Post-Christmas stupor open thread
We had our Christmas yesterday (the 26th) and it was wonderful. Now I’m so tired the top of my head feels numb. I get like this every year: after the big day is over, I’m just drained. All that hot glue and sewing and wrapping and preparing. And then I’m just done. Absolutely roasted.
So I’m sitting here, looking at my computer, trying to remember what’s going on in the world and why I should care. Here are my questions — and if any of you can answer them, I’ll be most grateful, seeing as how I’m entirely too wasted to figure out what’s going on for myself:
- Is Nine really as bad as the critics say? Has anyone seen it? It sounds dead awful, but I’m always a little hesitant to trust critics. They all hated Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas, which I thought was fricking brilliant. But Nine does sound painful in the extreme.
- Is this the first time Daniel Day-Lewis has gotten a bad review since Hamlet? Will the shock send him into hiding for years to become a master whittler or something?
- Is Get Fuzzy as genius as I think it is? Because I think it is. One of my favorite Christmas gifts this year is something I gave my Dad: two book collections of Get Fuzzy cartoons. I want to live inside that comic strip. Seriously. When the day comes that we can upload ourselves to virtual realities — my brother and I are counting heavily on that for our senior years, by the way — I’m going to choose Get Fuzzy as my new cyber-home. Maybe I can share Satchel’s dog bed.
- What’s going to happen now with the health care piece of shit? The Senate passed theirs with a stealth version of Stupak — and you know, I’m using the term “passed” in more than one sense. It’s truly foul. Anybody have a good sense on what’s going to happen in conference?
- What’s the deal with somebody trying to blow up a plane? Was that like a real terrorist attempt or was the guy just carrying a firecracker in his pants?
- Speaking of Daniel Day-Lewis (firecracker, pants, are you with me?), has anybody seen There Will Be Blood? I still haven’t, though my Mom has. She says it’s extremely depressing.
- Speaking of movies, anybody seen Avatar? What the hell is it about, anyway? Why do all the people look like big blue elves?
58 Responses to “Post-Christmas stupor open thread”
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The Ladybug Whisperer says:
6. He is fucking bloody riveting brilliant. He could fall on his face the rest of his career, and that performance will cover it.
December 27th, 2009 at 11:13 pm EST -
MojaveWolf says:
7. Haven’t seen Avatar, but this review certainly makes me want to (and gives a good idea of what it’s about in a non-spoilery fashion):
http://greygirlbeast.livejournal.com/613474.html
1. Loved the book “Fear and Loathing”, did not care for the movie, even tho love both Depp and Gilliam as well as Thompson’s novel. Errr, journalism! Heh.
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Violet Socks says:
Interesting — the big blue elves are supposed to be aliens? But they’re hominids.
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Ann Bartow says:
I just survived a 14 hour drive down I-95 so I’m pretty fried too, but I did want to alert you to the fact that a bunch of my friends and I are going to take over a condo complex in our dotage and be crazy old ladies together, and you are invited. So enjoy Get Fuzzy but worry less about uploading yourself.
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Kookaburra says:
I haven’t seen Avatar yet, and I’m nervous about it. It’s the second film this year that I’ve been excited to see and then the marketing completely ruined it for me, and I lost all desire. The first was District 9, but then they had a contest that specified that ONLY males could enter. They eventually opened it to women, but grudgingly. Then Cameron goes on Playboy, and assures everyone that even though it makes no sense because the aliens are feline, they have breasts. Uggggh. I’m so fucking sick of it.
