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New York, 3:55 PM
Thu Nov 26
21 posts in the last 24 hours
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11/25/09
"This shot scared me a bit… when Moore and Worthington are introduced to their Avatars, floating in blue liquid in tubes we get our first look at the Na’vi and… it looked just okay. Because of the liquid the definition of the alien (big, blue, wide-nosed, long pointy ears, thin tail) was at best plain and the real impressiveness of these creatures and the technology used to bring them to life doesn’t crop up until later scenes."
11/25/09
I mean, isn't the whole point of why we like the CGI effects in other movies that they look realistic enough that we don't even see them as CGI and therefore can relate to them viscerally? When your whole movie is CGI, and you actually make a point of it, and you actually design everything so that it basically looks like a cartoon, then why would any of that "wow" anyone?
I love animation and I'm a big anime geek, but I don't love the stuff I love because of the special effects, but because of the characters and story. Evangelion (which Cameron is a fan of too) isn't a classic anime because of how great it looks - it never was all that beautiful even when it was new, and it's old now - it's a classic because of the rich and complex story, and the relatable (if whiny) characters.
11/25/09
Long answer. There are a lot of people who will see this movie.
Hell, every person here trying to outwit the next with ferngully / smurf / titanic references has probably already bought tickets to this "fiasco" so they can be even more informed about how much this is going to suck.
And when the Blu-Ray comes out, it will sell to millions of people who will show to others how much they thought "this scene was awesome, but the rest of this sucked"
Even when James Cameron makes crap, it's glorious.
11/25/09
11/25/09
11/25/09
11/25/09
11/25/09
11/25/09
Stop staring at me, sparkle-smurf!
11/25/09
11/25/09
Once that happens, all anyone is doing is sorting through the film for evidence that their opinion- good or bad- is valid and correct, instead of actually forming an opinion based on the movie itself.
I'ts doomed to fail before it even hits theatres, because people have had months to chew the cud and glom onto the expanding ameoba of public opinion.
11/25/09
There have been plenty of examples in the past of big blockbuster projects that were rumored to really suck before they were released, but then turned out to be good. And the negative expectations didn't stop the public from quickly embracing those films and hailing them as great.
So if Avatar is actually good after all, the world will acknowledge that, fear not.
But it's getting very difficult to imagine how it could possibly be good, after seeing those trailers. They are, in fact, scenes from the film. And they are dreadful.
11/25/09
11/25/09
As I recall, it was rumored to be a total disaster, for a full year before it was released.
11/25/09
Before it was released, the rumors were everywhere that Daniel Craig totally sucked as James Bond.
11/25/09
The vast majority of the film-going public hears nothing about the film until the critics weigh in just before it gets released.
11/25/09
11/25/09
A very successful disaster.
#tips
11/24/09
11/24/09
11/24/09
11/24/09
11/24/09
I call the drumstick!
11/24/09
11/24/09
Actually, check that--Abe Vigoda in The Godfather comes to mind...
11/25/09
#tips
11/25/09
#tips
11/23/09
Seriously, this only makes me want to go see Fantastic Mr. Fox and Where the Wild Things Are.
Hey wait: Is this the year of lots of big name directors making hi-tech children films?
11/23/09
You are in a very enviable position.
One that allowed you to make (or re-make) virtually any project that you set your mind to.
You had at your command, a choice of any actor, designer, tech expert, writer and any of a seemingly unending vortex of talent that would have make themselves available to you. Literally, you had your pick from anyone. These people would have queued-up for a chance to work on a high-end, top-drawer and perhaps even important project knowing that you were at the helm.
And yet this, THIS is the project you chose above all others. This child's movie is what you made when you could have actually been the leader of a production that mattered. A project that you could have looked-back on with pride and, when in your dotage, could have reminisced:
"Yes, I made this. This film, this art would not have been possible but for me."
But instead you made this insignificant, derivative, wasteful piece of kiddie fluff.
You could have made anything.
You chose to make this.
You will never have this opportunity again.
Your choice in this matter is unfathomable to any thinking person.
phlox
11/23/09
Oh, and you want to see real art? Watch Aliens. Better than 99% of the film-festival drearfests I've sat through.
11/24/09
11/24/09
Yes, Aliens (1986) is a fun monster movie. It's also the sequel to a film that reinvented the science-fiction movie genre (i.e., original, important and better).
I don't actually give two shits about James Cameron, I'm just unhappy (from a creative standpoint) when I see opportunities squandered so palpably.
11/24/09
11/23/09
I'm getting a Fern Gully feel to this movie for some reason. Something about the "man" wanting to pillage the forest for his own means. And while there's perhaps a message in there somewhere, not sure it's really entertaining, especially in overblown CGI that just looks like a cartoon anyway.
Why were the blue aliens necessary again? Because Cameron could create them? That does seem very George Lucas like of him.
Also, I'm going to be really upset if they waste Sigourney Weaver. There's just no excuse for that.