There’s a sweetness to Alice Sebold’s 2002 mega-bestseller “The Lovely Bones” that belies the story of a young girl’s brutal rape and killing. That same sweetness, so magnificently captured on the page, is missing from Peter Jackson’s film adaptation of Sebold’s book.

Exactly how would the world react if suddenly a spaceship carrying crustacean-like aliens took up residence in the airspace above a populated city? Most would probably imagine a battle for species supremacy like that seen in Independence Day. First-time director, Neill Blomkamp, pictures the scenario a bit differently. In District 9, aliens and humans manage to avoid a violent meet-and-greet and come to carve out some semblance of coexistence along the lines of South Africa’s apartheid. Blomkamp, who is originally from South Africa, embraces this theme of pervasive segregation yet applies a sci-fi sensibility that will surely surprise audiences. While the film touches on being overpopulated with irony and allegory, District 9 is one of the best films of its category in years — a stunning, seamless weaving of reality and fiction, complemented by a story-without-borders that will keep you wanting more.

Tales about avenging teenage ghosts (e.g., The Invisible) aren’t exactly new. That story as seen through the eyes of director Peter Jackson, however, is certainly something unique. Jackson’s style and a cast that includes Susan Sarandon and Rachel Weisz makes The Lovely Bones a promising, dynamic tale. That is if Mark Wahlberg doesn’t ruin it. [...]

Um yeah. This movie looks cool.

What do you think of the film after watching this trailer?