Film review - District 9

Better late than never, here's my review of District 9 (which I saw about a week and a half ago.) District 9 is a film by Neil Blomkamp adapted from his short film 'Alive in Johannesburg' it deals with what would happen if aliens landed in South Africa but not in a way that you would think. Its a sci-fi film but a sci-fi film with a beating heart of human drama. The documentary structure within the film is very cleverly implemented, giving the film a more intimate and realistic feel. A particular triumph is Wikus van der Merwe, the film's protagonist. He starts out as an ordinary, nerdy guy in an office; the type of guy we've all come across a million times. But he evolves into the extraordinary without being a cliched hero. You really feel for him as events around him get more and more bizarre, he's just a bewildered person who doesn't know what to do or why his life makes no sense anymore. You can really believe in the way he begins to fight back to regain control and the relationship he forms with one of the aliens is supremely touching. Sharlto Copley who plays him, is in his first major role and he's an absolute revelation. He gives a sensitive, nuanced performance that would put any experienced actor to shame. Blomkamp's direction is absolutely sublime, not only does the film look fantastic, it pulls you right in and along with Wikus on his strange odyssey. The real magic is in the small details Blomkamp uses, such as a heart-rending exchange in which the alien Christopher Johnson shows his son their new home in a refugee camp; its only a short scene but its so simple and beautiful and typifieas why everyone should see this movie. It handles the delicate issues of race and immigration in a sensitive and thought provoking way and is both illuminating and exciting. I thouroughly reccommed this movie to everybody, its one of the best I've seen this year.
Ruth.

Student Daze

Well, time has caught up with us at last, the summer is over and we're back at university. Scheduling is playing cruel jokes on us as usual with two nine o clock starts wreaking havoc on our nocturnal student systems. I write this post from the library separated from my partner in blogging crime as I should be in a lecture right now. However life is once again out to get me as my bus broke down on the way to Newcastle meaning that I missed the first lecture of the module. Great start to the term, I know. Alll in all though it hasn't been too bad as our modules are considerably more fun this year with the focus on vampires and sci-fi being a particular highlight. I guess I could be doing dissertation prep right now but my heart just isn't in it today, I already want to go back to sleep and start all over again. But onto more important things.......

Ruth.

Ruth's Sports Desk - Ciao!

Well, well, well another week another round of Moto GP is upon us. This week the boys rolled in to Misano in San Marino for more fun, fights and frolics. Well Mr Valentino started on pole and Dani right behind him (ahem) having both found half a second on Jorge Lorenzo in practice. Dani made an absolute rocketing start while Alex de Angelis (at his home GP) caused absolute mayhem at the first corner trying to pass on the outside then losing his bike and taking down Colin Edwards and Nicky Hayden on the way. He almost hit Jorge who was incredibly lucky to stay on and due to all the commotion Randy 'Playboy' De Puniet was forced to run wide off the corner then make his way back onto the track. Nicky Hayden ran over and got a bit shovey at De Angelis while Colin let out his annoyance in the interview in the pits afterwards saying 'we knew we'd have to deal with dumbass Italians here and I think he had his brain switched off .' Let that be a lesson to you Alex, Don't mess with 'The Enforcer.' Dani managed to lead for a few laps with Toothpaste Toni Elias surprisingly in the mix right behind him but before long Valentino was bearing down on him. Valentino overtook Dani and Jorge got past Toni but was held up for a long time by Dani. Valentino managed to pull away and despite Dani's best efforts so did Jorge, on the plus side he did manage to stay with him for a lot longer than usual which suggests the bike is progressing. It wound up being quite strung out with a few seconds between each rider but excitement was provided by Andrea Dovizioso and Loris 'can't kill him with a stick' Capirossi exchanging places in 4th and 5th. Lovely Dovi managed to take it close to the line but Loris really made him earn it. So Vale, Dani and Jorge wound up on the podium again with Dani having to hitch a lift to the pits from Toothpaste Toni after his bike cut out. Valentino had the donkey from 'shrek' on his helmet as a jokey reference to his falling off last week and on the podium he extended the joke with him and several of his crew wearing HUGE fluffy donkey ears. As you can see in the brilliant picture above. And Dani's brilliant performance today means he has overtaken Casey Stoner in the championship standings and is now third and some more recent fantastic news Honda have confirmed that he and Andrea have signed new contracts for next year, hurrah! So another stonking weekend with the moto gp boys and roll on Estoril in October.

Ruth's Sports Desk - Closure

The transfer window is officially closed (cue the party) so the madness is done at least until january. Arsenal's moves were pretty low-key with the major outgoings being Kolo Toure and Emmanuel Adebayor and our major signing being Thomas Vermaelen. Well here's who I would have signed had I been in Arsene Wenger's position.

1. Anatoliy Tymoschuk. (he actually went to Bayern Munich) He's a formidable defensive midfielder and fast too. Plus check that early nineties Kurt Cobain look he's rocking, right on.

2. Danijel Pranjic (again Bayern Munich got him) He's a super fast, clever winger. Excellent at full back and amazing at bombing forward. And he has model standard cheekbones.

3. Dani Guiza (plays for Fenerbahce didn't move in the window.) Because he's the second coolest person named Dani in Espana. Oh Yes. Plus he's pretty damn good at scoring goals.