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Post by dvdjunkie on Dec 22, 2009 10:06:47 GMT -6
James Cameron hasn't been heard from since his epic "Titanic" film took the top spot in total box office earnings, but he hasn't been sitting idle. For the past 15 years he has been putting together his newest film which opened just in time for the holidays and for Oscar consideration.
Six years in actual pre-production, production and post-production has produced an epic film - "Avatar". It is available to be seen two different ways. The standard 2-D and the mind-boggling 3-D, which he calls Stereophonic 3 Dimensions.
The film stars Sam Worthington, who also was featured in this year's "Terminator Salvation", which he filmed while also doing this one, and Zoe Saldana, who was last seen in JJ Abrams' "Star Trek" earlier this year also. Other featured cast members include Sigourney Weaver, Stephen Lang and Giovanni Ribisi.
But you won't care who the actors are as the story will sweep you away to the world of Pandora and the natives who are called Na'vi. Cameron has done his home work on CGI special effects and the 3-D process and given us a 'flawless' production where you can't tell where the humans are and CGI are.
Jake Sully (Worthington) is an ex-Marine now confined to a wheelchair. The death of his twin has given him a second chance, as he is a perfect genetic match to take over his brother's specialized work on Pandora. Humans have found a mineral treasure hidden in the depths of the jungles of Pandora, but have unsuccessfully been able to find it and set up their mining companies.
The earthlings have infiltrated Na'vi culture by creating avatars - flesh-and-blood aliens who can be "inhabited" by human operators from casket-like hibernation pods. Sam's job is to live as a Na'vi in an effort to reconcile the two races. But the mining company's head of security wants the former grunt to provide military intelligence, so he defeat the natives in battle and drive them from their land.
Won't tell you much more than that, except that the action sequences in this film are brilliantly staged, and will have you gasping in awe at their resolution. Some have said that this movie is a 'true Space Western' because the working title of the film was very tongue in cheek "Dancing With Smurfs" because of the blue hue that surrounds the Na'vi.
The movie runs 2 hours and 40 minutes with the first 30-minutes the only all-human part of the film. It seems like the shortest film you will have ever sat through until you look at your watch. It is the quickest 160 minutes you ever will enjoy from beginning to end.
The Academy Awards will NOT overlook this film, as it deserves a boatload of nominations. The Junkie Meter gives "Avatar" a strong Four out of five stars.
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Post by dvdjunkie on Dec 29, 2009 8:57:26 GMT -6
Here's a word of caution about this movie in 3-D, for those who plan on seeing it in the revolutionary new 3-D process that James Cameron brought into play in this wonderful movie. If you have the slightest problem with motion sickness, you might want to avoid the 3-D version. I found that I had to leave the theater in a couple of spots because of this. :huh: :huh: ![:P](//storage.proboards.com/forum/images/smiley/tongue.png) The 2-D version still has all the motion, but it is not as severe as watching "Avatar" in 3-D. I highly recommend this movie to everyone who enjoys a good science-fiction/fantasy film. It is very good and the almost three hour running time flies by and feels more closely to a less than two-hour movie. Don't miss this one. :jump: :jump:
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Post by Larry's 66 Diner on Dec 29, 2009 8:59:40 GMT -6
This film is one that I wouldn't mind seeing, if for no other reason, simply to see Sigourney Weaver — one of my favorite actresses dating back to "Alien". :thumbsup: Nonetheless, the film is one that has definitely piqued my interest! ![:-X](//storage.proboards.com/forum/images/smiley/lipssealed.png)
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Post by Midge on Dec 29, 2009 15:55:58 GMT -6
Thanks for the warning about the 3-D, Bill. ![:)](//storage.proboards.com/forum/images/smiley/smiley.png)
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Post by dvdjunkie on Dec 30, 2009 10:16:19 GMT -6
We are going to "Avatar" in 2-D again tomorrow (Thursday). This will be the third time to see this film. It is truly an amazing film, and after watching an interview with James Cameron about this movie, you can see all the love and hard work it took to get this movie to the screen. It started over 12 years ago with an idea and a working script, and was shelved because the technology just wasn't there yet. In early 2005 Cameron dusted off the script and began preproduction of the film.
