The GMG SF/Fantasy/Horror Club

[DarkAngel]

What do people think about the mega blockbuster fantasy / sci-fi movie Avatar?

This is a very long movie at close to 3 hours, the special effects and picture quality are mostly spectacular but the story is rather simplistic good vs evil and misses many opportunities, some parts become very cartoonish. Only question is will humans controlling Avatars side with Navi or fellow humans in final battle........but you knew the answer early in the movie by the sinister portrayal of human military/corporation vs the sweet innocent cat like Navi natives.

Should have explored more the complexity of Navi life both good and bad.......one of best parts for me was Navi search and submission of flying reptilian creature and bonding that takes place, the flying scenes were the highlight of the movie.........

Will probably buy a copy for my Sci-Fi library, but will wait for the final directors cut version with all the goodies.......there are surely tons of featurettes about making of the movie etc

[Fëanor]

What do people think about the mega blockbuster fantasy / sci-fi movie Avatar?

...

I bought the Blu-ray disc for my new system, giving in to family demand.  Is it a great flick? Well, I agree with the consensus that plot and characters are a series of cliches.  A combination of Dances with Wolves, Pocahontas, and FernGully (if you remember that kids' film).  Notwithstanding, it's a must-see film, a techincal leap forward at the least.  However the way to see it is in 3D on a big theatre screen; even Blu-ray can't do it justice.

[DavidW]

You know DA I think that's a sign that you're a collector...

You're collector if... you buy a movie that you don't like.
You're collector if... you buy a special edition of movie that you don't like.
...

Should have explored more the complexity of Navi life both good and bad

*cough* District 9 *cough*

[DavidW]

However the way to see it is in 3D on a big theatre screen; even Blu-ray can't do it justice.

I had the exact opposite response.  It was the most impressive 3d effects I've seen, but it didn't really add anything.  If that's the best, well I decided that I'm done with the 3d fad this pass.  And I like it better in 2d because it's brighter.

[DarkAngel]

You know DA I think that's a sign that you're a collector...

You're collector if... you buy a movie that you don't like.
You're collector if... you buy a special edition of movie that you don't like.
...

*cough* District 9 *cough*

bloody prawns......I'm not going that far 

[DavidW]

bloody prawns......I'm not going that far 

Puts down the cat food carefully and walks away....

[Hollywood]

Old school. 

[Bogey]

[DavidW]

So I read the Tawny Man trilogy by Robin Hobb, and it was a very good followup to the Farseer Trilogy... but... the ending was not really right for the character, it came off as fake and though I think Fitz should receive something better than what he got at the end of the first trilogy, I don't think that this was it.  Still thumbs up.

[DarkAngel]

This is a very long movie at close to 3 hours, the special effects and picture quality are mostly spectacular but the story is rather simplistic good vs evil and misses many opportunities, some parts become very cartoonish. Only question is will humans controlling Avatars side with Navi or fellow humans in final battle........but you knew the answer early in the movie by the sinister portrayal of human military/corporation vs the sweet innocent cat like Navi natives.

Should have explored more the complexity of Navi life both good and bad.......one of best parts for me was Navi search and submission of flying reptilian creature and bonding that takes place, the flying scenes were the highlight of the movie.........

Will probably buy a copy for my Sci-Fi library, but will wait for the final directors cut version with all the goodies.......there are surely tons of featurettes about making of the movie etc

I want directors cut because.........

I will be interested in seeing documentaries/featurettes on how the Navi characters were created and filmed, did they use human actors wired up and then just generate skins for them or are many of the charatcers pure computer animations.......also interested in seeing how the flying lizard bird scences were made, these are spectacular visuals

Also I suspect there are more Navi interaction scences cut out of final release, perhaps 30+ minutes worth would not surprise me

[MN Dave]

Here's the hot, new horror thriller of the moment. My wife is reading our copy.

http://www.amazon.com/Passage-Justin-Cronin/dp/0345504968

[Bogey]

Is this author on your radar, Dave?

[MN Dave]

Is this author on your radar, Dave?

I'm not a huge Laymon fan.

[Bogey]

I am a fan of the original King Kong film.  So much so, that I refuse to see Peter Jackson's version.....my little petty protest.  However, his may be sheer genius compared to this:

http://www.dreadcentral.com/news/38070/banglar-king-kong-ready-rampage

PS: Anyone making it through the full 5 minutes wins a prize!

[Scarpia]

I am a fan of the original King Kong film.  So much so, that I refuse to see Peter Jackson's version.....my little petty protest.  However, his may be sheer genius compared to this:

http://www.dreadcentral.com/news/38070/banglar-king-kong-ready-rampage

PS: Anyone making it through the full 5 minutes wins a prize!

One of the good outcomes of the Peter Jackson King Kong is the material they generated regarding the original King Kong.  I have the deluxe edition of the origin King Kong, which has a bonus disc in which they demonstrate the special effects that were used to make the original film and even recreate the lost "spider pit" footage that was cut from the original using HIF (historically informed filmography) and PE (period equipment).   

[MN Dave]

Jackson's Kong was way too long but provided some amusement.

[DavidW]

Jackson's Kong was way too long but provided some amusement.

That is a perfect review, my thoughts exactly.

[MN Dave]

That is a perfect review, my thoughts exactly.

Great minds...

Or is that twisted minds...? 

[Bogey]

One of the good outcomes of the Peter Jackson King Kong is the material they generated regarding the original King Kong.  I have the deluxe edition of the origin King Kong, which has a bonus disc in which they demonstrate the special effects that were used to make the original film and even recreate the lost "spider pit" footage that was cut from the original using HIF (historically informed filmography) and PE (period equipment).   

I will have to see if this is on my double Kong disc set.  I always love HIFPE material.

[DarkAngel]

Had to update my Pinhead collection........

Ordered the Blu Ray remaster of original film Hellraiser and the even better sequel Hellbound (unrated version of course) now with 60 minutes of featurettes for 20th anniverary release

The only other Pinhead movie worthy of repeat viewings is 4th movie Bloodlines......
Love the historical flashbacks to creation of the puzzle box and the final deception of Pinhead in outer space is classic