It's not even been released for a week, and already, people are talking about how District 9 is going to be robbed of the Oscars it apparently so richly deserves. What is going on?

No less a media organ than the LA Times is already claiming foul at the movie's chances with mainstream gongs, pointing out that it may just in the wrong genre to earn an Oscar:

Entertainment Weekly calls the film "madly original" and "exciting," Washington Post hails it as "transfixing." "District 9" is also a big box-office smash produced by the emperor of the Oscars, Peter Jackson, whose "Lord of the Rings: Return of the King" (2003) tied the Oscar record (11 trophies) set by "Ben-Hur" (1959) and "Titanic" (1997). So that means "District 9" should do well at the Academy Awards next, right? Especially since there will be 10 slots in the best-picture race instead of the usual five, correct?

Hmmmm, not so fast, fanboys. Keep in mind that this is sci-fi, a genre that's received little Oscar respect historically. Only three sci-fi flicks have ever been nominated for best picture: "E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial" (1982), "Star Wars" (1977) and "A Clockwork Orange" (1971).

Could this kind of reflexive Oscar paranoia be what passes for Oscar buzz among science fiction movies? In that case, let's hope it moves Oscar voters to prove the Times wrong.

Is 'District 9' cursed at the Oscars? [LA Times/The Envelope]

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