Amph James Cameron's Avatar (The Way of Water + sequels)

I'm really looking forward to seeing it. But I'm usually wary of hyped up films like this one.

 

Because capitalism sucks--we need either a utopia or socialist capitalism--which is more socialism and less capitalism...or true communism. Freedom of choice is an illusion and you don't need that tv for Christmas even though you want it--smarter people can better control your life than you--they've figured it out. Rich people are all greedy--in a society dominated by greed. Jealous people who accuse others of being greedy probably wouldn't be jealous if they weren't greedy, but that's beside the point. The point is to always look in the rear view mirror and remember that there is no such thing as progress and that everyone else is dumb--that's the American way and so can you. HoHoHo!

All that aside,

I actually don't mind a film being wishful in it's thinking or the stereotypical noble tribe in touch with nature vs. the evil industrialists (aka Fern Gully). I think there is something to be said for stories that encourage people to seek something better--regardless of the specific political message. I mean, that stereotypical story is, in part, a result of the fact that with every step forward there is often something else that is lost (the industrial revolution, re-shift of power from monarchies to republics/democracies based around various forms of capitalism, the enlightenment, various renaissances, etc.) People are often looking in the rear-view mirror thinking--"it was so much better in the past," or are just thinking about the past in general. This movie takes wounds from the past and shoves them into the future--to be retold on a moon 4.4 light-years away. I'm fine with that, because it's ultimately good drama even if it is based somewhat on a cliche. I can't wait to see this one--especially since even Ebert compared it to Star Wars.

 

It's not so much capitalism itself. People will say that to be simple and generalize but it is really how those at the top of any system abuse that system.

 

The point is to always look in the rear view mirror and remember that there is no such thing as progress and that everyone else is dumb--that's the American way and so can you.

This sounds more like the Capitalist type that is being demonised actually. "Socialists" look more to the future dream of what you call "Socialist utopia", at least that's my understanding.

I actually don't mind a film being wishful in it's thinking or the stereotypical noble tribe in touch with nature vs. the evil industrialists (aka Fern Gully). I think there is something to be said for stories that encourage people to seek something better--regardless of the specific political message.

I just hate the patronising attitude. First we're barbarians, but now since racism is eeeevil we're "noble" barbarians with mystical powers and mumbo-jumbo philosophy. Remember Steven Seagal's crappy movie 'On Deadly Ground' where the hero asks the gal if she can ride a horse and her answer was "Of course, I'm Native American!".

That's the kind of crap attitude Cameron is displaying in 'Avatar'. Along with the ham-fisted "Capitalism is eeeeeevil!111!" message. Oh well, at least the military has a token good guy courtesy of whashername, the Latina tomboy gal. The rest of the military are of course, vicious SOBs who do not respect indigenous beliefs and can kill civilians while drinking coffee.



It's a shame, because aside from Cameron's damn ideology, there's a nice adventure/sci-fi movie here (Weaver's character and performmance was awesome), although the romance part was ratehr "meh". And of course, the white hero gets the native girl AND overpowers her native boyfriend (and earns his loyalty!!!) AND is a better native than an actual native! OMG he's even the native messiah!!11!

 

New footage in music video

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qbb0zYCH0AM

 

2 'Avatar' sequels mapped out: Cameron

I was just kidding when I said "Avatar Messiah" and "Children of Avatar"...heh.

Extract from article:

The 55-year-old Canadian director reveals he has already ?mapped out? two Avatar sequels.?This is huge ? millions and millions of dollars, so it makes sense to look at it as the potential start of a franchise, if you will. Or a saga that plays out over several acts, each movie being an act of that saga ? That was the intention ? to create the foundation for a persistent world.?

*shrug* We'll see first if the movie can even make back its budget.

 

Saw it yesterday. It was OK.

I liked it a lot more when it was called Atlantis: The Lost Empire.

Cameron's dialogue is horrendous. And the script is eye-rollingly formulaic. I don't mind formula. I just don't like being slapped in the face with it.

