Forum adverts like this one are shown to any user who is not logged in. Join us by filling out a tiny 3 field form and you will get your own, free, dakka user account which gives a good range of benefits to you: No adverts like this in the forums anymore. Times and dates in your local timezone. Full tracking of what you have read so you can skip to your first unread post, easily see what has changed since you last logged in, and easily see what is new at a glance. Email notifications for threads you want to watch closely. Being a part of the oldest wargaming community on the net. If you are already a member then feel free to login now.

Ahtman wrote:

dreadlord wrote:

Ahtman wrote:It is cheaper than a concert and still allows for social/communal gatherings. Historically during economic down times movie ticket sales go.

Meh, whatever happened to movie rental night with the family/friends? Order a pizza, have some beer and snacks, watch 2 or 3 movies without really caring what's on. When I was a child our families would usually have a game night (Poker, Euchre, Pictionary, etc) and rent movies for the kids. For 8+ people that's a hell of a lot cheaper than going out.

People do still do that, but it isn't the same as getting out of the house to do something. Sometimes leaving the house for something besides work is a nice thing. A picnic is just lunch, but it wouldn't be the same if you sat on your kitchen floor to do it.

I understand. I actually saw Avatar in the theater with my wife. She made the excellent point that we hadn't gone out in over 6 months and that it would be nice to see a "visually stunning film" (with little else to offer) on a gigantic screen. Whereas on our small television it would probably bore us to tears. Call me a hypocrite but my wallet still aches from shelling out $20 for that movie. To me, $20 is 4 days worth of food or a partial tank of gas. I don't make $10 an hour so I paid that movie more than I can make during it's duration. That's depressing.

I've still not seen it, mostly because of all the reviews saying the plot and pretty much everything about the movie other than the graphics are "meh".

I actually went to the cinema to go and see it, stood around in the loby for a while waiting for my wife to turn up, and by the time she did neither of us could summon the enthusiasm to actually go and get tickets, so went and bought some computer games instead.

I liked it.

It was pretty, and sparkly and was the 2nd move I managed to see in a Cinema last year (Star Trek being the other).

Sure, Cameron isn't original or a good director or writer (he did direct Piranha 2 and co-write Rambo: First blood pt 2 as well) but he does make an (from my pov) an enjoyable movie.

It was the first 3d movie to not give me a headache.
It was about the same length as King Kong (but didn't put me to sleep).

The AMP suits (walkers) had hands because they are a multi-role piece of hardware (they are used to load/unload cargo as well as carry guns). This is a corporate venture, not a military mission. They have dependable proven pieces that can be built on-site (blueprints can be hypercast, supply runs take forever).

That said, RDA has a monopoly on space travel (and AFAIK, there ARE NO SPACE WARFLEETS, so no nuking from orbit - it's not the same 'universe' as ALIENS).

The film was amazing, but a sequel can't possibly do what the first did, unless they make it interactive so we get to be an Avatar

But seriously, if I hear another film mentioning an element called 'Unobtainium' again, I will not be responsible for my actions

Yeah, it made a crapton of money.

Yeah we all saw it and said wow.
***Yep, like every other IMAX film I've seen and some recent video games my Boy has been playing.

But does anyone love it? Does anyone want to see more of Pandora or learn more about the characters? Any interest in comics, novels, video games, tabletop games?
***Thats a negative.
Or will Avatar be forgotten in a year?
***Yep.

Visually stunning, and the action was entertaining, and despite it all i wanted to walk out. And who the hell at the start said 'everyone likes it they just dont want to admit it'? It was one of the worst films i have ever seen, and was without any doubt the most corny film i have seen for about 15 years. Especially the whole 'we will laugh when he inevitably falls off this horse but of course we will all love him in an hour' moment at the start. It made me cringe it was so bad, and if i wasnt in an Imax theatre i would have walked out.

I enjoyed it. I would be interested in learning more about Pandora or the blue alien dudes. I would be interested in learning why this Unobtanium is so hot. I enjoyed how all of
Pandora is connected.

But I am not gonna freak out like a little fanboy about it. I enjoyed it, would be interested in more. But I am not gonna tug it to Naavi porn.

