In Sci-Fi Movies this week, we’ll bring you up-to-date on the box office status of James Cameron’s Avatar, plus news on proposed sequels and the upcoming DVD/Blu-ray release. We’ve also got news on Clash of the Titans reshoots, Bryan Singer’s X-Men Origins: First Class, plus the latest trailers and images from Kick-Ass, Clash of the Titans, Iron Man 2, Inception and more, including the latest casting bites, images and videos.
GENRE MOVIE NEWS
Avatar Opens To $241.6M Worldwide; Cameron Says Proposed Follow-Ups Won’t Be Prequels + DVD/Blu-ray News
Although the East-coast blizzard may have depressed US turnout on Friday and Saturday, 20th Century Fox can breath a sigh of relief as James Cameron’s 3D sci-fi epic grossed an impressive $241.6 million worldwide. That includes a solid $77.025 million across 3,452 theaters domestically (including 2,038 3D theaters which accounted for more than 70% of the gross). "Avatar" is the No. 2 best-performing December opening of all time (behind the $77.2M of "I Am Legend"), and qualifies as the highest original (non-sequel, non-franchise) opening weekend ever. IMAX accounted for $13.6M of the worldwide tally ($9.5M domestically from 178 theaters — accounting for 18 of the top 20 grossing theaters — and $4.1 overseas from 58 theaters) which is a new record for the large screen format (beating the $8.5M domestic IMAX opening achieved by "Star Trek" and the $11.3M worldwide opening by "Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen").
- Friday: $26,752,099 (includes $3.537 million from midnight screenings)
- Saturday: $25,529,036 (-5% / $52,281,135 cume)
- Sunday: 24,744,346 (-3% / $77,025,481 cume)
- Overseas: $164,545,565
Heading into the weekend, Fox did their best to downplay massive expectations internally projecting a $50-60M opening. Rival studios and tracking indicated a $80-85M opening, but "Avatar" failed to reach that mark due to record snowfall in the East. Make no mistake though, although it just narrowly missed out on the December record and wasn’t close to breaking any overall records, the impressive Sunday hold (down just 3% from Saturday) bodes very well for the future performance of the film and word of mouth remains "tremendous", according to a Fox exec (it received a CinemaScore of an A or A+ across every demographic). And in other news, director James Cameron again re-iterated his interest in developing follow-up films, revealing that he has a trilogy in mind:
"We’ll follow Jake and Neytiri," Cameron revealed. "I have a trilogy-scaled arc of story right now, but I haven’t really put any serious work into writing a script," he said.
Cameron also talked about the upcoming home video release of "Avatar" on DVD and Blu-ray, revealing that there are about 10-12 minutes of deleted scenes that could make it into the release:
MTV: “Is there a sequence or two that you can describe for me that maybe will make it — whether it’s a director’s cut or an expanded edition — on DVD?”
Cameron: “One of Jack’s trials in sort of the extended version of the movie is this thing called the Sturnbeest hunt. It’s a creature you no longer see in the movie,” Cameron said. “[Sully] has to learn how to hunt through the air and do this incredibly brave thing, and then after the hunt they have this big festival and they dance and there’s a drunk scene with [Na’vi member] Tsu’tey, which is Laz Alonso’s character, which is actually pretty damn funny.”
Unfortunately even though the Blu-ray Disc Association recently finalized the 3D spec for Blu-ray, Cameron doesn’t expect the first release to include the 3D version of the film:
Probably the initial Blu-ray release of Avatar won’t be in 3-D and then a subsequent release will be in 3-D. That’s my guess right now. So we will probably put out a disk, you know, in six or eight months, let’s call it six months, and then after that we will have a 3-D disc when there are enough sets available.
