James Cameron's AVATAR discussion thread

[Khev]

LOL......overstatement of the decade.

Especially considering that in 20 years movie tickets will be about $200 each.

 

[King Darkness]

Especially considering that in 20 years movie tickets will be about $200 each.

Exactly.

Its awesome that this movie made so much and is doing well, but no one seems to want to look at the fact that ticket prices is higher than ever, the price for the 3D viewings are more, and the price for IMAX tickets are even more still.

That 2 billion dollar movies, 2 years in a row. Its gonna get more common, but some of these Avatar fans are frighteningly swept up by this movie

 

[LChinoz]

Exactly.

Its awesome that this movie made so much and is doing well, but no one seems to want to look at the fact that ticket prices is higher than ever, the price for the 3D viewings are more, and the price for IMAX tickets are even more still.

That 2 billion dollar movies, 2 years in a row. Its gonna get more common, but some of these Avatar fans are frighteningly swept up by this movie

Yes, ticket prices are higher, but the economy is also sucking...and I think it is far more impressive that this movie still has enough interest for people (and a LOT of people) to fork over 15-17 bucks for a movie in this crappy economy...some even for multiple viewings. People have been talking about the fall of movie theaters for a while now, with home theaters and Blu-ray, and esp the ticket prices, and for a movie to be doing this well NOW is incredible.

 

[King Darkness]

Kool

 

[Bannister]

Yes, ticket prices are higher, but the economy is also sucking...and I think it is far more impressive that this movie still has enough interest for people (and a LOT of people) to fork over 15-17 bucks for a movie in this crappy economy...some even for multiple viewings. People have been talking about the fall of movie theaters for a while now, with home theaters and Blu-ray, and esp the ticket prices, and for a movie to be doing this well NOW is incredible.

I am even more surprised at how well Alvin and the Chipmunks and Sherlock Holmes are doing even though Avatar is raking in money. People are going to the movies like crazy this holiday season.

 

[Bannister]

Exactly.

Its awesome that this movie made so much and is doing well, but no one seems to want to look at the fact that ticket prices is higher than ever, the price for the 3D viewings are more, and the price for IMAX tickets are even more still.

That 2 billion dollar movies, 2 years in a row. Its gonna get more common, but some of these Avatar fans are frighteningly swept up by this movie

Actually lightwave pointed this out early on as to why he felt this movie would do well money wise.

 

[Hulksmashed]

Yes, ticket prices are higher, but the economy is also sucking...and I think it is far more impressive that this movie still has enough interest for people (and a LOT of people) to fork over 15-17 bucks for a movie in this crappy economy...some even for multiple viewings. People have been talking about the fall of movie theaters for a while now, with home theaters and Blu-ray, and esp the ticket prices, and for a movie to be doing this well NOW is incredible.

I admit the number is impressive...but I had no idea it costs around $15 bucks to watch this movie in IMAX 3D and around $10 to watch it on a regular screen. The average ticket price for a movie in 1997 was $5. taking that into account this movie will have to beat Titanics income between 2-3 fold (~ 4.5 billion) to actually be considered the highest grossing film of all time.

And, lets not forget that Gone with the Wind grossed almost 200 million bucks back in 1939! And in terms of adjusted for inflation numbers its the highest grossing movie of all time. The US was just on its way out of the great depression! So the theory of economic hardship goes out the window.

 

[Darth Cruel]

Exactly.

Its awesome that this movie made so much and is doing well, but no one seems to want to look at the fact that ticket prices is higher than ever, the price for the 3D viewings are more, and the price for IMAX tickets are even more still.

That 2 billion dollar movies, 2 years in a row. Its gonna get more common, but some of these Avatar fans are frighteningly swept up by this movie

I will have to see billion dollar movies more often to buy in to that. The ticket prices are up...but not that much. The average ticket prices usually only jump 20-30 cents per year, and that price is not even reported to be up in 2009 from 2008. Even when they do go up, at the current average, that is only about a 4% increase and that would not make up for the disparity.

