When fiction lies

[baxil]

(NOTE: If you were linked directly to this post instead of reading it on my journal or your friends list, it contains many spoilers. Beware.)
I have a bad habit, and I'll admit it: I nitpick movies

Comments

[elynne]

Thank you. I was waffling on seeing this movie, and you've helped me decide. :)

Also... writing. Oh yeah that. c.c *cough*

[krinndnz]

Good on you for writing this, Bax. I was suspicious of D-9 from day one just because of the "aliens are a metaphor for black people!" premise. I was suspicious in the usual way I am about movies: you could make a really good movie from that premise, but the movie that we will get here in real life probably will not be good, and might in fact be horrible. So then I heard early negative reports, and subsequently rolled my eyes a lot at people saying that it's a beautifully insightful and significant movie. It may well be. I'm still not going to see it.

[krinndnz]

Well, now you're getting me to admit that I see very, very few movies in general.

Besides, if I'm sitting in your living room come Saturday, I'd like it to be for Leverage. :D

[anonymous]

I have to admit, I don't know where to start. There's a lot here that isn't just opinion, but factually wrong. Watch the film again sometime if you care to. Many of these criticisms are explained in the dialog.

As for all the stuff about racism, statements, sensitivity - gah. Look, maybe you should back up - and a lot of people here as well - and make sure you're not having a knee-jerk sensitivity reaction and /wanting/ the story to offend you on behalf of minorities everywhere.

btw: just in case anyone was't aware, the movie wasn't written or directed by a rich man from hollywood. Dude grew up during Aparteid.(oh snap?) I suppose it's merely that I know someone from South Africa. From Jo'burg even. The reality, as usual, doesn't quite match what you see on CNN.

[elynne]

I have to admit, I don't know where to start.

You could start with your name, or online handle. That would give a lot more credence to your opinions than any anonymous comment will.

Dude grew up during Aparteid.(oh snap?)

Which side?

[baxil]

> > Dude grew up during Aparteid.(oh snap?)

> Which side?

[elynne]

Oh snap, indeed.

(you moved it! dork. XD)

[kadyg]

>When I watched Watchmen, I spent 90% of my review ranting about how they removed the source material's moral ambiguities, ... I've harshed on Star Wars ... and demolished 300.

So, after reviewing our theater-going history for the last year or so... has there been ANY movie that we paid money for that you actually enjoyed?

[circuit_four]

I hate to jump in on a family issue. :) But in the bit you ellipsed out of there... didn't he actually say he enjoyed at least one of the films you're asking about?

[baxil]

What c4 said. Also, you may recall I liked Stardust without reservation.

(There are definitely privilege issues with that one, and other people would be right to find fault with that movie; but it pushed all my right buttons, and so I myself won't be saying anything bad about it.)

Thing is, again, I nitpick whether I liked the movie or not. It's part of the entertainment value I get out of my $8.

I say this with love... ;-}

[kadyg]

>Thing is, again, I nitpick whether I liked the movie or not. It's part of the entertainment value I get out of my $8.

Ok, as long as you're enjoying yourself. I guess - speaking as the person who sees movies with you most of them time - we generally seem to leave the theater having seen two different movies. I had a fun and sometimes thought-provoking cinematic experience and you spend the ride home griping about all the ways it failed. I seem to go to movies for escapism and you go for some reason I have yet to figure out.

Full disclosure: I actually liked Division 9 and thought it gave me lots of points to think about. Yes, it had it's flaws, but c'mon - it's a movie.

[momentrabbit]

Haven't seen it, so unqualified to respond. BUT! Have seen numerous adverts on the Toronto Transit system - all that I've seen have been the anti-alien signage.

Perhaps the 'No Humans Allowed' signage in the movie poster takes on a different read when it's surrounded by the context of a 'real world' surplus of 'No Non-Humans Allowed'.

If that was the intent, of course, it fails unless you're immersed in the advertising enough to play up the 'surrounded safe-space' aspect. Which may be unintentional - given your other concerns, I'd guess it'd almost have to be an accident.