Douglas Adams Continuum (DAC)

http://www.apple.com/trailers/fox/avatar/hd/

Stunning.

It does indeed look stunning but animation wise the characters have no weight, they look too floaty. I see this often in CGI and wonder why they haven't got that sorted yet. While many advances have been made they don't seem to have nailed the animation yet. There are a few exceptions, Toy Story being one and the Shrek series did pretty well too. I'm also wondering if we're just going through yet another 3D phase because it's been the greatest thing since sliced bread so many times now. I'm really looking forward to seeing it though but a film doesn't make it for me on wow factor alone so I'm hoping for a brilliant story line.

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Her mouth opened, her eyes patients, the variety of age and constitution as a pullets egg, with some gobbits of fat, and the heavy sand.

(... don't piss us off)

it looks SPECTABULOUS!!!

i admit i am blown away.

but now i really, really hope it has a great story to match the visuals.

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"The human gene pool needs more lifeguards!
Either that or stronger chlorination...." (Pitbull)

James Cameron is undoubtably a great story teller but is heading into uncanny valley territory here and I would hope that this one has no such distractions. If anyone can do it he can. Fingers crossed.

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Her mouth opened, her eyes patients, the variety of age and constitution as a pullets egg, with some gobbits of fat, and the heavy sand.

(... don't piss us off)

But then again. Doesn't he always?
Abyss was uncanny vallery. Terminator II was uncanny valley. Titanic was uncanny valley.

He knows what he's doing. I have confidence.

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Regardless of your age, your finger fits perfectly in your nostril. This is the ultimate proof that we are SUPPOSED to pick our noses.

TOTTA SIGHTING!!!

thank you james cameron! you´ve done it again!

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"The human gene pool needs more lifeguards!
Either that or stronger chlorination...." (Pitbull)

Nell !!!
Glad to see you again.

I do sometimes pop in from time to time here on the DAC. Now I have convinced Jenz that he should pursuade the swedish astronaut Fuglesang that he should have a HHG with him in space. Jenz wants him to throw it out in space as an homage.

Could be fun

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Regardless of your age, your finger fits perfectly in your nostril. This is the ultimate proof that we are SUPPOSED to pick our noses.

Sent out a few emails regarding the fuglesang matter. Hopefully one of them makes it through to somewhere...

Edit: This message has just gone out to Jean Coisne, who works with Fuglesangs employer The European Space Agency:

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Before long now, I'll reach the age where farting will be an essential part of propulsion.
(...don't piss us off)

Good. Now let's... wait

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Regardless of your age, your finger fits perfectly in your nostril. This is the ultimate proof that we are SUPPOSED to pick our noses.

So if he doesn't do as we wish, is that when we don the ape suits?

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It's terrible, but I guess songs are just interesting things to do with the air.
-Tom Waits

Shit! I already have mine on... Bloody hot in here!

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love is a wet spot on the mattress of my life! Tracy Lundgren

after our performance a bunch of little kids were in awe of the size of my bassoon. Appogg

I just came back from Inglorious Basterds (finally a great QT movie. First one since Pulp Fiction imho).

Afterwards, I checked out the 3D preview screening of Avatar. 16 minutes of footage from various scenes, all in RealD.

Personally, I'm a big fan of Cameron and his Sci-Fi movies (except maybe Pirahna 2), but I'm still not a 3D fan. From what I've heard of this, his use of 3D was supposed to be really smart and he'd supposed to use it the way you kind of let things go in and out of focus with a regular lense to create space.

To me though, the way I figure, is anything that is out of the ordinary amazing in a strictly technical way - like CGI or 3D - as long as it doesn't actually serve the plot it just takes the viewer out of the experience.

What makes the visual effects in Jurassic Park, T2 and Forrest Gump great is, even though the use of them packs such a punch and you wondered how it was achieved - storywise those moments packed an even bigger punch.
Like, the melting sequences in T2, the Brachiosaurus reveal in JP or Lt. Dan's missing legs in FG.
What I mean is, when we get to those points in the stories, what's happening in the story is a bigger chock than the actual effect and the actual visual effect just serves to enhance the plot.

