This is the home of Joe Clifford Faust, who: Is an elder in the Church of Christ, makes his living as an advertising copywriter, is the author of seven science fiction novels, is occasionally known as Mister Faust, an alleged singer-songwriter, is the writer and "artist" of The Home World, a hiatused web comic, is the guy who used to blog a lot about writing (it's all gone now, sorry), is an infrequent haunter of community theater stages, and is someone who went to high school in Wyoming, college in Oklahoma, and now lives in Ohio. If the person you're looking for doesn't meet these criteria, then this isn't the him you're looking for. Tuesday, January 5, 2010 Avatar Report Card   After seeing James Cameron's Avatar, I have decided that it is impossible to give it just one overall rating as a movie. There are too many different aspects of it, including the groundbreaking effects. Films like this often turn out to be like the joke about the talking dog - who cares that what the dog said didn't make any sense? - because people end up salivating over one aspect of it, in this case, the visual effects. So here's my take on the components of Avatar. World Building: A+ The most impressive since 2001: A Space Odyssey (the first talking dog movie). Use of 3D: A Only one or two 3D Cliches, the rest was a very natural integration that made the world very immersive. One problem: before the film was a preview for a trashy 3D knockoff involving pirahanas that will likely set 3D back 20 years. Acting: B Sigorney Weaver and Wes Studi are always welcome. Rockwell would have been a better Sam for the lead. Zoe Seldana was great, but I'm distressed by the Oscar buzz she's getting. If she bags a nomination, then the Motion Picture Academy owes Andy Sirkis a written apology. Writing: C It's James Cameron, so you don't expect Shakespeare. But hey, even George Lucas was at one time smart enough to turn the writing reins over to Lawrence Kasdan. Cameron continues to need a writing partner. Plot: C- Dances with Wolves meets Aliens in CG Blue. No surprises anywhere. I even called the last shot of the movie. Alien Culture: D As impressive visually as the film was, and as much as had gone into the technology to make the film and the thought behind the planet itself, the aliens deserved better than a dog's breakfast of stuff lifted from Native American and African cultures. Music Score: D- If Cameron really wanted something original and alien sounding, he should have worked Horner a little harder instead of settling for moments of New Age Wood Flute. See "Alien Culture". Political Agenda: F Cameron just bought himself another best picture nomination. Unobtainium: F The first time this was mentioned, I leaned over and asked my daughter, who had seen the film, if that was a joke. She said "No" and I almost got up and walked out of the theater. Total buzz kill. Overall: I think it's worth seeing, and I'm glad I went and popped extra for the funky pair of glasses. This is not going to be the same when it comes out on your TV set, and it won't be the same as 2D in the second run theater (or for those of you in Japan). It's like Star Wars (which I hated at the time and still don't care for) - a landmark that demands to be seen on a big screen. EXTRA POINTS I Have Reservations About: 1) Avatar merchandise under the Christmas tree. 2) The Alien Culture becoming a neo-religion... you read it here first. One Question: Was Roger Dean given a special thank-you in the end credits for inspiration for some of the visuals? DIY Special Effects: If you see it in 3D, wear your glasses into the lobby and look eye-to-eye at someone else with the glasses on. Then close one eye. Thank me later. (H/T: Stephen Hughes.) posted 3:55 AM Permalink 1 comments Comments Wes Studi's new film The Only Good Indian, which premiered at Sundance, is now available at www.TheOnlyGoodIndian.com # posted by  scottr10 January 5, 2010 12:17 PM     Post a Comment << Home Links to this post:   <$BlogBacklinkTitle$>   <$BlogBacklinkSnippet$> posted by <$BlogBacklinkAuthor$> @ <$BlogBacklinkDateTime$> Create a Link Now Using... NEWS BLOG ARCHIVES 2010 January 2009 December November October September August July June May April March February January 2008 December November October September August July June May April March February January 2007 December November October September August July June JCF On... Last.FM Facebook © 2008 by Joe Clifford Faust Hover or Click!