But the CG is fantastic. As is the mo-cap. 3-D... isn't all that impressive though. Honestly. I don't get the big whoop about it. It's a gimmick.

 

It's a shame that neither Bill Paxton or Michael Biehn are in this movie, since they typically pop up in Cameron's projects.


Maybe Avatar 2, perhaps?

 

[image=http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a334/TexasSnyper/Demotivational/GameOverMan.jpg]

 

Got my tickets this morning for the midnight showing. I'm not usually a fan of 3-D, but hopefully this will be different, and not just a gimmick. I actually have no interest in seeing the film in theaters except to experience the 3-D/IMAX.

 

I just watched James Cameron interviewed on Attack Of The Show and he said there is no gimmicky thing like a paddle ball bouncing crap at your forehead to keep reminding you that it is 3D. He said 3D stuff has always been a gimmick, but now it is a higher submersive technology and will work its way into everything as time passes.

 

So, how do we think its box office will be? Domestic, international, worldwide? Will it have legs? Will it be frontloaded? Perhaps both?

I'm going to make a risky prediction and say it'll beat TITANIC's domestic 600 million gross. Beating TITANIC's adjusted domestic gross is another matter, however. The film will also take the December opening weekend record away from I AM LEGEND, but compared to OW grosses like NEW MOON a month ago and DARK KNIGHT's, it won't be as frontloaded. Since AVATAR is coming out in the holiday season and I think the WoM will be through-the-roof, its legs will be spectacular.

I thought TDK would make 500 mil+, I never said it at the time, I wish I had. And it did. So I'm going out on a limb this time.

 

I did not want this movie to end. It has a few weaknesses, but I was so lost in it that I didn't even care. Pandora is amazing, and if you don't see it on the IMAX you are not seeing it. Stunning.

 

I thought it was amazing.


Visually, it's the most beautiful film I've ever seen. I was breathless and speechless by the end of the film.

If you can see it in IMAX 3D, go. It's incredible.

Yes, the story is essentially Dances With Wolves meets Ferngully in space. So what; there's no film in Hollywood now that's original, and that's a fact. HOWEVER, Avatar was just phenomenal. I give it two very impressed thumbs up.

 

OMG.


OMG.



I thought it was amazing.


Visually, it's the most beautiful film I've ever seen. I was breathless and speechless by the end of the film.

If you can see it in IMAX 3D, go. It's incredible.

Yes, the story is essentially Dances With Wolves meets Ferngully in space. So what; there's no film in Hollywood now that's original, and that's a fact. HOWEVER, Avatar was just phenomenal. I give it two very impressed thumbs up.

 

I'm going to have to see this, the IMAX screenings near me are all sold out for tomorrow!

 

Call me crazy but I hate IMAX.
It's too in your face and make me squint.
I don't like it at all. I sit in the middle to back in a normal theater cause it bothers me there too if I sit close.

 

I'm going to see it sometimes between Christmas and New Year's Eve. But I'll only see it in 2-D - we do have an IMAX here, and it will show Avatar in 3-D, but it will be Slovak dub, not the original sound with subtitles (mainly because regular subtitles are unreadable in 3-D and they can't be bothered with 3-D subtitles, the bastards). I for one don't need any subtitles at all if it's an English-speaking film, but sadly, I'm a minority here... So I'll rather sacrifice the 3-D-ness than the original English sound.

 

You guys have convinced me to see this tonight, even thought I've been somewhat skeptic.

It had better be good.

 

Seeing it tomorrow!!!

 

Yes, the story is essentially Dances With Wolves meets Ferngully in space.

I don't know what to think about this. That's a strange combo.

 

At the very least see it in 3-D. And I usually hate 3-D.

 

Wow.

Huh.

Wow.

When the film began, I immediately had a Roy Scheider from Jaws moment...

"We're gonna need a bigger screen."

*didn't see it on iMax*