How can you possibly do that with 3D?
Unless you have a movie where it's only used very, very sparingly like that classic Hitchcock dolly zoom and then nowhere else in the film or something.

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Always read the MFAQ.

I'm always noticing that in CGI characters, like if they jump on something, when they land it won't look like there was any force behind it. It always throws me out of the movie for a second when that happens. It's too much like a video game.

That trailer looked pretty cool though.

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You know what you are? You're a beard with an idiot hanging off it.

Only 4 days left to the premiere now. Tickets booked. 3D of course. Trying to keep expectations down, but it's difficult...

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Niklas
Thanks to Claire for the artwork.

starts on wedenesday here, i´m trying to see it thursday. always difficult to find people to go see such movies with, and this week is crowded as it is. but i´m really hyped, the reviews i´ve read so far sound overwhelming

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"The human gene pool needs more lifeguards!
Either that or stronger chlorination...." (Pitbull)

I'm undecided whether it's worth the hassle. Seems a bit like watching someone else play a computer game...

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Human beings, who are almost unique in having the ability to learn from the experience of others, are also remarkable for their apparent disinclination to do so.
(Douglas Adams, "Last Chance to See")

I look forward to hearing what you guys think of the movie.

got my tickets! decided against the 3D version for practical reasons: the show starts at 8.50 pm and is supposed to run until midnight, massive running time it seems - not so great since i work on friday. i guess the film will be amazing enough in 2D, and this show starts at 8.

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"The human gene pool needs more lifeguards!
Either that or stronger chlorination...." (Pitbull)

I found this lengthy clip more involving than the trailer, but it is so dry and devoid of any humour, which is worrying.

Oh, dammit, after looking at Rotten Tomatoes, this is looking like the Next Big Thing," isn't it? Hell. I was hoping it would fall flat on its Ferngully face because (a) I'm not a fan of James Cameron and think he is in the overrated category, (b) I'm seeing the story overall sucks, just like Titanic, (c) 3D will start hitting it bigger than it is now, which means more headaches from the damn glasses, not to mention how stupid a bespeckled audience looks; all of which I could forgive if it wasn't for, (d) I will probably not have an opportunity to see this monstrosity on the big screen that it is intended for without an additional cost for a babysitter, which means I probably won't get to go.

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It's terrible, but I guess songs are just interesting things to do with the air.
-Tom Waits

And besides, I'm not there to lend you my son's SpyKids 3D glasses :)

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D.
The Thirteenth Triskaidekaphobe
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beeeeautiful!!!
actually, since this is supposed to a "scientific presentation" i wouldn´t worry about the absence of humour. seems to me, the producers have taken great care to think up a new world that works - the amount of detail is incredible.
i´m just willing to sit back and dive into this. i´m pretty confident cameron will also deliver on the plot/character site. hell, terminator wasn´t exactly hamlet either...

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"The human gene pool needs more lifeguards!
Either that or stronger chlorination...." (Pitbull)

Well, T1 was kinda fun and clever, but T2 was only good for one watching for me. After that, it has been snooze through car chase, car chase, shoot out, car chase car chase, ahh...good bit in the middle, car chase car chase shoot out shoot out, terminators terminated. Hurray!

And with Titanic, I would be willing to watch it again if someone could edit out the jealous jerk guy, and the bookends. Leave in the dancing scenes with the lower class, everything with Kathy Bates, the nudity and then all the sinking scenes.

Believe me, I doubt I could do better, but I'm not making movies. I'm just going by what Rotten Tomatoes is saying for this movie and what I have seen from him in the past. I think it will be something spectacular though, and probably worth the money to see it. He definitely has wow factor, but I usually find his plots pretty non-wow. This is coming from someone who really liked the movie Legend that is high on wow and especially low of plot.

