View Full Version : Avatar
OK. So I wasn't really into this movie despite the hype, but I was curious to check it out. I went into seeing it yesterday VERY skeptical. Boy, was I wrong. Damn good flick with or w/o the 3D effects. Think Braveheart meets Alien/Aliens meets Medicine Man with some Titanic and Platoon sprinkled in. Sounds strange, but it works. :thumbup: :thumbup:
-Kevin
From the commercials and trailer, I feared it would be a remake of the invasion of the planet Naboo:
A vast mechanized droid army vs. Jar-Jar, some swamp creatures, and a sling shot.
:p
From the commercials and trailer, I feared it would be a remake of the invasion of the planet Naboo:
A vast mechanized droid army vs. Jar-Jar, some swamp creatures, and a sling shot.
:p
:) Thankfully it is not.
Oh, and add in a bit of Jurassic Park as well.
-Kevin
JLMannin
12-22-09, 05:07 PM
Thanks for the reviews. I think my son and I will go see it.
Sean Malone
12-22-09, 05:23 PM
I keep hearing about 'amazing CG graphics' but the clips I'm seeing look like nVidia demos from 2001.
I keep hearing about 'amazing CG graphics' but the clips I'm seeing look like nVidia demos from 2001.
I think the problem in that the clips for TV, etc. are 'flattened' for use in non-3D viewing. There are some remarkable scenes that actually raised my heart rate.
-Kevin
stroker
12-22-09, 08:10 PM
Thanks, I'll pass. "Dances with Smurfs" I don't need...
Ten-foot-tall waif-like blue babes almost showing their naughty bits. :thumbup:
Good flick, amazing visuals. Resets the bar for CG, certainly.
Plotline is a bit weak, go into it with reasonable expectations (low) and you'll enjoy it muchly!
:thumbup:
Good flick, amazing visuals. Resets the bar for CG, certainly.
Plotline is a bit weak, go into it with reasonable expectations (low) and you'll enjoy it muchly!
I enjoyed it a lot. I don't generally like CGI but it wasn't as "cartoony" as it looked like it might be in the stills I've seen. The 3D affects were very cool and I enjoyed that aspect, but it doesn't make me wish for every movie to be 3D.
We went to a late show and were surprised that the theater was still packed for such a late show on the third weekend.
I enjoyed it a lot. I don't generally like CGI but it wasn't as "cartoony" as it looked like it might be in the stills I've seen. The 3D affects were very cool and I enjoyed that aspect, but it doesn't make me wish for every movie to be 3D.
We went to a late show and were surprised that the theater was still packed for such a late show on the third weekend.
IMO, this notion that 3D is going save Hollywood is hooey. Avatar is actually gaining momentum based on word of mouth. Avatar's second week was actually better than its first week. Me thinks most folks were skeptical going in to see it or were on the fence on whether to see it or not. I only went because I was bored the week of Xmas and had my shopping finished. Otherwise I would have waited for the DVD. My SciFi geek neighbor prolly wouldn't have gone if I hadn't given it two thumbs up.
-Kevin
IMO, this notion that 3D is going save Hollywood is hooey.
Yep. No way I'm going to wear goofy glasses watching movies at home.
I don't do theaters anymore but I'll get Avatar on Blue-ray when it comes out.
I don't do theaters anymore but I'll get Avatar on Blue-ray when it comes out.
I typically do a theater 1-2 times/year nowadays. Avatar is worth a trip to the theater...especially a tavern/theater. :D
-Kevin
I typically do a theater 1-2 times/year nowadays. Avatar is worth a trip to the theater...especially a tavern/theater. :D
-Kevinyes.
Theater ever other year or so for me. Big screen is really the point of this movie.
That, and the Wiccan propaganda. :D
TravelGal
01-03-10, 03:01 PM
You guys are talking me into it. I have some Fandango gift certs that I have to use or lose so this seems like a good way to "spend" them.
Does the 3D really matter? Local theaters have 3D and non-3D showing at the same time.
How do they handle the 3D? Paper/cellophane spectacles? Do they have intermissions to warn you to don the specs, or is the whole movie that way? Is it headache-inducing?
You guys are talking me into it. I have some Fandango gift certs that I have to use or lose so this seems like a good way to "spend" them.
