rolanni: (i've often seen a cat without a smile)
rolanni ([personal profile] rolanni) wrote2009-12-18 09:16 am

Hexapuma vs. the water fountain follow-up report

Hex still Does Not Believe In the new water fountain, though the water bowl remains acceptable for brief drinks. The black mountain has been disguised and put away. Thanks to everyone for their advice; I'll keep you posted on progress, or lack thereof.

The weather today is a bright, sunny and perfectly calm 0F/-17C; tomorrow to be a thought warmer. I see that my old hometown, Baltimore, is about to get whacked with a nasty snowstorm; everybody down that way stay safe, 'k?

Yesterday, or the day before, I was, as is my habit, perusing the Apple trailer site. I believe that I may wish to see the Tim Burton Alice in March, in an Actual Movie Theater. On the other hand, there's no way I'm going within ten miles of the new Robin Hood. Anybody seen Avatar yet? Is it something more than Noble Blue Indians being Exploited by an Evil Corporation? Should I put it in my Netflix queue?

[identity profile] barsukthom.livejournal.com 2009-12-18 02:18 pm (UTC)(link)
The review I heard his morning is basically Noble Blue Indigenous Peoples* being exploited by an Evil Corporation... that cost eleventy zillion dollars to film, and maybe $29.95 to write.

*Ah, the power of a Liberal Arts Education.

[identity profile] muirecan.livejournal.com 2009-12-18 03:43 pm (UTC)(link)
Sadly the reports I have are that it a second rate Dances with Wolves. Pity, I'll probably get it from Netflix but I doubt I'll see it in the theater. The graphics and special effects are apparently great but I want a good story from my movies as well. Fancy special effects are nice and all but not something I'll go and see a movie for. At least not anymore.

[identity profile] doccolt.livejournal.com 2009-12-18 04:03 pm (UTC)(link)
Also the Evil Military I think.

[identity profile] kimuro.livejournal.com 2009-12-18 04:34 pm (UTC)(link)
Is it something more than Noble Blue Indians being Exploited by an Evil Corporation?

Every time someone describes Avatar in these terms, I am reminded of the Randall Garrett short story "Despoilers of the Golden Empire" - which is written as a classical science fiction story but is about the taking of the Peruvian Empire by 500 Spaniards.

[identity profile] mardott.livejournal.com 2009-12-18 05:10 pm (UTC)(link)
It's a pity about the story, but we'll probably go see it. When the scenery is spectacular, like this is supposed to be, I like to watch it on the big screen.

blue people...

(Anonymous) 2009-12-18 05:15 pm (UTC)(link)
At 2 hours and 40 minutes it is very unlikely that I will see it in the theater. Even though its gotten a 80%+ approval rating on rotten tomatoes.

rfalken

[identity profile] scarlettina.livejournal.com 2009-12-18 05:24 pm (UTC)(link)
On a mildly related note, I have to ask: Why is Hexapuma named Hexapuma? It's a great name and I've been wondering. Is this a case of polydactylism?

5 inches, 4 authors, 2 staff and a partridge in a pear tree

(Anonymous) 2009-12-18 05:32 pm (UTC)(link)
Sigh, I should know better than to schedule 4 kids' authors to a signing during winter - but how was I to know it was gonna snow right before Xmas? Talk about timing!

Ok, ok, I'm done whining. If nothing happens (slim probability now)
we'll have sales. If we do get the 5-10 inches of snow that's
predicted, well, it's gonna be a bad weekend.

Stay warm and safe, y'all
Lauretta (Constellation Books)
Reisterstown, MD

[identity profile] masgramondou.livejournal.com 2009-12-18 07:17 pm (UTC)(link)
Avatar - there's a snarky slightly spoilerish whine here - http://hradzka.livejournal.com/378981.html

[identity profile] ariaflame.livejournal.com 2009-12-19 02:15 am (UTC)(link)
For a fairly non spoilery one from someone who did like it (though had personal issues with the 3D) http://angriest.livejournal.com/436419.html

[identity profile] robotech-master.livejournal.com 2009-12-20 04:36 am (UTC)(link)
Saw it today.

If you're going to see Avatar, see it on the biggest movie screen you can find, IMAX if you can, in 3D.

Seen like that, the movie's lush cinematography is overwhelming. YMMV, but in my opinion it more than made up for the underwhelming "Dances with Smurfs" story.

On a big screen, in 3D, Avatar is an experience.

On a small screen, it will be just another Dances with Wolves clone.

(Anonymous) 2009-12-20 07:35 pm (UTC)(link)
Go see it. It is amazing. O.K. the story is not great, but its still a must see. My wife and I saw it on Friday and my son and his wife saw it yesterday. Neither my wife nor my daughter-in-law is a sci-fi fan and both criticised the story and 2 dimensional characters, but also said they would go to see it again because it is so beautiful and so real.My son had read a review criticising the music score, but afterwards said he hadn't noticed the music he was so overwhelmed by the visual experience. I'm thinking about a trip to the nearest Imax next week
Melvyn

Avatar

(Anonymous) 2009-12-21 09:39 pm (UTC)(link)
Avatar is amazing. The concept of the world of Pandora is amazing. The storyline is predictable, but it's a visual spectacle that should be seen in 3D, and yes, probably the bigger the screen the better.

Those of us who wear multifocals should be prepared for some serious focal adjustment with 3D glasses. I might have been brewing a headache before I went in, but my head was thumping by the end. Maybe a bigger screen would have helped, or single vision glasses.