You will be amazed

[Jeff]

Tammy and I went to the movies for Christmas. We went and saw Avatar in 3D.  I'm pretty hard to impress and I walked out of there knowing that there has never been a movie made before this one that was so technically amazing.  You will also see the biggest tree you have ever seen in your life and believe that it is real. As long as you don't try to draw any political or moral conclusions from the story line, you should walk out of there mesmerized.

Don't waste your time with the non-3d version. I'm going to go see this one again. Go see it if you get the chance.

[Brad_S.]

I agree. It sets the bar for movies from here on out.
See it on the big screen, it will not be the same on DVD.

[Sprucegum]

  I have a date for New Years Day - a new 3-D is the only thing that will get me in to the big city

[Ianab]

Wish it was showing in 3D locally 

It was 'filmed' in NZ by the company that did Lord of the Rings, so it's motion capture of real actors. They run 30,000 computer cores to render the graphics.

Ian

[Jeff]

Several time during the movie, I tipped my glasses down to see what it looked like without them. Not the same. Not even close. You certainly would not want to view the 3-d movie without the glasses. The non-3 d version was running at the same theater. Why anyone would want to watch it that way, other then if there are some epilepsy issues or something, I dont know.

This was not your daddy's 3D. I've got my 3D glasses right here. They look like Drew Cary's Sunglasses. Clear lenses. None of the old red and blue. Not sure what makes then 3d. I'm gussing some sort of polarization.

[ScottAR]

guess I'll have to miss it then. I can't see "3d" stuff.
just looks like the film ain't lined up right to me. 

[DR_Buck]

guess I'll have to miss it then. I can't see "3d" stuff.
just looks like the film ain't lined up right to me. 

I have the same problem with the old 'red'-'blue' 3d glasses.   But the new polarization glasses work fine.

[Jeff]

guess I'll have to miss it then. I can't see "3d" stuff.
just looks like the film ain't lined up right to me. 

This is totally different then the old 3D. You'll be able to see it.

[wesdor]

Jeff is right.

This is probably the best movie I've seen in years.  Just got back from seeing it with the family a few minutes ago.

Although the story line gets a bit preachy at times, the scenery is fantastic and the special effects are beyond anything I have ever imagined.

[SwampDonkey]

guess I'll have to miss it then. I can't see "3d" stuff.
just looks like the film ain't lined up right to me. 

This is totally different then the old 3D. You'll be able to see it.

Some people can't see stereo Jeff. Stereo is what movie or photo 3D is. It's basically images with an overlap between frames. We had 1 or 2 students in our aerial photo interp. classes that could never see the 3D relief in stereo photo triplets (30 % overlap between frames). Both eyes have to look straight ahead, if your looking down your nose you wont see 3D.

[Ironwood]

Swamp is right on. I was a Terrain Analyst in the Amry. Steroescopic vision is necessary to "see" this type film, not everyone has it. If you remember those funky posters in the 1980's that people asked you to stare at, if you can see the "whatever they had on them", then you can see in steroe vision. Also, for those history minded folks, if you remember the wooden stereo veiwers (circa 1900-1920) you could veiw stereo on those as well. The lenses looked like magnafying glasses.

 Ironwood

[SwampDonkey]

Stereoscope. They are still in forestry classes. You can buy the ones like Ironwood describes and a desktop model with binoculars and side mirrors, which is very expensive.

Also, remember viewfinders? and viewfinder projectors. I still have mine from over 30 years ago. Mom had some reals from when the Queen was crowned in 1953. I think they are also around here somewhere. 

[Ironwood]

We have View Masters as well, I forgot about that option as a description.

 Ironwood

[Jeff]

Obviously if you have some sort of physical vision impairment that effects your natural depth perception you can't see the third dimension but if you can see things like a view master, you can see the movie. I am another that could not see the 3-d in the old movies. Also if you have color blindness of some sort involving red, you would not be able to see the old style.

Even people with normal vision sometimes could not see those posters.

[andybuildz]

My mind was blown when I saw that extravaganza. I never expected anything that clear!!
One question for those of you that saw it...