Does the 3D really matter? Local theaters have 3D and non-3D showing at the same time.
I would say yes. It provides more of an experience than the "in your face" gimmick that most 3D movies rely on. The depth that it adds to the panoramas of the alien planet really make it a spectacle.
With a few exceptions instead of relying on the "something coming at you" gimmick to get a good 3D affect, they simply add depth to the scenes and it works very well.
How do they handle the 3D? Paper/cellophane spectacles? Do they have intermissions to warn you to don the specs, or is the whole movie that way? Is it headache-inducing?
For the non-Imax showing you wear polarized plastic glasses. They were comfortable and fit over my glasses with no problem. Most IMAX showings use a bigger version of the same thing - more like ski googles.
http://celluloidjunkie.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/03/reald-3d-glasses.jpg
You watch the entire movie with them. They give you the glasses going in and if you don't wear them the movie will look blurry and terrible. I didn't experience any negative affects during or after.
Oh, but one thing: "unobtainium?" Really James? Really? You couldn't come up with anything better than that? :shakehead
Oh, but one thing: "unobtainium?" Really James? Really? You couldn't come up with anything better than that? :shakehead
I thought the same thing. Considering how much he 'borrowed' from other flicks, he could have @ least borrowed a more proper mineral term from an old episode of Trek, etc. :gomer:
-Kevin
RaceGrrl
01-03-10, 04:52 PM
I really liked the movie but have been feeling bad all day today with a headache. That's not been fun.
That's what I am worried about. I have some eyesight problems and am prone to headaches because of them.
By the way, how is it for the kids?
oddlycalm
01-03-10, 06:06 PM
Plotline is a bit weak, go into it with reasonable expectations
Good advice G., that was certainly the case with Star Wars for those of us who were adults when it was released. Didn't mean it wasn't fun to see. Films made for an all ages mass audiences rarely have the most brilliant screen plays and the best SciFi books are nearly impossible to make into movies (despite multiple attempts in the case of Dune).
Like KLang I don't do theaters any more, but I may have to consider a trip to the fine dining / living room theater across the river for Avatar.
oc
By the way, how is it for the kids?
Define kids. There's some violence and language issues, and a few romantic scenes as well (think Titanic). Not something our 6 yo would like...for her Wall-e was a stretch, but her 6 yo boy cousin and a few kids around her age in the neighborhood would like it. My guess is 8+ should be fine. YMMV.
re: the headache issues, I did pull the glasses off to 'rest' my eyes a couple of times. I'm not a huge fan of a lot of movement on the screen, but it didn't really bother me. I have read a few reports of folks that have experienced headaches.
-Kevin
TravelGal
01-03-10, 06:34 PM
^^^this is good to know about the glasses/headaches. As someone who has no depth perception (astounding and confounding several opticians/optometrists/and ophthalmologists throughout my life), I think I'll pass and go for the regular version. Probably less crowded anyway.
^^^this is good to know about the glasses/headaches. As someone who has no depth perception (astounding and confounding several opticians/optometrists/and ophthalmologists throughout my life), I think I'll pass and go for the regular version. Probably less crowded anyway.
I did a quickie Google on the subject:
http://www.inquisitr.com/53141/how-to-avoid-james-camerons-3d-avatar-headache/
-Kevin
TravelGal
01-03-10, 06:53 PM
Reminds me of the time I tried progressive lenses. "Only look at that part that is in focus." It went counter to years of eye therapy, which left me with excellent peripheral vision, so they went back to the eye doc.
Reminds me of the time I tried progressive lenses. "Only look at that part that is in focus." It went counter to years of eye therapy, which left me with excellent peripheral vision, so they went back to the eye doc.
WTF is up with that? They never told me that the correction is just in a tiny spot in the lens! :flame:
RE: Avatar and kids. Some simulated muppet sex (not bad), one shot of blood (on the hand, reaching out from under the jacket - not spurting), some bad words said very clearly, and a fairly intense battle with arrows and explosions.
I took an 11 yo and a 6 yo. Hey, he needs to man-up a bit!:p
(it was boring to the little one until the main battle. Six is too young, probably, but he enjoyed it.)
