Interstellar Could Be Christopher Nolan's (Oscar) Breakthrough

"The Dark Knight snub" is a term that many Oscar pundits and fanboys alike have attributed to the expansion of the Best Picture field; when "The Reader" was nominated over The Dark Knight in 2008, many took it as a flat out snub. It was one of the most (if not the most critically acclaimed film of the year), and received 8 other nominations, including a win for Heath Ledger's now iconic performance as the Joker. Nolan himself was also left out of the Best Director lineup, even though he received a nomination from the Director's Guild, and other major critical precursors.

After the expansion of the Best Picture category (from 5 to 10 films), his follow up film "Inception" received a nomination, but Nolan was once again snubbed from the directors in the Academy, despite once again being recognized by his fellow directors at the DGA.

Based on the early reports and first trailer, it seems that Nolan is bringing a level of A-game we haven't yet seen from him; Interstellar looks to be Nolan's most visually, and thematically cohesive project yet, and a the new trailer confirms that this is going to be the film that may just finally get him that elusive Oscar nomination.

The new trailer shows us some footage of the other principal actors we were missing from the first one (namely Anne Hathaway, the film's co-lead). It also seems to be a very meaty, dramatic role for recent Oscar winner Matthew McConaughey.

We also learn a little bit more about the plot (though not enough to know exactly what's going on). McConaughey's character seems to be being recruited for a space mission to save Earth, which (from my assumptions) appears to be dying). Hathaway is his partner in space (I'm guessing), and Jessica Chastain seems to be playing an older version of McConaughey's character's daughter (though that has not yet been confirmed).

But most importantly, is that it seems that Nolan is taking serious cues from legend Stanley Kubrick, mainly from his masterpiece, "2001: A Space Odyssey".  Thematically, and visually, this may be Nolan's boldest film yet (it certainly seems that way). Interstellar will not be playing at Venice, nor Toronto, or New York; it's skipping the fall awards circuit. Primed for a release on November 7th places it smack dab in the middle of Oscar season, which bolsters its chances for recognition.

Watch the new trailer here (I couldn't embed it as it isn't on Youtube yet)