Lionel Chetwynd and I have a look at the stratospheric hit “Avatar” on the new POLIWOOD. Do we think it’s “Ava-trocious” (to use John Podhoretz’s word)? Well, I certainly did and Lionel, well, he didn’t much like it either, although he was more impressed with the visual aspects than I was. For modern visual filmmaking, I’m much more a fan of Pixar and, most of all, the work of the Japanese anime-style director Hayao Miyazaki. I know many will disagree with me, but even on the visual level “Avatar” left me cold. The script, well, Lionel and I could easily laugh at that – “Dances With Wolves” redux. Lionel also has some interesting comments about this film’s naive conception of imperialism (and it’s reverse racism). Have a look and disagree (if you must)
When are you going to review Steve Crowder’s new film, “To Save a Life”? Here is the trailer:
http://tinyurl.com/ygyr9sk
Crowder has a supporting role. I’m sure he will earn an Academy Award. I just found out about the movie a few minutes ago by pure accident.
David, since Steve works for PJTV, it’s probably inappropriate for us to review.. Perhaps we’ll bring him on Poliwood to discuss it.
I will wait for “Avatar” to be available at a Red Box location for a dollar per day. It apparently encourages the already guilt tripped whites to feel even more guilty concerning their alleged racism. As I have said on numerous occasions, this may be the number one threat to the very survival of Western Civilization. It is open season on white people—especially if they are adult males.
It is merely remedially biased in favor of “people of blueness.”
Poliwood seems to be down atm. Instalanched?
Back up. There was an Instalanche, plus link at Big Hollywood, but problem was at PJTV, I think. Fixed.
There have been many Avatar jokes about it being Dancing With Wolves in outer space, but really it was Disney’s Pocahontas in outer space.
Looks like “Full Metal Smurf” to me…
6. Roger:”Back up. There was an Instalanche, plus link at Big Hollywood, but problem was at PJTV, I think. Fixed.”
It’s down again, apparently, as I could not access it.
I think some are taking the libbie politics aspect of this movie a bit too seriously. The property rights aspect, as pointed out by John Boot on this very website, is a valid one that most any conservative can appreciate. Beyond that, it’s simply a treat of fantasy. Leave your politics at the door FCOL.
Perhaps it is the Nav’i who are meant to represent the Americans, while the Sky People are the fascists who knock down the World Tree Center.
An interesting comment from “Texan” at PJTV:
“I went to see this movie yesterday. There were a lot of kids in the audience. This movie teaches them that the military is bad, the natives are stewards of the land, etc. These kids will absorb these messages as a basis for their worldview. The fact that the messages in this movie are completely at odds with fact will escape them completely. These messages are pounded relentlessly throughout the movie. In a word, it’s simplistic. And, like most simplistic plots, it makes for a bad movie.”
More comments at the PJTV site as well.
If you ever want to see a brilliant film that staunchly refuses to romanticize Native Americans, see “Black Robe” , made in Canada.
You know it is kind of funny that many of the same people that criticize the ‘stale’ story and ‘overused themes’ of the movie, Avatar, seem to hold Grims Fairy Tales and other pieces of romanticized ‘art’ in such high regard. Perhaps much of the criticism is as political in nature as the movie itself? Has our society become so polarized that we cannot take three hours of our life and merely enjoy a new version of the same old fairy tales?
I have a recording of “Howl’s Moving Castle,” and must agree with you. Joseph Campbell could have written books about this wonderful movie.
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Disney’s Pocahontas treated the colonists and natives evenhandedly, both were quick to think the worst and dehumanize the other. Neither were perfect.
But the only real villian was the corrupt appointed political functionary.
Roger,
I watched Avatar and then I thought, having seen Mononoke Hime(Princess Mononoke), about how much better they could have made Avatar. If you have never been to Miyazaki’s Ghibli Museum, go, and see what genius is.
I like the Avatar 3D film, especially the story line, not solely it brings a totally new sensation however inspiring thoughts of humanity. I heard the New Avatar 2 is comming soon, cannot wait to see it again…!
I like the Avatar 3D film, particularly the story line, not solely it brings a totally new sensation however eye opening ideas of humanity. I heard the New Avatar 2 is comming soon, can’t wait to watch it again…!
I love the Avatar 3D movie, especially the story line, not only it brings a totally new sensation but inspiring ideas of humanity. I heard the New Avatar 2 is comming soon, cannot wait to see it again…!