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Briar says:
Sigh. I know. Aliens are usually hominids because that’s the best we can do when imagining something alien - transferring our experience of life in this planet and colouring it differently or adding a finger or some forehead wrinkles or removing eyebrows or hair. That sort of thing. There are practical reasons too, mostly, since actors are usually hired to wear the masks and they come basically bipedal. And there’s another reason - try to get people to empathise with another character and it has to look like something they would normally empathise with (and yes, that normally leaves out most of the human race). So what with imagination and empathy limitations, what we normally end up with is a population of aliens who look more or less hominid and can be guaranteed to speak 21st century American English, all its idioms intact, and behave like 21st century middle class Americans too. If they are bad guys, they will likely have dark skins and look a bit - arabic. Or Chinese. Or whoever else the corporate propaganda machine wants us to hate. Or they will look like insects or machines - anything we will be likely to dislike on sight. It’s how our narratives work. *We* are the good guys. And when we do good, we will do good employing weapons and engaging in armed conflict. Because that is how we have been taught to think of heroes: as gun slingers or sword stickers or bomb droppers or whatever. Sooner or later the narrative will loop the loop and allow the good guys to get stuck into the wargame.
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Miranda says:
From all I gather, the effects are really great on Avatar. The story is the ‘white guy saves the Natives’ standard run.
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DancingOpossum says:
3. Yes, “Get Fuzzy” is brilliant. And while most of my cats are sweet, I have one who is just like that evil feline.
Avatar: Here’s a fascinating take on it from David Swanson, who calls it an explicitly anti-Iraq, anti-imperialist movie:
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blondie says:
I really liked Avatar, and normally I’m not a big sci fi fan. It’s quite long, but I never sat in the seat, thinking, “Is this about ready to be over yet?” The messages of the movie are not complex, but the imagery is truly something to behold. This is a movie to be seen on the big screen.
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Val says:
Avatar seemed like Dances-with-Wolves-in-deep-space, but nevertheless I liked it. The special effects are awe-inspiring.
I was depressed by the inhumanly [ar ar] tall, thin, athletic, beautiful blue aliens in a sense bcz this is obviously what Hollywood idolizes… -
editor_u says:
“Is Nine really as bad as the critics say? Has anyone seen it?”
Haven’t seen it, but I think it’s probably best to avoid any Hollywood adaptation of a Broadway musical that was based on a (non-musical) classic film (in this case, Fellini’s “8-1/2″).
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murphy says:
See There Will Be Blood. it’s fucking brilliant. Not depressing at all. more of an absurd comedy of epic fucking proportions.
looking forward to Avatar.
Sherlock Holmes has SEVERAL scenes of Robert Downey topless, which is also fucking awesome in an epic sense.
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Sheryl Robinson says:
My friend Karen turned me on to Get Fuzzy years ago, because my cat Scooter is a lot like Bucky - wily and cranky and inclined to mayhem. It’s a great comic.
There Will Be Blood is an semi-allegorical tale of the American economy. It’s quite brilliant.
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Mike in SLO says:
Avatar was boring, poorly written and generally unwatchable for me.
Way too long also. Story was almost non-existent and I didn’t care for any of the characters.
For $300 million he should have hired a decent writer.
I’m sure it will be named Best Picture of the Year.
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Monchichipox says:
Oh screw Avatar and there will be blood or any other like movies. Get your slippers, bathrobe, you favorite make me fat foods, maybe some friends and pop in the DVD The Proposal. You’ll be glad you did. Avatar is just a big, expensive cartoon. They remind me of the Wonder Twins.
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The Ladybug Whisperer says:
In desperation I turned to someone I formally considered a pretty good director. I now think Ang Lee is a misognyist of the highest order. His latest has a woman being violently anally raped and loving it, with a lot of the cinematic equivalent of doiles draped around the scene which was the r’aison d’etre for this piece of garbage, so we can think there’s some narrative or cinematography or profound purpose to this waste of 100 or so minutes.
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LabRat says:
What bugs me even more about Avatar is they went truly alien with the non-character aliens- they are all hexapods with eyes and sensory organs scattered hither and yon. If they had been tetrapods with binocular vision on their heads it would have made the anthropoid aliens stand out a lot less. I plan to skip it, I don’t think I’ll ever like the gaia-fetishization of native populations as a storyline no matter how pretty it is.
And yes, he appears to have been an actual terrorist-terrorist with actual Al Qaeda-manufactured bombpants. It’s just the expert who made the bomb didn’t bother to teach him how to detonate it properly.
