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[Count Dookkake]

No worries, Gary.

3D TVs will be here soon enough. They work just as well as the theater.

Before I'd seen one in person, I was skeptical and was lamenting all the movies that just would not be the same without the extra depth. But now that I have seen one, I am squirreling away money!

 

[Dead]

Despite the snow, Avatar is still tracking for 80M.

Just from anecdotal evidence, the WOM seems like it will be huge, both times I saw the movie I cant remember the last time I saw an audience as enthused as them.

Next weekend will be really interesting.

 

[hirokazu]

Dolby 3D will have less ghosting, but a dimmer picture.


RealD will have more ghosting, but a brighter picture.

I don't know if you should trust a chart promoting one technology (that I've never heard of) over the others. The RealD session I went to had a 20m screen, but according to that chart, that's impossible because they can only do 16m.

 

[XiaNaphryz]

3D TVs will be here soon enough. They work just as well as the theater.

Hell, the capability has been available for a long while on monitors, you just need to have the right glasses and software.

 

[Count Dookkake]

Hell, the capability has been available for a long while on monitors, you just need to have the right glasses and software.

Hell, even the Sega Master System had it!

 

[SpeedingUptoStop]

I can't tell if being further away from this film makes me like it more or less. Everyone talking about going to see it again makes me want to reconsider things, but then again I also am reminded of the flaws too. I dunno dudes. I'm thinking I'll just wait for 3dTV to catch up to my price range in 2038.

 

[mrkgoo]

Hell, the capability has been available for a long while on monitors, you just need to have the right glasses and software.

There're different implementations of 3D available for home/computer use.

We use 3D glasses at work that are basically a set of LCD blockers in front of each eye that open and close (polarisation, I guess), in sync with the flicker rate of a monitor. You need battery powered glasses, and an infrared signaller.

Always there are issues, especially if you have multiple workstations. You have to make sure the signallers aren't seen by others' glasses and so on. Also, this tech doesn't really work on LCDs, since they don't have a flicker rate as such.

I saw a new tech that used a special LCD, and powerless polarizing glasses, I guess similar to real 3D (different circularly polarized light?).

 

[SCULLIBUNDO]

Saw it again tonight in Real-D

Was even better the second time, and Real-D slaps the shit out of IMAX 3D. There was little to no blurriness (while the IMAX 3D was rrrreally blurry during the Thanator scene)

Real-D + the full aspect ratio would be godly. Too bad only IMAX has the full AR

Also, again very receptive audience. Huge applause at the end, even more than when I saw it in IMAX.

You should check out a LieMAX next. Which is the best if the crispness of the image is the most important to you.

 

[Karma Kramer]

Seeing it again in an hour in RealD again (different theater)... can;t wait

 

[PhoncipleBone]

There really isn't anything like an awesome theater sound system. As stunning as the visuals were, the audio was probably the most impressive* part of the movie for me as you could feel the bass reverberate in the floor and your seats.

*Major caveat - the theater we saw it in is in the same building Skywalker Sound works out of, so this is a bit of a cheat considering the godly setup they have in there for audio.

I hate you in the best possible way. I imagine just about anything sounds godly coming from a screening room at Skywalker Sound. To think of all the amazing sound mixes done there over the decades. Gods among men for sound design being Ben Burtt and Gary Rydstrom.

 

[SCULLIBUNDO]

Semi-related: I hesitate to add a bum note because I can safely be counted among those who thought this movie was incredible and plan to see it again, but I can't help but think ahead and be slightly bummed out by the certainty that there's no way this movie can retain all its magic at home, where it will eventually spend most of its life on Blu-ray and (yuk!) DVD. Movies these days have a shelf life of a few weeks in theaters (surely a little longer than usual in this case) but then are TV experiences for the rest of their lifespan, and the big-screen 3D experience is such an integral part of what makes Avatar so amazing, I almost don't want to see it that way. It's hard to imagine this movie without the 3D component. It'll still be awesome, just quite a bit less so.

I think that was a big incentive for Cameron and the studio. They really wanted to get asses back in seats by making the cinema experience something exclusive. In fact, this was one of my discussion points when I wrote an essay on the development of this film almost 3 years ago.

 

[Dead]

You should check out a LieMAX next. Which is the best if the crispness of the image is the most important to you.

