Comment Archives: stories: Movies
Re: “Planet of the Grosses”
Wow, that was the most ridiculous review I've ever read. Was it a joke? It was a joke. Right? How could even the most shallow and ignorant person fail to find the relevant layers of poignant issues covered in Avatar. I've never seen such a complete and captivating film in my life but in order to find symbolism in it, a person has to be a little bit aware of surrounding conflicts that our planet and society are dealing with today. Open up your mind a bit, or at least get your head out of your ass.
Re: “Planet of the Grosses”
What a self-serving review. I haven't seen logic like this with the single exception of our judicial system.
Re: “Planet of the Grosses”
Imho a "casual" movie goer will probably love this movie (and burn this critic). Anyone with a real love and knowledge of films however will see the glaring faults in it and recognize aaaaaaall the horrible cliche's.
Re: “Planet of the Grosses”
All I have to say is I thought that this movie was trying to say something important and it is disappointing when people look past it only to find flaws. Does it make you feel good to bash ones hard work? Learn to respect others and they will respect you, I don't see too much respect for you in these comments.
Re: “Planet of the Grosses”
Oops! She was bundling two review in one... hey it helps if you separate out the reviews so as not to confuse the two movies.
Re: “Planet of the Grosses”
This reviewer veered into another world far far away. It was the Victorian era and The Young Victoria ruled. Why the F is she sticking in a review of another film at the end of a review of Avatar?
Ms. Vance, I'm confused by your confusion. Talk about taking a fantasy leap into outer space! I was with you on some of your critic, then it was whoa, Kelly! You've fallen off the proverbial cliff now, Bagger Vance.
Re: “Planet of the Grosses”
I just dont know what to say to some of these critics. I admit i was a little disappointed that i knew what the plot was within the first 5 mins, but, That didn't matter at all. titanic was considered a great movie but the plot was simplistic as well. human nature is simple, No matter what story you tell, I guarantee that someone told it already.
but movies are about capturing your imagination and immersing you into that world, avatar did a 5star job. People need to stop analyzing and comparing movie plots and just focus on how it makes you feel in the moment. i was awestruck and i feel sorry for people, like kelly, who seem to be trapped by their 1 track thinking. your missing out on the expirience
Re: “Planet of the Grosses”
Those of us who adored Heavy Metal magazine back in the day have waited our entire lives for this movie.
For those of you who want a cerebral, art house movie... you will be disappointed.
Re: “Planet of the Grosses”
Third time seeing Avatar - honestly enjoyed it at least as much as the first time. Now that Avatar is close to breaking the billion dollar mark in less than fourteen days, and daily box office numbers continue to RISE...
Kelly - I feel your pain.
You must feel pretty dumb...
Re: “Planet of the Grosses”
sorry about my previous post just testing out the whole comment thing since I just signed up, now onto my opinion, okay I did see the film before reading any reviews and I thought at first it was a pretty good film even though I could somewhat predict a few things in the film but I did have a few things I couldn't stomach. First what does the unobtainium do? maybe it was mentioned but I missed it but they never really say why it is worth 20 million a kilo or why they were even there to get it. @nd I found the plot a little to black and white for my taste. The plot clearly defines who the good guys and the bad guys are, but for this kind of film I was expecting some moral ambiguity to this. and last I already mentioned this but I'll say it again some of the things in the plot were a little predictable if your used to seeing this kind of plot. Otherwise I thought it was an okay film.
Re: “Planet of the Grosses”
I LOVE reading Kelly's reviews. Every time I see a movie review in the Express it makes me smile. I literally cant wait to open the paper and find out what film Kelly has blasted this week. Movie critic who hates watching movies. Its awesome!!!! Havent seen Avatar. I am sure the dialog is boring at times and the plot plods, but I will watch it anyway without thinking twice because my friends suggested.
Kelly - Keep up the good work. I'm serious. I love your stuff. I am almost disapointed sometimes when you like a film. It confuses me. Luckily I saw Flame and Citron before you did so you couldnt cloud my vision.
