramount Vantage

It's incredible to me that I knew nothing about this story after all these years and all these tales of heroics by Germans keeping Jewish citizens safe (such as recounted in Schindler's List). Filmed in the forest outside of Vilnius, Lithuania instead of on a soundstage to add as much realism as possible to this retelling of the Bielskis' story, Defiance is a compelling human drama of revenge, honor, hope, and survival. It's also an engaging action film, although the action never overwhelms the story. Craig, Schreiber and Bell give performances that remind us this is above all the story of men making a stand during one of the bleakest moments in history.

GRADE: A

Defiance was directed by Edward Zwick and is rated R for violence and language.

Box Office Report - District 9 Tops Box Office

District 9, made for just $30 million, scored solid reviews and posted opening weekend numbers above what was expected. The sci-fi thriller about aliens stranded on Earth road a tidal wave of positive pre-release buzz into first place, pushing G.I. Joe into second in its second weekend in release. The weekend's other big release, The Time Traveler's Wife, did just about as anticipated, playing mainly to female audiences and finishing in third. But Summit Entertainment can't be happy about their latest entry in the box office derby. Bandslam, starring High School Musical's Vanessa Hudgens, didn't even break into the Top 10. Playing in 2,100+ theaters, Bandslam brought in a mere $2.3 million.




Top 10 Films for the Weekend Ending August 16 (Estimates)
1) District 9 - $37,000,000
2) G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra - $22,500,000
3) The Time Traveler's Wife - $19,000,000
4) Julie and Julia - $12,400,000
5) G-Force - $6,900,000
6) The Goods: Live Hard. Sell Hard. - $5,300,000
7) Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince - $5,100,000
8) The Ugly Truth - $4,500,000
9) Ponyo - $3,500,000
10) Funny People - $3,000,000