I have a feeling im going to end up seeing the movie in every configuration possible :lol

 

[Particle Physicist]

I don't know if you should trust a chart promoting one technology (that I've never heard of) over the others. The RealD session I went to had a 20m screen, but according to that chart, that's impossible because they can only do 16m.

i think it's an old chart.. and i believe that the XpanD 3D is an expensive headgear that uses batteries to power some stuff..

 

[crazy monkey]

I watched it today. Movie had very simple story . There was not much imagination in animal design. Environment looked great. Did not enjoyed the movie as much as I hoped.

 

[GhaleonEB]

Despite the snow, Avatar is still tracking for 80M.

Links?

 

[SCULLIBUNDO]

Links?

OMG IRFAN SHADDAP! :lol

 

[Boards of Canada]

The IMAX 3D screen I saw AVATAR on is not a LIEMAX and I thought it was overly blurry during action sequences.

 

[GhaleonEB]

OMG IRFAN SHADDAP! :lol

What? I follow box office news faily closely but I hadn't seen the report. Last I read it was still tracking to $70-$75m due to the storm on the east coast. So if there's an update I assume it came from super early Saturday estimates. So I'm wondering where said reports might have come from. A link would help.

 

[SpeedingUptoStop]

I was a little underwhelmed by the animal/character design too. You got your rhino-types, your flying dragon types, your horse-types, your-onfoot massive wildcat types, your dog-types, your seeds-who are apparently organisms-types...I dunno, maybe a handful of other ones. Sequels will probably expand on ecology further. Were there ever any animals that weren't focused upon in the film? like, jsut critters cruisin around in the background? I never noticed any, would've helped to add to some immersion.

I also forgot, what did Na'vi eat? Other animals? Any vegan Na'Vi?

 

[SCULLIBUNDO]

What? I follow box office news faily closely but I hadn't seen the report. Last I read it was still tracking to $70-$75m due to the storm on the east coast. So if there's an update I assume it came from super early Saturday estimates. So I'm wondering where said reports might have come from. A link would help.

Relax Ghaleon, I was just kidding, I meant nothing sinister in the slightest.

Edit: I should also mention I'm just as interested in AVATAR's B.O takings.

 

[Combine]

I also forgot, what did Na'vi eat? Other animals? Any vegan Na'Vi?

I guessed they ate the meat of creatures like the one

Spoiler

that Jake shoots with the arrow and then put down while saying that Na'vi prayer

 

[Kung Fu Jedi]

So a heatwave and blackouts nearly killed Aquaman's chances of getting the record, and now the blizzard is doing the same for Avatar.

Spoiler

Life imitates art, etc.

 

[crazy monkey]

I was a little underwhelmed by the animal/character design too. You got your rhino-types, your flying dragon types, your horse-types, your-onfoot massive wildcat types, your dog-types, your seeds-who are apparently organisms-types...I dunno, maybe a handful of other ones. Sequels will probably expand on ecology further. Were there ever any animals that weren't focused upon in the film? like, jsut critters cruisin around in the background? I never noticed any, would've helped to add to some immersion.

I also forgot, what did Na'vi eat? Other animals? Any vegan Na'Vi?

yes.

Spoiler

she hunts one of them in one scene

 

[Dead]

I was a little underwhelmed by the animal/character design too. You got your rhino-types, your flying dragon types, your horse-types, your-onfoot massive wildcat types, your dog-types, your seeds-who are apparently organisms-types...I dunno, maybe a handful of other ones. Sequels will probably expand on ecology further. Were there ever any animals that weren't focused upon in the film? like, jsut critters cruisin around in the background? I never noticed any, would've helped to add to some immersion.

There are more animals in the scriptment and world background. The ones missing from the scriptment are the ones that are the most out there...

I think Cameron probably wanted to make this first movie more familiar to audiences and if we see a second one, we will see more interesting designs.

In the scriptment there is apparently some kind of adjoined mother and child animal whose head extends off of its body...or something like that.

I also forgot, what did Na'vi eat? Other animals? Any vegan Na'Vi?

Theres also a deleted scene where the Na'vi and Jake hunt a huge animal called the Sturmbeest. I have the concept art of that in the art book. Shows them slicing the skin off of the animal.

 

[harSon]

There is no doubt, none at all, that this is a game-changer from a technical perspective. This is by far the best use of 3D ever, and proves its validity not just as a gimmick but practically a necessity for any subsequent sci-fi blockbusters that seek to compete at this level.

