Why Does It Matter That Avatar Is A Movie?

[Human No More]

Of course... But I really do not hate humans, just because I wish to be something better... What I do hate is people who can't see that and keep repeating the same thing.

[Txum_kali'weya]

im a misanthrope.
wow, it is obvious...

[Tsyal Makto]

Anyway, back on topic please. Why are movies always singled out as an unacceptable form of inspiration?

[Empty Glass]

I don't have a real good answer on this. Maybe movies are singled out because they are arguably easier to 'consume' than, say, a book, which requires a bit more time, patience, thinking, and interpretation. By this argument, books appear more 'intellectual,' especially if the movie is just loaded with action scenes and all that stuff. Hence, it seems more logical to find inspiration from a book.

But I don't like what I just said, there's plenty of movies (which may or may not involve action) that require thinking and interpretation from the viewer, and certainly some books that defy the 'intellectual' tag.

Maybe part of the problem is that people don't think of a huge-scale film like Avatar as one that is meant to be inspiring. They just see such a movie as something meant primarily to entertain and make a huge pile of money. Perhaps they'll say that one with a much smaller budget and far less SFX can be [allowed to be] inspiring, but a huge flick that is meant to be a blockbuster? "Nahh..."

I'm just thinking out loud at this point, don't know how logical I sound...

[Sight Unseen]

Originally Posted by Eltu

But I STILL respect ALL OF YOUR opinions and beliefs though

In general, the world needs more of this. ^

And yes, I'm off topic. Just making an observation.

[Advent]

Originally Posted by Tsyal Makto

To which I say, "meh."

Let me ask you something, Advent. Does wishing I were Na'vi mean I automatically hate humans? Is it possible that I want to be a Na'vi, and be indifferent to humans?

Yeah, I would leave for Pandora if I could, but stop acting like I'd drop a couple nukes off the Venture Star on the way out or something.

Hey, don't put words in my mouth. I hate it when people do that.
And wishing you are a Na'vi doesn't make you a misanthrope. Don't let anger or frustration get the better of you, Tsyal.

And you can tell who they are. Always taking the Na'vi side. Defending them more than anything. Outright insulting companies, politics, Civilization, along with society.

Of course, hating society I have no quarrel with. And I especially hate politicians.

[Fkeu 'Awpo]

Originally Posted by Tsyal Makto

Anyway, back on topic please. Why are movies always singled out as an unacceptable form of inspiration?

News to me. Since when has this been going on?

[Human No More]

For as long as they've been around...

[Tsyal Makto]

Originally Posted by Fkeu 'Awpo

News to me. Since when has this been going on?

Pretty much since movies have been out, I guess. I'm sure you've heard the "it's just a movie" argument, right? Well, I'm just pointing out that movies tend to be disregarded as forms of inspiration more than any other form of media. I mean, no one ever hears an "it's just a book" or "it's just a piece of music" argument. I'm just trying to figure out why movies seem to be the odd one out all the time.

[Fkeu 'Awpo]

I usually only hear of people saying "it's just a movie" to frightened kids who just saw a scary movie.

Originally Posted by Tsyal Makto

I'm just trying to figure out why movies seem to be the odd one out all the time.

All the time, wut. Give some examples. Sounds like you're making something out of nothing.

[Tsyal Makto]

You're on the forum for one.

[neytirifanboy]

Originally Posted by Tsyal Makto

One thing we hear a lot is the "it's just a movie" argument, but TBH I don't really understand it. I mean, people are inspired and changed by other forms of art all the time, like music or books or paintings, and you never hear anyone pull an "it's just a book" argument or something, but for some reason, movies seem to be taboo as a form of inspiration. Why is that?

I wouldn't say that is really true. How many times do we hear things like "It's just a myth/legend/story" all of which tended to be book based.

It is a movie, but whether it is just a movie will depend on the judgement of each individual. Just like I think that the bible is "just a fictional book." But many diasgree with my view and think it is very important.

[joeylovesgaia]

Maybe 'cause Hollywood does make a lot of really stupid movies (and more ppl are exposed to them than say, trashy novels) and if you don't get the subtext, it can be hard to tell the difference. Sturgeon's Law, folks--90% percent of works in any medium, in any genre, are crap. Which ones make the top 10% can be highly subjective.

Oh, and to those who come out of Avatar hating humans, remember that the Na'vi are (somewhat idealized) primordial humans. Go far back enough and your ancestors lived in small groups where everyone's family, got their food directly from the land, and connected with the land and animals. There's still people like that today, and guess what, they're getting raped, massacred, and forced off their sacred lands so the place can be clearcut, stripmined, and otherwise destroyed. As always, their conquerors think that might makes right. http://www.survivalinternational.org/