Avatar

satfrat · « **Reply #140 on:** 18 Jan 2010, 04:33 pm »

On last night's Golden Globes Awards, Avatar took home Best Picture: Drama and Jame Cameron grabbed the Best Director award. Not too shabby for a 3D movie that isn't suppose to have much substance in the storyline. Personally I couldn't agree more with these awards.

Cheers,
Robin

mcullinan · « **Reply #141 on:** 18 Jan 2010, 05:02 pm »

I think this is a ground breaking movie, like Star Wars was. Impressive it was. (in Yoda voice.)

Tyson · « **Reply #142 on:** 18 Jan 2010, 07:58 pm »

Yeah, but Titanic won a bunch of awards too, and history has not been kind to it.

zybar · « **Reply #143 on:** 18 Jan 2010, 08:01 pm »

Quote from: Tyson on 18 Jan 2010, 07:58 pm

Yeah, but Titanic won a bunch of awards too, and history has not been kind to it.

In what way?

George

Tyson · « **Reply #144 on:** 18 Jan 2010, 08:03 pm »

A lot of people I talk to rank it as the most overrated movie in history, just nudging out The English Patient.

Kevin Haskins · « **Reply #145 on:** 18 Jan 2010, 08:11 pm »

Quote from: Tyson on 18 Jan 2010, 08:03 pm

A lot of people I talk to rank it as the most overrated movie in history, just nudging out The English Patient.

It is certainly better than The English Patient. If you have trouble sleeping that is a great movie.

Avatar is a great eye-candy Sci-Fi movie. Some people like that and others are turned off by the stupid stories and lack of real depth. It is what it is though and what it does right it does exceptionally right.

In terms of awards.... they are usually just for insiders who like to shake their own hand. It is a popularity contest in Hollywood which is a fickle meaningless thing to begin with.

Avatar is lots of fun but don't go there looking for something it is not and you won't be disappointed.

Bigfish · « **Reply #146 on:** 18 Jan 2010, 11:06 pm »

Quote from: Tyson on 18 Jan 2010, 08:03 pm

A lot of people I talk to rank it as the most overrated movie in history, just nudging out The English Patient.

Who is a lot of people? Where can you site these sources?

Ken

zybar · « **Reply #147 on:** 18 Jan 2010, 11:20 pm »

Quote from: Tyson on 18 Jan 2010, 08:03 pm

A lot of people I talk to rank it as the most overrated movie in history, just nudging out The English Patient.

Not exactly what the masses or critics think - but they are certainly entitled to their opinion.

I haven't seen any critics or less "personal" sources feel different and downgrade their reviews (which were pretty much 4-5 stars across the board). Here is but one example: http://allmovie.com/work/titanic-158894/review

While this isn't my favorite type of genre (or movie), I think it has held up well and will continue to hold up well. I would also like to remind people that Titanic was nominated for 14 Oscars and won 11. Both of those accomplishment tie records and put Titanic in a special class.

George

JackD201 · « **Reply #148 on:** 19 Jan 2010, 05:34 am »

Quote from: Tyson on 18 Jan 2010, 08:03 pm

A lot of people I talk to rank it as the most overrated movie in history, just nudging out The English Patient.

Isn't that always the case with people that see something after the hysteria? I mean it's a matter of expectations and not about the quality per se.

I think what hurt Titanic wasn't the movie but how hopelessly overplayed the theme song was by radio DJs all over the world to the point that from a good song it became the anthem of cheesiness

Avatar is lucky that the end song is nowhere near as memorable, pretty bad actually in my book.

PhilNYC · « **Reply #149 on:** 19 Jan 2010, 01:36 pm »

Quote from: JackD201 on 19 Jan 2010, 05:34 am

Isn't that always the case with people that see something after the hysteria? I mean it's a matter of expectations and not about the quality per se.

I think what hurt Titanic wasn't the movie but how hopelessly overplayed the theme song was by radio DJs all over the world to the point that from a good song it became the anthem of cheesiness

Avatar is lucky that the end song is nowhere near as memorable, pretty bad actually in my book.

One of the big things about Titanic was that at the time, it was (I think) the most expensive movie ever made...and there was tons of talk about it being over-budget, and how James Cameron was giving up a bunch of his compensation just so he could finish it....and the expectation was that it would be the newest "Ishtar" or "Heaven's Gate" (incredibly expensive movies that the director lost control and ended up just plain sucking). When Titanic ended up not completely sucking and in fact turned out pretty good, it became one of these "must-see" blockbuster movies...and blockbuster movies are usually considered to be somewhat shallow and hype-driven.