Re: “Planet of the Grosses”
I'm not convinced a person who isn't a sci-fi/fantasy movie fan giving such a one-sided and obviously pointless -- not to mention baseless -- review of a sci-fi/fantasy movie can truly be taken seriously. So to that end, it doesn't matter what I, or anyone has to say about this review, if indeed I can bring myself to describe it as such, other than to say that you should take care in how you throw around words like "we", and speak for yourself. Rest assured in that, Ms. Vance - your opinions are not shared by those of us whom the movie was intended. I'm not sure what goes into being a movie critic (well, because I work for a living), but I can't imagine that a critic can be so incredibly short sighted and unimaginative as to write something like this. It's a good bet this piece of literary mastery won't hurt ticket sales any, methinks.
And I quote:
"At some point during the climactic battle scene we become intensely aware that we're only watching a movie. That's a bad sign for writer-director Cameron. It's doubtful that Avatar, special effects and saturation ad campaign notwithstanding, will ever sell as many tickets as Cameron's kingmaker, Titanic."
Words I'm sure you're going to need a full bottle of Texas Pete to swallow.
Re: “Planet of the Grosses”
This was an average film with spectacular visuals. It was really a bunch of different plot lines from other movies and short stories stitched together in a funky, though aesthetically pleasing tapestry. For a blockbuster film, I was disappointed by its unoriginality.
The evil portrayal of the military and big business was tired, hackneyed, and cheap. For a great film-maker like Cameron, I was disappointed by the movie's childish idealism. Totally unsophisticated.
I'm surprised I haven't read more criticism of the climax. The final battle was just plain corny. Bow hunters on flying lizards defeating a technologically advanced military? Alrighty then.
But if you loved this film, good for you. To each his own, right?
Re: “Planet of the Grosses”
I thought the story telling was wonderful. It had an understandable plot, humor, romance, action and heartbreak. (Is there something that I'm missing to provide a great story line?) Not to mention a world created so vividly well that you felt that you were actually there. I don't understand critics like Kelly Vance. This movie was simply awesome. I was captivated from the moment the movie started until the very end. I've been to very few movies where people stood, clapped and cheered at the end. This was one of those. I guess my career as a critic will be short lived.
Re: “Planet of the Grosses”
In 2 weeks nobody will even remember this movie. I also don't understand going into a theater to appreciate nature, why not go to a botanical garden, a park, or go hiking? The only way the experience inside the theater is better in regards to this is if you have allergies or something and can't actually be outside. I remember how it was such a big deal a decade or two ago to see animated hair. The hair was allegedly life like, so it was some great break through. Well...you could have just looked at a photo or a mirror, and you'd have saved a lot of time.
The only reason anyone likes this movie is because it's in 3d and because they like the idea of it being CG that looks real. You have the right to find that enjoyable, but you need to understand that not everybody is impressed or satisfied with such a shallow experience. Those of you commenting that it is successful are indeed right, the widest audience is of course going to appeal to the lowest common denominator. WWF is really popular too among the lower classes, that doesn't change it into some sort of high level writing.
Re: “Planet of the Grosses”
@Ig
Because we don't have $300 million to throw about. We understand symbolism. We just don't like it when it's half-baked and cliched symbolism. Any hack could write a better plot.
Re: “Planet of the Grosses”
Clearly someone here doesn't understand a thing about symbolism, and it's not me. Since you also seem to be so outspoken about the works of others, perhaps we should ask you to write a better plot? Why don't you do the acting and directing as well?
Re: “Planet of the Grosses”
Can anyone say, "Ferngully"?
Yes, it's an impressive experience, but there's hardly a new idea in the entire plot.
Examples: Navi, sounds like cousins of the Naboo. Wake up from hyper sleep to start military operation. Duplicitous nail-eating military bad guy. Pocahontas. Magic carpet in Aladdin. Warriors riding flying dragons.
It's still interesting visually, but as the reviewer says, the storyline is brainless and the characters are well, exactly what marketing says they should be.
Re: “Planet of the Grosses”
The point of a movie is to enjoy it. Not to sit there and look at all the faults in it and how bad it was. I was captivated by this movie and personally enjoyed it. Maybe some people may not have felt the same. Its good to have opinions. However, is it necessary to bash all of the things that weren't so great in the movie?