Interview with director James Cameron [SCI FI Wire]
Watch another interview with the Cameron and the crew here
Featurette: "Pandora Explored" [YouTube]
Linguist Paul Frommer on the langage of the Na’vi [NPR via SCI FI Wire]
Sam Worthington and Sigourney Weaver on "The View" [YouTube]
Bryan Singer Will Develop X-Men Origins: First Class For 20th Century Fox
Bryan Singer is returning to the X-Men franchise to direct "X-Men Origins: First Class". 20th Century Fox also brought Jamie Moss on board to write a screenplay and work with Singer to develop the project. Singer recently talked to Variety about the project, interestingly noting that the storyline may supercede that of ‘Magneto’:
“This is the formative years of Xavier and Magneto, and the formation of the school and where there relationship took a wrong turn,” Singer said. “There is a romantic element, and some of the mutants from ‘X-Men’ will figure into the plot, though I don’t want to say which ones. There will be a lot of new mutants and a great villain.”
“Whether it’s ‘Batman,’ ‘Lord of the Rings’ or ‘Star Trek,’ if the characters are good, you want to see them on their journey even if you know their destiny,” Singer said. “I put myself in the fan’s position, and I think this story is something I would want to see, and so will they.”
Singer also talked about some of his other projects in development including "Jack the Giant Killer", — which is currently next in line for him — "Battlestar Galactica" and "Exaclibur":
Singer: "Right now that is the plan [to direct "Jack the Giant Killer next"]. Unless there’s a problem in the development process. There is a script for "Jack"; we’re in visual development. We’ve got artwork and pre-viz that we are doing. But you never know how things go."
Singer: We just concluded a deal for "Battlestar Galactica," and we’re looking for a writer. And for "Excalibur," we’re still in negotiations. Those are the four directorial projects that I and my company are involved in.
Clash of the Titans Cast and Crew Shooting New Scenes In January + 3D Conversion A Possibility
While on the red carpet for the premiere of his latest film "Avatar", Sam Worthington revealed that the cast and crew will film additional scenes for "Clash of the Titans" in January:
“We’re going to be going back and shooting more scenes for it, they cut loose with some money so we can add to it. “We’re going to be shooting more scenes in January, so we’re going to be right up against it — the movie comes out in March.”
Any time you hear a film is going back for re-shoots it’s natural to suspect there’s a problem, and while Worthington doesn’t go out of his way to deny there were problems with the scenes, Worthington puts a positive spin on the development while also noting that the studio is considering converting the film to 3D:
“There were some creaky parts but they are the parts that we knew were creaky and that we knew were going to be creaky going into it. The studio is also letting us add some gods and scenes. And they’re talking about making the movie a 3D film.”
"Clash of the Titans" is scheduled to hit theaters on March 26, 2010. Check out the just-released second trailer below.
Movie trailer #2 [Apple]
Spider-Man 4 On Planned Hold Over Holidays
Earlier in the week, IESB reported that production on "Spider-Man 4" was put on indefinite hold over troubles involving the script. Reportedly director Sam Raimi and the studio are arguing over who to use as the main villain (Raimi wants Vulture, while the studio is looking to use a more well-known villain). Sony Pictures, however, chimed in on the news saying that film was simply on a planned holiday hiatus and they denied any troubles [IESB]:
Sony has contacted us this morning and they are denying the story. The production is on their expected holiday hiatus, but will ramp up again early next year. Yes, the filmmakers are working on the script, but there is nothing unusual about that at all, productions always are working and tweaking scripts right up until principal photography begins and that is still a few months away.
Another interestingly tidbit from the report is that internally the film is going by the title "SPIDER-M4N". "Spider-Man 4" is scheduled to hit theaters on May 6, 2011.
Working Title of Second Volume of Kick-Ass Revealed: Balls to the Wall + New Hit-Girl Poster and Trailer
"Kick-Ass" creator Mark Millar revealed that the working title for the second volume of the comic series is "Balls to the Wall". Millar says that they’re thinking about launching the comic in August around Comic-Con:
The working title is "Balls to the Wall," and we’re thinking about launching it round about San Diego time, right around August. But to avoid delays, we’d like to stockpile a few issues, I think. It seems crazy that it’s taken 22 months to do eight issues. But it’s been brilliant. The readers have been very loyal and stayed with it despite the delays. The sales have actually gone up every issue.
Millar also revealed that Daniel Craig and Mark Wahlberg were at one point considered for the part of Big Daddy (played by Nicolas Cage) in "Kick-Ass". Rounding out the week’s "Kick-Ass" coverage, Lionsgate has released a new video and poster for the character Hit-Girl, which I’ve included below along with a preview of the upcoming book "Kick-Ass: Creating the Comic, Making the Movie", releasing on February 23, 2010. "Kick-Ass" will hit theaters on April 16, 2010.
