DISTRICT 9
d. Neill Blomkamp, 2009

19 August 2009

The Old Dark Arthouse likes little less than commenting on popular films which are still in the theater. (We may soon have a rote disclaimer announcing same.) With the internets abuzz with busy bloggers tapping out their thoughts about this moment's hot film, it becomes impossible to speak without violating our Prime Directive. To wit:

If you can't say something novel about a film, say nothing at all.

We have nothing novel to say about DISTRICT 9 (or STAR TREK, or MOON). And yet, we are devoted to saying SOMETHING about every film screened. And so The Old Dark Arthouse arrives at the point of existential angst for which no religion has yet sent a savior. To wit:

We cannot. And yet, we must.

And since we must, we will say that DISTRICT 9 lived up to the tiny bit of hype we allowed to reach us, and exceeded it. Whether or how much you enjoy DISTRICT 9 may depend on how much hype you let reach you prior to seeing it.

We must say, with STAR TREK and MOON and now DISTRICT 9, this summer has shaped up to be a surprisingly good one for SF-themed films.

We did have a quibble, but it will remain unexpressed for now.