Avatar - Dances With Cat People
Thursday, January 14, 2010

I liked the movie, Avatar, by James Cameron. I have not seen Titanic. The thought of watching a three hour movie about a sinking ship doesn't appeal to me.

This movie is spectacular to look at. The 3D aspect does make you feel immersed in the movie. Very nice to look at.

Plot: The natives, called Na'vi, on Pandora are under siege by military contractors (not the Marines) to mine the planet for unobtanium, which is worth about 16 million a kilo. That would justify the cost of a corporation spending so much in resources to head to another galaxy. This story happens in the future - the year 2150.

The lead male character Jack Sully, aka Sam Worthington, mentally links to a genetically created human-Na'vi hybrid Avatar to get close to the Na'vi. He was recruited to replace his twin brother who died. He was able to use his brother's Avatar, because they have the same DNA.  

Side note: Imagine being able to walk about in another body? That's a scary, yet exciting future to imagine. That is a true, fantasy, roll playing, out-of-body experience.

Zoe Saldana voices Neytiri, the princess of the Na'vi people. Sigourney Weaver plays the brilliant Dr. Grace Augustine, who helped create the Avatars. Stephen Lang (old man hotness) plays the delightful and memorable bad guy Colonel Miles Quaritch. I would savor bringing him back for the sequel. He's very sexy.


I cannot imagine seeing this at home, because the 3D aspect would be lost. It was an enjoyable film, not a brilliant masterpiece, but fun all the same.

Racism Chasers

I read the complaints about the racism in this film, or the usage of a "white messiah". I'm not a "racism chaser", so I thought the main character, Jake Sully, wasn't a savior, but someone willing to offer a different perspective and think "outside of the box." Doesn't it help to have another fresh set of eyes to look at a problem? Anyway, he helps the Na'vi help themselves. He does not singlehandedly do everything. He admits he cannot.

Did these "racism chasers" even see the film? They get so wrapped up in the modern anti-Western Lit Crit (all the white males are racists) point of view, they can't watch something with an unbiased perspective. If they remember correctly, all stories have a s/hero who saves everyone. Nowadays, it's not just a white guy, Will Smith and Denzil Washington have made plenty of Magic Negro films.

People like to look for something to be offended by. It's a hobby for them.

Labels: Avatar, Denzel Washington, James Cameron, racism, racism chasers, Sam Worthington, Sigourney Weaver, Will Smith, Zoe Saldana

posted by GoldenAh
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The Great Debaters
Thursday, January 10, 2008


This movie was produced by Oprah Winfrey and directed by Denzel Washington.

It's about the true "real" life victories of Wiley College black debating team in Texas during 1935. This was during the height of the Great Depression. The team, led by Mel Tolson (Denzel Washington) goes about beating most of their black college adversaries.

The film's final debate showdown is between Wiley and Harvard.

I enjoyed the film. It was funny, entertaining, and avoided being maudlin.

I think for the audience the film was intended for, they would find it educational. The history of American black colleges isn't new to me. It is interesting that they showed the Wiley students being treated with respect by Harvard. I think it was a rather gentle view of the University.

The 1930's was the height of power for white supremist groups. During this period, the Klu Klux Klan was on Harvard's campus, revered like any other Greek fraternity. The Klan was started by politicians, lawyers, and the social elite of the south. It was respected in the north as well.

How do I know that? Check their year books.

Nevertheless, the film is an excellent alternative view of black people. It shows the pride, self-confidence and esteem black Americans had in themselves during these times. In the face of local terrorists they still forged ahead.

Forest Whittaker is also in this film as Wiley College's President. His wife is portrayed by Kimberly Elise, who's role, while rather small and demure is still integral to the movie. It's nice to see black women who can be portrayed as reasonable normal people.

The only complaint I have is with Denzel's camera direction: there were a number of scenes where features were fuzzy for a halo, ghostly effect. Not good.

Labels: Denzel Washington, Forest Whittaker, Harvard University, Kimberly Elise, klu klux klan, Oprah Winfrey, Wiley College

posted by GoldenAh
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American Gangster
Sunday, November 11, 2007

I didn't anticipate this film, so I wasn't looking forward to seeing it. I'm not hostile to the premise: you know, Black Americans were (can be) as organized as the generic Sicilian mobsters. I saw the film solely out of boredom.

I'm as restless as a 2 year old (sometimes), so in my search for entertainment I figured this would be the easiest to digest. I was right.

I like Denzel Washington. I also like Russell Crowe.

However, there were some minor actors in this film I had even more affection for:

• Chiwetel Ejiofor: this guy is so gifted - I have to write about him later.

• Cuba Gooding Jr. : I feel so sorry for him these days.

• Roger Guenveur Smith: I see him everywhere, but I never remember his name.

• Armand Assante: he conveys such a sense of suave, handsome, and dignified manliness. What a guy.

What was the film about? It was taken from a business perspective. Instead of getting drugs from corrupt cops (who stole the drugs and chopped / diluted it), Frank Lucas went directly to the source. How did he get the drugs here? I was reminded of the film Blow - the drugs were flown in through connections. In this case, Lucas used his "cousin" in the military to deliver it during the Vietnam war.

I appreciate that the film didn't glorify the drug dealing culture. It didn't make being a drug dealer fun or glamorous. The movie didn't mince foul language, but it wasn't brutally vicious either. It could almost be a PG-13 film if not for the nudity and people getting their brains blown out. Yet, it wasn't gratuitously violent.

Denzel and Russel don't see each other until the end of the film - so it ran on separate tracks and then runs together. It was a smooth and even film, but at the same time I felt like I had seen something like this a hundred times before.

I'm not a fan of gangster films, aside from the comedic joy of Scarface, I avoid most of them.

You can wait for the DVD of this movie.

Labels: American Gangster, Armand Assante, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Cuba Gooding Jr., Denzel Washington, Russell Crowe

posted by GoldenAh
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