(ADMIN PRIVILEGE TAKEN HERE. ANDY, your question is a movie scene stealer. I removed it until people have a chance to see it. I'll answer it though. That part of the movie was troublesome for me and It made me feel bad)  Jeff...

[SwampDonkey]

Even people with normal vision sometimes could not see those posters.

Yup, exactly. It's not vision impairedness I was restricting my comment to. Sometimes all it takes is some training of the eyes to see it and some just can't master it. It's like trying to do the Spock greeting, some can, some can't.

[Jeff]

Donk, I do beleive that in that sort of case, one will be able to see the 3-D.  The glasses do the polarizing.  No matter how you looked at the screen, it was 3 -D. You could tip your head, turn it, pull the glasses out a foot from your face, what ever, as long as you looked through the lenses, it worked.   I'm the type of guy that wants to know and I played all those games as I enjoyed the movie.

[SwampDonkey]

Yes, I guess your likely right there Jeff.

[Ironwood]

Stereoscopic vision is a "brain inner connectedness" issue (left/right regions). You either have it or not, regardless of ANY vision "eye" issue. At least that is what Uncle Sam told us.

 Ironwood

[SwampDonkey]

In Jeff's movie case, I guess the eyes are being aided. Our examples, the eyes are unaided and if you can't train yourself to look ahead instead of at a converging point, when looking at a close object, then you can't see stereo. When starring at those aerials, you have to take the approach that your looking 10000 feet away and not 12 inches from your nose, so to speak. The most frustrating part is the fact that from one photo to the next the scale can change (oops hit an updraft there during that shot) and it always changes with distance from the focal point. Put your fish eyes on.

[Warbird]

My brother and I went and saw the non-3D version because he gets extreme motion sickness and headaches from any 3D type of stuff, riding rides at the fair, etc.  The non-3D version still contains the most awesome CG I've ever seen.

I agree with Jeff on going into the movie just to watch a movie.  Leave any political/religious biases aside and just as a movie, it is amazing.  That being said, I wouldn't take anyone who is young and forming opinions to watch it. 

Now that Jeff and other friends of mine have said that the 3D is a must, I'll probably go back and watch it again, in 3D this time, with the Mrs.  In fact, let's make it a party!  Everyone come up here and we'll go watch it in a couple of days! 

[Ironwood]

They have movie theaters up there?

 Ironwood

[Brad_S.]

I saw the standard screen 3D. I think I'll go back and catch the I-MAX version. If 2D is good and 3D is great, what must I-MAX be like?

[Warbird]

They have movie theaters up there?

Yeah.  We have a really huge igloo that gets built every winter.  It has a couple of rooms with flat ice walls that the movie is projected on.  Sometimes there are interruptions because the polar bear driving the wheel that generates the electricity starts acting up.  One year, he ate one of the theater employees and they almost shut the place down.  It was a real travesty. 

[beenthere]

My mind was blown when I saw that extravaganza. I never expected anything that clear!!
One question for those of you that saw it...

(ADMIN PRIVILEGE TAKEN HERE. ANDY, your question is a movie scene stealer. I removed it until people have a chance to see it. I'll answer it though. That part of the movie was troublesome for me and It made me feel bad)  Jeff...

Thanks Jeff. 

[Jeff]

Now that Jeff and other friends of mine have said that the 3D is a must, I'll probably go back and watch it again, in 3D this time, with the Mrs. 

Ya gotta do it.

 The kids are here for our family Christmas today, and since they had not had a chance to go yet, we all went to see it again as part of their Christmas present. As tough as i am to impress with that sort of thing, my son is even tougher. We both agree its going to be something else to top this, but we are sure they will some day.  I'm ready for the 3rd viewing.

[Warbird]

We went and watched the 9:30am showing this morning.  I have now seen it on the big screen in both 2D and 3D.  There really is no comparison.  The 3D version is absolutely amazing.

