Avatar overtakes Titanic as top-grossing film ever

The plot is hackneyed and old, yes. But, so was the plot of Star Wars. Even so, I submit that Avatar is not just "a vehicle for the effects." The effects are used well to enhance the story, the same as the effects in (the original) Star Wars film were.

Again like Star Wars, the characters were cut from cardboard...but the actors managed to bring them to life, stereotypes that they were. Special kudos to Sigourney Weaver in this department.

You see other films where the producer really has fallen in love with the effects. The camera lingers and lingers on them, far past the time they're needed as part of the story. "2001" nearly fell victim to this trap, but it had *just* enough story to squeak by.

Star Wars and Avatar and Titanic all succeed because they tell stories we ARE familiar with, ones that we first heard as kids. They strike a responsive chord with us. And the brilliant effects suck us into that imaginary world. Strange world, familiar story. It's a powerful combination.

Saw neither Titanic nor Avatar, and have no intention to, especially if it cost me a penny.

I don't support the MPAA any more than I support the RIAA; that is, not with my money.

Watch Cameron's "Titanic" - and then rent prior versions by other directors.

Interesting.

It was a fantastic film for the spectacle, but any relevance or meaning it had was pure audience manipulation, because it's so selective about what it shows.

I'll take "Night to Remember" every time.

I LOVE that film. Got it on Criterion.

I have it on DVD.

Lol.

SPOILER ALERT!!!!!!


At the end of Titanic..... the boat sinks.

No it does not! Stop making stuff up!

In the 90's I was a tourist in Paris and I saw a huge line of people wrapped around the corner. I thought I had stumbled upon some great cultural phenomenon and would be an American experiencing some great French cinema.

I walked around two corners to the box office to see it was......................

Toy Story.

Somewhere in France there are one thousand people waiting online for Avatar.


.

Thank you, Lindal. Finally someone who has actually seen it passes judgment on it. I was cognizant enough to know Avatar was clobbering me over the head with its Hollywood tree hugger message even while I was totally immersed in it. I have spent many an hour wandering around in the wilds of RL. I know that nature is not all pretty like that. It takes mankind to make beautiful parks. Otherwise you have tangled unsightly chaos. But so what? Avatar is all about immersion. Those who say they don't go to a movie for immersion and eye candy had as well trade in their fancy SL skins and attachments and just walk around in default newb gear.

Anyone else looking forward to The Wolfman?

http://thewolfman2010.blogspot.com/

What? Anyone who doesn't like it hasn't seen it?

I did see it, in Imax 3D. I still hated it.


You're missing the point. The problem is when eye candy is the only thing that's important in a film. I love good effects, but when that's all a movie has, I'm disappointed.

Avatar is the really hot looking avatar who hits on you, and when you get to the poseballs, they can't roleplay for crap.

/me puts on his robe and wizard hat.

That's hot.

I AM!!!

Even worse, Celine Dion sings!

I'm not saying Avatar as a film is bad, I'm saying it's plot was a joke, the pacing was off, and it had kick ass effects.... I like kick ass effects, they can make up for or elevate the rest...

titanic's saving grace was that people are suckers for dramatic tragedies, and it had some very nice costuming and scenery.

but in the end, titanic was still a boat sinks, every one dies movie (which would have made it a great russian novel =X )

and avatar was still dances with wolves / fern gully.... in space.

I liked it and thought it was well worth the 3 hour round trip to see it.Mind you it was my first time in a cinema for 15 years LOL

I will try to see it this weekend so I can dislike it with a clear conscience.

Not at all. SL is about immersion, it is 2 way,interactive. Avatar, or any movie is passive. You have no input. What is presented appeals to you or it doesn't. You can't change it. You can be immeresed in a story and develop sympathy for characters, just like in a book, but there has to be a story and or characters to grab hold of you.

I literally bumped into a Pandorian in world today - it was kinda a shock! The avi looked fantastic I thought. Tried saying hello but he/she remained mute.
Thanks SL for all the great things we can do to fullfill our fantasies and have fun. Luv u guys.

I should put on my blue avatar and go to the in world Titanic. And stand on the front edge, with my arms out wide.

A passing idea. I'll probably forget it in moments.

The irony is, Avatar also illustrates very well the problems with virtual worlds.