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Petro says:
Also recommending There Will Be Blood. Nothing amuses me more than watching greedheads go at each other…
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riverdaughter says:
Avatar is the most beautiful movie ever made.
Srsly.
You will forget that you are watching CGI. The facial expressions are phenomenal. If there is an IMAX around you, I would recommend that for the full effect. I saw it in a rinkydink theater with cheap 3D glasses and the special effects were good but since I sometimes work in 3D with high end equipment, I found the theater effects second rate. Different theaters have different 3D technology. I suspect your best bet is with IMAX.
The story is very much like Dances With Wolves. There are a couple of scenes that could have been written and shot differently. They kind of remind you of some kind of line dance while seated. I think Cameron didn’t think this through enough. The extra motion wasn’t really necessary when another ceremonial ritual would have served better with a little phosphorescent enhancement.
The last 40 minutes are effing amazing. But it was almost too long. 30 seconds more and I would have opted for my screaming bladder and not the last five minutes of the film.
I give it a 4,5 out of 5. The technology is groundbreaking, the characters are interesting. The story, while novel and having a fully imagined setting, was the weak spot. Still, you will want to see it again. It’s eye candy. -
indigogrrl says:
I agree with RD this is a must see film. I did not see it in 3D or at an IMAX but WOW just WOW. My 9 year old didn’t breathe for the entire 2 hours and 45 minutes unless it was to say over and over “that’s AWESOME”. Yes, the story is trite. Yes, it’s got an obvious Hollywood ending. But the message is true and good. My partner (who was drug there complaining) came out of the theater impressed and was very glad she went.
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Cyn says:
My peeps (daughter & son-in-law) raved about Avatar. Of course, being the bumpkin I am, I had no idea it was a movie.
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emmag says:
“Is Get Fuzzy as genius as I think it is? Because I think it is…”
Get Fuzzy is the lone thread that keeps my only sibling and I on civilized terms. I LUV Bucky, Satchel, the manx from England & Rob - hilarious. It’s the first thing I read in the morning and the books are the last thing I read at night to relax. It is BEYOND genius.
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emmag says:
PS. I also owned a beautiful, hilarious, aggressive half-Siamese who was the light of my life for many years, so Bucky is VERY familiar.
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Adrienne in CA says:
I’m with you, RD. Avatar was AMAZING visually, and I really loved the story. Comparisons to native Americans and Middle East imperialism are unavoidable, and a good thing IMO. A strong message about the connectedness of all creatures brought me to tears. The female alien character is portrayed with great wisdom and strength She’s the reason the hero dude converts from “tree hugger” scoffer to indigenous rights champion. As big box office fare goes, I’d call this one pro woman; all the women are tough and smart. I guess I lucked out with my bladder, but I didn’t find it too long in the least. Too many action effects to absorb in one viewing, though. Worth seeing more than once.
*****A
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teresainpa says:
I did the stage version of Nine and it was one of the better experiences I have had in theater. Every time the trailer comes on I tear up because of the personal experiences that show set off for me over the next 7 years.
I will go see it, but then I have a sort of insiders sense of what the characters are all about.
What makes me nervous is the amount of new music and new characters I know they have added.
On stage it is Guido and young Guido and a lot of women… no other male characters.
In addition Nicole Kiddman is too old for her part and all the plastic surgery she has had makes her seem even older to me. Any actress who has to have a face lift at 35 or so has a problem.
Anyway I am excited to see it and will enjoy it if only to hear the music again. -
Marjorie says:
Come on ladies! Wasn’t there a Colin Firth and a Hugh Grant movie this Christmas? Has anyone seen either of those???
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JeanLouise says:
Marjorie, ’tis the season to watch Love Actually again. Not only do you get Colin Firth and Hugh Grant, you get Liam Neeson, Alam Rickman and the hunky Brazilian guy who tries to get together with Laura Linney.
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ramayana on film says:
Sita Sings the Blues: A retelling of the Ramayana:
http://www.sitasingstheblues.com/watch.html
Q: What drove you to create “Sita Sings the Blues”?
