Review: "Elysium" May Have a Few Gears Missing, But it is Always Interesting

Matt Damon

Before I begin, I would like to state that yes, I know that director Neill Blomkamp's Elysium is very low in terms of chances at ANY Oscar nominations. Even if critic aggregate website Rotten Tomatoes has its score at 66%, that is not high enough to even be considered one of the average nominee's track record. What we have here is a blockbuster probably not in the truest sense of the word. While it costs a reported $90 million to make, it is as original of a property that something of that scale has been all summer long, which at very least is refreshing and makes Blomkamp at least a bold filmmaker, especially for a sci-fi film littered with profanity, gore, and a big budget. It may be the death of his blockbuster career, or just the start. Either way, it is an exciting proposition.

Can "Looper" Bring Some Sci-Fi Presence to the Best Picture Category?

Left to right: Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Bruce Willis

UPDATE: I have posted a review for Looper here.

Now that the Oscar Buzz is entering its third week, we finally see the release of the much anticipated time travel film Looper. The film has been hyped as being one of the greatest in the genre. However, there's nothing more appealing than Gordon-Levitt continuing a winning streak this year by holding his own against seasoned veteran Bruce Willis. Even if the film delivers when it opens nationwide tomorrow and turns Johnson into the household name he deserves, will this science fiction film stand a chance at getting any momentum when it comes time for an Oscar?