Fourth character poster: Hit-Girl [IGN]
Concept art for Big Daddy and Hit-Girl from the upcoming book: "Kick-Ass: Creating the Comic, Making the Movie" [CBR]
Red-band trailer: Hit-Girl [THR’s Heat Vision Blog]
NEW IMAGES
Alice In Wonderland
Promotional stills [more at /Film]
The Book of Eli
Promotional stills [more at movies.spoilertv.com]
The Crazies
Final movie poster [ShockTillYouDrop]
Daybreakers
New one-sheet poster [ShockTillYouDrop]
Inception
Teaser posters [YourMindistheSceneoftheCrime]
Shrek Forever After
Teaser poster [DreamWorks Animation]
Tekken
Japanese poster [Twitch Film]
Toy Story 3
Promotional still [/Film]
Tron Legacy
Banner poster [Disney via ComingSoon.net]
CASTING BITES
- Laurence Fishburne ("The Matrix") has been added to the cast of the Nimrod Antal-directed/Robert Rodriguez-produced film remake "Predators". Fishburne will play the character Roland. [Shock Till You Drop]
- Rene Russo has been cast as Frigga, the mother of the Norse god Thor in Kenneth Branagh’s upcoming "Thor"…[Variety]
- …Meanwhile Joseph Gatt revealed on his personal website that he has begun prepping for an unspecified role in the film. [Joseph Gatt via IGN]
- The list of candidates to play the role of Carol Ferris — love interest of Hal Jordan (Ryan Reynolds) in "The Green Lantern" — has reportedly been narrowed to five: Eva Green, Keri Russell, Diane Kruger, Blake Lively and Jennifer Garner. [Latino Review]
- Take this rumor with a huge grain of salt: Taylor Swift is reportedly up for the lead role in "Supergirl! The Love Story". [Hollyscoop via Latino Review]
NEW VIDEOS
Alice in Wonderland
Movie trailer #3 [TrailerAddict]
Daybreakers
Clip: "Blood Riot" [YouTube]
Watch another clip here
Dispicable Me
Movie trailer #3 [Yahoo! Movies]
Hot Tub Time Machine
Movie trailer [TrailerAddict]
Iron Man 2
Movie trailer [Apple]
Percy Jackson & The Olympians: The Lightning Thief
International TV spot [Empire]
Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time
Behind the scenes video [SCI FI Wire]
Rec 2
Italian movie trailer [Splatter Container via ShockTillYouDrop]
Shrek Forever After
Teaser trailer [Apple]
Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace
A lengthy, but hilarious, seven-part review [YouTube]
Toy Story 3
Extended clip [ComingSoon.net]
The Twilight Saga: Eclipse
Bryce Dallas Howard talks about her character Victoria [MTV]
Watch another clip here
MOVIE BITES
- Mark Strong offered some details about his role in Andrew Stanton’s "John Carter of Mars": "My character doesn’t actually get involved in any of the motion-capture stuff. All the stuff is live action. Although I can shift my shape, so I have to be photographed by a 360-degree camera. I can adapt into anything. That’s going to be my particular talent". [CinemaBlend]
- Peter Segal will direct 20th Century Fox’s sci-fi comedy "Neighborhood Watch". The film is about "a man who moves to a small town and joins the neighborhood watch committee, only to discover that the town is experiencing bizarre paranormal activity." [Variety]
- Disney has confirmed that the 17-minute 3D musical "Captain EO" — which starred Michael Jackson and was written by George Lucas and directed by Francis Ford Coppola — will return to Disneyland park beginning in February 2010. To make room for the film, Honey I Shrunk the Audience will close within the next few weeks. [Disney Parks Blog]
- James Cameron believes the Terminator franchise has run its course: "I’ve moved on creatively from The Terminator, so I’m not really interested in that imagery and even those ideas anymore—and I’m not sure the world is that interested either. It’s run its course, I feel." [Toronto Sun via SCI FI Wire]
- "Toy Story 3" will be released in IMAX 3D theaters simultaneously with its conventional theater release on June 18, 2010. [Disney]
- The man who leaked "X-Men Origins: Wolverine" a month before its release has been found and arrested. 47-year-old Gilberto Sanchez faces up to three years in prison and a $250,000 fine. [THR, Esq.]
