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[VIRIATO]

Well you are quite correct about history Paulo but movies are driven by a different agenda and it is not political for the most part. Movies are generally made for profit, which for a movie with this kind of budget means a very broad audience. That is why for example they deleted the undoubtedly tame sex scene. Sadly this means for technological breakthroughs you are destined to get strained carrots for a story line. I would not disagree that it is childish or simplistic or that the story is not well worn. Its simple magic is in its special effects and the creation of a completely artificial virtual world. I simply enjoyed it at the level of Fantasia. Of course it is not on the same level as Lord of the Rings but then the writing wasn't exactly up to the level of Tolkien.

Indeed the phrase "we need a preemptive strike, to fight terror with terror" was hardly original but then while it has a contemporary ring with all too much baggage, it was hardly original when used most recently in earnest. I think you will find its analogues in many societies dating from the early days of recorded history. If there is anything certain, politicians have fewer original thoughts than film makers (or maybe any body).

Yes, you're right and I really accept that the movie's purpose is just simple entertainment. But somehow I got a lot more entertained when I saw Clint Eastwood's «Grand Torino», Cinema with a capital C (was it a success there?). But I guess we're comparing apples with oranges here...

Paulo

 

[Spitfrnd]

Yes, you're right and I really accept that the movie's purpose is just simple entertainment. But somehow I got a lot more entertained when I saw Clint Eastwood's «Grand Torino», Cinema with a capital C (was it a success there?). But I guess we're comparing apples with oranges here...

Paulo

Oh my yes, apples and oranges from a different planet almost. Grand Torino made a decent return but just as Avatar is not in GT's quality league, GT is not in Avatar's revenue range. Avatar has made $350 million domestically in the first 17 days and is well on its way to eclipsing most movie revenue records. I think it is currently over $ 1 billion world wide. The simple pleasures sell best. I enjoy discussing movies as well. I look forward to what you come up with.

 

[Rutledge]

Its rarely as simple as it looks... (article from Atlanta Journal)

http://www.ajc.com/news/nation-world/some-see-racist-theme-271936.html?cxntlid=thbz_hm

Some see racist theme in alien adventure 'Avatar'

"Strange as it may seem for a film that pits greedy, immoral humans against noble denizens of a faraway moon, "Avatar" is being criticized by a small but vocal group of people who allege it contains racist themes — the white hero once again saving the primitive natives.

Since the film opened to widespread critical acclaim three weeks ago, hundreds of blog posts, newspaper articles, tweets and YouTube videos have made claims such as that the film is "a fantasy about race told from the point of view of white people" and reinforces "the white Messiah fable."

The film's writer and director,James Cameron, says the real theme is about respecting others' differences.

In the film (read no further if you don't want to spoil the plot) a white, paralyzed Marine, Jake Sully, is mentally linked to an alien's body and set loose on the planet Pandora. His mission: persuade the mystic, nature-loving Na'vi to make way for humans to mine their land for unobtanium, worth $20 million per kilo back home.

Like Kevin Costner in "Dances with Wolves" and Tom Cruise in "The Last Samurai" or as far back as Jimmy Stewart in the 1950 Western "Broken Arrow," Sully finds his allegiances soon change. He falls in love with the Na'vi princess and leads the bird-riding, bow-and-arrow-shooting aliens to victory over the white men's spaceships and mega-robots.

Adding to the racial dynamic is that the main Na'vi characters are played by actors of color, led by a Dominican, Zoe Saldana, as the princess. The film also is an obvious metaphor for how European settlers in America wiped out the Indians....."

 

[Scott]

The "white guy" in these stories is supposed to "us" going into the culture rather than dropping the reader/viewer directly into a "foreign" culture. We're supposed to learn along with the protagonist.

In some stories like Dancing with Wolves, Little Big Man, or Last Samurai the "white guy's" influence doesn't go that well in the end and we're sadder but wiser.

I haven't seen the film yet but I see that Stephen Lang/ Genl. Pickett/Stonewall Jackson/Ike Clanton is the military commander. "Cooooool!"

 

[debrito]

I don't like SiFi movies but htis one is EXCELLENT

 

[tom13235]

I don't like SiFi movies but htis one is EXCELLENT

No doubt it is and I plan to see it ASAP. As for all the other comments all of which i heard or see n on the media IMHO they are a BIG Crock of you know what. It is a movie enjoy it for that !!!

 

[Scott]

The Vatican put in it's two cents as well. The story is out there...

 

[DMNamiot]

Hi Guys,

I have to tell you it was a good sci fi flick and I enjoyed it in 3d as did my son. But to view this flick as anything other than entertaining is a little too over the top. I guess I lack vision to see any sinister message and sure dont see why the Vatican is getting all fired up over it either.

Dave

 

[Scott]

Hi Guys,

I have to tell you it was a good sci fi flick and I enjoyed it in 3d as did my son. But to view this flick as anything other than entertaining is a little too over the top. I guess I lack vision to see any sinister message and sure dont see why the Vatican is getting all fired up over it either.

Dave

Dave I'll venture to say that you probably have a life which does NOT include creating 24/7 News controversy.

 

[Spitfrnd]

Hi Guys,

I have to tell you it was a good sci fi flick and I enjoyed it in 3d as did my son. But to view this flick as anything other than entertaining is a little too over the top. I guess I lack vision to see any sinister message and sure dont see why the Vatican is getting all fired up over it either.

Dave

Amen.

 

[Rutledge]

Well guys, no need to take my word for it. Would James Cameron's opinion mean anything? See this quote:

"Writer/director Cameron, who is white, said in an e-mail to The Associated Press that his film "asks us to open our eyes and truly see others, respecting them even though they are different, in the hope that we may find a way to prevent conflict and live more harmoniously on this world. I hardly think that is a racist message."

