Comments on: Awards Weekend: The Razzies

By: John the Great

John the Great — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 04:08:26 +0000

I liked Avatar but it wasn’t my favorite film of the year. I’m not saying that makes it bad in any way, it’s just that while it’s a visually stunning film I wasn’t impressed with the story.

By: Amanda d'Adesky

Amanda d'Adesky — Sun, 07 Mar 2010 20:12:52 +0000

It has been brought to my attention that I didn’t actually say how I felt about Avatar.

The 3D aspect didn’t really do a lot for me, as I had to take my glasses off to fit the MIB Anti-Neuralizer Shades onto my face, so everything was blurry either way. (I swear, it’s like the universe is forcing me to get contact lenses.)

The story was very predictable, but paired with the visuals and the action, I found myself at least half-way enjoying the movie. As John noted, I was visibly moved during the Assault of Hometree, for reasons only slightly related to the actual movie. (I was angry because there are still assholes out there that think exactly like the Colonel and that corporate goon whose name I didn’t bother to learn. And that pisses me off.)

A note on the visuals: When I watched with one eye closed, I could see things clearly enough to have to remind myself this was all CGI. The moment of particular note being when Neytiri is holding the human body of Jake Sully, attempting to revive him after atmospheric exposure. If there was ever a moment where the whole thing was going to look fake, that was it. Guess what? I COULDN’T TELL SHE WASN’T REAL. And that, to me, is pretty damn amazing.

All in all, it wasn’t a complete waste of money or time. I’d go see it again, but only if/when it hits the $1.50 theater. Or if John buys it on Blu-Ray simply for the novelty of watching it on our PS3.

By: Amanda d'Adesky

Amanda d'Adesky — Sun, 07 Mar 2010 19:54:15 +0000

I’ve been lax in fulfilling in my movie-buff responsibilities in the last 12 months. There are plenty of films that came out that I wanted to see, and turned out (according to people I trust) to be pretty darn good. What was my did my last cinema visit entail?

The husband dragging me by the collar to see Avatar. FOR FULL PRICE, which is something I try never to do. (We have a discount theater here in the Triangle, where not-exactly-first-run films can be seen for $1.50. Yay, us.)

*facepalm*

By: Josh

Josh — Sun, 07 Mar 2010 19:50:14 +0000

@Dan:

This makes a great deal of sense. And I’d much rather blame Bay for the shortcomings of Transformers (both films) than either of the aforementioned writers.

By: Daniel Bayn

Daniel Bayn — Sun, 07 Mar 2010 19:48:06 +0000

If I recall correctly, Transformers 2 didn’t have much of a script. Bay needed to start production during the writer’s strike, so he forged ahead more or less on his own. I’m sure the credited writers made passes at a/the script either before or after the strike, but I’d lay most of the credit/blame for this one squared on the director’s shoulders.

–Dan

By: Chuck

Chuck — Sun, 07 Mar 2010 19:46:24 +0000

David –

I continue to avoid Transformers 2 for just that reason. I am afraid of how grumpy it will make me.

And word on Ringu: it’s a hair boring, and in my recollection actually gives more answers than the American remake (an odd difference given the American penchant for More More More when here it ends up being Less Less Less).

– c.

By: David A Hill Jr

David A Hill Jr — Sun, 07 Mar 2010 19:40:50 +0000

I agree with Chuck on The Ring. I prefer it. Ringu was a bit boring, IMO.

Your Morimoto analogy doesn’t really fit. If Morimoto makes a dish, even collaboratively, you can see quality. I can honestly say that Transformers 2 was devoid of quality. I looked. I wanted to point out a good line or two. There just weren’t any. It was full of dog and dog robot humping. The main plot didn’t make a lick of sense. My head a-splode.

And John: Megan Fox gets a lot of shit. I think she’s underestimated. I also think she’s a symptom of a very big problem in our culture.

By: Stephen

Stephen — Sun, 07 Mar 2010 19:33:15 +0000

Harlan Ellison has it in his contracts that any deviation from his script removes his name and substitutes “Cordwainer Bird”. He can do such things but the lesser beings of the writing world usually don’t have such clout. He probably has that clause to protect him from such monstrosities as Transformers Too being associated with a writer that can actually write. He wouldn’t have to prepare for such situations if hollyweird actually cared about the story, Avatar for instance…….sheesh…..

By: Jason

Jason — Sun, 07 Mar 2010 18:54:34 +0000

If you've got the time, I recommend a Terry Rossio article I read a while back, about the 1994 adaptation of Heinlein's The Puppet Masters, and how you can be a good writer, committed to writing a good adaptation of a property, do everything in your power, and still get hosed with writing credit on something that doesn't live up to your standards. It's been a while since I read it through, but I seem to recall Building The Bomb breaks it down pretty well.

By: John the Great

John the Great — Sun, 07 Mar 2010 18:44:56 +0000

You made fun of Transformers.

YOU MADE FUN OF TRANSFORMERS.

-_-

I will crush you! IN YOUR FACE! Transformers 2 had everything! It had giant robots, it had action, it had the Terminator…what sort of movie lets you watch an entirely separate movie while you watch the main feature? The movie also features Megan Fox, who if Hollywood mainstream is to be believed, is a talented actress known for more than her boobs!

I will give you to the count of 10 to apologize and give me your letter of resignation on my desk. Actually, I’ll give you to 20 to build me a desk in which to put your letter of resignation on. Hmm, course you’d have to get here first so I’ll give you 30. 30 or 40 depending on traffic!