Eh, maybe in the distant future but I don't think most studios are willing to drop the hundreds of millions that were required to make Avatar. The technology is going to have to come down in price before it's a viable alternative to the current method of movie making.

 

[D23]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=saoyhvVoVrk

It's at the end of the interview

such an awesome interview!!
seriously james cameron needs to make movie every year, shame it takes forever to create something like this

 

[SpeedingUptoStop]

Ack! forgot the thing that bugged me most in the movie: Where did the source of the waterfall's water come from in the floating mountains? I mean...it's gotta run out sometime, right?

 

[SCULLIBUNDO]

Eh, maybe in the distant future but I don't think most studios are willing to drop the hundreds of millions that were required to make Avatar. The technology is going to have to come down in price before it's a viable alternative to the current method of movie making.

To be fair, quite a bit of cash was spent developing the technology. That doesn't have to be done again.

 

[Count Dookkake]

Ack! forgot the thing that bugged me most in the movie: Where did the source of the waterfall's water come from in the floating mountains? I mean...it's gotta run out sometime, right?

I imagine they collect rain and then eventually tip over a bit.

 

[SCULLIBUNDO]

I imagine they collect rain and then eventually tip over a bit.

Yeah that what I assumed, considering they're located amongst the clouds I would imagine they collect a lot of water.

 

[XiaNaphryz]

I hate you in the best possible way. I imagine just about anything sounds godly coming from a screening room at Skywalker Sound. To think of all the amazing sound mixes done there over the decades. Gods among men for sound design being Ben Burtt and Gary Rydstrom.

It is the best non-IMAX theater I've ever seen a screening at, without question. The one we have at the Presidio is superb, but the ambience and audio setup of the Stag Theater takes it to a whole different level.

Did I also mention SkySound did the post work for Avatar, and probably did a lot of the mix work in the same theater? ;P

 

[Face it Tiger..]

Saw this today.. and OMG its an experience GAF. To those haven't seen it, get off your ass & head to your local theater.

 

[artist]

Links?

OMG IRFAN SHADDAP! :lol

IN YOUR FACE.

Taste the dirt Sculli, I'm actually defending Avatar at all points. Shame you dont have the capacity to get it. :lol

 

[SpeedingUptoStop]

I imagine they collect rain and then eventually tip over a bit.

I probably seem like some asshole nitpicking each bit, but for some reason this bugged me, given that these floating "mountains" weren't all that mountainous on top, nor did it rain too much in the movie. Did it rain at all?! Stopnitpickingasshole.

 

[Count Dookkake]

I probably seem like some asshole nitpicking each bit, but for some reason this bugged me, given that these floating "mountains" weren't all that mountainous on top, nor did it rain too much in the movie. Did it rain at all?! Stopnitpickingasshole.

At least temper your nitpicking with some classic Glover, please.

 

[SCULLIBUNDO]

IN YOUR FACE.

Taste the dirt Sculli, I'm actually defending Avatar at all points. Shame you dont have the capacity to get it. :lol

Yeah I don't think you quite got the joke irfan. At no point was I deriding you, so much as just referring to the previous shennanigans in this thread. :lol



ANYWAY! I just booked tickets to take my little 7 year old cousin and his friend to LieMAX tomorrow.

 

[SCULLIBUNDO]

I probably seem like some asshole nitpicking each bit, but for some reason this bugged me, given that these floating "mountains" weren't all that mountainous on top, nor did it rain too much in the movie. Did it rain at all?! Stopnitpickingasshole.

Yes there were a couple scenes where it rained at least.

 

[Dead]

After seeing it for a second time, im pretty sure Ive definitely placed the movie in my Cameron rankings

1. Aliens
2. Abyss
3. Avatar
4. Terminator 2
5. Terminator
6. True Lies
7. Titanic

in short, A > T (though between 1-5, the space between each is miniscule at best)

 

[mrkgoo]

I probably seem like some asshole nitpicking each bit, but for some reason this bugged me, given that these floating "mountains" weren't all that mountainous on top, nor did it rain too much in the movie. Did it rain at all?! Stopnitpickingasshole.

Meh, I noticed it too, but I don't let stuff like that pull me out. I think you're meant to question it so it's part of the wonder of Pandora.

We all saw the waterfall from below, so I don't think we saw whether there were any more above the ones with waterfalls.