Maybe "unobtainium" didn't have copyright issues.
List of cooler minerals to fight 10-ft tall smurfs for:
1. Carbonite
2. Adamantium
3. The Spice
4. ...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_fictional_elements,_materials,_isotopes_an d_atomic_particles
stroker
01-04-10, 09:08 AM
Maybe "unobtainium" didn't have copyright issues.
List of cooler minerals to fight 10-ft tall smurfs for:
1. Carbonite
2. Adamantium
3. The Spice
4. ...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_fictional_elements,_materials,_isotopes_an d_atomic_particles
I always thought "unobtanium" was coined by Mark Donohue in the unveiling of the Porsche Turbo Panzer in 1971, when Penske was repeatedly asked by the journalists at the even what the frame of the car was made of.
http://ll.speedhunters.com/u/f/eagames/NFS/speedhunters.com/Images/Rod%20Chong/FeatureCars/917CanAm/07.jpg
oddlycalm
01-04-10, 04:19 PM
...Some simulated muppet sex (not bad), one shot of blood (on the hand, reaching out from under the jacket - not spurting), some bad words said very clearly, and a fairly intense battle with arrows and explosions.
Sounds like holiday dinner at BiF's. :gomer:
oc
RE: Avatar and kids. Some simulated muppet sex (not bad), one shot of blood (on the hand, reaching out from under the jacket - not spurting), some bad words said very clearly, and a fairly intense battle with arrows and explosions.
That sounds less harmful than the latest Alvin and the Chipmunks movie. :yuck:
I think I could actually feel my braincells dying.
That sounds less harmful than the latest Alvin and the Chipmunks movie. :yuck:
I think I could actually feel my braincells dying.
I skillfully found other priorities when the clan went to that one last week.
Squirrel! :D
-Kevin
oddlycalm
01-04-10, 06:09 PM
I always thought "unobtanium" was coined by Mark Donohue in the unveiling of the Porsche Turbo Panzer in 1971, when Penske was repeatedly asked by the journalists at the even what the frame of the car was made of.
I wuz gonna say someone in involved with GP motorcycles engines which is where I first heard it used in the late 60's.
wiki unobtanium (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Unobtainium)
Turns out the aerospace guys were applying it to titanium and the high nickel alloys (Inconel, etc.) back in the 50's. Who knew?
Going back to the days when the only source of refined iron were on the rare occasions when lightning struck exposed iron ore deposits there have always be rare and mythical materials and unobtanium seems to have become the catch-all word for it somewhere along the line. It does seemed kinda generic for such an elaborately conceived world.
oc
E$PN 3D (http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/news/story?id=4796555)
We're one step closer to the Ocho. :saywhat: :shakehead
-Kevin
E$PN 3D (http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/news/story?id=4796555)
-Kevin
Sweet. If the Mouse is providing glasses, I can sport this cool look at home too?
http://i47.tinypic.com/4uxk49.jpg
Sweet. If the Mouse is providing glasses, I can sport this cool look at home too?
http://www.alisonwheeler.org.uk/rsrc/pics/imax3d.jpg
Fixed. :D
-Kevin
http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE6080XO20100109
3D headaches.
And while new digital 3D technology has made the experience more comfortable for many, for some people with eye problems, a prolonged 3D session may result in an aching head, they said.
"There are a lot of people walking around with very minor eye problems, for example a minor muscle imbalance, which under normal circumstances, the brain deals with naturally," said Dr Michael Rosenberg, an ophthalmology professor at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine in Chicago.
-Kevin
I saw the movie yesterday. You will have to count me in as a :thumbup:!
The 3-D glasses did not bother me once the movie started. They were pulling on my eyes for the previews of Alice in Wonderland and Shrek 3D. I was thinking "this is going to give me a headache!". Once the feature started, I didn't realize the glasses were on until I looked at my iPhone to see what time it was after the movie.
datachicane
01-11-10, 02:07 PM
Whither Eludium Pu-36?