I would also suppose that with as many tickets as have been sold for this movie that more of them would have to be matinee tickets than would have been bought for less popular movies, and that would drive down the average price of the tickets some. But that is just supposition on my part. It really doesn't even need to be thrown in to the consideration.

Ticket prices go up. But no where near enough to do anything but offer a weak rationalization of the success of the movie. I am no Avatar fan either, I never heard of the story before I saw the trailer for the movie for the first time. But the movie's popularity can not be denied.

Not sure why you guys hate the fact that this movie is so popular. But don't let the hate make you reach for excuses so hard.

 

[Hulksmashed]

I am even more surprised at how well Alvin and the Chipmunks and Sherlock Holmes are doing even though Avatar is raking in money. People are going to the movies like crazy this holiday season.

As I sorta pointed out in my last post, I think a lot of this movie's success is in fact DUE to the economic crisis. We are in an economic upswing right now after a rediculous crash. People are gaining a bit more confidence in the financial realm...but still not entirely sure. So, instead of going on elaborate vacations, or buying giant home theaters, people go to a $15 movie.

Its entertainment at a relatively low cost. The same thing can be seen with Gone with the Wind in 1939. Another example is that home improvements are going through the ROOF (sometimes literally haha), while homes bought has not risen nearly as much. People feel they can put 10 grand into an upstairs, but arent as confident in spending 300 grand on a new house.

 

[Hulksmashed]

I will have to see billion dollar movies more often to buy in to that. The ticket prices are up...but not that much. The average ticket prices usually only jump 20-30 cents per year, and that price is not even reported to be up in 2009 from 2008. Even when they do go up, at the current average, that is only about a 4% increase and that would not make up for the disparity.

I would also suppose that with as many tickets as have been sold for this movie that more of them would have to be matinee tickets than would have been bought for less popular movies, and that would drive down the average price of the tickets some. But that is just supposition on my part. It really doesn't even need to be thrown in to the consideration.

Ticket prices go up. But no where near enough to do anything but offer a weak rationalization of the success of the movie. I am no Avatar fan either, I never heard of the story before I saw the trailer for the movie for the first time. But the movie's popularity can not be denied.

Not sure why you guys hate the fact that this movie is so popular. But don't let the hate make you reach for excuses so hard.

The movie is definately popular...but at $10 per ticket its less impressive then something like Titanic at $5 a ticket with no IMAX/3D $15 option to boot. IN other words, I think what people are saying is that with higher and higher ticket prices, the billion dollar mark is gonna be more common. Still, in 17 days its quite impressive!

 

[LChinoz]

The movie is definately popular...but at $10 per ticket its less impressive then something like Titanic at $5 a ticket with no IMAX/3D $15 option to boot. IN other words, I think what people are saying is that with higher and higher ticket prices, the billion dollar mark is gonna be more common. Still, in 17 days its quite impressive!

I don't think we will see another movie make over a billion dollars in 17 days in a long time.

 

[galactiboy]

Movies are all about escapism... and when times are at their worst people seem even more intent on spending money at the movies.

And really Avatar is the perfect movie when you want to escape, very visually engrossing and its all stuff (while the story is recognizable) happens on different world.

But the point is very valid, that money spent today does not equate across the board to money spent seeing earlier films.

This site has interesting numbers... and puts Gone with the Wind in the #1 spot, with Titanic in #6.

Box office adjusted for inflation

 

[Hulksmashed]

I don't think we will see another movie make over a billion dollars in 17 days in a long time.

I'm sure we will not! However, we can't make any claims until final numbers roll in in a year or so. When you're running the mile it doesnt matter how fast you run the first 100 yards.

 

[galactiboy]

That's why I was saying this movie seems to have legs... even a few weeks in its still turing in big numbers and its close enough to the awards season that it will likely get a 2nd bump if it gets some nomitations (which I'm sure it will).