[BaldBob]

This thread reminds me of the time many many years ago when I worked one college summer break on the Olympic Peninsula on what is now called FIA.  The use of aerial photo pairs and 3D was integral to our work.  One weekend while walking down the street of Forks,WA,  one member of our crew called me into a jewelery store. He told me that he had been explaining to Mr. Smith, the store owner, what we did, and had been trying for hours to get him to see 3D. I carefully explained to Mr.Smith how seeing 3D from the stereo pairs worked, and when I finished Mr. Smith said " Do you think the fact that I have a glass eye, may have something to do with it?"

[SwampDonkey]

The jeweler was smarter than you think. He was having fun. 

[SPIKER]

I have to agree I have not seen a move this good in at least 15 years...   We saw the 3d version last tuesday and thankfully we got in.   unfortunately there was an old woman with a cell phone that kept ringing behind us and a guy with 4 under 8yr old kids to our right....   going to have to see it again just for the fun of it.   
One thing is be sure you dont have any polerzing glasses/lenses on as this will mess up the screen, I did this at an IMAX pile once and wasted my time watching it due to the glasses I had on...   I passed the BOOMER vision test in USAF, only about 1.2% of the people can pass that now that is a depth perception test!

I thought it was good not only for the 3D but the story line, plot and charters, I agree with the slightly political aspect but still very well done...   I thought the sparks/embers were the best 3d effects I have ever seen in all the 3d movies I have watched!

First MUST SEE of the 21st century....
Mark

[Warbird]

Did you guys see the 3D preview for Alice in Wonderland?  When the Cheshire cat appeared, it was amazing.

I need to read up on how this "Real 3D" technology works.  We brought our glasses home but I am uncertain if they will work for normal 3D movies that we have.

[Jeff]

They won't. And your won't be able to watch any dvd in 3D either until they make available a 3D T.V. 

[DR_Buck]

AWSOME  !!!!

Just got home from seeing the 3D version.  All 2 hours and 50 minutes.     Amazing graphics, special effects and photography.   The story was even pretty good even with the "political undertones".

[Dan_Shade]

Am I the only person that refuses to subject himself to "political undertones"?

I heard some crap on the movie, and I don't care how amazing it is, i have no interest in watching it.

i guess i'm stubborn.

[Brad_S.]

What movie doesn't have some sort of political undertone? Even children's fairy tales have political undertones. This movie is pretty much just "Dances with Wolves" in 3D. IMO, and it is only my opinion Dan, no offense intended, to boycott it for that reason is to deprive yourself of a fascinating cinematic experience.

I saw it again in IMAX. Rather than the Drew Carey black glasses I had the first time, I got flimsy yellow/orange ones this time. I concur with Jeff's analysis of the Drew Carey model but a slight tip of the head with the yellow ones caused the image to go fuzzy. They definitely detracted from the experience this time out.

[Dan_Shade]

I hear ya, Brad, but I don't want to give kooks my money, so I don't.

I may miss out here and there, but I"m ok with that, Besides, i've seen "dances with wolves"  :-D

[Jeff]

Am I the only person that refuses to subject himself to "political undertones"?

I heard some crap on the movie, and I don't care how amazing it is, i have no interest in watching it.

i guess i'm stubborn.

Maybe you will find you agree with some of the undertones and they won't be offensive at all. If you don't go because of what someone else thought of the theme, and dont give yourself the chance to decide, then you've simply chosen someone elses political view already, no matter what the message was. In this case its not the message. Its just something worth experiencing. 

[Burlkraft]

I saw it yesterday.

As a movie I hated it. Political undertones is putting it mildly.

That's all I'm gonna say about that here.

The 3D was okay and the computer animation was good.

I'm not much for this type of movie anyway   

[Norm]

Hey I thought you were saving up your money for lion king tickets.

[Burlkraft]

The Lion King's all bought and paid for.        

Best news is that her Mom is going with her   

I've been very good this Christmas     

[Warbird]

Heh.  I hear you, BK.  The movie (plus some other personal stuff involving the movie) was such that I almost wanted to request access back to Restricted Topics just to be able to discuss this particular topic with you guys.

[Burlkraft]

I almost wanted to request access back to Restricted Topics just to be able to discuss this particular topic with you guys.

I try to stay outta there..........

I like talkin' about food better 

[Gary_C]

IMO, and it is only my opinion Dan, no offense intended, to boycott it for that reason is to deprive yourself of a fascinating cinematic experience.