Avatar certainly is a "must see blockbuster" movie, and yes, it is therefore victim to the hype machine as well as being perceived as shallow. That said, I can't even imagine what it would take to actually direct a movie like this, so I think James Cameron is well-deserving of a Best Director award. As for Best Picture, I'm pretty surprised that it won because blockbuster movies tend to be shut out of this category...

mcullinan · « **Reply #150 on:** 19 Jan 2010, 02:44 pm »

I liked the Titanic & the English patient... and the storyline of Avatar.

You could tell that each scene was meticulously handled, no sloppy B rated directing. Cameron deserves the awards, as well as the studio he did the work with.
Mike

EthanH · « **Reply #151 on:** 21 Jan 2010, 01:56 pm »

I saw Avatar and thought it was worth the money; it definitely brings the 3D technology to a new level for an immersive experience. Sure, the storyline is predictable and the dialogue is cheesy, but I went into the movie expecting nothing more than entertainment and stunning visuals, and in that regard James Cameron certainly delivered; IMO it's sort of silly to expect anything more from a PG-13 film about 10' tall blue aliens.

If I want to be emotionally moved I'll rent a Bergman movie.

On another note, apparently audience members are experiencing depression en masse after viewing Avatar and subsequently realizing that they will never live in the 3D paradise of Pandora:

http://www.cnn.com/2010/SHOWBIZ/Movies/01/11/avatar.movie.blues/index.html

Bigfish · « **Reply #152 on:** 25 Jan 2010, 06:08 pm »

I just finished watching the local noon news and Avatar remains on top at the box office after being out for 6 weekends. I believe the new reporter claimed the movie grossed over 33 million at the box office this past weekend and that it is only $2 million away from exceeding the box office gross of Titanic.

If you have not yet seen it you are missing one heck of a movie.

Ken

launche · « **Reply #153 on:** 25 Jan 2010, 06:16 pm »

Are you saying that Avatar is only $2 million away from exceeding the worldwide gross of Titanic?

viggen · « **Reply #154 on:** 25 Jan 2010, 06:30 pm »

I think Star Wars is still the overall ticket quantity sold leader.

BobM · « **Reply #155 on:** 25 Jan 2010, 07:28 pm »

A friend just dropped off a boot copy of Avatar. I was half expecting a choppy hand recording of the movie that would be unwatchable because it was 3D. Well it's not 3D, it is a standard picture, if a bit washed out. However it must be a German boot. They are talking in English, but the subtitles for the alien scenes are in German. What a laugh!

Glad I saw this in the theater in 3D. It's really not even the same movie on a TV and home theater setup.

Bigfish · « **Reply #156 on:** 25 Jan 2010, 08:46 pm »

Quote from: launche on 25 Jan 2010, 06:16 pm

Are you saying that Avatar is only $2 million away from exceeding the worldwide gross of Titanic?

I too was surprised but that is indeed the comment made on wral news at noon. The announcer said the movie was 2 million away from the new box office all time record. Six weeks would be darn quick to do so. I question whether or not they meant U.S. record, not the all time world-wide gross record?

Ken

starkiller · « **Reply #157 on:** 30 Jan 2010, 08:23 pm »

Finally saw it last weekend. 3-D and IMAX makes for a rather incredible experience, even with the pain of the glasses over my own glasses I enjoyed the heck out of it. Going to be hard to see it in Blu-ray even on my large plasma but will still do it

As far as Titanic goes or even Avatar. Cameron might not get the awards he wants or deserves but the $ are sure going into his checking account

Phil A · « **Reply #158 on:** 18 Apr 2010, 01:03 am »

With the movie coming out on video this week - here's a site to create your own Avatar - at least when I did mine I didn't look any uglier

http://www.avatarmovie.com/becomeanavatar/

ltr317 · « **Reply #159 on:** 18 Apr 2010, 01:38 am »

Quote from: Phil A on 18 Apr 2010, 01:03 am

With the movie coming out on video this week - here's a site to create your own Avatar - at least when I did mine I didn't look any uglier

http://www.avatarmovie.com/becomeanavatar/

Very cool, but the avatar doesn't look like me.