Alternate Reality, Why do we seek it? Where? and to what end?

 

When one hears the term, “alternate reality”, one might think of a different world, or a subconscious level of living like a dream state. Others may think of a completely different state of existence from their current one, while those that are more technically inclined, may think of alternate or fractured timeline changes due to a different choice or interference (directly or indirectly) in the space time continuum (some of you trekkers out there love that last one I’m sure). What’s interesting is that of late in Hollywood, many movies have taken on the form of storytelling by adding on to various degrees of an alternate reality (A.R for short) in its content.

The Avatar Review: Part 5 "The Final Wrap-up"

Once again, my apologies for the delay of this last part review of this film. I’ve been busy with class preparation and projects at work and abroad.

The Avatar Review: Part 4 "Race Relations vs. Culture Chaos"

Would one think that nowadays a Hollywood /big budget blockbuster movies should be generalized or at least include typical or common clichéd themes? Even when these same themes become so stereotypical, their borderline brain-draining, to downright insulting?

The reason I open with that question, is to see if the more successful films (in budget and not necessarily in content) follow the typical story-plot genres, particularly in comparison to the film Avatar, its characters, and social themes both obvious and under-toned. Now we have briefly touched on this in my Iconic Impact and Militaristic Message posts, so thought I would bring this up into further detail.

The Avatar Review: Part 3: "Spiritual-Religious Insightfuls or Mislead Mamipulation?"

One of the more prevalent arguments you will find in Christianized movie going, (er is there such a thing, or am I being too generalized in labeling?) is the influence of the film has on the audience, or specifically the Christians who see the film. The debates can range from, why are they going to see the movie in an atmosphere of a theatre to begin with (as discussed briefly in my “Film Limitations,” post), to how will this film affect me spiritually, if at all?

The Last Airbender; the Last make-or-break for Shyamalan?

Not to worry, I am still working on the Avatar review, but just wanted to go a little off topic to a movie coming up that I (and quite a few others) have concerns about.

As some of you know, I'm a big fan of the "other" Avatar animation series (aka Avatar: The Last Airbender). And I'm certain I'm not the only fan of the series currently posting on here too...(hint-hint). I even have all 3 seasons on DVD, So when I heard they were going to do a live version of this series, I was surprised and quite excited. That is until I found out that none other than M. Night Shyamalan is producing and directing this film..(and I also know that I'm not the only poster that has strong opinions on this filmmaker too *hint-hint*) 

The Avatar Review: Part 2: "Militaristic Message?"

First off, my apologies for not getting this one out sooner, I got caught up in daily life events and such, as well as waiting for some feedback from a friend, specifically for this theme critique of the movie (you’ll see why).

 

With many films that have opposing factions between the obvious protagonist and antagonist characters, the inevitable epic battle is sure to take place. No more is this true than in the movie Avatar and its battle between the various ground and aerial Na’vi tribes and the military might of the RDA Sec-Ops (with a nice soundtrack to go with this battle sequence too, I might add). 

Many have described the battle as symbolic of progress vs. nature, colonialism vs indigenous cultural identity, or even capitalistic imperialism vs. noble savages. Typically, it becomes apparent that the human military are the antagonists, and such is the case in this film, but I've got to ask the question: is this depiction of the military a fair and accurate one? Or is it too one-sided?

The Avatar Review: Part 1: "Iconic Impact" (Intro)

Every generation or so there comes a movie so unique, so groundbreaking that it becomes iconic in its own time, for that era. Some are without question simply that, while others can be and have been debated for its status as one of these iconic films. Some samples of those that can be without question in regards to it uniqueness and its effect in society for its time in my opinion include: the original Star Wars trilogy, the Indiana Jones movies (well not so much the last one),The Godfather, The Ten Commandments, Jaws, The Shawshank Redemption, Casablanca, Roots, The Matrix, Dark City, E.T., The Lord of the Rings Trilogy, and Saving Private Ryan, to name a few. 

Others which I think were decent movies for their time but not nearly as ground breaking (but which I'll mention because if I didn't I could possibly get heat lol) might include: Terminator 2: Judgment Day, The Green Mile, Fantasia, Titanic, The Blair Witch Project, etc. Each of these ones did have a impact for its time. Big enough to be considered iconic? Well, that’s debatable.