Written and directed by Neill Blomkamp, “Elysium” stars Matt Damon (“Good Will Hunting”, “Bourne Trilogy”), Jodie Foster (“The Silence of the Lambs”) and Sharlto Copley (“District 9″).

Set in the year 2154, half of humanity lives in a utopia free of conflict, disease and worries while the other half lives in a poverty-stricken, garbage filled wasteland.

Visually similar to Blomkamp’s previously well-known film “District 9,” the scenery in “Elysium” would nearly mirror the former if it weren’t for the people who lived on the pristine and attractive Elysium.

An ex-felon by the name of Max De Costa (Damon) lives on Earth working in a factory making the very robots that police and oppress the planet’s impoverished people. With a lifelong dream of reaching Elysium, honest work is the only option for him after numerous illegal attempts at completing it.

Caught in a lethal dose of radiation while working, Max’s only option is to attempt one final job in order to reach Elysium where his body can be cured. With only five days to live, Max is hardly able to move. However, by hooking his brain up to a processor and attaching a metallic exoskeleton to his limbs, Max is able to not only function, but he has greatly augmented strength.

The temporary fix that the exoskeleton provides to Max’s predicament felt convenient, but it added another dimension to the story on top of making Damon pretty badass.

“Elysium” is a story of a dystopian society but from a fresh angle. Blomkamp added the issue of the wealth gap in society and threw it in a blender with immigration and border issues, and it turned out well. Throughout the movie, the portrayal of Elysium is the ultimate desire of nearly every person on Earth, which equivocates to wealth in our society.

As a young boy, Max was told to not forget where he came from, and that even if he achieves his lofty goal, he must remember who he is. It’s a clichéd concept, but it’s relevant to the overall message involving wealth in our society.

In a couple of fight scenes, Blomkamp used an interesting film technique that centered the camera around Damon’s character. It looked simply like the camera was focused on Damon while panned around the fight, but there was clearly some added special effects that made those scenes fresh and fun to watch.

The addition of a few slow motion scenes also helped to keep the action stimulating, but coupled with the futuristic guns, gadgets and scenery used by the characters each action scene was well done by Blomkamp and quite exciting.

Being an action heavy film, the R rating comes from some “strong bloody violence and language throughout.” Blomkamp filled the movie with explosions, gunfights and killing, but never at any point did it feel like there was too much. Each instance of graphic violence was quick, to the point and in no way excessive, which seemed like a conscious effort on Blomkamp’s part.

If you’re looking for a summer movie that delivers action with a fresh story, “Elysium” is the movie for you either for simple enjoyment, or for the thought-provoking take on real life issues.

The days following the consummation of Ramadan are filled with celebration in the form of parties, food, activities and socialization. At the University of Oregon, Eid al-Fitr — The holiday celebrating the end of Ramadan — is no different.

The Student Saudi Association is hosting an end-of-Ramadan event on Aug. 9 in the EMU ballroom that’s open to the general public. “It [Eid al-Fitr] is considered one of the biggest celebrations for Muslim students,” said Saleh Alkhuzayyim, lead organizer of the event .

Attendees can enjoy many activities, some from Islamic culture.

Some of the activities include a cupcake baking competition and a PlayStation soccer tournament, both of which award gift cards to Starbucks and Nike, respectively.

There will also be a booth for henna tattoos, another for photography, and even more for dancing and food.

“Our guests can expect to eat a lot of great food, as eating together is one of the biggest components of celebrating Eid Al-Fitr,” said Sabeen Waqar executive member of the Muslim Student Association and director of the Women’s Muslim Student Association.

The event caters to all ages.

“We will have many activities for kids and adults that are representative of Muslim culture and traditions,” Waqar said.

There also will be a fashion show to display Islamic culture through clothing.

“It’s something you wouldn’t see all the time on TV,” Alkhuzayyim said.

Although the celebration will be held on Friday, the actual holiday is the day before on Thursday. The organization hosted a group prayer this morning.

“On the morning of Eid Al-Fitr, Muslims pray Salat-Al-Eid (Special Eid Prayer) together on this religious holiday,” said Waqar

Event organizers expect a heavy turnout.