But hey, maybe for the next one, he will manage to give us a virtual reality movie!

Absolutely loved it. Avatar is what the movie theater experience is all about. Its in the same tier as Star Wars 1977, The Matrix, Indiana Jones, Saving Private Ryan, Alien(s), Terminator 2, Wizard of Oz, etc. - Game changing films that raised the bar for blockbuster entertainment. Sure, its got a story we're all accustomed with. But all the above movies also had pretty cheesey stories once you break 'em down - but like all things its about execution and excuse the pun, the big picture, which Avatar and the above had in spades.

Before seeing the film I was skeptical especially after they released initial pics of what I deemed Night Elf wannabe's but came out of the auditorium more than satisfied. Cameron's film offered incredible fun and epitomized what blockbuster entertainment is all about. It won't be anywhere near as immersive in 2-d though; shame that TV tech isn't up to speed for Avatar yet. This movie made even geezers giddy such as my parents that I managed to drag along during the Holidays.

It shattered records and has acclaim across the board including the ever so fickle internet communities and movie critics. Hell it even won the Golden Globe for best movie of the year and with the news of Avatar being expanded into a trilogy...it won't be soon forgotten. And then you've got those extremists depressed that Pandora doesn't even exist...(and no, I'm not one of them ). Its already becoming ingrained in pop-culture since its been parodied numerous times and sparked countless discussions relating to it.

Although from a merchandising/marketing standpoint, Avatar looks tame compared to the prequel Star Wars and Transformers.

I hated this stupid movie so much it isn't even funny. Cameron is a hack, and he copy/pasted the Dances with Wolves plot, which was stale and hamfisted the first time around.

The only good thing about that movie was how bad ass the main "evil" merc was, and I only wish we could have a prequel with him roflstomping the smurf-people of pandora.

Also, the only reason it grossed so much is the disgusting prices movie theaters charge these days, with the amount of pirating going on, and the fact that you can't just download this at home and get the 3-D experience. Also the fact that movie theaters were charging 1.5x admission for those glasses, which ended up giving me a headache (and reaffirming my severe disappointment with the state of 3-D technology).

H.B.M.C. wrote:
It deserves the best special effects Oscar - because they were, in a word, mindblowing - but that's it. Best film? feth the feth off! Best director? fething feth the feth off right fething now.

There is room for awards in the categories of Supporting Actress (Weaver), Producer, Costume maybe in addition to all the FX awards for the year.

Orlanth wrote:

H.B.M.C. wrote:
It deserves the best special effects Oscar - because they were, in a word, mindblowing - but that's it. Best film? feth the feth off! Best director? fething feth the feth off right fething now.

There is room for awards in the categories of Supporting Actress (Weaver), Producer, Costume maybe in addition to all the FX awards for the year.

She wasn't the best supporting actress though. No way she wins.
Costume-what costume?
Producer? yea could be.

Edit Avatar is not nominated for those

Nominations:
Avatar
Art Direction Cinematography Directing Film Editing Music (Original Score) Best Picture Sound Editing Sound Mixing Visual Effects

District 9
Film Editing Best Picture Visual Effects Writing (Adapted Screenplay)

The Hurt Locker
Actor in a Leading Role Cinematography Directing Film Editing Music (Original Score) Best Picture Sound Editing Sound Mixing Writing (Original Screenplay)

If this p.o.s. beats out inglourious basterds, Blind Side, District 9, Precious , The Hurt Locker, or even Up then there was a fix.

I loved the movie for multiple reasons, as I went into it not expecting amazing acting or plot, but their was a lot of suprise in that. The actors especially the blue ones spent TONS of time practicing to move and act the way they did. The graphics were amazing and one of my good friends was on the CGI team for it so another bonus. Though it didn't have the emotion the "Blind Side" did I still had a blast with it and look forward to its release. Also I saw it in something called real 3D which was AWSOME!!!!

apwill4765 wrote:I hated this stupid movie so much it isn't even funny. Cameron is a hack, and he copy/pasted the Dances with Wolves plot, which was stale and hamfisted the first time around.

Hang on, so now people are saying Aliens and the first two Terminator movies aren't any good? Really?