- Director Robert Rodriguez has revealed that he has turned in a script for "Spy Kids", which he says is a reboot of the original: "It’s different kids, not the old kids. That one’s really cool. I’ll probably do that in the early part of next year. March or April. And then I do have something for later in the year. I can’t say what that one is." The film will be released in 3D. [ComingSoon.net]
- Alex Zamm has been brought on board to direct Warner Bros’ CG/live-action film "Marvin the Martian". The studio also announced that Paul Kaplan and Mark Trogove have joined the project as screenwriters. The film is beingn targeted for a Christmas 2011 release. [LA Times]
- "Star Wars" prop designer Andrew Ainsworth can continue selling replicas of the original stormtrooper helmets and armor. The Court of Appeal in London dismissed an appeal and ruled that the £10 million damages awarded in U.S. courts against Ainsworth could not be enforced in the U.K. [Telegraph.co.uk]
- Check out some of what Danny Trejo and Michelle Rodriguez have to say about the upcoming film "Machete", based on the fake trailer that aired during the 2007 Robert Rodriguez/Quentin Tarantino double-feature "Grindhouse". The film is set for release on April 16, 2010. [SCI FI Wire & SCI FI Wire]
- 20th Century Fox is reportedly close to starting pre-production on author Dan Brown’s third book, "The Lost Symbol". Tom Hanks is "all but ready to return to the character of Robert Langdon". [CinemaBlend]
IN MEMORIAM
-
Screenwriter, director and special effects technician Dan O’Bannon passed away Thursday in Los Angeles following a short illness. O’Bannon played an instrumental role in various sci-fi films throughout the years, including "Dark Star", "Star Wars", "Alien" and "Total Recall". He was 63. [Empire]
Follow Russ on his blog: Your Entertainment Now and on Twitter: Twitter.com/YourEntNow.
These are great
I for one am glad that Gilberto Sanchez (the guy who posted the X-Men prequel) got arrested.. I don’t think people realize the kind of hard work it takes to make movies and to upload them to the net and potentially ruin the box-office returns of a good movie is horrible. Yeah it’d be great if movies and money grew on trees, but they don’t so let’s respect the guys whose vision is realized on the big screen.
Amazing…Hot Tub Time Machine goes back to the 80’s. Will they catch a showing of Back to the Future?
They made another Shrek? Does anyone care?
And Toy Story 3 looks great!
Cameron’s comments on Terminator are dead on. I’m sorry the series didn’t make it, but Bale’s movie was thin, to say the least.
Toy Story 3 looks fun. Shrek — not really sure I want another one, even if they promise it’s the last.
RIP Dan O’Bannon.
Just curious….isn’t I am Legend a non sequel, non-franchise film?
KICK-ASS is going to KICK ASS!!!
I’m quite happy to have added my $8.50 to Avatar‘s weekend take as overall I was very impressed with the film. Yes, it’s easy to carp about “Dances With Aliens” and the “Blue Pocahontas” since Cameron’s limitations as a writer and his handling of the material leaves him wide open to such criticism. I wish the politics had been more nuanced (even as I largely agree with them)– that the story’s villains weren’t such mustache-twirlers, and the natives so uniformly noble. But Avatar also has a lot to offer, with some solid SF concepts and themes, believable futuristic tech, and more than a few moments of genuine visual splendor (as opposed to mere spectacle). It’s a landmark of imaginative cinema, and in the end, whatever its limitations at least the movie’s story actually tries to be about something. As such I’ll gladly take it over “Arrogant Frat Boy Makes Good” any day.
#5 yeah I would think so. Weird.
I did hear that they were interested in making a prequel, but that should change the status of the first film.
#5: Since it’s a licensed adaptation of a novel, maybe it (barely) qualifies as a franchise film (doesn’t have to be a BIG franchise to be a franchise, just a set of characters/trademarks/etc being shopped around).
