We watched Avatar last night

[theatokos]

It was annoying and fabulous, but mostly it was GORGEOUS. As Adam said half way through the film, "I can't believe we only get to spend 2.5 hours here." It was also very typical James Cameron - simplistic, stock characters, visually impressive, and also emotionally engrossing. Anyone remember Titanic? It came out when I was in college and I saw it three times in the theatre. I was engrossed, despite its cheese, and I sobbed my eyes out at the end every time. Sheesh.


I was really put off in the beginning with the heavy-handedness of the science v business v military stuff. I dislike the shallow caricatures: muscly bone headed war mongering military dudes (Michelle Rodriguez saved the day), profit at all costs business man, and 'everything for my data/subjects' scientist. And..... then there's the Jesus/white guy/saviour. And the Na'vi - peaceful, nature loving, simple tribal folk.

Anyone else notice a Jesus motif? He comes from the Sky People. He's two essences in one body. He's saves them. He was (briefly) hung on a 'cross.' The tree spores descend on him (like the dove of the Holy Spirit at Jesus' baptism) as a sign of his choseness. In a witty flip, though, Eywa reminds me of an anagram of Yahweh.

And I have to say, I loathe the papyrus font, which is what the subtitles were in. It's a font that people seem to think says "I'm spiritual!" But really, it's just overused and way passe.

But in spite of all that I was engrossed. I cheered for the Na'vi and wanted the love story to work out. I loved the beauty of the world that was created, from the graphics, to the animal and plant design, to the spiritual poignancy of being able to 'plug in' to the Tree of Souls. The most moving part for me was when the main female character (whose name I never caught) goes after Jake's human body, cradles his (in comparison) tiny and frail body, and seeing him for the first time, says "My Jake." Choked me right up, that did.

I will so watch this again. Bennett loved it too. It was a more than a bit violent in parts (oops) but the plants and animals and Na'vi people entranced him.

Comments

[ardaraith.livejournal.com]

Wow. Have I really been away so long that those comparisons passed me by? I guess so. But now that you've pointed it out, yup. I see that.

[ewigweibliche.livejournal.com]

I can't not see these sorts of things. For better or worse. Adam also said part way into the film something along the lines of "And who says paganism isn't hitting the mainstream?"

[gwydion1987.livejournal.com]

Yes, that's what I thought too. Perfect advertisement for our ways. ;)

Though I have some trouble with the "white saviour saves helpless 'blue' people"-subject which I see - yes -, but I think it's important to keep in mind, that his whole ability to do anything depends on his Knowledge of and Connection with the Na'vi and their ways. He doesn't preach to them and would never have been able to save the day without becoming one of them "in the flesh" and spirit.

I LOVE the movie! There is so much more that I love about it than what I could and do criticize. It makes me cry every single time I see it ... .

bb*
Gwydion

[ewigweibliche.livejournal.com]

Please feel free to gush enthusiastically!

[keypike.livejournal.com]

I agree - visually stunning. I just found the story so predictable.

But I think the most interesting part for me was that at no point did I feel like I was watching animation, and that's pretty cool.

[ewigweibliche.livejournal.com]

The animation was mind blowing. Adam and I were trying to figure out just how much was animated. I think some of the scenery must have been shot in Australia or SE Asia then enhanced. Adam thinks the whole thing is entirely animated. It was amazing, nonetheless.

[erinya.livejournal.com]

the main female character (whose name I never caught)

Neytiri. :-)

If you ever get a chance to watch this in 3D, don't pass it up. I had trouble with the race stuff in the movie, but it is gorgeous.

[ewigweibliche.livejournal.com]

I was frustrated that I saw the main Na'vi guys name several times and could hear his name clearly, but Neytiri never had her name in print and was only mentioned in passing a few times. I remembered your post and agreed that the story would have been more compelling, though no less cheesey given the characters, if told from the Na'vi perspective.

Worst use of Papyrus ever.

[hrafntinna.livejournal.com]

I saw it in full-on 3D whazzitcalled, IMAX. If you're going to spectacularize other races, do it right.

Re: Worst use of Papyrus ever.

[ewigweibliche.livejournal.com]

The first time it popped up on the screen Adam yelled out rather violently. And then B had to copy him.

