Oscars Goes Avatard

Sunday, March 07, 2010 | 6 Comments

I have to say that I am disappointed in the Academy's decision to allow "popular" contenders into the awards. I feel that the Academy's stamp on a movie has always been an indication of the quality of the movie. We already know what's popular!

Avatar is my biggest gripe. There. I said it. It was OK as far as movies go. I love the fantasy world that Cameron creates, but that is basically where the magic ends. I didn't feel that the story revealed anything special or new. I didn't feel that they spent enough time on character development for me to feel especially close to any of the characters. It felt like a movie whose theme and story has been done to death. The only thing new about it is the specifics of the environment. That is it.

Avatar's only real claim for an award might be in technology. And even then, eh. When I saw it I wasn't entirely convinced that it was real. It didn't feel real to me. It still felt animated - or maybe like a dream; not a real environment. When I saw Jurassic Park over 15 years ago, it felt real! So, is Avatar really that advanced? I don't think so. I think that it was cool, but not so ground-breaking as everyone would make it out to be.

Academy Awards should not be given out to movies merely because they are popular. I've been around enough people to know that most of them like cheap, flashy garbage - that's why Walmart is so popular. I think that the Awards should be reserved for movies and people that show something special or new. They should go to movies and people that make you feel something so strong that you just can't get it out of your head. Movies and people that keep you talking about what they have done on an intellectual and emotional level.

My favs this year are Inglorious Basterds (what an interesting alternative ending to WWII!), UP! (that movie was tight!), The Hurt Locker (the character development was amazing), and District 9 (this movie still has me talking). A movie that should have gotten in instead of Avatar was Moon. There was basically one actor in the whole movie and he was AWESOME!! I can't get that movie out of my head. A true great. See it. You'll thank me -- unless you're an Avatard.

6 comments:

Mrs. Loquacious said...

I was not thrilled by Avatar either. Saw it at 10:30 because it was STILL sold out at the 6:50 showing, *AND* we had to line up an hour in advance to get seats. Why the hype?

Thankfully Avatar didn't win too many Oscars that night. Good taste isn't totally dead after all! ;)

Alistair said...

A man of his talents should be able to make 3 great movies for that cost. although it was a feast for the eyes I couldn't get over how self indulgent it was too.

Sy said...

Mrs. Loquacious, I didn't see it in 3-D, but if that is what made people like the movie that much - it really should only be acknowledged for its technical aspects.
I'm very glad to see that good taste is not dead :)

Sy said...

Alistair, a feast for the eyes it was. Too bad it never made it as far as the brain. I would still recommend people watch it - just not fervently recommend.

Lyvvie said...

We didn't bother because we still hate Cameron for Titanic. Why keep going back for more abuse?

I did think the trend for blue dresses was stupid and wasteful. I love the dress wrap-ups after the Oscars, but to get blue because of Avatar was lame and unoriginal.

I want to see the Basterds movie so very much, must add it to the net list.

Sy said...

Lyvvie, hurray! Someone else who thought Titanic was shite!

I only liked him for Dark Angel. Well, until it got all weird in that last season...

Basterds is awesome. I was surprised that it did not get original screenplay. I mean, that was some pretty original shit! But so was UP! Loved them both.

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