The Box Office Mojo article calls it “the highest-grossing opening ever for a movie that’s neither a sequel, a remake nor a direct adaptation,” which seems to be referring to the same achievement using different terms, and if the BOM terms are more precise, they would exclude I Am Legend.
Is it me or is the following sentence contradictory?
“Avatar” is the No. 2 best-performing December opening of all time (behind the $77.2M of “I Am Legend”), and qualifies as the biggest opening ever for a non-sequel, non-franchise film.”
Isn’t I am legend a non- sequel, non-franchise film?… Just trying to understand.
I forgot a key word, original (which I’ve added now), but I Am Legend wasn’t original anyways. It was a novel first.
@9
I’m impressed with your answer! That totally solved the mystery. Thanks :)
I hope JJ considers to shoot the trek sequel in 3d !
it will be nice if JJ does shoot the Trek Squeal in 3-D but the people who finance the next Star Trek film will have to decide if that is too Expensive. Looking forward to the next Trek Film as well as Iron man 2 and Prince of Persia Sands of Time!
I wanted to say something good about Avatar, having just seen it today, But now that I’ve seen that scene from Toy Story 3, That’s all I can think about!
Now that Disney owns or is affiliated with Marvel, maybe they can have some superhero action figures in the story.
Oops. Guess I should read all the posts before adding my own. Lol.
I’m 39 years old, so I’m almost embarrassed to admit that the Toy Story 3 scene got to me. Agh!!! I’m dying to see what happens next!
I hadn’t realized that I miss Buzz and Woody and the gang…
I am veeery excited, in a positively buzzing fasion, for Kick Ass!
#10
My guess is that ‘remake’, while not specifically mentioned, is also in that category and why ‘I Am Legend’ is in it (based on the novel by the same name, which was originally filmed as ‘The Omega Man’ – and I ‘think’ there was a movie before that even).
Doh…actually I bet it has to do more with the screenplay itself, based on an original work, now that I think about it, which is why they then specify that it not be a sequel to original work or continuation of a franchise.
A Star Trek movie (possibly even the first Star Trek movie) would never quality because they consider that a ‘franchise’ film. I would be curious as to whether ‘Star Wars’ would quality, since when it was made, while based on an original work, you didn’t know it was part of a ‘franchise’. If it then becomes a franchise, do they kick the first film out of the statistics.
Hmm
But at any rate, ‘I Am Legend’ was not an original screenplay, but one adapted from a book.
In response to #’s 5&10, et., al…..
“I am Legend” is a novel written by Richard Matheson in 1954, it was originally developed for the screen ten years later starring Vincent Price in the lead Role under the titile “The Last Man on Earth.” The film was remade in 1971 under the name “The Omega Man”, starring Charleton Heston in the lead. As such, the 2007 remake, “I am Legend” , is not an original work where as Avatar” is……
and now you know the rest of the story!
– Trek connection: The leader of the “The Family” in The Omega Man is played by Anthony Zerbe who played Vice Admiral Dougherty in Star Trek Insurrection.
Sorry, but “Kick-Ass” or “Hit Girl” or whatever it’s called looks amazingly stupid. I know it was a comic or “graphic novel” first, which I didn’t read, but it seems like the same old, same old…like that ridiculous recent “Punisher’ movie. Violence for the sheer sake of it. I love violence as much as the next guy, but really…these movies are stupid.
And ANOTHER Shrek? Really? Dreamworks thought it was worth pouring money into another after that horrible Shrek 3? Doesn’t Mike Myers have to make a sequel to “The Love Guru” or something: XD
Wow…the slow economy really hasn’t slowed down the stupidity coming out of Hollywood.
Can’t wait to see Marvin the Martien. Toyo Story 3 looks great. So many Movies and so little time. or well. Lots of time. I guess. kick Ass looks to be well. Kick Ass. Seen avatar. Great Movie.
I’ve seen and liked Avatar. There’s really some potential for sequels there.
