District 9

I was a tad bit apprehensive having dragged G, AG, H, AL and J to catch this relatively unknown summer tail-end sci-fi offering. I'd tried to convince them of the impressive art direction and shooting style that caught my attention with "Alive in Jo'burg" back in 05', and right to the point where they streamed in filling up the 6 seats I'd booked on the opening day (13th of August) at Orchard Cineleisure, I was wondering if I'd gotten them into one grand 117 minute mess. But Blomkamp delivered - spade loads. For a lean $30 Million, the film looked like it was made for a budget a couple of times more. Copley's performance was more than convincing, as was the cast (if you'd consider Christopher Johnson part of the cast) who are relative unknowns in the movie mainstream. There were enough instances where the CGI was just indistinguishable from live action sequences. Jackson's WETA wizards did such a tremendous job with the props and costumes. From the ashes of the aborted "HALO" project comes this gem that makes me relive the magic of the silver screen. Herein lies the paradox as well - with a movie so well crafted, it's bound to raise expectations, where its success might work against it. I'd left the cinema only after the end credits finished its run. But I'd dare hazard a guess, I'd be watching it again, and quite possibly, again.

Eager

Transformers 2 was a disappointment, for a variety of reasons. But this, I'm holding out hope that this Jackson/Blomkamp collaboration will prove otherwise. If Blomkamp's work with his HALO3 short films were any indication, D-9 looks set to please. August 13th. I'll be sure to catch it.

[Mobile Post] Coronation Plaza

Having a down tempo meet up with JY, SB & Co. at the recently opened Green Mermaid Coffee joint. 2 storeys worth of concrete chill out space for the student populace. Wish I had it this good back then, but back when I was a student, shelling out $5 for a cup of coffee was considered sane probably only to Howard Schultz himself...