District 9

Category: Film
Genre:  Sci Fi / Drama
Directed By:  Neill Blomkamp
Running Time:  112 min.

District 9 is the most intriguing film I have seen a good long while.  Thought provoking and well crafted on all fronts I thoroughly enjoyed it.

This is a plot driven work, where story is of the first priority.  The cast, while well chosen, is comprised largely of unknowns so as not to distract from the experience.  The protagonist, Wikus Van De Merwe, an everyman character thrust into extraordinary circumstances, provides a vehicle for the audience to see the different facets of the transformative story arc.  Transforming from an outsider to an outcast plays delightfully, and tugs at the strings on our perceptions of segregation and persecution.

Set in Johannesburg South Africa (check), the story sets the alien within the marginally unfamiliar, blending these elements and softening the contrasts, which helps play towards the plausible feeling throughout.  District 9 succeeds greatly in creating a lived in feel, set in the present with an alternate history, establishing an encapsulated dystopia surrounded by everyday trappings of contemporary experience.

At its core this is a story truly about human nature, rather than alien.  The aliens, colloquially  referred to a s Prawns, behave and emote is very human ways, especially as their circumstances trend the behavior towards all too familiar lowest common denominator of human activities.  This inherent grafted humanity lends poignancy to the story, and helps to ground the plot in reality, albeit an altered one.  Man’s inhumanity to man is not restricted to humans; as we see any class of perceived outsider gets the same treatment.

On the reverse of this is Wikus’s continuing humanity, which we see fracture as the story plays out.  He feels the same love and connection to his wife, even once fully transformed into an alien, but loses much of the rest of his humanity once pursued once he finds himself up against the preverbal wall.  Darkly reflected against his humanity is the primary Prawn in the story, “Christopher Johnson”, as he is cast as intelligent and feeling, protecting his son, mourning his abused brethren and still reaching to find his way home.

Underneath the plot and performance, this remains a science fiction film, by virtue of the “what if” question at its core and the fantastic elements at its surface.  Serving this are a host of special effects, pulled off in nearly transparent fashion, serving the story rather than distracting from it.

District 9 is crafted in a manner that makes the whole experience uncomfortably plausible, and both the overtones and undercurrents of social issues and the human condition are hard to ignore once one gets to thinking about it.  A solid story, well told while avoiding the common pitfalls of standard fare, this film set the bar high indeed.

Rating: 8/10

Eddie Izzard: Live at Spreckel’s

Category: Live Performance
Type: Comedy
Venue: Spreckel’s Theater , San Diego CA

It’s been nearly a decade since I first became aware of British comedian Eddie Izzard. I recently had the opportunity to see him perform live in San Diego. Thanks to learning about the event after tickets were already on sale back in March, our seats were, as the phrase goes, nosebleed. Even with the seating and the fact that Spreckels is a rather oddly set up venue, the performance made for a great evening.

The routine ranged on topics all over the spectrum; from jazz chickens to Jesus’s alphabetical siblings, Noah’s Arc, novelties of the Stone Age and Barack Obama. Still sharp as ever, Mr. Izzard met my rather high expectations for the show, managing to throw in surprises along the way; including a discussion of the virtues of chicken, with live support on-stage from Wikipedia via a 3G phone.

Seeing the live show was a rather different experience from watching the DVDs, which is how I had seen Glorious, Unrepeatable, Definite Article, and of course, Dress to Kill. Hearing the warm up intro about your home town does give one a slightly giddy feeling in spite of yourself. All in all a great comedey show for folks who like to think, I left with sore sides, mentally overloaded, but very much entertained.

Rating: 8/10

Jen Grinnels

Category: Music, Live Performance
Genre: Folk Rock / Coffeehouse Pop / Singer-Songwriter
Venue: Lestat’s West, San Diego CA

I caught Jenn Grinels’ show on June 14th upon her return to San Diego after touring cross-country for the better part of a year. The evening’s ticket also featured Renata Youngblood with impressive guest Kim (sorry didn’t catch Kim’s last name), and Kelly McGrath.

I first saw Jenn perform about five years ago at the Blarney Stone Pub in south Clairemont, and quickly became a fan. Since that time she’s releases three cd’s (an untitled acoustic disc, a studio EP, and 2007’s “Little Words”) and gained a growing following culminating in the recent touring effort.

The majority of Jen’s set was from her most recent album, with a few wild cards in addition. Even given the mellower tone of the “little Words” material, Jenn puts on a spectacular show. The lyrics are clever and compelling, and impactful; in terms of range, control, and sheer vocal power Jenn is one of the most impressive singers I’ve encountered. Playing acoustic her voice is a powerful thing, playing amplified I’d classify as weapons-grade vocals.

Letstat’s West pretty much defines “intimate venue” with seating for perhaps fourty patrons (if you slip the fire marshal some cash). This is a great venue to see Jenn play, as her warmth and humor work well with a small crowd and make for an enjoyable evening indeed.

Rating: 8/10