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It's terrible, but I guess songs are just interesting things to do with the air.
-Tom Waits

I'm going to see the 3D version tomorrow with #2. It's his excessmas pressie for me. I've booked and paid for it... but that's the way my son is...

Hope I don't get seasick.

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A little sincerity is a dangerous thing, and a great deal of it is absolutely fatal. - Oscar Wilde (1854 - 1900)
[img]http://www.millan.net/minimations/smileys/kittifer.gif[/img]

i did it! here´s my short review:

can you say wow? yes please, it is the very word to describe the ride "avatar" provides. for me, it was a completely immersive experience. you really watch the movie unfold before your eyes. via our hero (sam worthington is good) we steadily make our way into this new universe, and such a beauty it is. i won´t go on about the special effects - suffice it to say, for me the illusion was near perfect. the story isn´t new, but the storyteller sure knows how to tell it to make it exciting. in hindsight, you might wish for some slightly less unforseeable plot developments, but since everything together so well, i couldn´t be bothered to care. for me, the actors all were a very good choice who make an impact and serve as an anchor in the midst of all the fantastic illusions. having said that, also in hindsight i guess we still have some ground to cover before we can dispense with seeing real actors on screen.
the movie is long, but i really didn´t want it to end.
game-changer? you betcha.

remember: you read it first on the DAC.

if you have any specific questions/worries, feel free to poste here or drop me a pm. there isn´t much i could say that would actually be a spoiler (straight-arrow plot), but i wouldn´t want to disappoint anybody.

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"The human gene pool needs more lifeguards!
Either that or stronger chlorination...." (Pitbull)

Was at the première of Avatar 3D today. Guess I was about the oldest female in the audience.

Story sucks - we' seen it a gazillion times before but the graphics... I want to go to Pandora! Leave your brain outside when you enter the cinema and watch the movie with your heart. It's stunning beauty. The landscape, the nature, the Na'vi... It's very sentimental every now and then and I've even managed to shed a few tears.

Gonna buy the blu-ray when it's available.

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A little sincerity is a dangerous thing, and a great deal of it is absolutely fatal. - Oscar Wilde (1854 - 1900)
[img]http://www.millan.net/minimations/smileys/kittifer.gif[/img]

Thank you, Ladies. That's given me a lot more hope that it will be worth the trip and ticket price.

Lots of noise about this movie...but the funniest so far came to me via Twitter...



...I guess I'll wait for the DVD to come out.

no, no, no! if you plan to see "Avatar" at all - go see it at the cinema! if there ever was a movie meant to be seen on the big screen it is this one! it is so beautiful and stunning - and what do you risk? a couple of bucks. in exchange, you are at the very least rewarded with a visual treat like none other. go on, dive in - you won´t regret it, i promise, hoolie!

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"The human gene pool needs more lifeguards!
Either that or stronger chlorination...." (Pitbull)

Damn damn damn! Awright...looks like I'll need to plan ahead for two engagements to the cinema - Dr. Parnassus and Avatar now. Before this year, I never used to think about it. I'd just go. Now, it's more difficult. Maybe the wife won't care about seeing it and I could see it with a friend. That's what I've got to hope for.

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It's terrible, but I guess songs are just interesting things to do with the air.
-Tom Waits

Alright, went to see it last night and aside form the fact that it was a sold out show, and I had to sit in the front row...

...I liked it.

Except for the macho-rambo-shoot-em-up-armagedon scenes that is...that went on for a bit too long at the end.

Loved the blue guys (naturally!) and their planet scape was amazing.

Watched it last night and it was as awesome as advertised. Seemless rendering between live action and CGI. Amazing amount of detail, but then it was Richard Taylor and his WETA workshop of LOTR fame, so excellence was to be expected. Story was a bit hmmph but nevertheless a movie that one has to see on the big screen. And I applaud the guts of James Cameron to put the leading man in a wheelchair! The 3D effects fit in nicely, it worked surprisingly well considering that I had to wear the 3D glasses over my regular ones. All in all, a must see at the movies movie in the tradition of Star Wars, Jurassic Park and Lord of the Rings.

