Elysium: Neil Blomkamp directed District 9, an important, if somewhat low-budget exploration of race through a sci-fi lens. In Elysium, he turns his attention to issues of class and social stratification with less success, even though his budget increased exponentially.  The theme  of class is introduced, but never thoroughly explored as the movie devolves into an explosive-ridden action pic.  The viewer's sympathies are with the downtrodden of Earth, who look up to an orbiting paradise called Elysium where only the super-wealthy live.  No attempt is made to understand the lives of the people of Elysium; the characters from that planet are largely one-dimensional, including Defense Minister Delacourt, played by the usually beguiling but in this case disappointing Jodi Foster.  Matt Damon plays Max, who is determined to get to Elysium so he can be cured of radiation exposure.  Things get complicated, lots of stuff explodes, Max fights endlessly, credits, out.  

 

Lee Daniel's The Butler:  The career of a butler in the White House is played out against the challenges and changes of American society through and beyond the civil rights era.  The story gets a bit muddled, as it is sometimes about the butler, Cecil Gaines (Forest Whitaker), his son Louis (David Oyelowo), or his wife Gloria (Oprah Winfrey) and her alcoholism and infidelity.  Despite problems with the narrative arc, this is a great movie, capturing the changes this nation has undergone in the unending struggle for justice and equality for all.  See it.