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Rottenwatch: AVATAR (82%)

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Jibril said:
Hey, what's up guys.

Avatar is in 3rd for all time worldwide:



Tomorrow, RTOK is next.
Yeah, overseas Avatar is goddamn ridiculous, it's threatening or surpassing Titanic's admissions in a number of countries and the international market is a lot bigger than it was at the time. I could see Avatar surpassing Titanic overseas by a fair margin, especially since in a number of them holidays continue for awhile or just started.
 
Sharp said:
Yeah, overseas Avatar is goddamn ridiculous, it's threatening or surpassing Titanic's admissions in a number of countries and the international market is a lot bigger than it was at the time. I could see Avatar surpassing Titanic overseas by a fair margin, especially since in a number of them holidays continue for awhile or just started.
Yup. Even more so than the US the international market has really changed, it's just so much bigger now. Avatar is going to blow through Titanic's record there well before it gets near the US figure.

Edit: maybe not. It's actually proportional right now, with 59% of Titanic's international and 61% of the domestic take. I thought it was more lopsided.

Part of the story is told just in the rankings: #14 domestic, #3 WW.
 
icarus-daedelus said:
I still think Sigourney Weaver's nose is the worst part of the movie.

What happened to her nose? Also I second the Rodriguez rebellion thing as being corny, and probably not likely (given the fact that there seemed little enough character motivation to do so - other than "I didn't sign up for this shit!") But it was kind of funny.

I guess I really didn't need to say this either, since everyone knows, but the visuals were fucking phenomenal. And I still felt that way even though I was hyped by all the chatter before going in 2 weeks after release. I felt at times though, that some of the creatures and landscapes seemed more like a video game, than like real life. I don't have a problem with this, but in some areas I think CG still needs to improve is with real life imperfections. This pertains to lightening and animation as well. Certain creatures still moved with too much fluidity, and certain lighting conditions were a little too pristine (in some areas). This is hardly a knock against the visuals however. You are on an alien world after all and the immersion was great. Also, that Jupiter!!
 
It's been asked several times, so it bares repeating.

The fictional movie's reason for Weaver's nose is that because she was an earlier avatar, the DNA mix had more human features than later avatars.

The artistic reason is that Cameron thought that with a normal Avatar nose, Weaver became unrecognizable; hence, a more human nose was added.
 
Zoe said:
This is the one thing I can't get. There was such a big deal back then about Titanic's theme about them working so hard on it and it being so perfect, but for Avatar they went with... that?
I think Leona Lewis did it and she's obviously a pretty big name. It just didn't work as well in the end.
 
GhaleonEB said:
Yup. Even more so than the US the international market has really changed, it's just so much bigger now. Avatar is going to blow through Titanic's record there well before it gets near the US figure.

Edit: maybe not. It's actually proportional right now, with 59% of Titanic's international and 61% of the domestic take. I thought it was more lopsided.

Part of the story is told just in the rankings: #14 domestic, #3 WW.
It wasn't particularly lopsided during the holidays (2:1 international:domestic would be along the lines of most other huge worldwide grossers), but these past two days have been more like 3.5:1. Part of that is the fact that, like I said earlier, the holidays don't work the same in every country (Christmas Day isn't a particularly lucrative movie-going day in a lot of Europe, for example), and part of it is that it didn't open everywhere simultaneously. Movies also tend to be less frontloaded overseas than in the U.S., though it's not a hard and fast rule. Either way, if these trends continue, I'd expect something like a 3:1 ratio on weekdays over the next few weeks, and a 2:1 ratio on weekends. So I do expect the overseas gross to overtake Titanic before it happens domestically, assuming it does happen. I don't exactly expect it to "blow through" Titanic's record there either, though: there's a reason that even now, Titanic's overseas gross beats every other film's worldwide gross. Avatar can definitely make the $510 million or so it needs to clear the gap, and I think it will do it around when Avatar gets to $571 million (assuming an average ratio of 2.5:1 from here on out, which may prove to be a little too high after the holidays are over everywhere). Depending on when you think that will happen, and whether the ratio decreases, it might turn out to be very close.
 
darkwings said:
can anyone explain the floating island rocks when everything else has gravity?