I can well imagine a sequel set some 15 years after the events of this one (6 years for the humans to get back to Earth plus the same to get back again to Pandora, with some time on Earth, of course, there’s the relativity theory to be considered, but I’ll leave it for the more enlightened:). It’s really hard to believe that a corporation which earns squillions by mining such a rare and profitable mineral would just leave Pandora in peace just because of some wild natives. I’d say they’d just get someone with bigger or more effective weapons and get back to eliminate the native threat for good. The better for us viewers:)
I’m definitely looking forward to any X-Men movies for the exact reasons mentioned in this article.
Star Trek sequel in 3D would be awsome. Just imagine seeing the Enterprise and the bridge in 3D…
Holy cats! The Star Wars Episode 1 review was awesome! Absolutely hilarious! And brings home a basic problem with not only that movie, but the two that followed – NO STORY OR CHARACTERS! Lucas hit a dribbler back to the mound with those, after knocking it out of the park with Star Wars.
For those who complain about ST XI, take a look at this review and then think about the Trek movie – were there characters in there that you cared about? Yes. Was there a story? Yes. There you go. Already it was a better movie than TPM. And that’s before the opening scenes.
Loved the Star Wars Episode 1 review. So funny and so true. What a correct analysis. Hearing Ian talk about every shot, every frame is so dense like it’s the best thing to happen to Star Wars just boils my blood. Episode 1 and 3 I can sit through, uncomfortably. Episode 2 can burn for all I care. I’m just glad JJ hasn’t admitted to being a fan of the new Star Wars series.. or I’d be worried about his inspiration for putting tons of crap in the frame.
toy story 3! can’t wait. Rex is the best. “Quick somebody cover my eyes!”
@ 25:
the story for abram’s trek was the worst trek plot of all 11 films and barely any better than lucas’s worst prequels in the history of film. i would say trek XI is one of the worst prequels ever done as well. the story was so absurd and contrived just to cram the entire history of kirk’s promotion to captain in only 2 hours it was laughable. they went with the idea of putting spock in the movie and then created a ridiculous story around it just to include nimoy in the film. the holes in the plot were a mile long. the vulcans don’t even think about shooting down the drill that is destroying their planet even though the vulcans are more advanced than the federation. if something like that happened even now the u.s. air force would be attacking that drill in minutes. what piss-poor film making. i think we will see true trek fans will not even acknowledge that abram’s trek even exists just as star wars fans cringe at lucas’s episode 1-3.
Gilberto Sanchez saved me the expense of going to see that turkey.
The Vulture would be the only reason I’d go see another Spider-Man movie.
That’s sad about Dan O’Bannon leaving the flesh. He was a pioneer and worked on Sci-Fi films during an era while no one else would (except for “A Boy and His Dog”/”Deathrace 2000” type sci-fi films). His work on Dark Star remains one of the great achievements of sci-fi cinema in the 1970s. He’ll be missed.
Careful with those spoilers for the Avatar movie, folks…
14:
Shooting in 3D isn’t that much more expensive. The cost of AVATAR wasn’t due to 3D, but mostly due to the massive amounts of work creating a totally new environment, then doing it in 3D. Shooting in native 3D is at most an additional 20% to the budget, depending on FX, etc. And the expense of shooting native 3D is not only coming down dramatically, it’s a LOT cheaper than doing a post process on it (which is very expensive and isn’t nearly as good).
It is complete feasible for the next Trek to be in 3D. It would also ROCK and look AMAZING!
3D is where the industry is going, so why not?
#25: “Already it was a better movie than TPM.”
I kneel to you, my master, as my superior in the art of damning ST09 with faint praise.
Kick Ass.. is it just me, or does it seem.. disturbing? Not sure how I feel about that one.
Bryan Singer returning to the ‘X’ franchise really grinds my gears.
X1 was satisfying, X2 was GREAT….then he ditched us to make a sub-par Superman movie, leaving us with Ratner to pick up the pieces of X3. Ratner then takes those pieces, dumps them into a wood chipper, wraps the mess up in black leather, and sends it flying across the river on the Golden Gate bridge. Millions are made off of this because we just want to see another ‘X’ movie, even though *most* of us thought it was crap. This lead to Marvel/Fox believing that they had a winning formula, which was immediately applied to the Wolverine movie. We know how that turned out.
Now that Superman failed, Wolverine failed, and X3 is considered by many to be a joke……they all decide to ‘get the old band back together’ and make an X prequel.