A: Sita Sings the Blues is a musical, animated personal interpretation of the Indian epic the Ramayana. The aspect of the story that I focus on is the relationship between Sita and Rama, who are gods incarnated as human beings, and even they can’t make their marriage work.
And then there’s my story. I’m just an ordinary human, who also can’t make her marriage work. And the way that it fails is uncannily similar to the way Rama and Sita’s [relationship fails]. Inexplicable yet so familiar. And the question that I asked and the question people still ask is, “Why”? Why did Rama reject Sita? Why did my husband reject me? We don’t know why, and we didn’t know 3,000 years ago. I like that there’s really no way to answer the question, that you have to accept that this is something that happens to a lot of humans. (source)
Q: Why make a feature movie out of the ancient Hindu epic, the Ramayana?
A: I was moved by the story and it seemed to speak so much to my life at the time, my problems at the time. It was cathartic to retell the story. (source)
It was a very personal project from the beginning. Including the autobiographical bits emphasizes that. I didn’t set out to tell THE Ramayana, only MY Ramayana. I wanted to be very clear about my point of view, my biases.
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Violet Socks says:
I did want to alert you to the fact that a bunch of my friends and I are going to take over a condo complex in our dotage and be crazy old ladies together, and you are invited.
Ann, that sounds wonderful! Crazy old lady commune. We could have our own meth lab and everything!
Thanks for the info on Avatar, everybody. I must say my interest is almost completely un-piqued. I guess I’ll have to see it, the way I had to see Star Wars and Titanic and so forth, and so I’m hoping it will be as good as you all say.
Actually, I am a little curious about the special effects people keep talking about. What could they be? What haven’t we seen? Can anything really top the flaming pie tins of Plan 9 From Outer Space?
I’m more interested in what DDL is up to, though I don’t think I can bear watching him sing in a bad musical. Maybe I’ll get caught up on his pictures I haven’t seen yet. I watched a clip on YouTube the other night from In the Name of the Father, which I saw when it came out but not since. Good lord. That monologue in the prison cell with his father — it’s so completely real. There is no Daniel Day Lewis in that scene. He’s just gone. It’s all Gerry Conlon.
See, in one of my previous reclusive lives I was an actor — really, I’m not kidding — and so the art and craft of acting is fascinating to me.
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Violet Socks says:
Continuing my DDL monologue: I still haven’t seen Gangs of New York because the whole Leonardo diCaprio situation is so off-putting. I mean the situation of him being in the movie. I find his ugly little face so unappealing to look at. And Cameron Diaz! And the whole ridiculous plot! See, I want a special director’s cut of Gangs of New York that just features Daniel Day Lewis. Just eliminate all the absurd Leo and Cameron crappola.
I revere Marty Scorcese as a filmmaker, but he took a wrong turn when he hooked up with that pig-faced diCaprio. God help us all.
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The Ladybug Whisperer says:
Moving right along with films you don’t want to miss.
And:
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Patti says:
Why do you dislike DiCaprio? Do tell.
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Violet Socks says:
I find his piggy little face very unpleasant to look at.
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The Ladybug Whisperer says:
di Caprio is in Gangs of New York? DDL rules the screen. You can’t believe the performance. Diaz? Perfect casting. So get a copy and enjoy. If that’s the right word.
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Patti says:
Yes, you said that already. Somehow, I didn’t believe you. In your former acting life, did you know Leo? It doesn’t really matter, I’m just messing with you.:)
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Lori says:
TWBB is a grim tale, brilliantly told, so it isn’t depressing. Everyone is just so darn good and it’s totally out there. I don’t like sad movies, but I couldn’t turn away. Absolutely riveting, real and weird.
Daniel Day-Lewis is a cobbler and has a shoe shop somewhere in Italy. when he’s not working on movies, he goes there and builds shoes. Scorsese had to track him down at the shop to talk to him about Gangs Of New York.
Avatar - haven’t seen it yet, but my son, with impeccable judgement, says I need to see it in theatres with the 3-D. He says it’s too beautiful for words, even if the story aspect of it isn’ t that worked out. Go for the visuals.
