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[Particle Physicist]

The IMAX projector broke at the theatre I went to, and it was the first showing. I feel real sorry for them, it looked like all the showings for today were sold out. Got a refund and free admission though, hopefully the projector will be fixed soon. The glasses they gave out were surprisingly tiny.

If it doesn't, the theatre is also showing it in RealD. Is that that "good" kind? The IMAX 3D is only 2 dollars more, seems kind of a rip-off for RealD.

i saw it in RealD and thought it was pretty awesome. i'll be seeing it in IMAX later this week.

 

[Tricky I Shadow]

Did anyone else get emotional on the inside when

Spoiler

Quarritch ordered the destruction of the giant tree. I was thinking Holy fuck how could a human being do this shit. And the humans (I'm assuming) were not feeling an inch of guilt. The slow motion fire really toyed with my emotions and how we humans destroy things we don't understand.

YES! Oh hell yes! James Cameron completely went all out with that scene!

The sense of chaos/panic/emotion and sheer spectacle was overwhelmingly good. I got major Titanic vibes from it! And yes it was very emotional, definitely the saddest and probably best part of the whole movie for me.

Have a listen to the music that plays during the scene........click here.

 

[GhaleonEB]

One of the things that really surprised me and got an audible whoa, was when the banshees

Spoiler

landed vertically on the tree

. I just didn't see it coming, it felt so out of place, but realistic at the same time.

Yeah, they had

Spoiler

hooks on the end of their wings, just like bats.

Makes sense considering their territory, but it was a very cool moment.

I really loved the detail put into all the different creatures. It's one of my (successful!) pitches for hauling my kid this weekend.

 

[fireside]

From what I've heard here and elsewhere, the RealD is better because the glasses are circularly polarized and the picture is digital. However, with IMAX 3D you'll get better sound and a bigger screen.

Well I remember reading that one of the 3D technology sucked, but couldn't remember if it was Dolby3D or RealD. But apparently the projector is fixed, so hopefully I'll be watching it in IMAX 3D tomorrow. Probably get there a bit earlier to try to get better seats, even at 30 minutes or so before the movie started it was already plenty full.

 

[polyh3dron]

Apparently they're fucking the projection up big time over at the Universal Citywalk IMAX in LA too.

Also, I think it's safe to call it now: Avatar will win Best Picture at the Oscars.

 

[Solo]

Originally I thought the release date was going to be a death knell, but it turns out it was perfect. Its going to steamroll Sherlock Holmes and continue to make bank throughout January.

 

[PrivateWHudson]

Yeah, they had

Spoiler

hooks on the end of their wings, just like bats.

Makes sense considering their territory, but it was a very cool moment.

I really loved the detail put into all the different creatures. It's one of my (successful!) pitches for hauling my kid this weekend.

How old is the kid? I'm still up in the air about my 3 1/2 year old. A couple of years older and I wouldn't hesitate.

 

[gdt]

I think I have Avatar sitting pretty as my 2009 #2, behind IB.

But I don't know if I've ever had a more... wondrous time at the movies than with Avatar.

Edit: Dammit, I need to see this again! Hurry up weekend (in which I'll probably see 3 movies, Holmes, Up In The Air, and Avatar again)!

 

[Solo]

I think I have Avatar sitting pretty as my 2009 #2, behind IB.

But I don't know if I've ever had a more... wondrous time at the movies than with Avatar.

It ranks way up at the top of best theatrical experiences ever. It may even be the top. Pure joy. Im already pining for my third screening.

As for this year, I think its gonna slot in at #3 for me.

 

[Justinian]

I said it after the first showing, but the second showing confirmed it: Jake and Neytiri flying together after Jake has chosen his banshee is the best scene in the movie. Awestuck is the best word I can think of to describe it. Theres a shot with the two of them racing 90 degrees down a cliff face that is breathtaking.

You are on the same wavelength as Cameron. He said that was his fav scene in the whole movie too.

I thought the entire sequence - climb up, anticipation, taming and flight were all fucking ace. There were definately better moments in the film for me though. LOTs more.

 

[StoOgE]

Xpand is not very common cause it is very expensive.. but it is supposed to be the best 3D of them all.. i think their glasses are battery powered and do some extra crazy stuff.

Hrmm.. there is one in San Antonio about an hour and a half from me.. but only 45 minutes from my parents house on Xmas day. I might see about buying some tickets and sneaking down there.

 

[Dead]

Anyone else think Next weekend might potentially be as high as in the 60 mils?

Im curious what it will have made today. A lot of people reported sell outs today.

 

[Solo]

You are on the same wavelength as Cameron. He said that was his fav scene in the whole movie too.

I am also an asshole like Cameron! Does anyone know if he made a trip to Atlantic Canada in 1982 and shagged my mom? :lol

Seriously though, I find the whole sequence exhilarating.

