kimmy Posted January 4, 2010 Report Share Posted January 4, 2010 Political messages? 'Bad people get their just desserts' and 'think of others.' Kind of like Star Wars. There wasn't any corporation-bashing at all, but there was bashing of a certain type of person who cause problems when they rise to power positions in corporations with the means to do large amounts of damage. "the corporation" in the movie bears little similarity to any present-day corporation I can think of. Maybe it was inspired by the British East India company? The cartoonish portrayal of "the corporation"-- they might as well be scheming to make fur coats out of Dalmatians-- makes it hard to take the movie seriously as any sort of social commentary. In the scene were they are watching the aftermath of the first attack, corporation-guy seems to look regretful of what they've done, but maybe he just had gas when they were shooting the scene. We never find out... we don't see any more of him until the very end of the film. -k Quote (╯°□°)╯︵ ┻━┻ Friendly forum facilitator! ┬──┬◡ﾉ(° -°ﾉ) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
myata Posted January 4, 2010 Report Share Posted January 4, 2010 The visuals of this movie (seeing it in 3D, either Dolby or Imax, is a must) are nothing short of stunning. It lives up to the claim of opening a new chapter in the moviemaking. I won't be surprised if a few short years from now 3D will be a standard of moviemaking just like transition from black & white to colour. The storyline simply parallels that of the Europeans/natives encounter only with a mandatory for a Hollywood blockbuster happyending. Which somehow does not seriously diminish the effect of the movie. The question I have from watching this film and District 9, is why so obviously dastardly acts portrayed in there appear completely believable despite our prolonged evolution as a "civilized" society and ever burning desire to do good to others (without much regard whether they ask for it or not). Given that e.g. the government of this country is as reluctant as ever to impose any ethical standards on operation of our businesses overseas (where conflicts of the kind portrayed in the Avatar have been reported), "democracy" in Afghanistan, "weapons" in Iraq, etc, our evolution to the condition where we could rightfully call ourselves fully intelligent human beings, by virtue of recognising and behaving ethically toward other intelligent beings like or unlike us, is going to be a slow and difficult process. I only hope that there is some kind of a natural balance law that will prevent us from being able to explore other planets and stars until we have finally found a handle on our greed, desire for power and control of the others. Quote If it's you or them, the truth is equidistant Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shwa Posted January 4, 2010 Report Share Posted January 4, 2010 "the corporation" in the movie bears little similarity to any present-day corporation I can think of. Maybe it was inspired by the British East India company? The cartoonish portrayal of "the corporation"-- they might as well be scheming to make fur coats out of Dalmatians-- makes it hard to take the movie seriously as any sort of social commentary. In the scene were they are watching the aftermath of the first attack, corporation-guy seems to look regretful of what they've done, but maybe he just had gas when they were shooting the scene. We never find out... we don't see any more of him until the very end of the film. -k Oh I don't know. There is always room for the bad guys to take a beating as "social commentary." But then again, that is about all the social commentary I got out of Star Wars too. To me it was less about corporate character than personal character which is something anyone can enjoy regardless of political stripe. I did notice the look on the corporation-guy's face too - a moment of regret. But by then he had already opened Pandora's box, so to speak. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael Hardner Posted January 4, 2010 Report Share Posted January 4, 2010 Well, sure--if you quote another poster, concoct a caricature of what he says, and then scorn your own caricature...well, you can make anything seem like "twaddle." Read his comment again, and your response to it. Basic literacy will tell you that the two are scarcely related at all. Isn't that called the 'strawman approach' ? Quote Click to learn why Climate Change is caused by HUMANS Michael Hardner Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael Hardner Posted January 4, 2010 Report Share Posted January 4, 2010 And I did feel a sense of immersion in the fantasy environment they had created. I think that's what the movie offers... not a social commentary or a profound story, just 2.7 hours immersed in a completely different world. To me, that aspect of it alone makes it an impressive piece of art. -k I have been saying this about IMAX 3D for years now. The 'immersion' that you felt is akin to the feeling you get at a well-staged play. IMAX 3D has brought the fantastic elements of film together with the immediacy and intimacy of theatre, and as such there's no limit to where it can go. Quote Click to learn why Climate Change is caused by HUMANS Michael Hardner Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oleg Bach Posted January 4, 2010 Report Share Posted January 4, 2010 More high tech illusion to distract the masses from the matters at hand. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