“We think that we will have more than 300 people, which will be one of the biggest events on campus,” said Alkhuzayyim.

The Eid Al-Fitr feast and gathering at the EMU goes from 6-9 p.m., Friday.

Student government has been in talks and negotiations for the development of a bike share program since 2012, which would boost the mobility of students all across campus. A relatively new concept to the state of Oregon, the University of Oregon will be the second institution to implement a system where students can periodically rent bikes, behind the city of Roseburg.

The ASUO Senate voted to dedicate $199,000 to the bike program, which was funded through the Over Realized Committee. Those funds will be enough to provide four bike share stations and 40 bikes.

“Bike share at the UO is an initiative of the Outdoor Program and more specifically, the bike program. The ASUO has continued to be an active part of the committees and conversations surrounding bike share and we look forward to the launch,” said ASUO Senate president Amy Jones.

The bike share program will be open to the public, but students will receive a discounted rate.

“This allows the bikes to be available to be used by as many people as possible throughout the day,” Jones said.

Junior history major Brian Sanders agrees that it could be successful at the University, but expressed concern about the usual waves of sickness that hit students, especially during winter term.

“It sounds like a great idea. The only concern I would have is if multiple people are handling a bike a day and it’s not being cleaned. It might spread disease,” Sanders said.

Centered around campus, the 40 bikes will be securely locked into the total of four bike share stations — the locations have yet to be determined — and usually removable parts like the seat will be locked into place.

On top of having a secure place to leave the bike, they will be routinely repaired should the brakes need replacing or a tire goes flat.

“Bicycling is a very enjoyable activity if your bike works, like driving a car,” Orr said.

Come fall term, students at the UO will find the four stations around campus where they can swipe their credit, debit or membership card and get temporary access to a bike.

“Bike share is an inexpensive way to use a bike and doesn’t have all of the barriers that come with bike ownership,” Orr said. She wants the bike share to help improve upon the reputation Oregon, as well as the University has for being green and innovative.

Pricing and length of rentals have not been determined, but soon the bike program will release more specific information via a press release.

Those looking to sample bike the program can stop by the Outdoor Program on 18th Avenue and University Street for a test run. The program is also looking for a name. Ideas can be submitted to bikes@uoregon.edu or in person at the Outdoor Program.

“Pacific Rim” could easily be considered the love child of Godzilla and Transformers. Picture Optimus Prime duking it out with a couple of Godzilla’s evolved offspring all over the world.

Directed by Guillermo del Toro, Pacific Rim is the story of planet Earth’s struggle for survival against colossal monsters from another dimension called Kaiju. In the effort to push back the invading Kaiju, the people of Earth put aside old differences and come together to make giant robots called Jaegers, piloted by two people. Translated from Japanese Kaiju means “giant monster,” while Jaeger means “hunter” in German showing the humans’ attempt to stay at the top of the food chain.

Pacific Rim stars Charlie Hunnam as the main protagonist, well-known for his acting in the television series “Sons of Anarchy,” and is joined by actors Idris Elba (“Prometheus,” “Thor”), Rinko Kichuki (“The Brothers Bloom”) and Charlie Day (“It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia”). Once a pilot for a Jaeger, Raleigh Becket (Hunnam) is called back into action when the fight against the Kaiju turns desperate and total annihilation is looming on the horizon.

The movie wastes no time in putting the audience into the action, showing the back story of Becket and why he left being a Jaeger pilot in the first place. It also explains the concept called the drift, the way that the two pilots are able to synch their minds together and act as one inside the Jaeger.

With only a few Jaegers left in the world, del Toro tried to make it a diverse crowd of pilots but he only succeeded in portraying stereotypes. One of the Jaegers was piloted by a Russian brother and sister whose acting was as hard as their Iron Curtain-esque robot. The second Jaeger was piloted by a set of Chinese triplets who had a third arm. That was actually really cool, but it didn’t need to be painted completely crimson. The only Jaeger pilot combo that breaks the mold is that of Becket and a rookie trainee Mako Mori (Rinko Kichuki), but even then it’s the white male showing the Asian female around a position of power.