 

[Justinian]

Anyone else think Next weekend might potentially be as high as in the 60 mils?

Im curious what it will have made today. A lot of people reported sell outs today.

Hopefully.

I absolutely think this will be one of the highest grossing movies of all time, just as I've always said.

 

[StoOgE]

As for this year, I think its gonna slot in at #3 for me.

I'm thinking 2nd or 3rd.

IB is number 1 with a bullet.

It's between this and D9 for number 2 for me. I need to see D9 and this again to tell for sure.

But IB is the best film this year. That said, I might have to give the best director nod to Cameron.

 

[border]

I think Sherlock Holmes will do just fine. Highly recognizable main character, Robert Downey Jr, and it doesn't cost a family of four $50-60 to go see it.

 

[Tricky I Shadow]

Anyone else say “whoa” at the 3:51 mark of this. It plays with the scene when

Spoiler

Quaritch and all the troops are flying towards the home-tree to destroy it

. So epic!

 

[StoOgE]

Anyone else think Next weekend might potentially be as high as in the 60 mils?

Im curious what it will have made today. A lot of people reported sell outs today.

I predicted a 1 billion dollar WW haul for this. I think 60 million is very doable. I think it's daily hauls will be insane for the next two weeks as well. Kids (including college students) are out of school. Never underestimate that. It's almost like a Summer movie in that regard.. except the weather sucks and there is less to do with your free time.

 

[Combine]

Did anyone else get emotional on the inside when

Spoiler

Quarritch ordered the destruction of the giant tree. I was thinking Holy fuck how could a human being do this shit. And the humans (I'm assuming) were not feeling an inch of guilt. The slow motion fire really toyed with my emotions and how we humans destroy things we don't understand.

If you look closely afterward as

Spoiler

the remaining Na'vi are walking away from the ruins, you can quickly catch a glimpse of a Na'vi mother cradling her infant close to her covered in ash.

That got to me.

And yes, it's meant to pretty much be the straw that breaks the camels back in terms of feeling much

Spoiler

sympathy for the main humans, except for those like Trudy who refused to follow the order. I mean, come on, you're deliberately firing on a structure housing civilians. No justification comes close, not even "collateral damage"

Anyone else say “whoa” at the 3:51 mark of this. It plays with the scene when

Spoiler

Quaritch and all the troops are flying towards the home-tree to destroy it

. So epic!

Yep, you knew the ultimate badass was coming out to play and chew up the dirt for breakfast

 

[ruxtpin]

I think the most emotional part of the movie for me was

Spoiler

when Jake woke up in his avatar body for the first time and just took off.

Seeing as how running has become a huge part of my life over the last 5-6 years and is something that I'm going to do until I'm too weak to lift my feet anymore, if I lost the use of my legs I would probably fall in to an awful depression. So seeing Jake

Spoiler

try out his new legs made me smile

and really appreciate what I have and can do every day.

 

[GhaleonEB]

How old is the kid? I'm still up in the air about my 3 1/2 year old. A couple of years older and I wouldn't hesitate.

Seven, and she's really mature for her age (reading novels, really into science and biology), so I think she'll be fine. I also have a four year-old daughter and my wife thinks it would be too much for her. I think she's probably right, though mostly because the movie would be too long for her.

I just showed the older the Pandora video, and she's hooked.

Got tentative buy-in from the wife too. w00t

I think Sherlock Holmes will do just fine. Highly recognizable main character, Robert Downey Jr, and it doesn't cost a family of four $50-60 to go see it.

Like I said before, I think Sherlock Holmes will be the Tomorrow Never Dies to Avatar's Titanic: it will have a great debut, make lots of money, and be gone long before Avatar is done raking it in.

 

[StoOgE]

I think the most emotional part of the movie for me was

Spoiler

when Jake woke up in his avatar body for the first time and just took off.

Seeing as how running has become a huge part of my life over the last 5-6 years and is something that I'm going to do until I'm too weak to lift my feet anymore, if I lost the use of my legs I would probably fall in to an awful depression. So seeing Jake

Spoiler

try out his new legs made me smile

and really appreciate what I have and can do every day.

That was a good game moment.

My top two moments

Spoiler

The Tree falling, the dead father and when Jake wakes up with his Avatar covered in Ash.

I also want to know what happened to his poor Banshee They were bonded for life

 

[MetalAlien]

This just in. Ed Begley Jr saw Avatar, says Cameron should lighten up!

 

[Dead]

For me, THE scene of the movie still remains the end

Spoiler

when Neytiri rescues Jake

Pretty much my number 1 movie scene of the year

 

[ruxtpin]

Spoiler

I also want to know what happened to his poor Banshee They were bonded for life

I thought he

Spoiler

got his banshee back? After the battle, when the big red thing is flying in to the horizon, I interpreted it as Jake letting it go. So he'd just go back to flying on his banshee.

