Watch: Avatar

A vibrant journey that is engaging and convincing

Avatar is all about manifestation. The manifestation of a man in the form of a male Na'vi, as well as the manifestation of divinity in the form of the natural world. These parallel concepts, which are directly related to the movie's title, are the driving force of this journey that makes one rethink his choices in life by making connections between these concepts and our real world.

Pandora is a beautiful, colorful, and self-sustaining world, just like what our Earth had been about 100 years ago. It has its share of wild beasts and human-like Na'vis which, while may fight occasionally, live in harmony nonetheless. It is the flow of energy between all the creatures, no matter how different they are, that makes this place unique. A different kind of bond, a divine link which is referred to by the locals as a goddess named Eywa.

Things seemed destined to change though. Humans coming to Pandora were about to disturb its harmony forever. They did it before in their home (Earth) and there's no doubt they can do it again on Pandora. The movie shows us the triangle of business, science, and the military, and how they act together despite their somewhat different goals. The businessmen look for money, and the scientists look for knowledge, while the army men look for glory.

The journey takes place in the head of the protagonist, the former marine Jake Sully, who finds himself between a true clash of civilizations: the industrialist Humans and the naturalist Na'vis. Living as his Na'vi scientifically-developed avatar while asleep, he was soon to feel the other way around. The stark difference between both worlds is evident throughout the movie, and perhaps it was symbolized by Sully's loss of both legs as a human in contrast with his complete form as a Na'vi.

Technically, the movie is one of the best. The CGI-live action integration is so seamless in a way that makes some recent movies seem very old. The 3-D technology is a plus, helping the viewer to get into the story and feel the action even more without being a distraction, unlike many other 3-D movies. The writing is great, as well as the design of the elements comporting the natural life of Pandora which is nothing short of visual poetry.

Finally, the theme may draw parallels with previous movies. Avatar is not the first movie to be critical of the post-industrial disconnection from nature and the implications it had on the environment around us. Nor it is free from elements repeated in similar Hollywood-style epic movies. But despite all of this, Avatar is unique enough as a whole; a movie that is definitely worth watching.

Score: 4/5

Official Avatar Movie

Pixar is still going UP.

Pixar's finishing of their first decade of movies couldn't have been better. UP has been in theater's for almost two and half weeks and it is doing great. There are even some speculations about it being one of the best performance of Pixar in terms of the box office. One can't help wondering why Pixar keeps going up?!

Having seen many animation movies lately, it is fair to say that Pixar is by far the leader in this industry. It is not hte techniques they use in the animation, it is not the amount of innovation in the way they render their scenes, it is something much more simple and much more appealing to the regular viewers that makes the difference between Pixar and the rest. It is their stories that appeal to all the ages. It is the worlds they create, not only by their stunning visuals, but by their incredible storytelling abilities also.

From a fish looking for it's son to a rat who wants to be a chef, and from those talking toys, to that old guy who wants to fulfill his late wife's dream; each story has something to laugh about, something to learn, and in some cases (especially with UP), something that will almost make you cry.

Pixar is taking 3D animation to a whole new level in a time when this genre began to be dominated by banal movies. It is doing what Disney had been doing with 2D animation until a decade ago. Now, with both companies unified, one can only expect the best to come.

Watch: Kung Fu Panda

Taking place in China, the movie tells a story of a Panda (Po) who aspires to be a Kung Fu warrior. Po works in a noodle restaurant with his father (Mr. Ping) who wants Po to succeed him in managing the restaurant, but wants to be sure that he's ready to be given the secret ingredient. Po keeps his dreams for himself, but his desire to be a Kung Fu warrior is to big to be hidden. So when the opportunity comes, will Po be able to seize it?

From the movies title it is really easy to know that Po will seize this opportunity, the question is how? But what's more important is that from this moment in the movie, all the fun begins. I went to this movie with not very high expectations having been disappointed by many of the previous Dreamworks 3D animated movies (Shrek 2 - Shark Tale - Madagascar). I also thought that the movie would be very childish (something like Hoodwinked) and may not be enjoyable by adults (I am 23). However, it was really enjoyable for most of the time, and I had some pretty good laughs every know and then.

The concept of the film is fine. A Panda playing Kung Fu may sound a little like a Rat who is cooking, but repitition is something we are used to in animated feature films (AntZ & A Bug's Life, The Wild & Madagascar, Shark Tale & Finding Nemo), at least this time they were two different animals! The message within the movie (moral lesson) was also done before in some animated movies, but nevertheless it perfectly fits the story line.