I think I will wait till they make a porn movie in 3-D. Now that would be a truly fasinating cinematic experience. 

But I will pass on this one too.

[VT_Forestry]

I think I will wait till they make a porn movie in 3-D. Now that would be a truly fasinating cinematic experience. 

Haha, I said the same thing when me and the little lady went to see A Christmas Carol in 3D.  She wasn't nearly as curious or interested as I was to see something like that

[Bibbyman]

The girls had brought home a DVD that was in 3D.  I tried the glasses and found it all annoying.  Brooke just loved it and wore the glasses even when there was a regular stuff showing.

I’m more of the old school I guess.   Mary’s folks kept using a black and white TV in their home some 20 years after color became the norm because they couldn’t stand looking at the people in color.  The flat screen TV we bought some two Christmas’ back now is HD and we have a DVD player that ups everything to HD plus getting some stuff off the Dish.  I’m amazed at some things (like Planet Earth) and not that impressed with other things.  Sometimes it shows way too many flaws.  I can remember so many old movies where they used a softening technique on ladies to make them look a lot better.  Now you can see every pore if not covered up by computer generation.

[DR_Buck]

I’m more of the old school I guess.   Mary’s folks kept using a black and white TV in their home some 20 years after color became the norm because they couldn’t stand looking at the people in color.  The flat screen TV we bought some two Christmas’ back now is HD and we have a DVD player that ups everything to HD plus getting some stuff off the Dish.  I’m amazed at some things (like Planet Earth) and not that impressed with other things.  Sometimes it shows way too many flaws.  I can remember so many old movies where they used a softening technique on ladies to make them look a lot better.  Now you can see every pore if not covered up by computer generation.

Like the country song says......"welcome to the future"     

[SwampDonkey]

I asked dad once if he liked the old black and white movies. We can see one now and again on the local PBS station. He told me he doesn't like black and white at all. Mom's brother doesn't either.

[Bibbyman]

I asked dad once if he liked the old black and white movies. We can see one now and again on the local PBS station. He told me he doesn't like black and white at all. Mom's brother doesn't either.

Now where I am amazed is where they’ve went back and restored old black and white movies.  Some they have colorized and they look pretty good.  We watch more old movies than new.  We’re watching some old Little Rascal movies that have been restored and they’re amazingly sharp and clear without all the old scratches and jerks, etc. 

We sure don’t go to the theater to see new movies.  We wait until their on Dish or the $5 rack in Wal-Mart.

[SwampDonkey]

I'd sure like some "Little Rascals/Our Gang" and "3 Stooges" movies. Some day I'll start a collection. Hey, I never said I didn't like black and white.

[Warbird]

Currently, you will not be able to get the same experience watching 3D at home, as you will watching "Avatar" in 3D at the theater.  This movie will be the entertainment cultural phenomenon for this generation, much as "The Matrix" was ~10 years ago.

The 3D at the theater, with the large screen and the actual 3D projector, makes the movie so much more 'immersive' that at times, you feel like you are actually standing right front of that big tree Jeff mentioned.  Or right on the branch with the main characters.

I find it ironic, yet appropriate, for this movie called "Avatar" to be so immersive, given the definition of the word avatar.  I think it is best summed up by a line out of the aforementioned "The Matrix" movie.  Morpheus was initiating Neo into what reality (supposedly) truly is and said the following about the way Neo looked when he went back inside the computer:  "Your appearance now (referring to the way Neo looked 'online') is what we call residual self-image.  It is the mental projection of your digital self."

And that is much like what we do even here on the FF.  We project an image of our 'digital self'.  This digital being is made up of pieces of us that we want to share.  Some share more than others and some outright lie about who they are.

I would really like to discuss this further with you guys, and also the political/religious views portrayed in this movie, but this isn't the place to do it.

[DouginUtah]

Bibby,

Have you ever tried Netflix or Redbox? (Since you mentioned WalMart which probably has a Redbox.)

[Bibbyman]

Bibby,

Have you ever tried Netflix or Redbox? (Since you mentioned WalMart which probably has a Redbox.)