Why does this need to be explained? It's a fantasy world for god sake. Does there have to be earth science applied to every fantasy movie to enjoy it? "That stupid!! that's not possible!!" :lol

(not directed to you specifically darkwings, so no offense. It's just so many people do this, including my friends. It drives me crazy!! lol)
 
Sharp said:
It wasn't particularly lopsided during the holidays (2:1 international:domestic would be along the lines of most other huge worldwide grossers), but these past two days have been more like 3.5:1. Part of that is the fact that, like I said earlier, the holidays don't work the same in every country (Christmas Day isn't a particularly lucrative movie-going day in a lot of Europe, for example), and part of it is that it didn't open everywhere simultaneously. Movies also tend to be less frontloaded overseas than in the U.S., though it's not a hard and fast rule. Either way, if these trends continue, I'd expect something like a 3:1 ratio on weekdays over the next few weeks, and a 2:1 ratio on weekends. So I do expect the overseas gross to overtake Titanic before it happens domestically, assuming it does happen. I don't exactly expect it to "blow through" Titanic's record there either, though: there's a reason that even now, Titanic's overseas gross beats every other film's worldwide gross.
I'll stand by the overseas prediction - it will sail past $1.2b before the domestic take for the reasons you outlined - but hey. We'll see. This is a fun and unpredictable box office run to watch. :D
 
darkwings said:
can anyone explain the floating island rocks when everything else has gravity?
"Levitating mountains: As dozens of people have pointed out, the
mountains supposedly contain unobtainium, a room-temperature
superconductor. Superconductors expel magnetic field lines, and as a
result magnets can levitate above a superconductor. Here
superconducting mountains are apparently levitating over the strong
magnetic field of the moon or planet, or both. I had thought about
some kind of mechanism like that but dismissed it for two reasons:
(1) how could mountains form, stay in place, be weathered and shaped,
etc. (2) if there is unobtanium in the floating mountains, why not get
it there so as not disrupt the Na'vi. But I think I was just
short-sighted. In the case of (1), the intention is that the
mountains started out attached, but broke off and floated upwards at a
certain point, and now they sort of float around. I buy that, at
least enough for a cool movie scene. And for (2), maybe the
unobtanium in the mountains isn't the right kind, or isn't pure, or is
hard to mine. Interestingly, a geologist emailed me with another
sighting indicating the strong magnetic field of the planet: the stone
arches seen at the climax seem to be from mineral growth along
magnetic field lines. Awesome."


Science in Avatar reviewed:
http://www.aintitcool.com/node/43440
 
Tieno said:
"Levitating mountains: As dozens of people have pointed out, the
mountains supposedly contain unobtainium, a room-temperature
superconductor. Superconductors expel magnetic field lines, and as a
result magnets can levitate above a superconductor. Here
superconducting mountains are apparently levitating over the strong
magnetic field of the moon or planet, or both. I had thought about
some kind of mechanism like that but dismissed it for two reasons:
(1) how could mountains form, stay in place, be weathered and shaped,
etc. (2) if there is unobtanium in the floating mountains, why not get
it there so as not disrupt the Na'vi. But I think I was just
short-sighted. In the case of (1), the intention is that the
mountains started out attached, but broke off and floated upwards at a
certain point, and now they sort of float around. I buy that, at
least enough for a cool movie scene. And for (2), maybe the
unobtanium in the mountains isn't the right kind, or isn't pure, or is
hard to mine. Interestingly, a geologist emailed me with another
sighting indicating the strong magnetic field of the planet: the stone
arches seen at the climax seem to be from mineral growth along
magnetic field lines. Awesome.
"

Science in Avatar reviewed:
http://www.aintitcool.com/node/43440
Okay, that's seriously interesting. I wasn't what they were other than just looking cool. :lol
 
GhaleonEB said:
Okay, that's seriously interesting. I wasn't what they were other than just looking cool. :lol

That is awesome and just again goes to show how much detail they put into this movie. It truly amazes me every time someone mentions something new that I did not know or when I watch it again I always notice something. None of my friends (who have all seen the movie 2-4 times) noticed the 5 fingered hand print on Neytiri till someone (forget who) mentioned it on here.
 
Wow, it appears that many of my nitpicks about the science were
actually taken into account by the filmmakers and there are answers.
I'm impressed! Hats off to Cameron and company for getting all this
right. I can't wait to use this film in my introductory astronomy
classes.