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LandOLincoln says:
Violet, have you ever seen What’s Eating Gilbert Grape?
DiCaprio plays Johnny Depp’s younger brother, in what I believe was his first major role, and he’s brilliant. First time I saw it years ago I wondered how they got that kid with Down Syndrome to remember his lines… -
Three Wickets says:
There Will Be Blood is stunning. Gangs of New York is meh. I will not see Nine. No one should be trying to replicate Fellini on film. I will not see Avatar because despite what I’m sure are nice effects, I have no stomach for cheesy after school special teaching moment narratives, especially from someone as dupid as James Cameron. I fell into that trap with District 9 which I found juvenile and patronizing. The only worthwhile film I’ve seen this year is Inglourious Basterds. Even Up in the Air was thinner than expected. It’s been a disappointing year for films. Mostly movies for kids. Don’t mean to sound so grouchy. :)
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votermom says:
Movies. Christmas eve we watched Harry Potter & the Half-Blood Prince on dvd. Rickman rocks,as always. Can’t wait for #7.
After Christmas I watched Princess & the Frog (which is great, btw, Tiana is the best Disney Princess yet) with the girls while hubby watched Sherlock Holmes. Then since Princess was done before Holmes was halfway done, we moved into the almost empty theatre to watch the rest of Holmes with hubby. Can’t judge it fairly since I missed the beginning, but I think it’s worth renting vs watching.
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DancingOpossum says:
DiCaprio’s looks have changed; watching him in “Blood Diamonds,” I was amazed at how he’s evolved from beautiful young boy to fleshed-out, rugged-looking man. Check him out in “The Departed,” he’s searingly brilliant in it. (Everyone is, it’s an amazing cast working with an amazing director. But DiCaprio really stands out in it.)
I was a thespian at one time, too, so I am deeply and nerdily “into” the crafts of moviemaking and acting, and one thing I love is watching how actors evolve, especially those who started as pretty boys/girls in fluffy stuff and moved on to more serious fare–Johnny Depp is in that category, of course. Even Cameron Diaz has gone from playing bubbly “everyman’s fantasy” girls to, now, a harried working mother (in “My Sister’s Keeper). It’s always interesting to see who makes the transition most smoothly and how they do it.
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Janis says:
Meh on movies. My faves are old-old-old operas, like almost-three-hundred-years-old ones before they turned into the Parade of Suicide Chicks.
If you like gorgeous people and good voices, grab the Royal Danish’s “Partenope.” Everything opera’s known for — cross-dressing, murder, mayhem, and onstage (half-)nudity. (The DVD makes you think it’s a woman, but 1.5 chests are bared in the production, and 1.5 of them belong to men, including the main male star.)
Besides, none of the women suffer, and the male star is made to pay dearly for being a flightly, unfaithful dipstick. The main female star is a cute, spoiled party-girl queen who doesn’t get punished for ONE DAMN THING and ends up marrying the sweetm, devoted shy, cute-as-a-button fellow who loves her. :-) It’s about as far from “Madama Butterfly” as you can get.
And the music’s Haendel. Win-win.
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The Ladybug Whisperer says:
One of the best films I’ve ever seen:
The Lives of Others
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The Ladybug Whisperer says:
Oh and this film. You all know this film?
http://www.amazon.com/gp/produ.....&s=dvd
Antonia’s Line returns to these feminist themes of female justice, judgement and retribution in a very different style of film. There are moments of great drama and tragedy here but one remembers most of all its lyrical, pastoral beauty, compassionate humour and tenderness. The ugly side of conventional heterosexual and familial relationships, which includes the extremes of rape and paedophilia as well as the more normal inequalities and repressions associated with marriage, is balanced against a range of idyllic alternatives which positively redefine sexual ‘deviances’ in the film’s vision of a truly human community based on the values of love, acceptance, diversity and equality.
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willyjsimmons says:
1.) NO. But I liked Sweeney Todd. But I’m also a Depp stan so…I’m not sure what to tell you. LOL
2.) I do not know. Depends on your opinion of The Last of the Mohicans?