 

[PrivateWHudson]

If you look closely afterward as

Spoiler

the remaining Na'vi are walking away from the ruins, you can quickly catch a glimpse of a Na'vi mother cradling her infant close to her covered in ash.

That got to me.

And yes, it's meant to pretty much be the straw that breaks the camels back in terms of feeling much

Spoiler

sympathy for the main humans, except for those like Trudy who refused to follow the order. I mean, come on, you're deliberately firing on a structure housing civilians. No justification comes close, not even "collateral damage"

Yep, you knew the ultimate badass was coming out to play and chew up the dirt for breakfast

Yeah. I wish my NeoGAF search-foo was better, because I think someone commented about epic battles and never showing kids in one of the Avatar threads. There were quite a few images and references to the kids which really helped solidify who we were supposed to be rooting for.

 

[Justinian]

For me, THE scene of the movie still remains the end

Spoiler

when Neytiri rescues Jake

Pretty much my number 1 movie scene of the year

My favourite scene also. Totally poignant and very emotional. Everyone talks about the heavyhanded environmental/anti-war themes, blah blah, but the whole "I see you" theme is what I took from this movie.

 

[TacticalFox88]

Holy shit, Avatar has fanfic stories for it already. :lol
http://www.fanfiction.net/movie/Avatar/

 

[Chichikov]

Also, I think it's safe to call it now: Avatar will win Best Picture at the Oscars.

I seriously doubt it, it can be hard to predict the Oscars, and this year with the stupidity of having 10 nominees it's going to be even trickier, but it's still only have an outside chance at best.
If you really think that it's a lock for the win, go put some money on it, you'll get great odds.

 

[Dead]

My favourite scene also. Totally poignant and very emotional. Everyone talks about the heavyhanded environmental/anti-war themes, blah blah, but the whole "I see you" theme is what I took from this movie.

Definitely. All of the anti-war, imperialism, etc themes in the movie are directly derived from its main theme of perception. I like the sincerity of it.

 

[Zoe]

I thought he

Spoiler

got his banshee back? After the battle, when the big red thing is flying in to the horizon, I interpreted it as Jake letting it go. So he'd just go back to flying on his banshee.

Yeah, he even said something to that effect. Seems like

Spoiler

riding the toruk is something that's only supposed to happen during times of great danger

.

 

[En-ou]

i have seen both IMAX and digital 3D (RealD) and i enjoyed it a whole lot better in RealD.

at IMAX there tons of blurriness in many scenes, the subtitles were all blurry too. since i saw it in IMAX first i thought that was normal. but i was wrong, not sure what it is but IMAX just makes it worse. so DONT bother watching this in IMAX. either that or my IMAX place was screwy. watching the movie a 2nd time on a better screen has made me enjoyed it alot more, i even like it better now!

fyi - i went to the IMAX at coliseum in mississauga, ON and the AMC at missisauga courtney park for the realD.

 

[border]

Also, I think it's safe to call it now: Avatar will win Best Picture at the Oscars.

Nominated? Probably. Win? Probably not. I suspect anyone willing to call the race this early hasn't seen 60-80% of the serious Best Picture contenders.

 

[Zeliard]

Just got back from my second viewing. Man, it was even better the second time. The movie is quite simply wonderful. Just an amazing theater-going experience.

As opposed to sitting on the left edge like the first time, this time around I was in the dead center, and the 3D worked beautifully for me. Dunno if it was because I was in the center, or because it was a different theater, or who knows, but I got much more of an effect out of the 3D this time around. No blurriness or strangely out-of-focus parts of the screen. Just beautiful, seamless stuff throughout.

And knowing what was coming plot- and character-wise allowed me to pay attention to some of the other stuff, and I took that opportunity to concentrate especially on the CGI.

Fucking hell. It is uncanny. Frighteningly so. It's to the point where it's frankly insulting for people to bring up Davy Jones.

 

[Dead]

There is definitely a sense that Avatar is a frontrunner for Best Picture according to some

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/sea...est-picture-front-runner-by-pete-hammond.html

http://www.thewrap.com/ind-column/avatar-wows-em-academy-12070

I dont think it will win, but its a pretty amazing turn around, considering how negative people were about the movie prior to release

 

[bathala]

Just watched it today, and I'm fully satisfied.

I can't believe that this movie is 70% CG.

