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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Is Will Smith Depressed?
Saturday, December 20, 2008



I have not seen his latest, Seven Pounds, but the topic appears morbid and much too somber. The ads aren't upbeat. Will Smith looks miserable. Not a good sign.

I know he probably wants to stretch his acting skills, or talent. I notice actors who start with comedic and non-serious roles almost always want to take that next step, and get all artsy fartsy, boring us to death with how oh-so-serious and somber he can pretend to be. Jim Carrey anyone?

I get it. Not.

I enjoyed, tolerated, and suffered through Hancock (Sometimes I cannot stand Charlize Theron, I find her as puke-worthy nauseating as Nicole Kidman.) and I Am Legend. I thought the special effects were disappointing. Why not use real people to make it realistic? I wasn't the least bit scared by that film.

Without a doubt, The Pursuit of Happyness was an instant classic. Watching Will Smith show his inner hustle made it real. You sense that he enjoys being a workhorse. I also think that was the last time Will Smith had a real black woman, or half-African, co-starring with him.

I ain't mad at him though. I do note films he produces starring black men and women. I laugh at how people complain that he's not doing enough for black people. He does a lot. They're just not paying attention.

Am I complaining? Nope, not at all. I enjoyed seeing his performance in Six Degrees of Separation. I even time looped the scene where he's caught butt nekked in bed with a guy. I am always inspired by a naked Will Smith. He never fails to disappoint in that area.

I remember those early scenes in I, Robot (my favorite of all his films, since it was the robot I enjoyed so much) with Mr. Smith taking a shower. Made the whole film worthwhile. Yessiree.

I'm not gonna head shrink the guy, and I can't, but if this is his mid-life crisis, I would recommend some family friendly comedies. Hitch, overall is my second favorite of his films. It has no guns, relatively little violence, which are only of the comedic sort. I can't even recall any profanity.

I laughed long and hard when Will clocked Eva Mendes (I like her) into the water. He also took her to Ellis Island expecting her to be impressed. Turns out that butcher was a literal, not vocational, description of her ancestor. Hilarious.

I think those kind of films would help. And who doesn't like to laugh?

Labels: black men, black women, Jim Carrey, Will Smith

posted by GoldenAh
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Hancock
Monday, July 14, 2008


I suppose Will Smith is trying to work out of being the "nice, good guy" all the time in every movie. Can't say I blame him. I haven't seen I Am Legend yet, so I won't say if his intensity of roles starts there or not.

I really liked this movie. I wasn't sure if I would, because of the reviews. I take movies in one or two ways: serious or not. Most of the time, not. I've read the reviews, and I'm thinking: Did we see the same movie?


He does start off as a bad tempered, angry, amnesiac superhero. I think some people conflate the piss poor behavior with him being black. It's not mentioned, because it is rather obvious. People have taken that wrong, as if to say if he's going to be a superhero he shouldn't have any issues.

Well, if that was the case: what would be the point of the movie?


If superheros didn't have emotional or relationship issues there wouldn't be a movie to see. I read one guy's blog where he says he doesn't know of a superhero who doesn't get to have sex with the girl or keep her in the end.

I sooo dislike these sweeping generalities, because if any of them saw the Hulk movies, Superman, Batman, or any other superhero overcoming his emotional problems - it is all there. They often don't get the girl, sex, or even a damn dry kiss. Some men should admit, especially the black guys, that they just want to see Will Smith have sex with a white girl.


Charlize Theron and Will Smith have terrific chemistry on screen. I'm sure they may make another film together. It could happen. I would be pleased to see them kiss on screen, if the story is plausible. I dislike any movie with gratuitous sex, violence or stupidity, no matter the color of the actors.

But these guys should be honest, which would make their blogs and movie reviews worth reading. To just see a black guy sex a white girl - that's already free, and a click away on the Internet.

Will Smith did alright with this film: he was a sad, angry and lonely superhero without a sense of purpose. He found "family" in the end, who gave him a sense of purpose, although not with the solution or format some people may have desired.

For all we know, there may be a sequel. I see room for it.

Labels: Charlize Theron, Hancock, Jason Bateman, Will Smith

posted by GoldenAh
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