Also, because we did not see it rain doesn't mean it doesn't ever. We never saw any Na'vi poop either. The fact that there are trees and water is probably a safe bet that it rains.

edit: wasn't Jake soaking wet on the first night? Weren't they drinking water collecting on leaves?

 

[GhaleonEB]

Relax Ghaleon, I was just kidding, I meant nothing sinister in the slightest.

Edit: I should also mention I'm just as interested in AVATAR's B.O takings.

I could tell you were kidding, it was just so random. :lol

 

[SCULLIBUNDO]

Meh, I noticed it too, but I don't let stuff like that pull me out. I think you're meant to question it so it's part of the wonder of Pandora.

We all saw the waterfall from below, so I don't think we saw whether there were any more above the ones with waterfalls.

Also, because we did not see it rain doesn't mean it doesn't ever. We never saw any Na'vi poop either. The fact that there are trees and water is probably a safe bet that it rains.

There are at least two scenes where it is raining.

When I called my little cousins house, and his mum asked him if he wanted to see the film tomorrow I could hear him scream AVATARRRRRRR! 'I think thats a yes.' :lol

 

[harSon]

I said it before but did anyone else feel the female Navi were significantly more realistic looking than their male counterparts? I personally found Signourny Weaver's character to be the most "realistic" looking, I'm not exactly sure why, I think it's because the female Navi tended to have faces that were relatively flat and not elongated like Worthington's character.

 

[polyh3dron]

Sitting in the IMAX theater @ the bridge right now... T minus 6 minutes!!! Ho ho ho holy crap

edit: we have the same glasses that the Harry potter people were wearing. They're actually pretty comfy.

 

[mrkgoo]

I said it before but did anyone else feel the female Navi were significantly more realistic looking than their male counterparts? I personally found Signourny Weaver's character to be the most "realistic" looking, I'm not exactly sure why, I think it's because the female Navi tended to have faces that were relatively flat and not elongated like Worthington's character.

Grace's avatar was definitely the most 'human' looking. Also, she spent more time wearing human clothes.

 

[kaskade]

it's 3 bucks more a ticket to see the movie in fake imax. Would it be worth it over real d?

 

[ToxicAdam]

I just remembered my favorite 3D part.

Spoiler

When he peers over the edge of the branches to see how high up he is

My stomach literally drops. I thought the floating mountaintops scene was also fantastic at making you physically feel like the characters were in danger. My heartrate actually elevated.

 

[SickBoy]

I have plans to go watch the movie tonight at a theatre that offers both the 3D and non-3D versions. The thing is, as much as I'd like to watch it in 3D, past experiences with it caused great strain in my eyes and made my head hurt. Will this be any different?

While the post directly below yours says "yes," I beg to differ. I normally don't have any issues with 3D and I felt that I was having some issues with eye strain watching.

Watched it tonight and all in all, I thought it was really good. I was a little worried about the story, because reading impressions of the movie, it sounds like people are making excuses for the plot.... I didn't see the need for that. The script is better than your average blockbuster by a long shot (mind you, your "average blockbuster" is pretty ridiculous).

Anyhow, I'm interested to see how this does. I frankly wasn't all that interested in the movie for a long time. I think what got me interested was actually this month's Wired coverage of it.

Also, call me the minority, but I have no problems at all with Titanic... although I always thought DiCaprio was talented... so he wasn't a negative for me the way he seemingly was for a lot of people.

EDIT: Finally -- least annoying Michelle Rodriguez "badass warrior chick" character ever?

 

[mrkgoo]

There are at least two scenes where it is raining.

When I called my little cousins house, and his mum asked him if he wanted to see the film tomorrow I could hear him scream AVATARRRRRRR! 'I think thats a yes.' :lol

You know, even if it is a 'Dances with Wolves' storyline, it still takes something special to make it appeal to kids. Kids would never be interested in Dance with Wolves, same with many other demographics. By switching up the setting, an old classic story can be retold. You know, like Fern Gully.

 

[Meier]

At the same time, not sure why there are so many props to Michelle Rodriguez who still seems to be playing herself.

Because she somehow managed to not make you want to kill her with this performance.

 

[GhaleonEB]

You know, even if it is a 'Dances with Wolves' storyline, it still takes something special to make it appeal to kids. Kids would never be interested in Dance with Wolves, same with many other demographics. By switching up the setting, an old classic story can be retold. You know, like Fern Gully.

Cameron finally found a way to make Fern Gully appealing to kids.