And in the first two weeks, "Avatar" has grossed almost $160 million dollars and looks to be going strong for quite some time. Sold out showings are the norm for this film that raises the bar to almost unreachable limits for CGI generated movies.
This film is truly seamless in its presentation of live actors and computer-generated characters, you can not tell what is real and what is not real. It is a treat to see a movie like this and not have to worry about language, nudity, or any other offensive things that occur in most movies with a PG13 rating. A must-see movie on the big screen with big sound. ;D ;D
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Post by Larry's 66 Diner on Jan 4, 2010 23:06:58 GMT -6
Well, we finally got to see this film tonight. We went with three other friends to watch it — one who was watching it his second time.
I thought it was a great movie with a fantastic message! About 1/3 of the way through the movie, I got a little bored and "squirmy" for about 10 minutes or so, but the movie grabbed hold of me again and I enjoyed it!
It's one I wouldn't mind having when it is released on DVD. :thumbsup:
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Post by tclion on Jan 6, 2010 19:24:41 GMT -6
The only thing I can say about this movie is that everyone should see it. Even if the story line and plot do nothing for you the beautiful graphics will. It seems so real and so vibrant I defiantly will see this again.
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Post by Hedvig on Jan 8, 2010 13:42:13 GMT -6
I finally saw this shatteringly mind-blowing movie! We were supposed to see it last weekend but it was sold out. Then we were supposed to see it Wednesday, but it sold out. Today I finally got to put on those 3-D glasses. ![:-*](//storage.proboards.com/forum/images/smiley/kiss.png) Bill, you are right that the technology of this film is truly seamless. Of course the 3-D is always a bit difficult to get used to at first, but soon you're in to it and don't notice it's there. What you do notice, is a film that so involves you, that you feel you're walking around in that forest, hearing the rustle of the trees and the noises of the little animals. That's something new, and now we finally have the epic story to match this epic break-through in film-technology. Some parts of it were a bit corny, it had something of a Pocahontas-esque depiction of "the natives" about it in a few scenes, and of course, they never really start trying to fight off the human invaders until one of the humans steps up to lead them... but overall, I thought it was an unusually well-crafted story for its genre. It's involving and effective. Its eco-friendly, anti-imperialist message is also totally right with the times.
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Post by dvdjunkie on Jan 9, 2010 9:05:51 GMT -6
I think your mini-review of the movie is spot-on. A friend of mine who has seen this film four times (twice in 3D and twice in 2D) says that he pictures the story as a modern version of "Dances With Wolves" combined with a little of "Pocohontas", so I think that you pretty much nailed it. ![:-X](//storage.proboards.com/forum/images/smiley/lipssealed.png) I am going to see "Avatar" again today, but because of all the motion in the film, especially when the flying scenes around Pandora, I am going to see this film in 2D. This will be my fourth time to see it. I have only seen the 3D version once, and I didn't get to watch it all the way through because of my motion-sickness that overcame me. ![:'(](//storage.proboards.com/forum/images/smiley/cry.png) Glad you liked the movie, and I truly think that it is going to take home a lot of awards from the Golden Globes and Academy Awards this year. ;D
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Post by Hedvig on Jan 14, 2010 15:54:38 GMT -6
The motion-sickness, it's the one thing in the way of a breakthrough for this technology. I didn't experience it, but during the scenes you mentioned, a couple of people walked out, I'm thinking because of motion sickness like you said.
Oh, this film is award-bait, definitively.
