I have noticed that I have been using Michael Bay as a benchmark of sorts, which in a roundabout way is complementary toward his particular skill set. For instance, I created a phenomenon called “the Michael Bay Exception” which encapsulates his tendency to worship at the altar of spectacle, while things like plot and story go neglected.
Neill Blomkamp, the director of Elysium, the followup to “District 10.” is almost the anti-Bay in that he combines special effects with thought-provoking storylines.
“Elysium” seems to revolve around that ‘haves,’ who happen to reside on a space station known as Elysium, where they live lives of leisure and beauty; and ‘have nots,’ who live on Earth admist squalor and desperation.
I also dig that Blomkamp hasn’t abandoned South Africa (as far as I am aware he was born there), where he filmed “District 9;” and where it also look like he filmed his latest.
SCREENPHILES 
I feel like this movie could go either way. It could be very compelling and provocative, or it could be a shitshow that tries to be more than it is. But regardless, Matt Damon is a beast and has proved he can carry an action movie (The Bourne Trilogy), but then I mean how old is he getting? It’s like Tom Cruise in the upcoming Oblivion and the Mission: Impossible Franchise, how long am I gonna believe that this 50 year old dude can still kick everyone’s ass? in the future? with laser guns and rocket packs and who knows what else?
But that might just be me. What do you think of the recently released Oblivion movie and Tom Cruise’s believability as an action star?
Check out the link below for the Oblivion trailer and check out my blog too.
http://trailers.apple.com/trailers/universal/oblivion/
Oblivion is a remarkably attractive movie, but Tom Cruise – while not sleepwalking – doesn’t exactly set the screen alight here.
Luckily he doesn’t have to kick everyone’s ass in “Oblivion,” because I have difficulty buying him as a one-man spy agency in the ‘Mission Impossible’ films – sure, there’s a team, but who does the most interesting stuff – never mind in a more aggressive role.
And in reference to “Elysium,” I actually have so much faith in the director that I would actually substitute just about anyone for Matt Damon, if it came down to it.
I’ll check out your blog soon!