Avatarocious (Another spectacle hits an iceberg and sinks. )

The Weekly Standard ^ | 28 Dec 2009 | John Podhoretz

[Borges]

Bad analogy. The Art world is way out there compared to films. There are plenty of good films every year.

[AreaMan]

Look, I'm no "rocket-surgeon" so I've had to seek out people that understand art and philosophy and I now have just enough knowledge to be dangerous to myself and others on the internet.

I am in no way qualified to critique any art form but as a consumer of art, in this case film, I say it is:

Technical ability: A breakthrough and stunning.
World view: A steaming pile.

[AreaMan]

So what if the Indians finally won one. What’s wrong with that?

Nothing. I don't think the complaints about the movie are that "the Indians" won a battle.

[BradyLS]

I agree. It’s unfair that Quaritch had to be such a flat and obvious cartoon character.

This could have been a deeper film. But when an auteur is wearing all the hats, the process that is most flexible (usually the writing) suffers the most.

[aruanan]

You have to admit. At least he saw it.

Yes, this is true. But it's sad when people let ideology poison simple pleasures.

The movie doesn't have to be seen as Western bashing or rehashing of old western movies in which the Indians were the good guys. I think the same people were complaining that Star Wars was just a rehashing of WWII fighter dogfights and trying to push a new age spirituality. Geez. These folks, whether on the left or the right, are just too frickin' tedious. Oh, no. Can't have a beer with some friends because that'll inevitably lead to alcoholism, loss of employment, beaten wife and family. Can't have sex or that'll lead to dancing. Can't enjoy the power of a new fast car or that'll lead to global warming and the deaths of millions.

[BradyLS]

Great find! It explains the whole reason why a lot of the creatures on Pandora have two sets of fore-legs and wings, too.

[BradyLS]

But it's sad when people let ideology poison simple pleasures.

I try to see each movie as a fresh experience. So if it has a message, I don't have to agree with it to enjoy elements of the movie. So I think we agree there.

Parts of the movie were superb, I thought. Basically, the time Jake spends becoming a part of the Na'vi. But, man, this movie was The War in Iraq meets The Trail of Tears and the Battle of Little Bighorn (message/world view: "America bad"). It was that pointed. I really can't blame folks for noticing it and not liking the film for it.

[BradyLS]

I should clarify, "the last act was The War in Iraq..."

[shield]

Today, it is being rated by the box office receipts as huge.

[AreaMan]

Today, it is being rated by the box office receipts as huge.

No doubt it will make a metric a**-load of money.

Mr. Cameron sure does make a pretty movie, a bright shining lie of a movie.

[shield]

Let’s hope after a couple of weeks it tanks.

[RedMonqey]

“unobtainium”

un-obtain-ium

realy creative/barf

[SunkenCiv]

Ping!