No, we've not tried those.  How well do they work?

We have hunted up some old movies we've wanted on TCM and Barnes & Noble web sites.  Even Wal-Mart sometimes has better prices on popular movies on the web site than in stores.  A lot wider selection too.

I seen a documentary on TV about making Avatar and the technology was very impressive.  I’m not into what looked to be science fiction or fancily movies.  Maybe a good western!  Now you’re talking.  But I can’t see how they’ll ever be able to come up to John Ford standards so I’ll still be disappointed.

Some 20 years ago we were down in Orlando and went to Epcot Center.  The thing that just blew me away was the Chinese pavilion.  They had a 360 screen and you stood and watched the action or views that completely surround you.  WOW!

[DouginUtah]

No, we've not tried those.  How well do they work?

A few years ago I had Netflix and it ended up costing less than a dollar a movie--mainly because my distribution center is in Salt Lake City, so I had one day delivery service by USPS. The trick is to get the movie mailed back the day after you receive it.

Currently I only use Redbox. Cost for me is probably less than 50¢ per movie as I use free movie rental codes (good for first Monday of the month-- www.insideredbox.com) and McDonald's free codes. Rent today and it has to be back before 9:00 pm tomorrow.

If you do decide to use Redbox, the first movie will be free if you use a code good only for first time users (breakroom or freedvd, usually).

[DR_Buck]

We have hunted up some old movies we've wanted on TCM and Barnes & Noble web sites.  Even Wal-Mart sometimes has better prices on popular movies on the web site than in stores.  A lot wider selection too.

Bibby,

Try the following for old classic movies.   I've had good success with both sites and they're cheap too. 


www.cduniverse.com
www.hamiltonbook.com

[Bibbyman]

We have hunted up some old movies we've wanted on TCM and Barnes & Noble web sites.  Even Wal-Mart sometimes has better prices on popular movies on the web site than in stores.  A lot wider selection too.

Bibby,

Try the following for old classic movies.   I've had good success with both sites and they're cheap too. 


www.cduniverse.com
www.hamiltonbook.com

Thanks!  I added the CD Universe to my favorites.  Mary has the Hamilton Books bookmarked.  Maybe she knows they have movies, maybe not.

[thecfarm]

Bibbyman,I have Netflix.I'm on the plan that they send you 3 movies at a time.I think about $18 a month.We have a center close by,2 days or 3 at the most is normal to send and get a movie.We just did Redbox.We live about 15 minutes from town.Not a big deal in distance,but sometimes we don't leave the farm for 2-3 days.With Netflix we can decide what to watch right at home not stand in front of a redbox for 15 minutes. Well the wife does that.We right into the movie thing now with snow on the ground and dark at 4:30.

[Bibbyman]

Don't the Netflix ad say $9.00/mo and never a late fee?  I'll have to pay attention I guess.

[Mr Mom]

Bibbyman.... that price is for one movie. There is another price for two movies and another price for three movies. Three is the most you can get.
I have had movies for a month and never a late charge. you will not get another movie untill you send one back.
We use to get three movies but went to one when summer comes.
If i send out on mon i will get one by wed.
Sometimes it takes longer beacuse the movie comes from another netflix place.
Had one come from TEXAS
Hope this helps
Thanks Alot Mr Mom

[Bibbyman]

Well,  I opted out of going to see Avatar. 

The girls with all their visiting on their mother’s side over Christmas hadn’t seen it yet.  Tomorrow is the first day back to school so Alex put the big press on Mary to take them. She won so off they went to the matinee.

I win!  I get to set at home in the quiet putting together a puzzle and watching the last half of “The Egg and I”.  Another old classic is coming on now.  I’ll have to see what it is.

 

[Roxie]

You've missed your opportunity to give your grandaughters your opinion on any political or moral aspects of the movie. 

I ask my six year old grandson about TV shows or movies that he watches.  I sit and watch them so I'm familiar with what he's seeing.  Nothing like a Saturday dusting the living room, watching Phineas and Furb. 

[Bibbyman]

Well,  I wasn't needed.  They got there and the line was too long or something so they watched "Alvin and the Chipmunks - the Squeakual".