3.) Totally ignorant of Get Fuzzy.
4.) Obama wants a “win”, house dems dare not defy him lest they get cut off from that reelection money.
5.) I’m saddened at how much of a baby face the young man has. Jeeeeezuz.
6.) Um…I don’t know about the others here but There Will Be Blood is DEPRESSING AS HELL. It’s cruel. Cruel, cruel, cruel. Powerfully acted, riveting, but CRUEL. Issues of child abuse etc etc. And the ending…is…
7.) Nope. Will probably wait until DVD. But IMO, District 9 is the BEST sci-fi movie in a LOOOOOONG time. Must see. I can also endorse Star Trek. Surprisingly entertaining considering the horrible job hollywood typically does with “rebooting” a series. But I like the Tim Burton Batmans over the new ones, so sue me.
Also a nice movie is The Invention of Lying. I cried Man Tears during the hospital scene. Ricky Gervais is truly delightful in it.
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anniethena says:
Hi Violet, I’d just like to thank you for the e-card - (love JL’s creations!).
Can’t answer any of the movie/actor questions as I almost never see movies in theatres (last time I was in a theatre I took my daughter to see “Finding Nemo”).
This whole clusterfuck of health insurance reform - well, I don’t want to say anything lest I appear to be reeking of my single-payer system privilege…[/snark] -
angie says:
Violet — don’t waste your time on Gangs of New York The plot is even dumber than you could possibly imagine. But DDL is great, as always.
There Will Be Blood — DDL’s performance is truly breathtaking and even more amazing given the fact that there can’t be more than 10 lines of dialouge in the entire 3 hour movie. Your mom is right: it is depressing, but I don’t mind depressing movies. Also, it leaves you with a “WTF just happened?” feeling at the end. All in all worth seeing solely for DDL’s powerful performance, just don’t make plans to go out dancing after you watch it. . . for at least a couple of days. Having some hard liquor nearby might help too.
Nine is supposed to suck hard, but how bad can a movie with Sophia Loren be? I’m looking forward to seeing & judging for myself.
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Back Bay Style says:
Murphy, I’m shocked, shocked! Do you not appreciate Downey’status as “the greatest actor of his generation”? Seriously folks, this is some of his best work since Chaplin, and yes, there’s the topless too.
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Estralita says:
If Vi needed a surgery here, her doctor would be the decider of that, and if so, send her to the appropriate specialist, to confirm he/she would do it, could help her. Or pharma was paying him to test a device on her, without her knowledge. I digress.
So they’d set up a date for about three months hence, because motorcycle accidents and other emergencies come first. And Vi would be sent for interminable blood work, x-rays, maybe a CAT, or PET, ultrasound, depending on what needed cutting and where. I’m assuming it’s not the big C. While she waited in pain, her drugs would be paid for, but maybe, not the new one that cost $5 a swallow four times a day, but an older one that achieves the same thing more cheaply, with a track record I might add. Then when her surgery date rolls around, she shows up, is tucked in, more blood work in case something changed while she waited, it is Canuckistan, after all. She meets the resident. He’s Catalan, 6 ft 3, black hair falling over his forehead, and wears a black suit and black boots. Vi and her mother are beginning to brighten up. Vi has her surgery, she’s in hospital from two to five days, all care, drugs and meals are covered, including the special Friday dessert. If she can eat, she eats what her doctor has ordered for her. She sees El Toro every day! Alas, she eventually goes home with her prescriptions, her instructions, and all follow-up care and appointments and x-rays etc, are covered. She just shows up and shows her card. However, she doesn’t get to decide who she’ll see, pretty much. And if she needs physio, occupational therapy, massage, othotics, dentistry, a fancier cast than the good enough one, she has to pay that on her own. The bill if she had been billed would have been in the high five figures. It cost Vi about $30 because she would keep going to the Starbucks on the main floor of the hospital.
