James Cameron's AVATAR discussion thread

[DinoLast]

I have to agree that some Games can now be compared to movies on even playing field.
Uncharted 2 last year was not only a great game, but a truly amazing story as well. It beat most movies of 2009 hands down when it came to storytelling.

 

[DinoLast]

When it comes to Movies trying to sell their merchandise, they seem to want to put out as much stuff as soon as possible.
Why can't they do what Star Wars done in the 70's? When the movie first came out we bought the Kenner figures and on the back of the pack was a list of about 12 figures and we want to get all of them. Wave 2 then came out, and by that time all the kids my age were hooked.

 

[The Ween]

You're no more qualified to state what ranks as my best movie of all time than you are to critique a movie you've never seen.

Show me where I critiqued Avatar?

If this isn't one of your best movies of all time, I'd be shocked.

 

[The Ween]

Finally someone (Entertainment Weekly) has made mention of Gone With the Wind's earnings during its first full theatrical run: $20 million

Even adjusted for inflaton and discounting the 3D surcharge Avatar obviously crushes it in ticket sales. Whether that's a good thing or bad thing is debatable, but GWTW had nowhere near the impact upon its release that the "adjust for inflation!" folks are suggesting.

Movies back in those days ran about ten cents a ticket and didn't have near the theaters carrying it as Avatar does. Plus, you have to take into fact that there are alot more moviegoers now.

 

[The Ween]

When it comes to Movies trying to sell their merchandise, they seem to want to put out as much stuff as soon as possible.
Why can't they do what Star Wars done in the 70's? When the movie first came out we bought the Kenner figures and on the back of the pack was a list of about 12 figures and we want to get all of them. Wave 2 then came out, and by that time all the kids my age were hooked.

Dino, I think that's because they know how fickle kids are nowadays. Let's face it, when we were kids, we PLAYED more. Used our imaginations more. Even the kids as young as I work with are really into video games and electronic toys. These companies have to make their money as quickly as they can now.

 

[FQRizzo]

I happen to agree with Roger Ebert's belief that video games cannot be art due to the interactive aspect. If you wanna search it out he definitely makes good points.

Roger Ebert is 67 years old. Of course he isn't going to "get" video games. I wonder how many he's played?

 

[ironwez20]

But...video games is a MEDIA. Thats why you're wrong. He said media, and you said "video game"...when they're the same thing.

who cares anyway.

 

[Deckard]

All art is interactive, it's entire purpose is to envoke a feeling, thats interaction.

Roger Ebert is and always has been a terrible critic. Apparently hes now senile as well.

 

[ironwez20]

Yea look at transformers 2, nobody cares what he says anymore.

 

[LChinoz]

I found one. I was lucky enough to go into a Wal-Mart right as they were unloading a Mattel shipment. I asked the guy to open the Movie Masters box and I was so stoked to find Neytiri and Warrior Jake that I shelved the other 4 figures in the case for the guy. If I remember correctly the breakdown was 2x Quaritch, 2x Warrior Jake, 1x Neytiri and 1x Regular Jake.

This was probably 4 weeks ago today so they could be shipping new assortments. The whole TDK Joker situation proves that Mattel will up the quantities of the rare "buzz" figure if that's what people want, they're smart enough to know that they don't see any of that scalper money if they keep the figures rare.

But yeah, they are out there.

GASP! Proof!

Nice score! I just found (and bought) a regular Jake at Target, but alas, only Quaritch after that again. On a side note, these figures look great posed!

 

[ironwez20]

I dont like them and i can see why ,people like collectors arent crazy about them, the sculpts are just horrid and it just doesnt do the figures a justice in my opnion thats why im waiting for hot toys avatar.

 

[Khev]

Finally someone (Entertainment Weekly) has made mention of Gone With the Wind's earnings during its first full theatrical run: $20 million

Even adjusted for inflaton and discounting the 3D surcharge Avatar obviously crushes it in ticket sales.