[Warbird]

So what are Alvin's political leanings, anyhow? 

[Sprucegum]

I saw Avatar and I was Amazed and Delighted - no not by the moral and political bludgeoning    I shrugged that off as more of the same we get every day in our news here  My redneck children and I made jokes about it 

The progress in 3-D is what I liked and I am looking forward to that technology being applied to a good story 

[SwampDonkey]

The progress in 3-D is what I liked and I am looking forward to that technology being applied to a good story 

That's the one and only reason I would enjoy watching a movie, for a good story. I don't go for the graphic extravaganza. That's what has kept me away from most of the new sci-fi along with way too much drama. It's like watching soaps in outter space now and I can't even follow it at all.

[Dan_Shade]

that's how I felt about Jurrassic Park, SD.

[SPIKER]

The progress in 3-D is what I liked and I am looking forward to that technology being applied to a good story 

That's the one and only reason I would enjoy watching a movie, for a good story. I don't go for the graphic extravaganza.

I felt the story line was excellent.   
The Political BS wasnt really an issue with me as there has always been one culture more advanced bullying around another culture...   It is still happening here on earth today...  not to mention those other planets with the same problems

Mark

[Cedarman]

As I watched the movie, emminent domain came to mind.  Just look what is happening right now in the state of Washington next to the airport.
Oh Yeah, what a feast for the eyes that movie was.

[SPIKER]

As I watched the movie, eminent domain came to mind.  Just look what is happening right now in the state of Washington next to the airport.
Oh Yeah, what a feast for the eyes that movie was.

eminent domain came to mind.  Ya that is the latest one that locally has been a problem, cities using that to wipe out hole communities and build shopping malls...   lots of state & local governments are using that one...   or at least trying to...   who ever thought that a shopping mall was a requirement for the social benefit for the town/city?

mark

[Frickman]

I went to a matinee show today. I had three observations:

1. The actress who played Trudy is the spitting image of one of my hay customers. No kidding.

2. The tree was incredible. How many board feet do you think was in it?

3. The graphics were great, it is incredible what they can do these days.

The movie is worth going to see just for the 3D experience. As for the plot itself, I think it was fairly mediocre, but not really that bad either. I can do without most of the bad language though.

[Ralph_C]

Haven't been to a movie since 1974. May go see this one.  Probably costs more than the $1.50 I paid in 74.

[beenthere]

Ralph
Was that "Ben Hur" ??   

[Ralph_C]

"Poseidon Adventure"

[Brad_S.]

Haven't been to a movie since 1974. May go see this one.  Probably costs more than the $1.50 I paid in 74.

Move the decimal point one unit to the right and add another zero on the end and you will have the price of the 3D version.
Double that if you planned on getting popcorn and a soda.

[DouginUtah]

In Logan, UT, $7.00 for the 3-D showing. Had to get in line one hour early to get the best seats in the theater.

[SPIKER]

In Logan, UT, $7.00 for the 3-D showing. Had to get in line one hour early to get the best seats in the theater.

You must have went to the Tuesday matinee like we did!   It would have been close to 850 for the friday night showing maybe more...

Mark

[OneWithWood]

The weather was nasty here yesterday - lots of blowing snow, icy roads and just all around yucky.

Not a good day to be out in the woods working.

But...it was a good evening to trudge into town to see this flick.  We knew there would be no lines and we could pick the best seats in the theatre. 

What a visual treat!  and we looked really cool with the 3d specs 

[Jeff]

I think Burkraft was dissin the movie because I bet the glasses made him look just like Drew Carey. 


  (Hey! I coulda said Mimi...) 

[Warbird]

Jeff

OWW, some friends of mine and I may go watch it yet again tomorrow.  It would be my 3rd time watching it, 2nd time in 3D.

[SwampDonkey]

And here I have to get my entertainment, entertaining you guys from my shop.

Life's just the doldrums in the arctic wasteland. Ho hum!  

[isawlogs]

 I was just on the phone with my son , he told me it was his fourth viewing and not the last ... 

[Jeff]

I'd go again if I got the chance.

