re: notes on some good movies I saw recently

District 9

A simply great example of sci fi, though dirtier and more in your face in look and feel than movie goers are probably used to. Sci fi readers probably were less shocked.

Sci fi gives us a glimpse of our present truth unimpeded by the vision blocking paradigm of "how things are now." The setting of Johannesburg is problematic - contextually and historically it is a relevant and pointed choice for a city for this story to take place. But these events have precedent in North America too. I have a sneaking suspicion that, though I wouldn't accuse the writer of this but rather those that said "Yes" to the movie, the setting serves to move these issues to the "other".

That being said, it was entertaining as shit. AS SHIT. I felt tugged and turned in that way that is exhausting but exciting and great and not superfluous and MichaelBay. The CG was obviously CG but not distracting. It had a lot of stuff to unpack which, to me, is entertaining. I'm glad I put the 10bucks into seeing it big and bawdy and saving the 6 bucks and seeing it small screen style.

Inglourious Basterds

If you already like QT than I would say to you that this is one of his best. Hells yes it is smug and (unintentionally? intentionally?) pastiche but they all are. Judge a director by how well he achieves his own style.

While QT always gets praise/guff/notice for his dialogue, this was bereft of the monologue that has made him famous/infamous. Which was great I think - they're entertaining but distracting. His cinematography was great in this - of the moment, of the setting. Not perfect but great.

And there are many interpretations of the morality of this tale. But as one commentator said, it acts as a moral tablet to inscribe yourself on. (well, I said it better.)

Is slaughtering those Nazis redemptive? vengeful? too close for comfort?
If we are enjoying the slaughter what does that make us?

Anyway, it was a damn fine movie. No Deathproof, but damn fine.