I should note that my previous post was with regard to global ticket sales. GWTW only played in 6 countries its first run compared to over 50 countries for Avatar.

Domestically speaking GWTW still edge's out Avatar. If you reverse adjust to 1939 ticket prices for all movies then Avatar is at 17 million and counting compared to GWTW's 20. At the rate Avatar is earning week after week its obviously only a matter of time before its first run surpasses that of GWTW.

https://www.boxofficemojo.com/alltime/adjusted.htm?adjust_yr=1939&p=.htm

 

[Kuzeh]

People still beatching about this movie???...
Come on people!! Time to move on, beatch about the iPad now...

 

[Khev]

People still beatching about this movie???

A fitting quote from hometheaterforum.com:

Originally Posted by Michael Reuben

You can always tell when something like Avatar has achieved its status as a cultural icon, because attention seekers go running up to it, kick it, then turn around and say, "Look at me!"

 

[IrishJedi]

I should note that my previous post was with regard to global ticket sales. GWTW only played in 6 countries its first run compared to over 50 countries for Avatar.

Domestically speaking GWTW still edge's out Avatar. If you reverse adjust to 1939 ticket prices for all movies then Avatar is at 17 million and counting compared to GWTW's 20. At the rate Avatar is earning week after week its obviously only a matter of time before its first run surpasses that of GWTW.

https://www.boxofficemojo.com/alltime/adjusted.htm?adjust_yr=1939&p=.htm

If you want to play this game, one should also point out that even though there is home video and tons more entertainment options in 2010, we also have millions more people in population with much higher percentages of those who have the resources to even attend movies at the cinema than in 1939.

It's a silly argument either way. Obviously, AVATAR is a financial smash no matter how you try and slice it. But awarding it the title of a legendary classic that changed the world is way premature. The truth is, we won't know just how much of am impact this movie will have for a few more years. It's certainly too early to mention it in the same breath as the all-time classic films, much less claim it's dethroned them all.

 

[IrishJedi]

There's no way this guy is a better writer than James Cameron, and not coming from someone who sees Cameron as some untouchable writing genius.

You could not be more wrong. Drew Karpyshyn is 10 times the writer James Cameron is. I don't even think that is subjective. Cameron has never written anything even remotely as layered as some of Karpyshyn's work. And that's just story stuff. When it comes to characters the dichotomy between the two becomes laughable. And it's not the genre, either, as Karpyshyn's specialty is also sci-fi.

Cameron is a visionary filmmaker and is almost unmatched in the technical realm. But as a story-teller he can be rather pedestrian and, yes... there are even writers in the "lesser" video game media that best him easily.

When I said that MASS EFFECT 2 makes AVATAR seem like it was written by a 12 year old (in comparison) I was not using hyperbole. It really does.

 

[Khev]

It's a silly argument either way.

It really is. Too many X-factors. I do find it interesting that the people who are so quick to post the "adjusted for inflation" lists aren't so fast when it comes to stating the real story behind the numbers, and when they were actually achieved.

And no one has said that Avatar is a legendary classic that changed the world. Its a hell of a crowd pleaser with a perfectly timed release.

 

[IrishJedi]

It really is. Too many X-factors. I do find it interesting that the people who are so quick to post the "adjusted for inflation" lists aren't so fast when it comes to stating the real story behind the numbers, and when they were actually achieved.

And no one has said that Avatar is a legendary classic that changed the world. Its a hell of a crowd pleaser with a perfectly timed release.

I am in agreement with all of this.

When a film makes as much $$ as AVATAR now how has, arguing over the details of it is trivial. It's a smash success, period.

 

[Khev]

While writing may not be Cameron's strong suit his style was perfect for True Lies. My wife and I still laugh at the whole "ass like a 10 year old boy" and "beg for buttermilk" routine.

 

[IrishJedi]

Oh, I love TRUE LIES. I would be elated if Cameron ever makes more movies like that (or his other earlier works).