The rest of the movie tries to slip in the occasional bits of story in between the action, and when it did it was mainly through Charlie Day’s character Dr. Newton Geiszler. By experimenting on the Kaiju brain, he reveals that there is much more to the attacks than simple animal instinct, hinting at a much more ancient and sentient threat.

When it comes down to it, “Pacific Rim” is a movie of expectations. If you go hoping for commentary on society’s integration with technology, you’ll be disappointed. However, if you want to be simply entertained by fast-paced 20-story tall action accompanied by the occasional joke, you won’t be disappointed.

Dean McKenzie, an expert in ancient Greek and Roman art, Medieval art and Russian and Byzantine icons is giving a lecture on Russian Orthodox church architecture. During his twenty year time as in instructor at the University of Oregon, McKenzie traveled to Russia to study the architecture found all across the country. Being a central religion in Russia, Orthodox Christianity has numerous churches to be seen and visited, which gave McKenzie plenty of material to draw from. Some examples from his work include the Cathedral of St. Vasily the Blessed from the Red Square in Moscow, the Church of Saint Nicholas from Juneau Alaska and another from a remote Aleutian chain island.

Now eight photos from his travels are installed and on display in the Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art as well as a detailed digital collection of 25 other photos. In addition to the pictures he took, McKenzie will be presenting and analyzing miniature models of various churches said Debbie Williamson, the museum’s communications manager. McKenzie hopes to use these pictures and models from his studies in order to show his audience the cultural influences that the time period and region had on the individual churches.

The lecture takes place at the Lecture Hall in the Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art on today from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Admission is free.

Not everyone likes to make set plans for holidays, so for those who like to have a little spontaneity in life, here are a few events around Eugene today in case you forgot to make plans. Admission ranges from free to around $20.

Put on by the Eugene Active 20-30 Club, the Freedom Festival in Alton Baker Park opens to the public at 11 a.m. and is an event for all ages. At the 67th annual festival there will be a multitude of entertaining activities such as live music, food booths, family activities and even a pie eating contest. Those who are of age can try the local beer and wine and once the sun sets, the fireworks begin. The cost of the event is $7 for adults, $1 for children 6-11 and kids 5 and under are free.

For those who like to hold tight to the stereotypical definition of America, what better way to do it than with America’s favorite pastime and see some baseball games at the 36th Annual Papa’s Pizza Invitational American Legion Baseball Tournament. There you can grab a brew, a hot dog, relax and watch the Eugene Challengers at work. The tournament extends through the seventh, so any baseball fan can watch games each day. Tickets are $10 for adults.

Working together with the Freedom Festival, Art and the Vineyard provides a larger range of attractions to the people who attend. The event brings international food, local wines and beers, arts and crafts, live music as well as a marketplace for local artists. No matter the age or occupation, Art and the Vineyard is sure to have something for you, and if that’s not enough they advertise the Freedom Festival’s fireworks at dusk. The cost of the event is $7 for adults, $1 for children 6-11 and kids 5 and under are free.

If you enjoy supporting local artists, vendors and farmers, then the Lane County Farmer’s Market is for you. Located in downtown Eugene on 5th street you can get a whiff of the freshly baked pastries, bread and organically grown fruits and produce. Many vendors boast organic and locally grown ingredients in their products and have reasonable prices as well. At the farmer’s market you can also expect local artists displaying their works for sale ranging from jewelry to painting. Admission is free, but be prepared to spend a few dollars on some great tasting food and drink.

Although the Eugene Rodeo goes on from July 3 to July 6, the Fourth has just as many attractions. Open to the public at 4 p.m., there you can sample local food and beer vendors until the pre-show at 5:45 and the motorcycle show at 6. The rodeo itself starts at 7:30 and is followed by a fireworks show at 9:50. During the rodeo, kids of all ages can try their hand at being a pro rider by chasing young calves in a spectacle entertaining for all. Tickets for Adults cost $14 in advance and $16 at the gate, kids (6-12) tickets cost $8 in advance $10 at the gate while children 5 and under are free.