I mean, I know some of you guys don't like films about environmentalism, but it's alright to say 'I don't like films about environmentalism' without all this silliness.


Automatically Appended Next Post:

n0t_u wrote:His flag says he's from Australia. We're not really hit that badly by the recession, in fact with China's recent growth we'll probably be out of it soon. That's probably the reason why he said that.

No, it has nothing to do with my personal experiences. I said it because it's a well known phenomenom that the industry tracks - the box office does better in hard times.

Noo...you're drawing a strawman conculsion from one statement.

Frazzled wrote:Noo...you're drawing a strawman conculsion from one statement.

Nah, from that long thread we had on the movie a while back. My answer was a little simple though, there's also a sizable bunch that likes their military sci-fi, and those guys do come off like chumps in this movie (not just evil, but also losers) so I can understand people not liking it on those grounds.

But there's a whole lot of other arguments that are pretty obvious non-starters as well as some claims that make no sense at all (James Cameron as a hack director?)

Y'know it reminds me more and more of Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon. Another stunning film that made if not a Kajillion Dollars than certainly a Bajillion. It broke new ground, made wire-fu mainstream and opened the US market to other Chinese products like Curse of the Golden Flower.

But no one really loves it.

I've never even gone back to see it again.

sebster wrote:

Frazzled wrote:Noo...you're drawing a strawman conculsion from one statement.

Nah, from that long thread we had on the movie a while back. My answer was a little simple though, there's also a sizable bunch that likes their military sci-fi, and those guys do come off like chumps in this movie (not just evil, but also losers) so I can understand people not liking it on those grounds.

But there's a whole lot of other arguments that are pretty obvious non-starters as well as some claims that make no sense at all (James Cameron as a hack director?)

Yes, James Cameron is a successful hack. He didn't start out that way, he became one over time. As either writer director, or producer, he is responsible for:

The Sarah Connor Chronicles
Terminator 3
Piranha Part Two
Titanic
T-2 3D: Battle Across Time
Dark Angel
True Lies ("You're Fired")

So yea, a legacy of suck with a few gems in there.

And I have no problem with environmental movies. The trouble is most of them suck. The day after tomorrow--suck, Ferngully--suck, etc, The day the earth stood still remake--awful.

The good ones are usually quite good, and explore BOTH sides of the dilemma: Princess Mononoke, Soylent Green, eh, I'm sure there are others.

My problem with Avatar is that James Cameron blatantly copied movies like Pocahontas and Dances with wolves, almost scene for scene. I was yawning the whole time, and the visuals didn't really impress me. I don't care about someone's shiny new computer if they use it to show me awesome hi-def solitaire.

I need some substance to go along with graphics in my movies.

Kid_Kyoto wrote:Y'know it reminds me more and more of Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon. Another stunning film that made if not a Kajillion Dollars than certainly a Bajillion. It broke new ground, made wire-fu mainstream and opened the US market to other Chinese products like Curse of the Golden Flower.

But no one really loves it.

I've never even gone back to see it again.

Ok in defense of CT HD (and I am same) they had some scenic shots that were righteous.

I mean seriously, HOW are the two highest grossing movies of all-time Avatar and Titanic, when there are movies like: Apollo 13, Meet Joe Black, The Bridge over the river Kwai, Ben-Hur, Patton, The Godfather, One Flew over the Cuckoo's Nest, Raiders of the Lost Ark, the Star WArs Trilogy, E.T., Silence of the Lambs, A few Good Men, Unforgiven, The Good the Bad and the Ugly, a Fistful of Dollars, and hundreds more, all better (IMO, and hopefully to the Academy) than Avatar?

Avatar is popular and a cash cow, but not any good.


Automatically Appended Next Post:
Also, it kills me that James Cameron made a billion dollars on a movie trashing capitalism.

That is kind of funny isn't it.

When you adjust for inflation the list changes a lot. Gone with the Wind is still #1 afte 50 years.


Automatically Appended Next Post:

Frazzled wrote:

Kid_Kyoto wrote:Y'know it reminds me more and more of Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon. Another stunning film that made if not a Kajillion Dollars than certainly a Bajillion. It broke new ground, made wire-fu mainstream and opened the US market to other Chinese products like Curse of the Golden Flower.

