Comments on: Avatar Dominates At VES Awards – Trek Vets Win For BSG

By: S. John Ross

S. John Ross — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 04:56:16 +0000

True, true. But it’s not something I’m extrapolating; it’s something the film is pretty explicit about. I mean, I like the movie, but it’s not exactly subtle :)

By: Ian B

Ian B — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 04:20:50 +0000

You can use critical theory to derive any message you like from a work. “Don’t be so wrapped up…” etc may be something you see in the movie, but that doesn’t make it the “message” of the movie.

By: S. John Ross

S. John Ross — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 03:32:46 +0000

#26: “It’s hackneyed left-wing dogma about how western imperialists destroy Rousseauesque noble savages in our thirst for oil.”

A fair description of the plot … but not the message.

By: S. John Ross

S. John Ross — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 03:31:08 +0000

#26: “No, that’s not what it’s about.”

Yes, that’s what it’s about.

By: Ian B

Ian B — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 01:07:43 +0000

#25

“don’t be so wrapped up in your own affairs that you stop seeing the world around you and the people around you,”

No, that’s not what it’s about. It’s hackneyed left-wing dogma about how western imperialists destroy Rousseauesque noble savages in our thirst for oil.

By: S. John Ross

S. John Ross — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 00:21:55 +0000

#22: “The less said about the movie’s simultaneously naive and misanthropic “message” the better.”

As near as I can tell, the fundamental message in Avatar is “don’t be so wrapped up in your own affairs that you stop seeing the world around you and the people around you,” reinforced by various things throughout the film … which is simple (perhaps even simplistic) but hardly naive or misanthropic (in fact, the social facet of the message is the opposite of misanthropy).

For the record, while I thought it rocked, it wouldn’t get my vote for Best Picture (though it’s definitely in my Top 10), but there’s nothing wrong with its message: See. It’s all about seeing.

By: Jane

Jane — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 21:24:48 +0000

ha. i haven’t even seen avatar yet, and i probably never will.

but who really knows?

if you ask me, Star Trek is the best movie and will remain that way forever. too bad I’m only one person.

yay for Star Trek!

By: Dennis Bailey

Dennis Bailey — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 21:12:09 +0000

“Aside form the Trek zealots, I think most of us agree District 9 was a much better overall movie than either Avatar or Trek.”

“Avatar” was best, and no other sf or fantasy movie this year deserves even to be nominated for “Best Picture.”

That said, I’ll be happy if “The Hurt Locker” wins, satisfied with “Inglourious Basterds” and estatic if it’s “Avatar.”

By: Ian B

Ian B — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 19:35:59 +0000

Avatar was a dire movie with a lot of talented people working on it; actors, technicians etc. The script was awful and the direction pedestrian. I didn’t think much of the production design either; there’s nothing wildly original about the “civilised” side; rather standard sci-fi stuff, while the forest with its silly disco-lighting flora just looked horribly fake. The less said about the movie’s simultaneously naive and misanthropic “message” the better. It’s disappointing that it’s winning awards.

Somebody could make a good movie about such a clash of interests and needs between civilisations, but Avatar wasn’t it. Come to that, Star Trek: Insurrection, which has a similar story, wasn’t it either.

By: RM10019

RM10019 — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 18:38:46 +0000

JJ Trek was the best Trek film since ST IV, and District 9 was my second favorite genre film this year.

Avatar was a technical accomplishment but left me cold, with its familiar plot of native versus ‘civilized’ man, and hackneyed score and dialogue/themes. A PS3 game on steriods is what it felt like to me, but I don’t begrudge anyone for liking it.