Posts in "Avatar"

By Preston Mui at 7:49AM

Feb 11, 2010

Avatar: A Pro-Freedom Movie

It's been out for a while, but I only just got around to seeing Avatar. Luckily for me, the local cinema is open even with the snowstorm here in D.C. (yes, the movie theater is open, but the Federal Government is closed).

I wasn't sure what to expect from it before going in. The day before, one of my Republican friends at school expressed disapproval of the movie. He didn't say it in so many words, but he implied that the movie was anti-military and overly environmentalist. But I felt it was a movie I should see anyways -- and I was right. Not only was it a decent movie, but I found its themes to be extremely pro-liberty.

[Read on only if you want spoilers!]

Age of the Blockbusters or Age of Inflation?

As of January 5th 2010 the movie "Avatar" has grossed 1 billion and 63 million dollars worldwide. This amazing box office total places James Cameron's current film at number 4 worldwide, and it's just getting started. Though "Avatar" will most likely either beat out "Titanic," or come very close to beating it, what do all these recent high grossing movies really mean?

In terms of domestic sales not adjusted for inflation we can see that the majority of the top 100 all time domestic movies were put out in the 21st century, in the past 10 years. However, an list of the top 100 movies adjusted for inflation tells a very different story. In this list we see that "Titanic" is knocked out of the number one position by..."Gone with the Wind"?

Avatar

What seems like an era of blockbusters is really just movies as usual, but inflated. "Avatar" has A LONG ways to go if it wants to beat out "Gone With the Wind" in ticket sales.

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By George Edwards at 7:01AM

Dec 28, 2009

"Avatar" in Regards to Iraq

What does the movie "Avatar" really say about the war in Iraq?

Growing up I've tended to interpret things as either effrontery to Christianity, the opposite, or benign. Nowadays I would describe my passions as more towards politics, economics, and philosophy. However, when I saw James Cameron's "Avatar," I was impressed by the political extremism that spoke to my passions. This movie was visually stunning and bravely outspoken against war. "Avatar" articulated a point to the audience that will probably NOT be reduced to an accurate analogy.

I would say that Cameron's analogy can be generalized as follows:

If soldiers invade a land for marketable resources, then the natives and surrounding populations have the right to defend themselves with force.

A libertarian movie fix?

Well, not exactly. But what an oustanding film "Avatar" is. If Lew Rockwell's recommendation isn't enough for you, there are plenty of not-so-subtle anti-war, anti-state messages in the film that could've easily been written by a libertarian.

I especially liked how the film emphasized the personal choices and values of individual members of the US Marines engaged in the aggressive violence against the alien race, as opposed to the war-is-romantic sub-theme of "The Notebook" or the "collective guilt," message implied by "Fahrenheit 9/11."