The Politics of Avatar

[Britethorn]

Run time: 02:41 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=51OaBefVl10   Posted on YouTube: December 20, 2009 By YouTube Member: Views on YouTube: 0   Posted on DU: December 20, 2009 By DU Member: Britethorn Views on DU: 3084

 
One of the best movies I've ever seen, but I don't think its going to go over too well with the folks at Fox News!

[tulsakatz]

1. it sounds very interesting.......thanks!

I read part of an article at the NY Times which said.....

With “Avatar” James Cameron has turned one man’s dream of the movies into a trippy joy ride about the end of life — our moviegoing life included — as we know it.

So I was hoping it would not be one of those 2012 - end of the world kind of things.

[onlyadream]

2. Interesting...

I love the irony that it was FOX who put it out (love it). I will definately see it now :).
Thanks!

[Aequitasx]

19. Someone's missing the point.

Not only was it released by FOX, but they're also the prime investors in it. There is no ideology driving these people other than that of financial gain. You seeing this movie and being oooeeed and aawwwd by it, only to come back to your computer screen and recommend it because of its "smart and interesting political message", after spending 10+ dollars to see it is exactly what FOX wants. I hope FOX releases the Barack Obama movie starring Will Smith, so they can further engorge their coffers with the money of those who believe they're "sticking it to the man".

Also, being a member of Democratic Underground one would think you'd consider the fact that the 1/2 a billion dollars spent making this movie could have been better spent, I don't know... feeding a starving nation?

Also, Cameron's situational politics are so easily disregarded in this film it's ridiculous to think he made any type of impact on people's actual beliefs. Let me just take my ponytail and interface with this street lamp....

[Hamlette]

3. Has anyone heard Sean/Rush/Bill/Palin trash this film?

I would think Fox would tell them to shut up about it. Since they went ape shit over a movie about penguins, they would ordinarily trash a movie so filled with every message they hate.

The most interesting thing would be if they don't, including Rush. If Rush is silent on this, we know they've been schooled.

[mike6640]

4. I saw it yesterday.

The effects are best ever. Ever. The story is pretty good, characters are stereotypical but believable. Overall a great movie.

Funny thing was two guys grousing afterwards about how the humans were made out to be the bad guys.

[Britethorn]

5. Spoiler

One of the things I didn't mention in my video was how negatively the Military was portrayed in the film, which is yet another reason why I think FOX is going to take some shots at Avatar. While its true that the main character is a Marine and does the "moral" thing (along with one or two others), the soldiers in the film are portrayed as soulless killing machines. It made me feel a bit bad for all the military families, with loved ones serving overseas, who will be seeing the film over the holidays.

[plantwomyn]

6. They aren't "the Military"

They are mercenaries. Hired guns that work for the cooperation, much like Xe , Halliburton etc. Wearing camo doesn't make you military. I think our military families will recognize these characters for what they are and not equate them with our troops.
I saw Star Wars and Lord of the Rings in the theater and there was a lot of audience reaction at the end of those films. We're in Northern Indiana and my spouse, mom and I were the only ones that applauded. So I do agree that the conservatives will not like Avatar.
That said GREAT movie. Beautiful world.

[Lautremont]

7. Another interesting thing

is that apparently by the year 2154, America still doesn't have much in the way of health care - the lead character says, in the narration, that they can fix spinal injuries, but only if you can pay, and vet benefits are non-existent.

[raystorm7]

8. THat was the part that made me lol. James C. covered the prevelant issues of our world today :P

[Britethorn]

9. Good Catch

Yes, they mentioned that more than once in the film. All a part of a Nightmare Future in which the forces of Sarah Palin have won!

[Better Believe It]

10. K & R Thanks for the movie review. Looking forward to seeing it!

[Britethorn]

11. 3D

Try and see it in 3D if you can. I'm not usually impressed with that sort of thing, but Cameron took it to a new level in this film.

[Kablooie]

12. Careful ... spoiler ...

The aliens are BLUE!

[Johnny ramone]

13. It looks awesome !

K&R

[Name removed]

15. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Britethorn]

18. Paid?

Well, I wasn't paid by anyone. I just liked the film a lot -- but then, I'm a nerd!

[Johnny ramone]

20. Paid ?

Well I sure could use a few bucks but this was just my unpaid humble opinion.

[Lorien]

21. That film doesn't need mouthpieces

it speaks for itself.

[Techn0Girl]

25. Maybe it is and maybe it isn't awesome... But Craigslist is paying 5 bucks for positive reviews...

I see on Craigslist everyday posts advertising for people with certain accounts like Yelp to post positive reviews about things and "get the buzz out". People usually sell their souls for the five bucks that they're paying.

So I have to wonder on how many boards paid posters are being used to hype up buzz for this film.

The "politically correct message" angle is ludicrous as this is FOX Corp people who are funding this film. They will just create a false "controversy" on their news divisionsto get more buzz which in turn sells more crap. It;s all about profits

It's all manufactured dissent.

So I guess that I'm saying that whenever people see a ton of incredible reviews and blog-buzz for the latest circus - remember that a considerably amount of them are bought and paid for by advertising companies that specialize in such things.

[Techn0Girl]

14. More Corporate Buzz :(

Nothing newsworthy here - all this buzz is generated by PR flacks and even makes it's way here.

Of course this will be panned by fox news - FOX is the one distributing this film and all the manufactured "controversy" is just free advertising.

Unrecced for manufactured dissent.

[Lorien]

23. Yeah, right. so what about this very popular film has gotten your paranoid

knickers in a twist?

Recommended to counter some of the most misplaced CT that I've ever seen on DU.

[burning rain]

16. Even the name's suspicious....

zOMG! Ain't an avatar some kinda heathen Hindu thingy, Vern?

[bertman]

17. Britethorn, excellent review. I agree 100%, but I have to say that it is just spectacular in

a regular theater. I saw it yesterday with my nephew and took my wife to see it today.

Did anyone else catch the reference to Sully having been a Force Recon Marine in VENEZUELA? I thought that was prescient.

Recommend highly.

[Lorien]

22. A RW fundie former coworker of mine was kvetching about the "overly

eco-friendly message" of the film as soon as he got back from seeing it. But he loved the violence, of course.

[LBJDemocrat]

24. Bread and circuses

This film is a mere distraction for the masses. This is hype, and FOX News may trash it so that it generates more hype.

The film cost over $300 million to make. That it has some safe, politically correct environmental message is ironic and laughable.

Keep eating your popcorn, kids.

[Touchdown]

27. So then it's bad to enjoy escapist entertainment.

Thanks for clarifying.:hi:

[knixphan]

26. It's a great film. Period.