-Copernicus

Just read his addition to the review. That right there is what stuck out to me. Awesome.
 
Ninja Scooter said:
can i also mention that the worst part of the movie is easily when Michelle Rodriguez shows up at the end with her face all painted and her chopper all painted up. Corny as shit.

one of several painfully corny moments..
 
GhaleonEB said:
Yup. Even more so than the US the international market has really changed, it's just so much bigger now. Avatar is going to blow through Titanic's record there well before it gets near the US figure.

Edit: maybe not. It's actually proportional right now, with 59% of Titanic's international and 61% of the domestic take. I thought it was more lopsided.

Part of the story is told just in the rankings: #14 domestic, #3 WW.


It looks like many other big domestic movies just don't make as much WW (compared to Titanic's percentage).
 
I think some last minute crow is in order. From this thread: http://www.neogaf.com/forum/showthread.php?t=379225&highlight=Avatar

Sho_Nuff82 said:
$150 million on marketing? And the gaming side thinks budgets are spiraling out of control.

I really don't see this movie doing better than 250 million domestic, it's pure sci-fi with no license. Ironically, I think chipmunks will eat its lunch.

black_13 said:
As everyday passes I'm thinking this movie isn't gonna be as big as Fox or Cameron hope it to be.
There just isn't that much appeal to an unknown movie with blue aliens to most people. And $500 mill is a huuuuuge amount.

Internet hype is way different from actual box office numbers. Just look at Snakes on a Plane or the Watchemn. Not to mention the movie has no recognizable stars either.

I'm totally excited but I hope Cameron doesn't make an all in gamble on it.

ALaz502 said:
This movie is going to bomb so hard financially it's not even funny.

Simply due to the costs and nothing else. Sounds like it might still be a good movie though.

Edited: to explain a bit and elaborate.

johnsmith said:
Trailers look awful. Gonna be a bigger bomb than Final Fantasy.

Jtwo said:
Pretty much this.
I'm actually very excited for the film though.

It won't bomb by any means but it sure as shit isn't going to make 1.8 billion dollars.

:lol :lol :lol :lol :lol @ last quote.
 
thats all well and good but you will all eat crow when my Inception prediction comes true and my pubic hair remains intact.

SUMMER 2010: LEO TAKES HIS RECORD BACK!
 
The Survival Guide came in the mail today, and man this thing really is awesome. Amazing all the props they created for this universe, and so many that weren't even seen in the film too. Definitely going to give this a very thorough read.

One thing that stood out to me is that there is an explanation for Earth-Pandora communications:
Superluminal Communications

Function: Intersteller communication, currently in use between Earth and the RDA facilities on Pandora

Description: An "instantaneous" communication system made possible by a loophole in the laws of physics
The book goes on to say how the system uses quantum mechanics to create a "tunneling effect" (sounds similar to the one used in the Half Life universe by the Combine) to pass on the data. I like the small note regarding the cost of sending a transmission, which apparently is $7,500 per bit.
 
Combine said:
The Survival Guide came in the mail today, and man this thing really is awesome. Amazing all the props they created for this universe, and so many that weren't even seen in the film too. Definitely going to give this a very thorough read.

One thing that stood out to me is that there is an explanation for Earth-Pandora communications:

The book goes on to say how the system uses quantum mechanics to create a "tunneling effect" (sounds similar to the one used in the Half Life universe by the Combine) to pass on the data. I like the small note regarding the cost of sending a transmission, which apparently is $7,500 per bit.

Ya the Survival Guide is a really good read. I've gotten a lot of ideas on where they might go with sequels from it too. The Art Book is also fantastic. I really liked the editorial page from Peter Jackson.

I ended up ordering the Cinefex issue with Avatar...:D
 
TacticalFox88 said:
I think some last minute crow is in order. From this thread: http://www.neogaf.com/forum/showthread.php?t=379225&highlight=Avatar

:lol :lol :lol :lol :lol @ last quote.
Incognito comes out looking pretty good with the (then) crazy high domestic estimate. And then there's Scully:

Scullibundo said:
On the plus side, this thread will be much easier to locate and sift through when it comes the time for many GAF members to eat crow.
:lol

There's a lot of gold in that thread. It really needs to be bumped in a few weeks when Avatar streaks past the record.