I think it's on back order with ACME. :p
http://img64.imageshack.us/img64/8072/marvink.jpg
chop456
01-12-10, 08:15 AM
http://www.cnn.com/2010/SHOWBIZ/Movies/01/11/avatar.movie.blues/index.html
:gomer::gomer::gomer:
http://www.cnn.com/2010/SHOWBIZ/Movies/01/11/avatar.movie.blues/index.html
http://i.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2010/SHOWBIZ/Movies/01/11/avatar.movie.blues/t1larg.avatar.blues.gi.jpg
Perfect example of why I don't do theaters anymore. I don't want to smell or hear somebody elses pizza while I'm trying to enjoy a movie.
Perfect example of why I don't do theaters anymore. I don't want to smell or hear somebody elses pizza while I'm trying to enjoy a movie.
No joke.
And look at how fat that audience is.
:makes note to exercise tomorrow:
TravelGal
01-12-10, 12:35 PM
No joke.
And look at how fat that audience is.
:makes note to exercise tomorrow:
Look at the AUDIENCE. TravelGuy and I go to the early shows and are surprised if there are more than 15 other people there.
datachicane
01-12-10, 12:58 PM
No joke.
And look at how fat that audience is.
:makes note to exercise tomorrow:
http://jdrewscott.files.wordpress.com/2009/06/picture-4.png
High Sided
01-12-10, 01:06 PM
TravelGuy and I go to the early shows and are surprised if there are more than 15 other people there.
my girlfriend and i do the early shows as well. the amc theater near her house has $5 ticket prices for movies before noon fri-sun. after finding out about earlybird tickets we've been to more movies in the last 2 months than we've gone to in 3 years.
avatar was great :thumbup::thumbup:
TravelGal
01-12-10, 01:06 PM
^^^^ there was a lot more truth than fiction in that movie. Ugh. I'm with Indy. Time to head out and exercise now.
Look at the AUDIENCE. TravelGuy and I go to the early shows and are surprised if there are more than 15 other people there.
I caught the Seinfeld episode 'The Movie' last night, and I had to laugh about the days of standing in line for movies, saving seats, etc. :laugh: :saywhat:
-Kevin
See what your neighbors are renting:
Netflix rental patterns, neighborhood by neighborhood, in a dozen cities.
http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2010/01/10/nyregion/20100110-netflix-map.html?hp
In San Francisco 'Twilight' is the second most popular rental in the Hunter's Point neighborhood (think Compton by the Bay). Not very gangsta. :laugh:
Saw this again last night. This time we arrived in time for coming attractions and it convinced me even more that, at least for now, 3D will remain a gimmick and not a revolution in film making. Unlike Avatar all of the coming attractions featured the "cut-outs in front of a background" 3D affect that is more cheesy and annoying than enjoyable. Foreground, middle, background, all flat and lookout! something coming at you! Horrible.
Maybe more films like Avatar that give a much more realistic depth of field will come in the future, but I'm not holding my breath. That would be like expecting more movies like Titanic and then getting "Pearl Harbor".
Saw this again last night. This time we arrived in time for coming attractions and it convinced me even more that, at least for now, 3D will remain a gimmick and not a revolution in film making. Unlike Avatar all of the coming attractions featured the "cut-outs in front of a background" 3D affect that is more cheesy and annoying than enjoyable. Foreground, middle, background, all flat and lookout! something coming at you! Horrible.
Maybe more films like Avatar that give a much more realistic depth of field will come in the future, but I'm not holding my breath. That would be like expecting more movies like Titanic and then getting "Pearl Harbor".
Indeed. Problem is that it took 4 years to make Avatar. In this day and age, how many studios are going to wait/invest that long/much for a film that may or may not be a blockbuster. Films like A Christmas Carol in 3D? :saywhat: :shakehead
-Kevin
oddlycalm
01-18-10, 07:46 PM
Maybe more films like Avatar that give a much more realistic depth of field will come in the future, but I'm not holding my breath. That would be like expecting more movies like Titanic and then getting "Pearl Harbor".
Yeah, the film studios are are not exactly known for being bastions of taste and refinement... :laugh:
They showed their true colors with digital surround sound as they went for every conceivable gimmick and exploited the dynamic range in the most obvious and bombastic manner like a 5yr old with a new toy. :yuck: :thumdown:
oc
So Cameron now has the #1 and #2 all-time grossing flicks...US and worldwide. Avatar @ $553m and counting... :eek:
-Kevin
So Cameron now has the #1 and #2 all-time grossing flicks...US and worldwide. Avatar @ $553m and counting... :eek:
-Kevin
How the hell does he top that?