 

[Blackhead]

Spoilers below

I just got done with my second viewing. I saw in Real3D this time— first time was IMAX 3D. I got better seats too, sitting just of center towards the back (3.30 pm, arrived early and the room never exceedd a third of its occupany rate). The screen was very small in comparison to the IMAX one. Here I couldn't get lost in the picture; I was always aware of the frame of the screen and, sometimes, even the exit signs. It was sharp around the edges which I guess is a plus. The 3D popped out less this time. The subtitles stood out but the most striking display of depth imo was the scene at the end where the colonel rallies the troops for the preemptive strike. I also noticed the CGI more...

The plot argh. It doesnthold up. Where did all the other avatars we saw at the beginning, when Sully first tried his, disappear to anyway? At the very least wouldn't they chose to stay behind too at the end? Rodriguez sounded like she was either cobbled together in post production or they took most of her scenes out. Half the time she was talking to herself. And this time I tracked that random jarhead we see at the beginning and giving a speaking role in the final battle. He was always there in the background lol. Oh, also I noticed the nipple action. Did I spy some when she got on her hammock as well or was that my imagination. The 3 fade-to-blacks were as pointless now as the first time I saw them. It would have been better to cut the first taming session with the bird (we had already seen the taming session with horse) and instead done the taming session of the tarouk(sp?). Sully's redemption was came too fast in such a glib fashion. Watever, the best potrayed roles were that corporate stooge guy and the princess (excluding the I see you[r big bird] scene).

I was very disappointed with this second showing. I doubt I'd go see it again but I do want to experience it in 2D to compare...

 

[TacticalFox88]

Just watched it today, and I'm fully satisfied.

I can't believe that this movie is 70% CG.

Your percentage is off. Based on numerous factors I base the number at 90% if not slightly more.

 

[GhaleonEB]

Your percentage is off. Based on numerous factors I base the number at 90% if not slightly more.

In the New York Post article I linked to earlier, Cameron mentions that only 15 shots in the movie don't have effects. Though in terms of on-screen content, CG is something like 60-70% of the movie.

 

[bathala]

Your percentage is off. Based on numerous factors I base the number at 90% if not slightly more.

well that's even better.

the story is cliche but damn the CG

 

[HomerSimpson-Man]

Just got back watching it.

Amazing movie.

It's absolutely gorgeous.

I like how someone put it when I was leaving the theater, "At first you know what's fake and what's real when you look at it, but damn after awhile...shit...it just starts looking all real like your eyes give up."

 

[Zeliard]

I said it after the first showing, but the second showing confirmed it: Jake and Neytiri flying together after Jake has chosen his banshee is the best scene in the movie. Awestuck is the best word I can think of to describe it. Theres a shot with the two of them racing 90 degrees down a cliff face that is breathtaking.

I almost agree. I adore that scene and it's one of my favorites, but my single favorite one is when Neytiri herself first flies the Banshee. Beautiful music, and that wild, grinning look on her face, stunning. Davy Jones and the prawns couldn't emote like that if their lives depended on it.

 

[TacticalFox88]

I almost agree. I adore that scene and it's one of my favorites, but my single favorite one is when Neytiri herself first flies the Banshee. Beautiful music, and that wild, grinning look on her face, stunning. Davy Jones and the prawns couldn't emote like that if their lives depended on it.

Believe it or not I heard one moron at the theater as I walked out say, "Meh, I thought Revenge of the Fallen had better CGI" I almost called the fool out right then.

 

[Deleted member 30609]

I don't know, I think Davy Jones might still be number one for me. You need to watch those movies again. On the whole, Avatar has much, much better CG, but Jones as a singular is still absolutely phenomenal.

 

[g23]

Seeing hometree for the first time was also incredible

 

[GhaleonEB]

I don't know, I think Davy Jones might still be number one for me. You need to watch those movies again. On the whole, Avatar has much, much better CG, but Jones as a singular is still absolutely phenomenal.

He looks convincingly icky and real, but nowhere near emotional range and physicality of Neytiri.

She really took what CG character can be to another level.

 

[Deleted member 30609]

The fight scene early on in the morning with the torch in the dark from a visual perspective has absolutely stunning. I couldn't believe how good it looked. It's a shame the soundtrack let it down during that section and the preceding chase, it was very predictable, typical Hollywood stuff.

 

[Dead]

I don't know, I think Davy Jones might still be number one for me. You need to watch those movies again. On the whole, Avatar has much, much better CG, but Jones as a singular is still absolutely phenomenal.

IMO, Neytiri alone outdoes Davy Jones. And then take into consideration all the other characters...

I don't know, I think Avatar raised the bar to pretty insane heights.

 

[Blackhead]

He looks convincingly icky and real, but nowhere near emotional range and physicality of Neytiri.

She really took what CG character can be to another level.

.

 

[Ether_Snake]

I don't see how someone can say Davy Jones is less realistic.

I think at this point it's more about what the script and the actor. It's no longer about CG realism.