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Post by dvdjunkie on Jan 31, 2010 9:52:40 GMT -6
Just couldn't wait to share this with all of you. Went to see Avatar for the 10th time last night (I have only paid twice to see this marvelous movie) and a couple of my friends wanted to go see it in 3-d. So I loaded up on drammamine and went along as a cheap date, only costs $7 for me because I am the senior in the group. A very nice man sat down next to me in the theater and we began talking about the movie we were about to see. He told me that he quit smoking so he could afford to come see this film five times a week since it opened....... ![:-X](//storage.proboards.com/forum/images/smiley/lipssealed.png) and unlike the rest of us, he really enjoys the 3-D and the 2-D version of the film. I can see the advertising now - "I quit smoking because of "AVATAR"!!!!!".... ![:-*](//storage.proboards.com/forum/images/smiley/kiss.png) . Just had to share that with you. And incidentally, James Cameron has announced that the DVD and Blu-ray release of the movie probably won't be released until July or August this year, but it will have almost 90 minutes of footage not seen in the theaters, as one of the bonuses. I am really excited now and can't wait. ;D
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Post by Midge on Jan 31, 2010 18:17:47 GMT -6
What a great story, Bill! ![:-X](//storage.proboards.com/forum/images/smiley/lipssealed.png)
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Post by Hedvig on Feb 4, 2010 17:56:19 GMT -6
I saw it again yesterday. Some of my new flatmates hadn't seen it, so I went with them. I'm guessing it's still top at the box-office not only because it's one of those must-sees, but because people go and see it again. The first time you watch it it's mind-blowing. The second time you can take more time to notice details, and see if the story hold up or not. To me the first half of the film was kind of typical - fascinating as you discover the beautiful new world, but it's depiction of the noble native population is like a lot of things I have seen before. But then the picture becomes very intense as it shows the relentlessness and lack of mercy the imperialists show to the culture of the Na'vi. We've learned to understand the significance of their sacred places and even believe what they believe in, in the context of the story, and the humans start to destroy it without mercy. This is one of the rare movies that stirs a strong feeling of anger within me. It's all true, look at history. Avatar helps bring it home.
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Post by dvdjunkie on Feb 4, 2010 20:46:49 GMT -6
And this is truly a movie to be seen at three times. Shows at the Warren Theaters here in Wichita are sold out for the weekends still, and the first two evening shows are sold out during the week. And I don't think all the Academy Award nominations have hurt attendance one bit. ![:-*](//storage.proboards.com/forum/images/smiley/kiss.png) I think James Cameron has really struck gold with this film and I urge everyone who enjoys a good movie to see this film in a theater. Don't wait for it to play on your television, it just will not be the same. ;D
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Post by dvdjunkie on Apr 22, 2011 21:23:01 GMT -6
Starting today (Friday, April 22) our World Class IMAX theater is showing, for one week only at 7:45 p.m., James Cameron's Avatar-The Director's Cut IMAX 3-D. I guess you know where I will be at twice this week. I never got to see this in IMAX, much less 3-D IMAX and now is my chance. For $12, senior price admission, it will not be a waste of time.
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Post by Midge on Apr 23, 2011 3:29:37 GMT -6
IMAX and 3-D, that's exciting, Bill! I hope that you enjoy the experience. If I were you, I'd be stocking up on Dramamine. ![:)](//storage.proboards.com/forum/images/smiley/smiley.png)
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Post by dvdjunkie on Apr 23, 2011 8:01:52 GMT -6
Thanks, Midge. Beverly already made the trip to Walgreen's to get some for me. So I will be ready for the experience. Going to see it tonight, Tuesday, and if they still have seats on Thursday.
I'm so excited!!! :jump: :jump: :jump:
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Post by dvdjunkie on Apr 27, 2011 17:52:01 GMT -6
For those of you lucky enough to have an IMAX theater in your area or within a reasonable driving distance, if you ever get a chance to see a movie such as Avatar, don't miss it. Our World Class IMAX theater features a nine-story-tall screen that is even wider than that. And to see this film in 3-D was an immersive experience that I don't think I will ever be able to duplicate. From the opening scenes you are right in the film, as part of it, not an audience member. I found myself floating in space, and when they had the flying scenes I was flying with them. There were no "gimmicks" used with the 3-D, thank goodness. The actual immersion in the film is what the main attraction of the 3-D is. www.warrentheaters.comAnd the ticket prices are very good, here in Kansas. One adult, one senior = $27, including the 3-D glasses. Great show, and I am going again tomorrow night.
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Post by Midge on Apr 27, 2011 20:23:02 GMT -6
Bill, It sounds like you really enjoyed being immersed in Avatar. I liked your description of flying in space. It sounds like fun! ![:-X](//storage.proboards.com/forum/images/smiley/lipssealed.png)
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