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Estralita says:
I think I put that post in the wrong thread. However, I should also like to add that Vi didn’t need any work/job insurance for all of her tests, drugs and surgery. Just, the regular citizen kind that is absolutely free, except for two provinces that charge around $600 a year, per person.
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Vera says:
I adored Avatar.
(1) There are as many female characters as male. And those females (human and alien) are all bad-ass.
(2) Avatar changes film forever. There is Before Avatar and After Avatar.
(3) The religious right hates it. That’s enough for me.
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DancingOpossum says:
Ladybug, thanks for reminding me about “Antonia’s Line,” a movie I really enjoyed and had somehow forgotten about.
I put it up there with quietly life-affirming oddball little movies like “Ruby in Paradise,” one of my all-time favorites, starring a then-unknown Ashley Judd, who is superb in it — yes, yes, I know, hard to believe that so much talent and promise ended up in bad slasher movies, but there you have it. This is one of the finest “young woman coming of age/finding herself” movies I can recall ever seeing, mostly because Ruby isn’t cast as a larger-than-life hero who becomes a famous writer or photographer etc etc, she is just a normal, ordinary girl struggling to make her small mark in the world. It’s handled with such delicacy and such respect for her and the broken-down souls around her that it’s breathtaking: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0108000/
I am a sucker for “Love, Actually,” even though I know it’s cheesy and improbable and redonkulous in every way. I love the entire cast, the soundtrack, the happy endings all around (except for poor Laura Linney and that soooooHOT hunk), I love the its sense of humor and its utter weightlessness. I watch it about three times every Christmas and I think it’s high time for another viewing.
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The Ladybug Whisperer says:
We need a list.
Antonia’s Line would be at the top of mine. I too liked “Love, Actually”. Grant is funny. Thompson most poignantly delivers.
Alien would be another on my list. I’ve got it here now.
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m Andrea says:
Almost every single movie I’ve watched lately has within the first five minutes established the universal fact that females are in some way subhuman. I’m not supposed to notice that factoid, but if I do I’m supposed to magically assume it’s just a joke and that all men really think all women are equal except for a very tiny minority of misogynists whom we shouldn’t take seriously.
If every single movie began with some version of “men are subhuman let’s treat them like second class animals” there’d be rioting in the streets. I’m not supposed to notice that either.
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Violet Socks says:
Avatar changes film forever.
How?
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The Ladybug Whisperer says:
Yeh I’m waiting to hear that too re Avatar.
mAndrea have you seen Antonia’s Line. I would say, it’s about 99% pure.
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Violet Socks says:
I didn’t mean it as a challenge. I’m really curious. How does it change movies? Is it the 3D thing?
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Vera says:
(Sorry for the delayed response. I’ve been out driving through the Sierras for the past couple of days, sans computer. Judging from the sky I’ll be staying home today.)
I didn’t mean it as a challenge. I’m really curious. How does it change movies? Is it the 3D thing?
In Avatar a complete world is created, and if it is not a perfect creation, then it is very nearly perfect. I suppose that if you were to go through the film with one finger on the Pause button, stopping every few frames, you could find a leaf that ripples in the breeze just a little too much, or a bird whose wings folded at too sharp an angle, or some other minute detail out of place. But to me, and to the others in my party, and (it seemed to us) to the crowd that emerged with us from the theater, Avatar presented a fantasy world that’s completely believable, down to the tiniest creepy-crawly.
There are lots of other things I liked about Avatar, including the story and the environmental message. (Which I don’t find trite, by the way. In fact, I’m glad that this message is being brought to a mass audience in the form of entertainment that will be viewed by huge numbers of people.) But if I had to choose one thing about Avatar to praise, it’s the immense artistic effort poured into creating a beautiful planet, instead of being used, as per usual, to create planet-exploding fantasy weaponry.
I think that when people go to see Alice in the spring, Avatar will be on their minds. I also think that a new generation of fantasy and science fiction films will be made because of Avatar. It will be the film to imitate, or beat.
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Violet Socks says:
Thank you, Vera. I appreciate that. And now my curiosity is a little piqued!