Thus while we can disagree on the message and whether its "good" or bad", even Cameron admits there was indeed an underlying message. Clearly Cameron was not just entertaining us with Avatar. He intentionally incorporated a message (as vacuous as it may have been) that was "intended to prevent conflict" (pacifist?) and help us "live more harmoniously with the world" (environmental?).

Ultimately, he had an agenda, that CANNOT be disputed, regardless of whether you agree or disagree with his message.

 

[Spitfrnd]

Well guys, no need to take my word for it. Would James Cameron's opinion mean anything? See this quote:

"Writer/director Cameron, who is white, said in an e-mail to The Associated Press that his film "asks us to open our eyes and truly see others, respecting them even though they are different, in the hope that we may find a way to prevent conflict and live more harmoniously on this world. I hardly think that is a racist message."

....

As I have said before, the artist's intent is but one of many possible "messages" to be derived from a work of fiction. However, to the extent that was it, it should hardly be controversial although sadly much easier said than done. That is certainly rather different than the US and its military are evil and technological progress is immoral. All that said, I still agree with Dave.

 

[plasmapulse]

Being a huge SciFi fan, I looked forward to seeing Avatar.

The story was nothing spectacular (Pocahontas) but the visuals were great. I found the film entertaining but won't add it to my dvd collection. I also expected the 3D tot pop more out of the screen than it did. The film started slow imho and dragged itself through the first 90 minutes or so. Cameron didn't need the time he took to tell the story.

I think I just can't be bothered will so called eye-candy anymore.
Not revolutionary but worth a visit and cgi is great.

Around the same time I watched "Moon", another scifi film that lasted 90 minutes and was made for just 4 million USD. I enjoyed that one better.

 

[Scott]

I haven't seen it yet but I know that the military presented is a corporate mercenary unit.

 

[Rutledge]

There is certainly nothing "wrong" with taking things at face value. It probably is a much simpler and more pleasant way of going through life.

My problem is I was an english major in college. I suspect it has "ruined me" from being able to enjoy the simple pleasures of a good yarn.

That said, I stand by my perspective on the film.

 

[VIRIATO]

Well guys, no need to take my word for it. Would James Cameron's opinion mean anything? See this quote:

"Writer/director Cameron, who is white, said in an e-mail to The Associated Press that his film "asks us to open our eyes and truly see others, respecting them even though they are different, in the hope that we may find a way to prevent conflict and live more harmoniously on this world. I hardly think that is a racist message."

Thus while we can disagree on the message and whether its "good" or bad", even Cameron admits there was indeed an underlying message. Clearly Cameron was not just entertaining us with Avatar. He intentionally incorporated a message (as vacuous as it may have been) that was "intended to prevent conflict" (pacifist?) and help us "live more harmoniously with the world" (environmental?).

Ultimately, he had an agenda, that CANNOT be disputed, regardless of whether you agree or disagree with his message.

Hmmm, what if Mr. Cameron is just pretending that he has a message to send, kind of «oh, look at how deep I am», because that's what the media and the public want to hear? What if he is just playing a little forced defence against those that are accusing him of racism?

Paulo

 

[Scott]

From another movie....Apples and/or Oranges.

Memorable quotes for
Moulin Rouge (1952)



Prudish woman: You should be arrested. To hang such a thing on your wall! Look at this woman. She is undressing, with a man looking on! Disgusting!

Henri: Forgive me, madame, the lady is not undressing, she is dressing. The gentleman happens to be her husband. They are celebrating their twenty-seventh wedding anniversary. They are going to have dinner with their oldest son. He is a taxidermist. I am appalled that you should thus malign these good people. It goes to prove what I have always maintained, that evil exists only in the eye of the beholder. I will thank you to stop looking at my pictures.

 

[Spitfrnd]

From another movie....Apples and/or Oranges.
Memorable quotes for
Moulin Rouge (1952)

Prudish woman: You should be arrested. To hang such a thing on your wall! Look at this woman. She is undressing, with a man looking on! Disgusting!

Henri: Forgive me, madame, the lady is not undressing, she is dressing. The gentleman happens to be her husband. They are celebrating their twenty-seventh wedding anniversary. They are going to have dinner with their oldest son. He is a taxidermist. I am appalled that you should thus malign these good people. It goes to prove what I have always maintained, that evil exists only in the eye of the beholder. I will thank you to stop looking at my pictures.

Good one Scott; that speaks volumes. That is probably what Cameron thought about the racist observations; not to mention the Vatican.

 

[Rutledge]

Good one Scott; that speaks volumes. That is probably what Cameron thought about the racist observations; not to mention the Vatican.

Well of course I was just going on what Cameron said, not what he "thought". Certainly, if you two have insight into his actual thinking, you know much better than I.

If you will allow me one further "evil seeing", consider this quote from a recent article on the film:

"Adding to the racial dynamic is that the main Na'vi characters are played by actors of color, led by a Dominican, Zoe Saldana, as the princess. The film also is an obvious metaphor for how European settlers in America wiped out the Indians."

The author used the words "obvious metaphor", they are not mine. Is it possible there are others like me, filled with crazy thoughts of evil around every corner? Oooooooh I hope so.....

 

[Spitfrnd]

Well of course I was just going on what Cameron said, not what he "thought". Certainly, if you two have insight into his actual thinking, you know much better than I.
....

I only know what I think; what you and he think are up to each of you.

....The author used the words "obvious metaphor", they are not mine. Is it possible there are others like me, filled with crazy thoughts of evil around every corner? Oooooooh I hope so.....

Of that I have no doubt; they are called "the Press." Of course, even that author of whatever qualifications did not say anything about a metaphor for the evil nature of current US policies and lifestyles. But actually if you want to think that, it is no concern of mine.