But no one really loves it.

I've never even gone back to see it again.

Ok in defense of CT HD (and I am same) they had some scenic shots that were righteous.

So did Avatar. I'm not trashing it, I just feel that it is a movie everyone likes (more or less) but no one loves (more or less).

Kid_Kyoto wrote:When you adjust for inflation the list changes a lot. Gone with the Wind is still #1 afte 50 years.

Good. You got a source on that? I will google in the meantime and see if I can find it myself =D


nvm i got it =D

http://boxofficemojo.com/alltime/adjusted.htm

Agreed on both counts

Kid_Kyoto wrote:Y'know it reminds me more and more of Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon. Another stunning film that made if not a Kajillion Dollars than certainly a Bajillion. It broke new ground, made wire-fu mainstream and opened the US market to other Chinese products like Curse of the Golden Flower.

But no one really loves it.

I've never even gone back to see it again.

I thought Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon was boring. It didn't break any ground visually or in fight SFX terms for me because I had seen craptons of glorious looking films like Raise The Red Lantern and so on and Hong Kong action movies.

I saw Avatar twice because I booked a ticket at BFI IMAX for the end of January back in mid December, then I saw it in Japan with my family, then I couldn't unload the London ticket so rather than waste £15 I went to see it again.

It will probably win a lot of awards because it cost $400M and has brought in multi-zillion M$ in six weeks, or whatever.

BTW on my second viewing I noticed the Na'vi have four fingered hands and the avatars have five, like humans.

Anyway, it is not a ground breaking film in any respect aside from the very extensive use of computer animation and 3D (which gave me a headache at the BFI.)

A much better list when adjusted for inflation:

Star Wars, Gone with wind, Sound of Music, E.T., all ahead of titanic, and Jaws right up there with them.

Jaws my favorite movie of all time.

Meh. Saw it. Liked it. Knew it was obviously going to rip off other films, and just enjoyed it for the big glowing special effects. Overall, got a 7/10 from Fauntleroy.

Then, I googled Avatar just to see what came up. Oh. Dear-http://community.livejournal.com/tothehometree/492.html


Also, as you can probably tell, I thought Camerons Aliens was amazing (My second favourite film of all time), so not complaining about him.

apwill4765 wrote:I hated this stupid movie so much it isn't even funny. Cameron is a hack, and he copy/pasted the Dances with Wolves plot, which was stale and hamfisted the first time around.

The only good thing about that movie was how bad ass the main "evil" merc was, and I only wish we could have a prequel with him roflstomping the smurf-people of pandora.

Also, the only reason it grossed so much is the disgusting prices movie theaters charge these days, with the amount of pirating going on, and the fact that you can't just download this at home and get the 3-D experience. Also the fact that movie theaters were charging 1.5x admission for those glasses, which ended up giving me a headache (and reaffirming my severe disappointment with the state of 3-D technology).

OFT.

This man knows his cinema, i couldnt have put it better myself. Evil Merc guy was fething awesome! Maybe its cos im British and we always play the bad guys, but I wanted him to napalm all those poncy blue fethers!

But that cant happen, because spears bounce off helicopters when its not the right part of the film. Then twenty minutes later they are like fething.. depleted uranium shells!? Eh?

So i heard a sequel is coming. I guess it goes like this

Setting: An informal meeting of the coorparate leaders.

Mr1: So i hear we lost our base on pandora
Mr2: Yes we have. But it is the only place to get Unobtanium.
Mr3: Does the public know we went there?
Mr2: Offcourse not our rivals would steal our claim.
Mr3: Exactly! And we need what is in the ground. Not what is on top of it.
Mr1: I see... Lets order our capital ships to burn the surface. We will then set up a new mining operation.

Several Months later...
Neytiri: Look Jake Sully. The stars are dancing
Jake: That is no star! That is a warhead! They are bombing us from Or.....

And pandora dies in an inferno

Alternate ending.

Just as the human ship line up a alien armada appears. They destroy them compleetly. Not about to let humans destroy their scientific experiment. Because a world where everything can plug into eachother. And interface? Yeah..... i dont rally believe evolution would come up with something like that.

Grtz
L.D.

Avatar was very good but I think it needed more action but very nice