James Cameron's AVATAR discussion thread

[LOTRFan]

There are other Avatards out there, even Weaver has joined in

 

[Khev]

Of course, for all we know she's right. A female had already won a Best Director at the Golden Globes (Streisand broke that ground in 1983), and I find it interesting that Bigelow didn't win there. When history is in the making at the Oscars, however, she turns up with the prize. We'll never know, but we'll always wonder.

 

[IrishJedi]

Sigourney Weaver may just be slightly biased.

 

[Khev]

Of course she is. That doesn't make her wrong.

 

[barbelith]

Of course, for all we know she's right.

The Hurt Locker is all about the direction. It's hardly a surprising win.

 

[IrishJedi]

Of course she is. That doesn't make her wrong.

So is your contention that you agree with her that the only reason Cameron didn't win Best Director/Best Picture for AVATAR is because Bigelow is female?

 

[Khev]

So is your contention that you agree with her that the only reason Cameron didn't win Best Director/Best Picture for AVATAR is because Bigelow is female?

No. That could be a reason. We don't know. I'm okay with her winning (even though I saw nothing in the direction that surpassed that of IB or D9), I just wish that her win didn't have the obligatory ripple effect of HL also winning for Picture and Writing.

Remember I never said Avatar should have swept anything, Best Director included. It was my favorite film of the year because its my favorite kind of movie, and finally the execution lived up to the concept, IMO.

With regard to awards however I would have given Picture to IB or D9 and Writing to IB.

 

[barbelith]

I'm okay with her winning (even though I saw nothing in the direction that surpassed that of IB or D9)

There are extended sequences in The Hurt Locker that are pure direction, that live or die based entirely on the director's ability to wring every ounce of life from a single line in the script. There's nothing comparable in IB or D9 or even Avatar - all three of which are competently directed (and in the case of IB artfully directed). And that's why Bigelow won. The Hurt Locker is not a film that's greater than the sum of its parts, and in a more competitive year wouldn't have stood a shot at Best Picture in my opinion. But the direction was masterful.

 

[Khev]

There are extended sequences in The Hurt Locker that are pure direction, that live or die based entirely on the director's ability to wring every ounce of life from a single line in the script.

Can you cite an example?

There's nothing comparable in IB or D9 or even Avatar - all three of which are competently directed (and in the case of IB artfully directed).

The direction of IB and D9 trump HL due to not only expert craftsmanship of the overall story but also the utilization of different, yet equally competent, directorial styles for the various "movies within the movies" (Nation's Pride and the various news/documentary footage of D9.) Avatar trumped it on Cameron's direction of the Na'vi kiss alone, IMO. Pulling that off with nary a snicker from the audience is a masterwork in and of itself.

 

[barbelith]

Can you cite an example?

Sure. The roadside ambush when they help out the British mercenaries is a stunning example of direction vs script. There are so many sequences in that film that rise above the script due to direction, and which a lesser director wouldn't have been able to pull off.

The direction of IB and D9 trump HL due to not only expert craftsmanship of the overall story but also the utilization of different, yet equally competent, directorial styles for the various "movies within the movies"

Actually, I think both of those movies ultimately failed for exactly the same reason. D9 falls apart from the direction perspective once the film switches from documentary to standard styles, because it destroys the unity of the piece (it's also handled inelegantly). This problem is even worse with IB, which is a case study in directorial indulgence to the detriment of the film. IB is a movie that doesn't know what it wants to be, so it tries to be all things and in the end implodes because the direction constantly fights with itself. Neither of these films would have been nominated in a stronger year, but 2009 was terrible for movies.

Avatar trumped it on Cameron's direction of the Na'vi kiss alone

There was no real direction there. Just some guys using mice in cubicles.

 

[IrishJedi]

From the You Can't Make This Stuff Up Department:

Awesome. It's the gift that keeps on giving.

 

[Khev]

Sure. The roadside ambush when they help out the British mercenaries is a stunning example of direction vs script. There are so many sequences in that film that rise above the script due to direction, and which a lesser director wouldn't have been able to pull off.

Interesting. I literally found that sequence to be the low point of the film, and not just because it dragged on for far too long.

Actually, I think both of those movies ultimately failed for exactly the same reason. D9 falls apart from the direction perspective once the film switches from documentary to standard styles, because it destroys the unity of the piece (it's also handled inelegantly). This problem is even worse with IB, which is a case study in directorial indulgence to the detriment of the film. IB is a movie that doesn't know what it wants to be, so it tries to be all things and in the end implodes because the direction constantly fights with itself. Neither of these films would have been nominated in a stronger year, but 2009 was terrible for movies.

Couldn't disagree more on all counts. To each his own.

From the You Can't Make This Stuff Up Department:

Awesome. It's the gift that keeps on giving.

That question really got 128 responses?

 

[ironwez20]

Dude I'm trying to polite as possible. You're getting way to bent out of shape when someone says something even remotely bad about Avatar. It was a visually stunning movie, that's for sure, but there was nothing epic about the storyline.

Dude i know its not the best movie but whats with all the people bashing it, it doesnt make sense, if you dont like it you dont have to constantly report to everyone how it didnt appeal to you, and how it wasnt original and what not we heard it all before now give it rest, do you see what i mean it's stupid, i bet if the movie made 1.7mil everyone would love it.

Um...no...it's action popcorn movie. Was that supposed to make me mad? Because I know what Predator is. It's about 2 hours of kickass action.

Yea to you but other people think different. And no its not supposed to make you mad, your a predator fan right ? So it shouldnt phase you.

 

[hoodonit00]

Dude i know its not the best movie but whats with all the people bashing it, it doesnt make sense, if you dont like it you dont have to constantly report to everyone how it didnt appeal to you, and how it wasnt original and what not we heard it all before now give it rest, do you see what i mean it's stupid, i bet if the movie made 1.7mil everyone would love it.




Yea to you but other people think different. And no its not supposed to make you mad, your a predator fan right ? So it shouldnt phase you.

Where are all the people bashing it? Sure, there are a couple but most people thought it was great for what it was, a good action flick. I loved the movie and will buy it when it comes out. All I'm saying is that you seem to take genuine offense when someone tells the truth about the film being nothing new.

 

[Sithlord1975]

Avatar = good fun popcorn movie....thassit.

I think it's a little more than that. And you know it as well.
Transformers is a popcorn movie. Clash of the Titans is a popcorn movie. And probably even Predators - a popcorn movie.
Avatar? Popcorn movie, plus the latest and greatest CGI/3D technical achievement you've ever seen to date. Just a bit more than a popcorn movie I'd have to say.

 

[barbelith]

plus the latest and greatest CGI/3D technical achievement you've ever seen to date

That's every summer's big popcorn movie.

 

[Darren Carnall]

people are still 'defending their corner' in here? lol

 

[ironwez20]

Where are all the people bashing it? Sure, there are a couple but most people thought it was great for what it was, a good action flick. I loved the movie and will buy it when it comes out. All I'm saying is that you seem to take genuine offense when someone tells the truth about the film being nothing new.

Yea becuase there acting like avatar is the first thing that isnt original, when some of the movies that came out in the past 20 yrs have been nothing but the same old thing, and avatar is nothing new but atleast it achieved alot of things.

 

[BadMoon]

people are still 'defending their corner' in here? lol

Avatar is serious business sir.

 

[LOTRFan]

Avatar is serious business sir.

Don't forget he likes foreign films unlike the dumb Americans.