 

[DinoLast]

If anything the higher price should put off repeat viewings.
Face it, now it's passed 1 billion, if you don't like it, you're in the minority

 

[lightwave000]

Actually lightwave pointed this out early on as to why he felt this movie would do well money wise.

I still dont think its even close to Star Wars (originals) Nothing will ever beat Empire in my book. But technically its pretty. Thats my review in a nutshell. I hope someone else other than Cameron writes the next 2 scripts. He can direct- I just want a different approach like Lucas did and also the Potter films.

BTW-I havent been on this thread in a few days but just wanted to mention- OVER A BILLION and counting. Sorry TDK.




Thanks for the props Bannister-

 

[dcflake]

Re: I saw AVATAR in 3D!

iT'S TRULY AMAZING THIS FILM CLEARED 1 BILLION DOLLARS in 17 days...17 days


Here's the stats from The-Numbers.com
1. 1997 Titanic $1,848,813,795 ... 283 days in box office
2. 2003 The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King $1,133,027,325 ... 166 days in box office
3. 2006 Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest $1,065,659,812 ... 150 days in box office
4. 2009 Avatar $1,022,311,074 ... 17 days in box office!!!!!!
5. 2008 The Dark Knight $1,000,245,358 ... 231 days in box office

I never thought i'd say this, after examining the facts by the time this film is out of the box office it will easily eclipse the Titantic as the highest grossing film (Worldwide) of All-time. This film has shown NO SIGNS of slowing down, when all other major blockbusters have major dips in their box office sales after the 1st week.

The most important factor in why this film will dethrone the Titantic:
1st Weekend MAJOR SNOW STORM
2nd Weekend Christman/Holidays
3rd Weekend New Years.


I can't wait to see the final numbers...it's actually laughable how successful this film is.

JAMES CAMERON IS KING OF THE (Cinematic) WORLD...and i bet it makes Spielberg sick.

Just because somethings popular doesn't means it's good. I hated Titanic and couldn't believe the same person who did Aliens and The Terminator made that.

Anyway, I'm gonna see it tomorrow (hopefully) and I'll make my Judgment about Avatar then.

 

[Toni Plutonij]

Re: I saw AVATAR in 3D!

Just because somethings popular doesn't means it's good. I hated Titanic and couldn't believe the same person who did Aliens and The Terminator made that.

Anyway, I'm gonna see it tomorrow (hopefully) and I'll make my Judgment about Avatar then.

Yeah sometimes it isn't, but when something is THIS popular, then I believe there is nothing else to say, but it's actually good movie.

And Titanic, no matter how much some may dislike that movie, you can't say it's bad..You may not like it, but it's a good movie, by all definitions!

 

[dcflake]

Re: I saw AVATAR in 3D!

Yeah sometimes it isn't, but when something is THIS popular, then I believe there is nothing else to say, but it's actually good movie.

And Titanic, no matter how much some may dislike that movie, you can't say it's bad..You may not like it, but it's a good movie, by all definitions!

I just would of liked it to be a historic portrayl of the Titanic disaster. That's interest enough for me I don't need a love story.

 

[Wolf873]

Re: I saw AVATAR in 3D!

Yeah sometimes it isn't, but when something is THIS popular, then I believe there is nothing else to say, but it's actually good movie.

And Titanic, no matter how much some may dislike that movie, you can't say it's bad..You may not like it, but it's a good movie, by all definitions!

I can see why some may call Titanic a bad movie, but I personally thought it was a well made movie, very touching with a very emotional song/theme if I may add. I was quite surprised it was done by the same guy who did Terminator and Aliens.

However, I am amazed that Avatar is doing so well when everything else considered, it's not something so spectacularly mind blowing. Maybe it's because we have seen so much in terms of CGI that some of us don't pick up on the improvements. Maybe Cameron's name is also having an affect in the popularity of the movie.