I'm so glad I didn't post in it.

Edit: a lot of people made some bold (for the time) predictions and look pretty good right now. One example:

jett said:
So much unwarranted hate for Avatar in this thread. The 3D preview was FUCKING AWESOME and the second trailer is also fucking great. Cameron is gonna teach all you bitches a valuable lesson: you don't fucking doubt James Cameron.
Amen. :lol
 
GhaleonEB said:
There's a lot of gold in that thread. It really needs to be bumped in a few weeks when Avatar streaks past the record.

I'm so glad I didn't post in it.

Edit: a lot of people made some bold (for the time) predictions and look pretty good right now.

LOL I didn't even remember I'd posted in that thread: it's right here, it was on the 10th November and I quote:

FirewalkR said:
No matter the cost, this will make so much money it'll be mind-blowing.

:D :D :D

I think I made such a bold statement because the negative comments and hate was pissing me of lol.
 
So is someone actually going to make a thread calling everyone out?
 
gdt5016 said:
I think the crow deserves it's own thread. Dig up ALL of the Avatar threads, and then start serving the plates.

No no, that won't be necessary. Let's just let sleeping dogs lie, bygones be bygones, and all that. Eh guys?
 
Count Dookkake said:
Good idea, but the research should be started now, so that the thread can go up THE INSTANT that the #1 position is declared.
Between that NYT article and the trailer thread, non-Sculli-thread and the first couple thousand posts of this thread, we've got plenty to work through. I'm sure there's more. But that should be enough.

The pre-release doubt-to-success ratio here is just staggering.

I hope I never said anything about the box office; I don't recall doing so. Might have said something like "don't doubt Cameron". Kinda nervous to see what gets dug up, actually. :lol

Edit: okay, I did just fine. From March:

GhaleonEB said:
I still think back on the Entertainment Weekly article about the Titanic sinking again, after the delays and the $200m price tag. The movie was doomed was the gist.

Or how back when T2 was the first movie to break the $100m barrier, and they said it would never make it's budget back.

And yet people keep underestimating Cameron.
*wipes brow*
 
icarus-daedelus said:
I admire Scullibundo a lot now for sticking to his guns all the way up to the release. He reminds me of Brimstone - the GAFfer who was strangely obsessed with Miami Vice and Shadowrun :lol - except that Sculli was actually right.


Shadowrun was awesome. Bless Brimstone for getting me hyped for it.
 
I'm annoyed I didn't make any predictions or anything. I stayed pretty much optimistic throughout.. No idea it would make THIS much money. Amazing stuff.
 
Finally caught it in 3D IMAX tonight. the 3:10 AND the 7:00 shows were sold out again.

The 3D gave me a bit of a headache, and quick movements amounted into quite a bit of blurriness, but I felt it was a good film overall.

Not sure if I'd go see it again though.
 
i know its frowned upon here but my uncle mentioned to me yesterday when I was telling him about this movie that he had a bootleg version of it. How does that work?
 
Ninja Scooter said:
i know its frowned upon here but my uncle mentioned to me yesterday when I was telling him about this movie that he had a bootleg version of it. How does that work?

I think it was a cam floating around.

Avatar is the worst movie in history to watch that way. I feel sorry for anyone who does.
 
Ninja Scooter said:
i know its frowned upon here but my uncle mentioned to me yesterday when I was telling him about this movie that he had a bootleg version of it. How does that work?

There are a bunch of shitty camrips out.
 
gdt5016 said:
I think it was a cam floating around.

Avatar is the worst movie in history to watch that way. I feel sorry for anyone who does.

so its just blurry? LOL I gave him my 3D glasses from when I watched it and told him he should try watching it with them.
 
Ninja Scooter said:
i know its frowned upon here but my uncle mentioned to me yesterday when I was telling him about this movie that he had a bootleg version of it. How does that work?

Handycam recording of a 2D showing.
 
Ninja Scooter said:
so its just blurry? LOL I gave him my 3D glasses from when I watched it and told him he should try watching it with them.
:lol :lol :lol :lol :lol :lol :lol :lol :lol :lol :lol
 
Who was it who called me out for making the comparison between DS:Wii and Titanic:Avatar?

I wish I was petty enough to remember his name.

Either way...

:lol
 
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