I think I’ll sit this one out :) Maybe this time they will save some cash and just use saran wrap to pull Patrick Stewart’s face in a little tighter.
Marvin the Martian, CHiPs, Hong Kong Phooey, and Monopoly are all getting movie treatments. Wow, every time I think they’ve reached the bottom of the barrel, they find another barrel…
#33: It’s not just you. The trailer has a creepy vibe, IMO. I can see where it might be fun, but I can also see where it might be skin-crawly icky. Hard to call at this point … mainly I’m hoping the trailers are misleading.
#34: I agree 100% with your second and third paragraphs, but what I don’t get is the fourth one. It’s lame that he went, but isn’t it _good_ that he’s back?
#35: Matryoskha Barrels!
I have seen Avatar twice, in 3D and IMAX 3D. Avatar is a very well done movie. I particularly enjoyed the relationship between Neytiri and Jake Sully. The best scene is when both reaffirm their love near the end of the movie. It says much about both characters.
Thank for posting the link to the Phantom Menace “review”. That was like finding the pot o’ comedy gold! I haven’t laughed that much in a long time. I also notice he has some Star Trek “reviews”. I checked out the Nemesis one. Funny stuff!!! It’s always great to find people in this world who just plain get humor…
#36: He tasks me! He tasks me and I shall have him!
But seriously, I just don’t feel like I can trust him with another X movie, same with Fox. I don’t see the studio ending their bad streak of decision making and meddling with movies. Marvel seems to be moving forward in the non-mutant side of their catalog, moving backwards with Fox in the current X franchise seems silly to me. Do what you must with Jackman and the Wolverine thing, but why don’t they see how stringing the Thor-Iron Man-Cap. America-Avengers thing goes. If it turns out the way they plan, THEN relaunch the X-Men in this new continuity, tying up the loose end and making us all happy little geeks.
Singers decision making since leaving X3 has puzzled me. Of course the Superman thing, but I also think a Battlestar movie in the style he’s thinking is a lame idea. His idea got shutdown in favor of RDM’s Galactica, I really think the only reason it got ‘re-lit’ is directly because of ST09’s success. But what do I know right? ha ha
#39: Fair enough. Again, I find myself unable to disagree with you on any of the particulars, but I still keep arriving at a more enthused conclusion. I may just be a pollyanna (it’s Star Trek’s optimism rubbing off despite the new film’s determined attempt to remove it …)
#32, in many ways I am starting to feel Avatar was the Star Trek movie I’ve been waiting for. I kind of expect Paramount to take a good long look at Avatar-ing Trek for the sequel. Look for a 3D sequel where Kirk has a romance with an alien whom he falls madly in love with and must chose the Enterprise over her – a la Edith Keeler. That would be a defining moment for him in my book and give Trek the romantic heart I’ve always felt was missing.
Avatar is rolling down the track like a massive freight train. The critical reviews on Rotten Tomatoes are rising along with the box office, confirming that the critics and general public think more of it too than just a 3D spectacle. As it stands the professional critics rank it higher than they did Star Trek and the RT community ranks it about the same overcoming a number of negative reviews that were posted weeks before the movie was even released. Only the T-meter critics who seems to have had an axe to grind in the face of the over-hyped promotion, have ranked it 10% lower than the pros and the general public. How is that even possible? One more reason not to believe everything you read on the internet and especially not to use RT as the critical litmus test it has become.
One thing is for certain, FOX’s gamble will pay off in spades and Avatar will surely make its money back if not do Harry Potter numbers. If 2012 can do it, Avatar has nothing to worry about.
#41: “in many ways I am starting to feel Avatar was the Star Trek movie I’ve been waiting for.”
I agree, although in fairness I feel that way about one or two films every year (none of them ever officially stamped with a Star Trek logo) … Just because the corporate handlers in charge of the Trek franchise seem eternally unable to bring the full Trek experience to the big screen does not, fortunately, mean that others are similarly lacking in the skill, wit and courage to do so. Cameron brought the Trek and he brought it all, and more besides. Avatar doth rockest.
Excellent summary, saved the website for interest to read more information!