District 9 & Inglourious Basterds

District 9: The gist of the story stems from real, historical events that took place in South Africa during the apartheid in a place they referred to as District 6. Themes of racism and xenophobia (fear of the unknown or fear of anything different some oneself) are present throughout the film. In the movie, the aliens are the outcasts and are forced to live in a segregated section of Johannesburg. They are referred to as 'prawns.' A derogatory term which is based on the king cricket or Parktown prawn (I know this thanks to wikipedia) which is considered a plague in the area. The main character, Wikis, becomes infected while attempting to relocate the 'prawns' to another camp (District 10, I believe). His DNA mixes with alien DNA and the alien DNA takes over his body. ****Spoiler ALERT***As he goes through the changes, he himself becomes an outcast and helps the aliens escape (one has promised to return in 3 years to return him back to his normal state--hint hint sequel to be named District 10).****End Spoiler ALERT****

The overall message of the movie is extremely powerful and though I enjoyed it, I really wish someone had told me about the shaky filming. It felt like 'The Blair Witch Project' all over again. Quite a few times Nathan even asked if we needed to leave b/c my eyes were closed or my head was between from legs while I was trying not to vomit. So while I'm sure the documentary style filmography was spectacular, as all Peter Jackson movies are, I didn't see much of it. Great audio though! haha...If you aren't sensitive to the film style, I highly suggest you see it or at least take a dramamine 1 hour prior.
:)

Inglourious Basterds: Before I even tell ya'll anything, I must warn you, Quentin Tarantino and I are not on the best terms. I've yet to see one movie (think Pulp Fiction, Sin City, Kill Bill Vol. 1 and 2) he's made that I suggest anyone else watch. BUT, I had just finished my first few days as a school teacher (well I'd set up the room and done some lesson plans), drove back to CS, and really wanted to escape to a movie. Plus, even I have to admit that the movie posters reading 'Brad Pitt is a basterd' were mildly humorous. Hope Jennifer Aniston has one on her wall she can turn into a dartboard. Anywho, the movie is broken up into chapters (Chapter 1 "Once upon a time....in Nazi occupied France) which lead you through the forming of the 'basterds (Pitt's anti-Nazi crew who hunts and graphically scalps them), and various other character's stories which all wind up culminating in the last chapter for the 'big show' so to speak. Pitt is hilarious! ****Spoiler ALERT**** Do not take your bathroom break when Pitt and his crew show up to the theatre. His I-Talian accent is probably one of the best parts of the movie. ****End Spoiler ALERT****

The entire movie is filled with subtle innuendos, lots of Nazi killing (Do NOT watch this if you have a weak stomach or at least be prepared to close your eyes quite a bit), and romping good time. Taratino has yet to redeem himself to me after stealing 2 hour of my life back in 2005, however, this movie was worth the 3.50 matinee. Not so sure I'd see it again, but I'm not feeling robbed this time either. :)