[sapphire-kittum.livejournal.com]

Yep, it was a beautiful movie. :D

[seaivy.livejournal.com]

Never realized type faces had spiritual connotations. LOL Opens up whole new worlds of speculation. I always thought it was an artistic decision.

[ewigweibliche.livejournal.com]

Adam is a graphic and web designer, as are many of our friends. I can tell you a few things about fonts, I can! All artistic decisions are rying to convey something. I find that usually the people/businesses that use papyrus are in the beauty or spirituality field - with the exceptions of Biblical based things, like the non-profit I worked for.

[readthisandweep.livejournal.com]

Or an author who self published & chose Papyrus for her cover & dedication pages because it has long been a favourite, is elegant & has a touch of the bohemian which spoke to her aesthetic heart?

In no way did I choose Papyrus because I thought it would make me appear 'spiritual.' I AM spiritual. I chose the font because I like it & for no other reason.

With respect, graphic designers aren't the only arbiters of what constitutes good taste & the assumption that a writer (anyone) is 'trying to convey something' through the medium of a font, is just that ~ an assumption.

I was trying to convey something with the narrative of my story. But that is something else entirely.

(And to the suggestion of defensiveness ~ I'm a Witch remember; I know about these things ~ so what?)

[seaivy.livejournal.com]

Perhaps your choice was a subconscious one. You choose your words consciously because that is your craft. An artist makes conscious visual choices because that is our craft. Papyrus is all that you say it is. Charmingly elegant and yes, perhaps a bit Bohemian. Your choice says you have good taste.

I'm getting confused, however. If a font is useful and conveys a meaning either consciously or unconsciously why is it passe?
But, of course, the original poster, whose site this is, has every right to loath it. That is a personal and perhaps unconscious response.

In any case, this has been an interesting detour on the discussion of the film.

[readthisandweep.livejournal.com]

*Perhaps your choice was a subconscious one. Possibly, but it was definitely & largely a conscious one for the reason I gave ~ I have loved it since before it became fashionable.

Passe means 'outmoded.' I think its stretching it a bit to name a font as being old fashioned. The Papyrus font I would suggest is in fact very popular now ~ almost ubiquitous. And of course, we are all entitled to our opinion. I hope I have been respectful in my comments.

[ewigweibliche.livejournal.com]

Oh come now. I don't think graphic designers are the only arbiters of taste. But they do have more of an eye for how fonts work, much like fashion designers often have more of a sense of how fashion works. But that does not mean you have to negate your own ideas.

I was hesitant to mention the papyrus dis knowing that you'd chosen it for your book. But it doesn't mean I have to like it. Your choosing that font fits in with the aesthetic of people I would think would like it. Just like I look like, and am, the sort of pretentious twat who loves Literary Fiction that she'll never read and Mac products.

[seaivy.livejournal.com]

Yes, I know about fonts. My first degree was in art. I still do a lot of design work for the non-profits I work with. Yes, the font you use says something. You want your readers to get a message visually not just with the words that are used. It's an artistic decision as the font must fit with all the other dimensions of the work you are doing. But, of course, you know that.

If, indeed, papyrus has "spiritual and beauty" connotations and these were the ideas the director wanted to evoke in his viewers then he chose wisely.

I like the font. It is readable which is the first consideration. It has a certain elegance and fluidity. It is a "feminine" font. It is not one I can use often. Usually I am looking for fonts with a stronger "masculine" aura. I need fonts that are bold, vivid and above all readable.

[ewigweibliche.livejournal.com]

Excellent breakdown of papyrus! It is a nice font. And that's why so many people choose it. It looks great on the cover of readthisandweep's novel. It looks ridiculous when a menu is in it. Or a yet another nail salon's sign.

[readthisandweep.livejournal.com]

Quite

[wickedgroovy.livejournal.com]

My husband is also a graphic designer, and he was also annoyed by the use of papyrus font. In fact that is on his "top ten list of annoying fonts used by everybody, but shouldn't be used by anybody." Still, we both totally enjoyed the movie, despite the weird motifs you mentioned. It was so BEAUTIFUL! I want to live there! :)

[ewigweibliche.livejournal.com]

Would copper plate gothic bold also be on that list by any chance?

There is a font, I don't know the name of it, but Ethiopian restaurants use it. It drives me nuts.