myata Posted January 4, 2010 Report Share Posted January 4, 2010 "the corporation" in the movie bears little similarity to any present-day corporation I can think of. Maybe it was inspired by the British East India company? Do we know much about the way our own, Canadian, corporations operate in the remote, uncivilized lands, where freedom of press (along with other freedoms) are unknown? Just like any formal standards (in Canada) for such operations? Occasional stories pop up, like in Africa, New Guinea, or that recent episode in Columbia? where an anti-mining activist have been killed, but how common are these practices (and how serious is the problem)? There's no way to tell until some monitoring and oversight is put in place, and as of now, nobody appears to be interested. Quote If it's you or them, the truth is equidistant Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wyly Posted January 4, 2010 Report Share Posted January 4, 2010 James Cameron said about Titanic that it was his $200 million chick flick. Well, his chick flick grossed $1 billion. ---- I think Avatar will be a dud. 3-D just doesn't work. CGI is in its infancy. Cameron must admit that the secret to commercial success is a technically stunning chick flick - with emphasis on chick flick. It has to seem real. With this recent Cameron effort, I see another Michael Cimino disaster in the making. Kimmy asked elsewhere about this. Well, European movies are based on character. American movies (westerns) are based on plot/story. When a movie is based on technical CGI wizardry (eg. Aliens) then it attracts the 14 year old male Asian customer base. Once upon a time, this base decided the success of Hollywood movies (eg. James Bond). But even with 14 year old boys in Asia, character matters. And anyway, I suspect the Asian kids only like a movie because they think that it's cool. Modern audiences (my older aunts and sisters) now know that good movies are not always good box office. They understand that 14 year old boys in Hongkong may buy cinema tickets but that doesn't mean the movie is good. With all that said, one of my older aunts loved Twilight. 1 billion so far in box office sales in 3 weeks...I wish I could have a share in this dud following some Oscar awards and a 2nd wave if box office sales to be followed by, toys,games, DVD sales and rental, Pay for View, Games, clothing...looks like a couple of billion profit for this dud... Quote “Conservatives are not necessarily stupid, but most stupid people are conservatives.”- John Stuart Mill Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wyly Posted January 4, 2010 Report Share Posted January 4, 2010 I swear you just troll this forum to find opportunities to try to convince yourself how great the US is. and to try to convince us as well I suppose... sad. I saw Avatar and thought it was ok, the effects were mid blowing, it sure ain't your grand pappys 3D! $80 was a wee bit steep though for 6 of us. it was the best dollar value I've spent in a long time for a movie, great entertainment...a simple story that's been done before but never so well... Quote “Conservatives are not necessarily stupid, but most stupid people are conservatives.”- John Stuart Mill Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
myata Posted January 4, 2010 Report Share Posted January 4, 2010 1 billion so far in box office sales in 3 weeks...I wish I could have a share in this dud August's forecasts of the future aren't always that close to the mark )) Quote If it's you or them, the truth is equidistant Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bush_cheney2004 Posted January 4, 2010 Report Share Posted January 4, 2010 August's forecasts of the future aren't always that close to the mark )) So that means big time profits for investment are good...right? Excellent!!! Quote Economics trumps Virtue. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blueblood Posted January 4, 2010 Report Share Posted January 4, 2010 it was the best dollar value I've spent in a long time for a movie, great entertainment...a simple story that's been done before but never so well... My link needs 8 awards to knock off dances with wolves, which IMO is a similar movie. Financially, it has a long road ahead to generate the rate of return dances with wolves had. The dark knight had a far better story. Quote "Stop the Madness!!!" - Kevin O'Leary "Money is the ultimate scorecard of life!". - Kevin O'Leary Economic Left/Right: 4.00 Social Libertarian/Authoritarian: -0.77 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bush_cheney2004 Posted January 4, 2010 Report Share Posted January 4, 2010 ....The dark knight had a far better story. ...and very decent U.S. domestic numbers. Avatar score remains to be seen. http://boxofficemojo.com/alltime/ Quote Economics trumps Virtue. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael Hardner Posted January 4, 2010 Report Share Posted January 4, 2010 My link needs 8 awards to knock off dances with wolves, which IMO is a similar movie. Financially, it has a long road ahead to generate the rate of return dances with wolves had. The dark knight had a far better story. It's probably apples and oranges to compare AA wins from so long ago to now. There are likely more categories, and this is likely more likely to win a slew of technical Oscars. I'm assuming that you also realize that more awards does not equal better movie. Quote Click to learn why Climate Change is caused by HUMANS Michael Hardner Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael Hardner Posted January 4, 2010 Report Share Posted January 4, 2010 ...and very decent U.S. domestic numbers. Avatar score remains to be seen. http://boxofficemojo.com/alltime/ Oh, it's there - I checked. And it's going head-to-head against a familiar rival: SECOND WEEKENDS Avatar $75,617,183THIRD WEEKENDS Avatar $68,300,000 FOURTH WEEKENDS Titanic $28,716,310 FIFTH WEEKENDS Titanic $30,011,034 SIXTH WEEKENDS Titanic $25,238,720 SEVENTH WEEKENDS Titanic $25,907,172 EIGHTH WEEKENDS Titanic $23,027,838 NINTH WEEKENDS Titanic $28,167,947 TENTH WEEKENDS Titanic $21,036,343 ELEVENTH WEEKENDS Titanic $19,633,056 TWELFTH WEEKENDS Titanic $17,605,849 Quote Click to learn why Climate Change is caused by HUMANS Michael Hardner Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bush_cheney2004 Posted January 4, 2010 Report Share Posted January 4, 2010 Oh, it's there - I checked. And it's going head-to-head against a familiar rival: ...so did I...Avatar did not seem to win "First Weekend", which belongs to The Dark Night. Quote Economics trumps Virtue. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael Hardner Posted January 4, 2010 Report Share Posted January 4, 2010 ...so did I...Avatar did not seem to win "First Weekend", which belongs to The Dark Night. Would you care to bet that Avatar beats the Dark Knight in box office ? Quote Click to learn why Climate Change is caused by HUMANS Michael Hardner Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bush_cheney2004 Posted January 4, 2010 Report Share Posted January 4, 2010 (edited) Would you care to bet that Avatar beats the Dark Knight in box office ? Beats it when? Where? Avatar can never beat The Dark Night for first weekend U.S. box. It may very well do so for total box office in time. Edited January 4, 2010 by bush_cheney2004 Quote Economics trumps Virtue. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael Hardner Posted January 4, 2010 Report Share Posted January 4, 2010 Beats it when? Where? Avatar can never beat The Dark Night for first weekend U.S. box. It may very well do so for total box office in time. Yes, I meant for total box office... it could do so in the next month or so. It's already over $1 Billion in worldwide box office. Quote Click to learn why Climate Change is caused by HUMANS Michael Hardner Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blueblood Posted January 4, 2010 Report Share Posted January 4, 2010 Yes, I meant for total box office... it could do so in the next month or so. It's already over $1 Billion in worldwide box office. We can safely say that this is in the running for best picture. I know that dark knight did not win best picture, even though it had very solid box office numbers, hence proving your point. The returns for dances with wolves are impressive. 19 million to make and it raked in 424 million resulting in 23x the cost of production. Avatar right now I'll estimate at 1.1 billion dollars, and with a cost of approx 300 million, its returns are about 3-4x the cost of production. One must also remember that Avatar had a lot of help in the marketing department. From the ads I've seen, it was marketed as "James Cameron's next movie", more than the movie itself. James Cameron IMO has now become a marketing icon. Quote "Stop the Madness!!!" - Kevin O'Leary "Money is the ultimate scorecard of life!". - Kevin O'Leary Economic Left/Right: 4.00 Social Libertarian/Authoritarian: -0.77 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bush_cheney2004 Posted January 4, 2010 Report Share Posted January 4, 2010 Yes, I meant for total box office... it could do so in the next month or so. It's already over $1 Billion in worldwide box office. We will see in the next few months. It's fun to watch Fox's usual detractors cheer on Avatar to record profits, and News Corporation (NWS) stock could use a bump up. Quote Economics trumps Virtue. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wyly Posted January 4, 2010 Report Share Posted January 4, 2010 ...so did I...Avatar did not seem to win "First Weekend", which belongs to The Dark Night. I recall some movie critics saying the 1st week wasn't the most important in determing a movie's success the 2nd and 3rd are...some movies start great because of great trailers but the trailer hype turn out to be the best parts of the movie and ticket sales crash quickly...word of mouth that keeps numbers up in the following weeks is what really matters...i think Avatar has that... Quote “Conservatives are not necessarily stupid, but most stupid people are conservatives.”- John Stuart Mill Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wyly Posted January 4, 2010 Report Share Posted January 4, 2010 (edited) The returns for dances with wolves are impressive. 19 million to make and it raked in 424 million resulting in 23x the cost of production. Avatar right now I'll estimate at 1.1 billion dollars, and with a cost of approx 300 million, its returns are about 3-4x the cost of production. compare that to Blair Witch Project made on a budget of $40-60,000 and according to one site made 137,000,000... the record I think belongs to a porno flick Deep Throat...a couple grand to make has estimated to have made well over a billion...of that the star Linda Lovelace made $500, which her boyfriend kept... Edited January 4, 2010 by wyly Quote “Conservatives are not necessarily stupid, but most stupid people are conservatives.”- John Stuart Mill Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bush_cheney2004 Posted January 4, 2010 Report Share Posted January 4, 2010 ....the record I think belongs to a porno flick Deep Throat...a couple grand to make has estimated to have made well over a billion...of that the star Linda Lovelace made $500, which her boyfriend kept... Another urban legend...Deep Throat never made $1 billion, if only because of the number of seats at screening venues and limited VHS sales. Besides, back in the 70's, I much preferred Debbie Does Dallas ! http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deep_Throat_(film) Quote Economics trumps Virtue. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wyly Posted January 4, 2010 Report Share Posted January 4, 2010 Another urban legend...Deep Throat never made $1 billion, if only because of the number of seats at screening venues and limited VHS sales. Besides, back in the 70's, I much preferred Debbie Does Dallas ! http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deep_Throat_(film) wiki as a source, please.... estimates are on sales of video's, screenings and such...the original producers never likely made much because it's been pirated and resold countless times many pockets shared the profits and still do... I liked Debbie does Dallas too ... I never did see Deep Throat Quote “Conservatives are not necessarily stupid, but most stupid people are conservatives.”- John Stuart Mill Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.