I want to see a remake of "Dude. Where's My Car".
The aliens could've been done much better.
JLMannin
01-25-10, 08:42 PM
How the hell does he top that?
3D porn.
datachicane
01-25-10, 09:26 PM
Titanic sucked.
I'm sick of filmmakers who feel like they need to thwack the audience in the forehead with a ball pein hammer to get the desired emotional response and/or make their point.
stroker
01-26-10, 12:56 AM
I'm sick of filmmakers who feel like they need to thwack the audience in the forehead with a ball pein hammer to get the desired emotional response and/or make their point.
Don't you be dissin' my Sam Peckinpah movies...
:D
indyfan31
01-27-10, 06:23 PM
It's about time someone crunched the real numbers. While Avatar may be the highest grossing movie ever (mostly due to exorbitant movie prices), it's not the highest attended movie ever. It's not even in the top 20.
Forbes.com (http://movies.yahoo.com/feature/forbes-avatar-box-office-king.html)
It's about time someone crunched the real numbers. While Avatar may be the highest grossing movie ever (mostly due to exorbitant movie prices), it's not the highest attended movie ever.
Forbes.com (http://movies.yahoo.com/feature/forbes-avatar-box-office-king.html)
Quite true. Adjusted grosses all-time. (http://www.boxofficemojo.com/alltime/adjusted.htm) However, it's also fair to point out that the competition for eyeballs is tougher now than it was in the past. Back when I first started watching the adjusted grosses ~10 years ago, GWTW was < $1B in adjusted gross...it's gained >50% in that period of time. :eek:
-Kevin
Sean Malone
04-26-10, 10:38 AM
Bought Avatar on BluRay last Friday and watched it Saturday night with my wife. an hour into it my wife says "wait a minute, this is a remake of Fern Gully!", a Disney cartoon from the 90's, a favorite of our daughters.
I found it trite, predictable but nice looking in 1080p. It's another movie in which the story line is on a 5th grade level, but it includes profanity and sexual content.
Does Hollywood really believe that the youth of today will grow up to denounce capitalism?
datachicane
04-26-10, 11:52 AM
Does Hollywood really believe that the youth of today will grow up to denounce capitalism?
:saywhat:
Ummm, not disagreeing with anything else in your post, but where the heck did that come from? Methinks there's a bit of Rorshach going on...
Methanolandbrats
04-26-10, 12:00 PM
However, it's also fair to point out that the competition for eyeballs is tougher now than it was in the past.
-Kevin
:gomer: logic :D ;)
Sean Malone
04-26-10, 01:24 PM
:saywhat:
Ummm, not disagreeing with anything else in your post, but where the heck did that come from? Methinks there's a bit of Rorshach going on...
Do I really need to answer that?
http://img707.imageshack.us/img707/8228/spanishinquisitionm.jpg
There hasn't been a truly politically subversive film made by a major studio in forty years, unless your skin is so thin that you'd consider the likes of 'Thank you for Smoking' as anti-capitalist.
What about Josie and the *****cats ??
:gomer:
the f*** is wrong with hookers?
:saywhat:
stroker
04-26-10, 11:27 PM
the f*** is wrong with hookers?
:saywhat:
They charge money for their services?
Standby. Course correction in progress. :irked:
They charge money for their services?
just gotta be a bargain shopper. the current retail market is very conducive to scoring some great deals!
datachicane
04-27-10, 12:29 AM
I guess Umberto Eco is persona non grata, too.
unpossible, at his size...
well, to borrow a phrase, "it's like sputnik!"
This thread must have been gold. Did someone say or post a photo of Mohammed? :p
Darn, I must have missed something traveling yesterday.
My BluRay is on the way from Amazon. Should be watching it this weekend, work schedule permitting.
This thread must have been gold. Did someone say or post a photo of *bleep*? :p
Fixed that for ya. :gomer:
-Kevin
TrueBrit
04-27-10, 09:41 AM
Damn..what did I miss??:irked:
cameraman
04-27-10, 12:00 PM
Just some posting after too much Hendrick's Gin...
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