An Antidote to Avatar
December 26th, 2009 — LiamHave you been out to see the greatest movie ever made?
“Oh, Avatar! It’s the best movie I’ve EVER SEEN! It’s about US! We, the oppressed people!!! US!!! US!! MEEE!!!! MEEE!!!!”
That’s the general tone of reviews, from whichever group of oppressed peoples you happen to be speaking with. So, how can a movie speak to so many, about one issue? Easy: It uses surrogates – blue people – as stand-ins, for….Well, that’s the genius of ‘avatars.’ They can stand in for all of us.
I seem to be the only one finding the ‘evil super techno society’ message a little over-cooked, especially since the movie that brings you the message is the product of said society.
If it had been a movie about the evil of cellphones, and the idiots who use them while driving, walking, biking, shopping and everything else, I would have been right there with you. Down with cellphones!
(Did I mention biking? I did. Have you seen this? People riding bicycles, in the street, with traffic whizzing, or pushing by, chattering on their radioactive telephone? Where’s that movie?)
I also seem to be the only one even slightly interested in the cost of this great and glorious and ‘important’ movie: $450 million is the the estimated fee (300 million for the film, 150 for the marketing, estimated).
I would therefore like to recommend a short list of films that cost very little, comparatively, and in some cases, simply very little by any measure.
Please do add to this list with your ‘makes you think’ movies. (Note: If “Transformers 2″ is on your list, then I want you to go to the theater right now, and wait for the next sequel. Put a tent on the sidewalk, and let your intentions be known. No need to say anything here).
My list of non-450 million dollar, makes you think, makes you feel, makes you evaluate, makes you wonder, or inspires you movies (in no particular order):
- Festen
- Blind Spot
- 400 Blows
- Joe the King
- Godfather Part II
- Little Big Man
- Oranges Are Not the Only Fruit
- Richard Pryor Live in Concert
- Downfall
- Hard Day’s Night
- Catch a Fire
- Red Dust
And for you sci-fi fans:
Battlestar Galactica (2003-2009 series). Whoops! Try Here.
And finally, because Avatar is, in fact, a 450 million dollar 3D movie that claims to be anti-Imperialist and pro-Nativist (and therefore pro-ecology and anti-technology), which was also produced in the most technologically dependent and complex society ever to exist on earth…I think this would be a good time to review Cracked Magazines 5 most unintentionally racist movies about racism.