Wednesday, August 19, 2009

District 9 (2009)



Geoff Berkshire of Metromix called District 9 "a late summer sleeper that puts most of Hollywood to shame." Alan Smithee would like to agree, but as soon as this film began, a man in a nearby seat began discussing it loudly with his wife (or possibly daughter) in a sociopathic fashion, causing Alan Smithee to lose focus.

After moving back several rows in the theater (the only effective way to avoid loud talkers), Alan Smithee became engrossed in an early scene involving the eviction of aliens from their blighted township. The scene so engrossed the young couple behind Alan Smithee that they felt compelled to discuss it. They used whispers, but still.

After another move, Alan Smithee tried to reengage with the film, but a young man in the row ahead began texting someone on a device with a rather large and bright screen. This is of course against theater policy (as well as rude), but young people never worry about how their behavior affects others (or themselves). By shifting one seat over, Alan Smithee managed to remove the texting device from his sight line.

The film seemed compelling, but Alan Smithee can't be sure until he's seen it in its entirety without some motherfucker opening his fat mouth. Will keep readers updated.

6 comments:

Megan said...

I wish Alan Smithee posted more often, that's all.

Hit 40 said...

You can get a cheap cell phone jammer on line from ebay. Just saying..

Ed & Jeanne said...

Are you suggesting Alan Smithee doesn't get a private screening before the entire public?

Alan Smithee said...

He wishes!

Alan Smithee does have a lovely home theatre where he can watch 16mm prints, laser discs, and films in the new DVD format.

Anonymous said...

Geeze. Smithee should have his own theater with robots serving him hotdogs and jumbo popcorn tubs and supergiant cokes and twizzlers and sno caps. No people to bug him.

a guy sitting behind me (in a jam packed theatre) repeated dialog slowly and clearly -- pretty much ...as much as he could of the dialog. annoying and very very sad. I think he must have had a head injury that he never recovered from.

Always wear a helmet.

Ed & Jeanne said...

Well, my blog roll starts anew tomorrow. I'd be honored if you participate again in 2010. Leave a comment and you're on the blog roll! Thanks for visiting and commenting in 2009.