[Warbird]

I have watched it 3 times and that is enough for me, for the theater.  It will be interesting to see what sort of 3D technology they release for the television market over the next year or two.

[moonhill]

Wow .   So the leanings I get is Avatar is a movie worth seeing.  I had a report to go see it as well.   I have not seen it yet, 3 or more?  Is it really that good? 

So, is it an alien movie or is it a comparison of how wicked modern man has become?  Controlling resources with disregard to the natives?  Could it be both?  Or is it just entertainment?   I am going to have to go see it for the entertainment.

Tim

P.S. is this being discussed elsewhere?

[Jeff]

Go and see it, leave the politics at home and be thoroughly entertained by the spectacle.

And no, its not being discussed elsewhere.

[brdmkr]

Yeah, leave the politics out and just watch for the technology.  I saw it in Imax 3d.  Incredible!  I found myself reaching out to touch stuff.  I think I embarrassed my son

[Warbird]

What Jeff said.  Just go see it.

[moonhill]

We are going this evening.  We have to drive 2 hours one way to get to a theater showing in 3D, only 1/2 hour more than the 2D theater.

Tim

[Warbird]

Don't drink a lot of fluid before the show.  With previews, it is well over 2.5 hours long!

[Dodgy Loner]

I took the fiance to see the movie on Saturday. She rolled her eyes and wasn't too interested when I suggested that we go, because she's not into sci-fi fantasies. Neither am I, but Jeff was rather convincing . We both were amazed. The world they created just seemed so real, it's hard to believe it only exists on somebody's computer .

Regarding the politics, I don't know what the big deal was. If you weren't offended by Dances With Wolves (and I wasn't), which is based in reality, I don't see why you would be offended by this movie, which is a complete fantasy. Just forget about it and enjoy the experience.

[moonhill]

What will the next phase of technology bring us in viewing entertainment?  It was cool.  I didn't have to "go" until I reached home, that is 5 hours from the start of the movie.

The political slant, if that is what we want to call it, was as expected, no big deal. 

It appeared they were hunter gatherers, and not a agrarians.  I would have liked them to have touched on that a little more.  I felt something was missing in their life styles, just not part of the plot I guess. 

I heard if it goes well a trilogy may come out of it.  That has me wondering which direction that my go?  Into the future or the past.   

I found the big tree falling interesting.  It didn't flatten into the ground, some of the larger branches held up the trunk.  Someone watch trees fall prior to the film.

I believe it stops running on the 14th of January, at least in my area, so last call if you want to see it on the big screen. 

Tim

[Warbird]

I wondered about the tree falling, as well.  My conclusion is that all organics on that planet also have naturally occurring carbon fiber, much as the Na'vi.  Therefore, it is much stronger and the branches were able to support more weight.  Just a theory but that is what I would say if I were the writer. 

As for the next phase of technology, I expect holographic projection and paper thin surround screens to make an appearance somewhere.  Fully immersive 3D will then be possible but I cannot yet picture how it would work at a theater.

[moonhill]

They are working on contact lenses which will be the screen for just about anything, computer, communications person to person, games, and I guess movies and much more. 

Tim

[Warbird]

Have you guys seen the movie "Surrogates", with Bruce Willis?  It is pretty fake from a networking perspective but still an interesting concept that ties directly into this sort of stuff.

[SPIKER]

Have you guys seen the movie "Surrogates", with Bruce Willis?  It is pretty fake from a networking perspective but still an interesting concept that ties directly into this sort of stuff.

I wasnt impressed with surrogates all that much, saw it at the dollar move and glad I didnt pay full price.


'the tree falling & not smashing to bits could have been a low gravity thing as in the first part of the movie they said that the gravity was only like 80% of what earths is.   That is just my take, but I doupt that any of the guys/girls that did that fancy programming have ever been close to a falling tree, or a tree that is alive & standing for that matter    Some kid probably with a pasty computer monitor tan AT BEST

I might like to go see it again...

Mark

[Warbird]

Transparent screen with 100,000:1 contrast ratio.

[Qweaver]

Wow! I loved it.  It's just unreal what we can do with computers.