The characters design is the best aspect of the movie IMO. While most of the attention is given to the Panda and its struggle with its heavy weight, the movie is rich with a variety of characters that range from the old and wise tortoise Kung Fu master (Ogoway) to the snow leopard villain (Tai Lung) passing through a tiger, a monkey, a green tree viper, a praying mantis and a Japanese crane. Did I mention that Po's father is a goose?!

Kung Fu Panda is a fairly enjoyable CGI movie. Its main audience is of course kids, but if you're an adult who love animated movies, you'll most propably like it.

Technicality:

• Amazing traditionally animated intro.
• Nothing exceptional in the voice acting, maybe except for Master Shifu (Dustin Hoffman).
• Cartoonish character design that goes well with the theme of the movie.
• The music seemed to be nice, but I could hardly hear it in most parts of the movies (well...except for the intro and the casting).
• Progress of events is mantained throughout the movie which makes it far more enjoyable than some previous Dreamworks CGI movies.
  

My Score:4/5

Animated Shorts Academy Nominations

Each year at the same time I am waiting eagerly to know to whom the Oscars go; not in the best actors categories, nor the best picture, director, but for the best animated short film. This category, which is hardly mentioned before and after the ceremony, is the most one that attracts my attention, and that's because of many reasons.

Firstly, the films are really short which means that you can watch them all together in a far less time than feature films. Secondly, shorts are usually more hard to do than the feature films; it is harder to find a short appealing story, it is harder to leave a lasting impression from a movie that usually doesn't exceed the half hour mark. Thirdly, these are shorts and animations, so it is very easy for many to neglect them, and indeed they are neglected by many.

This year's nominations come from different countries and with different styles and genres.

1- I Met The Walrus

A short animation about an interview that John Lennon did with a 14 years old boy in 1969. The film is made by simply drawn illustrations which go along with Lennon's speech and contains many symbolism. That 14 years old boy is now 53 and he's the producer of I Met The Walrus.

Website: www.imetthewalrus.com
Country: Canada
Technique: Handdrawings, 2D.
Runtime: 5 min.
Trailer:

2- Madame Tutli-Putli

A stop motion accompanied by real eyes integration into the main characters, the film is visually impressive. Along with its original music and story, that's propably what granted it a nomination. Madame Tutli-Putli is in a journey both in reality and in her imagination. While travelling in a train, she's also confrontin her demons.

Website: www.nfb.ca/webextension/madame-tutli-putli/
Country: Canada
Technique: Stop Motion
Runtime: 17 min.
Trailer:

3- Même les pigeons vont au paradis (aka. Even Pigeons Go To Heaven)

An ironic 3D short film about a priest who races death to reach an old man and to sell to him a machine that will transport him into paradise before he dies. Death, faith and salesmen attitudes, all are combined in this beautiful short film.

Website: www.buf.com
Country: France
Technique: CGI
Runtime: 9 min.
Trailer: http://www.samueltourneux.com/PAGE1/page1.html

4- Moya Iyobov (aka. My Love)

The most eye-catching of them all, this short film has its unique style. Aleksander Petrov's paint-on-glass technique, together with the romantic story and the russian atmosphere, makes this movie a serious contender for the award. It is worth to mention that Petrov already won an Oscar in 1999 for his short paint-on-glass animated film The Old Man And The Sea.

Website: www.dago.ru
Country: Russia
Technique: Paint-On-Glass
Runtime: 26 min.
Trailer:

5- Peter & The Wolf

The classic fable about the fearless child set to Prokofiev's musical score, this movie is a combination of three different techniques producing a unique looking version of the story.

Website: www.breakthrufilms.co.uk/peterandthewolffilm/index.html
Country: Russia
Technique: CGI, Puppets, and Stop Motion.
Runtime: 33 min.
Trailer: http://www.breakthrufilms.co.uk/peterandthewolffilm/trailer.html

My Opinion: Once again this category proves to be the richest when it comes to creativity and techniques. With the absence of Pixar's shorts, it was an empty seat for others to be nominated, specially that there's not a single American film in this category this year. With the exception of Even Pigeons Can Go To Heaven, all the shorts well deserve the nominations (IMO). If you want to watch the films yourself just do a search in YouTube; most if not all of them are available there.

Predictions: I always suck at predictions, but for me it is either I Met The Walrus, or My Love; both movies truly stand out from the others. However, I think I Met The Walrus will eventually be the winner.