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Human beings, who are almost unique in having the ability to learn from the experience of others, are also remarkable for their apparent disinclination to do so.
(Douglas Adams, "Last Chance to See")

yes, i thought that was a very interesting choice, too. worked miracles for the character, i felt - talk about motivation and making the contrast between his "real" life and his avatar existence even bigger.

also, points to cameron for continuing his habit of giving us independent, tough heroines - a whole bunch this time: dedicated scientist grace, brave and beautiful neytiri and trudy, the gutsy pilot, interestingly enough one of two soldiers in this story who decides to act against orders for the greater good.

i so want to see this movie again (in 3d, if possible)...

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"The human gene pool needs more lifeguards!
Either that or stronger chlorination...." (Pitbull)

Am i the only one that's not impressed about all the hype this movie has had? I've seen the trailers but it didn't have that "oh-my-god-i-gotta-see-this-movie!" feeling.. it kinda looked like an updated version of Pocahontas. Hmmm... maybe if i can find someone that is willing to pay the $13 for the 3D movie i'll go. Any takers?

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WWJD... for a Klondike bar?

I didn't like the hype or the Pocahontas story either but the movie is nevertheless one for the ages. Go watch it, Fennie!

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Human beings, who are almost unique in having the ability to learn from the experience of others, are also remarkable for their apparent disinclination to do so.
(Douglas Adams, "Last Chance to See")

what stej said, although i did get that "me want!"-vibe instantly when watching the trailer. gonna see it tonight for the second time, by the way, dragging mr. nell into it.
and if you plan to see it at all, as i said, watch it at the cinema. this is so a movie made for the big screen!

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"The human gene pool needs more lifeguards!
Either that or stronger chlorination...." (Pitbull)

tonight we´ll go see it in 3D. i´m very curious!

*edit*: okay, this was definitely something else. astonishing, really, in a way i didn´t expect. overwhelming at times, and i definitely needed some time to adjust my eyes, they felt a bit strained. might be because i´m wearing contact lenses. mr. nell, unfortunately, due t his reduced depth perception, didn´t get much of the 3D-experience.
conclusion: i definitely don´t need to see every movie in 3D from now on, but "avatar" was an even more amazing treat because of it.

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"The human gene pool needs more lifeguards!
Either that or stronger chlorination...." (Pitbull)

Well, I fiunallyt saw this afternoon in 3D and WOW. I don't what else to say. Just WOW. James Cameron has been saying in interviews that this took he and his and team something like four years total to make. Well, bravo guys. Four years well spent. I'm seriously considering seeing it again in IMAX. Has anyone else done this? I was wondering if it was worth it.

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"Madness is the first sign of dandruff." - Dr. John "Winston O'Boogie" Lennon

"I'm a pacifist. I don't believe in imaginary violence." - Paul Rudd in Role Models

Q: How many surrealists does it take to screw in a light bulb?
A: Fish.

Updated version of "Dances with Wolves", actually.

I saw it in 3d today. It looked spectacular. I don't know if it is a movie I will rush out and buy when it is out on DVD, but it was a pretty good movie too.

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Every normal man must be tempted at times to spit on his hands, hoist the black flag, and begin to slit throats.

-H.L. Mencken


[url]http://www.madmanoz.blogspot.com[/url]

Saw it this afternoon. In 3-D. IMAX. Not being a regular movie-goer, I'm not quite sure what IMAX adds to the basic 3-D experience, but I loved the visuals and the world of Pandora. Would have appreciated a lower volume during the battles, but I just compensated by covering my ears for those bits. The poor moongod, however, had to sit with his eyes covered after the first 10 minutes, it made him so nauseous. A fact I was unaware of until the movie was over. gah!

This just might be the movie that pushes us into buying a Blu-ray player.

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(... don't piss us off)

Remember the guy who made this brilliant Star Wars review?
He has taken on Avatar now:

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uJarz7BYnHA[/youtube]